In the quiet, In the stillness, I know that You are God.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15


Finding stillness and quietness in my day is one of the hardest things to do. Honestly, I don't really like being still. I love living life with things to do and people to see. I enjoy "going with the flow." God made me with that personality, but with that, I continually have to learn to be obedient in it. We all know that God commands us to be still and rest in His presence, but when do we do it? Do we rush through it? Do we pray in the midst of chaos actually thinking God will answer those prayers right then? I know I don't feel peace about anything when I'm rushing around--even praying while I do. Its frustrating not hearing from God, but truthfully I am the cause of my own frustration. I am not still. Straight up--He commanded us to do it (He never said try or if you want to be still). Therefore, it is for our good and for His glory. After "Be still" God added "and know that I am God." Being still allows us to know who He is. Knowing who He is allows us to hear Him-- which allows us to follow Him--which allows us to become more like Him. We must be obedient in this if we are praying for His will to be done in our lives. I have learned that mornings are best to me--the world is quiet. It is truly amazing what He can show us when we are finally still before Him! The worlds chaos cannot compete with it.


In Daniel 10, Daniel is forced to be still and wait faithfully. Daniel prayed and fasted fervently for 3 weeks unable to hear an answer from God concerning a dream about a great war. Finally, an angel came to him in a dream on the 24th day. The angel had been detained from giving the message to Daniel because he was fighting a heavenly battle against enemy forces. These enemy forces were fighting to prevent Daniel from receiving God's answer --keeping him unable to do the will of God. Through Daniel's unceasing prayers, God sent more of heavens forces to win the battle so the messenger could go to Daniel. Daniel didn't want to do anything out of the Lord's will so he consistently waited patiently, faithfully, and quietly. Of course, the Lord was faithful to answer. "And this is confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3. A quote from a book I am reading said, "Heaven could be waiting on you." Pray about everything and expect an answer (it definitely could be no), but if its His will --learn to accept it even though its hard. His will and desires for us are always perfect. If I have learned nothing else through difficult times, it is that. 


Elijah heard God's "Still small voice" in 1 KIngs 19:12. Praying for that today--I always desperately need it.

Just a Thankful Day

"No gift unrecognized as coming from God is at its own best: therefore many things that God would gladly give us, things even that we need because we are, must wait until we ask for them, that we may know whence they come: when in all gifts we find Him, then in Him we shall find all things." -George McDonald

Learning to pray for each and every situation and am forever working on "praying without ceasing"...it is such a hard thing for our minds not to get wrapped up in the world around us! But I have found lately that once I start learning the first... my eyes look to Him countless times more in everyday situations. Through that, I have become so much more thankful for prayer with my Father...I have and still do take that gift for granted much of the time. It makes me so sad I don't always take advantage of time with Him.

Still wanting to see Him in ALL things--praying for my eyes and ears to become accustomed to His "still small voice".

Truly Listening and Seeing

This caught my eye today: "God teaches us to ask so that He might answer our prayers. This reminds us of the source of our blessings." Elisabeth Elliot tells a story of how she got lost in the city when she had specifically asked God to keep her from getting lost. Her new prayer then was to be found by the young exchange student that was living with her at the time. Doubting that it would happen...she prayed anyway. God allowed her to be rescued within 5 minutes by that student. She said, "the answer to my prayer not to get lost was No--in order that I might be specifically blessed in the way I was found." All the glory goes to Him.

I love it when God surprises me--it reminds me of His greatness and His interest in every little detail of my life. He uses His people, the "wow" of His creation,  and those crazy things that you know are "just God"to speak into my life ---those are the things that truly change my life. We have a God who cares and goes to great lengths to show us just how much each and every day. He did not stop at the cross---the ultimate act of love (first for His glory then for us) ---which would have been more than sufficient for us, but He continues to pour out His blessings and acts of kindness on us. I overlook them too much of the time --especially in the busyness of the day.
"Those who have ears, let him hear. Those who have eyes, let him see." Yes we have ears and eyes, but honestly...are we using them correctly? Jesus calls us to be to be seeing (focused) and listening not just looking and hearing to find Him in the small and (sometimes) big things in life.

Praying to see Him in everything today...especially the small details. He is faithful to be there.

My Name

A friend shared this with me today--

What is your name? Like most people I would say my name is Katie. If you asked me what I or other people thought when "Katie" came to mind then I'm sure a multitude of answers would be given--to some my name represents the Katie people knew in past years, to some a first impression of me, and to some who I am now--there would be characteristics, appearances, and experiences behind most of the answers. I'm sure a mixture various answers (flaws and all) depending on when that person knew me.

But who am I really?  Who is Katie? None of the answers that people give actually describe who I am. When the Lord took over my life, He gave me a new name and all that comes with it. Your circumstances, past, failures, or even successes don't determine who you are--- He does and already did when Christ died on the cross. This is who I am:

I am God’s child (John 1:12)

I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)

I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)

I am chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11)

I am holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)

I am adopted as his child (Ephesians 1:5)

I am victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57)

I am born again (I Peter 1:23)

I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am delivered (Colossians 1:13)

I am set free (Romans 8:2; John 8:32)

I have been brought near to God through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 2:13)

I have peace (Ephesians 2:14)

I have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18)

I am a member of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19)

I am secure (Ephesians 2:20)

I can approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).

I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17,18).

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mark 16:17,18; Luke 10:17,19).

I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created me (Colossians 3:9,10).

I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into my bosom (Luke 6:38).

I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).

I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

I am God’s child—for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am a spirit being—alive to God (Romans 6:11;1 Thessalonians 5:23).

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4).

I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22, 25).

I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

I am a partaker of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3,4).

I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).

I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).

I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9).

I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12;).

I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).

I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Philippians 3:14).

For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).


THIS is who I am and THIS is who you are if you are in Christ. Give your life to the One who can love like no other and live like the child of God you are today--He has equipped you to do all things through Him. You are loved, accepted, and so precious to Him. 


Thanking God for this reminder of His grace, mercy, and love today--for in NO way do I deserve to be or have any of these things. May I strive to live like He has made me to live. To Him be all the glory.

His Child

These are my sweet cousins emma and ella! Don't you just love them already?!

I thought about them today while reading some in Matthew. 

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." 18:3-4

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 19:14

So, I thought, what are the characteristics children have that are so precious in Jesus' sight? 

• When I think of emma and ella a few come straight to my mind: Children are completely trusting--they have faith and believe anything is possible (There were plenty of times I thought i was superwoman); they are accepting of all (backgrounds and physical appearance don't matter when you need a hide and go seek partner); they are so loving and easily forgive offenses; they are FULL of joy and excitement about life.

I can think of more than a few verses where those characteristics are mentioned as overflow of a relationship with Christ! Don't so many Fruits of the Spirit describe a  child?! Faith is a requirement for a growing relationship with Him--to see God work in our lives and for Him to use us accordingly.


Praying to be humbled to become more like His child today.

Knowing God

I am reading Knowing God by J.I. Packer at the moment (a MUST read!) This book was written to help Christians know God truly and deeply. I'm not talking about the knowledge of God or even having momentous times when a person felt God. I'm talking about the emotional and relational connection a person has with God--a continuing two way relationship in which our obedience to Him comes out of our deep love for Him. It gets so confused with "godly knowledge" or "knowledge about God" and we completely miss the fact that Jesus died to give us a relationship.. not information. The Israelites had information about Him, but they weren't able to know the heart of God and feel His presence in their lives daily as they walked with Him. Salvation is a transformation--the beginning of real hope--the joyous communion of man and God once again--its grace that is poured out like a waterfall. 

Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice. I know them and they follow me." We know God because he first decided to know and love us. 

J.I. Packer said, "This is momentous knowledge. There is unspeakable comfort--the sort of comfort that energizes, be it said, not enervates--in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me." -

Don't we feel most of the time that love is conditional? That if others knew this one thing about us, then they wouldn't love us. Time and time again we decide to hide our imperfections and struggles to meet the criteria the world displays. We not only role play with our peers or our family, but also (and unfortunately) with a Holy and Sovereign God.  Because we are so used to sweeping these things under the rug day after day, those pretend roles are etched on to who we think we are... until they are eventually pointed out. We must accept that God in His love and mercy knows every bit of our sin and imperfections (even more than we know about ourselves). We can't trick God--lets not try. He is waiting for us lay the script aside. Humbling ourselves before God-- raw before Him. This puts us exactly where we our meant to be: at His feet, ready to serve, living as empty vessels. Covering struggles or imperfections only worsens the ache to be fully loved. He is our portion and our satisfier. He fills each hole in our heart perfectly and completely. Let that put joy in our hearts and praise in our mouths when we get up in the morning... He loves us in spite of ourselves.. no matter what! What an unimaginable concept to realize that God thinks about YOU (even when your not thinking about Him)--He is with you every second of everyday--watching over you and loving you unconditionally. Lets give our all to truly know the One who gave His most prized possession for us. He is so worth it.

Being at His disposal

We all have times where we are pressured and consumed with future decisions. They happen more times than we would like for them to and its not easy to stop thinking about them. I keep asking myself, "What am I going to do for the rest of my life? Will I actually use my Elementary Education major? Should I be looking into psychology or counseling? And what about after that?!" I'm just not so sure. I am praying for clarity... actually I would really like for God just to tell me straight up, but then again where is my faith in His perfect plan in that. What He has given me right now is a peace. He is not leading me anywhere else and though I question at times, that peace keeps me where I am. He is sovereign and keeps bringing to mind "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." (Matt. 6:34) My major is not my own and my time is not my own and as long as I am willing to be an empty vessel, He will use me where I am and lead me to where I will go. "Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strengths." -Corrie Ten Boom

Today, those questions consumed the first few moments of my morning, but as I opened up to read Keep a Quiet Heart the Lord swayed each one of them. Elisabeth Elliot was writing to individuals who had questions concerning their callings. She replied with, "The first thing was to settle once and for all the supremacy of Christ in my life. I put myself utterly and forever at His disposal, which means turning over all rights to myself, my body, my self-image, my notions of how I am to serve my Master." Oswald Chambers calls it, "Breaking the husk of of my independence of God." If our object is to save others, we cannot save ourselves. Being at His disposal shouldn't mean fear--we are under the complete control of a sovereign God that loves us and I could not think of anywhere that would have more joy and peace.

I keep reminding myself of this true statement. Since when has anything ever surrendered to God been wasted? Never. A life surrendered is a life He can use--A life worth of living.