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

Saturday, December 29, 2012

My One Word for 2013



OK. . .confession time.  My one word for 2012 was discipline and I don't know what I was thinking when I picked it.  I was going to be more disciplined in eating healthy. . .that lasted about two weeks.  I was going to be more disciplined in exercising. . .that lasted about a month.  I was going to be more disciplined in drinking water. . .well. . .

But I'm not going to beat myself up.  Some would say I was very disciplined in other areas, so maybe the word was not totally wasted on me.

But I'm going to do better with my next word.  I prayed about it, I wanted it to be something I could be intentional about, I wanted it to be fun and worthy and not so easily given up on. I prayed much and one word kept coming back to me over and over again so I have picked it, or maybe God has "given" it to me.  Here it is. . .

























I want to give in many ways. . .
 
of my time
of my possessions,
of my praise,
of my love,
 
of Christ's love
of my energy,
of my words,
of God's words,
of my smiles,
of encouragement
of my. . .whatever God leads me to give.

You may ask. . .don't you already give of these things? Yes, but I want to be more intentional and make it even more of a priority and open the hands as wide as possible. I want to feel more free from things, possessions, from me. I want my heart to be more His.

I want to declutter my thoughts, my emotions, my attic :)


I want to not hold on to anything but be able to open up the hands and let the gift of giving flow out, however that may take place.


1 Chronicles 29:9
Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart. . . 

God gave something most precious. . .His Son.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him wouldn’t perish, but would have eternal life.



How could I ever hold on to something, when giving it could be a greater thing.


Bonhoeffer said. . ."What cost him (God) much must not be cheap in the way we live.

I don't want my life to be cheap when it could be more rich for Him.

I felt in order to give more in whatever way God leads, I needed my husband's blessing so I went to him with my first
"giving" and asked if he was alright with it.
The first words out of his mouth were
"Why don't you give even more?"
 
~The final confirmation that I had picked the right word~
(bless that man! :)


I know God has lessons for me with this word. I don't know what they are just yet, but I'm open to whatever they are and I'm excited to see what's around the corner. I've learned in the last couple of years to be even more grateful than I thought possible, to enjoy and be content even more with the simplicity of life. The word give just seems to fall into place. I'm ready to see how He wants me to do more of this.

Acts 20:35
. . . the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

And that is my one word for the new year.
 

May the year 2013 be a blessed year for you, giving and receiving the giving richly. . .honoring God in both.

 
 
If you would like a beautiful One Word blog button with your own God given word, jump over to Melanie's place.  She will make you one:)
 
 
 Did you pick a One Word for 2013? 
I would love to hear what it is.

 
 

 



11 comments:

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

Good one, Kristen. I am guessing from your post the word is "give". Sadly, the picture of the word wouldn't load for me. That is a great word. If I were to pick one, the one that first popped into my mind due to a lot of challenges coming my way, is: Trust. As in "Trust Him" for everything. Blessings to you, Kristen for a great 2013.

Aritha V. said...

Your one is a good one! ( I think: give - I can't see the pic on your blog) But I don't know Kristen what I shall pick for a word :-( What shall I do???

I wish you a good year with our God as a mighty Helper!

Floyd said...

I like your word and I'll use it as a reminder to me that all I have belongs to God and I need to hold onto all things with a wide open palm and heart. God bless you and yours this year.

Thoughts for the day said...

I am going to have her make one but my word hasn't come to me yet, last year it was 'Intentional' the year before I think it was gratitude.
Praying about a new direction for the writing and my blog and God's plan.

Denise said...

Great word my friend. By the way, that is something you constantly do, give. I love you.

Stacie said...

I love the idea of a word for 2013. . .you picked a great word. To give is the very essence of God our Father.

I don't have a word for 2013. If I have to go off the top of my head, I think I would choose "BABY"! LOL

Happy New Year!

Rachel Olsen said...

My one word for 2012 was CREATE. Still deciding on my word for 2013.

You should come post your one word at www.myoneword.org.

Then you can receive monthly email reminders to keep living into your one word in 2013. That might help. :)

Maryellen said...

Love your word...I chose Discipline, and with that, I'm hoping and praying and trusting that so many other words will be more in the forefront of my life, such as giving...that is what this season is all about..the gift God gave us, His Son, and the gift of salvation, the gift of peace, hope, love...the gift that keeps on giving. Thanks for your heart for giving...you give so much of yourself in your blogs...God has gifted you! :) Love you!

Jenifer Metzger said...

Kris, I LOVE your word and I already know that word is so good for you! What I know of you, you are a giving and caring person. God bless you as you focus on it this year. My word is heart. I want my heart to mirror God's.

Tammy said...

Hi, I found your blog from your word you posted on the myoneword website. My word for 2013 is also 'Give', really enjoyed your list of what you want to give. I'm glad I found your blog, and look forward to reading more throughout the year.

Unknown said...

You are such an inspiration to me. I really enjoy reading your blog. I get so much encouragement from them. You inspire me to walk more faithfully in my Christian walk. Thank you!

My word for this year is "thankfulness."