Cafe Chat

Hello Sweet Sisters (and any brothers that may stop by)! This will be my last "Cafe Chat" for awhile. I have an opportunity to serve some wonderful young ladies in the upcoming year, and I want to make sure I give my full devotion to them. I will sorely miss doing the "Cafe Chat" meme, but I will still be able to participate here at the Cafe by posting a devotion from time to time.


So today is the last day of 2009... I wonder what kind of year 2009 has been for all of you. As we close this year, I want to ask you a question. I am sure that doesn't surprise you, since that is what this meme is all about :)


Is there something (or more than one thing) that you felt Jesus wanted you to do in 2009 that you did not do? What was it? Why didn't you do it? Will you tackle it in 2010?


God willing, I want 2010 to be a year of action for me when it comes to the things that the Lord has in store for me. I hope the same for all of you too. Blessings my friends, and please visit me at my personal blog site as I will miss the weekly check in with all of you. See you around the Cafe...

In Christ,

Kim

Cafe Chat

Well my beloved community, it is almost time to celebrate the most wonderful birth in history. The birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords...Jesus Christ. Are you ready? Familiarity can be a good thing, but familiarity with the Christmas story can be negative if you just listen to the story as one that you have heard hundreds of times before...a story that no longer engages your mind and moves your heart toward love. Personally, I have fallen into the trap of treating the Christmas story too casually and have forgotten what the baby in the manger truly represents. This Christmas, I don't want that to happen, so let us pray together to see and hear the Christmas story with new eyes and new ears. In the Bible, John writes "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14-first part of verse). As many have said, Jesus was born to die, but the story did not end with his death, but a wonderful resurrection. Oh we have so much to be thankful for this season. No, we have so much to be thankful for everyday. Today, my question is more of a fill in the blank question. Please take a moment to leave your answers here at the Cafe. I would love to see what you write, and I know that you bless others here at the Cafe when you participate. The night that Jesus was born________________ came to the World.The night that Jesus was born________________came to my life. Let us see with new eyes and hear with new ears this Christmas.Merry Christmas!!!Kim

Cafe Chat

Christmas is right around the corner. Are you ready? I think I am :) I hope that you got a chance to read last week's Chat. I asked you to come up with a gift that you wanted to give to Jesus for Christmas (read last Thursday's Chat for more information). I think I have mine, but I want to give it a little more thought before I make my final decision. Anyhow, let's stick with the gift theme for today's question.What is the best gift you have ever received at Christmas time? Please tell the reason why it was the best gift.I encourage those of you that have never participated on a Cafe Chat day to try it out today. Blessings,Kim

Cafe Chat

I hope today's "Chat" finds you enjoying the presence of Jesus. In my own life I tend to think of Him a lot during Christmas time? Anyone else? If you have been reading the "Cafe Chat" for any period of time, you know that my questions are normally inspired by the things I hear, see or experience in my everyday life. Even though I have heard about the idea of giving Jesus a present at Christmas from several people, today's credit for my question will go to Lysa Terkeurst (Proverbs 31 Ministries). I recently led a group of friends through Lysa's new book, "Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl". I will quickly say Lysa's book is wonderful, and I highly recommend it. About two weeks ago I heard Lysa talk about how her family made a commitment one Christmas that they would give Jesus a present everyday of the next year. What a goal.She said that for the next 365 days, they would either give their time, money or encouragement to someone. This gift could be to someone they knew or to a stranger. One of their goals was to look back and know that for a whole year someone would have been touched in some way by the love of Jesus (I abbreviated the story, and may have left out some information, but the main idea is there). I love this idea, and today's question is actually a challenge to you. What is one gift you can give to Jesus in the coming year? Think a bit deeper and challenge yourself. Try to make sure the gift is centered on Jesus.Blessings sweet friends,Kim

Cafe Chat

This month I am going to try to focus the "Cafe Chat" questions toward the theme of Christmas. I am sure I will not have a hard time coming up with questions as I just love Christmas time, and as I grow in my relationship with Jesus, Christmas becomes even more special to me. Today's question is going to be straight forward and simple. What is your favorite Christmas memory? If you can't pick a favorite, share one of your top memories. Blessings All... Kim

Cafe Chat

Hey my dear "Cafe" friends. Thank you for the continual encouragement that you give me and this community weekly. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving (I am sure you already knew that though), and I won't be posting a "Cafe Chat" question on that day. I hope you will be enjoying Thanksgiving Day with the Lord, your family and friends. But, I could not let the opportunity go to ask you what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving.Please list up to 5 things that you are thankful for... I encourage you to think a little deeper and come up with something that you are thankful for that you might not have thought of before.Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving...Kim

Cafe Chat (Can today be the day?)

First, I want to say thanks so much for all the prayers that you all prayed for my mother last week. My mother is still recovering in the hospital, but we are hopeful that soon she will be able to come home. (I am posting updates on my regular blog if you want to know the latest information). I was so encouraged last week by how many people responded to my request for prayer, and at the same time my heart went out to those that left prayer requests of their own. So, my new plan is that at least once a month, I will open up the "Chat" for prayer requests. I think praying for one another will be one way that we can draw closer to one another, and Jesus. Thank you all for showing me this last week!!! With all that being said, let's "Chat". As you might have noticed already the title of the Chat today is, "Can today be the day?". The Lord has really been working in my heart over the last several months. I feel like He has been dealing with me in the area of letting things go. Sometimes the things are outright sins. Sins that have had me in their grip for a long time. Sins I have been wrestling with for what feels like my whole life. On the other hand, there are things in my life, things that I neccessarily consider sins. Some of the things are good things, or at least that is how the world might define them. However, these good things have become idols in my life. Things that I find myself not able to do in moderation, if you know what I mean. I am speaking today in general terms, because I don't want you to get focused in on any particular sin, and I don't also want you to feel like I am singling out things in my life that I think you all should give up as well. What I am asking you to do is to pray to God and see if there is something He wants you to give up. Not give up eventually, or one day in the future, but TODAY. Can today be the day you begin your journey to freedom from what binds you? Begin your journey with prayer, and then seek God in His Word. Ask Him to give you the desire to change, and the strength to do the hard work that is required. Seek out friends and loved ones that will support you on your journey to freedom. Jesus came to set us free... Let's seek freedom together. (Today, if you feel led please share with us what thing you are asking God to set you free from, or at least that you decided today is the day to change...)Cheering you on,Kim

Cafe Chat

Update: 11-7... Today my mom is stable :)Hello Cafe Community. I hope that today finds you enjoying the presence of the Lord. Today I am going to depart from my normal routine, which is me ask you a question, and you all blow me away with your answers :) Today will be a day that we can show brotherly or sisterly love and encouragement to each other.Today my mother is having a very risky surgery. My mother has been through so much in the last decade of her life, and especially in the last 3 years. She had quadruple by-pass surgery a year ago, and then had a vascular surgery a few months after that. About a month ago it was decided that my mother would have to undergo another surgery. I am not going to take up a lot of time here today to go into all the details, but this surgery is very risky because of her current health status. Over the last year, I have sent emails, posted information on my blog, and even sent out the information via Facebook to ask for prayers from the body of Christ for my mother. Can I say that when the body( meaning Christians) is operating under Christ's headship it is a beautiful thing. My family and especially my mother have been blown away by the many people that have offered up prayers on her behalf. Even people that do not know my mother have labored in prayer for her. We are overwhelmed. Today, ultimately we know that my mother's life is held in God's hands and He will carry her through every step that is to come. May I ask you to pray for my mother today? Her name is Donna Powers. Any prayers you offer are coveted. However, I want to finish today's post, by asking you to leave a prayer request in the comment section of today's post. How can we pray for you? It doesn't have to be a big request, any will do. My plans are to come back later and try to pray for all the requests left today. As so many have prayed for my family, it is a very small way to say thanks.Also, can I challenge you to look at the requests today, and even if you don't get to pray for them all, would you pray for at least one person's request? Then stop by her/his website to let him/her know that you prayed for them. This is one way we can unite as sisters and brothers in Christ.Be Blessed Today!!!

Cafe Chat

You all don't know it, but about 90% of the inspiration for my questions come directly from my life circumstances. Well, this week falls into the 90% :) I was able to attend a Women's Conference this past weekend at a Church, and Liz Curtis Higgs was the speaker. Liz is so darling, and she is a witty, funny, fun loving woman of God. This weekend Liz talked about a few women from the Bible; Sarah, Hagar, and Leah. I want us to focus in on Leah this week. Actually, Leah and Rachel. I won't assume that everyone reading is familiar with the story of Leah and Rachel, and Jacob of course. So below I will post a portion of scripture from Genesis 29. Please read before you answer the questions, and I would encourage you to read even more of the story than I posted.

(From Genesis 29)

After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, 15 Laban said to him, "Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be."
16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel."

19 Laban said, "It's better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me." 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to lie with her."

22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. 24 And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter as her maidservant.

25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?"

26 Laban replied, "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. 27 Finish this daughter's bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work."

28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 Laban gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. 30 Jacob lay with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.

31 When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, "It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now."
33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too." So she named him Simeon.
34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." So he was named Levi.
35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "This time I will praise the LORD." So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.

So after reading part of the story (again, I encourage you to read more) who do you sympathize with more, Leah or Rachel? Who does your heart go out to? Does your answer reflect the fact that you can relate to your choice personally? Share if you feel so led.

I again look forward to seeing your answers. If you are new to the "Cafe Chat" please join in :)

Kim (I encourage you to use the MckLinky feature today)

Cafe Chat

Dishes, laundry, dusting, making beds, cleaning the bathroom...I am sure that these words evoke some emotion in all of us, for me these are NOT a few of my favorite things..Nonetheless, these are all things that need to be done, and for the most part on a daily basis. There is a verse in 1 Corinthians (10:31) that reads "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." I have an ESV study bible, and the study note for that verse reads, "Every aspect of every Christian's life has the potential to honor God." So I think our tasks above could be included as things we can do to bring honor to God.So today, I ask you how can we bring glory to God in the midst of the repetitive everyday tasks that we have to do? Give examples Don't be surprised if you hear about me putting into practice some of the answers you all share :)Blessings, Kim

Cafe Chat

Hello All!!! I will be using the MckLinky feature today, but I wanted to give a quick recap first of how to use the MckLinky if you are not familiar with this feature. There are two ways to participate in the Cafe Chat weekly. The first way is to leave a comment and/or your answer to the Cafe Chat question directly on the Cafe Chat post. The second way you can participate is to actually answer the Cafe Chat question on your blog or website, and then leave a link back to your blog/website letting us know that you answered the question at your own site. This is where the MckLinky is going to become an awesome tool to help us connect with each other. If you answer the question to the Cafe Chat at your blog/website, just make sure to leave your site address on the MckLinky feature. It is very easy, I promise :). If you have problems, just leave me a comment at my personal blog or directly on this Cafe Chat post. OK, thanks for bearing with me while I explained a little about the McLinky. So let's get to today's question.____________________________________________________________________During the past decade I have heard it said many times that our mind is like a tape recorder. Our mind continually plays messages over and over again. Some of those messages are good, and some are bad. Some messages are truth, and then others are lies. If you are like me I don't think my tape recorder has a stop button, as my mind is continually playing some kind of message. So today, I ask you what is one message that your "tape recorder" (mind) is playing over and over in your head that is a lie? God's Word is the only thing that has the power to change our minds. His truth is the only way to erase a lie. So for the second part of the question I am asking that you find a scripture from the Bible that gives you truth over your lie. List the scripture for us. Then I want to challenge you to keep telling yourself God's truth about the lie you are believing. Let God erase that lie from your mind once and for all.
Blessings to all!!!

Cafe Chat

Hello "Cafe Chatters"!!! Did you decide if you like that name yet? I feel like I am getting to know you all a little bit better every time I read your answers to my weekly questions. We have a wonderful little community here.


Today is going to be a little bit different. Today's questions and answers will serve to help me with coming up with future questions for the Cafe Chat meme. I am also working on getting the McLinky tool set up here which will make our back and forth communication with each other so much easier. Once the McLinky is up, you will be able to easily visit those that participate in this weekly meme. (Update...it looks like the McLinky is ready to use...please take advantage of this great feature)



What kind of questions would you like to see me ask weekly at the Internet Cafe? Even more general, what kind of topics would you like for me to address weekly (prayer, relationship, sin, etc)? If you have a specific question in mind, go ahead and let me know that as well.

I will try to incorporate your answers in future Cafe Chats.


I can't wait to get your input. You all are a big part of this community, and without you I would just be asking questions that never get answered.

Blessings, Kim

Cafe Chat

(UPDATE FROM KIM...Please make sure to read the comments on this post...they are precious)




Well, I would love to say that I came up with today's question because it is a good one, but I found it in a book I am currently reading. I thought the question was too good not to ask it to one of my favorite online communities.



The question comes from the book, "Did You Think To Pray?" by R. T. Kendall. A verse from Exodus 33 had Kendall really pondering about the situation Moses was in. (Feel free to read Exodus 33, and/or you could purchase Kendall's book to read more about the story if you would like). The question Kendall came up with is very thought provoking, and he asked the question to his friends as well. So today, I ask you a similar question (I changed it slightly).



If God told you that He would answer any one prayer request today, what would it be? Why, this request? (Again, I give all credit to R.T. Kendall for today's question)



I can't wait to read your responses.



Blessings,


Kim

Cafe Chat

Hello Cafe Chatters!!! I wanted to do a video blog post today, but time slipped through my fingers, so I will try again next week. I will get right to today's questions, and I think the questions are easy to answer. What is your favorite book in the Bible? Why is it your favorite? (Give specific details :) See I told you the questions were easy, and I can't wait to read your answers. Blessings, Kim

Cafe Chat

To do or not to do...that is the question Do you ever find yourself measuring how good you are doing in your relationship with God by the things you do, or the things you don't do? In the last couple of weeks, I have found myself looking at the things I am NOT doing, or shall I say some things I have given up (or tried to) because they were not things that were drawing me to Jesus, or helping me in my relationship with Him. For me, I think I am discovering that if I look at my "DO NOT" list, it is pushes me a bit toward legalism, and causes me to focus in on my works more than I should. So today I want to see where my sisters in Christ stand on the "to do or not to do" dilemma. Do you focus in more on what you are doing for Jesus, or on what you are not doing for Him? Is there a balance? Do you think this is even a healthy approach when you are examining yourself in regards to your relationship with Christ? I am looking forward to seeing your answers this week.Blessings, Kim

Cafe Chat

James 1:27 (New International Version)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

For today's question I am going to have us concentrate on the second part of James 1:27. Not long ago, I chose this verse to memorize because my husband and I were thinking of adopting in the future. This verse tells us that "religion" that God accepts as pure and faultless is looking after orphans. Well in my mind adopting an orphan could be one way to look after him/her, as I am sure there are many different ways. But, it wasn't until this past week that the second part of this verse caused me to do a little introspection.

The second part of James 1:27 says that "religion" God accepts as pure and faultless is also "to keep oneself from being polluted by the world". This portion of Scripture really struck my heart, as I can definitely tell you that this past week, as well as a good portion of my life I have been "polluted" by the world. Some other translations of the Bible use the words, unspotted or unstained in place of the word polluted.

I would even go as far to say that I am not an innocent victim of the world either. Yes, the world can push itself on all of us at times, but for the most part I choose to partake of what the world has to offer. Then like clock work, that feeling of being "polluted" weighs me down, and then I begin to feel distant from God. Not because God left me, but because I chose things that were not the things that God has for me.

So today I ask you, what are some ways you/we can be polluted by the world? What can we do to keep ourselves from being polluted?

Blessings, Kim

(I have been trying to visit the blogs of those that answer the "Cafe Chat" question. I have noticed that I am sometimes the only one that has left a comment from the Internet Cafe community. I know that it was easier to visit other's blogs when we had the Mr. Linky function, but it began to cause technical problems. Please take a few minutes to look at the comment section and visit those that leave an answer to the "Cafe Chat" question. You will be encouraged!!!)

Cafe Chat

Hello "Cafe" Friends! I hope you are having a wonderful week. Personally, I am exhausted this week as I started teaching Pre-K again. I am pretty much walking around in tired mode for most of the day, but that will change when I get used to my routine. I am sharing all this information with you because my question for today will be simple, but as always packed with a lot of meaning.

Please share your favorite Bible verse, or at least one of your favorite Bible verses with the Cafe community today. Why is this verse meaningful to you?

Blessings to you all today, and don't forget to visit each other's blog/websites :)

Kim

Cafe Chat

I will get right to the question today, and save my thoughts for my blog where I will answer the question.

Is there a situation in your life that you feel ill equipped to handle? If yes, would you be willing to surrender this situation to God, and let Him work through you? If no, why not?

I asked this question this week, because I have a situation that I definitely feel ill equipped for... But as I started to feel this way, I realized that God is fully capable of equipping me to do the work He has purposed in my life. Now that is encouraging!

Blessings, Kim

Cafe Chat

Jealousy...
I know, not a great choice of a word to start out our discussion today, but I think it is a good topic for a "Cafe Chat" question. One definition from Dictionary.com states that jealousy is
"jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself." For today I think this will be the definition that we use to answer our question.

Jealousy is a sin that all people struggle with from time to time in their lifetime. Some will struggle greatly, and for some it can be something they might deal with in specific situations. In my past, I would categorize myself in the "struggle greatly" category, but now with the Lord's changing power I struggle with jealousy less often.

Today I would like for you to tell about a time that you dealt with the sin of jealousy. If you can, give details. Then I would like for you to share how you worked through the situation with God's help.

If you are struggling with jealousy ruling in your life, then I would like for you to write some reasons why you think that is. Would you be willing today to ask God to begin the process of destroying this sin in your life?

Again, always feel free to post anonymously. I will make sure to post my answer this week at my blog. If I ask you the hard questions, I have to ask them to myself. I hope this week's question will encourage all of us to seek God when it comes to the sin of jealousy, and any other sin :)

Blessings, Kim

Cafe Chat

I am back from my vacation, and my "Cafe Chat" break. For the last several weeks I have been re posting some of my previous "Chat" questions. Thanks to all who participated in this meme during my hiatus. I missed interacting with you weekly, but hope to start visiting your blogs/websites again weekly.


"Comfort Zone". Two words or a phrase that has become very popular in our everyday language for years now. I remember when people first started talking about going out of their comfort zone. It wasn't long after that I would hear that phrase in the everyday chit chat of my circle of friends, as well as using the phrase myself.

Today I want to use this phrase as part of my question for our community. However, I would like to add a word to the beginning of the phrase. Let's think in terms of our "spiritual comfort zones". Let me explain a bit further.

We could use the phrase comfort zone for many things that don't really have anything to do with our spiritual lives, and when I say spiritual lives, I am specifically referring to our Christian walk with Jesus. It could be out of our comfort zone to attend a function alone, but that situation would really have nothing to do with our Christian walk.

On vacation I experienced something that I would say was out of my "spiritual comfort zone". When thinking about the question this week I came to believe that as a Christian I should almost always, maybe always, be out of my "spiritual comfort zone" when it comes to life. If I am operating out of my "comfort zone" than that means that Jesus can work through me to do something that either I can't accomplish, or at least something that fear holds me back from accomplishing through Jesus. When Jesus operates through me to perform something I cannot do, then He gets the credit and the Glory. That it how is should be.

So today I ask you to tell me about a time you operated out of your "spiritual comfort zone"? If you are finding it hard to come up with an example, why do you think that is the case?

(FYI: Today I used the term "spiritual comfort zone"... I am using the term lightly to ask a question, not to develop my own phrase)

Blessings, Kim