Thursday, October 31, 2013

What are you carving?

Happy Hallloween!

 
 
During this season of carving pumpkins, I am reminded to ask myself
"am I carving enough time out for God?" 
(Yes, I love my play on words)

I have been reminded lately the importance of carving out that time for Him. In our fast-paced society we rarely get to sit in a quiet place. Televisions (ESPN lately) blare. Computers sound out webcasts, Pandora, Spotify (Chris Tomlin Holiday), itunes crank out music at times when we could be seeking solace.

Our emotional lives are much the same
 
When we do not allow time to rest and regroup from the stresses of life, we allow cracks in our spirit that make us emotionally and spiritually fragile.
We keep going at rapid speeds, rarely slowing down long enough to be refreshed and live in the Peace that Gods wants for us.

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"
Mark 6:31


This highlights the fact that even Jesus Himself found it important to get away for a while; to slow down and cease activity. He urged His disciples to get to a quiet place.
In doing so they would find rest. Being alone and quiet would help keep them whole.

So, as the hussle and bussle of the holiday season begins (tomorrow!), and as I get busier with work, athletic events, holiday family/friend get togethers, Pinterest project attempts, baking attempts, I am reminded to take the time to sit in a quiet place and seek Gods peace.
Whether it is in the mornings, at work, during lunch, or before bed, I need to carve out that time to fully relax, refresh and slow down.
 
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With that, here is a preview of what I plan on blogging about all next month :)

 
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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Falls like Grace



God's Grace is displayed in the changing of the seasons in nature 
and in the changing of season in our lives




 But God, being rich in mercy, 
because of the great love with which he loved us, 
even when we were dead in our trespasses, 
made us alive together with Christ
— by grace you have been saved—
and raised us up with him 
and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 
so that in the coming ages he might show 
the immeasurable riches of his grace 
in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. 
And this is not your own doing; 
it is the gift of God, not a result of works
so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:4-9

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Joy of of The Lord


 
"...Do not grieve, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
 
Not your mom or dad
Boss or coworker
Best friend or spouse
Not man
Humans fail us
Humans hurt us
 
The JOY of the LORD is our strength
The Lord is MY strength
 
 
Just like the changing of the season, we change as well
I am ready to be changed
I am ready to be stretched
All for His Glory
 
 
Always value your reputation with God more than your reputation with man.
 
 
Being positive does not mean we deny the existence of difficulty;
it means we believe God is greater than our difficulties.
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Friday, October 18, 2013

Balance



Balance in life is one of the keys to finding the peace which we were created for


 
Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.
The Lord be with you all!
2 Thessalonians 3:16


 
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
 
 
 
How do you find your balance?


 
I found another "happy place" for myself
When life seems overwhelming I come to this track, turn on some pandora and let my imagination and dreaming begin




Prayer for Today
Jesus, help me give to others the things I need.
Make me emotionally generous and able to bless in the midst of a conflicting mess.
Amen





 
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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Sometimes it's ok


Sometimes, it's ok...

to have oatmeal for dinner

to wear a hoodie with work pants


that your favorite jewelry consist of charity bands



to listen to a song five times in a row

to listen to Christmas music before Halloween

to not go to bed before 10pm...ever

(I may or may not have done all those this week today)


You know what else?
It is ok to not know what tomorrow will bring
It is ok not to know your ten year plans 
Who you will marry and what your "life calling" is
It is ok 
You know why?

Because He does

The one who created you, designed you and directing you
You may not know where
He does
You may not understand why
He does

In fact, you don't need to know 
He designed us not to look into the future
He designed us to live intimately with Him today
In trust that He has tomorrow
And the next day 
and forever planned out
Perfectly

I think God knows that if He told me where I was going, I would try and beat Him there
And I would
Instead He passes by me just long enough 
And I get a glance of where He is going 
I don't see the whole path
I barely see Him somedays
But I feel Him 
That quick brush against against my hand deep in my soul 
softly directing me
That is all I need to trust Him

So, though we don't know what our future holds
We know Who holds our future
And that brings me peace
And that is more than ok for me

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 




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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Transformation


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
 
2 Cor. 5:17
 
 
This is me
On a stage
In front of people
Scary right?!
 
Public speaking is not something I am natural at doing
In fact, I think I heard somewhere it was the #1 fear in America
I attended a Monday night Basic Training for Advocare
The plan was to arrive and listen to some amazing leaders share their wisdom and heart
So when I arrived I was not expecting to share anything much less my personal story
On stage
In front of people
 
When my leader asked me to share my first thought was,
 "Are you joking? No one wants to hear what I am doing with Advocare or my personal story"
Doubt, fear...instantly set in
 
How silly was that?
 
All to often I think we doubt what we have to offer
Obviously I do!
Even if it is from a simple, short story
 
We doubt what God has been transforming inside us
We doubt why He would give us opportunities to share our passion
We doubt the strength and confidence He promises to give us
 
"Abundant life exists right outside your comfort zone"
 
With my heart pounding, my hands trembling I shared my story
I shared from my heart
It wasnt perfect and my voice was shaking
But I did it
 
And you know what?
Whether with Advocare or another event,
I have no doubt that this was not the last time I will be on stage
 
Sharing my heart
Sharing my passion
Sharing my faith and purpose
 
 I am forever thankful for the transformation that God is doing in my life
 It is uncomfortable at times ALOT
It is imtimidating A LOT
But I have no doubt He is making me a new person
 Molding me
 Creating me into the woman I am meant to be
From the inside out
It is scary and exhiliarating all at the same time
 
But you know what the best part is?
Walking with Him through life is just plain FUN!
Through its highs and lows
The challenges and victories
 Life in a loving and deep relationship with Him...
Is worth it all.
 

 
 

I have been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20
 
 
 
 
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Saturday, October 5, 2013

Falling for Fall

“Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile.” 


It is funny because I never considered myself as a runner but I keep signing up for races!
I will be running run/walk in the Seattle Half December 1st
Yes, that is less than two months to train
I dont know about you but getting up early in the morning to run is hard
Need me to get up early for Starbucks or a Seahawks game? Easy
However, knowing I have a small amount of time ot train I knew I had to get this run in
Not only do you always feel better afterward, it was a beautiful Seattle fall morning
I know I say this all the time but Seattle is the most beautiful city in the fall

view along the greenlake path this morning

Around my neighborhood


I could walk around these streets for hours and just daydream


 What is your favorie thing about fall?



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Friday, October 4, 2013

When You Feel Disconnected

 
 

I love when I read something and just want to scream
"That is exactly how I feel!"
 I read that something this morning
Every line I read screamed how I felt
Her words are powerful
Truly touched my soul and how I have been feeling latley

I hope you can find some peace with her words as well

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#20  JEREMIAH 29:13

When you start to feel disconnected from God, just tell Him.
 
"God I feel so far from you, please come near to me"
He will.
I promise.
 
Press in... part of your assignment is to hold a space where heaven can rule and reign, through and around you.
This takes work.
 
Its not a work to prove that God loves you, that you've earned His love.
No, that all comes through Jesus. We earn the FULL love of God through Jesus.
But if we want to be the powerful mighty people of God we've been called to be
we must PRESS IN.
 
It is a battle. It is a war.
Don't be so surprised! Don't be so weary!
Say it, "God I feel so disconnected from you.
I'm sitting here and I need you now!" He will come near to you.
Don't just 'tack Him on' to your day. Set aside time everyday to talk to Him.
Really talk to Him. Really have relationship with Him. Read His word....
 
The religious spirit also reads His word & is not in relationship with Him. That's dangerous! Understanding Bible verses and even knowing the Greek and the Hebrew won't save you or bring you into deep intimacy with the Father. I love the Greek & Hebrew. I LOVE studying God's word. But it is HIM that I want! His presence. Him. His touch. Relationship with Him is what keeps me vibrant. Reading His Word when I am in Him& having relationship with Him REWRITES the Book! HA! It becomes ALIVE, daily! It's what keeps me alive.
 
Not church membership. Not a prayer meeting. Not a Bible study. I love my local church. I LIVE to pray and intercede. I love studying my Bible. But a deep intimate relationship with the holy Trinity and living IN heaven while I'm ON the earth, this is what I was created for and so were you. THE LOVE OF GOD settles the matter. Seek HIM. Seek His righteousness. Stop trying to be so good and stop trying to earn His affection. RECEIVE His affection. RECEIVE His love.This makes you altogether good AND powerful!
 
Lean in. Press in, my friends. Take the time. IF you do this... if you pursue relationship with Him above everything else in the entire world
.... your entire world will change.
Your work will be brighter.
Your communication will be better.
Your brain will operate more fully!
You'll dream again!
 
He is my DNA. He is my all. Nothing has any value to me apart from Him. And with HIM?!?! OH MY GOODNESS.... life is a blast! Through its highs and its lows and its challenges and its victories. Life in a loving deep relationship with Him
 
.... is worth it all.
 
Love you! Have a great day today.
Love,
Sandi Krakowski
 
 
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Wednesday, October 2, 2013

A Simple Thank You




I had some great blog post written in my head for tonight
About Gods peace that surpasses ALL understanding 
About how I feel God changing me from within
Molding me, making me stronger by the circumstances around me
Situations I never thought I would be in
Confronting people I never thought I could 
Everything around me could be in chaos 
Yet, He gives me peace
He gives me strength

But He knows what He is doing
He knows who He is molding me to be
He knows
I know
I see 
I feel Him moving

But tonight is different
No pictures 
No quote 
No open book on the table
No TV shows on in the background

Just me 
My hot tea
A pumpkin spice candle
Spotify christian music
And one FULL heart of Thanksgiving

Tonight I will thank HIm
Praise Him
For He doesn't need to give me anything
Yet, He is giving me everything

Thank you Jesus for challenging me
For strengthening me
For showing me grace and mercy
For providing peace and hope

Thank You

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 
In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope 
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

1 Peter 1:3

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