I’m Not Crazy; I’m a Christian
Kat Merrigan
Leave It All On The Field
If you’ve ever played a sport or been part of a team, you may have heard this phrase or a variation. It means to go out and give it your all. Do your very best. Try your hardest. Spare no effort.
But what happens when you give it your all and you don’t win.
How do we handle when we’ve done all the prep work and we’ve given it our best shot, and we lose? We don’t get the promotion or win the game. The goal we had our heart set on eludes us.
Now what?
In springtime I can often be found in the stands watching college baseball. I have a family member who plays. I recently mentioned to him that this week’s blog topic was inspired by watching him and his team over the past couple of months. When I brought up the part about how to handle a defeat or a loss, he was quick to note how you go back out the next day and do it again. Sounds like the phrase: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
I agree with the sentiment but if I’m being honest (and I try to be), it’s the application of it where I fall short. How about you?
How do you process a setback or an outright defeat?
My first instinct is usually to run for comfort food and wallow. I lick my wounds and commiserate with myself over my misfortune. I might harbor some envy for anyone who’s achieved what I didn’t. I might rail about how it’s not fair and I deserved to win. In short, I throw myself a good, old fashioned pity party.
All this serves to do is keep me stuck. If I’m spending time in resentment, regret, confusion, discouragement, I’m not moving forward. If I stay here too long, I’ll talk myself out of ever trying again. What’s the point? What’s the use?
When a team is on a winning streak, energy is up. It’s all about keeping the streak going. The team can go one of two ways: either get a little too cocky and start to slack off or dig even deeper because they realize the streak may end at any moment. In either case spirits are high, and it doesn’t take much to get and keep the team motivated.
But when a team is in a slump, when they haven’t won a game in a while, herein lies the challenge. With each loss, individual and team confidence can drop. In this situation there are two ways to go as well: believe they’ll never pull out of the slump and it’s over or dig deeper and realize it will end and today might be the day. It’s much harder to get excited and hyped when you’re feeling low and beaten.
You need to have something to give before you can leave it all on the field.
I believe it needs to be more than a desire to win or succeed. I’m not against those drives per se, but for me it’s always more about the why of the what. Why do you want to win or succeed? Is it just for yourself? Is it to prove you could do it? Is it to boast or brag? Is it for the temporary rush? Is there a financial gain to be made?
These are all reasons. But there is a greater calling which should infuse everything we do. You know I brought receipts. (Any and all bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.)
So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
As Christians we are called to do everything to glorify God. Does that include giving our all win or lose? Yup. Every single time? Yup yup.
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (Proverbs 13:4)
This verse is pretty self-explanatory. Laziness won’t get you very far. Being diligent, prepared, doing the work matters. Consistency and steadfastness help position you for success.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, (Colossians 3:23)
Imagine God as your boss or coach. Would we conduct ourselves differently if we were directly reporting to him at the end of each day? I certainly would. I’m learning to internalize my daily accountability to him. Before I lose my mind because things didn’t go the way I wanted, I try to slow down. (I don’t always get there, but we’re all works in progress.) As I realize more and more how my life is a representation of him to a lost world, I’m challenged to come up higher, to do better, to leave it all on the field.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
Let’s not get this verse twisted. We don’t do good because we will reap the harvest. We do good because it’s right. When we give it our all, we may not win, but we have still done the right thing. In time, God is so faithful, He will bless us. But that shouldn’t be the reason we continue to try. If we’re motivated to do because of what we’ll get, we’re in the wrong mindset.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3)
I’m closing with this verse because I believe it’s an important key to this whole topic. Before we prep, before we go out and give it our all, we need to commit whatever it is to God. If we’re on a team, we should commit our involvement with it to him first. If we’re going for career or personal advancement, we need to commit it to him first.
We can have dreams, aspirations, plans. He establishes. Commit to him and then go out and leave it all on the field.
Until next time: stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know.
Look forward to hearing from you,
-Kat
The Company You Keep
You’re known by the company you keep.
You’re “guilty by association”.
We’ve probably heard or used these phrases or similar ones. It is true how we spend our time and who we spend it with has a direct impact on our lives.
Friendships usually begin with a common interest or other binding factor. We’re drawn to those we feel are like minded. I’ve even referred to some as kindred spirits. It’s comforting to find a connection with another person or group. Deep down we all want to belong. No one really wants to be alone all the time. Even those of us who are content with our solitude want the option to be social. We want to know there’s at least one person out there who cares for us.
Sometimes our family can be our closest friends. Other times, they may not be. In fact, we may long to have close friends to help us deal with our family struggles.
Friendships can help us build, keep us stuck, or even wreck us.
At different seasons of my life, I’ve been close with people who weren’t necessarily bad, but their influence in my life wasn’t the best for me. I was initially drawn to them because we had something in common. I felt so comfortable around them. The problem was that what we shared weren’t all healthy traits. If we discovered we both enjoyed cocktails a bit too much or going out and wasting money, sometimes that became our focus. If one of us was going through a difficult time, the other one might feed into the chaos, rather than trying to diffuse it. We weren’t bringing out the best in each other anymore.
Your close circle can make or break you.
I know that seems dramatic to write, but it is true. The more time you spend around someone, the more you tend to rub off on each other. Human nature being fallen as it is, if we’re not careful, we won’t bring out the best or elevate each other. What started as a promising relationship may just end up at the lowest common denominator. Neither one is better for it; one or both may actually be worse off than before.
If you have goals and aspirations, your circle should reflect it.
In some ways, the older you get, the easier it is to recognize when a relationship is coming to an end. By the same token, I also have close friends I’ve had in my life for decades.
Your friendships should not only reflect where you are in your life, but also where you want to be. This doesn’t mean if you want to pursue a certain career you can only be friends with someone who wants the same career. Of course not. But what it does mean is you need to connect with people who are motivated. You want to surround yourself with those who are working toward something. Whatever their something may be. You won’t get motivation hanging around lazy people.
If you’re looking to improve your finances, you may not want to be close with people who can’t control their spending. I’m not saying you can’t be friends with them, but you may need to limit your exposure to them to make sure the relationship doesn’t hold you back or keep you stuck where you don’t want to be.
Yes, we are all individuals and capable of free will. But we are not immune to influence.
You need to periodically take inventory of your close bonds with other people: be they family, friends, or friends who are like family. Are you better off being in those relationships? Are they balanced?
Sometimes we stay connected to people because we don’t know how to leave.
We’ve known them for so long, or they were so important to us during a difficult time in our lives, or any other reason. But assessing our connections to others is critical for growth and maturity. Learning when to stay or go, how much time to dedicate, knowing its value, these are all keys.
Friendship matters. I know this because the Lord took time to discuss it at length in the scriptures. You know I brought receipts. I’m going to share several verses here, but there are so many more. I encourage you to explore them all on your own. (Any and all bible verses, unless otherwise are indicated, are from biblegateway.com NIV, emphasis added.)
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
This verse may be where the expression being guilty by association originated. Even if you aren’t yet compromised in some area, if you spend time with others who are known to be, you’ll get the same reputation. You may not even deserve the label, but you’ll probably get it anyway.
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. (Proverbs 22:24-25)
I can absolutely tell you from personal experience this is true. I tend to be loud and confrontational. (I know you’re shocked.) If I’m around someone who also tends to be that way, we may find ourselves in a bad situation. Without someone to bring down the temperature, it can get pretty ugly.
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. (Proverbs 12:26)
When we’re younger, we can make friends easily. But with age should come wisdom and discernment. I now believe in being friendly with many but only friends with a few.
What are the qualities of a good friend?
I’m so glad you asked. Because God is all about balance, He doesn’t just tell us what to avoid. He gives direction on what to look for as well. And not just what to look for in others but what we should develop within ourselves. Check these verses out.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17 NKJV)
Who are your people who’ve seen you at your worst and still stuck around? Who can you call when it all goes horribly wrong? Who is willing to stand by your side through it all? Are you willing to be there for another? Will you stand with someone when they need you?
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. (Proverbs 27:9)
Who can you lean on for wise counsel? Are you quick to listen and slow to speak when someone in your life needs a friend?
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
This verse is speaking of Jesus. He is a friend like no other. If you’re reading this and wonder who cares about you, let me tell you HE DOES! He is my best friend. He can be yours too. He will never leave you or forsake you.
He is also the example of a true friend. Check this out.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13)
Will you accept His friendship today? Will you open your heart and let Him come into your life? It’s a decision I made over 25 years ago. I’ve never regretted it. It doesn’t mean my life hasn’t had struggles. But I know He’s with me. Even when everyone I love wasn’t there, He was.
My friends are wonderful. I am blessed. But we are all fallible. We will disappoint one another at some point. The only One who has never disappointed me is the Lord.
I look to how He treated His friends as my example. I fall short every day, but I keep trying. Because He is the constant in my close circle, I can do all things as He strengthens me. He can be all that and more for you too.
Check your circle. It’s not complete until He’s at the center of it.
Until next time: stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know.
Look forward to hearing from you,
-Kat
Hierarchy vs Hypocrisy And How It Relates To Easter
I’ve wanted to do a post for some time regarding the distinctions between hierarchy and hypocrisy. As I was preparing to write on this subject, I realized it would be going up during Easter week. I hesitated for a moment. Should I switch to something more relevant to Jesus’s death and resurrection? I wondered.
As I was praying and contemplating my next step, it occurred to me how often the Bible calls people out for being hypocrites. (If you do a quick online search, you’ll find at least a dozen references, usually said by Jesus.) The more I thought about it, the more I came to realize the conversation of hierarchy vs hypocrisy and Jesus’s story are connected.
Before we proceed, we should first come to a consensus on our definitions of hierarchy and hypocrisy. Hierarchy can be a group of people in authority. It can also be used to describe the various levels or rankings of those within a group. Hypocrisy is essentially where you claim to believe in something and hold others accountable to that standard, yet you do not actually believe it and often don’t conform to the standard or edict you’ve imposed on others. It can also be a demonstration of fake piety or virtue.
Jesus called many religious leaders and people in authority hypocrites. (Don’t believe me? Great. Do an online search for yourself. Might I suggest starting with the gospel of Matthew, chapter 23?) Here’s a sample from it. Check this out. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com NIV, emphasis added.)
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So, you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” (Matthew 23:1-4)
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Matthew 23:13-14)
Perhaps you’ve heard or even used the phrase, “Practice what you preach.” Spoiler alert: this is where it came from. (Sidebar: you’d be amazed how many common phrases and sayings have their origin or a root form from the Bible. Maybe there’s something to this Book after all?)
Is there a difference between hierarchy and hypocrisy?
I would say this about that: you don’t have to be in a hierarchy to be a hypocrite, but it sure helps. Let’s take the verses above as an example. Jesus had many disagreements with the religious leaders of his day. They had established an order in which they were at the top. As such they were responsible for educating and instructing the rest of the people. The problem was many let their God-given responsibility turn into a power trip. They became more and more disconnected with the very people who looked to them for help and guidance. They became an almost elitist class.
Once you separate yourself from your fellow man or woman, you are capable of doing almost anything.
Is that too bold or controversial to write? Perhaps, but is it wrong? If you begin the abhorrent process of othering a person or group, you’re well on your way to making terrible, hurtful decisions. If you see your fellow person as less than you, because they’re not: as smart as you, as wealthy as you, as whatever as you, that’s a huge red flag.
There but for the grace of God go any of us.
If you begin to believe your own hype, and not realize that there but for the grace of God go I, when you see another in a lesser state than you, watch out. If you use phrases such as, “I would never…”, be careful. I know whereof I speak. When I’ve thought myself better than someone else because of something they were doing, I learned painfully how quickly roles can reverse. A few years down the road and some poor decisions later, I was doing the very thing I’d said I’d never do and judged someone so harshly for doing.
No one is exempt.
It’s not hyperbole to state our world is in major trouble. If we step out of the divisiveness being crammed down our throats every minute, we may be able to see a bigger picture. Could it be there are those in a hierarchy, those with lots of money and power who truly believe they are better than the rest of us? Perhaps this small group of elitists have decided only they are capable of ruling and reigning. So, they keep us commoners busy with distractions and infighting as they slowly, then quickly, take over everything.
If hypocrisy is holding someone to a standard you don’t uphold yourself, are they not guilty of that times a billion? But they would never see themselves as hypocrites. Why? Because they believe in their hierarchy. They are at the top. We are at the bottom. There are two different worlds: the one they demand we exist within and the other one where they prosper and enjoy all the perks. These worlds are separate and distinct.
To say some may even harbor a God-like delusion is putting it mildly. They are so disconnected from reality, they have no fear one day the roles may reverse. They cannot imagine a situation where they won’t be in charge.
It’s safe to say many of the religious leaders of Jesus’s time had a similar comfortable outlook. They had little to no reason to believe there would ever be a challenge to their power structure. Sure, there were religious zealots and the occasional “false prophet” within their communities. Everyone was subject to powerful Roman authorities. It wasn’t an easy time for anyone. But many in the hierarchy were living far better than their countrymen. They had a firmly entrenched power and financial structure, and they were going to keep it at all costs.
Earning wealth is not a bad thing. Having a sense of entitlement is.
Those who earn their money through honest means are welcome to it. They earned it. But when a sense of entitlement, of believing because you’re so-and-so or you did such-and-such you deserve something is a problem. Your money, your degree, your whatever doesn’t make you better than someone else. Use what you’ve been given or earned wisely.
Jesus messed with the hierarchy.
You have this religious order governing the citizens. Now here comes this upstart carpenter’s son from Nazareth, a nobody, questioning and challenging their authority. At first, they figured he was just another false prophet. He’d create a little stir but soon enough his influence would wane. He’d be forgotten by the people before too long.
They were so very, very wrong.
Once they realized he was a bigger problem than they could have imagined, they were determined to get rid of him. He wasn’t afraid of them. He wasn’t intimidated by them. He saw them for who they really were: hypocrites.
Some religious leaders hated Jesus so much, they planned ways to have him killed.
For those of you who know the story, one of their plots actually came to fruition. Jesus was betrayed, arrested by the Romans, beaten to near death, and later crucified. The hierarchy must have rejoiced on that day. They put an end to this rabble rouser, this nothing. They were the ones who knew best, not this foolish man. Now things could get back to normal. The hierarchy could resume business as usual.
Except that isn’t exactly what happened now, is it?
Here we are thousands of years later, and the words of Jesus still resonate throughout the world despite the best efforts by some to stop it. Because though he willingly took up his cross and died for us, that was not the end of his story or ours.
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and lives forevermore.
If you think about it, Jesus came from the highest hierarchy of all time. God the Father, His Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. If there was ever anyone who could rightly claim to be better or above others, it was him! Yet, he came to us in a lowly state, born in a manger. He lived a simple, modest life. He didn’t die a man of wealth, yet he rose as the King of Kings.
He came to save us. The greatest hierarchy used their power to fix the breach of sin we caused ourselves. Jesus lived as one of us to better understand humanity from the inside. What elite mind is willing to humble themselves like he did? I daresay none.
This is why they may pretend to be gods, but they will never be like God.
I wish everyone who celebrates a very Happy Easter. If you don’t know the story of Jesus and his great love for humanity, I encourage you to read it today. His story is for everyone at every time. His story is for you.
He loves you. He died and rose again for you. He’s no hypocrite.
Until next time: stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know.
Look forward to hearing from you,
-Kat
Trad Life Is For The Meek, Not The Weak
Disclaimer: This week’s topic might stir up some controversy. Stop now if you think reading a different perspective on an issue will negatively impact you. Thanks.
Being born in the late 60s, I had the unique distinction of being alive for three decades (60s, 70s, and 80s) by the time I was 12! My Dad told me this when I was young. I trusted him because he was a literal genius. I was not. I entered the workforce in the mid-late 80s and have been in it, for the most part, ever since. My point is, I’ve been around. I’ve seen some stuff.
I was a young girl during the feminist movement. I vaguely remember the topic being bandied about at family parties. However, I do have one vivid memory. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, and she was particularly offended and insulted that, in her view, they were discrediting her life choice. My mom completed high school and went to work full time. Once she and my dad were married and settling down, she chose to be a homemaker. She often remarked how that was all she ever wanted to be. She wanted to have a husband and raise a family. She lived her dream (though when the four of us were little, I’m sure it felt more like a sleep-deprived, nightmarish horror movie, but still).
My mom had three daughters. Each of us was raised to be strong, independent, and self-sufficient. Our dad set an example of a strong, supportive male figure. He was also a practical man. He never discouraged us from pursuing our dreams. He just wanted to know if we could make a viable living from them. If not, then he would gently recommend it be our hobby and we should have a safety net, a “real job”.
My mom wanted us to be successful too. Her definition included falling in love, getting married and settling down (hopefully giving her some grandkids). She couldn’t really relate to us being content in our singleness. She wanted us to have someone to “take care of” us. When marriages and divorces came our way, I’d remind her how she and dad were the exception and not really the rule for marital longevity. (She did get her grandkid wish fulfilled 6 times, however, as well as getting bonus great-grandkids.)
I wasn’t mad at either of them for their personal convictions. If I had ever found a love such as theirs, I assure you I would’ve been all in for the marriage and family package. My life went a different way. I wouldn’t define myself as a career woman (whatever that means). I’m fairly well educated and have pursued different professional paths over the years.
Working mostly in the business world for approximately 40 years, I’ve seen a lot. Did I experience misogyny? Yup. Were there inappropriate conversations held in my presence without my consent? You betcha. Did I see some men get promotions who didn’t deserve them, and a strong woman candidate was passed over? Oh, heck yeah!
But did I also see some women who weren’t qualified get positions simply for corporate to fill a quota or check off a box? Yes indeedy! When I was working for a woman, did I ever experience more competitiveness and hostility than the sisterhood we were supposed to be having as we fought in our male dominated world? More often than not.
For a long time, I bought into most of the feminist agenda. I believed we always had to work harder to be taken seriously. I believed there was a boys club: a secret, unspoken cabal where any man always had an advantage over me if the third person in the conversation or situation was also a man.
I remember when my sisters and I would share stories of our work experiences dealing with the patriarchy, my dad would always have a strange expression on his face. It wasn’t that he believed we were crazy. He just thought we were exaggerating. It couldn’t be that bad.
But these events were true though. The situations did happen. There were obstacles in our way. But it was the generalization and the constant filtering through a lens of “here we go again” that was the problem.
If we start filtering everything through one lens, some things may become distorted.
Herein lies the problem, I believe, in contemporary society.
If you’re looking to get offended, you won’t have to look far.
I’m not suggesting there aren’t situations of discrimination, unfair treatment, sexist behavior, or anything else inappropriate out there. There are. I’ve experienced many of them. What I’m saying is when we hold so strongly to a belief such as: “it’s a man’s world”, we’re going to view every interaction through that lens. An innocent comment with no malice or forethought behind it may be perceived as an attack. Anything going wrong on the job, we may attribute to the man’s world ideology and miss other important information. Perhaps Dave got promoted because he earned it?
There’s a fine line between being cautious and jaded.
If you’ve experienced unfortunate situations in the past, it’s hard not to believe everyone is like so-and-so, or everything will be like this-or-that. I completely understand. Though I’m not a fan of the term triggers, they do exist. Something is said or happens which brings us back to a difficult time or place. We immediately get defensive, protective, reactive to the current situation which may have no correlation to the past whatsoever.
It takes work not to let your past impact your present and future. It takes more than you. It takes help from the Lord. Only He truly knows the hearts and motives of others. We don’t even really understand ourselves sometimes (or is it just me?).
What I’ve seen happening within the last few years appears to be a targeted campaign against strong men in pretty much all arenas, and strong women who choose faith and family over career. This ideology seeks to demonize men with terms like toxic masculinity. Now, are there some male traits that if not balanced can be toxic? Sure. By the same token, we women need balance, or we can be toxic too.
There are a lot of ads, shows and movies where the male character is put in his place by the female. She runs the show. She’s the boss. He’s her sidekick, at best.
I thought the fight was for equal rights?
I’m not against having strong female characters. You already know my hero was Wonder Woman. She’s an amazon, people. You don’t get much stronger than that. But why must the strong women have to dominate? And why must the men either be toxic or weak?
What defines a strong woman?
These days many are hard pressed to even define what a woman is. (I’m not going there this time.) But as I’ve been having conversations with friends and doing some research on how men and women are different by design, I’ve come to appreciate the Proverbs 31 woman as a template.
What is the Proverbs 31 woman?
She is the “wife of noble character” described in Proverbs 31. (Interesting sidenote: this proverb was from a King Lemuel but was taught to him by his mother. Please do not get me started on how there aren’t any strong women in the Bible.)
I highly encourage you to read the entire proverb. I’m pulling quotes from it here, but it’s great to read it in its entirety. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise specified, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.)
This wife of noble character is described as: worth far more than rubies and her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value (v. 11). She takes care of her family and those who work for her (v.15). She’s a successful entrepreneur and solid in business (v. 16-17, 18). She’s not weak (v. 17). She’s generous and cares for the poor (v. 20).
Here’s one of my favorite parts. Check this out:
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. (v. 25-27)
But my absolute favorite part is right here. Check this out:
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (v. 30-31).
The Proverbs 31 woman seems to have it all.
She balances work and family. She fosters a loving home, supports her husband and is a source of wisdom and strength to those around her. She’s successful, creative, inventive (read the whole proverb for more details on how).
It would seem God’s way is the better way.
That shouldn’t come as any surprise to us. He is all-knowing and all.
The title of this piece is the trad life (traditional life) is for the meek, not for the weak. Let’s first understand the biblical definition of meek. It means gentle, tender, not prideful. It doesn’t mean pushover or timid. You can be strong and meek. I like to think of it as a quiet strength. My dad was a meek man, but never a weak man. I long to add more meekness to my character.
In 2023, wanting faith and family ahead of other pursuits is almost frowned upon. It’s seen as backward, old-fashioned, corny and antiquated. Women are encouraged to put aside everything to achieve and become the boss babe they were always meant to be. Well, unless I’m wrong, our Proverbs 31 woman is all that and more. She didn’t have to sacrifice love, faith, and family. It wasn’t this-or-that. In the Lord’s way, it’s this-AND-that.
I support any woman who wants to work and has a career or dream she wants to pursue. I support any woman whose dream is to have a family and raise them with her husband. I support any woman who wants to do both.
I don’t support any woman who looks down on another for choosing a different path from them. I don’t support any woman who’s building their kingdom (sorry, queendom) by stepping on and over others (men or women). I don’t support any woman who attacks another woman for choosing to have and raise a child.
I will leave you with this, if a more progressive approach was so wonderful, why are so many people very unhappy?
Everyone has free will. Choose wisely. And if you’re like me, it’s never too late to realize you may have been misled and are filtering all your experiences through a distorted lens. Let the Lord and His Word give you the right prescription to see clearly.
Until next time: stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know.
Look forward to hearing from you,
-Kat
It’s A Long Run
Hey all! It’s Kat. Thanks for stopping by. Glad you’re here to celebrate my 50th blog post with me. I couldn’t have done it without you!
To see the full video, please check out my Rumble channels. Links are below. It’s all free and all for you.
Kat and Andee: https://rumble.com/v2e5x6u-its-a-long-run.html
Kat Controversy: https://rumble.com/v2e5xro-its-a-long-run.html
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know.
-Kat
Blogs Still Aren’t Blah!
Hey all! It’s Kat. Thanks for stopping by. Still working on something very special for my 50th blog post. In the meantime, I made another compilation video of past articles.
To see the full video, please check out my Rumble channels. Links are below. It’s all free and all for you.
Kat and Andee: https://rumble.com/v2d3ts2-blogs-still-arent-blah.html
Kat Controversy: https://rumble.com/v2d3tvo-blogs-still-arent-blah.html
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know.
-Kat
Blogs Aren’t Blah!
Hey all! It’s Kat. Thanks for stopping by. I’m working on something very special for my 50th blog post. It may take a little while. In the meantime, I made a short video featuring some highlights from previous articles. To see the full video, please check out my Rumble channels. Links are below.
It’s all free and all for you.
Revived
The topic of revival has made headlines recently as students from all over are gathering for prayer, praise and worship on their college campuses and elsewhere. Their outpouring of faith and hunger for the presence of God inspires me. I realize, however, there are many people who may not know or understand what is happening. This piece is my humble attempt to add to the conversation and, hopefully, help bring some clarity.
What is revival?
A sustained movement of a group of people fervently seeking and worshipping God together is often labeled a revival. The size of the gatherings usually starts fairly small and grows as news of what’s happening spreads. It doesn’t typically have a set structure or formula. Its origin is typically an ordinary meeting that suddenly becomes something far greater. Revival is when God interrupts the plans and programs of men.
A common thread in revival is people come and don’t want to leave. They find something in that atmosphere which compels them to stay. As they pray, sing, and meditate, they lose track of time and any burdens they were carrying.
As someone who has been blessed to live the experience, it’s hard to describe. To say you come in feeling one way and leaving another is far too simplistic and trivial. Revival goes far beyond an emotional reaction. Revival can be life altering. You go to another place in the spirit, for lack of a better phrase. Your body is physically in the same space, but your spirit has entered into God’s presence. This is why you may see people laughing, crying, bowing, kneeling, or even silent. It’s a whole different world, no exaggeration. And it’s a place of perfect peace and joy. Who wouldn’t want to stay there?
To be in His presence is to come alive again.
In the natural, revived means you either lost consciousness or worse, and some outside measure brought you back. Your body was failing you, and some outside intervention caused it to reboot, to start again.
The same is true when we are spiritually revived. Our spirit is weak, failing. We need a Jesus intervention to get us back to the place of passion and purpose in our faith.
Revival is only the beginning.
As wonderful as it is to see so many young people choosing Jesus over the lame offerings of this world, this is only the first phase. Think about it. If you lose consciousness and are revived, it doesn’t end there. Either you need further medical care for full restoration, or you are now able to carry on with your life.
The same is true with revival. It’s meant to reignite believers, draw others in, and show a weary world God still cares.
What do we do after revival?
Large scale gatherings such as those on the college campuses can go on for an extended period of time. But they’re not designed to be forever. They’re meant to be for a God-appointed season. It could be days, weeks, month, or even years.
The challenge becomes what do we do after the initial outpouring is over? When the hoopla dies down, is it business as usual again? Sadly, sometimes that does happen. I’ve lived through insanely miraculous, powerful seasons of revival only to be followed by dry, stagnant seasons.
How do we keep the home fires burning?
I firmly believe in the power and necessity for collective gatherings to worship the Lord. But that is not and cannot be the only avenue. We must realize God can meet us anywhere at any time. I may never get to any of the campuses, but that doesn’t mean I can’t experience revival in my own life, even in my own living room.
Just as natural fire needs tending or it will die out, our spiritual fire needs attention too. We can be inspired by a movement, but we can’t be spectators. We can’t live vicariously through another person. They can be a catalyst for us, and light a spark, but it’s up to us to fan the flame and keep it growing in ourselves. We can then help spread it to those around us.
We are to take what we gain in those meetings, in those moments in God’s presence, and use it in our daily lives. This takes discipline, self-control and perseverance. We can’t water it down to emotions and what we feel. Because there are plenty of days we just won’t want to do it. We won’t want to pray or meditate, or worship, or go to service, or read the Bible, or anything. And our fire gets a little dimmer each time we choose to not do something.
Revival is meant to jump start us into action.
What we do after the first wave, is where real change can take place. Will we use what God has shown us or put into our hearts? Will we accept the challenge of walking differently from the world around us? Will we be bold and take a stand and not go along with anything that doesn’t align with the will of God? Will we be a lit flame, smoldering ember, or a heap of ashes?
I’ve been a flame. I’ve been an ember. I pray I’m never a heap of ashes, but I know God is able to revive me in any of those states, if I seek Him. I also know that a roaring fire is better. It can be scary at first. You’re often going against the world and culture. But God will never leave us. You know I brought receipts. (Any and all Bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com NIV, emphasis added.)
For this is what the high and exalted One says—He who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)
After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us, that we may live in His presence. (Hosea 6:2)
When we’re feeling intimated by the world around us, may I suggest reading Psalm 119. Many verses are dedicated to asking God for personal revival. Here’s an example. Check this out:
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in Your way. (Psalm 119:37, NKJV)
Let us not be witnesses of revival. Let us be active participants, whether we’re on the campuses, on our jobs, in our homes, or any and everywhere we go. Let us be a flame, a beacon of light, for all to see and come to know the One who loves them and came to save them.
Until next time: stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Light ‘em up.
Look forward to hearing from you,
-Kat
Did You Understand The Assignment? Part 2: Judgment
Author’s note: Last week I wrote the first article in this two-part series. It covered the definition of and need for repentance. I recommend, if you haven’t already, please read it before going any further. It’s not that you can’t read this now. I just believe there are some foundational blocks in that piece you should keep in mind as you read this article. Ultimately, of course, the choice is yours. But I digress.
I’m not going to lie. When I felt deep in my heart that I needed to discuss difficult subjects such as: our sinful nature, the need for repentance, and the reality of judgment, I was nervous. These certainly aren’t popular topics, and their serious tone doesn’t leave much room for humor. But my motto is: humor, heart, hope. I can’t always stay on light-hearted topics, especially in these times.
Even the most apolitical individual has to be feeling something is off. Things aren’t right. The amount of: anger, division, lawlessness, depravity, degradation and disrespect is spreading faster than a stage 4 cancer.
The world appears on the brink of perpetual chaos.
We’re being funneled through an endless tunnel of crisis after crisis. One can argue who or what are the authors of these calamities. Are they natural or manufactured? I will make a bold declaration here by stating regardless of what force is generating the problem, God is sovereign. This means He’s aware of and permitting certain situations to take place. This next statement is where I’ll earn my Kat Controversy nickname for today:
God loves you, but He hates sin.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear: God absolutely loves you. He IS love. Yet He despises sin. Sin has real consequences, some immediate or in the near future, others eternal. Jesus came and took that final punishment, the eternal wrath, for our sins. This was the only way to restore us back to God the Father. That’s why we call Jesus our Savior. Without His death on the cross, and resurrection, we would be eternally separated from God because of sin. Sin kept us from God. Jesus’s sacrifice reunites us with Him. We are rescued from an eternal sentence, but we may still have to serve a short term or pay some form of penalty for our sin on this side of heaven. Sometimes we’re spared any consequence and merely warned of what could have happened. Other times, we have to experience a taste of it. God has this in place by design to help us learn, grow, repent. Any good parent knows sometimes you must let the unfortunate choice your child makes play out for them to learn the lesson and become wiser and more mature for it.
People filter themselves through the lens of being a good person. But how do you define what that is? We may have our own interpretations based on our experiences, cultures, etc. My definition might not completely match yours. Here’s what I do know (and where Kat Controversy kicks it into high gear):
You’ll never be good enough to get into heaven.
Let’s take a deep breath before anyone turns into a keyboard warrior and attacks. As a Christian, I do believe faith without works is dead. We are to try and conduct our lives according to the example set by Jesus. They didn’t come up with the slogan WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) all those years ago for nothing. It’s a simple reminder to consider how the Lord would handle situations. Be slow to speak and quick to hear. Do everything in love.
The fact remains, however, that no amount of good works could ever repair the divide between us and God because of sin. Only the finished work of Jesus on the cross could bring us back into God’s presence. Why? Because God hates sin. He can have no part of it.
Here’s another hard truth: we can still sin even after being saved and repenting. How can that be? Because we’re still human, and as such we’re imperfect and sometimes weak. But God! Because of Jesus’s sacrifice on our behalf, God can look upon us and not see our sin. (Of course, this is in no way a suggestion or endorsement to continue to sin.) It is just an assurance of His great love for us. His perfect plan was Jesus died once for all our sins.
Now let’s transition to the subject of judgment. (Insert dramatic music here.) We just covered how all of us have the capacity to sin (and probably have sinned more than we realize). Yet many of us feel emboldened to judge others for their sins. I’m not too prideful to admit I’ve been guilty of this too. It’s simple to do sometimes, isn’t it?
It’s so easy to find the flaws in others while ignoring our own.
I could say a lot on this, because as I just mentioned, I’ve definitely had many judgey (my new word) moments. But I never want you to take my word for it alone. You know I brought receipts. (Any and all bible verses, unless otherwise indicated, are from biblegateway.com, NIV, emphasis added.)
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. (Romans 2:1)
Yup. Started out with a gut punch, I know. But take it up with the Lord, not me. If you thought that one was rough, check this out:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5)
That last scripture is a quote from Jesus himself. Yes, the same Jesus who loves you no matter what. Do you feel the conviction as He so eloquently compares the speck in someone else’s eye to the plank in your own? Other translations call it a log! And you know He meant business whenever He used the word hypocrite.
There are more verses I could cite, but I think we’re starting to get the point. We can’t afford to be judgmental. Let’s just say to be judgmental could be detrimental. (I like that. Feel free to use it too.)
But please don’t get it twisted. If God hates sin, we should too. You may have heard the expression to “hate the sin but love the sinner”. Isn’t that the example Jesus gave? He didn’t agree with anyone’s sinful behavior. But He loved them enough to come and offer them the opportunity to be delivered from it. He met people where they were and called them to repentance, to the turning away from sin back to the Father. I believe that’s the posture we are to take. We don’t deny sin or excuse it, but we don’t sit in judgment over others because we’re not exempt from the possibility of sinning too.
Something troubling I’ve noticed in the faith-based community is a propensity to judge others while forgetting we too will stand before the Lord when this world ends. It’s as if they feel since they accepted Jesus, they somehow get a free pass. They’re on the express VIP line. Except that’s not true at all.
All of us will stand before God on the day of judgment.
Please feel free to doubt me. Check this out:
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Did you notice it doesn’t say some or even many? Nope. It says all on purpose. Each of us will stand before the Lord and have our life reviewed. As Christians, this doesn’t mean we’ll necessarily be denied entry to heaven. What it does mean is our reward in heaven is determined by what we did here on earth. Think about it. If it was only about accepting Jesus, then every person would go back to heaven after they did. Mission accomplished. Buh bye. Except that’s not what happens, is it? We have work to do while we’re here. We have an assignment. Check this out:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
We get a crown! How fun. You know I love me a tiara or two. But all jokes aside, there is a gift coming our way based on how we lived here. Did we love? Did we tell people about Jesus? Did we forgive? Did we talk nonsense? Check this out:
But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. (Matthew 12:36)
Gulp. This verse gets me every single time I read it. Idle, foolish words – I’ve certainly said more than my share. How about you?
We can pretend it’s not going to happen, but if we believe the Bible is the Word of God, then we know it will. Check out this powerful imagery in the book of Revelation:
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. (Revelation 20:12-13)
The assignment is simple.
We make it complicated. We are to: Repent, Confess, Declare. Repent for our sins and recognize we need a Savior. Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives and without Him we are lost, doomed. Declare to the world who He is, what’s He’s done for us, that He’s coming back soon, and invite them to come to know Him for themselves.
So, as I close this article and this series, I need to leave you with this somber verse as a powerful reminder. Check this out:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Sin is real. We must repent of it and turn back to the Lord. Jesus made the way. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
If you’ve never received Him, I invite you to do so today. If you are saved but in a judgey place, please join me in repentance for that sin and any others. Let all of us stay mindful of His impending return and be about our assignment.
Until next time: stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Get back to work.
Look forward to hearing from you,
-Kat
Did You Understand The Assignment? Part 1: Repentance
As much as I do earn my nickname Kat Controversy, for the most part I am a rule follower. I suppose the rules just need to make sense to me in order to win my allegiance to them. But when instructions are clear, I can usually accomplish the task. I understand the assignment. When they’re poorly given, or not provided at all, then it gets complicated. If directions are murky, it’s up to me to interpret them. What I think they mean may not be what they actually mean. My performance may fall short and not even come close to the goal. I missed it. I failed.
As I see the world around me becoming more untethered to any sort of shared moral compass, my heart aches.
At times I feel so helpless as I see people I’ve known for years going off on different ideological tangents, straying from the Truth. I’m not so prideful as to sit in judgement. I’ve been distracted at times as well. I suppose that’s why my heart hurts. I understand how easily we can lose our way and no longer understand our assignment.
This burden in my heart is what motivated me to write this two-part series. This week I wanted to focus on repentance. If there is one area of neglect and, by extension confusion, I believe it is this. Many pulpits don’t even speak the word, let alone teach on it. Sin and sinfulness also seem to be taboo subjects lately. I suppose if you water down the reality of our sinful nature then you really don’t need to speak on repenting from it, do you?
The problem is that without repentance, there is no life change.
You may believe that to be a bold statement. You’d be correct. It also happens to be true. But we’ll go deep on that in a minute. First, I think we should define repentance in its proper biblical context. I did a quick search through several online dictionaries, and they all used terms such as feeling: regret, contrition, sorrow. They’re not wrong but those definitions are incomplete. When you repent, you do far more than feel bad or change your mind. You literally change course. You turn your back on whatever sinful act you were engaging in before. You go a different way, a better way, God’s way. You turn from sin to God.
If you doubt me, that’s great. I never want you to just 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.)
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, (Acts 3:19)
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:21)
As someone who has sinned more than many, I can assure you the only way to avoid going back to your old ways is to repent. Turning your whole life over to Him is the key. Do I still sin? Yes. Does this mean repentance isn’t real? No. It just means my humanity, my flesh arises from time to time to try to drag me back. But its hold on me isn’t what it used to be. I can make my boast in Christ about that. My areas of sin have decreased. My areas of repentance have increased. Here’s the secret: because He loves me so profoundly and unlike any other love I’ve ever known, I want to change. Thank you, Lord! And my story is far from unique. Our God is so loving and filled with grace and mercy. He offers each one of us the same opportunity to start over, begin anew.
We need to accept that we’ve all fallen short.
Jesus put it so beautifully in this verse. Check this out:
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)
Before I came to know Him as Lord and Savior, I was lost in my sinful nature. I wasn’t spiritually healthy. I was sick in my soul. On the surface I seemed fine. I had a lot of the trappings of this world: career, finances, etc. From the outside I looked OK. I could even convince myself I was most of the time. But then there’d be those moments, usually at night when I was alone. I’d begin to look at the totality of my life and wonder Is this all there is? I had friends, family, a job I enjoyed, but there was something missing. Back then I just didn’t know it wasn’t something; it was and will always be someOne.
We have access to a God who loves us. His love is everlasting. He accepts us as we are, yet because He loves us so much He can’t allow us to stay broken, sinful. Check this out:
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. (Revelation 3:19)
He will bring correction to our lives, just as any loving parent does. Though we may not enjoy the correction in the moment, I can assure you from personal experience, it is for our benefit. He sees all. We don’t.
Do we have to repent?
In a word: YES! But again, please don’t take my word for it. Check out these two verses:
Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. (Revelation 2:5)
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5)
In another word: YIKES! In the verse from Revelation, God wasn’t speaking to just anyone. The message was directed to (wait for it) A CHURCH: the church of Ephesus to be precise. I encourage you to read the whole chapter. In earlier verses, He tells of their good works. But then it’s time for the disciplining. Seems this church has strayed from first love: love of Him, intimacy with Him, strong connection and relationship with Him.
The verse from Romans is rather intense as well. As much as we don’t like to think about it, this world has an expiration date. Only God knows the exact timing (even Jesus doesn’t know). And when this world is ending, God will come to judge everyone.
I’m going to go in deep on the Final Judgement in next week’s article, the second part in this series. But suffice it to say that no one will be spared judgement. Sadly, I see many Christians believing since they’re saved, they’re exempt from standing before the Lord and having their whole life judged. They’re wrong.
I sometimes say I’m like John the Baptist, minus living in the wilderness eating bugs and wild honey and wearing animal skins. I’m pretty sure I understand my assignment at this time. It’s to call all of us (myself included) to repentance and keep us mindful of the final judgement. Of course, John said it way better than me. Check this out:
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:1-2)
Jesus came once to save us. He’s coming back again. Are you prepared? What are you doing until He returns? Do you understand the assignment?
Until next time: stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the know. Stay in a posture of repentance.
Look forward to hearing from you,
-Kat
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