Words of Wisdom

'God is looking for imperfect men and women who have learned to walk in moment-by-moment dependence on the Holy Spirit; Christians who have come to terms with their own inadequacies, fears, and failures; believers who have become discontent with "surviving" and have taken the time to investigate everything God has to offer in this life.'

~Charles Stanley, Senior Pastor FBC Atlanta,GA


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'No soul can be really at rest until it has given up all dependence on everything else and has been forced to depend on the Lord alone. As long as our expectation is from other things, nothing but disappointment awaits us.'

~Hannah Whitall Smith, 19th Century Author

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Happy Memorial Day!

This is my nephew Hunter! I'm so proud of him and look forward to celebrating his graduation from Army boot camp in just a couple of weeks!! He is a young 19 year old man and is a representation of all the young men and women who are eager and willing to serve and fight for this country and our freedom. As you celebrate tomorrow, these words are a wonderful reminder of all we have because of young men like this one, who have served, fought, been injured or died for our freedom. Enjoy this exert from an email I was sent by my dad:

It is the VETERAN,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.


It is the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN,
not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.



It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag,

It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag,




2 Timothy 2:1-13
^"1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. ³Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. ⁵Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. ¹⁰Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

¹¹Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
¹²if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
¹³if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself."

New Endeavors in ...Dough!

I love pizza. I love whole wheat. So today, in attempt to satisfy my hunger and use up my groceries, I set out to make my own homemade whole wheat pizza dough! At first, I was sad because all of the recipes I found called for yeast. So I sat for a second and thought, hmmm...what if I type in "Homemade whole wheat pizza dough without yeast" into the search engine... and low and behold...I just love modern technology. In an instant, there were multiple recipes at the click of my mouse. I pulled up this one.

NO YEAST PIZZA DOUGH
2 1/2 c. flour 2 3/4 tsp. baking powder (if using baking soda use half and omit salt) 1 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. oil 3/4 to 1 c. water Mix dry ingredients. add 3/4 cup water and oil. Stir until it forms a ball. If dough is stiff, add more water. The dough will be soft, not sticky. Knead on a floured surface for 3-4 minutes. Bake at 400°F for 15-25 minutes. Submitted by: Terry H

And got to work. Sorry no pictures...my hands got a little messy :)

It worked! I liked the texture (texture freak that I am) but it was a little thicker than I was expecting. And not as flavorful. So maybe on my next try, I'll add the baking soda and no salt to see what that does...and maybe add some onion and garlic powder or some basil and oregano to the mix. I might even paint the crust with butter so that it gets nice and golden brown.

Fun!

Procrastination and Prayer....

So the original intent of this blog was to tell you what I'm learning, and to be honest, if I were to share EVERYTHING I've learned lately, I'd have to post like every other day or at least a couple of times a week. And if you know me at all, you know I SHOULD be studying for my recertification Board exam...the exam that determines whether I get to keep my license to practice as a PA....kind of a big deal and all. Wwwweeeelllllllllllllllllllll...... Let's just say that, after 6 years of being out of school, I STINK at studying. I've lost all motivation when it comes to sitting down, in front of a book, and actually reading facts over and over. My mind COMPLETELY wanders. I get that bored kind of hungry that makes me eat dry cereal just to have some ELSE to do. And I start making lists. Lists of all the stuff that floods my mind when I should be concerned about my future CAREER instead.

Needless to say, I should be studying right NOW actually. But instead, I feel compelled to write because I've read something so wonderful, so beautiful, and so convicting, it needs to be shared. It's on prayer and prayer is something everyone needs to grow in. I don't think anyone could say they've perfected their prayer lives. I do know of one sweet lady who is a PRAYER WARRIOR who has even recently prayed for healing and received it. (Maybe I'll blog on that later...I LOVE Ms. Marcy!!)...

So, here are a few thoughts from a man named Arthur Tappan Pierson (1837-1911). I hope this isn't copyrighted because, well, he's no longer with us, so I don't know who I would even ask permission to post this!?!

Anyway, this excerpt is called Continuing in Prayer and is worth the read:

"As assuredly as that which you ask would be for your real good, and therefore for the honor of the Lord; and as assuredly as you ask it solely on the ground of the worthiness of our Lord Jesus, so assuredly you will at last obtain the blessing. The great point is that we ask only for that which would be for the glory of God to give to us, for that, and that alone, can be for our real good. We must secondly ask it in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and expect it only on the grounds of His merits and worthiness. Thirdly, we should believe that God is able and willing to give us what we ask Him for. Fourthly, we should continue in prayer till the blessing is granted without fixing to God a time when, or the circumstances under which, He should give the answer. Patience should be in exercise in connection with our prayer. At the same time, we should look out for and expect an answer. If we pray in this way, we shall not only have answers...but our own souls will be greatly refreshed and invigorated in connection with these answers."

May it be of me, O Lord. May it be.
Night!

Both/And :)

Dear Friends and Family, 04/14/10

Once again, I have opportunity to return to Iasi, Romania July 9-18th. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since my last visit because it seems like yesterday in many ways. I became very close with four ladies and will have an opportunity to see them and work with one of them again. This year, however, the trip will look very different as it will not be medical. Instead, we will be working with the “forgotten children”…orphans. These children live in what has been named “the phantom block” which is a row of abandoned apartment buildings with no electricity or running water. They have no access to education and I really do not know how they survive. We will be partnering with a church in Iasi (Yah-sh), Romania called Way of Joy that is located in this impoverished area and provides clean running water, and one meal a day for up to 40 children. They teach them basic life skills, (like eating with utensils) and some education, while showing them the love of Christ. We plan on hosting a “Backyard Bible/Vacation Bible School” type of program as of right now. Of course, depending on the needs we encounter, we are prepared to be flexible.

When praying about where to go this summer, another trip caught my attention, as well. I was truly wresting with whether to return to Romania or to join another trip that is scheduled for Delhi, India Sept. 17-26th. This trip will specifically focus on a battered women’s home that has just opened, along with an orphanage. It will focus on grief counseling and vocational training as well as literacy and educational training. This is a strategic partnership with a well-established ministry and is only one of many trips throughout the next few years to carry out these initiatives.

As you can see, this is no easy decision. Ideally and prayerfully, I long to take part in both trips. Please pray with me for the Lord to give me clear guidance and provision as these trips are being planned. Also, pray for the leaders and for the tasks ahead, as well as safe travel and ‘eternal’ success.

Thank you for your constant prayer and support! I’m truly grateful to share this journey with you! I’ll be posting some more about the trips as we get closer to the dates we’ll be leaving.

“For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight… Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.” Ps. 72:12-14,18-19


Karen Connor
kconnor7@yahoo.com

Impossible

"We, like Thomas, find it hard to believe that God can do the very thing that He is best at; replacing death with life. Our infertile imaginations bear little hope that the improbable will occur. We then, like Thomas, let our dreams fall victim to doubt. We make the same mistake that Thomas made: we forget that "impossible" is one of God's favorite words." ~ Max Lucado, No Wonder They Call Him Savior

This 'theme' of impossible has come up in my life on multiple occasions. I'm reminded yet again, as, throughout this week, I've seen God move in some pretty amazing ways.

It started with a last minute phone call from my friend Colleen to join her at a Sav-a-Life banquet Tuesday evening, where none other than Pam Tebow was speaking. Both Colleen and I are Florida natives so we jumped at the opportunity. I didn't know much about the ministry of Sav-a-Life, but through the evening, was enlightened to the power of a vision and a hope that has fueled this ministry to live out the Gospel daily. To comfort, provide for, take care of, teach, and disciple young women through the most difficult decision of their lives. To keep or abort their unborn child.

Mrs. Tebow spoke eloquently in what was basically a four part sermon, complete with sub-points and scripture verses she had committed to memory. And as Colleen pointed out, with no notes! She explained how early on in her marriage, she and her husband made up their minds about the "Four M's": Jesus would be their Master, the Bible- their Manual, Eternity- their Mindset, and Serving- their Ministry. So when faced with the pregnancy of their 5th child, living in the Philippines, receiving no prenatal care, contracting an amoeba, and being told "it wasn't really a child, but tissue" so she should abort, they chose to trust the Lord. They had already committed their lives to be faithful. Well, most of us know who baby #5 turned out to be...none other than Tim Tebow, who himself, has a powerful ministry. In fact, all of her family is serving the Lord. She raised a family of faith. Now, at age 60, Mrs. Tebow finds herself with a new ministry, a public speaking ministry. Because of Tim's success, she's been called on to share her story and act as advocate for young women and unborn children throughout the south. She does it well, always pointing to her deep faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and challenging all of her listeners to put their faith in Jesus Christ, to prayer, and to serve SOMEWHERE. Though it may seem impossible to me now, I left encouraged and challenged. I want to be like her someday...Faithful.



More excitement came in the form of an email from my friend Liz in Romania. She sent out a prayer request for a Chinese Malaysian student named William. He was attending church and asking questions about Christianity. Well, he was being discipled through some New Testament passages over the last few weeks and the other night, he said he suddenly went from being 40-50% of the way toward Christianity, to 70%. Well we've prayed for him specifically by name and yesterday I got an email saying; 'The great awesome news is that it seems as if William has accepted Christ!'

To follow this amazing news, was something way more "impossible" ...at least to me. My sweet friends minister tirelessly through Campus Crusade here at UAB. They pour their hearts and lives into these students. However, recently a new campus group has become very prominent on campus, the "free thought society" aka the atheists. They often put anti-God and anti-religion chalkings all over the campus sidewalks. They set up booths to spread their message. It is disheartening to say the least. However, God pursues...and God always wins. As grace would have it, the president of the Free Thought society has been meeting with some wise Christian apologists, reading scripture, and having his eyes opened to the Truth. In his words, he converted! He has stepped down from his position of leadership in that campus group because he is now a Christian!!!!! How incredible!

Finally, today, I had the privilege of serving among 40+ adults and youth to renovate a house in innercity Birmingham. Ms. Helen has lived there for over 40ys and cares for her four grown children who are mentally or physically handicapped. She is helped by her 16y grandson but the house had fallen to utter disrepair. The need was first addressed by one of the widows of our church, Ms. Marcy. This faithful spunky 78y lady and her family wanted to find a needy family to sponsor for Christmas and was led to Ms. Helen. In the 3 months that have followed, Traci Hipps from Mission Birmingham has called on churches to pour their time and resources in to renovating this house. The 8th house Mr. Hipps has facilitated in what he calls GRACE MAKEOVER. It's overwhelming to Ms. Helen to think that she would have complete strangers reroof, replace windows, floors, appliances, repaint, refurnish, and invest not only time and money, but love and prayer. I'm sure if you asked her what were the odds of some strangers showing up at her house last Christmas with Christmas dinner, presents and groceries...she probably would have said, impossible.

This week has been greatly humbling for many reasons, not the least of which is that my own heart is full of doubt, reasoning, and often, just plain unbelief. I settle for the "norm" around me and fail to believe that things...that circumstances...that people...can be different, can change. That the Lord still does the impossible...


"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

The Old and the New...

It’s been another year of learning and growing through both joyful and painful times. I’ve been blessed to walk through both with some dear friends, as we’ve seen and had to trust the Lord to provide, guide, hold and carry. And of course, He has. I’ve also read and spent time meditating on Scripture and absorbing various other books. And finally, at the prompting of the Lord, my own self, and others, I’ve revisited my “goals” for the year past and the year to come. I’ll gather my thoughts on these a little better and post soon…

I look forward to a little down time over the next few days to reminisce over the enjoyable Christmas vacation trip, the happiness of friends engaged, newly pregnant, and newly or re- connected.

As we ring in the New Year, I hope you are taking time to do the same. Because the Lord is Emmanuel, He is God with us, In us and For us…He has come, Is here, and Is coming again….to make all things new.

Let the new year be a reminder that someday (soon, I pray), the Lord will return, to the sound of celebrating and ringing, to come and claim His own.

Are you One of His?

Happy New Year, be blessed!
K