Wednesday, October 31, 2007

95 Revolutionary Opinions

And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. (Luke 14:27, NLT)

Today is the last day of October 2007. Many Americans relate this day to costume wearing and parties; however, did you know that something incredibly important occurred 490 years ago?

One individual, Martin Luther, changed history. He nailed a paper issuing 95 revolutionary opinions (Theses) on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Copies were made and translated.

One individual chose to do something rather than to complain and do nothing.

One individual had the courage to condemn the corruption of the Church.

One individual’s actions changed history, known as the Reformation.

One individual makes a difference by responsibly living with purpose and following Christ.

Christ Jesus explained one individual lives purposefully by carrying a cross and following Him. What does it mean to carry a cross?

One individual, Simon of Cyrene, carried the cross to the place of crucifixion, where Christ died in order to restore humanity’s relationship with God.

One individual, Simon, became a part of the revolutionary movement to change the way humanity relates to God.

Start a personal revolution.
Ask God how to live purposefully by carrying your cross every day.
Carry your cross with joy, peace, and satisfaction.
Follow Christ.
History will change because of you.
Learning with you to carry a personal cross and follow Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Warning: DO NOT ENTER

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds . . . (Ephesians 4:22-23, NIV)

I watched people while waiting for a flight to come in yesterday. I sat across from where the passengers were exiting. Guards were posted at the area with signs marked plainly, “DO NOT ENTER.” In fact, a warning sign had been posted at the edge of the exit. Turns out . . . guards and signs mean nothing to several people.

Apparently, the actual entrance is not as appealing as the exit. Some people actually stopped, examined the “DO NOT ENTER” sign, looked at the guards, and proceeded to enter. There were other individuals who physically looked away as if they could not see the guards or signs. Without fail, the guards told each individual not to enter. Believe it or not, each person responded with their special reasons to enter the exit.

Please . . . are you kidding me? Can you believe those people? Umm . . . hold on . . . this is an issue for all of humanity to face. The issue of entering into negative, unhealthy, and even destructive thoughts, discussions, attitudes, and actions must be addressed and assessed . . . all the time . . . in the process of becoming more like Christ.

The Apostle Paul described our new behavior as putting off the old self to be made new . . . in the attitude of our minds. The mind receives and processes the way we will define life. When we are tempted to go back to the way we live without Christ . . . Paul says we must put off the old self. In other words, to be made new requires action.

Put off the old self.
Acknowledge and assess your thoughts, attitude, words, and actions.
Refuse to enter into Christ-less way of thinking, speaking, and acting.
Enter into the thoughts, words, and actions of Christ.

Learning with you to refuse to enter into Christ-less thoughts, words, and actions,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Monday, October 29, 2007

Tipped Over

" May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:26, NLT)

I received twenty-four calls this weekend that centered on one kind of crisis or another. Though unrelated, each person described situations that left them . . . well . . . tipped over. A variety of emotions were described; however, helplessness threaded through each of their stories.

Along the course of a lifetime, crisis occurs and individuals lose their balance. And . . . by the way . . . have you noticed? When we are tipped over . . . we become a magnet for crisis. What is up with that? If it is not one thing . . . then it is another. Yikes!

Difficult circumstances often block our awareness of the presence of God. When we can’t see God, we tip over. Whenever we tip over, life becomes a series of challenges; the simplest task seems too difficult to do.

The one thing I know is that to get up when we are tipped over is a process. How life proceeds is not dependent on being crises-free but to be set free through the peace of Christ. Peace, the kind of peace that comes from Christ, breaks down the power of circumstances. The Apostle Paul said of Christ:
For he himself is our peace . . . (Ephesians 2:14, NIV)
The Hebrew blessing found in Numbers 6 proclaims the desire for peace to be given to another individual. Peace, the active work of God, will move us into an upright position.
Life changes when we receive peace.
Stop.
Breathe.
Be still.
Become aware of the peace of Christ.
Receive the peace of Christ.
Take time and allow the peace of Christ to occupy you.
Learning with you to manage the tipping point through the peace of Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Friday, October 26, 2007

Sorry, Wrong Number

The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you.
(Numbers 6:25, NKJV)

In an attempt to call a young woman named Brandi, I dialed the wrong number. I talked with a man and woman, sounding advanced in age, apparently using two phones. After introducing myself as Pastor Kerrie, I asked to speak to Brandi.

Man: “We don’t have brandy.”
Me: “Oh . . . actually . . . does Brandi reside at this number?”
Man: “We don’t serve brandy.”
Me, trying not to laugh: “I must have the wrong number. I am trying to reach Brandi.”
Woman: “You can’t reach brandy here because we don’t have brandy.”
Me: “I apologize for taking your time. I obviously have the wrong number.”
Man: “Right, because we don’t have or serve brandy.”

We had different perspectives. The two individuals must have wondered why a pastor would be calling for brandy. They may have some concern for me. On the other hand, I thought the discussion to be quite funny.

Our personal perspective is developed from our personal reality. At times our personal reality disconnects us from the bigger picture. You might say, living with our limited perspective is like being connected to the wrong number. [Yes, I wanted to connect the story with the concept . . . but come on . . . it works.] Christ-followers have the opportunity to enlarge their perspective by seeking true Reality, Christ Jesus.

The Light of Christ brings clarity and understanding. The gospel writer Luke, introduced Christ as light from heaven:

“Because of God's tender mercy,
the light from heaven is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace." (Luke 1: 78-79, NLT).

In other words, the light of Christ breaks through our limited perspective. Anxiety, stress, and pain are often byproducts of seeing life through our personal perspective. The light of Christ opens our mind to see beyond our personal reality of past and present experiences.

Accordingly, the Hebrew blessing in Numbers 6 becomes a prayer for healthy and whole thinking and ultimately living. When an individual accepts the light of God, the Light literally pierces through the darkness of the mind, heart, and soul.

Connect with the Light of Christ.
Ask for the Light of Christ to pierce through your mind, heart, and soul.
Take time to respond and filter life through the Light of Christ.
Experience more through the Light of Christ.

May you be blessed with the power of the Light of Christ in your mind, heart, and soul:
The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you.

Learning with you to see that my limited perspective is like dialing the wrong number,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Thursday, October 25, 2007

A True Miracle

May the LORD bless you and protect you.
(Numbers 6:24, NLT)

Two cars, side-by-side on a two-lane country highway, headed in the same direction came towards me as I came around the corner. In the dark of the night with no time to spare, I thought we would collide. [You know it doesn’t take the brightest bulb in the bunch to figure out that a collision will likely occur when there are two cars headed one way and one car coming the other way.] At the last minute, one of the cars swerved off the road to avoid smashing me and my car.

The remarkable part of the story needs to be told. I had peace in the moment that it seemed the car would hit me. Seriously . . . I am the dramatic type . . . shocker isn’t it? Peace does not come by own doing. My first response is to register my complaint out loud . . . yes . . . I know they can’t hear me from my car . . . but . . . people that put others needlessly at risk drive me crazy!

That said, the gift of peace, knowing God’s presence, was the miracle. The Hebrew blessing in Numbers 6 begins with the blessings of protection. “Keep,” another word used for protection, described the blessing of a 24/7 guard. This does not mean that we will avoid or avert trials and tragedy, but that God will guard and keep the heart, soul, and mind through challenges.

Seek to know the miracle of the presence of God 24/7.
Ask God to guard and keep your heart, soul, and mind 24/7.
Give thanks for the miracle of God’s protection 24/7.

Learning with you to be aware of the true miracle of God’s protection of the heart, mind, and soul,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Facing Loss

"So don't let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
(John 14:27a New Century Version).

The fires in California continue to burn. The evacuation mandate in my sister’s area lifted; however, others are unable to go home, waiting for updated reports of damage and devastation. There are some people confronted with loss such as our friend whose family’s new home burned. Of course, in the midst of the loss, they are grateful that their lives were spared.

When all is said and done . . . loss is painful . . . loss creates unwanted changes . . . loss results in the need for personal change. I mean . . . let’s be honest . . . it is easier to avoid loss than confront loss. Christ-followers often think loss should not be personally difficult; however, the reality of loss is difficult. Loss is loss for all of humanity. The difference for Christ-followers comes through the awareness of the continual abiding presence of God. The abiding presence of God does not remove the challenge or pain of loss but does change how we manage the process of loss.


Christ Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.” In other words, don’t let anxiety or stress rule the heart but let the peace of Christ into control the heart. In the ancient days, the heart was considered the life-center of self. Accordingly, what we let move into the life-center determines how we manage life.

In the process of life, we will face loss. How we manage loss will be determined if we let anxiety or the peace of Christ to be at the core of our being.

Seek Christ.
Receive the peace of Christ.
Live
in the peace of Christ.
Manage life through the peace of Christ.

Learning with you to manage loss through the peace of Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Why?

"I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does . . .”
(John 14:27a New Century Version).

My sister is one of the hundreds of thousands Californians who had to leave their home due to out-of-control wildfires. News reports have suggested that these fires are the worst that the area has ever experienced. A state of emergency has been declared to provide help in order to protect people and their property.

At the height of a crisis everyone does what needs to be done. Once the wind dies down, the fires are put out, and the news reporters go home, individuals will have to face the reality of tragedy and loss. There are so many questions when crisis of great magnitude occurs. At the end of the day, humanity asks the same question, “Why?”

I am not sure humanity will ever have all the answers, especially when it comes to tragedy. Of course, there are individuals who attempt to answer the “why” of tragedy by blaming God. YIKES! Why do we blame God when we are unable to understand something?

Christ Jesus gave an answer that goes beyond the “whys” . . . peace . . . His peace. Think about it, Christ Jesus did not say that life would be free of troubles and tragedy; however, He promised to leave His peace. That said, it is a choice to receive His peace . . . a peace that is different from the peace of the world . . . from our circumstances.

Why?
I don’t know.
What should we do?
Receive the peace of Christ. . . Shalom. . . the peace of knowing His presence . . . love . . . mercy . . . understanding.
Allow the peace of Christ to infiltrate every thought, attitude, word, and action today.
Meditate on the peace of Christ.
Saturate yourself in the peace of Christ.

May the peace of Christ be with you today.
Shalom.


Learning with you to go beyond the “why” and receive the peace of Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Monday, October 22, 2007

Daily Test

I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear . . .
(Ephesians 1:17a, Message).


I have a mid-term exam today. Who knew that going back to school would include test-taking? I would much rather tell about my knowledge than to be tested on my comprehension and understanding of specific material. Really . . . come on . . . does anyone want to take a test?

Um . . .yeah . . . I do know the answer to that question . . . only individuals that want to prove they know it all.

One thing that I do know . . . investing time and energy into learning more about God produces understanding of how to manage the trials that test our faith. I like how Eugene Peterson phrases the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Church, the body of Christ: “to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally.” In other words, true clarity comes through the pursuit of learning more about Christ.

The unexpected happens despite our best laid plans. These are the occurrences in life that test our beliefs. That said, we are given the individual responsibility to have a clear and focused mind on what really matters. Easy to say . . . difficult to do . . . put possible when we take time each day to know more about living in Christ.

When you get down to it, living is a daily test.

Be ready for the daily tests of life.
Seek to know more about Christ.
Ask the Spirit of Christ to give you clarity.
Admit your need for the presence and power of Christ to abide within you.
Know the answer to the daily test: Christ in you.

Learning with you to know more about Christ, essential for the daily tests of life,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Friday, October 19, 2007

Doing Before Thinking

God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.
(Ephesians 4:15, Message).


Waiting in traffic, I watched a man use a leaf blower to remove leaves off the city sidewalk. The job is necessary in the fall; however, he chose to do his job during a wind storm. As he blew the leaves towards the street, wind gusts lifted the leaves back onto the sidewalk. That's not all . . . leaves continued to fall from the trees. It might just be me . . . but I am thinking leaf blowing would be more effective and efficient after the wind storm.

I mean . . . well . . . yikes . . . sometimes we do our tasks before we think. Doing before thinking could leave us with
increased work,
stress,
crisis,
and even tragedy.


The Apostle Paul explained that Christ followers need to take their lead from Christ. That's why Christ followers need to develop a committed mindset to do whatever needs to be done through the presence and power of the Spirit of Christ. How?

While it is a process, seeking God first makes sense, asking, “What would you have me do?”

Christ Jesus said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV)


There is more to life than doing . . .
Seek first.
Ask.
Do everything through the wisdom and dynamic power of Christ.

Learning with you to think before doing,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Wrong Direction

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
(Ephesians 4:14, NIV).

I was on an unfamiliar road following unfamiliar directions from a GPS (Global Positioning System). I thought the information gained between the satellites and the GPS receiver was . . . well wrong. A few minutes later, I realized the GPS had been right and I was on the wrong road. Who knew? Actually, this can be considered a “duh” principle: when you fail to follow directions . . . you will go in the wrong direction.

We are created to live a life that is directed by Truth. If we fail to follow Truth then we will go in the wrong direction. In the ancient days, Ephesus became a central gathering place for religious cults. Christ followers struggled with the deception taught by the cults. Accordingly, the Apostle Paul described Christ followers who fail to follow Truth as:
Infants
Tossed back and forth by the waves
Blown here and there by every wind


Going in the right direction by following Christ begins with our mindset. Our thoughts have the power to direct the way we live the days of our life. Thoughts guide words, attitudes, and actions. And, let’s be honest, thoughts can lead to assumptions that are not based on Truth which leads us to say words, form an attitude, and behave in a manner that is unwise or even wrong, leading to hurt and harm.

Follow directions based on Truth.
Seek the Spirit of God to fill your mind with Truth.
Study the Word of God.
Ask God to place Truth in your thoughts, guiding your words, attitude, and actions.
Go the right direction.

Learning with you to go the right direction,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Journey of Change

This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection. (Ephesians 4:13, NCV).


The landscape has transformed in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The yellow, orange, gold, and red leaves paint a picture of change. Fall transitions us from summer’s warm sunny days to winter’s cold rainy/snowy days in the Northwest.

Humanity is created to experience and endure change. But . . . I have to tell you . . . change is not easy . . . actually most change is downright difficult. That said, change can lead us to growth and new insights to Truth. But . . . oh . . . change is a journey.

Humanity embarks on a journey of changes with the choice to follow Christ. Actually it is a lifetime journey of change according to the Apostle Paul who said, “We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection.” Yikes—that is a process!

The challenges of life help us to understand our need to change. Change is difficult; however, changes that occur through surrender to the presence of the Spirit of Christ change the landscape of our interior life, creating noticeable peace, goodness, mercy, and joy. . . .

Seek the process of changing the landscape of your interior life.
Ask the Spirit of Christ to lead you in the journey of change.
Celebrate the noticeable changes of becoming more like Christ Jesus.

Learning with you to enjoy the journey of change,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

What Matters

Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12, NLT).

A young man from our community, only twenty-years-old, is fighting for his life after being injured this past weekend. Paralysis has inhibited the ability to breathe and move his body. A miracle is needed.

Little details of life often seem insurmountable until something horrific occurs. Crisis renews clarity creating a connection with what matters. The challenge is to become aware of what matters in the routine of daily living.

The Apostle Paul clearly communicated that what matters for Christ followers is to be a part of the body of Christ and to do His work. Each part of the body of Christ is to be equipped (prepared) to employ their uniqueness to reach out to others. In other words, Christ-followers are to actively pursue what God has called them to do and encourage other parts of the Body to do the same. Accordingly, what matters will be accomplished.

Determine what matters.
Seek the guidance of God to actively pursue what matters.
Surrender to the presence and power of the Spirit of Christ to do what matters.
Celebrate the guidance and power that Christ gives to His body to accomplish what matters.
Pray for each part of the body of Christ to do their part of what matters.
Do what matters.

Learning with you to do what matters,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Monday, October 15, 2007

Maximum Purpose

He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work . . . (Ephesians 4:12, Message).

Years ago, around our kitchen table, a small child interrupted our lives when she discussed her personal life. The words were extraordinarily different than what we were used to hearing.

My mom and dad don't want me because they are busy.
My Grandpa and Grandma are deciding if they want me to live with them.


I knew her words were true. Her parents were immersed in their personal difficulties and her grandparents were retired from their jobs, busy traveling. The little girl perceived herself to be an interruption. Her experiences formed a message that she was unnecessary.

We are created with the need to connect with one another, knowing we belong. We are completed by the presence of Christ to serve others, knowing we make a difference. God planned us to be fully engaged with life living with maximum purpose.

In the ancient days, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians explaining the way to live with maximum purpose. He wrote about the diversity of God’s gifts, given to those who follow Christ. Accordingly, followers are to use their specific God-given gift(s) to serve others as part of Christ's body. Living with maximum purpose occurs through being fully engaged and functioning as part of the body of Christ . . . hands, feet, heart . . .

Live with maximum purpose.
Use your unique gift(s) from God today.
Bring value to someone—refuse to let anyone think they are an interruption.
Celebrate being a vital part of Christ’s message to the world in words, attitude, and action—as His body.
Learning with you to live with maximum purpose,

Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Thursday, October 11, 2007

People Watching

“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, (Matthew 5:16, NLT).

I am a people watcher. Yep . . . a bona fide . . . people watcher. I especially watch people when I am waiting . . . in a grocery store line, in a doctor’s office, at a traffic light . . . and the list goes on. People do some fascinating things.

That said . . . here is a “duh” thought . . . we are never invisible. People are watching you and me. Accordingly, Christ-followers are to be seen. The light of Christ is to be illuminated. Those who live in darkness, without the light of Christ, constantly compare a Christ-follower’s life with their own.

Christ Jesus made it clear: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see.” In other words, we should never do anything that we hope will be hidden. Our behavior needs to be filtered through the presence of Christ. Behavior belonging in the darkness needs to be confessed and surrendered in order to be authentic light in the world.

You are never invisible.
People are watching.
People translate our behavior as our life message.


Pray before you act.
Remember your behavior speaks louder than your words.
Seek to illuminate the presence of Christ in your life.
Shine out for all to see.

Learning with you to illuminate the light of Christ—knowing people are watching,

Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Croak and Leap

“Don't hide your light under a basket! Put it on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:15b, NLT).

Lately, we have been serenaded by a frog croaking on our front porch; however, the frog leaps away whenever we open the front door. Frogs are not the only ones that croak and leap. Stay with me on this one . . . it is much easier to complain about how things are going than to be a part of a solution.

Ultimately, our beliefs are communicated more through our actions than through our words. The abiding light of Christ is seen through our attitude and actions. Jesus made it clear that our light needs to be clearly seen. Illumination of the light of Christ requires a daily discipline to surrender the details of the day and our response.

Take time to be still and know God.
Breathe.
Focus on the presence of Christ.
Pray: Christ Jesus, will You illuminate Your Light through my life today? Reveal what I need to surrender so Your light is illuminated. I surrender the details of the day. I give every thought, word, attitude, and action to You. I commit to reveal the light of Your presence in my response to every detail of the day.

Learning with you to illuminate the light of Christ rather than to croak and leap,

Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Too Busy Is . . .

“Don't hide your light under a basket! Put it on a stand” (Matthew 5:15b, NLT).

I talked with two friends yesterday. Our discussion revolved around work that needed to be done. We confessed how easily we become too busy.

What is too busy?
Too busy is when you find yourself. . .
Dreading the day before you start the day.
Lacking energy.
Increasingly irritated.
Decreasing time engaged with God and others.
More focused on doing tasks than being you.
Forgetting to celebrate the gift of life.
And . . .

Busyness is an obstacle to illuminating the indwelling light of Christ. Jesus said to put your light on a stand. Accordingly, Christ-followers need to behave in a way that the Light within is seen. Yikes! Christ did not call followers to do all things but to do the things that allow His light to be seen . . . not through our own energy and effort . . . but through . . . the power of the Spirit of Christ.

Christ-followers are called to be in Christ rather than to live for Christ through our doing.
Evaluate your day.
Take time to be in Christ before doing what you do.
Are you too busy?
Is your “doing” conducive to illuminating the light of Christ?
Seek the empowerment of the Spirit to illuminate Christ’s light.
Celebrate the opportunity to illuminate the light of Christ.
Be light.

Learning with you to illuminate the light of Christ through being rather than doing,

Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Monday, October 8, 2007

Scotty’s Legacy: Smiles, Laughter, & Love

“Don't hide your light under a basket!” (Matthew 5:15a, NLT).

Scotty’s Playhouse officially opened on Saturday, October 6. I am changed from everything I saw, heard, and read. [See Friday, October 5, devotion: Scotty’s Playhouse]

What I saw:

Smiles . . . on the faces of those serving the community.

Smiles . . . on children’s faces as they experienced timeless childhood activities. . . running, jumping, climbing, and sliding in the playhouse and play stations . . . sitting for face painting and crafts . . . eating hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy . . . dancing to the band’s music.

Smiles . . . on all of the people gathered to watch the balloon release as an official act of opening Scotty’s Playhouse.

Smiles . . . in the midst of the sunshine as well as the rain.

What I heard:

Laughter . . . as children played.

Laughter . . . as adults watched children.

Laughter . . . as people connected with one another.

Laughter . . . in the midst of personal sorrow and communal joy.

What I have read from your emails regarding Scotty’s Playhouse:

Your personal pain.

Your
hope.

Your promise to love others.

Your commitment to serve others.

Christ Jesus told us not to hide His abiding light. We are given the time of our life to reveal the powerful abiding light of Christ:

Smile.

Laugh.

Love.

Serve.


Scotty had only a few years of time to leave a legacy. He left a legacy of light which is generating more light. The power of the light of Christ illuminates and energizes our life as well as the legacy we leave behind.

Refuse to hide His light in your life and legacy. Imagine what more can be done with your life and legacy through the power of His light—smile, laugh, love, and serve.

Learning with you to refuse to hide the abiding light of Christ,

Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Friday, October 5, 2007

Scotty's Playhouse

“You are the light of the world -- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.” (Matthew 5:14, NLT).

I have a sad story to tell. . .
The story has a happy ending. . .
Seven years ago, a young boy named Scotty died of cancer. . .
Two other children in two other families died. . .
There are dark days in the lives of those who experience the death of their children.
Light pierces through the darkness of our lives—if we choose. . .
A foundation was formed named from three words Scotty used, “See Ya Later”. . . the light pierced through the darkness. . .
The foundation dreamed of ways to touch children’s lives. . .
The families belonged to Church on The Hill in McMinnville, Oregon. . .
The Church wanted to extend the reach to children and their families. . .
A dream became a reality. . .
A two-story-state-of-the-art addition to the church has been built dedicated to be used by the community and county children and their families. . .
An indoor play structure, attached to the end of the children’s wing, has been constructed through the help of the “See Ya Later” foundation. . .
Scotty’s Playhouse—a large, two story glass structure—which includes a gigantic play structure, a glass wall, built of glass bricks, etched with blessings and memories from families and individuals, old fashioned lamp posts line the pathway of fun, and a mural painted on a two-story wall depicting light, laughter, love, and freedom for children to be children at play. (By the way—Scotty is in the picture holding on to a streamer attached to plane. The streamer says, “See ya later”). . .
The glass playhouse is lit up every night—and glows in the night for all to see.
Tomorrow is the grand opening. . .
Everyone is invited to the party. . .
The light of God pierced through the darkness. Sadness for three families has been transformed into joy for many families. Those who experience His light have the opportunity to be light to others.

Christ Jesus explained, “You are the light of the world -- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.”

Is your life transparent?
Do others see the illumination of the light of Christ within you?
In the darkness of circumstances and challenges—are you the light?
Seek God.
Confess whatever is blocking the view of His light in your life—poor attitudes, arguing, gossiping, bitterness, etc. . . .
Shine.
Be light to your world—glowing in the darkness of the world for all to see.

Learning with you to be the light that glows in the darkness of the world ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Addendum: Of course—no matter where you live—you are invited to come tomorrow and experience the birth of a dream.
And—I would ask you to pray for the children and the families that come—asking God that they experience an afternoon (1:00-6:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time) of light, love, and laughter.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Illumination

“You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14, NLT).

Years ago . . . yes . . . a long, long, long time ago . . . when I was a kid . . . unaware of the realities of being an adult . . . I sat in my friend’s darkened dining room with a group of kids drinking pop out of glass bottles. My friend’s mother came in the room and turned on her Tiffany Lamp, made out of small pieces of multi-colored stained glass. The light illuminated the colorful glass lamp shade, reflecting through our pop bottles, transforming the room. We sat in awe, as our hostess explained that the Tiffany Lamp shade was a unique piece of artistry, crafted with stained glass, put into place one piece at a time to complete an intricate design. Years later . . . because of that experience . . . we named our daughter . . . Tiffany.

Through out her life, Tiffany has loved the concept of being light in the world. Christ Jesus said it, “You are the light of the world.” In the New Testament Greek, the word, “phos,” was used to describe light as emitting light, bright light, and a purity that exposes truth. Through the presence of Christ within our being, we are called to illuminate His light.

Christ-followers illuminate the Truth through uniqueness and the personal experience of the continual, transforming work of God. Wherever we go, in whatever place, we reflect the truth of Christ through attitude, words, and actions. The world is transformed through those who intentionally choose to be light, illuminating the abiding light of Christ.

Choose to be light.
Seek God first.
Surrender your attitude, words, and actions to be illuminated by His light.
Be light.
Illuminate the Light of Christ to the world.

Learning with you to illuminate the light of Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Living Without Tasting Life

“Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” (Matthew 13:5c, NLT).

Have you ever had great intentions that were messed up by your attitude? It happens. My intention and mission is simple: Love all. Serve all. And then . . . well . . . people get in the way. Let me explain. My car idled as I sat in a traffic jam, not moving for twenty-five minutes. I was stuck. I began to get cranky . . . so much for my great intentions and life mission. After traffic began to move, the driver in the car ahead of me stopped and let twenty-one (yes, I counted) cars move into our lane. We were stopped for ten more minutes. I became irritated rather than having an attitude that lends itself to the “love and serve all” mission. What is up with that?

There is a tension that we must contend with as Christ followers . . . a tension between serving self first or others first. Jesus told us to be salt that adds flavor in the world. He wanted us to understand that salt which loses flavor is considered useless and will be thrown out and trampled on. Jesus is making the point that Christ-followers are to make a difference in this world . . . to live with the purpose—to add flavor as the salt of the earth.

Our life lacks purpose when we lose our flavor. In the Old Testament, Job, a man who had gone through horrific loss said, “Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt?” (Job 6:6). Those who live without Christ, live without tasting Life. We are told to be like Christ and add flavor to the lives of others.

Activate your intention to be salt with flavor in the world.
Take time to be renewed through Christ—to be salt with flavor in this world.
Confess and surrender the tension between serving self and others.
Enjoy being the flavor in those who live without tasting life—Christ.

Learning with you to add flavor in a world that lives without tasting life,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Today Is Your Day To Add Flavor!

" But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?” (Matthew 13:5b, NLT).

Good Morning!

Today is my brother’s birthday. As a high school principal, he makes an active difference in the lives of teenagers and their families. One of the many things that I know about my brother is that he believes in the basic right for kids to have a good education and the opportunity to make a difference in this world. I celebrate my brother today—he adds flavor to this world as the salt of the earth.

Salt was a valued commodity as a condiment and preservative and in the ancient days. In the hot arid country, salt was necessary to preserve meat and other foods from decaying and decomposing. Additionally, sharing salt signified friendship.

Jesus said we are to be salt of the earth, posing the question, "But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?”

So, we need to consider the days that we are stagnant and uninvolved in the needs of the world. In reality, we each have a set number of days to live and flavor this world as salt. Flavor requires renewal and refreshment by taking time to breathe, to be still, and to know the presence of God.

Today is your day to add flavor in the world.
Breathe.
Be aware of God.
Renew.
Refresh.
Flavor your corner of the world as salt.

Learning with you to be flavor as the salt of the earth,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Monday, October 1, 2007

Shake and Serve

"You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 13:5a, NLT).

Good Morning!

We live in a world of people with pain. I could tell countless stories of the horrific pain people must manage in their life. That said, there are people that move through their pain, determined to make an impact in the world. One woman demonstrated that in the worst of circumstances, an individual can break through the pain and serve humanity. She was left to raise three children without resources or support. There were some dark nights of the soul; however, she finally broke through the pain. Despite all of the challenges, she not only supports and raises her children but reaches out to others, one person at a time. She is what I call the salt of the earth.

Jesus said followers are to be salt of the earth. Salt is ineffective if it sits in the shaker. Too often, we tend to our own business and miss new opportunities to connect, making a difference in the world. The world needs salt--people willing to be shook up to make a difference.

Ask God where in the world you are to be salt.
Surrender your daily routine.
Refuse to hang on to what you have been doing.
Shake and serve.

Learning with you to shake and serve,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)