Pom Pom Living

Pom Pom Living

 

 

 

 

 

Pom poms have been around for a very, very long time.  I remember in my younger years having them and tying them onto my sneakers looking ever so cool (at least I thought so)!  They were even used as cute little fun furry friends with googly eyes, itsy bitsy antennas, and tiny little feet that you could peel off the protective cover from the bottom and adhere it to a place where your new friend could sit permanently! Pom poms have now come back in such cute and adorable decorative ways that people are using them to decorate with them in everyday living.  They are not just for parties anymore!!  Everyday is cause for happy celebration by having pom poms hanging around your house! Don't believe me?...just go onto Pinterest and search the keyword "pom pom" and you'll get  numerous ideas including how to's on these lovely little fun lovelies that you feel like you are about to explode with happiness! 

 

Well, I was actually scrolling on Pinterest one day when a particular photo of pom poms came across my feed and caught my eye.  I had seen several photos before of pom poms and I continued scrolling past them but for some reason this particular photo captivated me.  I couldn't tell you exactly what it was but I can tell you that it brought a fond childhood memory to the surface of my heart and mind.  So with that I thought I'd extend that wonderful feeling by making some of my own pom poms.  If one is good, then I'll make a TON!! 

 

I began making the pom poms and of course I got what I expected. I was giddy.  I was reminiscing. I felt good.   I also got so much more.  For those of you who don't know me well, I am very much a crafter and I find that I have my most deep "a-ha" moments with God when I am doing crafts.  He reveals wonderful messages and amazing analogies to me with whatever I may be working on at that particular moment.  He weaves Himself into it. It's not just a craft, hobby or fun thing to do.  He makes it a story.  His story interwoven into mine.  He ministers to me with what I am struggling with or perhaps I may be try to  ignore or suppress, just things I'd rather not deal with.  He enlightens me.  He encourages me. He works on me.  He challenges me. 

 

I'd like to share with you the wonderful work He did in me as I worked on these pom poms last week:

 

Life gets us going at a pace that usually have us going, going, going...go...ing, g.o.i.n.g.!!  We all go at variable speeds but FASTER is better and the MORE - we have, we do, we accomplish, we achieve - the better!  This can bring a sense of tasks being accomplished, goals being made, boxes on our bucket-list, to do list, or even our wish list being checked off.  Hopefully, we can do our 'going' with as little distractions as possible.  We make it a point to avoid these distractions.  We speed up to go around slower vehicles.  We take longer strides in our steps to quickly get around those who are walking too slow.  We drive thru to get meals or our daily cups of coffee with little to no contact or conversation. We will try to do whatever we can to avoid anything or anyone who just might interfere with our daily living.

 

These distractions that we see appear to be obstacles to slow us in our tracks.   But instead of distractions perhaps we view them as opportunities placed before us to catch our attention and then be able to respond as Christ would have us to.  These so-called distractions that come our way could be people like you and me.  People who need our attention - eye contact, a smile, a kind gesture, an encouraging word. People who are hurting.  People who may not have anyone.  People that need to see something different in people than what they've been seeing.

 

 I found that as I would tend to live life in this manner life itself most of the time didn't seem to factor in these moments as I was hustling to make it here to get to there and finish this in order to do that!  I found that as I was living this way I became wound tightly and became constricted within myself in my own little world.  I was not leaving any room or time for anything or anyone else other than what I slotted for that particular day and boy, oh, boy if something else -good or bad- tried to squeeze itself in!! Living this way I found that I was exhausted and tired. 

 

I, myself, felt unseen, unheard and insignificant.  It was at moments like this that I would cry out to my amazing Savior.  The One Who is the Perfect Example of Servanthood.  The One Who extends Grace abundantly, allowing me to do-overs time and time again!  The One Who loves me and cares for me that He is there to grow me, to teach me, to lead me, to guide me...loving me all along the way. 

 

This is where the pom pom analogy came in.  The image of the pom pom being formed is simply yarn that has been wound time and time again...over and over...wound over and over and over again until something causes it to come to an end.  It is then constricted, squeezed tightly and tied in a knot to hold all the wound loops together which are now crisscrossing over each other.  Left alone they don't look all that attractive.  Just a bunch of wound up, tied together, loopy yarn. 

 

 

 

 

 

Insert Christ.  He comes to grow, teach, lead and guide, but this requires a little bit of shaping to be done.  So, a snip here.  A snip there.  Snip, snip, snip.  All loops appear to be freed and are no longer wound.  Oh, wait...there's a few more hidden way down in there...gotta dig a little deeper and snip, snip, SNIP.  Now it's done.  Ooop. That hurt a little.  The shaping is just now happening.  A slight trim here.  Trim here.  Oh, now we've got to trim up this side.  This one requires more than a trim, it requires a cut-a-way.  Oooooh.  This is hard when it's in our life being done!  But let me tell you as I held those scissors in my hand and slowly yet intentionally making the snips, trims and cuts and watching the uneven, floppy ball of yarn being transformed into an balanced, contained, beautiful piece of loveliness that was being created from this tangled up mess  my heart was so swollen with overflowing Joy.  Christ revealed to me that I must trust in Him and the work that He is doing ON me, IN me & THROUGH me because it is always a beautiful work in progress with beautiful rewards and blessings. 

 

John 15:2 amp tells us of the necessity of trimming, "Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit."   

 

 I have a choice whether or not I am going to be a willing vessel.  Am I willing to allow Jesus Christ to be Lord of my life?  Am I willing to be vulnerable and open to others in sharing my life?  Am I willing to be the Light in this crazy busy world...to be intentional in being His Hands & Feet right where I am or where He may send me?  Am I willing to be attentive to others? 

 

Am I willing? 

 

 

Jesus called out to a group of men who ultimately became His disciples in Matthew 4:19 amp presenting them with an opportunity for them to make a life choice.  It says, "And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples--letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!"

 

This verse is a call for you and me, also. 

 

Am I willing to follow after Him to be fishers of men?

 

I know my answer--I AM!

 

Are you willing? 

 

 

Let me just end with just how much fun and happiness these little pom poms that I made brought me.  It's true of most anybody, I believe...String some pom poms together and hang them up on your wall and just see if  it  makes things brighter.  A bit more festive for sure.  It may even bring a smile to your face.  Their just fun.  Simple. Tiny. Did I say FUN?!  Much like what we can do in our everyday living.  We can do simple, tiny random acts of kindness to make a heart impact on someones life. Who knows there may be smiles and FUN involved!!

 

Let your light shine bright in each day that is gifted to you.  May what you do and say bring the kind of happy to someone that only Jesus Christ can do...even if it's in a simple little pom pom!!

 

 



 

Take care & be blessed,

 

Christy Krezman

Rosette Ministry

God Moments

Ever wake up with a plan filled day so precise that there is absolutely no margin for error in order to fulfill all those plans...

...or perhaps your planned day consists of having no plans at all and you'd like to keep it that way at all costs?

Well, I woke early yesterday morning with some plans...nothing that would crunch my day but I did begin to in my mind plan out how I could cut out some "me" time...honestly, I was wondering how I could squeeze in a cozy nap in my very inviting unmade bed!  I was seriously thinking for several minutes over my fresh brewed morning coffee how I could execute that...then...my phone rings...at 6:30 in the morning!

The phone ringing really early in the morning knowing that it isn't from my husband or children usually isn't someone calling for a casual conversation.  So of course when I answered it I had concern.  I heard on the other end of the phone the voice of a friend in much pain and in much desperation of help.  Instantly those thoughts of napping and all other plans were of no concern.  My friend needed me. 

My friend was experiencing excruciating pelvic and side/back pain that had her doubled over and took her breath away.  She had an appointment with her doctor in which I took her to.  Her doctor examined her and ordered tests to be done.  I felt so helpless as I watched her struggle in her pain to get from point A to point B to try to resolve her pain and figure out the cause.  As we sat waiting for laboratory tests to be performed she hunched over as she approached me by the doorway and exclaims that she cannot take the pain any longer!  Looking as she was about to pass out...I again, feeling helpless as ever look around and find a wheelchair just feet away.  Grabbing that I get her into it and then I look up and there in bright red lit lettering is the most beautiful word "EMERGENCY" The doorway was open.  The hallway was lit brilliantly and arrows leading the way!  We arrive and not a single soul was waiting and we got right in. Our steps were definitely directed!

My friend still in so much pain was beginning to shake uncontrollable and am I was ever feeling so helpless!  The doctor accesses her and gave orders to nurses.  The nurses scurry around here and there around my friend, in and out of the room.  One nurse reaches above me and began writing on the dry erase board writing info on it with my friends name along with other important information needed and then she asks my name. She then writes a title under it.  I turn around and look at it and see what title she had given me..."MOM"



"Wait!  What?  I'm only 3 years older than my friend!! Seriously!?! I know that I didn't take time to do myself up this morning but really?!  Do I look old enough to be her MOM?"  All this is exactly what I actually asked the nurse.

 Did you catch how fast I made it all about ME?

 The nurse replied to my list of questions with something that I am most thankful for.  She graciously told me that she didn't even look at my outward appearance.  She saw someone who was treating another person with such care and kindness and love like a mother would a child.  Ummm,  Yes, maam, you may place the title of "MOM" under my name for my friend!  How true is that of us to quickly turn to comparison when it comes to our self-image?  That's exactly what I did in a moment where it absolutely did not matter! I absolutely did not even think of being a friend could be the same as MOM qualities...I totally and immediately went to the whole IMAGE thing!  But what a beautiful and valuable lesson I learned in it...one that I will gladly embrace.

That got me to think what are the characteristics of a MOM?  Well, MOM's love, they care, they're there when you need them.  We can be this to our friends as well.  Mom's can also multi-task so being MOM and friend is so doable!

As I got over myself, I noticed that my friend began shaking uncontrollable more than she had before.  Nurses now nowhere to be found.  Me, feeling helpless and heart-hurting for my friend, scooted my chair to her bedside, held her hand and began praying the Name of Jesus.  I didn't know what else to pray so I just said Jesus.  Each time I whispered Jesus I witnessed something truly remarkable and amazing.  My friend's fiercely shaking body slowly stopped with each whisper of His Name.  Then finally it was completely still and my friend was peacefully asleep.

Then another nurse rushes into the room with medications to dispense and she's telling my friend to not worry that relief is on its way.  I speak telling the nurse that my friend has already found it.  IGNORED.  The nurse again speaks to my friend...who by the way is completely knocked out by the grace and peace of Jesus Christ...to not worry, that she will give her some good stuff to help her feel relaxed.  I again tell the nurse that I do believe that my friend has already received divine relaxation!  IGNORED again.  And just like that she's gone not to be seen again.

My friend was taken for various tests to find out what was the cause of this pain.  All the while she was peacefully asleep.  Hours later doctor returned.  My friend woke up and had not realized that she had undergone any tests or had been asleep for that length of time.  The doctor shared the findings  and how to manage what had caused this pain.  Praise Jesus it's not life threatening and can be managed through careful eating habits.

Later, my friend mentioned to me that she doesn't remember much but she did remember me praying "JESUS" and each time that she heard the Name of Jesus her body began experiencing relaxation.  Even though her eyes were closed there was a light that grew brighter with each mention of His Name like that of sunshine but not like where you would have to squint your eyes.  It was quite an awesome feeling!

 

WOW!  Just WOW!  How truly amazing is our God?  I always knew and know that there is Power in the Name of Jesus but to be witness to His Miracles is always a privilege and honor and testimony!

Jeremiah 10:6 TLB, "O Lord, there is no other god like You.  For You are great, and Your name is full of power."

Our help comes from Him.  He is our rest, our refuge and our rescue.

Matthew 11:28 TLB "Come to me and I will give you rest..."

Deuteronomy 33:26-27a TLB "There is none like the God of Jerusalem--He descends from the heavens in majestic splendor to help you.  The eternal God is your refuge..."

Psalm 12:5 TLB "The Lord replies, 'I will arise and defend the oppressed, the poor, the needy.  I will rescue them as they have longed for me to do."

 

Yesterday was long and exhausting but it is definitely a day that filled me with joy, strengthened my faith and allowed me to reexamine how I "plan" my days.    How often do we go through things that may seem like an ordinary or not-so ordinary thing like a trip to a doctor appointment or emergency room but miss opportunities to experience God moments?  I'm so thankful that God revealed Himself very evident to me yesterday.  When I was so focused on ME and my comfort and what would make me happy, He had other plans for me which I am very thankful for. 

 Last night I reflected on the days events and I began to realize just how much I take things for granted...

...things that are in my every day...

...things that are in my every day that I pass up because they are in my every day that I don't see them...

...things that are in my every day that I pass up because they are in my every day that I don't see them so I may miss a God moment and an opportunity for God to reveal Himself in the ordinary of my every day...

...and just like most everything else when we get in a habit or routine of doing things we get accustomed to the surroundings around us that we don't even notice what is around us.  As I was making my coffee I was pondering the thoughts that were swirling in my head and I noticed a small canvas that has been hanging on my wall for years but rarely did I give it a second glance.  This night I did.

 

Proverbs 17:17 TLB , "A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."


The Living Bible translation uses the word loyal where the other translations uses the word love.  Love is a fantastic word which we can all identify with but I really like the word loyal so I looked up the meaning of LOYAL and it means unswerving in allegiance: having or showing complete and constant support for someone or something; faithful--full of faith; constant, devoted, dedicated, steadfast, true.  God is ALL this to us ALL the time plus much, much more.  He gifts this to us in others and equips us to be gifts to others. 

1 Samuel 26 TLB tells us, "The Lord gives His own reward for doing good and for being loyal..."  I believe one of those rewards is the gift of Friendship!  When we walk with the Lord we have the Ultimate Friendship...that being with Him!  What a glorious gift!

Jesus loves you, my friend.  He desires to be a part of your every day, of my every day.  May I encourage you to take time to breathe Him in and be watchful for God moments in the ordinary.

Take care & be blessed,

Christy Krezman

I Believe!

She wholehearted BELIEVED that she could and so she did.

 

 

Have you ever stopped to think what it means to believe wholeheartedly?  Of course, it may be simplistic enough literally as with our whole heart...but believing with our whole heart requires having or showing no doubt or uncertainty about doing something, completely and sincerely devoted, determined, or enthusiastic: marked by complete earnest commitment: free from all reserve or hesitation.  Whew!  Hmmm, not sure when the last time I wholeheartedly "anything!"

 

When it's put that way, it requires a bit more than  just the single action that I've been applying. 

 

What is believing that we're wholeheartedly striving to do...especially in times when it's very hard and challenging for us to do so?  Well, let's just see what Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that it is...

 

 

believe: 

to accept or regard (something) as true: 

to accept the truth of what is said by (someone): 

to have a firm religious faith:

to accept something as true, genuine, or real: 

to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something: 

to consider to be true or honest

 

 



This definition sounds easy enough.  Especially when applying it to others.  It's a little bit of a different story when I need to apply the belief to myself.  Whenever I feel challenged or inspired to do something wonderful or amazing...inspiring perhaps there may be times that I experience moments of being frozen.  Stuck.  Held in place with thoughts that I've entertained at a mind-party that I've hosted which included famous guests like Fear and Doubt...Hesitation, Insecurity...Negativity and Jealousy, Envy and their + ones that they always seem to bring along!!   All of these guests are peace robbers that I openly WELCOMED into my mind. 

 

I've entertained.  I've listened to.  Became overwhelmed by.  As I continue to entertain these annoying guests I begin to complicate things that in reality are simple.  I find myself setting unrealistic expectations that will most likely not be met because "really?" who's thinking clearly here?!  Not I! I begin to get irritable, short tempered, perhaps a tiny bit...OK, sometimes a lot bit angry and holding on to it as my co-host.  I'm finding that I'm discontent, becoming more unhappy with where I'm at or with what I'm doing! I realize that I am at the wrong party, but I'm the one eagerly hosting it! 

 

When I choose to avoid whatever it is God has for me to do, something within me weakens.  I'm shrinking...almost hiding from what it is that He so graciously wants to grow and bless me in.  It's a statement of refusal to move toward God by staying right where I am.  Problems are inevitable, they happen, we can't control that even when we create them ourselves.  However, living overwhelmed is absolutely optional, my friends! 

 

When I finally choose to face the uncertain, confront my fears, push aside doubt, squash negativity, something in me grows up a bit.  I not only feel strengthened...I am strengthened!  I lean forward in Christ and toward a closer walk with God.  Boldly taking each step with Him as He leads the way!  Let me tell you, when I find myself hosting these type of parties it used to take me some time to believe wholeheartedly that the Lord had something beautiful and wonderful for me...but thankfully it does not take me nearly as long as it did before. Don't get me wrong...it is most definitely still a battle with me because those old guests just keep wanting to come back (I guess because I threw some pretty awesome mind-parties!)...but let me share with you a verse that kicks them to the curb lightening fast!

 

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.  For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne."  Matthew 11:28-30 AMP

 

Awwwww....breathe...Him in...breathe...all else out!!!

 

Refreshing.  Rest.  Relief.  Refreshment.  This is a promise that God gives.  He is true.  This is what I can wholeheartedly believe in and stake my claim!  Stay the course--stay with Christ...continue the walk with Him believing what He says is truth and unshakable.

 

She knew that she was formed by God's hands, dreamed up in His heart & placed in this world for a purpose.

 

 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

 

 

 

You were made by God & for God.  It is only in God that we discover our value, our meaning, our purpose, our identity, our significance, and our destiny. God loved you before you were even you, before you were even an idea to your parents! God is not only the starting point of life, He is the source of our life.  Isaiah 44:2a CEV reminds us, "I am your Creator.  You were in my care even before you were born." 

 

 When we belong to God, following after Him...we reflect His character: kindness, love, compassion, care, strength and confidence.  Our Creator makes all things new--and He's continually shaping us through each challenge, each journey, each trial, each season we find ourselves in.  We can do this despite what it may look like with our physical eyes.  We serve a God who is bigger than any challenge we face, bigger than any journey we travel, bigger than any trial we stand and bigger than any season we wait in.  We serve a big...biG...bIG...BIG God!! A God who "...is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20

 

 

We have the choice to believe.  Wholeheartedly. 

 

I am making a choice daily.  To fall forward in Christ.  To walk with Him.  To believe. 



 

To believe wholeheartedly. 

 

Take care & Be blessed.

 

Christy Krezman

Rosette Ministry

 

 

 

 

 



God Rocks!

Last week I had to go on a short trip that would cause to me to journey on my own for a distance of 116.3 miles.  For many of you this is no big deal.  Well, for me it is sort of a big deal!  This means approximately 1 hour 57 minutes up to 2 hours 4 minutes of absolutely no conversation with any...other...person!!

I have gone on short trips before and I am fine having a quiet time, peace of mind, enjoying music and taking in God's beautiful scenery, but this go round was really tugging at me that I would HAVE to travel alone.  I didn't make a big deal about it.  I didn't try to make arrangements for anyone to accompany me.  I talked to God about it and decided to let Him handle me and whatever I was feeling about this particular journey.

Well, I have to tell you, the time came for me to leave my home and I did my usual prayers for safety and sound mind and protection.  Peace was upon me.  I did make a pit stop 22 minutes later to see my husband at work to say Hello and Goodbye.  As I was leaving his work I noticed a rock. 

"Big deal." I thought, "It's an ordinary rock."  But I couldn't take another step.  This rock had me captivated.  I'm sure people in the parking lot were wondering why I was standing what seemed like several minutes just gazing upon a rock upon a sidewalk.  I then leaned over  and picked it up...I put it back down...I picked it back up looking it over...then placing it back down.  Still my gaze has not wavered from this rock!  Finally, I grip it tightly in my palm and then the realization comes upon me.  God IS my ROCK.  He is THE rock!

Oh...my...golly!

God Rocks!

In my car, I sit quietly with the rock upon my lap.

As I continued my gaze upon this rock reflecting what it was truly representing, Psalm 18:2 CEB came to mind, "The Lord is my solid rock, my fortress, my rescuer.  My God is my rock -- I take refuge in Him! He's my shield, my salvation's strength, my place of safety." 

Having this visual reminder I had a shot of unspeakable Joy burst within me and a grin that grew upon wondering face.   I gripped that rock into my hand and it fit perfectly even finding a spot for my finger to touch where it appears that it may have been pierced.  As I held it I found myself conversing with God and thanking Him for giving me peace that exceeds all of my understanding--keeping my heart and mind safe in Him (Phil 4:7 CEB)

As a believer I know (in my mind) that God is always with me and I know (in my heart) that He dwells within me. But it is easy for me to be uncomfortable when forced to do something that I'd prefer not to do... such as driving alone...in silence...all by myself...for long periods of time...did I say all...by...myself!?!  It is in these times that I allow my uncomfortableness, fear, stubbornness, and what have you squeeze out the knowing of God's Presence.  His Presence never wavers.  He's always there.  I, however, am the one who is the wavering one who tends to allows things of my nature to squeeze and push out the Truth of Who God is into a teeny, tiny corner forgetting all of His Wonderfulness, Amazingness, Love and Mercy!  It takes moments and reminders like this rock upon a sidewalk to catch my eye to be a reminder to pivot my focus back to where it needs to be, upon God Who is Able and to squeeze and push out my weak, unreliable thoughts.

I have to tell you that this journey has got to be the most brilliant, joyful, and blessed journey I have ever taken.  I was very much attentive to God and His presence each and every mile that was passed.  Once I decided that I was not alone on this journey that I truly did have a passenger with me and that I could carry on a conversation enjoying all the things that I would in any given conversation but with an abundance of grace added, my perspective changed.

Traffic was light and I had my cruise control set for the majority of the way.  There were many places where I was able to even pull off to snap a few pictures of some lovely scenery that really spoke to my heart. 

As you can see, the day was beautiful for any journey!  As I snapped this picture of trees, I felt God gently speak to my heart from His Word Jeremiah 17:7-8, "...I will bless those who trust Me.  They will be like trees growing beside a stream; Trees with roots that reach down to the water, and with leaves that are always green.  They will bear fruit every year and are never worried by a lack of rain."  What a wonderful reminder as I gazed upon those marvelous strong trees wondering their life story.  If only we could know the ups and downs it has endured...the many seasons it has been through and tested.  But look at it today.  Solid.  Strong.  Lush and green. The times it may have been a shelter to those seeking it.   Beautiful.  It has always been on that stretch of road that I've driven on so many times before yet this day I am stopped to reflect that I, too, will be blessed by placing my trust in a Promising God.

Continuing on my journey, traffic picks up a bit and it appears to be larger type vehicles and I'm not one of them.  My heart begins to pitter-patter...boy, oh, boy, nervousness sets in quickly...but then I glance over and there on my console I see the rock and I'm reminded of God's Presence.  So as I grab it and place it beneath my thigh I say a quick prayer and tell God that He's the One doing the driving because literally I'm too nervous to be the one doing it so I'm just along for the ride!

 

 

OK, let me explain a bit to give you an idea of what I was dealing with.  There is a stretch of road that is a bit winding and a bit hilly with two sometimes three lanes each way.  At some points there is a concrete divider in the middle and then on the outer lanes it may be a ledge leading far down or a large hill top.  On these roads are vehicles that mostly go above the posted speed limit without fear of the twists or turns that loom ahead! The other vehicles sharing the roadway is large semi-trucks usually with full loads and going at a tortoise speed.  So on one lane vehicles are passing with a blur and on the other it's as if I'm the blur to them!  Picture painted?  Now you know the need for me to be reminded of God's presence and Him having to do the driving?! 

 

Well,  it just so happened that all the blurs of vehicles passed by me and now I find myself on a stretch of road that is only two lanes with the concrete divider.  Surrounding me there is...count them...TWELVE...semi-trucks!  But these semi-trucks are not traveling at a tortoise speed...they believe they could travel faster so they did!  I'm in the fast lane passing one, two, three, four, five...oh...my...goodness, God!!  Just how many are there? Twelve, remember?!  Now I notice that two semi-trucks get behind me.  Alright.  But, wait.  There's a speedy guy who thinks he must be super-fly so he jets out in front of me in his semi-truck.  Now this gal in her little vehicle is completely surrounded by these overgrown semi-trucks who are too big for their wheels!!  Oh, my goodness!  I take deep breaths breathing Jesus in and all the stress out!!

 

But here's the really awesome part...I grasp the steering wheel super tight, but not so tight that my knuckles turn white and as I do I feel the peace of God come completely over me.  I have that rock pressing under my thigh as a gentle reminder.   Fear for a split second tries to adhere upon me but it does not stick.  God whispers His loving kindness to me reminding me that it may appear hopeless and very frightening to be surrounded by large and unknowing things on a path that is very much like that of a roller coaster.  But not to loose hope because of what Psalm 32:7 ESV says, "You are a hiding place for me, You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance."  I felt God singing over me as He guided me in and through these "giants" that surrounded me for miles and miles up and down...left and right.  Not once during this winding route did I get a chance to break out from their surrounding but never did I NOT feel the Presence of God.  Zephaniah 3:17 ESV was brought to the forefront of my mind and my heart during this time, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing."  Let me just say I was refreshed, hopeful and confident that I would get through this unpleasantness!  Just in everyday living, I need to be reminded of this, that no matter how large, how scary, how upside down a situation or circumstance may be God is literally in the driver seat I just need to grab hold of the Truth fixing my eyes upon Him and placing my weight down on it.  He will see me through.

 

The bends in the road and the steepness of the hills were beginning to level out and the semi-trucks that were in front of me the entire way have now made their way over clearing a path for me to pass the remaining semi-trucks.  All that I see is straight open road with no other vehicles on it.  I pass the rest of the trucks and as I'm passing the last one I reach for the rock and I grasp it in hand and do a victory shout thrusting my arm upward through the opened sun-roof!!  Whoo Hoo!!  Whoo Hoo!! Thank You, Jesus!  We did it!! Whoo Hoo!! 

 

OK, I kind of surprised myself, but then I didn't care because I realized that it was much more than just a car ride.  It was a lesson.  It was time to spend with God.  It was time to go deeper with Him and really be intentional with Him.  I thought about it a little more after my victory shout, but something that I thought as a nuisance or a hardship, a problem or a terrifying moment really could have been a time of protection.  Being surrounded for a reason.  A reason I cannot see or know at the time but can reflect back later to see God's Hand.  The reason I say this is because after I did my little jig in my seat and song with God, I looked back in my rear view mirror to check out what those semi-trucks where up to and what their location was.  Here's where I realized that this was SO much more!  There was not ONE semi-truck behind me! NOT ONE! I was not speeding to get as far away as possible...there was no exit for them to take.  There is no explanation other than God, plain and simple!!  I don't have an explanation for this other than God can do anything and use anything He wishes to grab the attention of one of His beloved children.  He is a relational God and desires for each and every one of us to have a personal relationship with Him whether we have known Him 100 years or even just 1 day.  He loves us that much!

 

Through our times of challenges or struggles we can remain hopeful as we place our trust in God EVEN IF we do not understand or are unable to see an end.  James 1:12 CEB reminds us, "Those who stand firm during testing are blessed.  They are tried and true.  They will receive the life God has promised to those who love Him as their reward."    Be encouraged, my friends!  Stand firm in God!  Place everything that may have you feeling surrounded into His Hands.  He will surround you with His love, grace, strength and mercy giving you joy and reason to shout in victory!

 

 

 

 

This photo is a recreation of my Whoo Hoo!! moment as it would have been unsafe for me to have snapped a photo at the given moment...but if I could have only captured what I had experienced with God on that journey in a snapshot...this would be close.  Notice the frenzy hair after that long journey but still a smile, being joy-filled and a grip on my Solid Rock!  Whoo Hoo!!  Whoo Hoo!!

 

"But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits."  Psalm 5:11 AMP

 

This rock is only a reminder of what God is.  Because the smallness of my mind it takes visual things like this for me to be reminded of the Vastness of AWESOMENESS of God.  But I love that He loves me enough and tenderly that He cares enough to share wonderful experiences like this rock with me!  He knows me and how I love picture stories so He paints them out for me as we go!  Thank You, God!  You are good all the time! 

 

Take Care & Be Blessed,

 

Christy Krezman

Rosette Ministry

FAITH, CONNECTION, RELATIONSHIP & COMMUNITY

FAITH, CONNECTION, RELATIONSHIP & COMMUNITY

 

These four words have been popping up in my life like flashing NEON signs for the past month.  My mind has been filled with all kinds of reasons why and me being the type of person that I am naturally resorts to crafty things, of course, and God naturally being the AWESOME God that He is resorts to teaching me what I'm needing to learn in the way that I need to learn the best way that I learn.

 

It was about this time that I was preparing to go to a speaking engagement.  As I was preparing for it so many ideas flooded my mind that I just knew exactly what I wanted to share with those precious ladies.  Spiritual things...and of course, it was filled with fun interactive activities, feel good things and then obviously we'd most likely end doing crafty things as we sipped on delicious coffee!  I had it all pictured perfectly in my mind!  Don't get me wrong...God loves for us to have those types of times to share together but the more I pursued MY agenda the MORE the flashing lights of those four powerful words kept getting brighter and brighter until I couldn't see anything else except for FAITH, CONNECTION, RELATIONSHIP & COMMUNITY.

 

You'd think I would have gotten it by then being nearly blinded by the bright lights of those powerful words as often as they were appearing, but I'm a pretty determined person when I set my mind into doing something!  I WANTED to do MY agenda because I had some really good things, some pretty awesome ideas that I knew would bless those ladies.  I just knew they would LOVE them.  They definitely were Godly things.  God had given me these words at a time in my life when I needed them.  I had shared them with others before and they had encouraged and blessed others before.  AND the activities I had planned were kind of cool, too!  Then God finally said after waiting ever so patiently for me to do my 'But this, God...But that, God...' explaining (aka...whining),  "Alrighty, Christy, if you're not going to Be Still and Listen...KNOWING that I AM God and I have THE words, FRESH words...MY WORDS that need to be shared at this moment in time then I'm going to need to grab your attention."  He did just that.  Not all at once but little by little.

 

I like to call them Life Interruptions!!  God has an entirely different definition because it's in these times that in our rush of life, our tunnel-vision, our stubbornness, our zoning out...that God graces us with His Divine Interventions.  These are what I like to also call "Life Hiccups."  Things that shake us...move us from where we plant our feet or stop us quickly...things that grip us to stop us from spinning out of control.  Most of the time they don't feel good at the moment and the journey through the moment.  They can get us all worked up in a twisted mess if we're not placing our focus in the right place where it needs to be.

 

SO...

 

I finally put aside MY agenda and here's what God wanted for me to learn and share...

 

I have a visual way for us to see FAITH, CONNECTIONS, RELATIONSHIPS & COMMUNITY in action.  I mostly did this for me because God knows that I learn best visually and He is such a gracious God...He threw in a craft for me to do to so I could show you all the beautiful message attached to it.

 

 

 I have here a ball of string.  It is made up of two or more threads twisted intentionally together.  Its purpose is to interlace or embrace, to attach things, to tie things together, becoming a chord.  What does it mean to become a chord you may ask.  Well, I asked and I liked the sound of becoming a chord so I looked up the definition of chord and it is musical tones sounded simultaneously.  This means that being a chord requires us to: answer, cohere, coincide, correspond, sort, differ from, and be in accord (harmony) with one another.  Interesting!

 

We are like this ball of string.  It represents our emotions, life experiences, personalities, traits, and so on.  As you see, this ball of string as it sits is not doing any of what I just mentioned.  Its purpose, however, remains the same, but without action applied to it then it remains all balled up...tight, crisscrossing paths keeping its round, bound form.  It's not able to do what it was intended for...created for...designed for...deliberately and brilliantly made for.   Its creator when creating it did not have in mind the intention of it not serving its purpose.  Why would he create it if its not to be of use? It is of use.  It is created on purpose and for a purpose just as you and I are. This ball of string absolutely was not intended to be an accessory item to be carried around.  It is just too much to hold!

 

 

 

 

When we hold on to it we're not open to the possibilities that it can be used for. 

 

 

I have here a circle of "Friends" if you will...now, stick with me here...this is where the visual part comes in...

 

 

 

 

 

Each nail represents an individual.  As you see in the bottom circle of individuals there is absolutely no connections.  No relationships are being developed.  No community is being built. No person is making any attempt into investing into any other person.  There is complete cut off from one another. The purpose of the string of each individual is no being activated at all by anyone. 

 

The top circle shows individuals that have some interaction going on.  Perhaps their paths cross at church they smile and greet one another and go to their regular seats.  They see each other at school events, again with cordial greetings, and then perhaps again at the grocery store, gym or Starbucks and yet again the routine greeting once more.  There's connection but it's all on the surface.  No depth whatsoever.

 

This next circle of individuals shows a circle of friends growing.  Interaction has gotten more involved and active.  As you notice the circle is heavy on one side and light on the other.  Why is that?  There's a whole host of possibilities but let's just try to touch on a few.  Perhaps in the circle of friends there's some that tend to invest in only certain individuals for different reasons. Some individuals are trying to open up and share while others are holding back. Or perhaps there are individuals who are super guarded out of fear of getting hurt or shear stubbornness of not being the one to make the first step. Could there be comparisons going on?  Not feeling adequate enough? An unaddressed issued that needs resolving? Or something that I struggled with for a number of years in my early adult life..."It isn't for anybody to know what's really going on with me because I have an image to uphold and maintain!" The possibilities of  reasons could go on and on but one thing is for sure...it is definitely out of balance.

 Now, the connection of this circle of friends is only as strong and continues to grow as the individuals invests into those relationships.  These examples show us the significance of connecting.    These examples represent people just like you and me in our circles of friends.  Now our circles may look different.  There may be only 2-3 in your circle of friends while others may have far more while others may only have 1 friend in their circle.  Let me just clarify that you can have a circle with 1 friend because there's you, your friend, and Jesus so really that's 3 so that makes a circle! So now that we've got that cleared up, let's get back on track.

This last circle is one that is healthy and one that is what we strive for.  Let me tell you how we can work to get this type of community in our relationships as we place our faith in Christ connecting with others in our life journey's.

In our circle of people (friends, mentors, small group, etc.) that God has blessed us to do life with, we simply begin by sharing just a few things about ourselves that others may not know about us.  It may be as simple as our favorite color, a food fetish or something quirky that we do.  As we invest time we can safely and confidently begin to share something deeper such as a fear, struggle or stronghold.  A few words at a time need to be spoken just to get started and allow this "string" to start fulfilling its purpose of connecting and embracing those around us.  Please understand that it is absolutely not about getting together and immediately airing out our "dirty laundry" to one another and having this automatic beautiful connection because of it...ummm...NO!  It takes time.  It takes prayer.  It takes God.

As we share, something beautifully unseen is beginning to happen that eventually will be felt.  The string is starting to fulfill its intended purpose.  And the more we share of our lives and invest in others allowing the string to continue to do its job, these things are also happening...

One, connections are happening as we share about ourselves.  There is a starting point when we decide to act on pursuing connections.  We start light and small until we begin to see the strength of that connection and safety with that person is true.  That's when we begin to share more and deeper things...we let them in as we share our heart.  This is what I call a "Heart-String Sister."

Secondly, a safety net is being created.  The more and more we connect, encourage, love, walk with and by one another...side by side, God is making something beautiful and SAFE.  A place to rest.  I like to see this as sort of a hammock.  Who doesn't like a good rest under a couple of giant trees cradled safely and snugly in a perfect hammock on a glorious day?!  This is what this connection is like, a safe place to rest and relax.  Psalm 9:9 in the Message says, "God's a safe house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times.  The moment you arrive, you relax; you're never sorry you knocked."  Let me tell you, God is absolutely our safe house and we are to run to Him, but we don't always have to run alone!

God made you and me for relationships and not just any relationship...CLOSE relationships. 
Hebrews 10:24-25 in AMP says, "And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities.  Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaches."  God blesses us with others in our life to have those relationships.  God uses our willingness to open up and share with others to weave those tender moments together connecting us and strengthening the relationships through Him.

When we realize that we don't have to do this life all alone and carry our ball of string around, then our connections grow.  But remember, growing takes time.  We can't take our ball of twine and fast pitch it to the first person we see just because we're so accustomed to FAST and NOW.  If we went that route then we would either have a terrible mess or a horrible injury or BOTH!!  Growing requires for us to first have a willing heart and to action, then allowing God to direct our steps as we love one another...encourage one another...and just be there for one another in all times of our seasons.  As we continue to do this that safety net becomes stronger and stronger.

Well, for most of my adult Christian life I kept all my likes, my identities (being a wife, a mom, Bible Study leader, mentor, friend, volunteer, crafter, sister, neighbor...well, you get the idea), I kept them all separate from one another.  I didn't allow God to weave any of what made me who I am to be woven together.  Instead, they each got their own pretty little bedazzled box that I kept them in.  I neatly tucked them away on a shelf (repurposed, of course) until the time called for that particular box.

That worked for me...for a while.  Until I noticed that I always felt depleted and empty no matter how much I thought I was filling up those boxes.  It was in 2010 when my heart literally felt shriveled up.  My heart was lacking.  I didn't know what it was because I was a believer and I was doing everything that I thought I needed to do.  I even invited Christ along for MY ride!  I thought I was doing a great job keeping up.  I had all my 'bedazzled' boxes organized looking oh so good on the shelf.  They were sparkling and radiating and breathtaking.  Others even admired them.  Compliments often flowed my way.  All my effort went into keeping them looking awesome on the outside.

Whenever I needed something I would go to one of those boxes replacing the one before it.  I had done this for so long that I found that when I opened the box I was finding remnants of what used to be inside.  I was giving all that I had, looking good while I did it and then I'd slam that lid quickly not allowing myself to be filled by God or others.  I didn't want others to see what was really inside.  I looked good on the outside...I put on "face" when I needed to, but I didn't let anyone, including God, to get too close.  If I did then it would require for me to be transparent and trusting.  Others would see things in me that aren't so attractive.  What would they think of me?  I've got some really cruddy things happening inside that would be exposed.  Surely, I'm the only one going through this type of situation/circumstance!  No one else has experienced what I've experienced, they have no idea how to handle me.  If they only knew what I went through, would they still want to be around me?  I had a whole list of excuses lined up as to why I didn't let anyone in.  This included God, a lot.  I was shameful, fearful and it was easier at the time to shrink into myself and put on an image I wanted others to see.  These boxes of mine were like the round, bound ball of sting that is hiding what's beneath and denying its purpose.

I was doing everything that I thought I was supposed to be doing, including my daily devotions, serving at church, volunteering, you know...all the goody good stuff that looks good even to myself!  I continued in this accelerated, unremarkable routine growing very, very tired.  I felt like I was on a giant sized hamster wheel of life.  I was running, checking items off my to-do list routinely and I got absolutely nowhere.  I was trying to do it all on MY terms.  And yes, God was one of the boxes that I would check off but not always the first or rarely was He at the top!

Serving Christ isn't all about being free from difficulty or eliminating all of our problems.  It does, however, give us hope, unspeakable joy and peace in times when typically we shouldn't be experiencing them.  Reality often seems to have more obstacles, pain, chaos, hurt and tension but there is a God that sees everything that we are going through and wants us to hold on tightly to Him through all that life throws at us.  He will take all that life throws at us and offer us His Strength to be calm, be tender, be content in Him and build opportunities.  He wants us to be made complete, made entirely, upright, solid, sound, safe and healthy.  God restores our brokenness...our incompleteness...our faults.  He heals our hurts...our wounds...our bodies.  He restores our lives.  Jeremiah 30:17 tells us this, "For I will restore health to you, and I will heal your wounds, says the Lord..."

Through time, faith, connections, and relationships, I began to grow more and more in Him .  He brought me to a place where I have a lovely group of faithful and committed women who love God and are willing to be in the midst of my mess to see me through just as much as I am with theirs.

I want to encourage each of you from what I have journeyed through.  Believe me, I am nowhere close to having it altogether or figured out, but I no longer keep everything in bedazzled boxes.  I'm allowing God to take my life string and connect it with others in my life creating beautiful relationships, connections and community.

I've come to learn to give it all to God and then be OK with who I am and WHOSE I am.  If I don't impress others or become BFF's with everyone that I meet, then that's alright.  It doesn't change anything about me.  I am who I am and that's enough because Christ dying on that Cross for you and for me made it ENOUGH!  I am a daughter of the Creator of the Universe!  He calls me His own!  He sings over me!  He desires a relationship with me and I'm worried what others in this world may think of me?! I think not!  I've come to be OK with being with just Jesus.  Sometimes I need to be with just Him, but He is so good and faithful that He blesses me so abundantly by placing beautiful people in my life to share it with me.

Luke 1:45 says, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her." 

Friends, Jesus keeps His Word!  God is the ultimate Promise Maker and Promise Keeper.  He will give you victories.  He will give you a future.  Move forward.  Move out into what He has for you. 

Allow Him to grow you through your Faith, Connections, Relationships and Communities. 

He is doing a Beautiful thing!

Take care and be blessed,

Christy Krezman
Rosette Ministry




 



 

 

 

 



The Ultimate Illustrator

Last week on two separate occasions, I had the opportunity to share with some lovely ladies a few illustrated insights that the Lord had blessed me with at times when I needed it most.  I was reminded of how great of an Illustrator our Jesus Christ truly is and it isn't only intended for my spiritual eyes to marvel at His works.  This thought pinged my heart because Illustrating isn't anything new for Him. This is something that Jesus has being doing for quite some time.  In His time here on earth He spoke in parables in order for people to see the story He was sharing.  Mark 4:33 HCSB says, "He would speak the Word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand."  The reason it pinged my heart is because I had taken what He illustrates for me for granted...it's something that makes me feel good when I am feeling down or lowly...it helps navigate me from point A to point B...it makes sense of this season to the next, strengthening me along the journey...it's what gets me through.   His Truth and His daily reminders to me is what blesses me in my walk with Him.  I have to be honest and say this is where I tend to take it for granted...in my daily walk.  He shows me beautiful blessings along my way as I plow through my day.  I am so focused on my tasks and often times things around me, not always the things He's showing me but the things I want to see obscure the blessings I see around me but don't recognize as blessings. This is what I totally take for granted.  It's in quiet moments or in opportunities that I get to share my heart with a friend that Jesus will illustrate just what He has done and blessed me with.  He paints a beautiful illustrated story for me to understand what I may have missed in a time that I overlooked it but He brings it to full picture now that He's got my full attention!  These beautiful illustrations are not meant to stay with just me.  It's meant to be shared.  To encourage others.  To bless others.                 1 Thessalonians 4:18 AMP tells us, "Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words."  This was an "A-HA!" moment.

I've always been a type of person who learns visually.  Sitting down to study 'WORDS' and learning by a book full of words is tough for me.  TOUGH...but, I can do it.  Not my favorite thing to do...but, I will do it.  Call me strange, but for not enjoying the studying of words I actually LOVE words.  I love to look up the definition of them, what they mean, their origin and then I reflect on how it ties into what is being said in the sentence it is used in.  BUT, I do not find pleasure in sitting down and reading word after word in a chapter book!  Weird?  Yes!  I know.  The Lord knows this, too, so I believe that's why He has blessed me for as long as I can remember with very vivid dreams and analogies that tie His Word into my life and whatever I may be dealing with at that time. 

Now, picture books...I absolutely adore them! My most favorite kind of book!  They are usually large enough to fit perfectly nestled into my lap as I flip page after page.  Gazing upon each deliberately color filled illustration which is full of vividness and variety of effects that in the picture alone it speaks its story.  One reason I love picture books is because they do not require an age or reading level to crack them open and enjoy.  One picture book can easily entertain an audience ranging in ages and reading skills. I'm sure of this!

Understand, chapter books are very, very important.  There are amazing, wonderful people God has blessed to be able to read, dissect, break down and define all those amazing words that I love so much.  I am thankful for those people and stand amazed by them.  I, however, do not hold the capacity to even pretend that I slightly understand how they do this.  God blesses each of us with different gifts and talents so that we can be a blessing to others.  Romans 12:6 in the Amplified says, "Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them..." Amen and thank you, Jesus!

I share all this to say, it takes me awhile to get things and fully grasp them, so I believe God uses analogies through vivid illustrations in my dreams or just in little moments that He seizes for me.  Often times, He may have to hit the rewind button several times playing it over and over again until I finally see what He is showing me.  It's always perfect.  The timing.  The exact moment.  The place where I'm at.  The season in my journey.  He knows.  Then I get to push that rewind button and begin to replay what He has already shown me being able to pause it as I steep in that moment that catches me, that speaks to me, that calls me to my kness.  I get to see Him in all His Glory.  I can almost visualize God and Me sitting on the couch about to watch the 'video' of what He just captured for me.  As I'm watching it, He's watching me and my reactions and smiling upon me as He sees me seeing what He already saw for me.  His strong arm goes around my shoulder as I begin to slump forward and inward toward Him in the moments of hardship and difficulty.  He fully embraces me as He smiles over me expelling His radiance upon me as I rest in Him seeing how He's working in my life for the good.  He continues to pour blessing upon me as I see it...I finally see it!  His Face shines upon me.   Oh, how I just adore those moments with Him!  NOW, if I would only slow down in my hurried life in which I think the tasks of the day and my agenda are so dog-gone important that I need to fly by and see things in a blurred vision, oh, how much more calm would my soul be!!  Goodness, Me!! Psalm 46:10 AMP, "Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God."

Did I happen to mention that I am a slow learner, too?  I am very intelligent.  But I most definitely seem to take a long time to learn something of great importance when it comes to my eternal life in Heaven.  I get caught up so easily with things of this world that I know full well will not last and will absolutely pass away that I tend to put my spiritual well being on the back burner.  1 Corinthians 7:31 says, "...For this world in its present form is passing away."  I'm reminded of God's Truth in Romans 12:2 which says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will."  This, my friend, is my daily fight.  My quiet time with the Lord.  My time with Him to equip me, to strengthen me, to set my mind on Him.  To keep my eyes fixed on Him.  It's continual.

I like to think of my life as a book that God is writing my life-story in it, filling it up full of His Glorious artistic drawings that tell a story in itself!  The amazing thing about my life-book is that it's on-going.  It is still a work in progress.  It is still being edited.  Redrafted.  New stories written and, of course, magnificent illustrations are filling the pages with such detail.  Another great thing about this life-book is I don't have to wait until it's completed to begin turning the pages of it to look at them.  One of my most favorite things to do is to turn the pages back and look at the previous chapters.  There were some that were mundane but glimmers of God sparkled through revealing His Presence.  There were some very exciting and celebratory times that God was front and center gracing us with ALL that He is.  Other times were dark, scary, unsettling yet, again, God's Light was present in those times but just not recognized at that moment.   Have you ever looked at a picture that you've looked at time and time again, but then you reflect upon that picture...you study it, and you find something that you hadn't seen all those times you 'looked' at it before?  That's what it's like with God and His daily blessings. It's important, necessary for us to go back and  reflect on what He has done - to see Him in a situation when we weren't able to previously.  Being able to go back and reflect seeing God's work in my life, moment by moment...season by season, makes it very apparent - clear -understanding, gives me security and a deepening LOVE for Him.  He IS always with me.  He IS always at work for me.  He IS always at work in me.  He Is always at work through me.  He IS always illustrating Himself into my life with His love.  It is all around.  I only need to recognize it.  Let be.  Be still.  Know that He is God. 

How often do we have a book that we just love and we have to share it with our friends?  Well, this is like our life-book.  I need to be just as enthusiastic and open to sharing what God puts on my heart as I am with a beautiful book that I enjoyed reading (I know, can you believe that I actually graduated up to reading books now?  Crazy!)  Here's the awesome part, NO ONE will have ever read your life-book before!  So, no worries about sharing it with them!  Your life-book is a one-of-a-kind, precious, beautiful story that someone needs to hear.  The Author has intentionally, deliberately, precisely placed each brush stroke upon your life-book page.  He is present in each and every moment of your life-story.  His fingerprints are not only upon your life-story but upon YOU!  Psalm 139:14,16 HCSB, "I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.  Your works are wonderful and I know this very well.  Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began." 

My prayer is that you may be encouraged just as I have been this past week.  I feel as if my heart has just received an electric shock to get it pumping to its full capacity again.  Praise the Lord!  I pray that things in our day would be recognized and noticed as God taps on our shoulders to gain our attention.  May we be willing to reflect back into our life-books and 'reflect' on some moments or seasons that we haven't been able to for some reason or another and allow God to reveal Himself.  Allow Him to illustrate how He worked or is working that time for His Glory.  May we grow from what we learn in the pages of our life-book and have the willingness and the courage to share our story.  Luke 1:45 AMP, "And blessed (happy, to be envied) is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her from the Lord."  What a beautiful promise!

Take care and be blessed!

Christy Krezman
Rosette Ministry

GO and...

GO!  We've all read the verse in Mark where Jesus tells His disciples to 'go into all the world and preach the good news.'  But exactly how does that apply to us today?  For years when I read this verse and others like it in the New Testament, I believed that it only applied to those called to be Missionaries.  Those who were called to foreign lands who could "GO."  Goodness, was I ever a babe in my spiritual walk...I'm so thankful that I grew and began to comprehend what the term "Go" meant. 

We, as believers, are all disciples.  We are all called to GO and preach the good news.  In fact, it's a command, not a request.  This got me thinking about who I shared Christ with.  Does it mean that all believers are missionaries?  Yes and no.  Missionaries afar in foreign lands...some are, Yes; all of us, NO!  Missionaries right here in our own homes...absolutely YES!  Every single one of us.

I'm not a quick study and it was through the ever patient Lord in His teaching me the true meaning of
what a disciple (definition: someone who accepts and helps to spread the teachings of a famous person; Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts) really meant.  What it meant to GO and preach the good news.  Here's what I learned over much time.

Mark 16:15 AMP, "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race.] 

I personally like to break down words and look at the meanings behind them.  That helps me to understand better and fully grasp what is being said.  So I'd like to do that here before I go on because it was after I did this along with several God moments that it became very apparent that this was going to be my heart's passion to share with others.  OK, here goes...

GO:  definition - to move on course: proceed; to continue to do something...to continue being done: to begin and carry on an action, process or movement...to move along.

In the definition of GO the word continue stood out to me so I looked up it's definition and here's what it means.

CONTINUE: definition - to keep happening or existing: to remain active or in existence without stopping...to maintain...to remain...to keep going...to cause to continue...to allow to remain.

All this is action.  We tend to like to move.  We can do this.  It really doesn't take much to get something moving and to keep it moving.  Slow and steady is always best.  Ripple effect...like a drop in the ocean!

INTO ALL THE WORLD:  This literally means EVERYWHERE!  Some can hop on a plane and fly to a third world country and be missionaries short term or long term.  While most of us cannot.  Our mission field is right here where we call home. It starts right in our homes and then into our neighborhood, then out to our community.  That's our world.

PREACH AND PUBLISH: Preach is basically to write or speak about something in an approving way: to say that something is good or necessary.  To deliver a sermon.  To deliver.  One version of Mark says to "Testify" which is to talk about or say something in an honest and confident way.  To show that something is true or real: to give proof of something.  Publish is to make generally known: to make public announcement of.  All this to say, simply share what Christ has done for you in your life.

THE GOOD NEWS (THE GOSPEL):  That Jesus Christ is our Savior. John 3:16-17 HCSB, "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."

TO EVERY CREATURE [OF THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE]: I have to admit this one caught me off guard for a bit not understanding the creature statement until I went to India and witnessed helpless deformed sweet souls sitting amongst crowds of people begging for anyone to just give them a moments notice.  It was at that very moment that God spoke to my heart that all too often we (I) dehumanize others that I am either way too uncomfortable to approach or it's just easier for me not to have them on my "radar" so I don't have to think about or do anything about it.  Let me tell you, that experience was so life changing for me that I fully understand what the Lord means by the WHOLE HUMAN RACE!  HE loves EACH and EVERY individual and longs for them to know Him.  Please hear me when I say this, I am not asking you to go and immerse yourself into a place where it may be dangerous, I am asking you to instead of physically looking with the eyes on your head start looking with the eyes of your heart.  Jesus will create opportunities for you to be His Hands and Feet.  He will tug at your heart strings...we need to be attentive and aware to what He is asking of us to do.

In Romans 10:14-15 TLB it talks about how can others call on Christ if they don't believe in Him because perhaps they didn't hear about Him, probably because nobody spoke about Him...only because no one went to talk about Him!  This is a perfect example of the whole reason of why we should GO in our world!!  It reads,   "How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can the believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?  As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news." 

After reading this I began to wonder who spoke to my family about Christ?  I was brought up in Church as was my parents and my grandparents...so I'm not sure who spoke Christ to my family member to pass along this wonderful gift.  I'm so very grateful though for this amazing gift that I am able to pass along to my children as well as those that God brings across my path.

OK...back to the time that I believed that going into all the world literally meant hopping on the next jet plane to Africa.  This was some time ago and I believed that this is exactly what it meant.  My belief back then was being a Christian all I needed to do was just follow the Golden Rules and I was doing alright.  Boy, did I have quite a bit a spiritual maturity to be had.  In John 3:30 HCSB it says this of Jesus, "He must increase, but I must decrease." What this scripture says to me is that I need to turn my focus from within to upward to Him.  This lead me to another scripture in Ephesians 4:32 AMP which says that when I do this and Jesus is residing in my heart then it's easier for me to, "...become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely,] as God in Christ forgave you" in my daily living.  This lead me to begin seeing with the eyes of my heart instead of my physical eyes. 


At first it was so overwhelming, I didn't know where to start so I for a while I stood still doing nothing.  But then God encouraged my heart little by little.  I began moving small step by small step.  Doing.  Going.  Taking action.  Don't fail to do anything just because you can't do everything.  It can all seem overwhelming when looking at the whole picture.  It was Mother Theresa who said, "Do small things with great love."  This is something we all can do.  It doesn't require much of us to do something small if it is done with great love.  Mother Teresa has many simplistic yet powerful quotes that inspire me that I'd like to share just a few with you... "God doesn't require us to succeed, He only requires that you try."  "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."  "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."  These four quotes hold four things that we do in our daily living with our own friends and families.  How awesome and rewarding would it be if we extended it to those outside the four walls of our home?  The world around us has us living in such a jet-setting pace that literally nearly no one looks anyone in the eyes anymore because there's far more important things happening on the electronic devises in our hand! 

All that you have - our resources, giftedness, and abilities - God has entrusted it to you.  God has given us what we need to show others Himself in us.  We just need to trust God...Go...believing God to finish the work...which may include us or it may not.  God wants to do something through but He also wants to something in you. This requires your willingness to be used by God.  Many years ago I asked myself this question, "How much faith does it take to do what I'm doing currently?"  Where I was at that time not very much faith at all sadly enough.  This was a pivotal point for me.  Spiritual growing up started taking place and you all know whenever growing happens pain tends to accompany it.  But am I ever thankful for this growth, though!  This meant in order for me to move forward on this journey God had set before me, I had to take action...even if it meant just taking one wobbly awkward step at a time holding tightly to my Heavenly Father's Strong Hand!  And that's exactly what I did.

I began to realize that what I did in my everyday living really did matter because it positively or negatively impacted the lives of others...family, friends or strangers.  In the book 'Becoming a Contagious Christian" the author states, "Although our actions have nothing to do with gaining our own salvation, they might be used by God to save somebody else!  What we do really matters, and it can affect the eternities of people we care about."  What we do each and every day really does have meaning in the big picture of God's plan.  Everybody needs Jesus' Light.  Believers have that light and there's somebody out there that needs that light that you have.  The only way for them to receive that light is if you offer it to them by sharing it.  By sharing it you must first GO when God calls you and cross paths with that person.  Sometimes I get tugs on my heart to go somewhere, to do something or to take a different path in my routine.  I don't always understand it at the time but I try to remember and be sensitive to what God is trying to do.

I, however, am NOT a perfect person!  I slip and mess up quite a bit!  But here's the awesome part...God extends GRACE!  He's forgiving and I don't have to be perfect!  I will never be perfect or even near perfect!  I just have to keep trying and keep striving and when and I do mean WHEN I mess up I only need to fall forward in Him!  Psalm 84:11 TLB says, "For Jehovah God is our Light and our Protector.  He gives us grace and glory.  No good thing will He withhold from those who walk along his paths."  God always gives us the strength to keep going when we feel as if we can't.  Psalm 46:1 TLB tells us, "God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble."  This was entirely encouraging to me because this meant that I didn't have to do it all on my own!  I had  only to let God lead me and then He would give me the strength and the ability to do it.  When I realized this, then I was all the more eager to accept the offer to GO!!

The picture above posted says GO and...
This can mean anything for you.  The possibilities are endless.  GO to the coffee shop and greet the cashier with a smile and eye contact calling him/her by name asking how their day is going making small conversation.  GO to local elderly home and visit shut ins.  GO to a single mom and offer to babysit or help in other ways she may need.  GO __________  and _______________.  (You fill in the blanks...what works in your world.)  Going and doing doesn't always require us to be big, dramatic, time-consuming, or extremely hard.  It requires us to be a bit more mindful, deliberate, intentional and thoughtful.  This is something we all can do. 

Be prayerful about what Go and... looks like for you. Ask God to help you open the eyes of your heart and where you can begin.  Remember, "Do small things with great love."

Being a lover of meanings behind words I want to leave you with a few words that we tend to do daily that we can try to extend to others:

SMILE: a facial expression in which the eyes brighten and the corners of the mouth curve slightly upward and which expresses especially amusement, pleasure. encouragement.  Beam: a line of light coming from a source.

CHEERFUL: causing good feelings or happiness

CONSIDERATE: showing kindness toward other people: marked by or given to careful consideration

KIND: having or showing a gentle nature and a desire to help others: wanting and liking to do good things and to bring happiness to others

THOUGHTFUL: showing concern for the needs or feelings of other people: given to or chosen or made with heedful anticipation of the needs and wants of others

These are just a drop in a whole ocean of action words that we do daily.  I pray that this encourages you just as much as it encouraged me years ago and continues to encourages me.  May you be blessed and richly reward as you GO and...

"What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the Gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the Gospel.  Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible."  1 Corinthians 9:18-19 NIV

Take Care and Be Blessed,

Christy Krezman
Rosette Ministry