Sittin' at my table,
Sip'n on my coffee.
Worship'n my savior,
As I feed my daughter.

Gaz'n out my window,
Skies drizzl'n down rain.
Squirrels run about my backyard,
Birds sing'n praises to His name.

The gentle breeze a blow'n,
As birds flutter to and fro.
My heart is full of thanksgiv'n
As I gaze at my rose.

My writ'n skills are rotten,
I guess I must of forgot'n.
Though what matters most to me,
Is what God's given me to see.

And just in case you're wonder'n,
My daughter is a laugh'n.
She thinks I'm kinda fun'n,
All in all it's just a thunder'n.

Having a little fun! Blessings, Kristi

Cold Water

I am wishing that what I want to write could go straight from my thoughts to my page.

The other day, Tuesday, while driving home,  I was thinking about ways we let our lights shine for Jesus on a daily basis.  As I drove I saw cows, goats, sheep, horses, and a few llamas; all in different pastures along my drive.  I was listening to music on my phone when I realized God was bringing my thoughts together for this blog.  As my music played, a song caught my attention.  I had to pause and focus on the words being sung.  Many of you may know the song, "Cold Water", by Mark Harris.  I recently downloaded this CD to my phone, but I had not paid attention to the words until this trip.  Several scriptures came to my mind as I listened. The first scripture is in Matthew.  Rather fitting to my drive and the things I saw along the way.

The Sheep and the Goats

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

The other thought, as I listened to this song, brought me to think about Jesus and his disciples, when he washed their feet at the beginning of his last Passover.  Such a simple act in the last few hours of life on earth.  Humility shown to his disciples, to us, through this simple act.  Humility, a true characteristic of our Savior revealed, all because he wants ALL believers to develop this character trait and live it out daily, serving others.

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Now comes "Cold Water"...I have worshipped you with my hands to heaven, a soul that shouts how wonderful you are.  I have worshipped you with silent adoration, and solitude pouring out my heart.  I've sung you songs of how your've changed my life , yet I can't deny there 's a question deep inside.

How long has it been since I worshipped you with a cup of cold water, given in your name.

and how long has it been since I've worshipped you at the feet of another,

to wash away the stain.

It's time I let devotion lead me to reach someone in need, by loving them I worship you father, with a cup of cold water.

  I can feel you move through me with conviction.

Showing me the things that I should do.

Lord you see a heart that's long on good intentions, but often comes up short on follow through.  My life has been so safe and so routine, my eyes are way to dry and my hands are way to clean.

How long has it been since I worshipped you with a cup of cold water, given in your name

And how long has it been since I've worshipped you at the feet of another, to wash away the stain?

It's time I let devotion lead me to reach someone in need by loving them.

I worship you father with a cup of cold water.

A Cup of Cold Water.....

Blessings,

Kristi

Ukraine

Katya and Valya

Misha and his class of gymnist

Girls from my class

Valya and I helping Illeana with her class.

Ryan's group of children

I sit and think, often to much, about how much my heart fell in love with the people in Ukraine.  I took my first trip in 2008 with a group formed through LCU and the 12th St. COC in Shallowater.  The team was named Team Inspire and was a great group of people who loved and put God first in their lives.  I returned in 2009, 2010, and 2013.  I am on board to return this coming June, leaving on the 29th and returning July 18th.  Every time I enter into a conversation about my experiences in Ukraine I get emotional.  Every time I hear the song, "Prayer for Ukraine" I cry.  This is a country that has endured war over the past year or so and my dear friends have been affected in one way or another.  This year when I go, Lord willing, I will be traveling with a new team and new friends.  I am struggling with knowing I made a choice to begin new and that comes with heart break.  My friends in Ukraine that I know and love will not be helping with my new team.  I don't love them any less nor do I love my American past team members any less.  This year my choice to change teams was due to my personal needs and based on who I am and my past experiences. I am feeling very connected to my team and am very excited to see how God uses us to minister to the children, counselors, Ukraine team members and camp staff.

Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Psalm 18:30 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is  shield for all who take refuge in him.

Signs of Spring 2015

A female Cardinal making her nest in my birdcage on my back porch.

Beautiful flowers of Spring

Blue Bonnets the Texas State Flower absolutely DIVINE!!

Dainty and Frail yet standing so Bold and Brilliant!

Changing of the Seasons

Green grass is always better....wait...what is that taste????

It's always nice to share....enough sweets to go around!

This is our little friend who roams our backyard daily!

Woody wood pecker

Male Cardinal

The seasons are changing and Spring has sprung.  God is seen in all the small things of daily life if we just take the time to open our eyes to his creations.  Tommy and I enjoy watching our backyard for some of the most fascinating creatures to be present each day.  We also love traveling around the hill country to find the larger animals and flowers to grace our eyes with awe.  I am reminded of the scripture Luke 12:22-31"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  24 Consider the ravens:  They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.  And how much more valuable you are than birds!  25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you canot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 "Consider how the wild flowers grow.  They do not labor or spin  Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you--you of little faith!  29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.  31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to my blog.  I am new to blogging and my prayer is that my posts will inspire and move you into a deeper relationship with God.  I will be sharing about the things I love, my passions and life.  I hope you will join me and give feedback as we take a journey that leads us closer to Heaven.
Until next time God Bless Your Heart.
Kristi