When You Get Off the Bench

You’ve done it. We’ve all done it; this weekend I did it.

We’ve sat and watched people go by.

Sitting on a bench at Silver Dollar City I observed all manner, shape and size of people. As I sat there making observations, which is merely a euphemism for making a judgment, snap decisions about their life, their choice of clothing and their financial status resounded in my head. Being transparent has always been part of my blog, so I’d have to admit I was pleased to be wearing sunglasses so I could surreptitiously stare at people.

For nearly an hour, I sat on the bench making ‘observations’. As I got up to go the Holy Spirit spoke to me saying, “When you sit there, you are making judgments, but when you get off the bench other people are now making judgments about you.”

Ouch!

I don’t have a scripture to offer, nor an uplifting thought except to remind us that God looks on the heart, He knows our every thought.

It would seem that God is dealing with me regarding judgments, as this is the second time I’ve written about it, see To Judge or Not To Judge.

Growing in Grace and Glory,
Kim Angela

Side Note: Honestly, I would have to say that I am more of a people listener than a people watcher. I enjoying watching people but I’d rather listen to the table next to me at a restaurant. If we ever run in to each other at a restaurant, don’t sit at the table next to me.

Gold in the Clouds - 2nd Chapter of Acts

Nine months...long enough to produce a baby, unless you're an elephant.
Nine months...long enough to get one year of education under your belt.
Nine months...that's how long it's been since I last posted a new blog.

Nine months have brought travel opportunities, long hours at work, medical downs and miracle highs. With blog thoughts wafting through my head I've picked a moment out of the last nine months to share with you.

Remember 2nd Chapter of Acts?

Not the 2nd Chapter of Acts, but the brother/sister trio from the late 70's, early 80's.
Last week as I drove to work listening to the Mansion Builder album (their best) I was singing along to the song, Gold in the Clouds. After 30 years of listening to this song a line jumped out at me and I began to wonder.

I wonder if I were in someone else's shoes
Would I be like them, or would I still be me?


Prone to wondering thoughts…here are mine.

•What if I'd reacted differently to even one of the events in my life?

•Where would I be now?

•Would I be me?

•Would I be something other than who I am?


Oooo scary deep!

Many believe we are products of our situations, circumstances and environment; an amalgamation of every event in our life. Situations have directed and molded us into who we are.

I'm not sure that it is the events in our life that mold us, but how we react to the events in our life.

Through the maturing process our reactions to the events in our life become the spring board for the next step.

In Ephesians 5 Paul wrote, “Be imitators of God…”.

Where would I be if I’d been a better imitator of God in my reactions to certain events in my life?

Where would I be if I hadn’t been an imitator of God?

Where would you be?

What would have been different in your life?

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph. 5:1-2 (NIV)


Kim Angela



Gold in the Clouds

I'm still finding gold in the clouds
Through all the shadows and the patterns of doubt
I'm still finding gold in the clouds
There, I said it again

Even when the eastern sky fills up with light
I don't see the sun 'till you're there
Even when the moon comes out to play at night
I don't see the light 'till you're there
There, I said it again

I wonder if I were in someone else's shoes
Would I be like them, or would I still be me?
I wonder when I'm old if I will understand
Everything I say
I sure hope it's that way

What is Your Oxygen Saturation Level?

Her fingers and lips were blue. Her skin was an ashy grey. Everything about Mary was blue-grey. If you met Mary you’d have noticed her unhealthy color, but her daily routine wouldn’t have given away her medical condition.

Our friend Mary lived with an oxygen level of 64%. Over the years Mary’s body began to adapt to the 64% level by restricting the amount of oxygen flowing to her extremities and skin, salvaging as much as it could for brain function. Mary worked as a nurse, providing patient care in the days when that meant lifting, turning and tugging. She enjoyed gardening and boating. Living a normal life, Mary and her body adapted, functioning below the full requirement of oxygen a body needs. At 64% you & I would be passed out on the floor from lack of oxygen.

In order for us to function at our best capacity we need to have greater than 90% oxygen in our blood. When the oxygen levels in your blood begin to dip into the 80% range your brain is lacking the oxygen it needs and grey cells begin to die.

Eighteen years ago Mary had a full heart and lung transplant.

I remember the first time I saw her after the transplant – she was pink.

Mary described how she felt. After years of her body adapting to the lack of life giving oxygen the physical sensation of having enough oxygen for ALL parts of her body was like experiencing new life. She talked about how much more she could do and accomplish with the new heart & lungs providing her a complete supply of oxygen. She realized that while she thought her life was full, she had no idea what she had been missing. Life with a 90% oxygen level afforded Mary a new level of functioning.

Think of God’s Glory/Presence in our life as an oxygen level.

We can function at a 64% level. Acceptable, if we adapt. Like Mary, we could live our entire life at 64% and be happy.

If you are on this journey with the Lord I pray that you’ve had God moments when you sensed and experienced life at a little higher %. A great worship service, around the altar after a message, a prayer time; a moment when you knew that you had come into contact with God’s Glory/Presence. It’s in these moments when a little higher % make us both hungry for more and discouraged with the knowledge of what little we have.

After Mary’s double transplant she was so susceptible to infection and germs that she wasn’t allowed in public for six months. Her family had to wear masks and limit their exposure to her, even within their own home. There was great concern that the transplant, which brought a new oxygen level, would be rejected should she be exposed to any contaminant, germ or disease. Prior to and after the transplant Mary’s doctor’s infused her with anti-rejection drugs. Taking medicine, designed to equip her body to be receptive to the new organs, improved Mary’s chances of being successful. No matter how many anti-rejection drugs the doctors gave Mary it was still up to her to monitor her exposure to germs. The years of waiting, the pain of surgery and the months of isolation would have been for naught had she let down her guard and allowed herself to be exposed to germs.

Like Mary, we can begin making preparation to go to a new level. There is a life in Jesus that can consistently be lived higher than a 64% level. In the parable of the sower Jesus taught that some would develop thirty (64% oxygen), some would develop sixty (80% oxygen) and some a hundred (90% oxygen).

Mark 4:8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times."

Be encouraged, there is more beyond the 64% level.

Be encouraged, exposing yourself to God’s presence and His Glory will change the atmosphere and environment around you.

Be encouraged, we are to grow strong in the private place before emerging to the public place.

Be encouraged, your oxygen/glory level is rising.


Kim Angela

Authors Note:Mary is fine and doing well.

Lessons My Grandfather Taught Me: You Can't Sell From an Empty Truck

Arching oak trees line the street as white picket fences stand sentry in front of the shuttered bungalows. Two streets over a lonely dog barks at the back door wanting inside. The chug of the truck is heard in the early morning light as the faithful milkman makes his deliveries. Brakes squeal as he halts in front of your house. Through the gloomy dawn he walks up to your door, bringing the anticipated refreshment. As his foot touches the step, he halts, realizing he has come from the dairy with only one bottle of milk. You ordered three bottles and a pint of cream; your order won’t be fulfilled. His truck & carrier are empty.

Most of us are too young to recall the idyllic days of milkmen and house calls by doctors, yet all were part of my grandfather's day. You would have called my grandfather colorful...a man of many quips, most of which I can't publish. A self-made man (with help from my grandmother), the majority of his life was spent in some aspect of the automotive industry. From a parts salesman to a Texaco Star gas station owner he worked hard and created a reputation as an astute business man. Many of his sayings continue to echo in my ears, this was one of my favorite:

You Can't Sell From an Empty Truck

Being a business owner my grandfather ran his business with this understanding, he had the best product in town, gave the best service and everyone needed what he had to offer.

A few weeks ago I fell into a conversation about witnessing. I'm not one to corner people to share my faith. I'd rather live my life in such a manner that those around me see I've got something they need; reminiscent of my grandfather's business practice. As we discussed ways to participate in outreach I shared my grandfather's adage of the empty truck -- I don't think they understood the correlation.

Being a Christian is like being a small business owner -- you have something that someone else needs.

Being a Christian is like being a successful salesman – you fully believe your product is the best option, you are intimately acquainted with your product and you have plenty of product on hand.

Being a Christian is like being the spokesperson for an ad campaign – you need to be using the product you’re hocking, making a marked improvement in your life.

Being a Christian is like being a satisfied customer -- the product is such a blessing in your life that its merits and benefits ooze out of every pore, at every opportunity, without even trying, to whoever is around.

Like the milkman of days gone by, I want my truck to be full of product so I can meet the needs of my customers.

Beyond Your Mission Statement

I’ve missed glorious connections because I’ve been too busy doing good things.

Allow me to define my idea of a glorious connection; a person, experience or opportunity that brings a maturing to my spirit. It may be an open door, a life-long benefactor or even a difficult situation, each connection bringing a transformation in me that shows forth His glory.

A number of us are involved in either a non-profit, a ministry or a church. We are in the business of helping people, seeing lives transformed and in general, improving the world. Actually, every Christian is in that business. The mission statements of these organizations tell people that we are busy about the business of being life changers.

How does a helping organization go beyond its own mission statement? (How does a household go beyond its boundaries?)

In twenty years of working at a non-profit organization I’ve never had matching office furniture, until now. A seed of kindness planted came back as a blessing last month.

Standing in our parking lot as the movers unloaded two truck-loads of furniture, I marveled at God’s goodness and provision. Several years earlier I had offered a job to someone in need. Eventually they moved on to their dream job, but not before learning of the behind the scenes cost cutting measures a small non-profit is faced with daily.

A moment of going beyond our own mission statement set us up for a blessing.

When BMCFerrell moved into their new facility their old office furniture went into storage. As they conducted a search for a worthy charity to donate the items, it was our personal glorious connection that brought us to their attention. Our former staff enlightened BMCFerrell to our program and our need. You might not get excited over 1990’s floral conference chairs; however, when your conference chairs are 1970’s yellow, floral looks great.

We all believe that God will supply for our every need. Many of us vividly recall the days of having faith to believe that the check was in today’s mail. To keep the household/ministry operating and the doors open we have to generate finances. However it isn’t healthy for us to always be on the receiving end of the giving chain. Look for opportunities to put yourself on the other end of the chain.

Whether you choose to quote from Ecclesiastes 11, Cast your bread upon the water… or Luke 6 Give and it will be given unto you…, there is an adage we must remember. One good turn deserves another.

Don’t miss a glorious connection.

Go beyond your mission statement.

Kim Angela

p.s. I also painted my office from raspberry pink to a classy golden brown. Yeah!

(What) IF... by Rudyard Kipling & Kim Kipling-Falcon

If Christianity....

A few years ago I had a wonderful friend that was turning 13. His parents asked for words of encouragement from various friends and family members to share.

What I sent Nathaniel is valid for all of us.

Dear Nathaniel,

When I was your age I discovered this poem written by Rudyard Kipling, best known for being one of our relatives -- oh yes, and the author of titles such as The Jungle Book and Kim.

It was during one of those in-between stages -- you know -- to old to hang with the little kids, but not old enough to be considered a teenager, that I read this over & over until I understood each line and it took hold inside of me as character.

Here is Auntie Kim's version with a touch of Jesus included -the words in bold are my addition.

IF by Rudyard Kipling/Kim Kipling Falcon

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, (Peace)
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,(Confidence)
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,(Patience)
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,(Honesty)
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,(Love)
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; (Humility)

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master, (Realist)
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim; (Wisdom)
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;(Even Tempered)
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,(Calmness)
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: (Perseverance)

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings (Adventurous)
And never breath a word about your loss;(No Self Pity)
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" (Determination)

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,(Mind Set on Him/Holiness/In the World, Not Of the World)
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,(Humbleness)
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; (Secure)

If all men count with you, but none too much,(Steadfast)
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, (Effort)

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Godly Man, my son!

Nathaniel,

Who you are has already been formed. Who you become is still open to options.

Always apply Galatians 5:21-23 to every situation and circumstance.

The fruit of the Spirit, which His presence within us, is love, joy, peace, an even temper, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Jesus said you will know who loves and follows me by the fruit they have in their life.

Always display the fruit!

Character is not only made in a crisis -- but it is exhibited.

Much Love, Prayers and Blessings,
xoxo
Auntie Kim


What if.....

Kim Angela

p.s. For the video lovers this is "IF" recited by this year's Wimbeldon finalists.