Peeling an orange

Back in high school, I remember riding to an away basketball game in a van with some teammates and my coach, who was also our science teacher. My cousin (and teammate) asked loudly from the back of the van, "What do you think about when you eat an orange?" I'm sure you can already tell my coach was very pleased with this question. Not! I mean this was game prep time, right? :-) However, everyone in the van could not help but burst out laughing.

She later explained her thought process. We had come straight from our science class and she was thinking about all the complexities and bewildering processes that go into the creation of an orange. My cousin apparently thought our science teacher/coach would think about this every time he ate an orange? ;-)

I have come to love this question. I mean, think about it.... God created the world! He created oranges, apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, trees, dogs, stars, water and us!....It's so complex but yet so simple. It took Him just a few sentences.

This Christmas is Tyler and my first married Christmas together. I kept thinking, "It'll be so fun to start all of our own traditions." But now we are in December and Tyler and I haven't put up any decorations or done any of the "normal" preparations for the special day. I have to admit, part of it has been that we save time and money by not doing all the extras. But it has also been freeing to not have to think about those things and instead just focus on the reason for the day.

 While in Israel, we sat in this sheep cave (with poop all around us, I might add) and read the Christmas story. Our leader told us that this is a stable. This is the type of place Mary and Joseph went to give birth to Jesus. You can even see the black soot on the top of the cave from the shepherds' fires lit during the night. The picture below shows a manger. This is where they put water for the sheep to drink and similar to where Jesus (the living water) was laid that night. Not a complex setting at all, however, quite the opposite.

Christmas decorations, gifts, and parties are not bad. However, when life seems crazy and complicated remember how simple it all really is. God created you and I. We are blessed. He gave us His only Son, Jesus. Jesus told us and showed us that we are to love. Love God and others today and always. It's not complex, it's simple. 

Take time to be amazed at how complex yet simple our God really is. Maybe go eat an orange? :-)

Treasures Untold

Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I memorized this verse my sophomore year of college and it always seems to just give me a little zinger reminder when I need it. In our culture today, everything seems to say the opposite right? I NEED more clothes, I NEED a better car, I NEED.....Blah Blah Blah... You understand what I'm saying. But how does this relate to earrings that I make? 

Shortly after making the jewelry for a couple of weddings, I had someone ask me to make her twelve pairs of earrings for Christmas gifts. It was fun to make her a large variety and just let loose with my creativity. My hope is that whoever receives these perishable earrings is challenged to remember to look for the more fulfilling treasures we receive in a relationship with Christ. As I make each pair, I also remember the same is true for my own life. 

As the Christmas season draws near, let's all remember to keep our treasure (hearts) in the right place. Seek first God's Kingdom! Be blessed!  

Shout out to Liza DeYounge, who designed my earring labels. :-) She's pretty talented, huh?

My Dash

1988 ---- ???

Life update: I'm currently working at Inspired Chiropractic. Our office is a part of a bigger movement called Maximized Living who are working to place God at the head of healthcare again. I love what I get to do. Each day we focus on teaching people more about how God created their body. We talk about what you can do to work with the way God (in His amazing design) and experience health and healing His way.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about what I spend my time doing and how it can be purposeful for kingdom goals. I love the Lord and people and I want my life to show that..... I want that to be what people say Kristin was about.

If you are a follower of Jesus, you've probably often heard or even talked about the kingdom of heaven. I actually learned a few years ago that the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God are synonymous. Matthew is the only book that uses "kingdom of heaven" and this was due to his audience, who were all most likely Jews. Jews often did not say God's name out of reverence to Him.

Have you ever really thought about what the kingdom of God/heaven is?? It's been something on my heart for the last couple weeks. At first you could claim the kingdom of heaven is exactly that: heaven. I would define heaven as God's complete rule over our lives, when all is perfected by Him and there is no longer any sin, suffering, or schemes of Satan at work. When I think about the kingdom of heaven advancing, I think of God's authority being more and more visible in this earth.

When Jesus came, He spent time proclaiming the kingdom, illustrating the kingdom (through parables), and demonstrating it through His actions. God put you on this earth for a purpose. Are you living in that right now? I'm praying that God may reveal to you how you can redeem more and more of your life and other's lives to the authority of the Holy Spirit, who is in you.

Each day I love getting to serve the Lord through revealing God's authority and powerful work in a person's body. Currently our country (including Christians), often see there body as something that doesn't need to be taken care of. As Christians, we often focus our minds and hearts on growing in the truth of our King. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. How can we love the Lord fully when the way we treat our body looks the same as the rest of the world? How much strength will we have to give to him when we're seventy if we treat our bodies like the world? God has permeated truth into all areas of our lives and our body is an amazing creation that deserves to be treated as such. It is a temple of the Holy Spirit! The Hebrew word for Holy Spirit is ruach (in Genesis God breathed the breath of life into Adam), which is also the same word for breath and also can mean life. God's plan is not death but life (spiritually and physically). Jesus calls us to redeem creation to God's plan of relationship with him. 

God is good. God alone gives purpose. He doesn't need us but He wants us. God loves you and I!! Remember to take time to reflect on your day and dash. Love you all!

Healing in God's Hands

Tyler and I standing in what used to be a pool. 

The Pool of Bethesda

 John 5:1-10
"Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ” So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well."


While in Israel, we visited the pool of Bethesda on the edge of Jerusalem. We first talked about the context. This pool was located next to a pagan temple and was said to have healing powers when the waters were stirred by the Roman god of medicine, Aesculapius.  The waters were actually stirred when stores of water were released from Herod's palace. Due to the belief that you could be healed if you were the first in the water when the water was stirred, many diseased and disabled people stayed day and night around the pool. 


Bethesda means "house of mercy." Jesus came and showed the paralyzed man mercy. He asked him, "Do you want to be well?" Have you ever thought about that question? I have thought about it a lot lately. I want to live in the truth of what God says each day. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10)." Jesus came to make us well, but we have to want it. We have to pick up our mat and walk. We have to act out our Faith by following what Jesus says - this requires personal responsibility. How often have I settled for less than what Jesus wants for me? How often have I followed along with everyone else to seek healing from another god?


Jesus came and left us with the Holy Spirit to give us life to the full - spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally. LIFE TO THE FULL. Live in God's truth, instead of the world's. How does it look different to live in God's truth? The man at the pool told Jesus he wanted to be well but didn't know how. Jesus told him, I will make you well, not Aesculapius, not the god of medicine. We must take responsibility and seek Jesus' truth in ALL areas of our life - spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. He will make us well, but we have to want it.


I pray that God's gives us all a desire to be well in every area of our life. Much love!

Jar Wonders

Partially eaten :-)

This is a must try!! Take any glass jar and fill it part way with your favorite chili soup. Then add a cornbread mixture on top (I have to admit I used a boxed version for simplicity's sake...any good recipes out there?). Make sure to leave about an inch on the top so it doesn't overflow. Set the jars on a cookie sheet and bake for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees or until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!

Truly, Madly, Deeply

Anybody remember this Savage Garden hit? Great junior high memories :-)
I love you TOO much....

Is that really possible? To love someone too much? To love God too much? I would say not. However... I love God too much to curse His name. I love God too much to go a day without talking to Him. The same goes for my husband, my family, my closest friends... and even random strangers...

I love people too much to not tell them the truth. This is something that God has been growing in me for a couple weeks now. For most of you that know me, I'm not the girl that usually calls people out on stuff. I'm the really sweet, nice, encouraging girl. I've realized that part of this is actually a fear of mine that I won't be accepted or loved by whoever I'm talking to. Don't get me wrong, I will always look to encourage others but I'm learning that sometimes encouragement has to push people in a more difficult direction. Loving God is not always easy. Encouragement must be rooted in truth and when you believe truth deeply it results in BOLDNESS. 

My assistant basketball coach used to always compare the communication of a screen while on defense to a friend walking unknowingly in front of a car. You wouldn't just say "stop" softly or "live your life by example" and step out of the way of the car. You would scream "STOP!!!!" You believe deeply in the truth that if they step in front of that car they will get hurt so the resulting action is bold. 

Lately, God has been revealing a deep truth to me about His creation in us. We are triune beings created in His image. Our heart, soul, and strength are to love Him above all (Deut. 6). Yes, that includes our BODY. Our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit to reside in. As I grow to become more and more set apart through relationship with Him, I pray that the way I treat what He gave me (my body) becomes a set apart act as well. This is a passion God has given me and I pray the church starts to address this more as well. Our culture does not choose to live this way. God created our bodies amazing to function and live to do Kingdom work for Him. 

So to all of you reading this, I apologize for when I softened up the truth and didn't love you fully. I'm sorry that I backed down and listened to Satan's lies telling me that I need to be loved and accepted by others besides my King. I pray that I will do this less and less.

What is your passion? What is the truth you believe so deeply you can't not share??? Be empowered! God has plans for you. He has truth to be spoken through you and a purpose for every moment of your day. Love you all

Love: Part 2

Love is not a place
To come and go as we please

It's a house we enter in

Then commit to never leave

-Lyrics from "Love is not a fight"

23

Psalm 90:12

"Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

     Another birthday has come and gone. During my birthday weekend, a wise friend shared this verse with me. It's kind of a sobering thing to think about. I am 23 and who knows how many days the Lord has for me. 

     The last two weeks I have started my real-life "job." However, it's hard to call it a job. I have learned so much and am loving everything about it. I have been challenged and pushed more than I had been in a long time. This is my prayer as I reflect on the urgency in which I hope to live my life for Christ. 

 Psalm 90:17

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands."

      I pray that I may bring God's truth alive to the people I see everyday. I pray that God establishes this work and I don't try to take the on the burden of sharing the Lord and His truth with them. Most of all I pray for a boldness that comes from truly knowing the Lord. 

Now to share some of the ways God blessed me over my birthday.

Saturday

Homemade granola!                            The perfect adventure.            Matching FL friend+hubby

Anna knows me too well.                   We made homemade sushi.              To hear Francis Chan!

Monday

Beautiful flowers from my honey.           Supper with the whole fam at Grille 26.

Tuesday

Birthday lunch with Liza, complete with another awesome gift. Jar mugs I've been wishing for. :-). She's wonderful.

Making Zucchini Pancakes...Pretend like its the Weekend now!

I have never been much of a pancake girl. Don't get me wrong, breakfast is by far the best meal of the day. But, I tend to go for a smoothie, oatmeal, peanut butter toast, or cereal. However, these pancakes are one of my top five breakfasts. They taste like home. Any recipe taken from Momma Neth's cookbook, Family Favorites, will never lead you astray. If you haven't ever experienced Robin's cooking, trust me when I say that she is a rockstar in the kitchen (and at many other things).

This past Thursday and Friday night Tyler and I had a visitor, my "little" brother Kellyn (I will always call him my little brother, even though he has definitely outgrown me). So to fit the special occasion, Saturday morning we didn't "pretend like it's the weekend" because it was the weekend! I was "making zucchini pancakes, because it is the weekend now." If you don't recognize that it's from Jack Johnson's song Banana Pancakes.

Anyways, I have never seen anyone not like these savory, delicious pancakes. I dare you to try them! :-)

Zucchini Patty's (adapted from Family Favorites)
2 eggs, beaten                             1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt                                  6 tbsp whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp pepper                            2 cups shredded zucchini
1 tsp baking powder

Beat the eggs and add all of the dry ingredients (add zucchini last). Then cook just like normal pancakes on a skillet (medium high) until cooked through.  

I also took the same recipe but instead of pepper and Parmesan, I added 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, and about 1/2 cup of blueberries (if you want them sweeter added about 1 tbsp of honey or sugar). 

Either way, I recommend topping with Madison's Peanut Butter Spread (http://www.espressoandcream.com/2011/08/peanut-butter-spread.html).  You could also trickle maple syrup or my brother even goes with Ketchup for the Parmesan recipe! 

Don't you all just love garden veggies? I'm always amazed at God's design in it all.

Love: Part 1

Tyler and I at Wicked before leaving for Israel

First day in Bethlehem...We're never silly :-) 

At a family garden in the West Bank, where we learned about the picture in the bible of the vine from John 15
PS Yes, Tyler dressed to match me after I he saw what I was wearing. He enjoys life's small pleasures (teasing me).

At one of our recent weddings. Yay, for Ashton and Cassie Arens! 

At another recent wedding (Jon and Becca Kramer!), I heard the song "Love is Not a Fight" sung by the one and only Michael Bibelheimer. What a good reminder....Although this post is somewhat a shout out to my honey, Tyler Tigges (who is truly a perfect gift from the Lord for me), this song really reveals something so, so much deeper. This is a love with Jesus Christ. So often in this new thing I'm experiencing called marriage, I see parallels to my love relationship with my Lord. Not only this, but when Tyler and I fail each other we are gracefully reminded by God that we always need to put our expectations in Him and not each other. Have any of you ever felt the pain of someone you care about betraying you, not reaching your expectations, or simply not caring? 

"Love is a shelter in a raging storm

Love is peace in the middle of a war

And if we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door

No, love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for"

I often fail my own expectations. I often am disappointed with how something turns out. I am hurt by others. All of these are graces from God to point us to our relationship with Him. I don't want to miss this message from Him. I want to know Him. I want to know Him intimately and see Him reflected in others. I want to recognize His voice in life. Love is worth fighting for....

Hebrews 12:1b-2 "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Ubuntu

           Ubuntu is an African saying. Defined it means: 

           "I am what I am because we are." 

           "Ubuntu means each one of us can only effectively exist as fully functioning human beings when we acknowledge the roles that others play in our lives. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, says: “Africans have a thing called ubuntu; it is about the essence of being human, it is part of the gift that Africa is going to give to the world. It embraces hospitality, caring about others, being willing to go that extra mile for the sake of another. We believe that a person is a person through other persons; that my humanity is caught up and bound up in yours. When I dehumanise you, I inexorably dehumanise myself. The solitary human being is a contradiction in terms, and therefore you seek to work for the common good because your humanity comes into its own in community, in belonging.”"
           Tyler sent me an email the other day about this concept that they talked about at his work devotion. It's beautiful, huh? Remember this is an African concept, not a specifically Christian concept. Do we love our neighbors and truly model this as the body of Christ? So much of God's word emphasizes the importance of true community. We are united in Him. No matter what I say or do, I will always have been raised in South Dakota by Roger and Robin Neth. My best friends were Hilary, Cassie, Staci, Kelli, and Kelley. I dated two different boys and was hurt by both. I went to Calvary and my youth pastor was Jeremy Nelson. Then, I attended NWC and roomed with Morgan De Jong. I played women's basketball and have long term friendships from my team, my wing, and my apartment. The Lord worked through them and I am shaped into who I am today. Now, I'm living in Sioux Falls with my husband and have a new God sent crew. "I am what I am because we are." 
           While in Israel, we talked about the sand on the seashore. Have you ever noticed how it clumps together when wet? God is the living water that unites us all (see Ray VanderLaan) God tells Abraham, "I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore." Ever wonder why he used that picture? "I am what I am because we are."
          The beauty of Christ's body always baffles me. The Lord is always placing those perfect gifts in my life to point me to more of Him. "I am what I am because we are." Who are the people in your life that influence you the most? Do they point you to more of Him? Do they bless you and give you joy in your life? Encourage them. Bless them. Peace out dudes....Love you all!

Nuts Ninja

 Today, after biking back to our apartment from my new part-time job at the neighborhood coffee shop, Oscars, I was determined to succeed at making the ultimate almond butter. You see, I am what you might call a nut butter lover. Yes, please laugh. :-D Many of my closest friends would easily be able to tell you its one of my favorite foods. So when antiquing with my new added family (Tyler, his mom, and his brother) I was far too excited when Cindy (mother-in-law) showed me a peanut butter jar from the 1930s. Cindy bought it for me as an early birthday gift and since I have been hoping to master the art of making my very own nut butters.
This is where the ninja comes in....The ninja is actually a blender/food processor that Tyler and I received as a wedding gift. I used multiple recipes from different blogs to try to create my very own nut butter. After approximately an hour, feeling sick from trying little bites here and there, and a very warm ninja, I finally gave up. My nut butter is still not creamy and delicious like I would hope. My peanut butter jar is filled with lumpy almond paste. Maybe my ratios are wrong? Maybe my ninja is not the best for nut butter creations but only for delicious breakfast smoothies, frappes, and blizzards? Maybe it was too full or not full enough??? Who knows? Any pointers out there???

Anyways, I think that this frustration is similar to parts of my life lately. I'm working at being a good wife, daughter, friend, and worker. I'm working to pursue a career and love Jesus and others wherever I'm at. I'm lumpy almond paste. I'm striving...But mostly striving to continue trusting while being obedient. You see I like control. Which is why I like trying to make things.. :-) I'm glad that even when I fail there's hope. I'm glad that God reveals my imperfections to me so I remember that I need Him and I can't do things by myself. I'm glad God blesses me through things like old peanut butter jars, sunshine filled days, and time to just sit and talk to Jesus. I praise Him for not giving me control and for showing His faithfulness in so many ways. I'm thankful for the husband He has given me (Yes, husband...weird, I know), the family He's surrounded me with, the friends He speaks to me through, and His ever present Spirit.
Maybe someday I'll be creamy almond butter perfected through God's food processor. :-) Sorry, I meant maybe someday I'll be able to make creamy almond butter.

What's in your peanut butter jar?

Psalm 23

 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

1 When you picture the green pastures what do you see?

 

 

Yep, the South Dakota farm girl in me probably pictured the same things you did...the flat grassy plains of the Midwest? Yes, please!

However, this is the green pasture:

 

Straight from the Judean Wilderness, this picture shows God's heart for His flock. Israel has about a three month span when they get nice rainfall (none in the desert areas) and during the rest of the year they get very little rain, if any. However, at night there is a dew that settles on the ground and without it any plant life would completely die off. This dew takes the little roots in the ground and allows them to spring up just a little bit over night. 

A good shepherd leads his flock to their needed amount of food each day. He never overgrazes an area. He never leaves his flock starving. He provides. 

What do we really need today? How much do we worry about the things that we don't need until tomorrow?

 

 2 The number one cause of death in the desert is surprisingly drowning. During the rainy season there are many floods.The nearby limestone mountains do not allow rain to soak in quickly so it rushes over the land, carving deep canyons over the years called wadis and wiping out whatever is in its path. The picture above shows the kind of cut I'm talking about. During the rainy season, there might be water pooling here. This is when you need the good shepherd. He knows to take you to the quiet waters where there is no chance of suddenly being swept away. 

3 I learned in Israel that sheep are not smart animals. They would walk right off a cliff while the sheep in front of them. But, they do know their shepherd's voice and follow it. I feel like a sheep sometimes. I do dumb things. Do we know our shepherd's voice?

4 Nights in the desert get really, really dark. But even when we can't see clearly which way to go we know our God's voice. 

A good shepherd would never hit his sheep. He uses his rod to defend sheep from predators and his staff to hook and guide his sheep away from something dangerous. 

5 Hospitality is huge in Israel. They would drop anything to even just give directions for you to travel somewhere. When eating at their house, they fill your plate over and over again. Your cup is filled to overflow. 

Olive oil is very valuable, due to is many usages in Israel. One value is observed when they pour it on your head to keep the bugs away. Kings also have their heads anointed with oil. 

6 Our God is so good. I want to dwell in His house!! 

Palestine/Israel

We have been in Bethlehem for about a week now. It has been a whirlwind of excitement, experiences, adjustments, and learning. We are loving it but also experiencing how our lives are different as a married couple.

Our second night here we went to Shabbot. This was a beautiful yet sobering experience. Shabbot is the Hebrew word for Sabbath and we went to the Western wall (outside the temple) for it’s opening. The women were on one side and the men on the other, but all were celebrating the joy of a day set aside to spend time with God and do nothing else. The joy that we saw would lead you to believe this is a once-a-year celebration but it happens once a week. People were dancing, singing, Torah reading, smiling, crying, laughing and all occurred as a community. It was humbling to remember that we serve the same God but there is one key difference: their lack of belief in Jesus as our Messiah. The passion and excitement they displayed and shared with us was both powerful and convicting. When do we love God like that?

In the next couple days we talked about the context of this culture, explored Bethlehem, and finally began our biblical tour hikes. Our favorite of the first day was at Tel Gezer where Solomon once ruled. It was here that we had a faith lesson about Standing Stones. When a god did something ancient communities would erect a stone. Then when visitors arrived at the city and saw the stones, they would ask what their god did. This was something Tyler and I talked about a lot after my trip last year and we loved talking about the importance of remembering what our God does. John (our Tour leader) encouraged us to keep a journal of prayer requests and go back to see all the ways, no matter His timing, that prayers were answered. This gives us confidence to continue in faith in the future. What has God done in your life? What are your standing stones?

Adullum was another place we visited earlier this week. This is a cave where many think that David wrote Psalm 142. Look it up :-) This is a psalm written while David is running from Saul and has nowhere to turn. Our English translations tell us that David "cries out" to the LORD. The Hebrew word for this is "ZEDEKAH!!!" This is a cry from your innermost parts and can't be fully translated in English. However, in the bible when people cry out saying "zedekah" God answers their prayers. God loves community. Therefore, not only are we to cry out to God in our time of need but we also need to look for those who are crying out and be proactive to let the Holy Spirit comfort them through us. In what area of your life do you need to give up to God? Who are those around you that need help and have nowhere to turn?

There is no way to fully share all that we are learning here but we hope you are blessed by our little nuggets. Keep praying for God's work through us! We love you all!

Tyler & Kristin (Tytin)

Blessings....

Last night, Tyler and I went to Wicked, which gives a new perspective on the Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz. It was the first time that Tyler saw it and the second time that I have seen it. Seeing it for the second time, I was suddenly making many spiritual connections.

The last connection came during the song "For Good" that is at the end of this Broadway production. These are the words of Glinda, the "good" witch.
"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you..."

This is something that Tyler and I have come back to soo much the last couple days. God has brought people into our lives for a reason and touched us with His love through each one. His Holy Spirit, through people, helps us to grow by being both encouraged and challenged.

The last week has been a whirlwind for us: preparation for the wedding, rehearsal night, pictures and the actual wedding (!!!!!!), back to our apartment for packing and time together, to Wicked in Omaha, and now flying out to Israel/Palestine. Today, I'm posting to thank you for all of your love, help, and support. We have been riding on a cloud of thankfulness to God and those we love. As we leave, know we are praising Him for all of you.

We will keep you updated on the happenings of our biblical tours. Love you all!

Clothes...

Colossians 3:12-17 "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

How many of us can truly say we put on these clothes? Clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience? I for one do not. If you know me, you know I do like to wear cute/beautiful clothes. :-) One thing is certain, God this week has been dressing me like a little baby in humility. He's reminding me of my failure, or not so much failure, but lack of perfection and holiness. He's saying, "Kristin your clothes look like knock-off rags to me." (I've never been big on brands, but it works well for this application)

www.bible.lifeway.com has a link for the KJV with Strong's. There you can find many definitions and root means of words in Scripture. The Greek word for on ("Put on...") is "the sense of sinking into a garment." I think often I waste time running around in circles, wondering and worrying. "God why can't I just learn to be patient with others?" "God why am I so judgmental?" "God why am I so selfish and ungrateful sometimes? You have blessed me sooo much!" I fall over and God comes to my side to comfort me and clothes me better than any of my "knock-off rags" ever could.

Picture this:
"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.""

Praise Him! Even if your not a bride or soon to be bride, you can sense the beauty of God readying His bride-the church-in the clothes He has prepared. I want to encourage you all right now to look at the expectations you hold for yourself (and second what you hold for others). What are your motives? Why does it have to be done perfectly? Does it really have to get done today or this week? God gently reminded me multiple times this week that my expectations are far too high. God alone is perfect and I am not. My weaknesses allow for His glory and hand to be visible. Just like Adam and Eve in the garden, my sin makes me feel shame. Quickly, God runs to my side and clothes in my need even when I don't deserve it.

Matthew 6:28-30; 33

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Our way??

2 Samuel 22:33 "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."

I don't know about the rest of you but Satan really likes to try and make me doubt things. He tricks me into anxious thoughts about the control I have over my life. Don't get me wrong, I need to act in obedience...But "it is God" who makes my way perfect. What truth is Satan challenging you on today? Take it to the Lord and His word. Let him give you truth and uplift that to Him in prayer. Share it with others and bless/challenge/encourage them with this blessing of truth!

I am....

John 6:35 "Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 10:7-10 "Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.""

John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
John 10:14-15 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and i know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep."

John 11:25 "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?""

John 14:6-7 "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.""

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."
John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart form me you can do nothing."


The past half a year, I just can't get enough of the pictures God paints for us in the bible. Our God is tangible and real in so many ways. Our God cares about all areas of our lives the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional...Listen to Him... Listen for His voice... Which of these pictures of Jesus is most real to you right now?
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."