I’m Not Crazy; I’m a Christian
Kat Merrigan
New Year Same God
There’s a social media trend (yes, another one) where people are posting their “Ins” and “Outs” for the new year. For example: In – more quality time with me; Out – less time with people and places that aren’t right for me. This is a relatively benign illustration, but the gamut of this trend is wide and far reaching.
I’m certainly not against using a new calendar year as an opportunity to reflect and review your life choices. There is value in it, if you’re willing to exam yourself honestly and not simply externalize responsibility for any areas that aren’t going well. It’s very easy to point the finger at other people or situations rather than studying what role you may be playing in any given problem. Of course, there are times and circumstances where it truly isn’t your fault. But (and I realize this may be a hot take) I venture to say with most people those instances are few and far between.
As children we are limited in our ability for autonomy. We are too young and inexperienced to make important life decisions. Most of us will defer to our parents or other adults to guide us, steer us along the way. Once we become adults, however, the bulk of responsibility (and, therefore, accountability) lies with the one whose face you see looking back at you in the mirror each day.
If I’m not content with my career status, I have to first look at what I am doing or not doing to gain access to a better situation. I have absolutely spent time complaining about work conditions over the years. I was discouraged. I wasn’t getting the recognition or compensation I deserved. Yet I kept working there, in some cases, far longer than I probably should have. Can I fault my employer for that? I chose to stay working there. I could rationalize that “I had no choice. I had bills to pay.” That was true. I had to work, but where I worked was a different story. Sure, sometimes there weren’t many job openings in my field, so my choices were limited. That didn’t mean I had no choice. I just may not have liked my options. And if I simply chose to not even look for another position, then I had no one else to blame for my discontent but me. The employer might not have been doing the right thing, but neither was I. I wasn’t doing anything and everything I could to change my status.
That’s just one illustration. But I think you get the point.
Most of the time, we don’t have a great deal of control over what’s happening around us. We do have control over how we respond and position ourselves. So, I’m all for making a “fresh start” in the new year, provided it includes an honest self-examination of your strengths and weaknesses.
Don’t rely solely on yourself for change.
I guess in 2024 that statement might be considered a hot take too. I mention it only because I’ve lived it, multiple times. I decide to make a change and I’m fired up about it. And that lasts for a while, until it doesn’t. Even if I have support from friends and family, sometimes I hit the wall. It gets too hard, or it’s taking too long, or any of a number of discouragements come my way. If I’ve been moving solely in my own strength, eventually it will run out and I might drop out.
I am so grateful I don’t have to do that anymore.
There is a God who loves us so much He sent His Only Son Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. His love is so great, and His desire to be in close relationship with us is so real, we don’t have to be alone.
Now, some of you may be saying, “We can’t see God, so we’re still alone.” With all due kindness and respect, I must tell you that is incorrect. An analogy I’ve often used is how we can’t see air, but we know it’s there. And once you come into relationship with Him, He is as vital to you as the very air you breathe. (I won’t go down this rabbit hole now but consider this: He’s the reason you’re still breathing. Yes, your body is performing the actual activity, but who set up that mechanism? Did you determine your first breath? Will you determine your last? But I digress.)
Wouldn’t it be great to make a fresh start with more confidence in and assurance of the outcome?
Let me be clear, you are still accountable for your participation. When you ask Jesus into your life, it doesn’t mean all your work is done. As I’ve said before, the Bible isn’t Aladdin’s magic lamp. You don’t rub it and Genie Jesus comes out and grants you three wishes. Instead, you enter into a joint venture. Obviously, He’s the senior partner and should have the final say. Yet you will have input; you will be making decisions.
Letting God into your life doesn’t mean you don’t have free will anymore.
God never wanted little zombies and mindless drones. He gave us the ability to think and reason. He desires for us to choose Him and His way in all things. But He doesn’t love us less if we don’t.
I’ve just learned that my understanding of any situation is grossly limited. I’m not all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-powerful. He is. So, why wouldn’t I want to include Him in every area, especially when I’m resolving to make changes?
It can be scary to give up any control, to trust in Someone you can’t see. I completely get it. But here’s the beautiful part. He gave us His Word (the Bible) to help us learn to trust. We can read and see time after time how He was faithful, constant, and unchanging.
When you partner with the Lord, you’re putting your trust in the One who never changes.
Other people, even those we love and who love us, can and will disappoint. There may come a day or time where we put our trust in them, and it doesn’t turn out well. Things and people can change.
God doesn’t and He won’t!
Don’t believe me? Wonderful, you know I brought receipts. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. (Malachi 3:6)
So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them, and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. (Psalm 102:24-27)
Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:7-8)
If you don’t know Jesus, or you’re skeptical, I get it. There are a lot of distractions and alternatives put before us each day. Some may even say we’ve moved beyond the Lord. We don’t need Him anymore. (I don’t recommend standing too close to them; however, you never know when lightning might strike. But I digress.)
What I’m suggesting is this: Try God.
You know what’s it been like attempting to change on your own. You know what it feels like when you stumble, when you fall. Wouldn’t it be good to know what it feels like to have the Creator of the universe be there to help pick you up? What if He was there before you stumbled and alerted you to the pitfall ahead of time? What if you listened and avoided a disappointment altogether?
I want to close with this verse which speaks so powerfully of how we believers feel about the Lord. Check this out:
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6)
God is real. Jesus is real. The Holy Spirit is real. Invite them into your new year, into your life, into your heart. Let 2024 be the year of real change.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
Naughty Or Nice?
As I write this, we are less than two weeks away from Christmas. The older I get the faster time seems to fly by. I remember when I was little it felt like an eternity between Halloween and Christmas. In fact, there was a whole other holiday, Thanksgiving, thrown in the middle. It was a lot of pressure. After all, I had to be nice if I wanted to get presents from Santa. I’d heard rumors he’d been watching me all year long, so these last couple of months were critical. I couldn’t afford anymore slip-ups.
Do you have any idea how hard it is for a seven-year-old to be nice to their brothers and sisters for two months straight?!
When I watch our home movies of Christmas morning, I see the battle-weary fatigue on every child’s face. It’d been rough not calling each other names or making faces at mealtime for almost 60 days. Not to mention staying silent when your siblings would deliberately sit in your spot on the couch and refuse to move. And, of course, there was always the borrowing-without-actually-asking challenges to be handled with great diplomacy and tact, and no yelling.
But we had dutifully sucked it up, navigated the familial minefield, and kept our eyes on the prize. Now, underneath the glistening tree was the glorious payoff. As we’d rip through the carefully wrapped presents, leaving a flurry of wrapping paper debris in our wake, we reveled in our reward.
Later on, as we’d sit together enjoying a bountiful breakfast, we’d be tempted to revert back to our old ways. But it was still Christmas, so we’d declare a temporary truce, which usually ended precisely on the morning of December 26.
As an adult Christian, my focus has shifted from pursuit of presents to pursuit of God. I’m no longer imposing some temporary self-restraint in the hopes of cash and prizes. I’ve come to realize this simple truth.
We all deserve to be on the naughty list.
Now, I realize that may be an unpopular take. And I don’t expect you to take my word for it. You know I brought receipts. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.)
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:22-24)
All have sinned. All have fallen short.
That’s tough for many of us to accept. We try to live our lives doing the right thing, being nice, but no matter what our best efforts, we can’t earn our way into heaven. We can’t make ourselves righteous in our own strength. We are flawed human beings.
But there is a God of all the earth who looks upon us in love, who knows our weaknesses yet sent His only Son to die in our place. Jesus took our punishment upon Himself. To use my earlier analogy, regarding the things of God, there is only one name on the nice list. That name is Jesus. The rest of us are all on the naughty one.
Yet as we come to know and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, as we receive Him into our hearts and repent for our mistakes, our names disappear from that naughty list and appear on the nice one. I imagine that each letter: J E S U S contains millions of our names within it. A surface glance would still show only one name: Jesus. But if you look deeper, you’ll see our names inside it. He covers us. He goes before us. He made the Way.
Christmas morning is different now.
It’s still a time of laughter and gift-giving. But there is a deeper reverence, an appreciation for the Lord of all who didn’t spare His only Son to save us.
Don’t get me wrong, there is still something so precious seeing a small child’s face as they open that one special present they dreamed of getting. Perhaps we could all have that same awe, wonder, surprise, and joy when we realize the gift that was our Savior born in a stable in Bethlehem. May we read our Bibles with the same excitement because there are so many gifts inside just waiting to be opened.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Jesus is the reason for the season and the Gift that never stops giving.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
Rededication: The Best Gift To Give This Season
I recently had the privilege of witnessing my nephew’s water baptism. No, he wasn’t a little baby dressed all in white. He’s a grown man. People have different opinions on when someone should be baptized into the faith. Some sects dictate it should be done when a child is an infant, others believe the child should be older and decide for him/herself. What most, if not all, would agree upon is that baptism symbolizes you dedicating your life to the Lord and washing away your old ways and who you used to be. It’s a purification ritual and a sign to everyone that you are changing your life for good.
At this service, where some 70+ people made the same decision as my nephew, a dear young lady who I’ve had the honor of knowing for over 25 years was present. To say her being there was a divine appointment is an understatement. She doesn’t even live in the same state as us! But she was nearby and planned to come out and visit for the day. When she learned what we’d be doing on Sunday, she was all in. And then she went all in – as in all into the baptismal tank. Her declaration was slightly different than my nephew’s. She was there to rededicate.
She had loved the Lord for most of her life. She was a powerful woman of prayer and faith. But in that moment, she felt led to go in deeper, to recommit to the faith she’s known forever. This was next level or leveling up stuff.
I won’t pretend to know her motivations or what led to her decision. That is her story to tell. What I will say is her example inspired this post. And I can relate to coming to a place of knowing it’s time to recommit, rededicate, get back on track.
How much time have we wasted coasting along, lacking the desire, passion, fervor we once had?
My focus here is on faith, but the same question could be asked concerning anything: relationships, careers, health, etc. There are times I’ve been so consumed with day-to-day life. When I stop and turn around, I realize I’ve lost days, weeks. (Technically, I didn’t lose them, obviously. But if you asked me what I did or what happened, I’d have no answer.)
Has that ever happened to you?
A verse I quote often is that tomorrow is not promised to anyone. It is an undeniable fact. (This is my 72nd blog, so I trust you can find the scripture for yourself.) The smartest minds, the wealthiest people, the healthiest athletes, the most famous celebrities have zero control over whether or not they’ll have a tomorrow. Sure, we can take steps and we can do things and lead lifestyles which reduce the risk of certain diseases. We can choose to not engage in risky, unhealthy behaviors. Yet the fact remains that tomorrow isn’t a guarantee.
So, if no one is promised tomorrow, why are we so casual in our today?
Excellent question. For me, it’s not because I don’t think the verse is true, it’s more that I choose to put it aside. I allow myself to be distracted and shift my focus to whatever lies in front of me at any particular moment. In short, I don’t let myself get that deep. I stay on the surface, battling whatever I’m currently facing, including: errands, deadlines, writer’s block, relational issues, etc.
I’m not suggesting we should be so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good. It’s always about balance. What I am advocating for is rededication.
We are in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It’s the most wonderful time but can also be the most stressful. Lots of pressures and commitments. Lots of distractions. We can lose sight of what we are truly celebrating.
It’s the story of a God who so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV)
We exchange gifts at Christmas, but is there any greater gift than Jesus?
Christmas is when we celebrate when heaven came to earth in the form of a little baby. He was born in a manger in a stable, surrounded by hay and animals. The Savior of the world was born in the humblest of circumstances. And He was born to die. But not just to be a sacrifice. He is the One who heals us, restores us. Through His life, death, and resurrection we are now able to have relationship with God.
When I think of the life of Jesus and His ministry on earth, I see someone who daily dedicated Himself to His Father and to His mission. He chose every day to keep going. He knew the pain, torture and hate He would face. Nevertheless, He kept choosing you and me. Jesus was resolute in His conviction from the start.
I desire to be more like Him, to be so single-minded that no temptation, distraction, disaster, can divert me. I am not anywhere near that today. So, when God shows me I’m going astray, or becoming complacent in my faith, His Holy Spirit will gently encourage me to rededicate, recommit.
What does rededication look like for you?
As you prepare for the holidays, are you satisfied with where you are in your faith? Or are you feeling a gentle nudge to spend more time in God’s presence, whether that be in church, or reading the Bible, or praying and worshipping in your home?
For me, rededication has meant making the Lord and my time with Him a priority. This could mean a daily verse and meditation. It can mean talking about His goodness and love to others. It can mean writing a blog post about Him. It could mean getting baptized again.
Your expression of rededication is unique. It’s between you and God. That’s what makes it such a precious thing and the best gift you can give this season. It will cost you something. It could be time or energy. It could be not partaking in something you enjoy because it’s no longer right for you. It could be forgiving someone who hurt you even if they’ve never apologized.
As I close, what I can tell you is that you can never outgive the Lord. As you rededicate yourself in this season to Him, He can’t help but bless you. Of course, we don’t recommit to get something. It’s not a bartering system or an exchange. We rededicate because He is worthy of our full commitment, not a lukewarm, half-hearted effort.
Jesus didn’t save us that way, did He?
As you rededicate and reprioritize, you’ll be amazed how it affects other areas of your life: relationships, career, health and fitness goals, etc. See, when seeking Him and His kingdom comes first, all the rest can be added onto you. (That’s another non-annotated verse I threw in. Challenge you to find it in your Bible.)
I encourage you to speak with the Lord today. Tell Him of your sincere desire to rededicate. I assure you, He will give you opportunities to express that recommitment. It may be in helping a stranger. It may be attending a service or a prayer meeting. Or it may just mean taking a dunk in the baptismal tank.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Give God your best gift this Christmas. Give Him your whole heart.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
Never Say Never Again
Am I the only one who said, “I would never do that,” only to find myself one day doing (or saying) the very thing I vowed I wouldn’t? How about this: you’ve given up an unhealthy habit or behavior. You’ve resolved to never engage in it again. You don’t for a long period of time.
Then one day you do. You can’t explain exactly how you got to that point. You’re probably disgusted and disappointed in yourself. You feel ashamed and embarrassed. It’s a terrible, humbling moment.
I had such a moment recently, which prompted me to write this piece. There was an unhealthy behavior I had struggled with for decades. A year or so ago, I believed I had it conquered. It no longer took effort to avoid engaging in it. The thought of it didn’t even cross my mind anymore. It was never going to bring me down again.
Except it did.
One day, a day not unlike the hundreds before or after it, I found myself lured into partaking in that unhealthy act again.
You may be wondering what is my struggle? What is this harmful thing I’m involved with? I’m not going to share that here. Not because I’m afraid of what people might think, but rather because if anyone reads this and doesn’t have the same struggle, they may feel exempt from the point I’m trying to make.
My personal struggle is merely an example of a greater problem.
The larger issue here is how fallible we are as human beings. We are capable of anything. Under the right circumstances, we can act nobly and selflessly. Under the wrong set of circumstances, we’re liable to do something terrible and awful. In some situations, we can be brave and courageous. In others we can be weak and cowardly.
In my case, as a Christian, we are often preached to about how God is greater than any of our problems. He’s the answer. (And He is, by the way.) So, when we mess up, as I did the other day, we can immediately feel condemnation and guilt. We may ask ourselves, If I love Jesus, how could I do something so stupid? What is wrong with me? Why after all this time did I slip? Was I not reading my Bible enough or spending enough time in prayer? What happened?
Spoiler alert: God is not surprised.
As I’ve written before, God is not surprised by anything we do. There has never been a time where He leapt up from His throne in amazement, turned to His Son and said, “What the??? Did you see that? I was not expecting that.” Nope. Doesn’t happen because He’s all-knowing, all-seeing and all that.
I’m not suggesting we completely dismiss our mistakes or sins. Absolutely not. We should take a careful look at ourselves, ask for the Lord’s forgiveness and His help to show us how we became vulnerable in that moment. Were our defenses down? Were we trying to escape a painful situation? Were we just tired of waiting?
That last one is a biggie for me if I’m being honest. The Bible says how God’s timing is not like ours. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Making you look that verse up for yourself. This is blog #71, after all.) I, like most people, have hopes and dreams I’ve been waiting to see come to fruition for a long time. I get impatient. Then I find myself wanting to disconnect, distract myself.
Therein lies the danger.
As I let my mind wander, it can lead me to unhealthy situations. It starts out innocently enough: binge watching a show I like or scrolling through social media. Little by little, however, I become more checked out. I’m less interested in reading the Bible or praying or listening to Christian music. My flesh begins to crave more of the disconnection, more of the distraction.
Until I finally give in to a temptation that hasn’t been able to tempt me for over a year.
So, what should we do when what we said we’d never do we went and did?
Would it help to know that even one of the greatest figures in the Bible (Paul) voiced this same struggle? Don’t believe me? Great. Check this out. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.)
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:21-25)
First, I take comfort in knowing this man whom God inspired to write a huge portion of the New Testament, who played a vital part in building many churches and helping lead many to Christ, wrestled with the same issues. You’ll notice he doesn’t name his struggles. The point isn’t what they were, the point is that they were.
This was a man who spent far more time praying, fasting, studying than I ever have. Yet he’s saying what I say many times too. I love Jesus. I want to live a life that pleases God. Why do I keep doing things I know do not please Him?
The simple truth is because we’re human. It is in our nature, but God overcame our basic, lower nature. His Holy Spirit helps us recognize a better way, a higher calling.
If we slip does that mean we’ve lost our way?
As I stated earlier, God is not surprised. He saw the temptation before we did. And He already prepared a way out for us.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
If I reflect on the events of the day leading up to my mistake, I can see subtle ways the Holy Spirit was trying to redirect me. I simply ignored the promptings. I made a choice. I’m responsible for my decision. Perhaps I did lose my way a little. I definitely lost focus on what really matters.
I close by confessing I may engage in this or another unhealthy behavior again. I pray I won’t. I pray the next time temptation rears its ugly head I heed the warnings, finding the way out God has already prepared for me. I am not so prideful to believe I can do it by myself.
I don’t desire to ever do it again. But I learned to never say never. And I can rest knowing God will never ever stop loving me and you.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
The Greatest Trick The Devil Ever Pulled…
Finish the quote.
I bet you probably can.
But just in case, and in the interest of time, here you go:
…was convincing the world he didn’t exist.
Though its origin isn’t from the movie The Usual Suspects, that film arguably solidified its inclusion in our culture and contemporary lexicon.
A few days ago, as I was contemplating my topic for the blog, this quote came to mind. As I now write this piece, it’s Halloween. I’ve already dipped into the candy purchased for the children trick-or-treating. And whether it’s part sugar rush or just a general Kat Controversy vibe kicking in, this quote seems more appropriate than ever.
In the last few weeks, we’ve been inundated with images of horrific attacks by terrorists on innocent Israeli civilians in the Middle East. Wars are raging around the world and our newsfeeds are bringing every brutal moment right to us in record time.
Some might say we in America are heading toward something akin to a civil war. Several years of extraordinary unrest and volatile polarization, fueled by powerful entities and an endless news cycle, are pitting friends and families against one another.
We’re constantly being told to pick a side. And it better be the right one.
But which is the right side? Who defines that? As we move from a system of universal truth to moral relativism, how can we agree on right or wrong?
There was a time when if a group of people invaded and attacked innocent civilians, they were by that very action in the wrong. They were the bad guys because they targeted everyday people rather than engaging in battles against armed opponents. If a woman, child, the elderly or infirmed were pursued and assaulted (or worse), we agreed the one who committed the assault was wrong. Their behavior was evil.
When did we change what a victim or an attacker is?
It hurts my heart to hear so many young people justifying the atrocities of terrorists. My heart hurts for Israelis and Palestinians caught in the crossfire. But there is no nuance, no spin to justify killing non-combatants. You can’t treat thousands of peoples’ lives as collateral damage.
Let me give you an example: a person breaks into a home to steal and kills the homeowner in the process. They broke in because they were desperate for money to feed their family. Does this fact somehow absolve the person from being held accountable for committing murder? Is it now society’s fault so any sentencing should be lenient? Or should the fact that an innocent life was taken unnecessarily be the principal factor?
I’m not suggesting there isn’t room for forgiveness and compassion, though I admit I would be hard pressed to extend that to anyone who hurt or killed someone I love. It would take a lot of prayer and relying on the Lord heavily to get me to that place, if I’m being honest.
The fact remains a crime was committed. The reasons behind it, the circumstances leading up to it, though compelling, do not change the reality: one person’s decision led to the death of another. There is no way to bring back the lost life, yet justice demands the one responsible needs to be held accountable.
What’s troubling me most is that as I’m writing what I know to be true, I realize there are so many who would argue with me over it. There are those who would debate me for days about how it was actually the homeowner’s fault, or society’s, or mine because of whatever. The constant deflection away from core principles of right and wrong is astounding. The blurring of the lines between good and evil, and in some cases, the outright switching of the two, is baffling.
Did the devil pull off the greatest trick?
Now I understand some of you may not believe in him. You may consider the Bible a work of fiction or fantasy. You’re entitled to your opinion, of course.
Can we perhaps find common ground that evil exists?
My position as a Christian is that the devil is real, and the Bible is the Word of God. Coming from this perspective, I believe the devil is the full embodiment of evil.
For those who may not know his origin story, the devil was originally the angel of music (Ezekiel 28:14) named Lucifer. All was well in heaven until he got a bit prideful and decided he would make himself as God. Big mistake. The Lord threw him and a third of the angels out (yup, one third of heaven also chose to defy God) and cast them into hell (Isaiah 14:12-15).
Ever since then, the devil has hated humanity because of God’s love for us. The devil can’t stand how the Lord actively desires to forgive and restore us. He also hates God, obviously. So, he spends his time attacking us and poisoning our minds so we will either turn away from God or never get to know Him. He attempts to exact his revenge against God on us. The devil knows he can’t hurt the Creator, so he goes after the Creation (us).
His time of influence is growing short, so his level of expression is increasing. What I mean is he knows better than many of us how God’s Word is true. His end will come. But he wants to bring as much suffering and destruction to our world before the day of Judgement.
He’s a master liar and manipulator.
(Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.)
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
You would think because he’s a liar that we could recognize when he’s in operation, right? Lies are being told, he’s behind it. But it’s not that simple. He’s also manipulative and doesn’t show up with red horns, tail, or pitchfork.
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Have you ever experienced a situation that initially seemed great, but over time you realized it wasn’t what it appeared to be? Something looked desirable and good for you, but with time the curtain was pulled back to uncover the truth. It wasn’t.
That’s how the devil (the enemy) works. He makes something or someone seem very attractive and appealing. If we’re not careful and prayerful, we can get lured in and fall into the trap. Next thing you know, we’re stuck somewhere God never wanted us to be.
It doesn’t mean we’re ruined necessarily, but sometimes we get off track and it takes time to restore us. We may have to live out some negative consequences or experience some sadness or pain.
The devil can be cunning and clever, but our God is greater. It is up to us to be mindful and watch out for the enemy.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
As I mentioned above, he’s on a full-time mission (along with that one-third of fallen angels) to destroy us because God loves us. Should we live in fear of him? Absolutely not. As always, the Lord gives us the blueprint for how to deal with him.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
We are called to submit ourselves to God. This means we must first believe that Jesus is the only Son of God who came to earth as the sacrifice for our sins. That his life, death, and resurrection were done to restore us to the Lord. He died on the cross for you and me.
Here’s a fun fact that may get overlooked. After Jesus died on the cross, he descended into hell and took the keys to hell, death, and the grave from guess who? The devil. (Revelation 1:17-18)
Once we believe, it is a constant decision to submit to the will of the Father. In all areas, at all times, we should position ourselves to do as God would want us to do. This most certainly means we should attempt to lead a life free from sin.
The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. (1 John 3:8)
Wouldn’t be one of my blogs without at least one ouch verse. It stings to think that when we’re acting in ways God disapproves of, we’re aligned with the enemy. It doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us or that He’s done with us. In fact, Jesus came and sacrificed Himself, paying the price for our sins. Though our sins are covered, however, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to live Godly lives. We don’t get a free pass to keep sinning.
It’s comforting to know that though the enemy can make something seem so tempting and impossible to resist, the Lord has a strategy for us.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
When we’re being tempted, we are to look for the way out. God always provides a loophole, an escape route for those who believe. It doesn’t mean we’ll always take it. We are fallible. I know there have been times where I ignored my escape because in that moment my fleshly desire was greater than my obedience and submission.
But the Lord is the God of another chance. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Yes, I’ve had to live out negative consequences. There have been seasons of sadness and pain because of my wrong decisions. Yet the enemy was unable to devour me. He couldn’t take me out. And even in the lowest moments, God was still there, still loving, still pursuing my heart, still forgiving me.
I believe we’re living in a time where it’s getting more difficult to easily weed out the lies, to see the enemy manipulating and deceiving, to resist him. As the world abandons universal truths and embraces my truth, your truth, this truth and that truth, his influence grows. It is up to those of us who believe, who know Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life to stand up and speak out.
We must be the eyes for the blind until their vision is restored. We must be bold, wise, and gentle. We must be humble and cultivate intimate time with the Lord, reading His Word, worshipping, and praying.
We need not fear the enemy, because he’s already been defeated. Yet we should not dismiss or ignore him. He’s still on the prowl, still hunting. We need to pray so we don’t fall prey.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Stay alert.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
Dare To Be Different
I was a teenager in NY in the 1980s. In high school my favorite radio station was WLIR 92.7 FM. There may be some of you reading this who can’t imagine a time before Sirius XM, Spotify, Pandora, or any of 1,000 different music platforms. But such a time existed, and it was glorious!
The tagline for LIR (as we in the know called it) was “Dare to be different.” They were instrumental in ushering in the New Wave music revolution. They showcased artists that most pop and rock stations wouldn’t even touch. They challenged the programming status quo, and they were successful. They tapped into, and some might even say, helped create a whole new market. People like me did more than just listen to the songs on the radio. We went out and bought the artists’ albums or tapes. (I’m not sure CDs even existed back then. If they did, they were incredibly expensive. But I digress.)
The station took a huge risk changing their format. I, for one, am so grateful they did.
But what does an 80s radio station’s programming decisions have to do with today?
I’m so glad you asked. As a teenager, every time I listened to LIR, I felt like a rebel. This wasn’t my parents’ music or even my sisters’ or brother’s. This was mine. I was on the leading edge. My siblings would eventually know about some of the artists, but that was months or years later. I was already a devoted fan. I was the trailblazer.
Honestly, after my teen and college years, I thought I was done with going against the grain. Yet even though it’s been forty years since I first tuned into LIR, I find myself embracing my inner rebel once more. I never thought I’d resurrect it, but when the world I live in began turning its back on everything I hold dear, I had to say something.
I had to dare to be different.
In 2023, it is astounding to me that values such as love of God, family, and country are viewed as harmful, dangerous, etc.
When up is down and right is wrong, what will you do?
I’ve been a Christian for over 25 years. That’s not a humble brag; it’s more of a confession. Over two decades ago, I realized there was a God, and I wasn’t Him. I had been raised with religion, but now I was having my own personal relationship with the Lord. This meant I started reading the Bible more. It meant studying and praying. And as my time with the Lord increased, my desire to stay the same decreased.
It didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it’s been an ongoing process. But little by little I developed an inner conviction which would frequently stop me from doing something foolish. At the very least, it ensured that if I did do something foolish, I was quick to repent and not repeat the mistake. In no way have I gotten it right all the time, or even three-quarters of the time.
I think God made sure His mercies are new every morning specifically with me in mind. He knew I was definitely going to use up each day’s supply.
I didn’t want to be a renegade.
Who wants to rebel in their 50s? There may be a few people out there, I suppose. But I was never meant to be one of them. These are supposed to be the years where I’m settled. I’m supposed to be moving along in my career and looking ahead to retiring. I’m not saying I should be slowing down, but I should be able to take my foot off the gas a little bit.
I realized I can’t. And if you’re someone who doesn’t agree with what’s happening in this world, you can’t either.
I’m sorry to have to be the one to break the news to you.
In the early days of this global shift in truth and morality, most of us weren’t active. It was subtle, and we didn’t want to make a big deal about seemingly minor issues. So, we made small concessions, compromises. Little did we know that with each go-along-to-get-along moment we were chipping away at the very core, the very heart of humanity.
Does that sound hyperbolic? Perhaps. But when child mutilation is now framed as gender-affirming care, abortion is now reproductive rights, and pedophiles are minor-attracted people, how else can you put it? There is an evil agenda at play. And I daresay that many engaged on the side of it aren’t even aware of its existence. The deception is real. The lie has become the truth. Love has become equated with acceptance. If you don’t accept, then you don’t love.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
My parents loved me, but they were never going to accept any unhealthy behaviors as a sign of their love. No, they loved me enough to let me hate them as they brought Godly correction. I’m here today by the grace of God and their love.
The time has come to stand up.
We can’t be silent any longer. I’m not in any way suggesting taking violent action, but we need to be vocal and stand up for what, deep in our hearts, we know to be right, to be true. For instance, men are not women; women are not men. We are not interchangeable. It doesn’t matter what procedures you get, or what hormones you take, you will never be a different gender.
I am sorry if that hurts anyone’s feelings, but in my opinion, it is catering to feelings that has reeked so much havoc. The evidence simply doesn’t support that constant affirmation in all areas helps anyone. Truth must be truth. Our young people are more depressed, confused, and anxious than ever. And yet they’re the most affirmed generation.
Love is not demonstrated by blind affirmation.
It is shown when truth is presented even when it’s in opposition to what feels good. Truth presented in love is what matters. This does not mean I’m suggesting a parent reject a child. You should love your child unconditionally. But when their choices are going to lead to harmful, life-altering decisions, you must intervene. It is not the government’s job, it’s ours. We must try.
God told us we would have to stand against this world.
Don’t believe me? Great. You know I brought receipts. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.)
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that He jealously longs for the spirit He has caused to dwell in us? But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:4-8)
This verse is another one for the Ouch category. In simple terms, it’s saying going along with the world means you’re against the Lord! I’ve been guilty of embracing ideas or trends in the world, so in those times I was God’s enemy. Yikes. If you love Him, that should sting. I know it does for me. (This is where I’m super grateful for His mercies being new every morning.) When you’re double-minded, you know what God says, yet you go along with the world, even though it’s opposed to His will. You have two minds about the situation, and you will fail.
There is a solution.
We need to humble ourselves before God and resist the devil. Wait a minute. Didn’t it just say we were being friends with the world? How did the devil get into the mix? Well, because this world is his playground. So, as we embrace the world, we’re in essence embracing the devil. You don’t have to be a Satan worshipper to be aligned with him. Whenever we’re world-minded and not God-focused, we’re in danger. Whenever we accept something that we know God does not, we’re in trouble.
Thankfully, there is hope. When we are humble before the Lord, resisting the devil, he flees. I suggest part of that resistance includes speaking out about what we know is ungodly in our world and culture today.
The world’s messaging can be overwhelming.
I completely understand. We have non-stop access and exposure to the world’s current craziness. God understands too. That’s why He already gave us the fix. Check this out:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
How do we renew our mind? By unplugging from whatever the world is spewing forth and connecting with the Lord and His unchanging Word. Less time on social media, more time in the Bible, as an example. I can testify that when I spend less time scrolling and more time praising and worshipping, I’m in a healthier mindset. I am stronger in my ability to resist the temptations of the devil.
Let this verse encourage you.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
We were made by the Lord. He equips us for the fight.
It absolutely can feel intimidating to stand up against what seems like insurmountable odds. We may risk losing friendships, associations. We might be ostracized or excluded. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. But when I think about the alternative, I realize there is no other way. And just like a radio station that changed its programming, I’ve decided to change my own programming.
How about you?
I’ll leave you with this. When you get nervous, say this verse aloud and remember:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Stay a renegade.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
You Can’t Take It With You
I was scrolling through social media recently and came across a post that stated the only things you can bring with you to heaven are souls. Let me be clear, I am not in any way stating I can save a single soul. I couldn’t even save my own! But there was something in that post that resonated with me, and so here I am dedicating a blog to it.
In this world, we need money to purchase the necessities and luxuries of life. Finances affect everyone. Given everything we’ve gone through over the past few years, and the continuing instability of our economy, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s been looking over my income and expenses more carefully.
If we’re a parent, we want to be able to provide for our kids when they’re younger and be able to leave something behind for them in the future. Some of us may equate our worth based on the number of dollars in our bank accounts, or the cars and homes we own. Madonna wasn’t wrong when she said we are living in a material world.
But I’ve never considered myself a material girl. In my teen years I thought about labels and designer clothes, but once I was the one purchasing those items, my tastes became far more practical.
In my lifetime, I’ve lived paycheck-to-paycheck. I’ve also had seasons where I was able to have savings and be more generous with my money. Yet when I saw that post, I was reminded that in the end, you really can’t take any of it with you.
Sure, we’ve heard about Egyptian kings and other very wealthy people who were buried with their fortunes. But they didn’t really take it with them, did they? Their souls went somewhere while their riches laid dormant in the grave.
What comes with us in the end?
Not to be graphic, but after we’ve passed, our bodies are either buried or cremated. There is, however, a part that does live on. Our souls are eternal. This spirit is what crosses from this world into the next.
Eternity is a mighty long time.
As a Christian, I believe our ability to enter heaven is only possible by believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord, that He is the Son of God who came to save us. He was crucified, died, and was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day.
I know He sits at the right hand of God and is in constant intercession for us. Jesus’s sacrifice gives me, and anyone who believes in Him, access to an eternity in God’s presence.
If we choose to deny Him, our spirit will be sent somewhere else. I can’t explain to you exactly what hell will be like. I pray you and I never find out. But what am I certain of, is that God is not there. I don’t need to imagine lakes of fire and torturous situations that would scare even the greatest horror film director. All I need to think of is that I would be forever separated from the Lord. That’s terrifying enough for me.
On my worst days here, when I don’t feel close to God, I know He’s still there. I know it’s only a matter of time before my emotions will line back up with the Truth. He’s with me and for me. He’ll never leave me nor forsake me.
But I can leave Him, can’t I?
I could choose to deny Him. I could choose to walk away and condemn myself to an eternity without Him, to doom my soul to an endless time in hell.
If God is all powerful, how come He lets some choose to deny Him?
Here’s something I learned a long time ago: the Lord is gentle. He is firm and strong, but He will never force Himself upon you. We were created with free will so that when we decide to accept His love, it’s our choice. Yes, He’s always been knocking on the door of our heart, but we had to open that door. We had to agree with Him.
I thank Him every day for helping me, guiding me, showing me the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And then one beautiful day so many, many years ago, I turned to Him. Best decision I ever made.
But let’s get back to heaven and eternity. We can’t take our earthly fortunes with us. I don’t believe that means we shouldn’t work, earn a good living, and give to our family, friends, and those in need. On the contrary, God loves a cheerful giver. (Look it up. That’s Bible.)
There is a treasure which cannot be ruined.
Stock markets can crash. Inflation can rise. There are so many ways our earthly money can lose its value. God assures us there is a treasure that won’t be taken away or destroyed. Don’t believe me? Great. You know I brought receipts. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.)
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
I encourage you to read all of chapter 6 in Matthew. Jesus gives a great teaching on how to view money. This is the chapter where He explains how you can’t serve both God and money. Most of us would say we don’t serve money. Think it about though. If every day when the mail comes, you’re dreading seeing the bills, you may be serving money. If you’re worrying about the prices of food at the store, or gas at the pump, you may be serving money.
It’s normal to have a reaction when filling up your car’s tank now costs double what it did a year or two ago. I completely understand. What I believe God is saying to us is that He is bigger than an unstable economy. Our trust must be in Him and Him alone. It’s a cliché, but it does make sense: “Do your best and let God do the rest.” Be responsible. Don’t spend recklessly. And if money gets tight and you’ve done your part, trust the Lord to make up the difference.
That’s not just some fluff. I’ve watched Him move mightily in seasons where I was scrimping just to get by. I ended up with more than I should have had because I believed the words of the Bible. I had faith to know He could and would take care of me. I made practical choices, but ultimately, He blessed me beyond what my budgeting decisions could have afforded me.
I particularly like how in the verse quoted above it states how where your treasure is your heart will be also. That’s a sobering concept. Our heart will focus on what we treasure or value.
What do you treasure most?
I want my heart focused on the Lord and on telling everyone I know about His great love for us. I want to share the good news of Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him. I want my loved ones to have personal relationships with Him. I want to use my gifts, talents, and abilities to serve Him.
That’s my heart.
It doesn’t mean I’m always operating in that mode. There have been times when I definitely let my heart consider something or someone a more important treasure. Trust me, it doesn’t work out well. Check out this verse:
“And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:19-21)
This would fall under the Ouch category. It’s a needed wakeup call, a strong reminder. Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us. So, whether we’re in pursuit of more wealth, or resting on our laurels, we’re missing it. Our primary focus should be on loving and serving Him, using our resources to further His kingdom here on earth. What does that mean? Helping those less fortunate. Donating time and money to organizations that show His love to the world through providing food, clothing, healthcare, etc., and most importantly, sharing the good news.
I love how this verse describes what we should do. Check this out:
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
You can’t buy your way into heaven, obviously. We have access because of Jesus’s sacrifice. Point blank period. This verse speaks to sowing toward an eternal reward. Yes, there are rewards in heaven. Jesus spoke to His disciples about going ahead to prepare mansions for them. (You need to look that up for yourself too.) To me, the greatest reward will be dwelling in the presence of God forever, but if you want to throw in a mansion, who am I to tell you not to do it?
Did you notice how in the above verse it uses the word command. It doesn’t say suggest or even strongly recommend. It says command. This isn’t an option. It’s a requirement. And who doesn’t want to “take hold of the life that is truly life”?
I appreciate it may be challenging when bills are piling up, rent’s due and the car breaks down. I’m not making light of those real situations. I’ve experienced those tense moments. I’ve sat and cried wondering how I was going to make it. And then I was gently reminded of this verse:
But seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
As I mentioned before, please read all of Matthew chapter 6. It is a phenomenal teaching. The key takeaway is always to seek first the kingdom and the Lord’s righteousness. As we do that, everything else will be given to us. We may not get everything we want but our needs will be met. Fix your eyes upon Him.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. And guard your treasure.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
Clinging To A Lie Rather Than Facing Truth
It’s been a minute since I posted here. I was taking a much-needed break and making memories with family and friends. I was also spending quality time in prayer and thoughtful meditation about many issues facing us today.
Let me preface this article by stating I write on familiar topics. I usually have direct experience or engagement with the subject matter. If not, I’ve had some tangential connection, usually someone close to me dealing with the issue.
As I’ve stated numerous times, I am a resident expert on absolutely nothing. I’ve made more mistakes than most, but I do try to learn from them.
That’s why I was hesitant to write on this week’s topic. We know I don’t mind wearing my Kat Controversy crown, but this was somehow different. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to write, and probably prove challenging to read. But I believe God put it on my heart to share, so let’s dive in.
It’s hard when we realize we believed a lie.
We can feel blindsided, stunned. If we’ve built a life around that lie, it can be devastating. I know for myself sometimes Truth can be staring me in the face, yet I’ll continue to dismiss it. I couldn’t have been deceived. I’m too smart for that. I’m not that naïve or gullible. No, there must be some other reason. There must be another explanation.
But there isn’t.
A form of cognitive dissonance takes hold of me as I continue to operate from a place of denying the lie while simultaneously knowing on some level it is indeed a lie. Talk about your mental gymnastics! I’d be racking up the gold medals.
Why is it so hard to face the Truth?
We’ve heard expressions such as truth hurts, and the truth will set you free. I suggest the two phrases could be combined: the truth is likely to hurt, but it will set you free. We just need to get past the hurting part first. And that’s where many of us, especially me, struggle.
In my life this has been particularly difficult when dealing with loved ones. Whether family, friends or a romantic partner, it’s not easy for me to process being the recipient of a lie. If you’re in my life, I want to trust you. If I’m close with you, I do trust you. Perhaps that’s why I can’t fathom you’d lie or deceive. In my mind, I’ve vetted you. Believe me, it’s a detailed, careful screening process. I may know many people, but I’m known by only a few.
I think it’s important to keep your inner circle small. A sad truth I faced many years ago is that not everyone is for you. Not everyone who hangs around wants you to succeed or be happy. People are jealous or unhappy. People are not always what they seem to be.
But in the case of my close associations, I’ve taken time and prayed about these relationships. I should be safe, right?
Nope, we can still be lied to by those closest to us. Maybe we’ve been guilty of lying to people we care about too. I certainly try not to do so, but I’m not so prideful as to believe I’ve never done it.
Now, let’s pivot out of interpersonal relationships to a broader scope.
What happens when our trusted institutions aren’t quite so trustworthy anymore?
Trust is earned not simply given. I grew up believing the government and other powerful entities: healthcare, education, etc. were worthy of my trust. I believed they were, ultimately, accountable to us, so there was a built-in restraint. They had earned my trust because they were supposed to report to me and the rest of the country. Checks and balances.
But I see now I was wrong.
This isn’t about a specific political party or group. I believe there is corruption and dishonesty on both sides of the aisle. There came a time, after so many lies were exposed, where I had to divest myself of the notion that they were telling the truth.
As an adult, I’d been a little skeptical. I knew powerful people typically have self-serving interests. I just thought their interests weren’t in direct opposition to mine. They may have aspirations and great designs for power and money, but I thought they still had a cap. There were some lines they wouldn’t cross because of the damage it would do to those around them, to the world.
Once again, I was wrong.
I tried clinging to the lie that they care about us for as long as possible. But there was my old friend Truth, being a gentleman, occasionally gently tapping me on the shoulder or whispering, “Turn around.” I wouldn’t do it. Because I knew facing this Truth was not just going to be hurtful, it was going to permanently change me.
When I could deceive myself no longer, I turned toward Truth. And it was more upsetting, disappointing, saddening and maddening than I could have possibly imagined. I grew up in a household that had great love of God and country. I still loved God, but my country might be another story. Though I still love the God-inspired principles upon which the founding documents were created.
No one wants to believe the worst about someone.
I want to live cautiously optimistic, not jaded and negative. But when lies are exposed, you must deal with them. It won’t be easy, but I promise you, if you seek the Lord’s help, He will set you free.
Don’t believe me? Great, you know I brought receipts. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com NKJV, emphasis added.)
The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. (Proverbs 12:19)
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish. (Proverbs 19:9)
You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. (Psalm 5:6)
Ouch! There are many other verses I could have included, but I think you get the point. God cannot stand lying. As upset and angry as I’ve gotten when I’ve discovered I’ve been lied to, that’s nothing compared to His view on it.
Shouldn’t this not only discourage us from telling lies, but also encourage us to avoid staying in them?
Once the lie is exposed, we are now willingly participating in it, aren’t we? If we keep going along with it, aren’t we a liar too?
Yes, I know it may be uncomfortable to break free from the lie. It can be so painful you may even feel as if you can’t go on. You may feel crushed. I do know what that is like. What I can tell you is the only way I made it after I stopped clinging to a lie, was facing Truth.
See, here’s the thing about Truth. It’s not mine or yours. It’s so much more than that. Check this out:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
Jesus is Truth. So, when you let go of the lie, you turn and face Him.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
How do we release our hold on a lie?
We turn to Jesus. We seek Him in His Word (the Bible). He offers us His Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us. We have unfettered access to Truth! But first we must separate from the lies. There may be a time of grieving for being deceived, for the pain of living in a lie. God understands. He will comfort you and help you get past the pain.
It may not happen overnight, but I promise you, once you stop clinging to the lies, your life will change for the better. Once you realize there’s a God who cannot and will not lie to you, who loves you with an everlasting love, it makes the disappointments of this life seem not as soul crushing.
If you haven’t, please make today the moment you invite Jesus into your life and your heart. He longs to spend time with you. He’s with you even when you don’t believe in Him, but He’s a gentleman. He won’t force Himself on you. But the second you invite Him in, He’s there. He’s always there, but now you’ve given Him access.
It’s the best decision I ever made. Over 25 years later, I can safely say without His love, I wouldn’t be here. And I wouldn’t want to live one moment without Him in my life. Even though I’m still stubborn and can still cling to a lie now and again, He’s still there, patiently waiting for me to come to the end of myself. And that’s when I begin to live in freedom.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Let go of the lies.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled
Wildfires. Hurricanes. Earthquakes. Floods.
Economic instability. War. Famine. Division.
I could list many more issues currently plaguing our world. There seems to be no shortage of chaos. Living in such unsettling times can be difficult. Even if we tune it out, it’s still all around us.
I live in a small town in the woods. (True story.) I can remove myself from a lot of the day-to-day insanity simply by staying off my phone, or not watching TV or listening to the radio. It’s a luxury I don’t take lightly.
I remember in the past when I didn’t have the same option to disconnect and unplug so easily. It was far more challenging to trust God when I was so immersed in the culture. I’ll be honest, I had more than my fair share of times of doubt.
Even now, as I sit outside with the chickens clucking nearby, I wonder What happened to us? Can it get any worse? The answer is yes it can, and it very well may.
Talking heads will give their expert opinions on why things are the way they are. (You know how I feel about experts.) The blame game is being played by all sides. “It’s all their fault. They’re the problem.”
Spoiler alert: We are the problem. Our recklessness, pride and arrogance drive us as we believe we can do a better job of running things than the Creator. In our hubris, some are fully deluded, embracing all manner of false teaching that serves only to elevate our selfish desires. We blindly press on not realizing we’re sowing seeds of destruction.
We’ve lost our way.
You may be reading that and saying to yourself, “Not me. I’m good.” Your missteps may not be as flagrant or obvious as those you see around you. But trust me when I say, we could all do better.
But when we’re bombarded with such negativity and, in some cases, pure evil, it’s difficult to hold onto hope. It’s hard to not become discouraged and just want to drop out of it all. It’s easier to stay in our own little world, limiting our exposure to anything ugly.
But we weren’t meant to live in a bubble or echo chamber.
God created this world for us and gave us authority and dominion over it. What a tremendous blessing. But this gift comes with responsibility. We should treat the planet and one another with great care.
There is an answer when we’re feeling overwhelmed.
(If you’ve read any of my blogs before, you know where I’m going.) The answer is: Jesus. The reason I wrote earlier how things were likely to worsen, is because the Lord already warned us through His Word.
I’m not just referring to the Book of Revelation (though there is a lot there to check out). God is so good to us; He warns us in advance of trouble. And He gives us the way out. You don’t believe me? Great. You know I brought receipts. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NKJV, emphasis added.)
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1)
This is a quote from Jesus. He was speaking to His disciples, but it applies to anyone. He wanted them to know they could trust in Him just as they did the Lord. For many of us, that’s the first step: believe. We must believe Jesus is the Son of God. We must understand that our Father in heaven loved us so much He sent Jesus to be crucified and die, a perfect sacrifice, so that we could be restored to God. For without Jesus’s death and resurrection our sin would have kept us far from God. (That is a place I never want to know again.)
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Peace. Have you ever experienced true peace? I have and it is indescribable. I’m not talking about a mini break from the world lying on a beach. I’m talking about being in a state where what’s happening around you can’t disrupt your calm, a place of contentment, a place of true rest. Notice He says, “not as the world gives do I give to you”.
How does the world give?
I believe it gives with conditions or strings attached. It gives but there’s always a veiled threat they’ll take it away. What the world gives, it can (and probably will) take back. What the Lord gives is yours.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
I consider this verse another mic drop moment for Jesus. It has a two-fold message: 1) peace is found only in Him and, 2) you will know trouble in the world, but relax because He’s already overcome it.
I realize that seems way easier said than done, especially in today’s world. But historically speaking, the world has always been a place of great accomplishment and great disaster. I offer it is our human nature which leads us toward the disastrous and it is God’s prompting which directs us to our great achievements.
The bottom line is, as I’ve written before, we live in an imperfect world, filled with imperfect people. Our world is broken. We are broken. But God isn’t. In fact, His greatest desire is to heal us. As we draw near to Him through prayer, conversation, reading the Bible, we open the door of our heart to let Him in to help. His Word is meant to draw us closer and show us the blueprint for life.
One essential element is this: to know peace, you must know Jesus. Period.
We are not the first people to face a chaotic world. I encourage you to read about the first church and the hardships they endured, or even contemporary churches in areas where Christianity isn’t welcome.
Facing difficulties and tribulations in our world is nothing new. How we handle them is key. Check this out:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)
In the verses I included in this piece, please note how God mentioned to “let not your heart be troubled” more than once. That was intentional. I suggest if your heart isn’t troubled, you’re at peace. How does one attain it? Through Jesus Christ alone. Any other so-called peace is fleeting and fake.
I love the verse above because it is such a wonderful reminder that no matter what craziness takes shape in this world, we cannot be separated from His love.
Nothing can separate you from the love of God.
Nothing. So, take some time to disconnect and unplug when the bad news overwhelms, if you can. And with every new morning, give the Lord thanks that no matter what is going on, He still loves you. Because of His great love for us, we have access to peace in the midst of chaos. May we remember that and rest in it. And may we become bolder so that we can share this good news of His love to others. Just imagine what might happen if more people accepted His love and peace.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Nothing separates you from His love.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
You May Want, But Do You Have The One Thing You Need?
We all have wants. Whether it’s material possessions, a certain position or career, a goal, a relationship, whatever it may be, we all have them. We also have needs.
What is the difference between a want and a need?
I would argue a want is something we desire but without it we can continue living in relative peace. A need, on the other hand, is something which the absence thereof presents a clear danger to our well-being. We want to eat pizza for dinner. We need nourishment to survive. We don’t need to have pizza to survive (though it is darn tasty). But at some point, we need to give our bodies the sustenance it requires.
My point is the two words do not mean the same thing. Yet many times we confuse a want with a need. We want success so badly we exaggerate its importance. We feel we need success. Our focus shifts away from working hard and believing we’ll get there to an almost desperate, driving pursuit.
We want to be in a relationship which is healthy and normal. But when we start to need to be in a relationship, we can get into trouble. Once again, our thinking is out of balance. We may settle for something less than what is best for us. (I know whereof I speak. Trust me.)
Do you want to eat again right after you’ve had a meal?
Most of the time, the answer is no. We’re satisfied. They say it’s the best time to go food shopping. You’re not hungry, so you’re less likely to visit the snack and dessert aisles and add a bunch of items to your cart not on your list that aren’t good for you.
Culture has a way of making us think our wants are needs.
The best advertising and marketing campaigns are designed around convincing the consumer he or she cannot live without their product. Social media only amplifies this messaging. It’s not just formal commercials. It’s influencers and celebrities advocating for this brand or that product or program.
Then there’s always peer pressure, which never ends. Yes, it’s most common in our younger years, but I offer it never truly disappears. As adults we just get better at filtering it out, or our peers just get subtler.
Whatever the medium, the message is always you need…
Your life would be better if…
Your career would take off if…
You’d drop that weight quickly if…
Your skin would look healthier if…
Your relationships would improve if…
But what happens when you buy the product, try the program, etc. and nothing changes?
We’ve all experienced the disappointment of believing in something (or someone) and it not working out as we expected. The pain can range from a mild irritation to a devastating sadness.
Does it hurt so much because we turned a want into a need?
As I often state, I’m a resident expert on absolutely nothing. But in the course of my time here on earth (why does that sound like I’m an alien logging in my journal?), I know I’ve definitely given situations more importance and attention than they deserved. Whether it was in my professional or personal life, in my mind something (or one) entered the need category instead of resting appropriately in the want one. When things didn’t turn out as I expected, I was crushed. Looking back, I realize it would always have hurt. No one likes it when things go south. But the degree of pain I was dealing with was directly correlated to the increased level of importance I had given the whole matter in the first place.
Once I morphed a want into a need, I was setting myself up for a greater disappointment.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying everything is my fault. Of course, it isn’t. What I am saying is we should have clear distinctions in our minds (and hearts) about our wants versus our needs.
How can we guard ourselves against elevating wants to needs?
The short answer is we can’t, at least not in our own strength. I’ve written before about how a relationship with the Lord is the key to everything. That’s because it is. I’m not saying your life will be easy breezy, but you can have access to wisdom and direction that you wouldn’t have under normal circumstances. In the past, I made a lot of wants into needs, and never knew it until it was too late. But by God’s grace, I’m learning to recognize the shift going on in me and redirect myself.
Is there One need above all others?
I say yes, and His name is Jesus. There are many verses dealing with relying on Him for every situation. You know I brought receipts. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.) I included a few here, but strongly encourage you to do a search on your own.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
There are two essential pieces to this verse: 1) being content and 2) knowing He’s got you. I suggest being content doesn’t mean all your wants are satisfied. But because God will never leave you or forsake you, your needs are met. Doubt me? Great. Check this out:
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
I’d drop the mic here, but I don’t have one. And if I drop my laptop, I might break it. But you get the point. Our needs are met in and through Him. This doesn’t mean we should sit back and just expect everything to come to us. Sometimes it happens that way. Sometimes we must get up and earn it. But in either case, it is the Lord who is our Provider. He gives us the means and opportunity to have our needs met.
This is why I say relationship with Him is the One need we must satisfy first. Because without Him and His unfailing, unchanging love, we can easily fall prey to having wants turn to needs which may then turn to disappointment and sorrow.
Does this mean we’ll never be disappointed? No. But He will always be there to comfort us, and He will never be the cause of our sadness. Check this out:
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19, NKJV)
I leave you with this, let Him into your life and your heart. He can and will supply all your needs. I can testify to that. And He will never leave you wanting for unconditional love and acceptance.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Please remember, you may want many things, but you need Jesus.
Look forward to hearing from you.
-Kat
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