A Prayer for troubled waters...

Friend, 

If God takes you into troubled waters, it's not to drown you, it's to teach you to swim.

Heavenly Father, I praise You that through the good and the bad times You are carrying us each step of the way as our strength, refuge and shield! Keep teaching us to swim as we hold on to and look to You our true life guard Who is always on duty! Help us to by faith jump into the waters no matter how rough they may look!

In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

In a humorous way, I might add that it's kind of like the movie "Finding Nemo"....Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming!

Heartbeat

Lord, Amidst the often crazy days, The Song "Heartbeat" by Lincoln Brewster keeps running through my head, especially the pre chorus and chorus: 

(Pre Chorus) "You bring order where there's chaos, Nothing separates us
Your love , Your love is stirring in our souls"
(Chorus) "Unite our hearts, To beat for You alone
Fortify our hope, In the faithfulness You've shown
We give our all, To be Your hands and feet
Make our heartbeat Your heartbeat"
Today, and each day, I make this a prayer...Lord, unite our hearts that we may beat for you alone. Fortify our hope in You as you are faithful. Help us to give our all each day striving earnestly to be your hands and feet. Make your heartbeat our heartbeat!

In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen!
Song Link: http://youtu.be/UBoLwQTHYoQ

 
#HisHearbeat #OurHearBeat #HandsandFeet

In Memory of Dale McConachie

Praying for comfort and healing for the family and many friends of Dale McConachie who tragically lost his life due to a drunk driver this week.

We hadn't connected in recent years due to attending different churches but I remember him from the early days of my faith and walk with God as someone I admired for his personal faith, integrity and he always seemed to have a gentle spirit / nature about him. 

I know he'll be resting in peace with his savior in heaven.

Besides a heart of gold, he also had a voice of gold which I admired as well especially when he recorded the entire Bible which is a huge accomplishment! Thought I'd share one of the links here in tribute to part of his life's work. 

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mcconachie/nasb/Gen.1

Thank you Dale for your example of a life lived very well! 

Life Experience Reflection: He Is Greater!

I've come to personally learn over the last 25 years that The Creator of the universe has proven time & time again that He is greater than & more capable than I am of handling & seeing me through any disappointment & discouragement.

He's greater than what any dishonest or unloving person says or thinks about me.

He's greater during the times that for whatever reason that I'm overlooked for things I could be a real asset or have skills, gifting & calling to do.

He's greater than my own self doubt, self image & times of depression.

He's greater than my many flaws & sins & so much more.

He's greater than anything that I experience in life.

He caries me through the good as well as the bad times as my strength, shield & refuge.

He is simply greater!

‪#‎lifeexperiencereflection‬ ‪#‎heisgreater‬

 

Walk Your Talk: Will you accept the challenge?

Will you accept the challenge? 
 #walkthewalk #walkyourtalk

Life Experience Reflection: How People Treat You!

Life Experience Reflection: "You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop and what you reinforce." -Tony Gaskins

I have often learned the truths contained in the quote the hard way. Whether your young or old, we tend to condition ourselves and others regarding how they can treat us. You have to set clear boundaries and you are not here on earth to be a doormat for those who have wrong intentions, big egos, are only looking out for their own gain, are trying to compensate for their own inadequacies, are trying to appear more important than they really are those who constantly mistreat you or tear you down or simply are uncaring and unloving to you!

You don't have to take it and you don't have to be a jerk in response but you can with respect (something some people just don't have) and even love you can let others know what you will allow going forward, what you are putting a stop to now and then constantly reinforcing that. Sometimes you have to be out of your comfort zone and step it up a notch and clearly and sometimes strongly communicate these things to those who continually cross boundaries.

At this point in my life, I'm not an expert at this but I purpose to learn from my past lessons/mistakes and have a deeper resolve to clearly communicate how I should be treated by what I allow, stop and reinforce. I hope you do the same too.

Now, for those who may get their feathers ruffled and may try to jump all over me and say but "wait a minute... "Jesus was a peace  loving pacifist, a compassionate and peace loving person, etc etc." "He would just simply pray things got better and be a peace loving doormat for people". Um, Well, Yes He was and is the Prince of peace, and He does love us even when we screw up royally, but if you read your Bible - you'll also see that in Love He also put some in their place too. He wasn't some pacifist or peace loving hippie that some may try to paint a picture of Him. Don't get me wrong, you have to insert wisdom here and sometimes you have to choose to not speak or address it at that moment but I guarantee you, if you continue to just be quiet all the time, it will never get better for you or the other party! 

Just remember, we're all in this together and YOU are an important part of that "together" too!  
#lifeexperiencereflection

The Majesty and Power of God!

Having a crazy day? 

Need a reminder of God's power and majesty? 

Pause for a moment and take a look at this amazing glimpse of God's creation from my home state then sing and pray lifting praises to your King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 

The Oregon Coast: A Winter Odyssey: Video Link: https://vimeo.com/117670644

http://www.uncagethesoul.com/gallery/the-oregon-coast-a-winter-odyssey/ (entire gallery)

#godisgood

Rain

Some days or weeks when things are stressful and crazy (especially at work and other parts of life like overall ministry in life, etc.)...

I find myself looking outside, (like today) when it's pouring down rain...and for a brief moment I wish I could literally run out in the rain during the hard deluge and let it wash over me and wash away the junk I've been going through... 

...But that's not how life works...You have to work through things in different ways. 

I am however glad I know the One who I can cast all my cares and anxiety upon because He cares for and loves me. I'm also glad I have family and a few friends that love me and are there for me and besides the Lord....they do help "wash" the troubles away. :-)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

9 Reasons why people aren't singing in worship

Some of you in the church may sadly blow this off as it doesn't fit into your philosophy, or as harsh as this sounds...maybe you don't care, or something else but I've observed and experience over the years many of things the author outlines.

I wonder if in the current state of church affairs (Specifically the church in US) if some of the "modern" worship leaders will be courageous enough to #1 read the below linked post (even if you don't agree), then #2 honestly pray and seek God about this, dare I say...#3 actually listen to the wisdom in your congregations, and #4 then adjust where necessary to steer the congregations back to genuine worship? 

This isn't really a matter of style or traditional vs. modern worship rather it's a matter of the heart and leadership/shepherding as well as everyone who attends desire to worship God in song genuinely and completely. Worship in Song is very important part of the life of the church so we ought to honestly and continually "check and adjust" to make sure we're on course. 

The Put Off and Put On Principle

As we approach each new day or New Year we set goals, resolutions, plans  or have hope that we’ll have a fresh start, put the old things behind us and move forward with hope of change and of great new things to come!

We all know about resolutions and stereotypically we make them and then a few months into a new year, we basically end that resolution for many reason and sometimes because we really didn’t want that change in the first place. 

Every time we want to make a change there is some level of sacrifice involved because in order to change, well, we have to change…either a behavior or something we no longer want to do or many other things. :-)

In order to truly change and grow in these cases, whether goals, resolutions or plans, we have to put something off and replace it with something new. 

Life Experience Reflection: Communication

I've been reflecting on what we consider today's modern communications for quite a while and I've come to realize that just because we live in an instant gratification, high expectation, "respond instantly" (e-Mail, text, Facebook, IM, Skype, etc) world, it doesn't mean it has to be that way nor do you have to stress yourself out trying to operate especially in the "respond instantly" mode...people can actually wait a few minutes, hours, or even a day for you to respond! Unless it's literally a life or death situation, They will survive.

Someone well stated recently that we are spoiled today with instant responses. When I was a kid like in high school, e-Mail was just surfacing but hardly anyone had it because technology wasn't there yet. We still used pay phones. We wrote letters and talked mostly in person. Computers were just coming out such as the 286 PC, Tandy PCs, etc. A text message was words in a book or a typed or handwritten note. Smart watches like you saw via a communicator watch that Dick Tracy had were things of fiction but now they are a reality. 

There is a balance between personal and business communications but the same is true of both areas some things are more urgent than others. 

The sum is that the older I get, and as someone who is an active communicator via many of the current means of communicating, I realize daily that realistic expectations need to be set for ourselves and others when it comes to response times. This however, doesn't give us a license to be rude and never respond or take weeks to respond because there should be a sense of urgency toward those around us...it just doesn't mean it has to be instant. 

Something for all of us to reflect on...

blessings,
rlk

‪#‎lifeexperiencereflection‬

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We all have much to be thankful for!
Take time today to focus on counting your Blessings instead of your troubles and give especially your loved ones a hug and share words of encouragement and thanksgiving with everyone around you!
Especially take time to give thanks to the Lord for He Is Good!

Have a great day everyone!

Blessings,

rlk



#thankfulness #Thanksgiving

Of Skipping Rocks & Impacting Lives

I recall numerous times as a child where I’d stand on the bank of a body of water and I’d collect as many of the smoothest and flattest rocks I could find and put them in my pocket.

Then like any kid I’d take the rocks and sling them one by one across the water to see how many times I could skip it across the surface as well as how far I could reach. 

If was a more narrow body of water the goal would always be to try and reach the other side of course with as many “skips” as possible.  :-)

As I’d make each attempt, the rocks would touch down briefly and repeatedly upon the surface of the water as it moved along the path of its journey.

Each place it touched down it would create a ripple on the surface of the water and if I’d skipped it enough times, one ripple would eventually span out and connect to the next ripple in the water.

As I sat on the bank of a river during a recent backpacking trip I began to reflect on my own life as well as the life of others. My childhood memory of skipping rocks came to mind as an image of the life we live and the journey we are traveling from cradle to the end of our days here on earth.  (Like one side of the river to the other side – the far bank)

Like a rock being moved in its trajectory and briefly touching down skipping across the water - we also have an impact on those around us.  We also have multiple touch points as we come into contact with others and build relationships.

Transformed

No matter your past, don't ever forget that your Father in Heaven is in the business of transforming lives! He sent His Son, Jesus to died for your sins and if you are in Christ, you've been set apart by Him (Sanctified) and as you walk with Him in faith, salvation in Him has made you a new creation and He's daily working to renew your mind so you can be even more useful to Him! Take time right now to thank Him for His transforming power in your life! 

Here's a prayer for you and I:
Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your transforming power! You take unworthy sinners and forgive & transform us. You've made us new creations & You are daily renewing our minds. You've satisfied / set us apart & You are daily progressively sanctifying us to be useful vessels for You! Again, I thank You and Praise You in Jesus name I pray, Amen!

In Christ Alone,

rlk 

A Prayer For Resting in Jesus

Lord, help us to cast all of our anxieties and cares upon You! 

Help us to not lose sleep over the troubles of today knowing Your mercies are new every morning! 

Help us to not allow the evil one, other people or ourselves to influence negative or anxious thoughts. 

In Jesus name I pray, Amen! 

 Rest well in Jesus family.

40,000 suicides annually, yet America simply shrugs!?

Did you know that In the U.S. there is one suicide every 13 minutes & suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S?! These are sobering statistics...not just a statistics but representative of people who have come to an extreme place of hopelessness and despair and ended their lives. This is heart wrenching!

I've been in that place and it's not a place I want to ever go back to nor do I want anyone to go to that place. There are a lot of influences that send people that direction but not all of the influences are for clinical reasons but for spiritual and emotional reasons too. No matter what, we as a society need to pay closer attention to mental health as much as we do other issues and put resources toward helping reach people before they get to that point....so they don't get to that point.

I share the linked report, not because everything they say is the full picture of suicide, because it's not, but to #1 Beg you, if you are in that place now or heading that way...please reach out for help...simply start by sharing with someone that you're struggling! and #2 For awareness! 

It may be difficult to know sometimes (In my situation, most people had no idea I was depressed and suicidal), but you and I don't realize that there very well maybe people in our lives that are heading that direction and we need to do our best to reach out to those who (may not be suicidal yet) are down, going through a hard time, are in a predicament because of their actions and a bunch of different reasons and we need to stand in the gap and come along side them somehow...be the ones who show that they are highly valued, they are loved, that they matter! 

You and I can be that person to them! To help give them and build hope into them!

If you've read this far, thank you...Let's pray and be a part of the solution. Let's pray that the tide it turned in regard to suicide.

Take a look at this report when you have a few moments. 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db229.pdf

https://www.freep.com/story/life/wellness/2014/10/10/us-suicide-epidemic/17022961/

Thanks,

Randolph Koch

"Smart" Phones and Dumb Choices....Can we Auto-Correct Humanity?

Check out this video. 

It's very well done and gives real food for thought. 

I think all of us with "smart phones" have some adjustments to make. I know I use my phone for pretty much everything when I'm not using a PC because I can connect to pretty much anything, digital books, multiple apps, podcasts, social media, taking and sharing pictures, audio and video, my bank account, e-Mail, etc. 

Gotta long way to go but find that some days the "smart phone" can help us make "dumb" decisions when we're with others especially. 

We need to disconnect in order to connect or re-connect with others...

Anyhow, here's a dose of perspective. Check it...

"The Fiery Sermon"

This is such a great illustration and it's so true! There are also multiple applications within this...Check it out...then let's pray for one another! 

"The Fiery Sermon"
by Greg Bradon

A member of the church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.'

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.

Whom will you serve?!

Whom will you serve today? Pray and then check out this Powerful song/video: 

 Joshua 24:15

Be Blessed and a blessing!

Be Still...and Know!

(Sunset over Tillamook Bay (Photo By Randolph Koch 2014)

 ...“Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth. 

                             -Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Be…Still…

I’ve been thinking a lot about this passage and I’ve come to realize these are two simple but very profound words that communicate volumes!

With the activities of life and hurried fast paced lives we often live, we don’t do the “Be Still” principle very well.

Think about it, when was the last time you and I just allowed ourselves to even physically…BE STILL?

I bet if you’re ever able to get yourself to a place in your schedule where you could be still, it felt very foreign to you for a bit or you felt like you should be doing something because by all means it’s all about “our strength” or “pulling ourselves up by the boot straps”?! We we’re supposed to be self-reliant and not need anyone’s help, right? 

Well, that may be what the world around us tells us but that way of operating doesn’t hold water to what God tells us we need to do. 

Being still requires faith. Being still requires trust. Being still requires hope. 

…A Faith that… God has you covered no matter what. 

…A Trust that… He is God and He already has a plan in the works to meet you where you are according to His perfect will. 

…A Hope that… His plan will be fulfilled in His perfect timing. 

Ultimately being still is more than just being physically still as it involved our mind, soul, spirit and body. 

When we take time to be still, we allow ourselves a few moment of time to collect ourselves and realign our focus back on God who will be exalted – especially when we operate how He instructs us to because His ways are higher than our ways and life typically works out better for us (not necessarily easier) in the long run if we do things His way. 

Other translations use the words “Cease Striving” and it is the same idea that we need to stop and be still. Cease trying to work to make things happen on our own strength. Cease trying to figure everything out on our own. Cease trying to be master and commander or our lives when we can’t do it all alone. No, we need to Be Still and know that He is God and…well…we are not!

The “Knowing” is the second and more important part because, if we can first off get ourselves to regularly “Be Still”, then we can rest in the “and know” part knowing wholeheartedly that He is God…He has everything under control. We need to again, know He is God and we are not.

It’s not that we are to shirk our responsibilities and be completely idle siting somewhere singing the proverbial “Kumbaya”  or think we should “let go and let God" (because this statement tends to not take into account some of our personal responsibility but we are to cast/give all of our anxieties to Him and leave them there. See 1 Peter 5:7)  because there are real things we need to do and own but it’s the reality that we need to completely rest in, be still in... Him. At the same time, we think sometimes that we’ve got it together and in the waiting we try to force God’s hand with pushing our agenda with the absence of His blessing…and in the process we will not get anywhere.

Being still is also a time seeking Him so in this sense, that is an action we can and should take in the process as we can pray, study and seek Him with everything that is within us.

We cannot clearly hear from Him amidst the chaos that sometimes surrounds us (or that we allow to surround us)…we need to sometimes physically escape just to be still before Him.

Once you and I get into the regular habit of being still, it will become more like breathing…it will become more natural and a part of our day-to-day walk and journey. 

So…

Are you going through a hard time… Be Still…and know…

Are you facing a financial crisis… Be Still…and know…

Are you going through a health crisis…Be Still…and know…

Are you having an identity or self-worth crisis… Be Still…and know…

Are you unclear on what direction you’re to head… Be Still…and know…

No matter what you’re facing today, be still, cease striving to do it on your own and seek Him because you know He is God. He will be exalted through your life as you are a part of the nations and He will be exalted throughout the earth.  

A prayer for you and I:

Heavenly Father, Help us to be still…and know. Help us to hold every anxious thought captive. Help us to be better at building “be still” time with you so that we may hear your voice through our times with you through prayer and your Word and through the proclamation of the Word through our local church gatherings. Help us to fight back the chaos in our life that comes our way or that we allow to be a part of it. Help us to live wholeheartedly for you walking in the truth that You alone are our strength and have it all together! Let us be your ambassadors and may we help exalt and make your name great among the nations. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.  

Be blessed friends…by being still...and knowing He is God...

In His Love and for His Glory,

rlk