Tag Archives: peace

May 9 2012

Sticks and Stones…

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”  Oh to be naive as a child and believe this.  I can remember saying this and hearing this as a child while playing on the playground and dealing with a disagreement.  But now as an adult, I realize the words that are spoken to us hurt just as well and leave scars in hidden places.  There are usually words that proceed a violent blow, a slap, push or shove.  Once the physical damage has been done, words are then used again to convince the abused that they deserved it.

I say this often, words have the power to heal, build up, encourage and inspire.  They also have the power to tear down, hurt and discourage.  Make sure that you are using your words wisely.

“Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love.”

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May 8 2012

Moving…

Sometimes we can become so familiar with our surroundings that even the thought of moving will create stress and a sense of fear.  However, moving can also be a shifting agent and a means of letting go, in order to get move on and get to something better.  I think of the birds of the air and fish of the sea, when the season’s change, they move.  Without hesitation or delay, they leave what was to establish what will be.  

Over the past week, I along with my children, moved.  We left the home and community we had grown familiar with over the past three years.  What was strange is that a sense of peace came over me and not fear.  I was reminded of a dream that I had about 6 months ago.  In the dream, I was moving.  There was no fear, no stress and no worry, as if God was preparing me.  Our move took place without any complications, just a little exhaustion on my end but the transition was smooth.  

Whatever God has for me in this season of transition, I am receiving it with open arms.  I am casting all my cares upon him for He knows what is best for me and He will never put more on me than I can bare.  

Jan 30 2012

Heart Matters…

Last night, I went to sleep with a song in my heart.  “Give me a clean heart.  So I might serve thee.  Lord I’m not worthy of all  your blessings.  Give me a clean heart, so that I might follow thee.”

Over the course of this month, I have recognized the condition of my heart.  At times it was in fact difficult to write because of everything that I was going through.  Sometimes we can allow our circumstances to speak for us, which can get in the way of God speaking through us.  My writing is so closely connected with my walk and relationship with God, that when He speaks, I write.  Silencing the surrounding noise is the task at hand, I am definitely up for that challenge.

Writing is one of my forms of praise.  Finding something to give thanks and praise for on a daily basis should not be a challenge.  I am alive, healthy and full of vision.  What more could I ask for?  “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I hae learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:11-13

Heart

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Dec 14 2011

By a thread

A New Year is on the horizon. Some are thankful to see it end and praying and believing that things can only get better. Some are excited to see all the possibilities from the seeds that have been planted all year long. I want to let you know that it will get better. If you are only holding on by a thread, don’t let go.

I’ve had this black skirt for over a year now. I wore it once and the split tore. Actually it didn’t tear, it just came undone. I have never been one to sew, which is why I put it to the back of my closet. I had planned to take it to the cleaners but always either forgot or simply put it off. I knew I couldn’t fix it, but after pulling it from the back, I realized there was someone who could. Now it is better than what it had been before and I am not worried of it coming undone.

Are there some areas in your life that have gone unfixed or have come undone? Have you examined them closely or just thrown them on the back burner? Are you now in need of them being fixed and in search of the one who can? Well there is one who can.
Like the woman with the issue of blood, she grabbed a hold of His hem, you can keep holding on even if it’s only by a thread.

As 2011 comes to a close, I am reminded of the many blessings that God has saw fit to fulfill. He has sewn together so many areas of my life that were busting out at the seams. When the threads of life begin to unravel, I no longer hide them or put them to the side. I hold on even if it’s only by a thread, God always has a way of putting things back together.

If I can believe that what I am holding onto is worth fighting for then even if it’s only a by a thread, my faith will see me through.

Oct 5 2011

40 Days with God – Day 1

For the past month, I have been pulled in so many different directions. I’ve switched hats multiple times in a day and feel like I’m filling the shoes that were leftover, looked over and/or never wanted.

I knew I would have to give up something in order to get to the next level. However, I didn’t know what I could afford to give up and yet still be able to survive. I began writing out my daily schedule, including only the things I had to do, no if’s, and’s or but’s about it.

My list looked something like this:

Prayer
Get my oldest sons up and off to school
Prepare breakfast for the little ones
Get the little ones dressed
Get my daughter (kindergartener) off to school which included a 3/4 mile walk(one way might I add)
Lunch is eaten right before leaving for school or incorporated into our walk.
Naptime for the two youngest is usually accomplished on the walk back home.

I think you understand where I am going. With all the hours in a day, I am always on the go. There really isn’t as much time as I thought I had for everything I do. I may squeeze in a facebook post here or tweet there, but the time I once had, I no longer have. Which explains why my household had spun out of control.  At first, I was upset.  I thought Lord how could you give me a vision and take it back.    But then I thought, my Father knows best and he is equipping and preparing me to take this to the next level.  I had been spending more time working the vision, then spending time in prayer and receiving direction.   “For thou shalt worship no othr god: for the Lord, whose name is jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus 34:14   My ear must be keen and my heart open to hear the instructions of the Lord. 

My devotion and meditation for the day:

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” I John 2:27

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Jul 15 2011

Maintaining my focus, while HE sustains my Peace

Being a mother of 5 is my life and it has become normal. Its something about hearing Elijah say, “Mom can I play a game on the computer”. Or hearing Jeremiah say, “Mom what’s for dinner, I’m hungry”. Then Mikhiya can not go without asking, “Mom can I have some lip gloss”. Michael and Sargent always add their input or presence, whether Michael is standing in the livingroom flat foot and preaching or Sarg crawling up in my lap, all 5 children have added something to my life and I’m complete during this season.

It works. They inspire me in the midst of the confusion, the stress, the tears, fussing, arguing, etc. HE said he would supply all of our needs and HE has done just that. I am maintaining my focus and HE is sustaining my peace.  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”  Isaiah 26:3

Mar 4 2011

Day 7 – The Sleep Thief

I must say, lately I have been getting more sleep. I don’t know that it is more as for as hours, minutes and seconds but it is more uninterrupted sleep. No waking up for something to drink, to use the restroom or snack, I have actually been sleeping. I think so many have gotten my sleep patterns down to a science, that they are actually amazed when I don’t respond to a text, wall post or tweet. I told myself that I was going to get some rest over the past week and the week to come and I am doing just that. Well I am trying…

This morning, approaching the final hour of sleep before my alarm clock would have sounded throughout the house, my 7 year-old enters my room and says, “mom, is it time to get up?” I wanted to cry, he hadn’t interrupted my sleep in a couple of days, I was starting to appreciate it. I was slowly reminded of how it feels to be robbed of a dream that seemed like it was going to have a good ending. I replied in the calmest voice that I possibly could, “no it is not time, get out of my room”. He seemed more irritated than I was, but he politely left my room. The next hour of sleep was a struggle to get back.

Hmmmmmm, I keep telling myself that the next time I am just going to get up and make a cup of coffee. It’s not like that additional hour makes me feel any better. So in the morning when the “sleep thief” invades my room, I am going to ask him, “do you want a cup of coffee?”

Feb 26 2011

Day 3 – The Shift

In any situation, I have found putting things into perspective is key. My 2 and 3 year old united forces this evening while I was cooking dinner and took all the pillows off the couch and began to jump. On one hand, I could have become upset but on the other it kept them occupied, allowing me to finish dinner.

Change your perspective, change your life. The cup is not half empty, instead it is half full. I have no haters, there are just people that need to be shown how to love.

So when someone ask you how you day is or was, the answer should always be great. My focus has been shifted and no matter what comes my way, I know that I am BLESSED.

Feb 8 2011

A Lesson in Love

A Lesson in Love
When I first started out on this journey. I questioned love, I understood where and who I learned how to love from but I didn’t know how to allow the love of God to work through me and build me up. I was broken, but in the perfect position to be molded, my mind renewed and life transformed. Love has become my foundation. The sad part is that the final portion of the lesson was taught to me through the passing of my cousin, Kimmy.
We spoke almost daily throughout this past year. It was as if both of us were on our own journey trying to find our way back. Worried about the guilt and shame of our past, but believing in our heart that we had been forgiven but so worried about people. Being bound by guilt and shame, we were looking for the light, that covering of love. So many people had let me down that I had no choice but to take my eyes off man and look up, God is love. Man’s love is conditional, wavering and even misleading at times. However, sometimes when our path seems dim if the right person travels that road (the Good Samaritan) we can find our way. “And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” Luke 10:25-28

In this life we need each other, but most importantly we all need the love of God to work through us. We may not understand the pitstop that someone is at along their journey but love will lead them back. God is the only one that can save, we were instructed to love and displaying the love of God brings him glory. For love covers, it heals, it protects, it instructs, it cares, it forgives, it endures; God is love.

The parable of the prodigal son, has been on replay in my mind for quite some time. This is a story of love and restoration. Sometimes we can confuse showing love with obligation. Doing something out of obligation and doing something out of love is two different things and the difference is felt. The prodigal son was living a life of sin which is a separation from God’s love and fellowship. He had to get tired of himself and his lifestyle to understand that God’s love, grace and mercy were available to him. He had to let all the pride go to understand that God hadn’t left him but was yet and still present. The father received him home with open arms. The older brother felt like he was still undeserving and was judgemental. “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he sid unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out and intreated him.” Luke 15:24-28 When we love out of obligation we outwardly keep God’s commandments but inwardly have a religious and judgemental spirit.

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have love you.” John 15:12 Last year was my year of being broken down so that HE could build me back up. Now I am on a sure foundation, a foundation of love. Now I am prepared to build on it. I love you and there is nothing you can do about it.

R.I.Love Kimberly Lynn Walton

Jan 17 2011

Realizing the Dream

“But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” ~Dr. Martin Luther King~ I Have A Dream

I could never re-write something as profound as the historical “I Have A Dream” speech delivered by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But I can say thank you. Dr. King carried a cross for all Americans to one day have the freedom that was rightfully theirs. In his death we realized the power of a dream. The challenge that we have to day is understanding that we are the dream. The dream lies within each one of us. We are to speak those things that aren’t as though they were.

The other day as I revisited the “I Have A Dream” speech, I began to cry. It was as if I could feel his strong and overwhelming desire for each one of us to realize our power and our rightful place. Who wouldn’t? He had seen the vision, he wrote the vision and he wanted to empower all of us with the understanding that we have a God given right to live the vision.

I live for that day when we begin to understand that with God’s Promises there is no competition. When we will be able to come together in ministry and “none will go lacking”. When we will have more ministries operating outside of the church instead of auxilaries within the church. I live for the day when the Body of Christ will truly understand what it means to be set apart, while transforming a nation.

We have paid attention for so long to the messenger but we missed the message and the power behind it. Words have the power to wound and heal, influence and change, use them. But use them wisely. This historical speech has the power to transform, the power to ignite and the power to change if we can all realize the dream that lies within each of us.

“Like anybody I would like to live a long life. Longevity has it’s place but I’m not concerned about that now, I just want to do God’s will….So I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD.” – Dr. King