Cheer Up!

May 13, 2014May 8, 2014Leave a comment

“The joy of the Lord is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10

My family has gone through a long series of losses and unexpected bad news. Recently, Dave and I made a decision to downsize our home. It’s not logical as we have many irons in the fire! BUT GOD! We recognize and know that God is leading us as we add the big project of getting our house ready to sell and to add a move to an already full plate.

If nothing else, my basement and garage are getting cleaned out….wow, does that feel good! I have accomplished my spring cleaning. Windows are washed, cabinets and closets are cleaned out…it feels good!

In the midst of this time of loss I have been surprised by this sudden joy. This particular decision is not only a wise thing for us but it has given me a measure of joy that I have not had in awhile. Although I am glad to be making plans for our future, I am more excited about finding my joy in how the Lord has brought all this about. It’s not about what feels good or what might work in our favor. He has gifted me with this joy at a time when I needed something “good” to happen and something to move my vision to look forward once again. He has reminded me that He has good plans for our future. He has shown me that His timing is and will be perfect. His hand has been so evident that it has renewed joy and strength to me. I am careful to keep my joy in the Lord, not in if my house sells quickly or not, if we go through closings smoothly, if my china doesn’t break in the move or some other circumstance. Today you and I need to focus on Him knowing that our feelings and circumstances can rob us of the joy He wants to provide to our weary hearts.

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy’s on staff at America’s Keswick in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 28 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday school and Bible studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

Appealing or Appalling

May 12, 2014May 8, 20142 Comments

I had the wonderful opportunity recently to attend a Living Proof Live conference with Beth Moore. I know we have a lot of great speakers here at Keswick, and I do get to a lot of the meetings, but sometimes it can be very hard to focus on the message because my mind is thinking of the stuff I have to do in the office, what’s happening at the book tables, emails that have to be answered, offerings that have to be counted…. you get the idea. So for me, getting away to a conference somewhere else gives me the opportunity to really focus on what is being shared. It was fun to run into a bunch of Keswick friends there – in the midst of close to 10,000 women. Maybe you were there, too, and I just didn’t see you.

I think one of the things Beth said that impacted me the most was that “the gospel is most appealing when we find ourselves most appalling.” So, I confess, I’m one of those people who grew up in church, accepted the Lord at a young age, lived for youth group on the weekends, went to Bible college, and now work in full-time Christian ministry. I’m what most of the world would call a “good girl.” And it can be really easy to think of myself that way. But the truth is, my sin isn’t prettier or less in any way than anyone else’s. My sin nailed Jesus to the cross. Period. If I get to the end of the day and can’t think of a single thing to confess, then I need spiritual glasses to see myself more clearly. See, it’s always easier to see someone else’s faults – sins – but so easy to overlook my own. Until I find my own sin as appalling as God does, then the gospel just isn’t nearly as sweet to me as it should be.

Our culture wants to take sin out of the equation. We don’t like to talk about sin – it makes us feel bad. But if we don’t call sin – sin, then there is no need for repentance. Without repentance, there can be no revival – no change. If repentance is irrelevant, then our condition is irreversible.

Lord, help me to see my sin clearly, and to find it as appalling as You do, so that I can find your gospel more and more appealing.

Ruth Schmidt is on full-time staff at America’s Keswick, and grateful to be a daughter of the King.

Come let us reason together…

May 9, 2014April 30, 2014Leave a comment

Stacy Poplawski http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/BrianStaceyPoplawski/
Stephanie Paul http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/StephaniePaul/
Joyce Hayes http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/RobertJoyceandCarterHayes/
Dina Seaton http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/DinaSeaton/
Kathy Withers http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/KathyWithers/
Diane Hunt http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/DianeHunt/
If you would like to help us raise money for the Addiction Recovery Ministries – to help men, women and children, we would love to have you walk with us. If you are interested please go to our website and sign up today then start raising sponsors. https://americaskeswicknj.wufoo.com/forms/m1n6o0kg099lmdu/

Thank you so much for your support.

Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18 AMP)

Reasoning… Oh boy, do I love to do that. I can reason myself right into a fit. What really gives me a fit is when I know I’m doing it and keep right on going, sort of reasoning with myself that I’m not really reasoning. My reasoning is different than the reasoning spoken of in Isaiah. Mine is driven by the need to control future circumstances or to lessen a risk factor. “Be prepared,” that’s my motto. Wisdom says there’s nothing wrong with being prepared. Fear says if you’re not prepared you’re not in control.

God says through Isaiah, and I paraphrase, Look at this impossible situation, your sins are like scarlet, yet, watch this, I will make them as white as snow. No wait, they look blood red but when I’m done washing you in My Blood they’ll look like a little white wooly lamb. “Come now let us reason together…”

It makes me want to throw my hands up in the air and say, “Lord, forgive me for wasting the precious time You’ve given to me trying to figure out things that are way past figuring out and are, in truth, none of my business. Help me to trust You and stop white-knuckling the reins you already have hold of. Thank you for reminding me/us that You’ll never let go. That I do know the reason for: You love me/us. Thank you, Jesus.

Dina S.

Give ’em The Ol’ 1-2 Punch

May 8, 2014April 30, 2014Leave a comment

Bugs Bunny is one of my old-time favorites. As a child, and an adult, he’s given me many a good hard laugh. He comes to mind from an old episode (Rabbit Punches) where he enters the boxing ring vs. a formidable opponent; “The Crusher.”

Well, just look at him; he’s really not a very promising stand-in for Rocky. Yet, he’s all over “The Crusher” with the formidable force of his thoughts. He out-wits, out-thinks and flat-out lays out the opponent several times over. He simply won’t quit but neither will the opponent. The big guy just keeps coming back for more rounds. The cartoon never does end with a knock-out by Bugs. The hits keep coming but so do the laughs. I must admit when I watched it again, I was disappointed that Bugs didn’t lay him out in the end. You know, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, YOU’RE OUT!

Do you ever feel like your Bugs Bunny vs. The Crusher? I felt like that recently while dealing with a formidable opponent named FEAR. The Bible sure does hit the nail on the head when it says fear involves torment (1 John 4:18). Then a timely post from one of my favorite authors, Anne Voscamp, popped up on Facebook that read: “Sometimes you just want someone to come in and punch fear right in the face.” YEAH! Hit em’ hard! That’s what I say! Give em’ the ol’ 1-2 punch, Lord! The best part is that although the opponent keeps taunting the fans of the Winner, HE is still the Winner. We can get behind Him for protection knowing HE will fight for us. There won’t be a disappointed ending to this main event. It was a knock- out in the first round and in the end he’s going down.

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Rev. 20:10 (NKJV)

Thank you Jesus…
Dina S.

Well, it is that time again for our annual Family Freedom Walk, May 10, 2014. We are having a little staff competition to see who can raise the most money. We would like to invite you to support one of your Victory Call writers. Click on their link below and it will take you directly to their individual webpage for the walk. You can give directly through their webpage.
Stacy Poplawski
http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/BrianStaceyPoplawski/
Stephanie Paul
http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/StephaniePaul/
Joyce Hayes http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/RobertJoyceandCarterHayes/
Dina Seaton
http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/DinaSeaton/
Kathy Withers
http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/KathyWithers/
Diane Hunt
http://americaskeswick.donorpages.com/FamilyFreedomWalk2014/DianeHunt/
If you would like to help us raise money for the Addiction Recovery Ministries – to help men, women and children, we would love to have you walk with us. If you are interested please go to our website and sign up today then start raising sponsors. https://americaskeswicknj.wufoo.com/forms/m1n6o0kg099lmdu/

Thank you so much for your support.

Remember Joy

May 7, 2014April 30, 2014Leave a comment

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
(Habakkuk 3:18, NKJV)

I don’t think I’d be exaggerating to say that life seems to be getting tougher these days. The reports of sickness, backbiting, gossiping and slander are profuse. People are crying out for help as trouble beats at their door, demanding entrance. I wish I could say I speak only of those who are perishing outside the gates. Yet it is those of us who have been redeemed that I speak of. Without fear of reprisal, the enemies of our God walk into our homes and lure our children with worldly trinkets, toys, and philosophies. We’re robbed of the joy that is ours for no other reason than that we forget to remember joy and Who it is that joy comes from! We lament and bemoan as those who are without hope.

Though this may be our natural flesh response to the times we’re in, it is here that we must fight to remember the God of our salvation with a heart of full of joy – joy that cannot find words and yet overflows out of our knowledge and remembrance of who He is and who we are not. Though everything is wrong in our outer world, we can leap for joy over our sweet fellowship with Jehovah God.

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – yet I will rejoice in the LORD…The LORD God is my strength. (Hab. 3:17-19)

Remember, joy is active and alive. It does not and cannot hide in the shadows. We must determine to praise and thank God for HIs faithfulness, no matter what happens to us.

Lord, through the eyes of faith I will look toward You in the middle of where I am. I will choose to remember and focus on You. I will choose to renounce anything that hinders a life of obedience and humble myself to Your perfect rule over my heart and life. Amen.

Stephanie P.

Stephanie serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women of Character. She has been married for over 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. They have two grown children.
Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.

Thank you so much for your support.

The Great Physician Uses The Good Doctor…

May 6, 2014April 30, 2014Leave a comment

The Good Doctor has seen it before, this PTSD. A young woman had lost her mother as a child. She survived, but never healed. Fifteen years had passed and another loved one was suddenly and tragically taken from her life. She relived the loss regularly in her mind and sleep escaped her. Tears flowed often, at times uncontrollably. There was no lack of loving family and friends, pastoral care, or prayer in her life. Although much time had passed, nothing and no one seemed able to help her. Until a friend who was of the opinion that she needed professional help suggested she see Dr. Good (not his actual name).

Having studied extensively both God’s Word as well as the human mind God created, he was well qualified to recognize what was happening to her and how to help her get well. She also played a vital part in her own healing, in that she wanted to be well. They worked in tandem, he counseling and her receiving. Thank God and the Good Doctor, she is doing very well.
Dr. Good does not offer biblical advice only to those who believe but to all. Even those who don’t believe in God are in fact still getting the same advice. He tells it to them straight- straight from scripture.

“I may counsel someone to put aside all anger. That truth is found in Ephesians 4.They may not have any biblical knowledge but it is still the truth. My faith is foundational to everything I do.”

This is one of many people he has helped but there are no “easy cases here” according to him. “The emotional distress they are in can be difficult. I pray a lot for myself and for them, often with them if they would like. When I’m here, I’m here. But when I’m home, I’m home. I make a conscious effort to turn my attention toward my family. I love what I do!”
In turn, the doctor is loved by many for the good he does.

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. Prov. 12:18

Dina S.

Thank you so much for your support.

Free to Worship

May 5, 2014April 30, 2014Leave a comment

Thank you so much for your support.

Free to Worship

I had the privilege of attending a Passover Conference in Corinth, Texas at Global Spheres Center. We were reminded that God set the Israelites free from slavery and bondage so that they could go and freely worship Him. Needless to say we spent a good deal of time worshiping our Lord and Savior. There were representatives from several nations present at the conference. They came to worship the Lord as they do in their culture with their instruments, dance and native clothing. What a gift to be gathered in worship with nations.

God is enthroned on the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3). And dear ones, in His presence there is truly fullness of joy!! (Ps. 16:11)

There are many Hebrew words for “praise”. Here are just a few for your consideration:
Yadah To lift up hands in praise, to give thanks, acknowledge God’s works;
Towdah To extend the hand; and to thank, to give a thank offering, and to praise His goodness;
Barach To kneel down, bow, greet, or bless;
Ruah To hurt or split the ear with sound. To make an ear-splitting noise to God, to shout, make a joyful noise, trumpet blast;
Hallelujah An exhortation to enter into unrestrained praise (Halal) for Yah (the Lord);
Tehilah To sing praises. Used especially of songs of adoration and thanks – giving as in Ps. 22:3. God is enthroned on the tehilah of His people)
Mecholah To dance: a joyous celebration by groups or individuals in praise of the Lord.
Zamar To strike the strings of a musical instrument. To make music in praise
of God. To praise, sing praises, praise God on an instrument, sing praise with musical accompaniment;
Gadal To magnify, to ascribe greatness;

My prayer for you and me is that between now and the celebration of Pentecost we will enter a deeper, richer place of worship to our Lord and Savior. There are so many ways to PRAISE our Lord!! Let us not worship in response to the atmosphere, the time or place we find ourselves. Let us worship HIM in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. (John 4:23-24) You and I are special to God. He delights in our worship. Let us delight in entering worship of Him! He is more than worthy of our PRAISE!!

Blessings,

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Some information above taken from A Time to Advance by Chuck D. Pierce with Robert and Linda Heidler, Glory of Zion International Inc. 2011

Putting All the Pieces Back Together Again

May 2, 2014April 24, 2014Leave a comment

Today my promise card reads, “He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds. Give Him all the pieces”. Psalm 147:3

There are so many who are brokenhearted, wounded and hurting. Life is hard. It is easy to feel like giving up at times but don’t throw in the towel! If you and I are going to give something up, why not give up our broken pieces to the One who can fix it? As we place each piece of our broken heart into His hands we also need to trust His master plan in the fixing.

Have you ever glued something together only to have it fall apart again? But, with more glue, more patient waiting and some time to set, eventually the glue holds. Maybe you are falling apart again. It is still wise to bring the broken piece to Jesus and continue to let Him do a work, His way and in His perfect timing. Sometimes it’s a quick fix. Sometimes it takes more time to get the parts to fit together perfectly. Sometimes the Master needs to do very careful and delicate work. Whatever repair may be needed may we trust His handiwork in our lives today.

Blessings,
Kathy

Thank you so much for your support.

“The Lord has need of him…..”

May 1, 2014April 24, 2014Leave a comment

I was listening to the radio recently and a pastor was speaking of Palm Sunday and the need the Lord had need of something (a colt) which was not in His possession. Not long after I did a bit of searching and the following is what I gleaned:

In chapter 19th of Luke we read:
“And it came to pass when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, “why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.” Luke 19:28-31

“So those who were sent went on their way and found it just as He had said to them. But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” Luke 19:32-34

The Lord has need of him.
The Lord has need of him.
The Lord has need of him.

A clear message here is the Lord had need of something. With clear and specific instruction, He sent two disciples to get what it was He needed.

He said:
“Go.”
“Loose.”

Those words have stayed with me as well as the words, “The Lord has need of him.”

On that day at that appointed time He had need of a colt. He didn’t need it the day before or the day after. He needed it when he needed it and it was exactly where it was supposed to be.

And, without hesitation it was available where and when, for its designed purpose.

Someone was surrendered to the King. Are you?

You see, there comes a time when the Lord Jesus calls upon us with, “I have need of you.”
At that moment, we have to immediately decide…
“Yes, I will go.”
A hesitation is unacceptable.
A partial yes is not okay.

There comes a time in our lives when every worship song, every sermon, every teaching, every trial, every test, every tear….Every filling of our souls is called upon.

It’s as if the Lord Himself taps us unexpectedly on our shoulder and says,
“I have need of you.”
Are you ready?

Stephanie P.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019&version=NKJV

“The Lord has need of him…..”

Thank you so much for your support.

He Will Listen and He Will Hear

April 30, 2014April 24, 2014Leave a comment

“You will pray to me and I will hear you.” Job 22:27

Are you holding back your prayers this morning? Is the bottom line that you don’t think God will hear you any longer? I have been there. Then I ask why do I hold back? God knows my thoughts anyway…just say it! But there are also times I have let doubt stop me from speaking to the Lord. Is He really listening? Is He really concerned? Does He really want to hear from ME? God’s Word assures us that, YES, He hears and He desires to hear from YOU!

If you are stuck this morning and feel like you can’t get your prayers started or past the ceiling try just a few words to get the conversation going. My favorite prayer starter is simply, “Help me, Jesus.” Then add, “Help me, Jesus, with _____”. Before you know it you will have begun a conversation and you will be assured of the very presence of your Heavenly Father speaking comfort, peace and joy into your heart!

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy’s on staff at America’s Keswick in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 28 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday School and Bible Studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

Thank you so much for your support.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Free to Worship

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: