I heard this song by Chris Sligh yesterday, and for some reason it keeps bouncing around in my head. I even woke up to it this morning. The lyrics are powerful and I wanted to share the words of the chorus:
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds onto
Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled with You
I pray that this is the attitude and focus of my heart as I navigate my day.
Our lives, our faith. Things we care about and things we do. Opinions, thoughts, and sometimes just ramblings. All from an ordinary couple who has landed for now in the middle of Iowa...
Knowing Jesus Christ
The most important decision any person ever makes - accepting or rejecting Jesus Christ. You too can know Jesus and have assurance of an eternity with Him in heaven!
God has a purpose for us (His creation) - He wants us to live for all eternity with Him in heaven...
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
But we have a problem...
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.
God hates sin, and will not tolerate being in the presence of sin. Since we all sin, we will one day die, and be forever separated from God...
Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death...
How will we be assigned to an eternity away from God?
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
But what if I'm a good person - I do good things for others, and I've never done anything that's too bad?
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
You mean I can't work my way into heaven?
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
It doesn't look good...
But, God provided a solution for our problem of sin, and the solution has a name...
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
But how could Jesus do this?
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.
So what do I have to do?
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
That's it??? All I have to do is believe in Jesus?
Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
If and only if you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you have an eternity in heaven with Him to look forward to.
John 5:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
That's it - that's all there is to it. All the above verses are taken from the Holy Bible (New King James Version). Check it out for yourself, and if you have questions, feel free to email us at nkiowa@hotmail.com.
God has a purpose for us (His creation) - He wants us to live for all eternity with Him in heaven...
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
But we have a problem...
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.
God hates sin, and will not tolerate being in the presence of sin. Since we all sin, we will one day die, and be forever separated from God...
Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death...
How will we be assigned to an eternity away from God?
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
But what if I'm a good person - I do good things for others, and I've never done anything that's too bad?
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
You mean I can't work my way into heaven?
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
It doesn't look good...
But, God provided a solution for our problem of sin, and the solution has a name...
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
But how could Jesus do this?
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.
So what do I have to do?
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
That's it??? All I have to do is believe in Jesus?
Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
If and only if you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you have an eternity in heaven with Him to look forward to.
John 5:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
That's it - that's all there is to it. All the above verses are taken from the Holy Bible (New King James Version). Check it out for yourself, and if you have questions, feel free to email us at nkiowa@hotmail.com.
Prayer...
is a powerful thing. Ways you can pray for us:
- A family situation in India is causing difficulty for our family there, and sadness for us here. Please pray for all involved in this - people we care deeply about are being emotionally and even physically hurt. Pray for peace and comfort for those involved with the situation, and for the situation to be resolved in God's providential and perfect timing. And, ultimately, for His kingdom to be expanded through this (and every) trial.
- Praise the Lord!: There has been some resolution regarding the request listed above, even if temporary, and everyone is feeling encouraged by this progress.
- Spiritual perseverance and growth for us individually and as a couple.
- New! Praise the Lord in all things: Our adoption journey has been put on hold for now. But God is good and sovereign all the time, and we are trusting His providence and provision for our family. Please pray with us to be able to see His path clearly.
- Feeling at home in our new home.
- Getting our house painted, finished, unpacked and set up as soon as possible - this is taking too long!
- A family situation in India is causing difficulty for our family there, and sadness for us here. Please pray for all involved in this - people we care deeply about are being emotionally and even physically hurt. Pray for peace and comfort for those involved with the situation, and for the situation to be resolved in God's providential and perfect timing. And, ultimately, for His kingdom to be expanded through this (and every) trial.
- Praise the Lord!: There has been some resolution regarding the request listed above, even if temporary, and everyone is feeling encouraged by this progress.
- Spiritual perseverance and growth for us individually and as a couple.
- New! Praise the Lord in all things: Our adoption journey has been put on hold for now. But God is good and sovereign all the time, and we are trusting His providence and provision for our family. Please pray with us to be able to see His path clearly.
- Feeling at home in our new home.
- Getting our house painted, finished, unpacked and set up as soon as possible - this is taking too long!
Requests and Praises for Others
Praise the Lord!:
- Baby Elijah Elizabeth is home from the NICU - thank you for your prayers for her!
Requests:
- Friend of a friend Laura and her husband and trials with repeated miscarriages.
- Friend Elizabeth having some problems with pregnancy. Pray for her and baby's safety.
- Health and happiness for pregnant friends and family: Betsy (twin girls), Chrissy (girl), Beth, Elizabeth (boy)
- Baby Elijah Elizabeth is home from the NICU - thank you for your prayers for her!
Requests:
- Friend of a friend Laura and her husband and trials with repeated miscarriages.
- Friend Elizabeth having some problems with pregnancy. Pray for her and baby's safety.
- Health and happiness for pregnant friends and family: Betsy (twin girls), Chrissy (girl), Beth, Elizabeth (boy)
How Can We Pray For You?
Taking the requests and praises of another believer to our Heavenly Father in prayer, I think, is one of the greatest privileges/ responsibilities we have as Christians. I have shared above how you can pray for my family and friends, now how can I pray for you? Please feel free to email me at nkiowa@hotmail.com and share your requests and praises. Please also include if you'd like them listed on this page (if you don't specify, I won't put them on the page). I would feel honored to be able to pray for you and whatever situation you might have going on in your life!
Memory Verse of the Week
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (NKJV)
Current Bible Studies
An expositional study of the Pentateuch
An expositional study of Matthew
Quotes
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.
- CS Lewis
There is no mistake so great as that of being always right.
- Fortune Cookie
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
- ???
Happiness in marriage isn't in marrying the perfect person - it's in being the perfect person.
- Church sign
Happiness makes up in height what it lacks in length.
- Robert Frost
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?
- Corrie Ten Boom
- CS Lewis
There is no mistake so great as that of being always right.
- Fortune Cookie
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
- ???
Happiness in marriage isn't in marrying the perfect person - it's in being the perfect person.
- Church sign
Happiness makes up in height what it lacks in length.
- Robert Frost
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?
- Corrie Ten Boom
About Me
- Kristina
- Iowa, United States
- I am: A follower and servant of Jesus Christ. A homemaker. Married to a man from India who is a physician. Very fortunate to be married to my best friend. Waiting to be a mommy - through adoption or biology. A daughter and a sister - the oldest of 4 children. A Bachelor's degree holder in psychology. A volleyball fanatic. A runner. A scrapbooker. A trumpet player. A blogger. A fairly good cook when I make time to do it. A person who likes to read just about anything, but doesn't make the time to do it nearly enough. A neat-freak with a perpetually messy house. Very detail-oriented. A goof most of the time. Realistic and honest. A little shy when I first meet people. A "mommy" to 3 doggies. Never short on words :)
Christian Resources
Adoption Resources
Fun Websites
Blogs I Follow:
Followers
Posts
Shopping!
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Contact Us...
I would love to hear from you - you can let me know what you think of my blog, share personal stories, or even share your prayer requests and let me pray for you. Drop me a line at nkiowa@hotmail.com (of course, if you have comments on a specific post, feel free to leave your comments in the comments section as well). Thanks for stopping by!
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