TRUE friend?

“Some friends don’t help, but a true friend is closer than your own family.” Proverbs 18:24 Contemporary English Version

How many friends can you count on when you find yourself in a struggle of some sort? Can anyone count on you? Being that kind of TRUE friend is an art, a skill learned and perfected over time. Friendship can fulfill the desire to know and be known.

With Valentine’s Day almost upon us, let’s take a closer look at what a TRUE friend is because whether we are single or married, we all have friends. Honing our skills of friendship will enhance all our relationships.

The famous Greek philosopher and scientist, Aristotle, classifies friendships into 3 categories;

FRIENDSHIPS OF UTILITY—people are on friendly terms mainly due to benefits each brings to the table such as business partners, colleagues, schoolmates, etc.

FRIENDSHIPS OF PLEASURE—people find each other through common interests they enjoy such as hobbies, sports, civic activities, church, etc.

FRIENDSHIPS OF THE GOOD—are based on respect, appreciation for each others qualities and a strong will to aid and assist the other person because one recognizes their value.

The first two types change with circumstances and usually do not last as long as the third category. According to Aristotle, friendships of the good are hard to find and develop. If you happen to have more than one of these friends based on goodness, you are fortunate indeed.

To me this third type is a TRUE friend, the kind I want to be and have. The others are acquaintances on various levels and also needed in our lives but not to the deep extent of the third type.

A TRUE friend loves at all times according to Proverbs 17:17. What does that mean? I believe it follows the same principles of I Corinthians 13.

A TRUE friend is patient when we let them down because we are not perfect.

A TRUE friend is kind because we live in a cruel world.

A TRUE friend is not jealous but happy for our triumphs.

A TRUE friend does not demand their own way, they take turns with us.

A TRUE friend does not keep record of our wrongs but gives us grace, thank God.

A TRUE friend never gives up on us, even when we may deserve it.

A TRUE friendship involves time, effort and care. It doesn’t just happen. As in any deep relationship, it requires commitment and attention resulting in each of us realistically having only a few of these TRUE friendships.

We all need to have at least one of these blessed friendships. It is a tremendous gift to treasure. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

If you haven’t yet found such a friendship you would do well to look in the mirror and examine whether or not you are TRUE friend material. If you find yourself lacking, ask God to help you develop the character traits necessary to be a TRUE friend. He will help you.

For myself I know it’s an ongoing learning process to be a TRUE friend. It involves self denial and oh how painful that can be. Sometimes I drop the friendship ball and hurt one of my dear friends. I have to run to Jesus for forgiveness, strength and wisdom to know how to heal wounds I’ve caused. I have to fight against justifiying what I’ve done in order to save the friendship.

Thank God, literally, for TRUE friends who forgive me and love me even when I’m selfish and annoying, because we all are at times. But TRUE friends love us annoying warts and all. TRUE friends accept us even in our limitations.

“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 New Living Translation

TRUE friends speak the truth in love to us even when it’s hard to hear. This is one of the hardest parts of being a TRUE friend. Finding the balance to lovingly steer a friend away from harm when they insist on running headlong into it is tough stuff. And if we on the hearing end, choose to turn a deaf ear to their loving warnings, TRUE friends wait for us to come to our senses and pray for us in the meantime. TRUE friends help us pick up the pieces when our lives shatter from our own poor choices.

How about you? Are you concerned with being a TRUE friend? Do you take from your friends without considering their needs? Are you only available to your friends when their lives are going well? Do you listen to their heart as well as their words? Do you spend time together regularly ? If distance is a factor, make it a point to call or FaceTime/Skype (Texting is ok but should not be the only form of communication)

Jesus was willing to lay down His life for His friends. What are we willing to do for ours? Surely we can be loyal, honest and remain in communication. Reach out and touch your friends during this month of Love. Don’t take them for granted. Don’t be silent in their lives.

“In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Don’t be a silent friend … have a voice in their lives by staying close to the end.

Shine on. . .

karan k

Some Thoughts about MLK Day

“Intelligence plus character——that is the goal of true education.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Recently here in the USA we observed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Always the third Monday in January close to the actual date of his birth on January 15th. With much embarrassment I admit that for most of my adult life this day was just a paid holiday at the beginning of every year.

I was born in 1963 so I don’t remember a lot about Dr. King. Everything I know about him was learned after he was already in the arms of Jesus.

Being part of a middle-class white family in the Pennsylvania countryside, the details of MLK’s fight for Civil Rights did not find its way onto my radar very often. However, I did understand firsthand the ugly root of perceived inequality and the need for Civil Rights ——prejudiced thinking and warped attitudes. I hated both of these.

Illustration of three blue birds and a red bird sitting on a wire. The blue birds are mocking the red bird for being different. Concept for xenophobia, racism, prejudice and intolerance.

In my local area, rabid name calling and condescending attitudes billowed into a thick ugly smog that poisoned the air we breathed. The anger seemed contagious. I never understood how you could look down on and hate someone you didn’t even know personally.

I do know one rock from which this nasty prejudice problem crawled out from under and slithered into my local world: lack of education.

The Great Depression necessitated many children to enter the labor force as young as eight years old or face starvation. This was the unfortunate lot of countless children born in the 1920s and 30s in Pennsylvania. Especially young boys were sent to work on farms to help support their large families. Scores of men who became fathers and local leaders during my upbringing experienced this lack of education in their past and never fully realized the truth of our big, beautiful world and its multi-faceted cultures.

As my dear husband often says, “they didn’t know what they didn’t know.” And so without education and lack of character molding on a stable home front, they learned to become hard workers with little understanding for anyone who seemed, thought, or appeared different.

In John 8:32 Jesus said “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Now in this passage HE was teaching about the truth of salvation being in Himself alone. Without being taught about salvation they could not experience it.

There is freedom in truth. This principle laid out by Jesus hits so many areas of life including combatting prejudice. KNOWING the truth that our world was created intentionally with many varied, wonderful people groups with unique cultures, individual personalities, and differing opinions sets us free to respect and love each other.

Growing up in an environment where many leaders were infected with the pestilence of hatred, my odds of contracting the disease ran high. God only knows how I escaped the enslavement of a heart fettered by prejudice. I praise Him as I am reminded by this 2019 Martin Luther King Day that freedom from such an enslaving mindset needs to be guarded. If I fail to guard it I risk slowly compromising it and losing it without my realization. I must protect how I view the virtue of each individual lest I too become poisoned and chained by prejudice.

May it never be so and may we who are free from prejudice teach by our daily conduct those around us how to respect, appreciate and love all men by the grace of Almighty God!

“We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools.”

Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr.

What are your thoughts on MLK Day? Share so we can learn from one another.

Shine on. . .

karan k

Christmas Lights of Grace

I love driving around to look at lights this time of year. Some people go all out to decorate and illuminate their homes. I have more lights on the inside than on the outside of our cozy town home. How about you, do you use lights in your Christmas decorating?

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I AM the Light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you have the Light that leads to Life.’ ” John 8:12 New Living Translation

Jesus said these words right after the whole incident with the adulteress woman. Another simple story you can read in John 8:1-11. His message to us has not changed but remains timeless. We need His Light above all others to find our way. Any other light is false and we will end up in trouble if we follow it just like the adulteress woman. Whether its our finances, our tongues, our bodies, our relationships etc., each of us can find ourselves in trouble when we stray from His life giving Light.

Perhaps like the adulteress woman, you didn’t know about His light. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and come into your heart so you can know Him and He can know you. His Light and Life will transform your existence. Its WHY He came. He love you and wants a life brimming of joy and purpose for you.

When His light lives in us we can let it shine through us to others. No we are not perfect but His love and grace are available if we step back into the Light after we’ve sinned. Grace abounds in the Light!

May you receive His grace today in whatever way you need it!

Merry Christmas and God Bless us, every one!

Shine on. . .
karan k

“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16 New Living Translation

Comforting Christmas Stories

“I have always thought of Christmastime as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.”

From the book, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

This year while so many are watching the 25 Days of Hallmark Christmas movies, (I have no cable so no Hallmark for me), I am reading a Christmas book borrowed from a friend. She wanted to share a lovely Christmas story with me. Its a gift that she gave which is delighting my soul in the good things of the season. It’s a simple thing, an act of love from one friend to another.

This particular book is called The Christmas Bus, and at this point I’m only on page 45. If you’ve read it, don’t tell me the ending!:)

I am grateful I have learned to treasure such a pure gift of the heart. Don’t get me wrong, I relish Christmas movies and I’ll definitely watch some of those too, but there’s something special and relaxing in a different way when settling in to read a book or a story.

It has taken me years to slow down enough to enjoy such a simple pleasure but this calming pace has enriched my enjoyment of the rest of the Christmas season beyond compare.

The opening quote is from my very favorite Christmas book. The quote embodies the true spirit of Christmas. If at no other time of the year, we should open our hearts to one another in love because Christmas celebrates the One who is the embodiment of good. He is the kindest, most loving, all-forgiving, most joyful and pleasant person we can ever meet.

JESUS! Do we know Him intimately? Is HE a part of our life story on a daily basis? Unless HE is, your heart will remain “Shut-Up” in some way or other. I challenge you to slow down your festive frenzied season. Take time to sit and READ about Jesus. Meditate over a cup of coffee or cocoa on His story and how He intersects it with yours.

This can pry open a scared, anxiety riddled heart and fill it with His gifts of Love, Joy and Peace. And really, isn’t that what we all want deep down inside? Love? Joy? Peace? When we can receive these beautiful gifts we are finally free to share them with others. Because we cannot give what we do not possess.

So give it a go, open your heart to Him. What have you got to lose but some frustration and frazzlement. HE can make all the difference in your Christmas season and the rest of your life! And maybe, just maybe, your own story will become more exciting than any Hallmark movie. You’ll be FLURISHING through Christmas!

Shine on. . .
karan k

Loneliness and The Dating Game Part III: Head Games

The Dating Game Who’s Who: Sally Field appeared on the first night time episode of the show in October of 1967. She refused to actually go out on the date with the bachelor she chose.

Ok, so last time we briefly explored makeup and hair regarding any needed improvements to make a good first impression in the Dating Game of life. Before we completely leave the crown area we have to turn our attention to the mind.

I trust you are mentally and emotionally stable as you follow this series. If you are unsure, please stop and get help before continuing to search for love because you are not yet ready to meet someone.

You attract people on the same level of emotional health as yourself. So you need to be emotionally healthy to find a good partner. Don’t overlook this principle because it is paramount to succeeding in finding and maintaining a healthy relationship.

After emotional stability, the next thing to check is attitude.

I liked the definition of attitude from BusinessDictionary.com; “A predisposition or a tendency to respond positively or negatively toward a certain idea, object, person or situation. Attitude influences an individual’s choice of action, and responses to challenges, incentives, and rewards (together called stimuli).

Four major components of attitude are (1) Affective: emotions or feelings. (2) Cognitive: belief or opinions held consciously. (3) Conative: inclination for action. (4) Evaluative: positive or negative response to stimuli.”

Attitude affects emotions, opinions, intentions, and actions. It’s so much more than just the way we physically carry ourselves. With God’s help we can control our attitudes. Truly.

We can choose to be positive or negative in our attitudes toward anything in life. A positive attitude is much more attractive to prospective dates. What is your attitude like, really? Are you a “Debbie Downer”, always seeing the glass half empty? Or are you engaging and positive toward life and ultimately pleasant company? If you are unsure, ask God and some people you trust to give you their honest opinion.

IF they tell you they see you as negative, you need to decide to adjust your attitude. It is possible. It isn’t easy but it will be so beneficial for you in life for years to come if you turn away from the dark side of negativity. And it will make you more attractive to everyone.

How to adjust your attitude?

Make up your mind you need an adjustment and want one
Pray! Ask God for help in recognizing when you are TEMPTED in any given situation to be negative.
Each time you recognize a negative thought, capture it before it settles in your mind permanently. (II Corinthians 10:5)
Replace the negative thought by viewing the same situation in a different way, a positive one.
Ask a friend or family member to be an accountability partner to let you know if they see your attitude turning more positive. This will encourage you that you are on the right track.

The more you practice these strategies the easier and more natural they will become. In time your mindset will become positive in attitude and outlook.

Smiling from the inside out is always attractive!

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 New Living Translation

Shine on. . .
karan k

Loneliness and The Dating Game Part II: TipTop

The Dating Game Who’s Who: Lee Majors appeared on The Dating Game and was chosen for the date on October 7, 1967.

This series more than most is coming out of my Life Coaching experiences. I pursued Life Coaching certification in 2011 because as a young adult I had no one to help me navigate the simple or the complex issues of life. I wanted to learn how to be that person others could turn to for help in achieving their highest potential and personal goals.

Loneliness is a problematic issue I truly wish no one had. I struggled with it for many years. My hope is to share what helped me overcome it so you too can have a better FLURISHING life.

So what has God revealed to your heart the last few days about yourself? Any new revelations? Continue asking Him and keep a written log of what He tells you. In the meantime lets do a physical evaluation.

How Dateable Are You?

Starting at the top:
HAIR— If you have some, are you making the most of it? Your hair is part of everyone’s overall attractiveness, especially women.

“Don’t you agree there is something naturally powerful in the symbolism—-a woman, her beautiful hair reminiscent of angels, praying in adoration; a man, his head bared in reverence, praying in submission?” I Corinthians 11:13-15 The Message Bible

Take care of your hair. Usually it’s the first thing a person sees about your face because it covers a larger area than eyes or lips. Duh. Keep it clean, keep it neat. Do you need a trip to the hair dresser? Perhaps a new or updated style? Maybe you need to try something completely different?

A note to guys: So what if you don’t have much hair? Shaving it off is only good if you have the right shape head and face for it. If you opt for facial hair keep it trimmed, few women like the out of control wiry hair that scratches our delicate skin.:) Like us girls you may also want to try some new looks?

To do this in an inexpensive and noncommittal way, try an app. There are countless apps out there, some free, some only 99 cents. You can use a photo of yourself to superimpose different styles, lengths and hair colors on your face. Men can even try on various facial hair styles. Possibilities are endless and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Pick out a few styles you like and check with a trusted friend or relative OR send them to me and I’ll give you my take on them. Hair can be very personal so do a thorough study of your likes and dislikes. After you choose one, make an appointment for positive change. Don’t be afraid of change, it can be adventurous and exciting.

Don’t stay stuck in a hair rut just because it’s easy. Trust me, I understand wanting an easy-care style but if it doesn’t frame your face well it’s not doing you any favors. Plus a tired style can make you look dated and in some cases a lot older than you actually are. Yikes! Who wants to look older? No one over the age of 25.

A new style my take more effort but seeking a relationship also requires effort so think of yourself as “in training” for your future. You have to decide if easy is more important than improving your appearance to attract some positive attention.

Also, consider your skin tone when choosing hair color. I know some women over 50 who look fabulous in their natural silvery gray or white hair. What a huge money saving blessing. Unfortunately I am not one of them. My skin is so fair that gray or white hair makes me look pale to the point of appearing ill. So my hair dresser dyes my hair as close to my natural color as possible which right now looks best on me.

Maybe you have a great current hair cut but the hair itself is drab? Perhaps a new styling product is all that’s needed? Something to tame frizzies or bring back shine and sheen. Ask your stylist for recommendations for your specific hair type and style.

Whatever changes you decide to try, make the most of what you’ve got on the top. Do not underestimate the power of your hair!

Jennifer Aniston is one of my favorite older beauties but even she needs makeup

Moving on from the crown of our heads to our faces: What is your best feature? Your eyes? Your skin? Your lips? Use make up to enhance your best features. If you’re like me and not good with make up, try a free makeover at a Clinique or Sephora counter at the mall or somewhere similar to get tips. And the golden rule of make up is always LESS IS MORE. Go for a natural look as much as possible.

More can totally be Gore!

So Stay tuned as we continue the journey to FLURISH in the dating Game.

Shine on. . .
karan k

Labor of Love: Part II

As we said in Part I, to FLURISH on a daily basis, we need to enjoy our work. God gave us the privilege of work because idleness is unhealthy for us. We need purpose to FLURISH and work is a substantial part of that.

Do you know your purpose and are you enjoying it? Huge CONGRATS if you can say yes to both! Share some of your tips on self discovery and why you like your job. For the rest of us, read on:

If you are not in that blessed situation, where are you today as far as your job and purpose are concerned?

Are you unemployed and scared?

Or perhaps seeking a job better suited for you and your purpose?

Do you view work as a gift from God ? That He gives you specific skills to use your gift? Our attitude is an important part of being successful in our purpose and our ability to enjoy work. A good attitude frees us more than we may realize.

If you’re currently unemployed and scared I want to encourage you not to give up hope and realize God already sees you and your need. El Roi is the Hebrew phrase for the “God Who Sees Me”, it’s one of God’s names you can pray when asking Him to help you in your situation. (Read the story of Hagar in Genesis 16) He will help you find a job that fulfills your purpose and bring fulfillment to your heart. However, you may have to do some things in preparation for that future position:

Some work requires skilled labor. Natural skill and learned skills alike. Do you know what your skills are? And don’t say you don’t have any skills, because God gives them to all of us. Some are easier to recognize than others, but God does provide skills naturally in us.

“. . . and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze. . . He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn. . .”
Exodus 35:31, 32, 35 New International Version

We need to proactively discover and develop whatever skills we find within us. Whether its crafting something, communicating people skills or a service type skill, each one is important and needed in God’s scheme of things. He created so many unique individuals each with their own set of distinctive abilities.

Our heavenly Father eagerly desires to join us in taking the adventurous journey into uncovering what He’s creatively placed inside us. If you haven’t taken this trip yet begin talking to Him about it and wait for his direction. Then follow His lead!

Some jobs require furthering our education. Ask God for financial resources IF He leads you back to school. Or if you’re young and continuing to study in preparation to enter the work force, ask Him for guidance on what schools to attend, classes, every detail. Pray about everything!

Our God promises to supply all our needs including employment opportunities. As always MJT! Must Just Trust!

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 New Living Translation

Shine on. . .

karan k

Sin Still Happens

“You are a sinner and your sin will find you out in time, in your body, in your character, in your conscience, and ultimately in eternity.”

Dr. Billy Graham

HOW DOES THAT QUOTE GRAB YOUR HEART?

“Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.” Ecclesiastes 7:20

Since all of us sin, we need to deal with it properly. How do you handle sin in your life? Do you recognize it as sin? Do you admit to yourself that YES, I still sin at times and am in need of a constant flow of my loving Savior’s grace and mercy? Or does pride block your view of sin in your own heart and life?

It’s oh so easy to justify whenever we sin, isn’t it? So how DO you handle sin in your life?

Whenever I sin a red flag should go up as an alert. I need to pay attention and deal with this as quickly as possible, but often I ignore my conscience and what I know to be true. Was it even sin, I question? Do I take the time to think about it, considering my motives? Not as often as I should I’m afraid. Usually I tell myself something that sounds good about why I did what I did and then just move on about my business. This practice does nothing to cleanse away my sin. It actually allows it to find room to settle and fester in my heart.

So if we want to avoid sin build-up and boldly face the truth about ourselves, we pray for courage and the Holy Spirit’s guidance and enlightenment. Sometimes our sin is easy to spot, other times it hides deep inside attitudes and loyalties. The key is to recognize sin in our heart and deal with it swiftly not allowing it to set up shop in our hearts and minds. The longer it stays the stronger it becomes. We need the Holy Spirit’s help in this process.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” I John 1:9 & 10 New King James Version

Sin separates us from God’s presence as far as closeness goes but HE remains within the hearts of His children even though we sin. We who have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin do not lose our salvation when we sin but we do lose the pleasure of HIS presence while we remain unrepentant. Sin squelches our FLURISHING condition for the moment but we need only confess (admit our sin to God) and repent (remorse prompting us to turn away from that particular sin and toward God for help to overcome it) to be fully restored into His presence again. Through the whole process He loves us and wants us to come to Him for restoration.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23 & 24 New King James Version

Shine on. . .
karan k

Aha, Amazing Grace!

Everybody but everybody knows and sings “Amazing Grace” it seems. Ever notice that? It’s recognized around the globe. According to allmusic.com it’s been recorded over 6,600 times! Just to give some perspective; that’s 4,400 times more than the Beatles’ song “Yesterday” which is the #1 covered song of all time according to mentalfloss.com. “It {Amazing Grace} may be the most recorded song on the planet,” said Jerry Bailey, executive at Broadcast Music, Inc., of Nashville. Jonathan Aitken, a John Newton biographer, estimates that this song is performed 10 million times annually! That’s staggering, isn’t it?

Do most people who sing Amazing grace in various venues KNOW what they are singing about or more accurately WHO they are singing about? The version of “Amazing Grace” most widely used includes only four stanzas. But the original song as penned by John Newton contained 13 stanzas. The very meat, the core of what this AMAZING GRACE is all about is left out of our contemporary form of the song. Check out the verses marked with double asterisks ** which may not be familiar to you.

AMAZING GRACE

Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound!
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see.

**In evil long I took delight
Un-awed by shame or fear;
‘Til a new object met my sight
And stopped my wild career.

**I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood
Who fixed His languid eyes on me
As near His cross I stood.

**Sure, never ‘til my latest breath
Can I forget that look.
It seemed to charge me with His death
Though not a word He spoke.

**My conscience owned and felt the guilt,
And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins His blood had shed,
And helped to nail Him there.

**Alas, I knew not what I did,
But all my tears were vain;
Where could my trembling soul be hid,
For I the Lord had slain.

**A second look he gave which said,
“I freely all forgive!
“This blood is for thy ransom paid,
“I die that thou mayest live. ”

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come.
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home!

**The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

**Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace.

**The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine,
But God who called me here below
Shall be forever mine!

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.

Read over them again slowly. Sing them, if you can. Drink in the meaning of this former licentious slave trader’s words as he comes face to face with Jesus Christ, the Savior of our world. John Newton was humbled, converted and transformed throughout the remainder of his life and he chose to tell the world in this simple song. It’s like a Saul to Paul conversion on the Damascus road.

That’s what amazing grace is all about. Our “aha moment” when we accept the truth of Christ taking our place, paying the price for our sins, saving us from eternal separation from the Father and then transforming us into His likeness. Unless we accept this truth as John Newton did, this song “Amazing Grace” is worthless in our lives.

Pray for those around the globe who casually or sentimentally sing this song without ever realizing the depth of meaning behind the words. That they may encounter the reality of the song writers experience. That the truth of the words burrow deep into the recesses of their minds and hearts and the realization of the grace they long for can only come to them through Christ.

Are you sharing your “Aha Grace moment” with the world? You can begin today. Sing, write, speak, show in various art forms, etc. The means of sharing are limitless. Do it in your own unique way! Share your ideas in the comment section.

Shine on. . .
karan k

Esteemed by GOD

“Then Eli realized it was the Lord calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” I Samuel 3:8b+9a New Living Translation

How’s your self esteem? Do you feel good about how you are inside? A lot of us struggle with this for a good portion of our lives.

When I was 8 years old I remember my uncle telling me, “There’s one thing you should never have: An INFERIORITY COMPLEX.” I remember thinking to myself back then, “Too late!” At the tender age of 8, I already felt “less than” and had a poor self image.

People who were supposed to be trustworthy told me I was fat, ugly, stupid etc., and for years I accepted it as a part of how I was expected to view myself although secretly inside I didn’t quite believe it. Because a small voice inside told me good things about myself. I wrestled conflicted feelings as a young girl.

Jesus had moved into my heart at age 7 and HE was the voice telling me good things through His Holy Spirit but I didn’t understand that as a child. I needed to listen to Him and trust Him fully by acting on HIS truth not the other voices swirling around in my world.

Unfortunately I had no one to explain the voice I heard inside my heart for many years. I needed an Eli to tell me what was going on in my heart and life.

Sometimes we believe something simply because we’ve heard it so many times. But does that make it true? Of course not but yet it happens all the time if we are not careful. What we hear, what we read, what we feel all send messages to our minds. If these messages do not line up with the Word of God, we have to reject them.

We have to fight against the negative voices or thoughts and trust only in the Lord who loves us. We must guard our minds from destructive messages so we are not exposed to defeatist ideas that drag us into harm.

“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:5 New Living Translation

We as Christians need to look to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ for our self esteem rather than anywhere in this temporary world. We won’t find what we crave in people, status or accomplishments. Only by believing we are who God says we are brings true esteem.

One of the things I shared at the recent Women’s Conference was a sheet focussing on who we are in Christ. How much God treasures each of His children. Fourteen years ago a kind Pastor acted as an Eli encouraging me to study Ephesians chapter one to see God’s perspective on who I was. I read and studied it often until the truth made permanent residence in my mind. May it bless your soul as well.

Read Ephesians 1

Read a second time and mark or list how God loves us:

vs. 3 –blesses us with spiritual blessings
vs. 4–unites us with Christ
–loves us
–chose us
–adopts us
vs. 6 –pours out His glorious grace on us
vs. 7 –purchased our freedom
vs. 8 –showers us with kindness, wisdom, understanding
vs. 9–reveals His mysterious plan about Christ to us
vs. 11–chose us in advance
vs. 13–identifies us as His own
–gives us His Holy Spirit
vs. 14–gives us eternal inheritance

Pray verses 17-20 for yourself regularly and for those you love. HE will answer this prayer because of who HE is— verses 21-23!

WHO BETTER TO LOVE US! WE ARE OF GREAT WORTH!!

Shine on. . .
karan k