“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)
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
