One Thing You Lack

I grew up with a very generous mother. She has always loved to cook and bake for others to enjoy. Often times, I view something as trash while she is ingenious with finding a second use for just about anything and proceeds to find the perfect person in need for what I thought was simple trash.

One of my main love languages has always been gifts. The well-thought gifts by people who know me best always leave me feeling known and loved. However, God knows me best. He gives the best gifts. 

Recently, He challenged my heart through a close friend who has one of the most generous hearts I've seen. Each time I've visited her home she sends me with something, usually a spontaneous gift. However, it always catches me off guard..she always gives more than I expect she will. It's extremely humbling and a clear reminder to me that I need to not hold things/food/money/clothes ("my" things) so tightly.

After one of my recent encounters with my open-handed friend, our sermon at church included the scripture below:

Luke 18:18-23

And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother."" And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

Jesus' wording seems slightly ironic. "One thing you still lack."  This man had everything: wealth, fame, power... everything. Yet Jesus tells him he is lacks one thing. When this particular wording was pointed out, I thought back to my open-handed friend, who does not cling to possessions like the rich young ruler. There's always a freedom and joy when you are giving. At first, it seems so hard but then you let go and feel freedom. You see someone being blessed and immediately lose any desire you had to keep the gift in the first place. I never want to lack an open hand.

All in all, I need to remind myself that God is the giver. Nothing really was or is mine. 

God, I praise you for the many gifts you shower us with each day. I praise you for the greatest of all, your grace. Help me to open my hands to those in need and seek my security in you alone as my provider. 

Amen

...for such a time as this

Wow! Summer flew by and now I'm sitting here in front of the computer thinking, "It's been forever since I've blogged." There are a lot of things I'm looking forward to sharing with you all like my favorite natural cosmetics, thoughts on skin, fun adventures from our summer, and lots of recipes. Is anyone loving that it's fall? I sure am.

Today I wanted to share what God has been challenging my heart with the last few weeks. As I drive my normal trek to work, God keeps saying in a whisper, "Kristin, life isn't meant to be about you." Then in my head I say, "I know but what about _________ and ____________ and __________." Am I the only one that can get into this merry-go-round of thoughts all related to me??

I wouldn't say that I'm a worrier. However, I really like to be in control. Hence, I think about what I can do to make my life be what I want it to be. See the problem??

My second heart check comes when I realize I mostly want to help someone so I feel good about my impact in the world. Funny how Satan tries to deceive and twist motivation... I then take a minute to put myself in the other person's shoes and God gives me a heart of understanding and compassion.

Our God is full of grace and continues to remind me of the freedom that comes in a life with Him. He created life to be a joy-filled daily worship to Him and the times I see this most in my life is when I trust Him with the details of life and go full bore into loving Him and being Christ to those around me.

The picture below is from the movie One Night with the King. It is a movie about the story of Esther, one of my favorite characters in the bible. If you haven't read Esther lately, I highly recommend it. Esther is a common Jewish girl swept into a life of luxury with the King because of her beauty. The best part of her story comes when she casts aside her own wants/security to go before the king for her people. Her life is one that reflects TRUE beauty and purpose. It inspires me everyday through a post-it in my car that says, "Prepared for such a time as this - live a life not about me."

God we praise You for Your design of our lives and Your book of truth and Spirit that teaches us daily how to live a life of joy and purpose. Thank You for the story of Esther that reminds us that You can use anyone, yet You desire to use us. I pray that You give us the courage to speak, to act, to love... Help us to live a life not about ourselves and to have confidence that You will use us as we walk in obedience. Help us to hear Your voice. We love You. Amen

Esther 4:14 "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this."

Watering Camels

This last year of my life has flown by! From graduating college and getting married, to going to Israel and settling in Sioux Falls with a new job, new apartment, new church, etc...Life has been full of surprises to say the least.

Have you ever had a certain picture of exactly the way your life is to be? And then it seems as though God is not holding up His end of the "bargain?" I've been wrestling through this very thing in the last month or so, but God continues to remind me that He is faithful. Through this struggle, I need to choose daily to live in God's promise of faithfulness. 
Part of this choice, is to seek Him no matter what circumstance I find myself in. Similar to when I disagree with my earthly dad, I try not to "fake it" with God. I need to continue talking with God about my issues and seek Him in my frustration. For awhile, I let my frustration with current circumstances pull me away from Him, until one day a friend reminded me it's okay to tell God I'm frustrated. So, I turned back to God and began asking, "Why? Where are you working in this? What does the next step look like?  What is the Big Picture?" It was then that God took a huge weight off my shoulders and suddenly I saw a billion blessings all around me.

What does this have to do with watering camels you ask? Well....As I have been reading in Genesis, I came to the story of Isaac and Rebekah. The beginning of this story just boggles my mind.

Genesis 24:15-27

"Before he (Abraham's servant) had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.
The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”
“Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.
After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.” So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.
When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. Then he asked, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night? ”
She answered him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milkah bore to Nahor. ”And she added, “We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.”
Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”"

While Tyler and I were in Israel, we learned that a camel can drink up to 40-45 gallons in one sitting!! And Abraham's servant had 10 camels with him! Can you imagine getting water for 10 camels that had just finished a long journey (until they have had enough to drink)?! 

Rebecca didn't know what was about to happen in her life. She didn't know God was bringing her a husband. She didn't know that this husband was in the line that Jesus would come from. She didn't know of the covenant God had made to bless her soon to be husband.  But because she was okay serving in the little ways, she became an answer to Abraham's servant's prayer. As I place myself in the story, I can easily see myself grabbing my own water and giving Abraham's servant the minimum of water he asked for. But Rebekah's heart was ready to give and give and give in any way she could. And God is faithful - He's always faithful.

Adventure's Out There!

Life's too short to not:
-be real with people
-eat amazing food
-live with a purpose
-share with those who have a need
-take time for yourself
-live out your dreams
-learn something new everyday
-find your full identity in Christ 

Saturday, I went apartment shopping. This was not an apartment for Tyler and I, but instead for a great friend of mine. Her conclusion of the day was that life's too short to not live in the studio apartment that seemed a tad to small for her optimum desires. Sounds weird huh? However, it's affordable, a fun challenge, and in a great location. Something new and exciting!

This week I've been reflecting on what my life is too short not to do. I don't ever want to be the person that gets to the end of life and wishes I would have taken advantage of ______, or worked harder at ______, or been crazy and done ______. I want to live life without regrets.  This week my life is too short to not slow down and take time to sit still and listen, to read, go on a walk with a friend, or do my favorite work out video.

I've found that I've been neglecting these blessings for far too long. It's left me empty and not able to pour into others. Enough has become enough. God is renewing me and drawing me closer to Him. During my reading time the other day, this quote hit me hard. "Prayer connects the entire person - mind, body, spirit - to God (Jordan Reubin)." This is nothing new, but am I embracing it in my daily life?

James 5:13-20
"Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and
anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."



Life in the spirit is an adventure of taking time to listen to the LORD. Something that's hard to do in our world...Elijah had a spirit-filled, purposeful life. He listened to the LORD. In 1 Kings 9, he becomes overwhelmed and discouraged and even then God comes to reignite his passion for redeeming God's people. Elijah listens and follows God's leading.
So in the words of Ellie from the movie Up, "Adventure's out there!" Life in the Spirit is better than all else! Praying for you all. Today ask God what He wants you doing and let yourself do them! What are the things Satan tried to stop you from doing or not doing through guilt, shame, fear, or distractions? Stop him in his tracks! Adventure in the Spirit is out there!

I've been made over!

You've all seen the reality tv shows based on making over a person. Or heard of the makeovers they do at the mall makeup counter. Well this is not what I'm talking about. I'm not talking about getting made over on the outside but never changing stuff on the inside.

NWC Woman's Bball Christmas Break 2010-Mashed Banana Facials

On the outside I'm a 5"10', brown haired, green eyed, 155 lb woman that lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I'm married to an even taller man and work in a Maximized Living Office as a chiropractic assistant. On the inside, there's much more. And today God gave me a makeover. Today God made part of me new.

Revelation 21:5  "And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new.""

God is making us all new every day! Did you know that every second 25 million new cells are made in our bodies?! God came and spoke life into existence and the very best part of it all was us. We are made new on the outside and the inside every SECOND. Yep, God just made you new. Yep, there He goes again. Yep, again. You get it right?

God made all things new in Genesis and in Revelation the Word says that He who is seated on the throne is still making all things new. The physical part of our lives is obviously something that most people easily understand and I know from the bottom of my heart that it teaches us so much about Him. The physical needs to be redeemed to His plan just like other areas of our lives. This is the passion He placed in my heart.....And today God made me new by helping me realize how amazing I am. I know this sounds boastful. However, I boast in Him. He created me, Kristin Marie Tigges, amazing. He says the same about you. Don't ever forget it. We are here on earth for a reason. God is doing things.  This was my makeover lesson today. I'm praising Him for how He made me...the passions he gave me, the color of my hair, my story and testimony, on and on...All those things that I've half-liked before and spent far too much time criticizing.

Do you know that you're amazing? I hope so. See today how amazing God created you. Let yourself love the imperfections that Satan wants you to hate. Love God's timing and each growth opportunity you have. Love your thighs and your laugh and the way you say the word "like" all the time when you're trying to explain something. Trust Him to make you over from the inside and out and find joy in each moment of life. Love Him in every moment by being YOU and striving to be more and more of a reflection of Him.

Praising God for you all today... Go rock the world for Him

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!

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.

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."

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?

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!

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!