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Journal of a Sinner

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Journal of a Sinner

Category Archives: Religion

Are YOU a Pickle or Are YOU a Cucumber?

12 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Religion, Salvation

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Christianity, Jesus Christ, Salvation

Are YOU a pickle or are YOU a cucumber?

Are YOU a pickle or are YOU a cucumber?

I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother who was, in many ways my primary teacher on gardening, canning vegetables and making jellies and preserves.  The last few years of her life, I dug into her treasure chest for domestic golden nuggets.  Since then, I’ve enjoyed years of having my own garden, while utilizing the things she taught me.  My grandmother even shared tips concerning her infamous sweet pickles recipe.

I’ve thought a lot about those sweet pickles over the last couple of days. As I remember, it seemed my granddaddy could not enjoy a single meal without one. It was not unusual to see him shovel a fork full of purple hull peas a long side a single slice of sweet pickle with every single bite.  One year, I decided I wanted to make sweet pickles of my own.  Surely, since my Papa enjoyed them so much, my husband would too.

My grandmother carefully demonstrated her step by step method of pickling cucumbers to me one week.  You might be surprised that as a young adult – I’m not quite certain I even knew that a pickle was once a cucumber.  I just thought, well, a pickle is a pickle.  You see – I’d never seen it’s state before pickling. (At least I didn’t recognize it as such). She was careful to take small and delicate cucumbers – not like the ones we purchase at the stores today but those that had been cultivated by a careful gardener.  Only a careful gardener understands that cucumbers will not be fit to eat if left too long on the vine.  She explained that, to do so, guaranteed big seeds and a tough, tasteless vegetable.

I was surprised at the extent she went through to process those sweet pickles.  It took several days of soaking delicate cucumbers in a hot, boiling brine mixture of vinegar and sugar water.  Each day she carefully tended them by adding a little vinegar, a little more sugar and then a precise mixture of pickling spices.  Being a woman in my twenties at the time, the whole process seemed like a whole lot of trouble but I remember trying to focus on the image of my granddaddy enjoying every bite.  Oddly, it occurred to me that our salvation is a lot like the pickling process.  God is like the careful gardener, picking us at just the right time.  Many people say, “I’m a pickle” but have never been plunged into the hot boiling brine mixture.  They may argue saying something like, “Yes, when I was plunged in that hot liquid, I fully absorbed its salty and sweet attributes.”  Maybe you were “dipped” but you came out, well, still just a plain ole cucumber.  I hope not.

I recall John the Baptist saying, “I baptize with water but there will be one after me (Jesus, the Lamb of God) that will baptize with the Holy Spirit.”  We must ask ourselves then, have we each been “baptized” by the Holy Spirit?  Many will say, “I know I’m saved because I’ve been baptized (by water).”  Some will say, “I know I’m saved because a long time ago, I prayed a scripted “salvation prayer.”  These responses always make me cringe. Do we really think Almighty God, our Holy, Wonderful, All-knowing God, can be mocked or fooled into saving us without a spiritual and physical transformation?

The reality is, if we are a child of God we are (and have been) buried with Christ through baptism into death (our brine) in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we TOO may live a new life (i.e. become a pickle).  You see, baptism is simply put, a term used to describe a process of moving from one positional state to another.  This morning as I was studying, I came across a Greek poet by the name of Nicander.  In 200 B.C, he wrote down a pickling recipe and described the Greek word for baptize as being two different words with two different meanings.  I think of words like “right” and “write.”  These are homonyms; they sound the same but have different meanings all together. Nicander explained in his pickling recipe that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be “dipped/bapto” into boiling water and then “baptized/baptizo” in the vinegar solution. The first action is temporary.  The second, however, that act of baptizing the vegetable, produces a permanent change – a new man (or veggie 🙂 ).  When used in the New Testament, this word “Baptizo” more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism.  Mark 16:16 says, “He that believes/trusts and is “baptized” (changed into a pickle), shall be saved.”  I added the “pickle part” for effect. 🙂

Don’t you see, if you claim to be a Christian because you have been dipped into water but have not been changed through and through; broken over your sin, repentant while producing new and good fruit that is eternal – then you have not been saved, beloved.  You are still, just a cucumber.  If, however, you have been “baptized” (infiltrated by the Holy Spirit, through and through), thereby able to produce good fruit that lasts eternally, then you can have assurance of your salvation.  Sadly, for many – saying a prayer has given them a false sense of security.  Being baptized into water has also given them a false sense of security.  Have you been immersed (and are you BEING immersed continuously) into the true baptism of Christ?  Are you dying to the passions and lusts of this world that lead to destruction and thereby, living a life for the glory of God?

What must you do to become a Christian?  Believe the Word of God, Beloved, that says, we are sinners in need of a savior – Jesus Christ; while also never, ever forgetting our true depravity without Him.  When you seek and cry out to God with all your heart, – you will find Him.  I do not know whether you are truly saved nor does your pastor, your friend or the well-meaning person that “led” you in that one “salvation” prayer.  There is only one way we can know for certain.  According to Jesus, “You will know them by their fruit” (For their fruit will be eternal – paraphrased from John 15).  Let me ask you, 

Are YOU a Pickle or Are YOU a Cucumber?

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An Honest Dialogue about My Christian Journey

05 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Religion

≈ 9 Comments

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Christianity

ZIORNI DISE–O12

I’ve decided to write an article on where I am right now in my life.  After all, we mustn’t forget this blog is entitled, “Journal of a Sinner.”  I want to acknowledge to you guys that I too, experience those annoying and reoccurring battles of sin every day.  And also, I experience seasons of utter discouragement and even deep sadness.  I have a sneaking suspicion that because I have a God-given passion and an intense necessity to study and write about deep biblical truths – there may be a misconception about me.  This misguided view sometimes causes this writer to feel alone.  After all, when everyone thinks I have it “all together,” who comforts and encourages the encourager?  If you guys have decided in your heart that I have all the answers, then certainly, I have nowhere to turn (humanly speaking) when I am disheartened.  This article is not about a pity party, rather, an honest discussion of my (and probably many others,) Christian journey.

You have probably figured out by now that what I say or write (whether speaking to a group of people, an article on my blog or a post on social media), is predictably, consistent with a fervent quest for sharing spiritual truths.  This energy, however, brings much risk and heartache.  What do I mean by “risk?”  You see, what I have found to be startling, is that speaking about these things, surfaces visible and even invisible wedges between myself, colleagues, friendships, and family.  This was not the case before I obeyed the voice of the Lord. Nonetheless, Christ did say,

“Don’t think that I came to bring peace to earth. I didn’t come to bring peace but conflict. I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A person’s enemies will be the members of his own family. The person who loves his father or mother more than me does not deserve to be my disciple. The person who loves a son or daughter more than me does not deserve to be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me doesn’t deserve to be my disciple. The person who tries to preserve his life will lose it, but the person who loses his life for me will preserve it. The person who welcomes you welcomes me, and the person who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Mat 10:34-40

Additionally, I can relate more now with Jeremiah (in the Old Testament) than ever before.  God put things on his heart and required him to speak His message to the people. These messages were not “food for thought” types of messages.  As a result, Jeremiah had to face the negative consequences from his peers.  Look what he wrote to God in response,

“O Lord, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed.  I have become a laughing stock all the day; everyone mocks me.  For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, “Violence and destruction!” For the word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision (ridicule, mockery, taunting) all day long.  If I say, “I will not mention Him, or speak any more in His name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.”

I cannot express my emotional state any better than that.  I have said in my heart many times…I will not write about this, nor will I talk about it.  Also, I have said, I will not open God’s Word today because if I do –it will unravel another urge to speak it or shout it or write it. (As though I can actually say “No” to God.)  The crux of the matter is –  just as Jeremiah said, “…there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in.”  I am realizing that it really doesn’t matter whether I try to avoid the subject or not- I can’t. Unless I’m perfectly fine with walking around full of baby elephant. 😕 The sad thing is – looking at the book of Jeremiah, we see that his criticizers came from within the church.  I certainly feel the coolness predominately coming from within the church.  Isn’t this so discouraging?  We expect outsiders to reject us but to experience what Jesus, the disciples and the majority of all the radical followers of Christ experienced for thousands of years, is eye-opening. Some things never change.

There are days I wake up and decide, I will not open the Word of God because I just can’t take the overload of data.  I know that sounds crazy but this is how it is for me.  I am so overwhelmed by what is pouring in.  I’ve prayed over the last ten years for understanding, wisdom and discernment but obviously I did not pray for the integration, sorting and processing part. I feel like part of this problem comes from not seeking God enough to help me communicate plainly and thoroughly to you guys, whether by word or by my writing.  So please pray that God will take all this information He has given, that is crammed in the small space of my brain and use it to glorify Him – eventually.  Right now, I’m just an overflowing well with no bucket.

The other day, I was talking to my boys about being compliant and how it is a good thing.  I explained the proper order though, obedience to God first, and then to the authority figures we have in our lives. On the other hand, I had to break the news that being dutiful is not always a good quality or a Godly characteristic.  For example – if their friends want them to participate in vandalism, using dangerous substances or harming others; being more devoted to the friendship than God is not good.  They understood these things.  However, the thought of losing people and friendships that they value, because they stand for righteousness as being a real possibility, was discouraging to them.  One of my sons said, “But Mama, you have lots of friends and people,” and I said, “Really? Are you sure about that?  And both of the boys became quiet.  Obviously I have friends – but the truth is….the more I release the “fire shut-up in my bones” as Jeremiah so eloquently phrased it, the more I do not.  Do you understand this? Loss is a very real and tangible epidemic in the life of one who tries to do right by God.  This loss doesn’t just happen once in one fail-swoop but over and over. Day by day, thin layers of this world are gently being removed by the Master. And yet other times, we sense His aggressive precision as he surgically divides us from those massive glacial islands. And all that remains in us, for a time, is that resounding and deafening crash.

Placing our hope in Him and Him alone has never become so apparent.

Psalm 91:1-2

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A Parable of the Heart Treasure

31 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Purity, Religion

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heart treasures Continue reading →

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The Divergent Potential

30 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Humor, Religion

≈ 4 Comments

DivergentI recently went to see the movie “Divergent” with my husband.  I loved it so much that I went and saw it again with a friend not more than a week later.  There was something about that movie that struck a chord.

In this futurist tale of a war-torn world, being labeled a “Divergent” was not a desirable trait.  Anyone who “tested” out as a Divergent was in danger of losing their life.  Divergents’, you see, do not conform.  They think creatively not conventionally and their character is multifaceted. Divergents’ are a threat to those in power because they question and look deeply into things. The leadership of the war-torn futuristic world put everyone in neat little categories or “Factions”. God forbid if you didn’t seem to test into one particular category.  You were then called the “Factionless” which meant you were the derelicts of society. Shutouts.

At one time in my life, I was the embodiment of a non-divergent.  Next to the definition of “Conformist” in the Webster’s Dictionary was a picture of me. Had I been tested by a system such as that, there is no doubt in my mind I would have been categorized as a “Factionless.” My mom once took me to see a shrink when I was in sixth grade because I wouldn’t go to my teacher or raise my hand in class if I had a question. He gave me a diagnosis, “Test Anxiety.”  What?  You mean there is a name for that?  I just thought all pencils during test times caused an extra secretion of sweat in the hands!  I guess that means, I had a fear of failure or maybe it was a fear of standing out or saying something wrong.  It was fear that controlled me.  Maybe it still can.

There were times I would have absolutely chosen death by lethal injection (as opposed to hanging) rather than get up in front of a group of people to speak.  In school, I actually prepared for a speech while vomiting but when asked to get up to present – I denied having completed the work and willingly took a zero instead.  I was the epitome of an Anti-Divergent!  I was “Factionless”; not belonging, no seeming gift or talent nor was there anything about me that stood out as important.  I would not have stood up for something I believed in because I feared retribution more than I feared not doing the right thing. As a matter of fact, when I run into old school mates, most of them don’t recall me but do recall my brother who made a name for himself in the form of delinquent behavior.  Once I was called to the office over the intercom and my classmates looked puzzled. When I got to the office, I was quizzed of the whereabouts of my brother. When I returned to class, I was bombarded with questions.  When I explained to them that they were searching for the whereabouts of my brother, they all mutually said things like, “Oh that makes sense.  We knew it couldn’t be something concerning you.”  The earth had not been jolted off its axis after all.

A “Divergent” according to the movie is someone who has strong intersecting personality traits like: candor, gentleness, impulsivity and intelligence, honesty, goodness and sincerity, fearlessness and cautiousness.  Make sense? One of my favorite scenes is when the main character is clipped to a zip line and released to soar over the dark city of Chicago.  The climatic music caused my blood to lift within my veins to soar as she, when finally she released her fear and pushed her arms out to fly. I was in that moment with her.  Shoot, I was her! The music intensified and so did my adrenaline. The wind must have been blowing at sixty miles per hour in her face pushing away her bangs from interfering with her view. Then the corners of her mouth began to curl upwards and her arms stretched outward. The scene shouted freedom. Her face read the same.  The whole scene shouted freedom from the very worst of all prison masters; FEAR. One day I pretended to be fearless, impulsive and brave when my husband and I went to Hawaii several years ago. I bravely agreed to ride a bike down the side of a volcano.  Yes, that’s right, a volcano.

The volcano was listed as “Inactive” because it had not erupted in over one hundred years. This knowledge brought me much comfort until our bike riding tour guide told us on the van ride up that it was “due” for an eruption.  Also, the conversation from this guide to all of us “risk takers” took a serious turn of solemnity when

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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The SIGN says

02 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, End Times, Jesus, Missions, Prophecy, Rapture Ready, Religion

≈ Leave a comment

Yeshua Do you like signs? How about supernatural signs? Many of us are quite familiar with all the wonderful supernatural events God displayed to the Jewish people when He delivered them out of Israel.  Remember Moses and his miraculous staff? The waters parting? The billow of smoke by day and the fire by night? How about Joshua and his army simply marching around the walls of Jericho seven times and blowing their trumpets seven times while the “walls came ah crumbling down”?  How about Gideon’s army? Remember God using 300 Israelites to defeat 135,000 Midianites? Remember Elijah praying to God asking Him to send down fire for all the people to see?  What about Jesus coming into the world and fulfilling all the prophecies of the prophets of old like Micah, Isaiah and King David (to name a few)?  And of course, the most important – the most incredible miracle of all: Jesus, God’s son, dying on a cross for our sins and then raising from the dead in all His glory!  He defeated death, isn’t that the most miraculous thing of all times? We have to admit though, in general terms, God hasn’t been quite as noticeably fantastic over the last two thousand years. Certainly, we know God is working miracles all the time but in a more quiet manner.  For whatever reason, He has sovereignly chosen to refrain from doing things like say; raining fire down on the altar of our churches or allowing people like you or me from raising people from the dead, for example. Yet, just when you thought it was safe to get drowsy and fall asleep, think again! God is sending many supernatural and unusual signs to wake us up.  Are you noticing or are you rolling over and  hitting the “Snooze” button? If you are a scoffer you must understand that you being “wrong” is more deadly than me being wrong. After all, if I’m wrong – well, worst case, I

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
Release Date: November 2014

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, Kindle, Nook
  2. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  3. Author (email kmoon70@gmail.com)

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Your Dwelling Place

02 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Religion

≈ 3 Comments

Image

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

My Dwelling Place

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.  The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?  The Lord is on my side as my helper I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.  All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!  They surrounded me; surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!  I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.  The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” Ps. 118:5-14

Two days ago, I woke up with the title, “Your Dwelling Place,” and I sat and wrote hours of material.  Just as I was journaling this chapter this morning, I prayed, “God, let this be your message, not mine.”  Then suddenly, without warning, my fingers tore over my keyboard, and the old material was set off to the side.  Here is your real message; from the Holy Spirit, entitled, “Your Dwelling Place.”

On September 22, I had a dream which, in my best estimation, should be called “Your Dwelling Place.”   In the dream, I stood in a field while an unknown person leaned over and whispered in my ear, “A swarm of bees is coming.  Take cover quickly now!”  I looked off to see my children playing far from me, and with the resounding hum of bees approaching, I screamed with no time for explanation, “Get down and cover your faces!”  Once I finished my frightened directive, I too had to take the same position of safety.  The swarm of bees covered me like honey, swarmed around me, and perched on every ounce of my body, all the while stinging.  The buzzing of their wings rang in my ears, increasing my level of terror.  All I could think was whether my children had heeded my instruction with no explanation to them.  Every time I resided in that fearful abode, I was repeatedly stung like a penance.  As my mind sprinted with anxiety, more stinging came.  Alas, I surrendered to it all: the fear, the pain, and that frenzied need to control the situation.  I finally set my mind on the dwelling place—with Christ Jesus in Heavenly places.  I mentally gave up my temporary habitation, supernaturally.

It was at that point that the stinging abruptly ceased.  It was the removing of myself from this “temporary” dwelling and putting myself into the Everlasting from which I already reside, spiritually speaking.  I rested under what swiftly became a warm blanket of fortification rather than a blanket of torment.  I rested in my dwelling place, listening to my own soft breaths—in and out, in and out.

Bees… what a paradox.  We need them, but we should revere them.  They do God’s work by pollinating everything wonderful that we eat.  They are diligent, persistent, and loyal, even to death.   As a swarm, though, they are quick, deadly, and fierce.  When they make their appearance, it is sudden. Rarely do we have a minute’s notice to retreat.  Hence, my dream, “The Dwelling Place.”

Last year, we went on a camping trip with a group of friends to one of our local state parks.  The children were all playing and tromping around in the woods while the adults sat around a warm campfire.  Suddenly, an incessant shriek bellowed forth.  All the parents jumped up, looking in all directions.  Then, running swiftly, came one of the little boys with an angry swarm of bees ensuing behind.  They swarmed in and around him, stinging his scalp and embedding stingers in his skin, under his shorts, through his socks, and even inside his shoes.  There was no escape for him, or those of us who were slumbering near our cozy little campfire, since that is where he led the missile-carrying troops.  No amount of running, screaming, swatting, or adult intervention mattered.  Not only was the child stung something close to thirty times, but those who dared interfere were stung as well, including myself.

I believe God still reveals himself through dreams just as He did in times past.  It is not that I claim special knowledge, but what I will admit is that my life is centered on listening for His still small voice.  The Lord knows He has my undivided attention in the quietness of my dreams.  There are no electronic devices, no “Mama, Mama” diversions in my ear, and no Nightly News stories to distract me.

Perhaps this dream means trouble is coming to our nation; misfortune we will not be able to escape.  For application, let’s say I am that “unknown” person represented in the dream who leans over to whisper in your ear, “A swarm of bees is coming.  Take cover quickly now!” At this moment, you only have enough time to get the attention of your children with no time for explanation, and fewer moments to take cover yourself.  Whatever this “swarm of bees” symbolizes—it will come on us like a fast moving train.  Yes, here in the United States – hastily.  Our only alternative will be to crouch down, cover our faces, and pray.  We will have to completely and utterly trust Christ and not focus on the happenings going on about us.

I kept saying these confessions in my dream, “God is my refuge – my dwelling place. I trust Him whether I live or die, either way; I am delivered into His dwelling place.”  I pray that when our troubles come hurriedly, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we all can say the same, “He is my refuge – my dwelling place.”

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3

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There Is a Way That Seems Right to a Man, But Its End Is The Way to Death

19 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Missions, Religion

≈ 5 Comments

20130719-083438.jpg

Good morning everyone! I am so sorry I have neglected this blog. It’s hard when you’re so tired to think straight enough to write something coherent. But today, we have started our five hour van ride to Bucharest and I have time to speak with you about what God has been doing in all of our hearts; Romanians and Americans.

I will say, this trip has been incredible. Every year…is not comparable to others but stands on its own. When you think on the people; the stories, the poverty, the hurts and then those windows to the soul…it touches your heart inexpressibly. These things are neither happy nor sad but a despairing, a joyous, yet heart wrenching experience. It’s hard to lay hold and give a definition to it all. I wonder if God experiences all these same emotions simultaneously too, when He looks down upon us: a despairing, a joyous and heart wrenching love towards us.

Let me share with you a little of what I saw, heard and felt over the last few days. I saw AND feel convinced that God was in ALL things. I am convinced that the majority of people that came to my eyeglass table were given all the information they needed for salvation. I explained the simplicity of it all and our complete inability to achieve perfection or salvation without Christ. I took them through scripture and had them read it for themselves with their new reading glasses. I had some tell me essentially, “I’ll take my chances” and things like “My religion is Orthodox!” and even, “if I go to hell then I go to hell.” I would always follow up these words, “I wanted you to know the truth and Youve now seen the truth for yourself.” Then i would follow with these words, “I ask you…to think on these things.” I had others that wept and said, “I want hope and assurance.”

I told a thirty year old man that he was so young that he probably wouldn’t have to have reading glasses. Then he angrily asked me if I was mocking him and if so, he would get up right then and leave! We explained to him that we were complimenting him. Then after giving him glasses, I shared the plan of salvation. He listened but was not particularly interested in anything I had to say. So I gave him some tracts and asked him to promise me he would read the material and consider the things in them. He reached and shook my hand and said, “Thank you very much and I promise to throw it all in the trash” and he walked off. I was mildly hurt but mainly I just felt sadness for him. I told my interpreter, “We did what God asked us to do- now he will be accountable.” Later, he was asked to leave the building because he was walking around insulting people. I can’t explain it but ever since he left something in me says, he will not throw that material away but WILL contemplate these eternal matters in the privacy of his home. I feel 100% certain of it, so praise God that the spirit in us speaks the truth while the man continues to speak lies.

Yesterday we went to a village called, “Roman.” This is the most authentic Gypsy village I’ve ever been too. The women all dress like fortune tellers; scarves

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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If You Confess with Your Mouth

16 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Missions, Religion

≈ 6 Comments

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Today we went to the same village. We probably saw a couple hundred people. Eyeglasses got real bottle necked again this morning. I was feeling the pressure but stayed true to sharing with each person the best I could. We had interesting conversations with the people. This village is very faithful to the Orthodox Church which says basically, you cannot be saved if you sin. There again, the majority of people believed it was unlikely they would go to heaven because they were just “too bad” and were unable to stop sinning. Their faces look very hard when they first speak. You know…like they’ve made peace with the idea. But when I told them the gospel in all his grace and forgiveness, their faces seemed to soften. And many times, tears would form in their eyes. My interpreter and I both noticed and discussed this transformation in their bodies and faces. Don’t get me wrong, I never preached the “no repentance required” doctrine. We just explained that after repentance, it is only The Lord Jesus IN us that brings a real transformation.

All day long it seemed appropriate for me to take people all through the biblia to prove my point. I told them, “This is how you can have assurance…” Then I flipped in the Romanian bible to Romani 10:9. Remember? “If we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Then, I would flip in the Romanian biblia to 1 Ioan 1:9. Remember this one, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And Ioan 14:6, ” Jesus told them, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.” Thank goodness, it was easy enough for me to maneuver around the Romania biblia because the chapter names look very similar to English. 🙂

I learned during lunch from one of the interpreters, that when one of them jumped in to help with eyeglasses (because we were backed up) many people said, “no, we will wait to speak with them.” You know what that means don’t you??? They saw us sharing and THEY DECIDED they wanted to hear! There was no secret that not only

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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Open Their Eyes Lord

15 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Missions, Religion

≈ 3 Comments

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Today we travelled to our first village. It took two hours to get there. We began around 10:30 and worked until 5:00. I was assigned my interpreter this morning and I was blessed to get Carmen again as we have worked together two other years. We work well together and share common goals. It’s like, by now, she understands my train of thought as I try to share with the people. That’s saying a lot! :).

What a great day! As I feared, the line got bottle necked at my station because I was sharing and asking the people if they had assurance of their salvation. Most didn’t know whether they would spend eternity in heaven or hell. They just kept saying, “I don’t know” or “maybe or maybe not.” It was bizarre to me to know that a person could be so none chalet about the whole matter. Most believed they would go to heaven if their good deeds outweighed their sinfulness. It’s all a very confusing matter. I asked many, “If you could earn your salvation then way did Christ die?” It was as though they had never thought about that before. Many promised me they would take the reading glasses that I had just given them and begin to read their bible. Isn’t it interesting to work in eyeglasses? I gave them eyeglasses to see with their eyes and then God is going to use them to open their heart. God has everything planned out before we step foot in this world. Even when we mess up, he works it to good for those that love Him!!

I had a woman that needed prayer because she was a believer but she was also superstitious. She has a relative that is bedridden and epileptic. She asked me if she could catch any evil spirits from her relative. I told her if she was a believer that she was sealed by the Holy Spirit and could not be overtaken and that in all reality her relative simply had an illness not any sort of possession. It may seem almost silly to us but I promise you- this was a very serious and emotional situation for this woman. She wept and wept. We prayed with her and encouraged her to call on the name of JESUS when the spirit of fear came to mind.

We spoke with an alcoholic for

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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En Route

13 Saturday Jul 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Missions, Religion

≈ 2 Comments

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We are currently flying over Prague, heading towards Bucharest, Romania. Then we have about a six hour drive up in the mountains of Comenesti. I just ate my lunch which seems more like dinner since my day didn’t seem to end yesterday. When I arrived in London, you guys were fast asleep in bed. It was approx. 10:00 am (London) but 4:00 am for you guys. It took Steve a while to answer the phone. 🙂 I did manage to get a few hours of sleep on my eight hour flight from Chicago.

As we finished our dinners last night, I noticed a beautiful sunset off in the distance. That was around 8/9:00 pm last night (Central time). Then at 1:00 am the flight attendants were rolling breakfast carts down the aisle and the sunrise was piercing in. It’s all very strange; only a few hours separating sunsets and sunrises. 🙂

I was feeling very sentimental yesterday just before I left and shortly after. I always get this way just before I leave and go on these trips. After I boarded the plane in Huntsville, I could see my family from my window and we waved continuously until I taxied out of view. It was all very sweet. We should all hug our families more.

Also, I think my sentiment comes from the fact that I I take these trips so seriously. It opens my heart to hidden sin in my life and like my tendency to depend on A #1. It’s a weird time of purging. You know, seeing what you’re really made of? I was reading in John 15 moments ago and could see clearly that when we are with Him (Jesus), the Father will cut off the branches that do not bare fruit and will prune the ones that do. It’s really quite beautiful; the vulnerability (even though it hurts!) It gives way for God to show us how faithful HE is and how unfaithful we really can be. You guys are going to be fed up with all my mushy talk!

Something else that was so sweet to me was the “well wishes” I received just before I left. I got to visit with some precious friends beforehand and speak to several of you either by phone or text. You have no idea how encouraging it has been to me. Please pray for my ears to hear what the spirit is saying, eyes to see and my heart to feel deep compassion for those in need of a Savior. Sometimes it isn’t always easy to love.

Okay, we’ve landed in Bucharest and are driving now through a little thunderstorm. We are heading for Comenesti. It is currently 5:40 pm, Friday evening here. People are dosing off and I’m hearing a few jerking snorts. Hopefully, we’ll reach our destination by midnight tonight. I will say, this year’s travel went the smoothest ever. I met the rest of the team in Chicago and all luggage arrived safely with no problems going through customs in Bucharest. Total team size is 10 people + an additional 10 interpreters. The plan as for now is to separate into 2 groups and hit different small villages. The team leader has already told me he is going to work me some on the eyeglass ministry and some on evangelism. So, as God would have it, I cannot make any plans in my own mind and of my own accord. Who knows…I may be juggling balls and doing stand up comedy before it’s all said and done! 😉 Each day as it currently stands is a complete and utter mystery to me.

Thank you for your prayers. I’ll post this tonight as soon as we get to our rooms in Comenesti and have WiFi. Then it’s bedtime!! Hope the rooster has a sore throat this year!!

Blessings,

Kimberly

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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Romania 2013

08 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Missions, Religion

≈ Leave a comment

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Monday morning, July 8th, 2013. I’ve been up since 5:30. Typically, I’m not an early riser but today is different. As I sit and drink my coffee, I thought it might be nice to jot down my thoughts to you. Thursday, July 11th at 12:55 pm, I fly out from Huntsville International, to Chicago O’Hare, London and then finally Bucharest, Romania. It will take us nearly 24 hours to arrive at our final destination – Comanesti, Romania; Friday evening.

This will actually be my fifth year to go. It’s hard to believe – really. Today, I’m almost as nervous as the first time I went, back in 2009. Some might say “nerves” are a sign of weakness or maybe even a lack of faith in God. What can I say, I’m human. I think these people would be right to some extent but then again, maybe nerves are a sign of our awareness of complete and utter dependency on the LORD to accomplish anything good. I suppose if I went with all the confidence in myself, I would be sorely reminded very quickly of my place in the scheme of things. Honestly, I’ve made that mistake before and the LORD, in His love (believe it or not) is bound by His Word to keep me humble and in complete submission. Being “brought down from your high horse” is not a subject that is pleasant to reminisce.

I think back on a spring morning back in 2009. I got up, poured my self a cup of coffee and sat down with the LORD. That morning was a little different than other mornings. I could feel God stirring something in my heart. I just had no idea at the time what it was. I happened to be studying the book of Philippians at the time and was enraptured that day with Phillipians 2:6-8,

“Who, (Jesus) being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Then I found myself in Psalm 116:6-14:

“The LORD protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I believed; therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” And in my dismay I said, “All men are liars.” How can I REPAY the LORD for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.”

With deep emotion, I made a vow that morning that I was willing to do whatever He called me to do to “repay” Him for all His kindness towards me. I told him I was willing to humble myself, even unto death.” I documented all these thoughts in my journal. Later that morning, I was asked to go to Romania and testify to others about what He had done in my life. Scared? That is an understatement. I was amazed at how quickly the LORD was “cashing in” on my vow! 🙂 And I’ve never been the same since. The picture I have posted means so much to me. This dear woman was the very first woman that I spoke with that year. She became a believer. So I think of her today and I praise God.

My primary role on these mission trips has always been to work in evangelism; however; a strange request came my way this year. I was asked by the team leader to work in eyeglasses. Typically, I’ve been one of the people to sit down and share the gospel with people. Well this year, evangelism is not what God has called me to do, per say. I’ve been asked to set up an eyeglass table and administer glasses to those in need. Truthfully, my initial thought was disappointment. I thought, “how could I possibly do something I’ve never thoroughly done before?” I questioned in my mind if this task was my area of giftedness. But immediately, the spirit of God reminded me

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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Exponential Knowledge Explosion

06 Saturday Jul 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, End Times, Prophecy, Rapture Ready, Religion

≈ 4 Comments

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#2 Reason We Know Jesus is Standing Just at the Door

Exponential Knowledge Explosion

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, (of the prophecy) even to the time of the end: many shall run to and from (travel), and KNOWLEDGE SHALL BE INCREASED.” Daniel 12:4

Daniel, in 12:8-10 writes, “As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, ‘My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?’ The angel replied, “Go your way Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but THOSE WHO HAVE INSIGHT WILL UNDERSTAND.”

How do you suppose a 1st Century man (John, the disciple of Jesus) would describe a vision he saw taking place in the 21st Century? He did it just like this:

“I watched as He (Jesus) opened the 6th seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to the earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island were removed from its place.” Revelation 6:12-14

There is no reason for me to push any idea into your mind about what these above scriptures could possibly mean. You and I live in a century where the prophecy of Daniel has been opened and we understand CLEARLY what this describes, even if he could not. By the way, in my research, I found out that the “over pressure” of a nuclear blast actually rolls the atmosphere back over on itself.

Zechariah, the prophet, wrote this concerning the last days, “And this shall be the plague with which The Lord will strike all the people that wage war against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.” Zechariah 14:12

Here again, I can’t imagine there being any doubt in your mind as to what Zechariah was describing. He was obviously using language of his time to describe this vision. He is clearly speaking about

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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God’s Timepiece

21 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, End Times, Prophecy, Rapture Ready, Religion

≈ Leave a comment

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“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11

I encourage you to be a “Berean” because these scriptures were written for OUR instruction and intended to be searched out exhaustively. Do not just take my word for it.

God’s prophetic timetable is ticking quickly now.

I haven’t the slightest idea when the LORD will make His appearing and call the true believers up to meet Him in the air to be with Him always, (1 Thes 4:14-18 – Harpazo/rapture). Most bible scholars, in general, agree it will precede the great and terrible day of His wrath on the whole world. However; it’s fair to say, that if you study the Word of God even haphazardly these days, you should clearly see that things are lining up quite precisely. My goal is to simply challenge you to search the scriptures for yourselves and then pray for God’s wisdom.

#1. Reason We Know Jesus is Just at the Door

**Israel, that teeny tiny country in the Middle East that borders the Mediterranean Sea**

Have you ever taken a world map and rolled it out completely on the floor? Would you be surprised to know that in doing so, you would find Israel right smack dab in the middle? I mean right there in the middle! Ezekiel 5:5 says, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.” How could a man thousands of years ago know the scope of the entire geography of the world when he wrote these things down? Obviously, he was inspired by the Spirit of God.

Don’t you find it odd that Israel is placed geographically where she is? I did not realize this until I began homeschooling my children. I was absolutely flabbergasted! Funny how not only is she (Israel) centered precisely on the center of the map, she is in the center of the nations present quandaries. This lines up exactly with what the Prophet Zechariah predicted when he said, “In that day I will make Jerusalem a stumbling block for all people; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth gather against it.” (Zechariah 12:3). Surely, we do not have to be seminary trained to recognize this obvious issue. All the nations are meeting, talking, negotiating, pleading, forcing, arguing and threatening this small nation that happens to be the gargantuan size of Rhode Island. She was made a desolation after the Romans conquered her causing a scattering of her people among the nations. All these things took place on 70 A.D until May 14, 1948. This was the day the LORD made good on His Word to make her a nation again, miraculously, in one day.

In Isaiah 66:7-8, the prophet foreshadowed the re-birth of Israel in 1948. He describes a woman giving birth before going into labor, (the whole world has been in labor pains ever since that birth) and he speaks of a country being born in one day. This accurately describes what happened on

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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What Choo Talkin’ ‘Bout Willis?

27 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Religion

≈ 2 Comments

Image

What this really needs to say is, “What choo talkin’ ’bout Kimberly?”

Have you ever just sat and thought about Jesus?  Sometimes when I think about God and who He really is it causes me to get a headache.  I keep headaches. Even if I were to empty my brain of its contents (maybe a marble or two, a feather and a piece of lent) and poured the knowledge of God to the rim  – my brain would still obviously not comprehend His vastness. I do, however, want to share with you some things that I think God is revealing and we should consider them in our thoughts.

God has been showing me how important it is to have a deep abiding relationship with the person of Jesus Christ (John 15:5) rather than the general term of “God” or “Lord.”  This world we live in unfortunately defines “God” too loosely.  You might think this sounds heretical, after all, you might ask, “ Isn’t God really just Jesus?”  Of course!  But there is something to this part of the Trinity that cannot be overlooked.  It is the “Jesus” part of God that inserted Himself into humanity to reach mankind.  True?  It is THROUGH Jesus that the barrier was broken between carnality and His spirit.  It was THROUGH Jesus, that the penalty was paid.  It is faith IN and THROUGH Jesus we may have eternal life.  And if you look at Acts 4:11-12 you will see there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  It is always JESUS.  When I was little and freshly saved, I ALWAYS prayed, “Jesus…”  Isn’t this so sweet? Full of faith.

Look at these scriptures before we go further:

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32.  “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8.

Have you ever contemplated in your prayer life things like, “Who should I pray to? God? Jesus? LORD? Holy Spirit?”  Of course as

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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No Access, Sorry

02 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Religion

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

religion, spirituality

Image

Seeing this picture might look frightening to you.  I’ve never done well in small spaces and as it turns out, I’ve recently gathered that not only do I not like small spaces in our physical world but I also do not like them in the spiritual world either.  I have never given much thought to this weird concept until recently.  Let me explain.

I realize, spiritually speaking, that God is sovereign in all things.  I suppose if He chooses to place me in a box at the present time he has every right to do so.  I’ve looked through my prayer journal over the last couple of months trying to figure out what’s going on.  Many times, doing this very thing, I can find a pattern of thoughts and ideas that the LORD is showing me.  It’s actually pretty neat.  As I was doing this the other day, I noticed that in most cases, I’ve diligently prayed for things that I know are in accordance with His will.  So why do I find myself in a box, of sorts then?  After all, doesn’t the Word of God promise us if we pray in accordance to His will, it will be done?

What can a person do in a box anyway?  Obviously someone in a box is of no value.  They cannot even voice a discernible idea to anyone other than to an audience of two – the one in the box and the LORD who hears all things.  They certainly in that season, cannot blaze through on some sort of significant trek.  A person with my personality has a hard time sitting in such a box.  I’m realizing this is actually a trust issue.  Maybe you’ve found yourself in a box at one time or another.  The best way to describe it is like being in a “holding pattern”.

Years ago, I was flying to San Francisco to meet my husband who was there on a business trip.  I found myself stuck on the tarmac in Dallas, TX because of torrential storms.  We sat there for 3 hours waiting to disembark the plane.  Meanwhile, I had missed my connecting flight and the battery of my phone had died making it impossible for me to contact my husband who was to meet me in a few hours at the San Francisco International Airport.  Babies were crying all around me, lightening was flashing throughout the sky and people were getting agitated.  There was nowhere for me to run or escape.  I was trapped!  I do not thrive in an environment of agitated people, feeling hot and closed up in small spaces.  That’s when you realize that what you’re supposed to do in that situation is what I like to call, “Suck it up” mode.  I suppose if the LORD wants to put me in a box, even on a tarmac in Dallas, TX the best thing I can do is, well, “Suck it up” and wait out the storm.

I asked earlier, doesn’t the Word of God promise us if we pray in accordance to His will, it will be done? Well, I’ve prayed for wisdom and discernment yet instead I find myself unusually quiet in this area.  It’s as though the Lord has closed my mouth and disabled my cortex.  I’ve prayed for perseverance yet lately, I feel more on the side of fatigued.  I’ve prayed for pure joy that only comes from our Lord and instead, I am experiencing more of His detachment.  In addition, instead of receiving an overflow of the Holy Spirit, as I’ve prayed, it feels more like He has chosen to siphon the storehouse instead.  It’s as though I have asked to go “UP” and the LORD has said, “No, let us go down.”  It’s as though I’ve said, “I choose white and the LORD has said, “But here is black.”  It’s as though I have said, “Fill me up” and the Lord has said, “Drain from her reservoir.”  It’s as though I have asked for His power and the LORD has said, “You will be ineffective for now.”  What is going on here?

My kids like to play this game they call “Opposite Day.”  It goes something like this… if one means to say “yes” then you would instead say “no” and if you mean to say “right” then you would therefore say “left.”  Get it?   My boys can entertain themselves for a long period of time with this game because it gets rather funny and quite confusing as one can imagine.  However; when it comes to real life – there’s nothing funny about “Opposite Day”.

Close your eyes and picture yourself in a transparent box and

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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Multiplication Through Me

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Missions, Religion

≈ 5 Comments

ImageI was talking to the kids the other morning about their lives and what an affect their seemingly small lives can have for the Kingdom of God. It’s interesting, as a parent how God will inspire us as we try to inspire our children. I explained how an elderly woman told me about Jesus during Vacation Bible School when I was seven years old. I specifically remember the theme of the VBS week, “The Good News!” I remember thinking, “What good news?”  It was really the first time I had heard anything quite that dramatic. I remember believing IMMEDIATELY. I think about that woman often. I think about how she made an invaluable effect in my life at a minimum, and potentially the lives of my own children. Then I wonder how many other little children she helped along the way and brought them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But for the sake of being conservative lets say out of five hundred children she may have taught over the course of her lifetime only ten children actually became true believers. Isn’t it entirely possible she may have passed away feeling she had little affect, for the Kingdom of God? How wrong she would have been!  How many families, children, spouses would have been transformed from that conservative number of ten?  If we did the math on just those few people over the span of this woman’s lifetime the numbers could be up in the thousands! And this is just a conservative estimation.

Years ago, shortly after Steve and I were married we were invited to a co-workers house for a social. It seemed like a strange invitation as we had never socialized outside work with this couple before. So despite that nagging feeling that something wasn’t right, we decided to go anyway. When we arrived, we immediately realized we were the honored guests. We walked in and there were six other couples that all knew each other and who were staring

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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Send Me, Lord!

28 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Missions, Religion

≈ Leave a comment

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I spent the better part of my weekend in Brandon, Mississippi.   There, I attended a board meeting of a mission organization called RAM (Romanian-American Mission) that I’m involved with. I’ve made four summer mission trips with this organization over the last four years and now I’m a board member.  Each year, I go and share the gospel to the best of my ability, allowing God to do what He will with me and share truth.

This organization has been used by God to change my life.  It has caused me to redirect my life and my thinking.  It’s as though the LORD has removed the scales from my eyes and now, well, I can see more clearly.  The vision of God (working through RAM) is to reach people for Christ in Europe, starting in Romania and working outward.  Currently this organization has expanded into Austria, Macedonia, Italy, Spain, Moldova, Serbia, Great Britain and all over Romania including the upper regions near the borders of Ukraine.  It began with a vision given to a man who often referred to himself as “Just a Carpenter’s Helper” who stepped out in faith in 1996.  Thousands and I mean thousands have been touched for Christ in some form or fashion through this ministry.  Just in the last four years that I’ve been involved, I have personally witnessed miracles of hearts being changed everywhere– not just European hearts but ours too!  The idea here is to not just send groups of American’s every summer but most importantly, to train the local indigenous people to preach the gospel to their own people.  RAM then, plants a church and encourages and pays the salary of those local pastors.

There is no better way to love Jesus than to walk by faith.  Proving we love Jesus is not about that emotional feeling we get during the worship service Sunday morning. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)  But showing Christ we love Him is about walking in obedience and putting our life down; all the fears, hurts, anger, bitterness and all our earthly rights.  I can honestly say that I love Jesus more today than I ever have before  because of these opportunities given me to walk by and through faith.  I can say without a doubt, Christ has released me from many concerns that controlled me since THE moment I truly “stepped out.”  It isn’t that I do not deal with these fears anymore; it’s that I’ve witnessed the POWER in

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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“And They All Broke Down and Wept”

18 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Religion

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I have often contemplated the profound relationship between Ruth and Naomi.  This story has always touched me so deeply because of the incredible way it reveals the true heart of women.  This is the only place in the bible where God highlights the love and loyalty He created in them. The fact is, like it or not, we have an incredible longing to be loved and accepted by other women in our lives; whether it’s from our own mothers, mentors or friends.  Walk with me while I contemplate the thoughts of these two women and let’s see if we feel that tug deep within us that says, “That’s me, Lord.”

Naomi was a woman who had been struck with a long season of suffering.  Her suffering was so great that she told her friends to no longer call her Naomi (which means “pleasant”) but rather, to call her “Mara” (which means “bitter.”)  You see, she had not only been widowed but also lost her two sons.  The only two people she had left in this world were her two daughter-in-laws by the names of Ruth and Orpah.  They were of Jordanian descent which is where Naomi and her husband had made a life for themselves.  After Naomi’s husband and sons passed away – she decided to leave Jordan and return back to her homeland Israel, alone.

The story goes on to say that Naomi said to her daughter-in-laws, “Go back to your mothers’ homes instead of coming with me.  And may the LORD reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me.  May the LORD bless you with the security of another marriage.’  Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept.”  This part is so very sad to me because I have experienced such similar situations that just the thought makes my heart bleed.  I’ve been a “Naomi” of types.  I have, in a sense, kissed someone good-bye and then broke down and wept.  But also, I’ve been a sort of Ruth who said, “No, I want to go with you” and wept bitterly because I was afraid my Naomi would say, “No.”

I can imagine myself as Naomi the night before she told those women her plans.  If I had been Naomi, I would have tossed and turned all night long.  I would have laid there and felt those crushing fist blows to my heart over and over as my eyes drenched my pillow.  My mind would have been conflicted.  On the one hand, I’m certain I would have heard my own voice say, “Naomi, these are the only people you have left in this world.  You will be all alone if you let them go.”  While, at the same time, I imagine I would also hear, “Naomi, do what is right and let them go.”   Life just isn’t easy.

Now, even though Orpah initially protested, she later said her good-byes and departed.  And if you read Jewish traditional literature, you will find that Orpah is

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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Bending Beneath the Weight of His Wind

14 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Jesus, Religion

≈ 2 Comments

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This last week, I’m not sure what happened.  Maybe it was homeschooling and all the time that that requires.  Maybe it was all my other responsibilities or just sheer laziness – who knows.  All I do know is…I took my focus off Christ.  In one week’s time, I had inundated myself with TV and the daily toil of relational issues all around me.  By the end of the week, I realized I was feeling tired and overwhelmed. I felt like saying, “Lord, where are you?”  And I was quickly reminded in my spirit that I had not spent one ounce of QUALITY time with Him.  So maybe He’s been saying, “Kimberly, where are YOU?”

Over the last few years, these sorts of things like “the troubles of the world” have affected me less and less because I’m learning to “turn it off”.  I’m not just referring to turning off the TV.  I mean it all.  I’m learning to accept these “troubles” that the Lord promised would come.  I am brought comfort with His words, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The only thing I can attribute my confidence despite all these worldly problems is my increased desire and dedication to spend time with the Lord daily. When I dedicate my mornings (or whatever hour I can) to study His Word and pray…I feel empowered in a world that takes all my power.  It isn’t a power like the world defines.  It’s power that comes from the Holy Spirit and brings comfort despite all the circumstances ensuing right before your very eyes.  It counsels you when you see the world falling apart and when you hear the Nightly News say things that are in complete opposition to God and the truth.  Like Isaiah, the prophet spoke, “Woe to them that call evil good and good evil,” Isaiah 5:20.  What chance does the body of Christ have against this world if we don’t stay in tune with the ONLY one that gives us our hope?  We will be buried with the cares of this world and you know it.  One week.  Incredible.  We better guard our hearts and minds like conscientious, well-trained soldiers!  This is no time to fall back.

Not one decent moment with the Lord last week that I could legitimately count as worthy.  No real time seeking Him.  Without that small amount of time He will become in our minds but miles and miles away.  When was the last time you spent time with the only person that has the power to keep you from feeling overwhelmed?  When is the last time you spent time with the only one that will never forsake you no matter what?

Yesterday morning during worship service, I fought back tears as we sang, “O, ‘How He Loves Us.” (You Tube this song; “Jesus Culture”). The song actually says, “He loves like a hurricane.  I am a tree; bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.”  I’ve never been loved like a hurricane but it sounds intense and

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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Who Am I?

05 Saturday Jan 2013

Posted by kmoon70 in Christianity, Religion

≈ 2 Comments

ImageWhen my twin boys were just infants I spent a lot of time awake in the late night hours.  During those times I liked to watch the Game Show Network.  One particular show I liked to watch was called, “To Tell the Truth.”  It aired for over a decade from 1954-1968.  Three challengers are introduced, all claiming to be the central character.  Each challenger states, “My name is [central character’s name].”  The idea is, the celebrity panelist question each challenger trying to identify the real central character.  Obviously two of the challengers are profoundly lying.  At the end of the show, each celebrity panelist makes their pick on who is the “real” person.  Then the host says, “Will the real {name inserted here} please stand up.”  I was always amazed how the other people were able to lie so well and counterfeit their own identities.  Of course, this show was all in fun but I think how often we all have a tendency to become imposters in our daily lives.

There have been times in my life when what I wanted more than anything, was to be like “YOU”.  Maybe it was that lovely singing voice or that attractive smile.  “YOU” just always seemed like you had it all together.  Maybe it was “YOU” who seemed so much smarter and beautiful.  Maybe it was “YOU” who had such a gentle spirit never saying an unkind word to anyone.  Ah, but there was “YOU”, who had that uncanny way to always know when to encourage others.  But then again, I can’t forget “YOU” who was always able to do the right thing no matter the circumstances.  And I’ll never overlook “YOU” who was always fearless in reaching out to the downtrodden.  “YOU” have always inspired me.

Have you ever wanted to be someone else?  Have you

Where Can I currently purchase this book?
Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice

ISBN-10: 1498413064, ISBN-13: 978-1498413060

  1. Online Retailers: Amazon/Barnes & Nobles, ebook readers like: Kindle, Nook
  2. Ask your local LifeWay to order it for you
  3. xulonpress.com/bookstore/Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
  4. Contact Author (Website: Kimberlykmoon.com)

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  • I AM Zombie February 6, 2016
  • Do You Look at Life Through Rose Colored Glasses? August 4, 2015
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Recent Posts

  • I AM Zombie February 6, 2016
  • Do You Look at Life Through Rose Colored Glasses? August 4, 2015
  • Romania, “What’s the Difference Between ‘Fool’ and ‘Full?'” July 9, 2015
  • Romania, A Time for Everything Under the Sun July 8, 2015
  • Romania  July 6, 2015
  • Here Am I, Send Me! July 1, 2015
  • Secret Sin May 18, 2015
  • Are YOU a Pickle or Are YOU a Cucumber? May 12, 2015
  • An Honest Dialogue about My Christian Journey March 6, 2015
  • An Honest Dialogue about My Christian Journey March 5, 2015

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