Sick

I've been sick lately. I don't have the swine flu, but I've been sick. What's hard about being sick is that everyone thinks I'm pregnant! I wish!!! No, I'm just sick. After taking Benadryl last night, I woke up late this morning. I didn't have time to even put on my eyeliner. Maybe, that's why everyone was so concerned about me. I guess I just looked awful!!! Either way, it means so much that others care! It's nice to know I'm loved!

Streams 3

Psalm 1:1-3 (New International Version)

 ¹ Blessed is the man 
       who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked 
       or stand in the way of sinners 
       or sit in the seat of mockers.

 ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 
       and on his law he meditates day and night.

 ³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water, 
       which yields its fruit in season 
       and whose leaf does not wither. 
       Whatever he does prospers.

I know if I seek God and store his word in my heart, God will delight in me, and I will yield fruit in God's time. More importantly, everything I do will prosper! 

In your search for answers, I want to remind you to read God's word. I've said this before, but I want to say it again. There are so many stories on the Internet that will cause you to feel anxiety. Just remember God has his own story for you. 

1 Peter 5:7 (New International Version)

⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

God wants to bless you through his word. 

John 4:13-14 (New International Version)

 ¹³Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

So, guard your heart. Be careful who you listen to and what you read during this fragile time in your life. Do "not walk in the counsel of the wicked" (Psalm 1:1).

John 7:38 (New International Version)

³⁸Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

Allow God's word to flow from you. Speak God's word over your life everyday. Be a blessing to others by telling them God's word. 

I do not like to elaborate too much about what God's scriptures mean to me because I know God's scriptures can mean something totally different to you. 

Pray that God will write these words in your heart and speak new meaning to you, restore you, bless you, and allow you to be a blessing to others. 

Love, 

Kim

I love this new song by The Heat. Even when I go through God's storms, I am washed by the water!

"Washed by the Water" ~ The Heat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onLnSiXQmDg

This is the best video I could find.

Fruit 2

http://www.natashawescoat.com/

John 15:1-5 (New International Version)

The Vine and the Branches

 ¹"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

 ⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:7 (New International Version)

⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

Of course, I will remain in God. How rewarding it is to know that God is pruning me to make me even more fruitful. Sometimes, I don't even care about how many children I will have. I'm like, "God give me as many as you want to give me." Then, I watch 18 Kids and Counting, and reality sets in a little. Don't get me wrong; I actually do like the Duggars!

If I'm living in God, I know he is always with me! 

Warning: This video is emotional.

"Always" ~ Building 429

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6LTfueFPpM

Oak Trees 1

Last year on a trip to Long Beach, Mississippi, I began to notice all the beautiful oak trees along the way. My fascination grew, and I continued to see beautiful pictures of oak trees when I went shopping throughout the summer. Now, I can identify many trees because I have learned a lot about trees through my curiosity. Over this last year, God has shown me many scriptures about trees. The scriptures about how trees bear fruit have really been a blessing to me. I'm going to begin sharing them with you over the next few weeks.

Jeremiah 17:8 (New International Version)

⁸ He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."

"Never fails to bear fruit!" God led me to this verse a few months ago. It has been such a blessing to me. I know God knows all of my tomorrows. Even last summer when I became totally amazed by all the beautiful oak trees, God knew he was going to use them to bless my life.

I heard this song a few weeks ago. Then, I found this video. I knew God wanted me to share this as soon as I saw it.

"Yet I Will" ~ Vineyard Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh0TC6Er92o

In God's Time

Psalm 27:14 (New King James Version)

 ¹⁴ Wait on the LORD;
         Be of good courage, 
         And He shall strengthen your heart; 
         Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Psalm 33:20 (New King James Version)

 ²⁰ Our soul waits for the LORD;
         He is our help and our shield.

Psalm 130:5 (New King James Version)

 ⁵ I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
         And in His word I do hope.

Isaiah 30:18 (New King James Version)

God Will Be Gracious

    ¹⁸ Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; 
      And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. 
      For the LORD is a God of justice; 
      Blessed are all those who wait for Him. 

A wonderful, beautiful friend told me about this song today. It's the message I needed to hear. As Jamie and I begin this process all over again, I need to trust that God will have everything work in his time. 

So, here's what I'm going to do in the meantime! I love this song!

"While I'm Waiting" ~ John Waller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7TSGptd3Y&feature=related

Again, I love how his arms are open at the end of the song! 

Here I Am

"Here I Am" ~ Downhere

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-hBqYpEYY&feature=related

Sometimes Your calling, comes in dreams 
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze 
You reach for the deepest hope in me 
And call out for the things of eternity 

But I'm a man, of dust and stains, 
You move in me, so I can say 

Chorus
Here I am, Lord send me 
All of my life, I make an offering, 
Here I am, Lord send me 
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan, 
Here I am 

When setbacks and failures, and upset plans 
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands 
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand 
I know that You will finish what You began 

And these broken parts You will redeem 
Become the song that I can sing 

Chorus

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness 
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end 
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces, 
I can't put this together but You can 

Chorus

Here I Am, all my life an offering to You, to You 
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan 
Here I am

Busy and Needing Help

I've been very busy.  I went to a Natalie Grant concert last Thursday, helped my husband prepare for an interview on Friday, turned in a 110 page project on Saturday, cleaned all day Sunday, hosted girls' night at my house Monday, and went to sleep as soon as I got home yesterday. Furthermore, I know many people who are struggling right now and seeking help. 

I've shared this book below before. While going through it, I found this scripture. 

Proverbs 11:14 (The Message)

 ¹⁴ Without good direction, people lose their way; 
   the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.

It's been over three months, and there are times when I still have questions. So, I want you to know it's okay to seek council from your friends and family. God has them in your life for a reason. 

I am very thankful for everyone who has blessed me along this path. 

"Thank You" ~ Ray Boltz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y&feature=related