Let us throw off the masks we wear (they only put limitation on us). Let’s we trade our independent spirit for a surrendered spirit who is totally dependent on the Living God. Find Him in the secret place, seek His face, be built up in Him and by His glorious presence— trusting He will bring you to the other side in victory. Then, then…. think of the gift giving – peace pulsing – hope overflowing – new way to live life that you will offer others by your example to live in a more transparent way!

MY CHILD

Child, sweet child of Mine~
I see your constant struggles and hear the silent cry of your heart,
I want you to know that you may rest in Me-
for I’m the Lord God… I AM.
I am your Healer, your Help and the eternal Hope.

My child, the many tears that fall~
I collect and tenderly treasure them all.
That soiled stain is cleansed and forever removed,
and I want you to know that you are pure in Me-
for I’m the Lord God… I AM.
I am your Redeemer, your Reward and the unmovable Rock.

Oh child, sweet child of Mine~
Allow Me to burn away those shadows, and speak truth to your soul.
I loose the heavy shackles that chain you down,
and set you free in Me-
For I’m the Lord God…I AM.
I am your Protector, your Portion, and the Divine Promise.

Trust always in Me my child,
Even in the hardest and darkest of times, for your life matters to Me~
then be strengthen by how My love has engraved you
forever in the palm of My hands.
I’m the Lord God… I AM

~*~

Simple Blessings,

Kerry Monroe

Though the song is fun to sing and has a catchy melody, the big problem with all these “connections” is that when one part breaks down, the whole enchilada can get messed up. I crack myself up in the mornings as I get up out of bed. I have to talk to these old bones and tell them “work together now ol’ gals and remember you are a team player!” Blah…. getting older is not for faint at heart.

Chronic pain, unchecked emotional pain, spiritual listlessness can wreak havoc on the body (the body of Christ also). Remember the Lord’s words to Peter (we too must heed/ receive/ and walk out in His promise), to KNOW Jesus prays for our faith to NOT fail. We can be courageous no matter if we walk, limp, crawl or are carried …. We press on and in because He does it with us! Years of Jesus walking with me and me with Him,comes plenty of wisdom and hope to share with you. So don’t count me out just yet! And as the Lord said to Peter, encourage others in their faith. I hope to do that now as I share this writing~

Getting Older

These hands that have become weak and stiff
are still the hands that hold
the Word of God
as the single most valued treasure.

Though my stride has slowed to a limp
beautiful are the feet
that bring the Good News of peace
to a fearful and needy world.

Yes, my memory is beginning to fail me
but I shall never forget His promises
that are rooted within
and mine to claim.

The diminished vision I’m experiencing
allows me see more perfectly
through the pure eyes
and the heart of our Father.

Others may have to repeat themselves
for me to hear them,
but trained am I to discover the Holy Spirit’s voice
which comes to me as a gentle whisper.

Surely my voice has become less audible,
et it flows forth with the gentle grace of Christ
as I praise His name
and speak His truths.

Though I must now choose to eat foods
that are on the softer, milder side
I am completely satisfied
after tasting the goodness of the Lord.

Sadly I am involved in fewer activities
but dwelling in the secret place of His love
makes my prayer life even more active and fruitful
as I focus on the One Thing.

Though this temporal body is showing its tattered wear
there is great joy
as I look forward to receiving
my eternal and incorruptible body.

Yes, I am growing older every day
and though it isn’t an easy task…
I am at peace
with the journey He takes me along.

Simple Blessings,
Kerry Monroe

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

Where are the answers to our problems?  Where do we go with the burdens we carry?  Whether our problems disappear or intensify…. the one and only answer to all our needs will always be Jesus. He is The One – the only One.  He is our High Priest who can relate to all of our issues (even when others become weary of “our stuff”).  His Spirit comes to us (and in us) as our Comforter.  He is the King who has overcome this world and prepares a heavenly place free from all decay.   So let your faith rise in His ability!  Worship Him, for the fact is solid that our life is fixed in hope by the resurrected power of our LORD and Savior.  So come to Him. Come crawling cuz of living on fumes for so long- Come needy, even doubting – come skipping or running in desperation.  He waits to lift you, embrace and empower you….just come to Him now.

Let Faith Arise

Amid the unspoken discord-

when precious bonds become fractured,

and for a season of time

a disappointed rift sadly is surmised.

I can do no more…

I can do no greater deed…

than to trust it to Jesus

and let faith arise!

When the grueling path becomes unbearable-

thoughts are weighed down with melancholy,

and the powerful  ache presses on the heart

it is a  tear-felt prayer that cries.

I can do no more…

I can do no greater deed…

than to trust it to Jesus

and let faith arise!

While bearing a battle marked limp-

causing tender footing for this journey,

it is the understanding that a broken road

will always  lead me to My Prize.

Yes…  trust it all to Jesus,

and let faith arise!

Simple Blessings

Kerry Monroe

  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Centered in the Hollow of HIS Hand

Often when troubles vex

creating colossal waves to swell-

though many a mountainous trials collide

our soul cleaves to The Anchor knowing all is well.

When daily qualms toss us off course

intending to dampen the truth of our eternal fate-

drenched by the sea of disappointments

it is through those very waters that our Mooring navigates.

Storm currents will always pitch and pull

taunting us to lose sight of The Promised Land-

yet, it is our Safeguard who comes to guide

and center us within the hollow of HIS hand.

Simple Blessings

Kerry Monroe

“I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.  All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.  In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.” (Isaiah 54:12-14)

Do you then find yourself beginning to carry on a conversation with this one-dimensional photograph? All the while, you taste each tear that streams down your cheeks and mixes within your verbal yet inaudible conversation that is carrying on. When pressing the frame flush against your heart, you squeeze it so tightly as if you almost believe that your ache could revive life into your loved one.  But, when that doesn’t happen what is there to do but to fall into bed curled up as a child, offering your heartache up to the Lord?  And He is always ready to take and carry that pain. Though thankful to have a photo, your memories being so vivid, so alive, how could they even begin to compete with a one-dimensional picture? So you are left empty and unsatisfied and not ready to fully let it go.  I know.  I know… it is hard work to change our relationship with what is now gone from our life. Cradle that frame in your arms, cry out your loved one’s name, but also allow your exhaustion to rest in your Savior’s care and He will enter your pain and carry it for you.  He will refresh you with Himself- it is a promise.   Keep on trusting, keep on moving forward in His strength, in His ability and grace, remembering always…. that we move out from victory.

I Call On You, My Lord

Teach me O Lord, to call upon Your name

when the silent ache presses down

into the hollow place

within the walls of my heart.

I must pray these somber waves

roll across this cavern of need

never to  tarry here anymore

and to once and for all depart.

For You lay hold of this vacuum of lost dreams

to which Your love fills

then saturates the empty places

with new  hopes and desires.

I will praise Your holy name my Lord God

who makes all things new again

resurrects life from death

                                                                                                and sets a soul on fire.

Simple Blessings

Kerry Monroe

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” (PS 34:17)

Help free us Lord, to not stand in the doorway like the self-righteous Pharisees who were more interested in passing judgment on sinners rather than looking within and seeing their own pitiful sins.  The egos of Pharisees swell up with ugly pride at keeping the rules and feeling superior over others, but they have lost sight of God’s desire to have every sinner come to Him. Help us to walk through the threshold of the doorway and make our way into the room to share the Good News with others.  Only then can He wash them clean.  Forgive me when I have NOT been an invitation to You and dared to measure the sins of self (or others), forgetting just how often (yes, even daily) I have missed the mark of Your perfect law myself. May pride be cleansed from me my Lord, as I see how easily it rises from a deep seated hole of ugliness.  May I never forget that I stand in a pool of my own shed tears of past and present sorrow over how often I have missed the mark of Your excellence. My pool of tears has been swallowed by the mercy of your Son Jesus Christ. It is not enough for us to know “we” (our eternal souls) have been saved–should we not also have an unquenchable passion to invite others to the great washing and eternal gift?

Your Alabaster Jar

Could it be that we have carried You, our God

at a far off and reserved distance

as a shallow and willful act

by conceding to even a hint of unforgiveness regarding one another?

With this tender relationship we have been invited to share-

the truth must burn perpetually in our hearts

considering the knowledge

that Your Son, Jesus Christ chose death on the cross

held no blame deep within the essence of His core

for the valued price of each one’s soul.

It could only have been love that was the catalyst

that took Him from the agony of the garden

and hastened Him directly to His awaiting cross

to take upon our sins

freeing each individual by gaining a relationship with Him.

Shall we do no less than be compelled by His unfailing love

and relinquish our right to hold grievances,

so that bridge of mercy may be offered

and joyfully given-

remembering He gave His back to the lash

His hands to the nails and His life for ours.

Lord, grant that we not be hasty to see or count imperfections in others

but give us eyes of self- examination into our own dust-formed vessels

for all those hidden prideful, boastful, and  hurtful ways

that hinder Your Spirit.

Make us into Your alabaster jar …

beautifully broken by Your Holy Spirit

found always poured out with a fragrance diffusing Your limitless love

and abounding  grace  touching the world ..

with the best of You.

Simple Blessings,

Kerry Monroe

 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers,

evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  (Luke 18: 11-14)

But, whether we are aging a bit or still very young, we must not let the enemy’s lies, the world’s opinions, or even our own negative inner voice trying to steal the truth of what God thinks of us.  Made is His beautiful image- we truly are beautiful. Each of us still have a lot to offer Him (and His Kingdom), as long as we have a breath still in us! So get your back bone straight, chin up, crawl or walk or wheel yourself to starting line and begin (or continue) to run the race for His glory. Let each of us magnify the  Lord and make His name known in every corner of the world.

Look At Me World

Look at me world; I am a child of God—

your labels cannot cling to me…

can you see my beauty and strength as God does…

it is Christ in me.

Look at me world; I am a child of God—

your negative energy may try to whip and lash at my faith…

but see how I stand on the Rock and He does not move.

Look at me world; I am a child of God—

your scorn and doubt cannot ravage my will…

for I can do all things through Him who empowers me.

Look at me world; I am a child of God—

I have been given the freedom to love

from the One who paid the ultimate price…

So take one darn good look at me world

and see my beauty… it is Christ in me

and He came to beautify you too!

Simple Blessings,

Kerry Monroe

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

I hope you will indulge me for a moment or two, by permitting me to share two personal family stories of great examples of overcoming any root of bitterness, choosing forgiveness to reign over one’s heart, and ultimately giving God glory by bringing goodness from what was meant for evil.

The first goes back to the late 1890′s and early 1900′s. My husband’s grandfather was one of the first homesteaders in the Wyandotte Kansas territory having purchased several acres of land from the tribe. Others came to claim land and settle. They would be the first white settlers in that area, my husband’s grandfather was not. Although he was one of the original homesteaders and first to plow the wild, untamed land, his neighbors got together and decided amongst themselves that they would not allow my husband’s grandfather (or his wife) to drive down the main road in town that led to his home. Having them use the back roads better suited their taste. That way they didn’t have to see and be in disdain over the color of his skin. For years this man endured humiliation by driving home from work on those out of the way roads. This kind and gentle man took his God-given gift of a “green thumb” and opened his land for a communal farming and gardening to his neighbors. Over time, the neighbors began to use his land and got to know the man under the light-brown skin. What was once an affront to their sense of superiority…. softened.  Walls started to come down, friendships were cultivated and a beautiful garden was shared.

Now let’s move forward one hundred years. My daughter noticed all of her “pet sitting” business signs around the neighborhood were being taken down and replaced by another girl’s signs. When my husband got wind of this seemingly unjust situation he took my daughter over to the other little girl’s home to meet her parents. And, unlike most parents who might become confrontational, my husband suggested to the other father that they make this into a positive experience. They gave the girls money to go to the mall and have lunch together. Do you know that these girls are still very good friends nearly 15 years later.

All of us have been wronged; treated unfairly in one way or another. Some scars go deeper than others. But each time we are hurt, we have a choice. We can stay bitter, strut our supposed superiority over another, point the finger and blame or we can ask the Lord how He will help us rise up in Him to be a shining example of how it looks to be a person who gets their identification from God alone. The latter releases His grace into every situation.

On Eagle Wings

Amid the uneasy and haunting storms that hover and try us…

You, oh Lord God are our shining light –

revealing and guiding the pathway to freedom and victory.

The touch of Your hand and gentle voice comforts and lifts our spirit –

restoring our strength anew, so that we may soar above and beyond

and into new heights– as natural as if on eagles wings

with our faces set towards heaven.

Your light of truth and love guides our hearts and generates a peace

that radiates in us that time has been spent in Your presence.

And so we shall surrender our faith and trust in You alone-

declaring with a mighty voice…that at any cost

we shall pursue and follow Your ways.

It is Your joy that keeps us from growing weary in the battles of life…

and it is Your love in us-

that allows us to manifest the essence and grace of Christ.

We fly high on the wind of the breath of life

that You have given to us…

for we are Your beloved and awaiting bride.

Simple Blessings

Kerry Monroe

What lies has the enemy blindsided you with? What labels are you allowing the world to stick onto you?

We, as children of the Most High God, are not slave to lies. Instead we seek God’s opinion of us. Do you (or I) care more about people’s opinion over that of God’s? May it never be!  We are His beloved.

We have been made into His image and we are told we are His handwork (or workmanship) – this is where we get our English word for poem.  You are poetry in motion, divinely crafted by the Master Crafter!   Because He has spoken life into us, we now speak the language of love, His love. We sing the song of the redeemed, and oh how that is needed to be heard today!   His beauty stirring in us makes others want to move to the rhythm of His heartbeat. The hurting people of this world must see the harmony we have with our Creator and then with one another, in order for us to be an invitation to the greatest eternal dance of one’s life.

Because don’t you see, we are a declaration of what Jesus has done for the world.  Our life’s language shines brightly for others to come and taste, just as they are right now, and dance with their Maker (whether they personally acknowledge that truth as of yet).  That’s our story. It’s His story through us.  You paint a picture of grace for you are beautiful-He has made you so.  You are also a force to be reckoned with- a force to go out into the world and proclaim how He saved you and invited you to be an heir to His Kingdom.   Does this make you feel uncomfortable in any way to be told you are lovely and strong by His power? Learn to accept the truth in true humility.  His truth.  For when take that truth into the center of your heart, you are compelled to want others (all people) to share in this same blessing. So shake off anything that would want to stick, make you doubt, or bring you down.  Go ahead and be the blushing bride, knowing we are forever held in the embrace of our Groom’s loving gaze.

                                                                          You Beautify Me

Bathe me with entrusted purity by the way of washing me in Your Spirit, O God,

that I may be revived and transformed into the essence of Your image…

longing to reveal Christ’ pure light  to a world in such need.

You beautify me Lord, with Your enlightened pearls of wisdom

spoken though  Your own living Word

 and as I diligently trust, seek, and know You more…

I am free to share with others Your unlimited riches of grace.

So robe me in that enduring garment of praise and worship,

faithfully drawn from the warmth of Your presence…

allow it to delight me and then inspire others

with the truth of the hope of glory that Christ has for each us.

Lastly Lord, feed me with that endless gift of love

from which You freely give,

so I may always be found living united in You…

able to touch others with the good fruit

of Your unquenchable,  boundless love.

Simple Blessings,

Kerry Monroe

“ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

Will we dare to ask, to begin the journey and invest in the time to develop our talents and gifts? Will we dare to fail, accept useful criticism and then to get back up and try again?    

And as we remember that we have been made into His image and received much from the Lord, will we then turn around and be a people who share our selves, inspire others in their talents, and come along side to mentor. Be bold- dare to live in the unique ways He made you and magnify the Living God by it!!

                                                                                                   Giver of Gifts

You Lord, Giver of gifts,

have invested deep-seated dreams

for us to not only hold in our possession-

but to explore

and develop these heavenly visions.

Work within us-

unfold a desire,

curb our fears

so that we will dare to step out

dream the dreams-

and then may they flow from us like a river

with a swift current continuously fed

from Your creative imagination.

You Lord, Giver of gifts,

have inputted unique-budding talents

for us to not only entertain for ourselves-

but to identify

and then fine tune these divine crafts.

Work through us-

stir a longing

and help us to trust

so that we will have the forbearance

to master this art-

and finally, may these skills spring forth

and capture hearts with abundant delight

as we magnify You the Giver of all gifts.

Simple Blessings

Kerry Monroe

“and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills —  to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze” (Exodus 35:31-32)