Articles

Brave

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Brave reminds me of the day I watched my husband and my son-in-law walk ahead of my daughter and I towards the restaurant for an early morning breakfast. I still remember the feeling I had knowing this would be our last breakfast together for a while. Our brave soldier would be leaving for a 15-month deployment to Iraq.

My heart filled with respect and admiration as I looked at this fine young man, and wondered what would cause a person to volunteer so freely to serve his country and willingly go into harm’s way for others.  To stand and fight for people he does not know so they can enjoy safety and freedom too.  Is it the brave determination of character to serve God and to do what is right because he loves his country and family?

They say “Freedom is never free,” but there is always a price… physically, mentally and emotionally.

camelI am humbled and honored to say  thank you to the brave soldiers who fight for my peace and freedom.

In this moment I also am overwhelmed as I remember that Christ did the same for me. He freely gave himself for me.©   

Christ paid a price I could never pay to give me life I did not deserve”.  I am loved and blessed.

Thank You to all who serve, I am praying for you!

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you for sharing your time with me, dear friend. What does the word Brave bring to your mind?  I’d love to hear from you. 

Rest

Baby house finches

 

Where do we find rest, would I stop the world and get off this race of life that keeps me spinning. I find myself racing from one task to another playing catch up each day. Cooking, cleaning, washing, writing, it seems I will never get to the end of my long self-imposed list. “Hurry, hurry, faster, faster you’ll never get it all done!” Run, run.

Yet the rest that I long for, I find in the quiet of the morning sheltered in the word of God as he leads me beside the still waters of his love.  Calming the turmoil, halting the winds and giving my soul the restful peace to keep moving forward in uncertain times. Whatever the day my hold, I know God’s rest is only a prayer away. He only asks me to live one day at a time for him, because he holds all my tomorrows.

Thank you for sharing your time with me, dear friend. Where do you find times of rest in the busyness of your daily life? I’d love to hear from you.

Lovingly Karan

Am I Ordinary


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God uses the old, the broken and the ordinary people of this world to show us His great love and compassion.  How many times have I felt the sting of Satan’s whispering lies, “That I am unworthy or not good enough to serve a Holy God.”  Would I cover my face in shame and hide from the God who knows me best and still loves me?

Like Moses who spent 80 years trying to find meaning for his life, God brought him to a burning bush moment and gave him both meaning and purpose in serving him. I am so glad God can use ordinary, broken people to share His Good News and love to a broken and hurting world.

Father, help me stand with open hands before you, submitting to your will. I want my ordinary life to be extraordinary for you.

Christ paid a price we could never pay, to give us life we did not deserve. 

We are truly loved.

Do you ever feel like you are too old, to broken or flawed to be usable to God? Do you think it’s too late for you?  I would love to connect, let me hear your thoughts.

 Lovingly, Karan

Can I Be Thankful?

thankful

Can I be thankful? When God does not answer prayers as I have hoped, and circumstances have left me broken and vulnerable, do I see the hand of God’s wisdom? When the people I love are hurting and going through unimaginable trials, can I still cry out to a God who says He loves me, and believe Him? Where can I find a thankful heart?

I always thought as I aged that somehow I would know all the answers to life. However the more I matured I realized I have more questions than answers. Surely I have learned something along the way, or have I forgotten?

The awareness of having a personal relationship with God has given me a great peace in my life. Through the highs and lows, disappointments and joys, sickness and deaths, I have found God a trustworthy and loyal friend. Holding me up, calming my heart, and giving me confidence to keep moving forward, even when I felt numb.

Some days I must confess that I would rather sit in a closet with a large bag on my head. But in those times He gently reminds me that He is the same today as He was yesterday. The same God, who calmed the storms on the Sea of Galilee and healed the sick so many years ago, lives today. He would die on a cross and then rise again to life a living God. He is the same God I rely on today who calms the storms of my life and gives me peace. He is everything I need.

Because I know the creator of life personally and trust Him, I can choose to be thankful even when I do not feel like it. I have a God who holds my life and my loved ones in His hands. I think He is better at handling the details of my life, don’t you agree?

When I look back on the life that I have been given, my family, friends and ministry, how can I not be thankful? I am blessed with God’s incredible protection, love, and forgiveness. Today, I choose you Lord, and I choose to be thankful because of who you are, not my circumstances. I love you Lord.©

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

 What could God do for you?

If God could hang the stars on high, Can paint the clouds that drift by; Can send the sun across the sky. What could He do for you.

What are you Thankful for,  can you give me two things your Thankful for today?  I would love to hear from you.  Have a great  week!

Lovingly, Karan

The Friends We Love

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you’re going through things with your man. Another friend is needed when you’re going through things with your mom.  Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say, “Let’s cry together,” another, “Let’s fight together,” another, “Let’s walk away together.”

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish, another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season of confusion, another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,  or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself  … those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many, it’s wrapped up in several… one from 7th grade, one from high school, several from the college years, a couple from old jobs, on some days your mother, on some days your neighbor, on others, your sisters, and on some days, your daughters.

So whether they’ve been there 20 minutes or 20 years, you are blessed.   God has placed these women in your life to love, encourage and help you make a difference. ~ Author unknown

The Bible says:

This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, greater love hath no man than this that a man  lays down his friends.  

Where would we be without those dear sisters we call Girlfriends.  The ones we laugh with, cry with, and shop with.  Our mother’s, sisters and friends who encourage, teach, and help us to become better women.  

When I hit a wall, I became overwhelmed, and start looking at all the circumstances and stress in my life, I forgot about all the good things. My cup becomes half-empty, instead of full. As I had time to meditate and look back, I realized how God has led me with His love and faithfulness over the years. Jesus Christ, is my dearest friend, I could not imagine life without his peace, love and protection. He is all I need, He enough.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Lovingly, Karan