Welcome

Why a blog from me, someone who has never been a writer, someone who has never been articulate or had a solid grasp of the grammar world. Because God told me to write. Several years ago a life storm invaded my family. God kept telling me to write it all down. I argued, but He would not let up. This went on every day for a couple of weeks until one day out of frustration, (I'd like to say it was out of obedience), I picked up a pen and paper and wrote for 7 hours straight! Do you think maybe I needed therapy and God knew it?

I've been writing ever since and have learned to love it! I started out sharing my stories with friends and family. I've now been published in a Nashville church paper, Our Daily Journey (a devotional site of RBC Ministries), PCCWeb Daily Devotional, Ruby for Women Ezine Magazine, and I am a contributor in the book Alabaster Jars, Life in Abundance Collection 2.

Why Ponderings? During this life storm, God led me to a pond in the woods behind my home. There He met me each time, teaching new lessons, reminding me of old ones, showing His presence and allowing me to feel His love through the surroundings of that pond. I found myself returning over and over to ponder, pray and praise. A healing of my heart took place and out of the experience came my first book, Ponderings From the Pond, then a second book, Ponderings From My Porch, and now a third book is in the works along with a memoir about my storm.

Why am I making myself so vulnerable? Because God has done so much that I cannot keep quiet. I have to share. Jesus's last words to his desciples were, "Go,tell." We are his disciples too and this is just one of my ways of telling.

I'm no scholar but I have heard God's voice in my spirit, experience His love daily, and have a desire for others to experience this also. I would love to share with all who visit and I would love to hear from you. If my sharing gets just one to ponder, to be quiet with the Father, to see and hear from Him or to be reminded of something from Him, then this is worth my vulnerability.

As you visit me, sometimes we will be at the pond, sometimes we will move to the front porch, and sometimes we will just be here, there, and yonder. Thank you for coming and please feel free to come back anytime, you are always welcome here.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

*****EXCITING NEWS*****

My first book, Ya Know What I'm Say'n, has been released.


Ponderings

Ponderings

Friday, March 9, 2012

Insurance or Assurance

(reposting. . .because there are always storms of one kind or another at one time or another. . . )



The winds were fierce for awhile here at my Kentucky home this morning.I love rain storms, hearing the great sounds of thunder and watching the lightning streak across the sky.The smell of rain is one of my favorites.Keith and I sit out on the front porch like two old geezers watching with glee as if we had never seen rain before.

But the fierce winds are another story.This Oklahoma gal who once lived in “tornado alley” has seen the devastating destruction of tornadic winds.They can pop up so quickly and take unexpected turns.John 3:8…”The wind blows wherever it pleases.You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.” Kinda like life.We can think we know what direction we’re going and which way our loved ones are going, but the winds can kick up so unexpectedly and change course so quickly, it knocks you right off your feet.

If a tree caves in on my roof, I have insurance.But what about the winds of life?There is something better than insurance and that is assurance…assurance that God is there to either calm the storm… “He got up, rebuked the wind and said…Quiet!Be still!Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39.OR, He will walk with you through the storm…Isaiah 43:2… “ When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you…”

We believers are not promised a life without storms.They will come in one form or another.But rest assured, we are not alone. We need not fear or be alarmed.When the howling, blowing winds come across your path, stand strong, do not fear, for He is near.

When this last life storm hit me, I began to sink, just like Peter on the water when he took his eyes off Jesus and became afraid of the wind.I became afraid of my storm.My focus went completely on it.I began to sink as well as two others in my household.But when the three of focused back on our Savior, we were able to fight.His presence and His Word healed us.My favorite verse during this time that I clung to was Isaiah 41:10… “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”I clung to that hand!What assurance He gives us to get through the storms of life.

If a tree falls through my roof, I’ll call the insurance man.But for anything else, I will call on the One who gives me complete assurance.And with this, there are no premiums to pay!

Humming. . .Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine. . . . .

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a good message to read and remember, as the storms in our lives can become complicated all too quickly if we let them by not letting Jesus help us.

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

Sometimes He calms the storm, but other times, He calms His child while the storm rages around her. I love that song, Blessed Assurance! And I love rain and sitting on the porch smelling it and listening to it. I'll sit with ya any time, Kristin! And we can just sing away!!!!

Denise said...

Wonderful message.

MsBayouQueen said...

I just so happened to "accidentally" find your blog, or it found me...actually feel the Lord directed me to it...because I feel like delving into my own blog again, to revive others like your words are reviving me...the "last storm" that came into my life has seemed to cause me to veer from spending time with the Lord and into the world of escape...but your love for the Lord has made me realize how much I miss spending time with Him...thank you for being vulnerable, I want to be vulnerable too.

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

I am there with you. Facing a storm so fierce, if I didn't have God it would have killed me. I am facing my worse fears and I am still alive and still clinging to Him with everything I have.

I will pray for you as well. To the depths our hearts have been broken, we have a deeper capacity to minister to others. I am clinging to that.

Kristin Bridgman said...

Thank you Mara. May we always walk so closely with Jesus, that when the storms come, we are ready and strong.

Cora, You come on down here and we will rock away. And I'll make you sweet tea and we will sing our lungs out together. I would LOVE that! :)

Ms.BayouQueen,
Your words have touched my heart. Thank you for sharing and I hope you come back and leave your blog address so I can come visit you. Many blessings to you!

Stacie,
I know you are going through a storm, don't know what it is, but the Lord does and I know He is with you. May you feel His comfort and His strength. You are in my prayers!
Bless you!

LifenotesEncouragement said...

Seems like when you want more of God, you get tested more!
Glad to have the Blessed Assuarance, though this life is not often easy.

Jen said...

I LOVED this post, Kristin! Thanks for that reminder. I so need to lean on God's strength, as I feel so weary on my own quite a bit lately. Thanks for your encouraging words to do just that!

Blessings to you!

Jen

Lisa Maria said...

Loved reading this again! I'm reminded of another song with lyrics that go "Vaster than the highest mountain, deeper than the deepest sea is the love of God my Saviour reaching through eternity". Blessed Assurance indeed...His love, provision and protection are ours..free of charge!

Bless you my friend!