Happy New Year!!

Hi again. It's too late for Christmas greetings but not too early to wish everyone all the best for the upcoming year. So I want for you what I want for myself: a closer walk with God, happiness, peace, prosperity in all that you do within the will of the Lord and fulfillment as you walk within His will for your life.

Blessings

Have A Good Weekend

Well, I'm going to my sister's in a little while. Sadly she has no computer and no internet. Noooooooooooo! We're going shopping tomorrow for Christmas curtains and such and later it's off to our church dinner. I'm really looking forward to that. So I'll be back on Sunday afternoon. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend.

Thinking of You

The following I started to write as a 'Thinking of You' type greeting card. It didn't quite turn out as expected. I can't really see anyone actually sending this to an individual. Nevertheless here it is.

I'm thinking of you today
And of things that could never be
Of words I could never say
Words I hold inside of me

Am I your friend, or is there more
That I see in your eyes
In the gentle touch of your hands
And the sweetness of your smile?

Do you know I wonder, can you tell
Whenever I find you near
How my heart trembles inside of me
And I'm sure its not with fear?

If only I could reach out my hands
And draw you close to me
And feel your heartbeat next to mine
Beating in harmony.

Impossible, these dreams I know
They could never come true
But still I find myself ...
Thinking of you.

Meditations of my Heart

I’ve started a new blog, Meditations Of My Heart, the sole purpose of which is to share my reflections as I study the Word of God. I love to read devotions and hope to be able to write them also. This will be good practice I think. Honestly, it will also serve as an incentive to keep studying the Word of God.

Important Life Lesson

Below you will find an important lesson that we should all take heed of.

Enjoy!

Jesus Is The Reason for the Season

It's the first of December and Christmas is that much closer. I must admit I love Christmas: the music, the shopping, the movies, the love, the excitement, the decorations...I could go on and on. But I also don't want to lose sight of the fact that it's all about Jesus. Jesus who was born so that one day He could die for my sins. So as I start my countdown to Christmas I wanted this to be the first thing I posted, to remind myself in everything I do that it's all about Him. The following letter was found on Shelley 's blog and it very eloquently reminds us never to forget Him as we celebrate

Remember My Birthday?

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.

During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer. It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me.

As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me.

Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying : "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor !

At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other ; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and .... do you know .... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one ? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left outside.

Do you know how you can answer this invitation? it is by extending it to others whom you care for... I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year... See you soon ....

I love you !

Jesus

Robert Liparulo's Comes A Horseman

Comes A Horseman, the first offering of acclaimed newspaper reporter Robert Liparulo is already receiving rave reviews:

"Robert Liparulo writes the kind of thriller other authors write in their dreams, and readers devour until the wee hours of the morning! Make way for a new master of the genre and a can't-put-down knockout with Comes a Horseman." —Mark Andrew Olsen, author of The Assignment and co-author of Hadassah.

"Robert Liparulo is one of the best writers to hit the block in a long time. Comes a Horseman is brilliantly conceived and executed. It will leave readers desperately wanting more." —Ted Dekker, author of the #1 best-selling Obsessed .

"Not for the faint of heart, this is quality writing that deserves a lofty niche within the action/suspense genre. It is well-researched and meticulously detailed, and the characters are fascinating and 'real,' the dialogue clever and altogether human, the plot compelling. What I'm trying to say is, I love it!" —Frank Peretti, author of Monster and This Present Darkness .

Frightening and fiendishly smart, Comes a Horseman is a must-read! Robert Liparulo's intense thrill ride will keep your nerves frayed and your lights on. —David Morrell, best-selling author of Creepers and The Brotherhood of the Rose

Comes A Horseman became one of Amazon’s top 100 thrillers approximately one week after release and a prominent Hollywood producer has already optioned the movie rights to this book.

Interested?

About the book:
Reeling from a series of attempts on their lives, FBI agents Brady Moore and Alicia Wagner follow a trail of evidence that leads to a conspiracy a thousand years in the making. Finding clues in the dusty tomes of the Vatican's Secret Archives and the paintings of William Blake and Hieronymus Bosche, they plunge deep into a pit of evil ambition.

Want more? Read the first chapter.

Hooked? Buy the book.

Trini Women

Hey all, I received the following joke in an email and simply had to share. Ladies, don't try this at home (unless absolutely necessary)

Three men were sitting together bragging about how they had given their new wives duties. The first man had married a woman from Barbados and bragged that he had told his wife she was going to do all the dishes and house cleaning. He said it took a couple days but on the third day he came home to a clean house and the dishes were done.

The second man had married a woman from Grenada. He bragged that he had given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. On the first day he didn't see any results, but the next day it was better. By the third day, his house was clean, the dishes were done and he had a huge dinner on the table.

The third man had married a Trini girl. He boasted that he told her that her duties were to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything but by the third day most of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye. Enough to fix himself a bite to eat, load the dishwasher and telephone a landscaper.

Droppin' In

I haven't been around for a while. Keeping busy trying to finish a project at work since Monday. I'm about done in so I think I'll take a rest tomorrow (from working late that is). Saturday, I hope to tie everything up so that I can begin my Christmas preparations. Yup. Need to look for those curtains, finalise arrangements for Children's Christmas Treat, start looking for those presents, then there's the painting to be done, the cleaning, the shopping. Oy! *holds heads* Will continue this train of thought later.

Blessings and oh! Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends.

Flooding

Well, I'm home today because quite frankly my house is surrounded by water. The rain's been falling heavily over the past couple of days and we're feeling the effects. It's the first time I've experienced anything like this. The house i used to live in was on a hill (no flooding there :D). At present the water is not high enough to get into the house. I hope it stays that way. I have really great neighbours though. They came through the water to check on us and help us move furniture (the men that is). I thought that was so cool. We're somewhat new to the neighbourhood so it was really appreciated.

On the bright side (got to look for that silver lining) I'll get to see the final game between Trinidad and Bahrain later on today. Yay!

Blessings
Kelly

Results:Trinidad (1):Bahrain(1)

As you can tell from above the game was a draw. We're disappointed but hey, there's still tomorrow. I've heard it said, from the experts, that we need to win by two clear goals to qualify. Here's hoping that we do.

Trinidad vs Bahrain (World Cup 2006 Qualifier)

History is hopefully in the making for my country as we prepare to play two World Cup qualifying matches against Bahrain on the 12th and 16th November, 2005. The first match will be played on our home ground so today there is a tangible air of excitement and expectation as we get ready for tomorrow’s match. Our national colours of red, white and black are very much evident today from Trinis wanting to show support. The last time we were this close to qualifying was in 1989 (?) when we lost our qualifying match to the United States (no hard feelings, people :0).

I admit I don’t really follow sports as such and don’t know much about football (soccer to some). For example, I still don’t understand what it means to be offside. I do know however that when the ball goes inside of the net it’s a ggggggoooooooaaaaaaalllllllll. We’re hoping for lots of those.

Real Men

Travelling home yesterday I saw these words written on the rear window of a maxi-taxi, “Real men seek the Lord”. Well, duh, you might say but I think that the author of these sentiments had a valid message. As far as I can tell there are more women in the church than men. Does this mean that it’s easier for women to get saved than men? If so, why? This lead me to thinking about the authority that God has placed in man. Does it make it harder to submit to God? God’s order of the family is Himself first, the husband and then the wife. Do women find it easier to submit to God than men do as a result? I know there are probably other factors that would affect this decision but I’m just thinking here.

Nevertheless there really is something special about a man that is able to put away pride and allow the Lord to direct his life. He takes his example from Jesus who despite His own authority submitted himself to the will of the Father. And hey, what god-loving, god-fearing, Holy-Ghost-filled single girl wouldn’t want that?

Dark Star : Confessions of a Rock Idol (Rock Star Chronicles)

By Creston Mapes

I am building a list of must read books, this is a definite addition. The following is a description taken from the author's website.

"Everett Lester and his band, DeathStroke, ride the crest of a wave to superstardom. But the deeper they become immersed in fame, wealth, and power, the more likely they are to be swallowed alive by the drugs, alcohol, and discontentment that have become their only friends. Discontent and dabbling in the psychic realm, Everett is headed down a perilous road of no apparent return when he's charged with the murder of his personal psychic. The only hope he can cling to comes from Topeka, Kansas, and the letters written by a prayerful young lady who lives there. Consistent and persistent, the notes cut straight to Everett's empty heart, offering a fulfillment he's never grasped before. But what if he's found guilty of murder? Will he recognize the spiritual battle raging for his soul?"

To buy the book click on the title link.

Breaking the Cycle - Step 3

Step 3: Examine root causes of behaviour

As stated previously, repentance is turning away from sin. Sometimes we encourage ourselves to continue in sin by not changing underlying situations that contribute to our weakness. We need to examine unhealthy patterns of behaviour, mindsets and the state of our spiritual life and see how these may have affected our actions.

Patterns of behaviour
Sometimes overcoming our weaknesses means not hanging out with certain friends, watching certain movies/tv shows or listening to particular kinds of music if they encourage our weaknesses. For example if you have a drug problem that is encouraged by so-called friends, part of turning away from this would be to abstain from these ‘friends’. Also, in the case of David, sin entered in at the eyes. We need to guard our mind and heart – David should have turned away when he saw Bathsheba but instead sent after her.

Additional points to note in terms of patterns of behaviour are disobedience and idleness. In 2 Samuel 11 David is guilty of both of these. While his troops were in battle, where he should have been, he was at home. Verse 2 of this chapter describes David as arising from his bed at eventide. Disobedience breaks the hedge and gives the serpent opportunity to attack, and, as the saying goes, the devil will find work for idle hands.

Mindsets
If in our minds we have given up, and count ourselves slaves to our weaknesses then we have already lost the battle. Hebrews 4:15 says that Christ our high priest was tempted just as we are but he did not sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13 makes it clear that God will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to bear. With temptation comes a choice, we could choose the way out that God has provided or we could fall into sin. We need to believe God’s word and make the right choices.

Spiritual life
Most times it is when we are weakest that we fall. We are weakest when we are not spending enough time in prayer and study of God’s word. Psalm 119:9 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” We need to feed ourselves spiritually just as we do naturally in order to stay strong. When we have this firm foundation to stand upon it’s easier to withstand temptation.

Breaking the Cycle - Step 2

Step 2: Repent

REPENTANCE (Gk. metanoia, a "change" of mind). In the theological and ethical sense a fundamental and thorough change in the hearts of men from sin and toward God.
(from New Unger's Bible Dictionary)

A turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and a turning back to God.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

In 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Paul speaks concerning godly sorrow and specifies that it is godly sorrow that brings about repentance. Godly sorrow is not simply regret at what we’ve done or the pain caused. It means understanding that we have grieved the heart of God and turning back to Him. Sometimes we think that repentance is simply being sorry for our actions but in truth true repentance is turning away from that which we know is wrong.

The greatest example of true repentance can be seen in words of David (Psalm 51). He came before God with a broken spirit and a contrite heart. After asking God to cleanse him from his unrighteousness we see David’s purpose to change. He tells God that he will teach others to do right and give God the praise.

He also asks God to uphold him with His free spirit. It’s not every weakness that we can overcome by ourselves. Some may require counselling or medical attention in extreme cases (drug dependence) but in everything GOD is our safety net who will keep us from falling.

Breaking the Cycle - Step 1

As Christians our desire is to do the will of God. Yet sometimes, like Paul, we find ourselves being able to say like he said in Rom 7:19 “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Worse than this is the fact that sometimes we can find ourselves in a cycle of behaviour, repeating the same mistakes over and over again. I’m not just talking about what some may call ‘big’ mistakes like stealing, fornication, adultery but we must remember that it is the ‘little foxes’ that spoil the vine; the gossiping, the murmuring and complaining. These can keep us from living victoriously and being who God wants us to be. The following deals with how we can break this cycle and get into that place of victory that the Lord would have us to be in.

Step 1: Acknowledge your transgression or weakness (Ps 51:3)

The first step to overcoming any problem is to acknowledge that you do have a problem. Unfortunately, this does not seem to come naturally to us.

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden their first instinct when they heard the voice of God was to hide (Genesis 3:6-8).

King David, when he heard that Bathsheba was pregnant the first thing he tried to do was hide it by trying to deceive Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, into thinking that the child was his. When this did not work he sent Uriah into battle to be killed. (2 Samuel 11:14-15). David did not acknowledge his sin until after the baby was born, approximately 9 months later when the prophet Nathan confronted him.

The consequence of not acknowledging our sins and weaknesses is that we either continue in them or they may lead to further deception of ourselves and others. When we admit our sins/weaknesses then we can deal with them.

We should expose ourselves to others otherwise God may expose us. James 5:16 encourages us to confess our faults one to another that we may be healed. There is power in confession.

Important Prayers (Funny)

A WOMAN'S (REAL) PRAYER:
Now I lay me
Down to sleep.
I pray the Lord
My shape to keep.
Please no wrinkles
Please no bags
And please lift my butt
Before it sags.
Please no age spots
Please no gray
And as for my belly,
Please take it away.
Please keep me healthy
Please keep me young,
And thank you Dear Lord
For all that you've done.

Five tips for a woman....
1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.
2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.
3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you.
4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.
5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.

Holding Your Position

The message of the preacher today was “Holding Your Position”. Recently I’ve asked God ‘what now?’ I’ve more or less finished my diploma in Christian ministry and wanted to know what the Lord would have me to do at this point. The Lord says ‘my sheep know my voice and another they will not follow’. Today when the minister introduced the title of her message, I knew that I knew that the Lord had answered my prayer. He reminded me of the time when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness after the Holy Ghost had descended upon Him. After such an experience one would probably expect Him to immediately go out and work signs and wonders among the people but He was lead by the Spirit into the wilderness. It’s not that I’m expecting a wilderness experience because the Lord knows, been there and done that but I think maybe a time where God expects me to keep in prayer and meditation of His Word no matter what, to stand firm in the midst of the testing that will surely come and believe Him for the great things He has promised. I pray the Lord that He will find me faithful, as I stand on His word and resist the wiles of the devil.

Blessings

Praise the Lord!

I got the results for my final year BSc exams in the mail yesterday. I passed! Woo-hoo! So I must give God thanks since I prayed so hard that I would not have to repeat any subjects next year. The past three years were hard enough, juggling two programmes I decided I could do part-time - the BSc and a diploma in Christian ministry, work and church activities (what was I thinking?). Anyway, God is so good in that He kept me sane in the midst of it all and answered my prayer. It's funny I thought I'd feel different somehow, maybe smarter? but I'm still me. I think that's a good thing?! I'm looking forward to seeing where God will lead me now that I have more time to make available for Him. So,

Thank you Lord, this I pray
For your many blessings today
Indeed in You I've put my trust
And the results have been glorious!

I love you Jesus
Kelly

Born Again

I wrote this poem in 2002. Believe it or not I found it on a scrap of paper while looking for a document among my 'important papers'. Just thought I'd share it with you.

BORN AGAIN
I heard my Father calling
calling to me one day
and when I paused to hear Him speak
here’s what I heard Him say

“Come, my child I’m here for you
I’ll hold you in my arms
I want to feel you close to me
I’ll keep you from all harm

Don’t worry about your garments red
I’ll make them white as snow
I paid the price for you my child
so very long ago”

That voice I heard so sweet and sure
resounded in my ears
reached empty places in my heart
and vanquished all my fears

My heart of stone was changed to flesh
and I was made anew
The love of God was there for me
despite all I’d been through

Joy unspeakable and full of glory
coursed throughout my veins
Because I knew without a doubt
I had been born again.

Battlefield of the Mind - Pt. 1

I’ve started reading Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. Below you will find valuable thoughts from the book that have impacted me so far and I hope will help you also:

• As a man thinketh, so is he.
  
• Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts.
  
• Our past may explain why we are suffering but we must not use it as an excuse to stay in bondage.
  
• God is fighting on your side.
  
• If we think fleshly thoughts, we cannot walk in the Spirit.
  
• Your life will not get straightened out until your mind does.
  
• No matter how bad the condition of your life and your mind, don’t give up!
  
• It’s easy to quit; it takes faith to go through.
  
• We need to choose and continue to choose right thoughts.
  
• Don’t receive condemnation. Your total victory will come … “little by little”.
  
• When you fail (which you will), that does not mean that you are a failure.
  
• Be patient with yourself.

Kelly

Taking the wings of the morning

Ps 139:7-10
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
(KJV)

When I was younger, I knew of God. To me, He was this far away divine being that I must please by being a ‘good girl’. By ‘far away’ I mean just looking on in my life because I also believed God was omnipresent (everywhere) and omniscient (knew all things). My mental image of God, however, was divinity with a clipboard. Although He was wherever I went, He was just writing on that clipboard: good deeds, bad deeds, heaven? hell? So I tried to please Him on my own and of course, failed miserably. He was still there, though, writing, writing. The presence of God most of the time then was not a comfort to me.

Now that I know my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ it is a joy to know that He is always there, walking with me, talking with me, holding my hands. Sometimes I let go and fall but He picks me up and helps me along again. My heart’s desire now is to ever be close to Him and to know Him more and more. The words below may not be the most original of writings but was in my heart at the time.

Nearer to Thee, nearer to Thee
Oh how I long to be
Nearer to Thee.
As I draw nigh to you
Lord, draw nigh to me
Take me O Lord
Nearer to Thee.

When the storms of life,
They come my way
I get on my knees and begin to pray,
Thank you Lord for giving me all it takes
And forgive me God for all my mistakes
To be near You Lord, that is the key
So take me O Lord, nearer to Thee.

As I come O King to Your throne of grace
And purpose to diligently seek Your face
Complete that work You have started in me
That I might fulfil my destiny.
To do Your will is the reason I live
Yet, not I, but Christ in me
‘Cause all I am is in Thee.

In Your presence Lord is where I am strong
In Your presence is the place I belong
For You are my Source, my Strength and my Shield
To be near You Lord is all that I need.
I love You Lord
That’s the reason I yearn to be
Forever God, nearer to Thee.

Blessings

Kelly

Granny, you go girl!!!

John 15:13 says “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This type of unselfish love was displayed by mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Elise Joseph.

On August 31, 2005, 73-year old Elise Joseph was presented with the Chaconia gold medal for bravery at the National Independence Day Awards Ceremony at the President’s House. Grandma Joseph earned this honor when she single-handedly unarmed a 26-year-old assailant (who had already wounded her grandson) and sat on him until the police arrived. (I kid you not). All I can say is, Granny, you go girl!

Kelly

The Customer is Always Right? Says who?

The company I work for recently sent my co-workers and I to a customer service seminar. Of course as in any good customer service seminar (I presume), we discussed the cornerstone of ‘good customer service’ which is that the customer is always right. As a Christian I tend to be very particular about telling the truth (Thou shalt not lie!) so these are not words I could utter convincingly since, well, since I am not utterly convinced of their veracity. It has been my experience (I work in human resources) that the customer could be very wrong at times (hmm… maybe I should say misinformed or ill-advised?) Now if it were said that we should treat the customer as if he is always right, this I am certain would make for good customer service. What do you think?

P.S. As a customer, I honestly probably wouldn’t like this new maxim since I absolutely, positively hate it when people patronize me. However if we do like the Bible says 'unto others as we would have them do unto us' everyone should be happy.

Kelly

My First Blog

Hmm… searching …. searching … still searching for something momentous, memorable, rational even to say in my first post. But, alas like fame, fortune and a good singing voice it eludes me. So sticking with the mundane I’m going to say hello and welcome to my blog. Come back soon. Maybe you’ll find something that will encourage you, or you identify with or, gasp, makes you laugh. Maybe I’ll bore you to tears and you’ll ask the blogging police to accidentally delete my blog from cyberspace. Either way you’re welcome to share in my journey as I strive simply to fulfill God’s purpose in my life one step at a time.

Kelly