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, May 23, 2014

A Soldier with Red Hair

I didn't know if I could write about her. My heart was heavy. And then I realized people are acknowledging those soldiers who fought and died in wars and I thought of her and realized. . .I had to write.

She was a petite little thing who walked into my ABF class years ago and sat down next to her husband. They were the new ones in class. She sat with her head down, her pretty red hair covering her face. I didn't know what to think of her. And then she raised her head and looked at me and smiled and suddenly I thought. . .I want to know her.

Over the years we became friends. She was not a strong woman and her eyesight was not the greatest. She would always hold onto my arm or hold my hand when we would go down stairs or up or down a hill. She loved her family, she loved decorating, she loved animals. We saw Sandi Patti in concert together, we made many trips to Hobby Lobby together, we went to children's baseball games. We went to tea rooms and acted like ladies while we drank our tea. We laughed and we prayed. She was little and petite and not very strong physically but she was my mighty prayer warrior and I knew I could always count on her.

And then the diagnosis came. MD, short for muscular dystrophy. By this time I had moved 700 miles away but we kept up with phone calls. Over time the phone calls became less and less. I could not understand her much anymore over the phone. She became weaker and weaker and ended up in a wheelchair but she did not let that stop her from going to see her son run in races. She did not let that stop her from seeing her son's first home away from home. She did so much despite the frailty because she was a fighter. She was in a war with this terrible disease and she fought with a smile on her face. The war ended a couple of days ago and the wheelchair has been retired. She won. She is dancing in Heaven now with a new body and I'm sure smiling bigger than ever because she is with her Lord who she loved so much. She is free from the disease and disabilities.

I didn't see it coming. I felt bad these last couple of days that I had not spoken to her in awhile. But she was always in my prayers. I became a warrior for her. I know her well. She would say, "It's ok Kris, you wouldn't have understood me but I know I'm in your heart." She would tell me she loved me.

Yes Tami, you have been in my heart from that first day you walked into the ABF class. You were in my heart when you took my arm and when you came to visit me in my new home 700 miles away. You wanted us to have matching pj's and so we went out and got them. You loved me so that you always sat with me in our big chair. I loved that about you. Two grown women sitting in the same chair, because that's just what special friends do.


 

You were in my heart when you wanted to ride the ride down the hill but you didn't have the strength to push your cart and your wonderful husband pushed for you. You were in my heart every time you couldn't bear the thought of animals being hurt, even to the point of walking out of movies even though you knew it wasn't real. That's just how tender your heart was. I loved it.

You were a soldier and you fought the good fight. You are free indeed. As we remember our soldiers this week-end who have gone on, I will be remembering you, my sweet red headed friend.

I love you Tami~


 
Dear readers,
Would you please say a prayer for her husband Allen and their two sons Ethan and Tyler?
Thank you!
 

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Hidden Moments

It was full at the bridge during our Homeless Outreach Ministry this past Tuesday evening. Over 50 guests arrived to eat, to fellowship, and carry on. The atmosphere for the most part was light hearted. We were rejoicing with one of our men who had been homeless pretty much for the past 11 years, under the bridge for a long time, almost died 6 months before when he fell from the bridge and now he is doing well. Someone gave him a chance on a farm and our friend is taking the job seriously and doing well and has a roof over his head now. He is happier than we have ever seen him. People were walking and chatting all over the bridge. At the end of the evening as guests were leaving, I noticed a new man sitting on the concrete sitting and he was distraught, he was upset and not knowing what to do. He didn't know how to move forward. As I was standing in the center of the bridge praying about what to do, I saw my husband walk over and sit next to the man and began talking. I looked away thanking God for sending the right one over. I looked up again and my husband had taken hold of the man's hand, their heads bowed, my husband was praying for this man. The man noticeably became calmer.

I started to capture the scene with my camera I take there every week, but I stopped before even taking it out the bag. It was such a holy moment, I couldn't lessen it with a picture. It would have been a beautiful picture, but in this hidden moment, I felt it should stay hidden. . .well, hidden as far as not showing it from the camera.

There are many hidden moments at the bridge that I have not captured with my camera but they are all captured in my mind, like the two female volunteers who took hold of the crying man's hands and prayed over him. Another scared and crying man reaching out to one of our male volunteers and whispered, "Do you believe in God?"  The Christian and the atheist shaking hands. My husband running across the street to buy a large water bottle for a man dying of thirst. Hearing grateful people saying "thank you" to the one who fed them, to the ones who prayed for them, for one giving a hug.

Love and grace at the bridge. . .it's all over the place. But it's in those hidden moments not noticed by everyone that sends tingles all over me. How many other hidden moments go on in this world that do not get noticed. There is One who does notice every single hidden moment though, our Lord and Savior. He knows. Can't you see Him smiling? But I am so thankful when He allows me to get a peek or even partake in those hidden moments. They are special. They are healing in more ways than one. It is grace flowing all around. It's a breath of fresh air.

I will continue to take my camera to the bridge, but when a hidden moment reveals itself to me and it is just too holy, the camera will stay at rest in the bag and the hidden moment will just stay captured in my mind. And I will thank the Lord for allowing me to peek in.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

What or Who are you?

There have been all these tests on face book lately about what or who are you.  You answer anywhere from 5-10 questions and they send you your answer. Examples:

What animal are you?    I was a beaver. You are creative, practical and well-organized. If there is someone in need, you will not hesitate to offer a helping hand. Lucky those who have you as a friend, life partner or parent.

Which One Of Jesus’ Disciples Are You?

  1. I got Saint Philip             

    Practical, organized and quiet, you’re always the most level-headed person in the room — a quality greatly admired by your close friends. You love nature and feel happiest when you’re surrounded by green and growing things.


What state should you live in. I got Nebraska (I don't know what that means)

What color am I?

Violet
 
 
How old do I act?
 
It said age 26 (I'm several decades away from that number) 
You are a twenty-something at heart. You feel like an adult, and you're optimistic about life.
You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.


The tests are fun to take but they don't hold much weight with me. What does is God's Word. There is only one question to answer. . ."Are you Mine?" Jesus asks. (ppsst. . He already knows that answer)My answer is "Yes." And so it goes on to tell me this. .

You are a child of God. You are redeemed. You have no need to be afraid. You may have joy in Me. Your sins are forgiven. You are now white as snow. You will live in paradise one day.

Yes, the tests are fun and I'll probably take another some time, but I'm going to stick with words from the Holy Bible. . .they are the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth from the One who knows me best. He knows me. He knows how old I am and how old I act.  And He doesn't ask silly questions like what animal am I. He does know the number of hairs on my head and he knows all about my tears. He holds them in a bottle. No test can do that!

So, go ahead and take those tests for fun. But don't hang on their answers of you. They don't know you. Jesus Christ does. And for all the answers to all the important questions...you know where to go.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

An Introvert Going For a Walk

An introvert is not a shy person, just one who needs to be alone more than others, needs to refuel after being with people, does not like all eyes and ears on them, but would prefer to blend into the background. Needless to say, a stage and microphone are not an introverts favorite props.

But when one says "Yes" to God's promptings and open doors, they may be doors you would rather shut and yet, loving and obeying God becomes more important than our fleshly desire to hide.

He says to not hide our light under a bushel. I would love to hide but I don't want to cover up His light, and so when He calls, I have learned to go. . .even upon a stage with a microphone at my mouth. Again, needless to say, a lot of prayer went up. And grace came down.


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8
 
If I had my way, I would have never started a Blanket Ministry for the Homeless or gone to meet a complete stranger, a homeless man on a park bench or even began to think I could write a book. I'm so glad His ways and thoughts are not my ways and thoughts. I would have still been sitting in my comfort zone, which by the way folks. . .is a pretty boring place to be honest. Comfort does not equal blessed to which I have found out. Walking out of my comfort zones and into the unknown with a known Savior, Jesus Christ is one of the best walks I have ever taken. There are always blessings around the corner but you have to walk out and around the corner to experience them.
 
When you hear God calling you out for a walk, take His Hand and go. And if He is telling you to do something you think is crazy, remember, His ways are not your ways. . .they are better! And nothing is impossible with Him.
 
Whether He is leading you into a ministry of some kind or to write a book or whatever, do it. Surprise people. It just may get them moving out there on the walking trail with Jesus themselves and how wonderful that would be.
 
People's thoughts and our thoughts can be fickle and just plain wrong. Remember, God sees, hears, knows all. Trust Him. That is all.