Kimmer: March 2008

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Puppy!

ok I did something a tad impulsive today.... I brought home a stray puppy! Some guys at work talked me into going and looking at them (what was i thinking). Someone had dumped several pups right by the side of a farm road this morning. I dont know how someone could do that. I guess they were hoping someone would take them home (someone like me). One of the guys drove me over to look at them and of course she captured my heart. She looked a different breed than the rest, she was long haired and has these cute floppy sheltie like ears and by far the most social; the others wouldnt get close enough to pet them but she was very snuggly and playful although a bit shy. I kept thinking ... she is so cute! but i wonder if she'll turn out to be a huge dog. I really want another indoor dog but I dont think a huge dog in the house is a good idea. If she'd just only grow a little bit she'd be a great size... but i have a feeling she is going to be big... I couldnt just leave her there though, we found one of the other pups had been hit and killed down the road aways during the day today. Plus tonight we had storms with golf ball size hail forecasted; they are thundering by now. i hate to think of any of those pups out there but I sure couldnt bring all of them! (I'm already thinking- what was I thinking?) So tomorrow I'm going to try and take her to the vet and see if they can tell me what they think she is and how big she'll get. She's pretty calm so far and was really good riding in the car, but she is not house broken. She keeps seeing her reflection in the stove and I think she thinks its another puppy. She seems pretty smart, she did not know 'yes' or 'no' when i brought her home-- but she seems to be catching on already to yes and no which is kind of incredible. I dont think she'd ever been given a toy before, i gave her one of casey's old toys and she didnt know what to do with it at first.... then she kind of figured it out and played with it for about an hour once she realized it would squeak. It was really cute. She was sticking to me like glue when we first got home, but now she's starting to explore the house now. She's very responsive to voices -- she smiles and wags her tail if you talk or sing to her. ahh now she is laying down next to me. I really hope she plans on sleeping tonight...really hope so... ;) ok so I honestly think she is probably going to be too big to keep.... but what the guy at work talked me into was that if the vet says she is going to be big- i could take her to a shelter and she will stand a very good chance of getting adopted because she is a puppy, very cute, and so social and friendly. So we'll see tomorrow. And I'm going to see Third Day tomorrow night in KC so this is not the most convenient time to do this, but I found someone to watch her tomorrow night. At this point I'm trying very hard to think of her as a temporary guest. she didnt look this big on the side of the road, she's looking a lot bigger now that I see her in the house....we'll see what the vet says tomorrow; at least if it doesnt work out for me to keep her, she is inside for a few nights, wont get hit by a car and she will have a good opportunity to find a family. ahh she is asleep now. funny, she is laying in the same spot Casey always liked to lay in... here's a pic of her sleeping. Dang she's cute.


Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Refreshers

a devotional by S. Jaynes:

Refreshment for Refreshers

“He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25 NIV).

A few years ago, a friend of mine almost single-handedly made all the decorations for the church Christmas program. She worked for months on white flowing robes, sparkling sheer backdrops, and frosted glittery stage props. The church was transformed into a picturesque heavenly wonderland that took our imaginations to a different world. Well, over 2,000 people viewed the Christmas program and marveled at Mary’s handiwork. And what did Mary receive for all her effort…one note of thanks.

My greatest regret is that I did not write that note.

“Of course I didn’t do the work to get accolades or pats on the back,” Mary told me later. “But I read that one note over and over again.”

Many times a word of thanks or appreciation is the only reward a fellow believer in Christ receives this side of heaven. The writer of Proverbs wrote, “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).

Could it be that it is our words that are meant to be the refreshment they are longing for?

Another wise saying notes” “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it” (Proverbs 3:27).

We always have the power to offer an encouraging word…may we never withhold such a valuable treasure from those traveling down the road of faith with us. Mother Teresa said, “Kind words are easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

The prophet Elisha met a woman who understood that God’s people need encouragement along their journey. One day as he was passing through the town of Shunem, a wealthy woman urged him to join her and her husband for dinner. During their time together, she discerned that Elisha was a holy man and decided to build a guest room onto their home for him to use when he came through town. She wanted nothing in return; it was just her way of blessing Elisha, of refreshing him, with her words and ways.

Elisha was overwhelmed by her generosity and wanted to give a gift to her in return. But when Elisha offered to speak to the King on her behalf, she assured him that she did not want, need, or expect anything for her kindness. Elisha wouldn’t take no for an answer and continued to contemplate the perfect hostess gift.

Gehazi, his servant came up with a splendid idea…a child. “Well, she has no son and her husband is old,” Gehazi remarked. Great idea. Elisha called her to the doorway and announced, “About this time next year you will hold a son in your arms” (2 Kings 4:16). And she did!

I just love to watch people try to “out nice” each other. That’s exactly what we see in the story of Elisha and the woman from Shunem. How wonderful it would be if we used our words to try to “out nice” each other.

Paul wrote, “Let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir and stimulate and invite to love, and helpful deeds and noble activities” (Hebrews 10:22 Amp.).

This was not a flippant command. Notice the actions words: give attentive care, continuous care, watching over, studying how, stimulate, invite. Notice at the beginning of Paul’s exhortation, he instructs us to observe and then to speak. Not every person needs the same word of encouragement. We watch; we pray; and then we speak the words that will refresh them most effectively.

Today, watch and pray. Ask God to show you who in your sphere of influence needs an encouraging word.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
blessings :)

Monday, March 24, 2008

My Redeemer Is Faithful & True

I saw Steven Curtis Chapman in concert a few weeks ago... he sang this song that night and it keeps coming back to me so I looked it up and thought I'd share the lyrics:


My Redeemer Is Faithful & True
Steven Curtis Chapman

As I look back on the road I've travelled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life,
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do,
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

My heart rejoices when I read the promise
'There is a place I am preparing for you.'
I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face,
'Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.

My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do,
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

And in every situation
He has proved His love to me;
When I lack the understanding,
He gives more grace to me.

My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do,
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.


blessings~

Saturday, March 22, 2008

He's my King

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Boldness Before the Throne

Here is a devotional by Max Lucado:
let us then feel very sure that we can come before God's thone where there is grace Heb 4:16

Jesus tells us..."When you pray, pray like this : 'Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.'"

When you say, "They kindgom come, " you are inviting the Messiah himslef to walk into your world. "
Come, my King!
Take your throne in our land.
Be present in my heart.
Be present in my office.
Come into my marriage.
Be Lord of my family, my fears, and my doubts."
This is no feeble request;
it's a bold appeal for God to occupy every corner of your life.

and...who are you to ask such a thing?
Who are you to ask God to take control of your world?
You are his child, for heaven's sake!
And so you ask boldly.
(by Max Lucado)