Friday October 1 2015  A LONG DAY BUT A SHORT BLOG

I have made the decision before I started writing that today shall be right to the point.  It was a wonderful day and I loved living in every moment.  I spent most of the day with my 3 year old grandson and then the afternoon with both grandsons.  We had a great time.  Arrived home about 6:30 p.m. and the week has caught up with me.  I will head to bed after this and try to recover some of my needed sleep.  

I often have comments waiting for me in the evening from current readers, who may be friends, family, new acquaintances from my travels, and even strangers.  This week has caused quite a stir, both pro and con in regards to my topic about my personal journal.  I think the issue with some of the negative reactions had to do with my belief that I both talk to God (Prayer) and wait to hear (impressions in my heart) God speak back to me.  I have been doing this for years, so it is nothing new to me.  After I read Sara Young’s book, “JESUS CALLING” I became a bit bolder and shared my experience with others only to find that many other people have experienced the same.  I started an extensive study on this topic and ultimately ended up teaching a class on “HEARING GOD’S VOICE”. The book I used was written by Dr. Mark Virkler.  Google his name and you can check out his website. The class was taught over a series of 10 or 12 sessions.  Some people dropped out, but many stayed and not only enjoyed the class, but also discovered how they too could have a closer, more intimate relationship with God by spending time “listening” to what God would impress upon them.  I taught this series on two separate occasions.

What I said in my blog alarmed some people but I have yet to discover exactly what alarmed them as they did not pinpoint any one particular sentence or situation.  One email I received today was very positive.  I contacted this person and asked permission to publish excerpts from her email.  She gave me her permission.  I have known this person, who lives in another state, for many years and did not really know to what extent my life had affected hers.  I give my thanks to her for sharing her words of encouragement.  The following are excerpts from her email.

QUOTE FROM READER (FRIEND):

“I love your blog!  Reading your recent posts are like water to my soul.  I remember when you told me about ‘Hearing God’s Voice’ and the work you had been doing to intentionally hear God more clearly.   I was overjoyed to hear all you were learning and wanted more myself.  Tim and I have incorporated these principles into our lives as we want His (God’s) direction.

It is truly a joy to be in the presence of God. 

There is so much to this ‘Christian’ life… but it mostly revolves around what you have illustrated in this portion of your blog – a heart turned towards Him, and time spent reading and meditating on His Word, eager to hear from Him.

I am certain others who are wanting more of what God has are eager to have His Word written upon their hearts.  So, truly, it is the attitude of our hearts – towards Him – that is revealed on our lives.  Don’t you just LOVE HIM!!!

ans 5:8 … God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that ‘even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’

I have so much to say, but will sign off for the moment.  Keep writing, Kathleen.  You are a precious daughter of a loving Father, God!”

 

I would love to hear from others, pro or con as to your opinion about these past few blogs.  I don’t have any intention of making my blog solely about my relationship with God, but since it is a blog I write, and I like to think I write about the things are important in my life, then God will come up.  God is very important in my life.  I do not judge any who do not believe as I do. We are all different and I choose to love people as they come across my path in life.  Just because their beliefs are different or they choose a different lifestyle, does not make them less lovable to me.  No one has to answer to me, nor do I answer to anyone one but God.  Is my way right?  I HOPE IT IS, but if it is not “right”, what have I to lose?  I will have gone through life seeing, through what I believe to be, the love that God places in my heart.  I will have lived a life to the best of my ability and hopefully helped other’s lives be a bit better for having known me.  They might think I’m weird, but that’s okay with me too.  I will just keep on loving God and letting His love in me spill forth to others.  I live in a place of contentment, peace, joy, and love.  And just in case you are interested, it is a lovely place to live.

 

A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

By Kathleen Martens

October 1 2015

 

A place of contentment

Where do we find?

Is it external

Or in the mind?

 

As we search

On this road of life,

Is it always peaceful?

Or is there strife?

 

And if there is strife

Can you truly be content?

Is it permanent

Or for a time lent?

 

What I have found

When from God it’s given,

It’s a feeling of contentment

I am constantly living.

 

Every day it’s there,

Circumstances not a part

Of the joy I cherish,

Which abides in my heart.

 

No matter my situation

Or how difficult my day,

The joy of the Lord

Is there to stay.

 

Contentment and joy

Are two and the same.

A great place to live

That keeps you sane.

 

Good night.  Sleep tight.  Clue me in to what you like or don’t like about my topics! 

 

P.S.  A bonus poem written last year.

 

ALL BECAUSE I THOUGHT TO THINK

By Kathleen Martens

September 13, 2014

 

Thinking  —  Thinking

That’s what I must do.

But it takes a lot of time

And my moments are so few.

 

And then I must think

About on what should I dwell?

And do I keep thoughts private

Or to others tell?

 

And from where do they come

These flashing thoughts?

And how to contain them

When they don’t want to be caught?

 

And once it is captured

How is it tamed

To do my bidding

And perhaps rise me to fame?

 

Just a little thought

That came from soul searching,

And God made it fly

Rather than floundering or lurching?

 

He showed me how to water it

Using Scripture to help it grow

That it will come to fruition

So its power I’ll know.

 

One little thought

That changed my belief

And that belief gave expectation

With new relief.

 

And those expectations

My attitude changed

And my attitude

Gave new behavior range.

 

And my behavior

Performance improved

And something happened—

New life I ensued.

 

All because I thought to think

With great intentionality

And found where I was stuck

Was not my finality.