Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year!!

Hello,

Wanted to wish you a very Happy, Fruitful, Prosperous and Blessed New Year!

As I reflect on this past year, I am very thankful for many things including my family, church family, friends, and the co-workers all of the before mentioned that I'm blessed to know!

Most of all I’m blessed to be an adopted Son (One of the King's Kids) of the Most High King – The God of the Universe!

As you head into the New Year, may you fervently seek God will all your heart, soul, mind and strength!

We don’t know what 2014 holds but we can put our hope in a Great God who loves you and I and Who does know the future and will guide and direct our paths for His Glory and our good!

Here's to a putting the past year behind and looking forward with great hopes and expectations on the New Year ahead…2014!

Now - Bring on 2014!!! :-)

Your Brother and Servant,
rlk

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day


Merry Christmas!

Have you ever wondered about the story behind some of the famous Christmas Carols we sing each year or maybe the hymns we sing from time to time? 

Some of the stories behind the songs range from tragic to triumphant - yet all of them I find fascinating!

One song that comes to mind this time of year is "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" which uses as it's lyrics a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which is a name you may recognize as he wrote many poems. 

His poem was forged through tragedy but God used it in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's life to show forth triumph one Christmas day and today we see that through the verse of the song. 

Here's a good article (one of the many about this poem/song) titled "The Bells of Hope" that provides us with further insight into what was taking place in his life that moved him to write the poem:  http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/holidays/featured/christmas/the-bells-of-hope

God can use any of our circumstances for His glory and our good and I trust that as you sing the songs of Christmas that you are filled with great joy and peace as you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus!

Lastly, I wanted to share this updated version of "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns as I find it very moving and beautiful! Enjoy!


http://youtu.be/M7670CXvPX0 
Because He is the reason for the Christmas Season,

rlk

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wanted to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for!
Here are two "Oldie but hopefully Goodie" Thanksgiving themed devotions if you'd like to read and briefly study something.

http://ashepherdsheart.blogspot.com/2006/11/thanksgiving.html
http://ashepherdsheart.blogspot.com/2006/11/thinking-about-thanksgiving.html

Have a wonderful day!

In Christ,

rlk

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Your Words Matter!


"A Tongue has no bones but it is strong enough to break a heart. Be careful with your words!" -Unknown



Have you heard that old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but works may never heart me."? Well, the idea is that words shouldn't hear you but you and I know they do and they are harder to set right and takes longer to heal from than a broken bone!

Here's What James has to say about our tongue/how strong our words really are:
"If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things."

"How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." -James 3:3-10  (ESV)
 
Our words and actions are powerful and our words have the ability to breathe life or breathe death, they have the power to be a blessing or a curse. 

As people who follow the Lord and are called according to His purpose - we ought to breathe life especially in this often discouraging and dark world. We need to be a light and encouragement to others. Furthermore, we should receive encouragement and not rush past a moment because our schedules stress us out or we perceive it's not of value...

Whatever the case may be, may we seek to share life giving words and not tear ourselves or others down anymore. Amen?!

In Christ,
rlk

Monday, October 21, 2013

Growing Closer to God



It's time for a healthy dose of self-evaluation and planning...

Here's a quote I saw recently and wanted to share it with you: "Everyday, do something that will lead you closer to God." -Unknown


So the question and the challenge is this, what are you going to do today and planning on doing tomorrow and each day going forward to grow closer to God?


Any relationship takes work and especially your relationship with God takes commitment an investment of time for it to grow!


My prayer for you and I is that we'll keep seeking The Lord and seeking to grow in our relationship with Him each day finding at least that 1 thing that will allow you to grow still more for His Glory and your good!

Here are some Helpful Keys for growing in your relationship with God:

1- Regularly get into and stay in His Word - Study His Word!

2- Seek Him through prayer! - Communicate with Him!

3- Serve Him!

4- Live a Spirit-filled and Spirit-Led life for by taking God's Word and actively living it out!


Have a great week ahead and may you actively seek Him will all of your heart, soul, mind and strength!

Blessings,
rlk

Monday, October 14, 2013

Roots Grow Down Deep


Here's something for you to meditate on today: "Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him!" -Unknown


"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." -Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)

May your roots, your foundation be firmly planted in Jesus!


Blessings,

rlk