Here are some words that were shared with me back in July –
I saw a little bird one day,‘Twas sitting on a wire,
The air was cold and frosty and one longed for the fire.
The little bird stretched wide his beak and melody flowed out;.
He didn’t seem to mind the cold, just sang and looked about.
From out his feathered throat, there came a song of pure delight.
The wind blew hard, the snow swirled by, he sang with all his might.
I bowed my head and said, “Dear Lord, make me like that small bird, when things are cold and drear, oh Lord, please make my song be heard.
If I can sing when harsh winds blow, and things are drear and cold, I’ll be of help to kindred hearts who’ve almost lost their hold.
Lord give me the courage to sing out though skies above seem gray and may I, like the little bird help make a happy day.” ~ written by Glenn E. Wagoner.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
I love the words by Mr. Wagoner and the verse from Deuteronomy! It’s such an encouragement. I do pray those words, “give me the courage to sing out though skies above seem gray”.
Let us not become wearing in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don’t not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. ~ Galatians 6:9-10
My Uncle Kyle shared these verses from Galatians with me when I was a sophomore in high school and they have stuck with me.
It’s so easy to become overwhelmed with negativity and problems. It’s not hard to complain when the storms of life are raging.
But how amazing is it when you can take that moment, when the skies are cloudy and the waves are crashing, and use it to encourage someone!
Shine God’s light everywhere you go, to everyone you meet.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Count Your Blessings
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. ~ Psalm 62:5-8
I love these verses! The key part I want to focus on is in verse eight – pour out your hearts to him.
On March 12, 2006, I started writing down three blessings every day. From that very first blessing, I can account for at least three things that God showed me every day through today.
I am soon to be on my fifth notebook and have moved up to an actual journal rather than a little 3x5 notebook. (I do still try to keep it fairly small to make it easy to take along wherever I go).
When I was younger, I had a hard time going to sleep at night. I would lie in bed reviewing my day and planning the rest of my week/month/year/life. I had so many thoughts running around in my head that I couldn’t slow it all down long enough to sleep peacefully.
How much more enjoyable is it to fall asleep thanking God for all the blessings – the people He crosses your path with, the healing that only He can bring, His beautiful creation all around us and the simple things in life – rather than worrying about the trials and tribulations that this life can bring? I choose a peaceful nights rest and growing closer to my Heavenly Father!
As I’ve gotten older and my relationship with God has matured, and so has my blessings book. Not only does it now include what I’m thankful for, but my prayers, my pleas to God and my joyful thanksgivings. They include prayer lists and love letters.
The journals hold all my ideas, hopes and dreams.
I encourage you, from the bottom of my heart, to start a blessings book. Begin by writing at least three things that God revealed to you that day. When you have a rough day it’s hard to go to sleep with a negative attitude after glancing through different ways God has poured out His love to you!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. ~ Psalm 62:5-8
I love these verses! The key part I want to focus on is in verse eight – pour out your hearts to him.
On March 12, 2006, I started writing down three blessings every day. From that very first blessing, I can account for at least three things that God showed me every day through today.
I am soon to be on my fifth notebook and have moved up to an actual journal rather than a little 3x5 notebook. (I do still try to keep it fairly small to make it easy to take along wherever I go).
When I was younger, I had a hard time going to sleep at night. I would lie in bed reviewing my day and planning the rest of my week/month/year/life. I had so many thoughts running around in my head that I couldn’t slow it all down long enough to sleep peacefully.
How much more enjoyable is it to fall asleep thanking God for all the blessings – the people He crosses your path with, the healing that only He can bring, His beautiful creation all around us and the simple things in life – rather than worrying about the trials and tribulations that this life can bring? I choose a peaceful nights rest and growing closer to my Heavenly Father!
As I’ve gotten older and my relationship with God has matured, and so has my blessings book. Not only does it now include what I’m thankful for, but my prayers, my pleas to God and my joyful thanksgivings. They include prayer lists and love letters.
The journals hold all my ideas, hopes and dreams.
I encourage you, from the bottom of my heart, to start a blessings book. Begin by writing at least three things that God revealed to you that day. When you have a rough day it’s hard to go to sleep with a negative attitude after glancing through different ways God has poured out His love to you!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Friday, September 3, 2010
One Day at a Time
I was recently given some really good advice – “Don’t get ahead of yourself – take life one day at a time.”
The context of the conversation consisted of me talking about wanting to walk for at least 30 minutes every day and how overwhelming it is adding it to my already busy schedule.
I decided to change my mindset. Instead of thinking about all the things I needed to do for the rest of my life, I invest in the present.
This week, rather than rushing through my ‘To Do’ list, I spent an afternoon getting to know my cousin who is a freshman at Tech.
Instead of thinking to myself at night, ‘I’m going to make my bed every single day.’ I wake up in the morning and make my bed for that day.
During a long break between classes I made the decision to spend time with God and walk for 30 minutes and it’s a decision I make when I wake up each morning.
How do you get to be 100 years old? You live each day, one day at a time. And how do you get to be a kind-hearted, loving person on that birthday? You start living that way today, and continue, one day at a time.
In reading the book Beautiful in God’s Eyes it says, “That truth is behind Moses’ plea for God to “teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). You see, as we try to live our life today as God wants us to live it, and as we cultivate the character qualities He says are beautiful, then we will be beautiful and wise today – and, in God’s hands, the tomorrows will take care of themselves.”
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6:33 & 34.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
The context of the conversation consisted of me talking about wanting to walk for at least 30 minutes every day and how overwhelming it is adding it to my already busy schedule.
I decided to change my mindset. Instead of thinking about all the things I needed to do for the rest of my life, I invest in the present.
This week, rather than rushing through my ‘To Do’ list, I spent an afternoon getting to know my cousin who is a freshman at Tech.
Instead of thinking to myself at night, ‘I’m going to make my bed every single day.’ I wake up in the morning and make my bed for that day.
During a long break between classes I made the decision to spend time with God and walk for 30 minutes and it’s a decision I make when I wake up each morning.
How do you get to be 100 years old? You live each day, one day at a time. And how do you get to be a kind-hearted, loving person on that birthday? You start living that way today, and continue, one day at a time.
In reading the book Beautiful in God’s Eyes it says, “That truth is behind Moses’ plea for God to “teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). You see, as we try to live our life today as God wants us to live it, and as we cultivate the character qualities He says are beautiful, then we will be beautiful and wise today – and, in God’s hands, the tomorrows will take care of themselves.”
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6:33 & 34.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Letting Go
“What do you need to surrender?
Surrendering to God is an act of humble submission. It is admitting that Jesus is Lord; that he is God and you are not. It is trusting God with every aspect of your life, to the point of submitting all to him. When you think you couldn’t love God any more than you already do, try surrendering something important to him. It will be an interesting and difficult exercise, to say the least! When you can release something that you have held on to tightly, you will fall more in love with the one whom you can never outgive.
God wants you to give him our despair, worry, feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, secret sin and checkered past. He wants you to turn over to his care your aspirations, favorite pet, most expensive jewelry, worst enemies, parent’s failing health and fear of being burglarized. He is to be the Lord of your job, home, bank accounts, vehicles and even your hobbies. He is there to help you with every part of your life – your emotions, education, possessions, talents, health, awards and more – as you surrender all to him. Would you be willing to give him your credit cards, sugar addiction, children’s future, control issues, evening wine, or agenda for the day?” (taken from Praying for Purpose for Women by Katie Brazelton).
In high school, I was an overachiever to say the least. Maybe I wasn’t so much an overachiever but a people-pleaser. If anyone ever suggested a contest, I would try my hardest to succeed and win.
I feel like I had a great relationship with God but I had a need to be the best, which wasn’t a good thing. It wasn’t until after I graduated from high school that I realized I had spent so much time studying and practicing for competitions in addition to the actual contest that I had neglected my relationships with the people around me.
I’m nowhere near where I need to be with surrendering the need to be a people pleaser, but I’m working on it.
Luke 14:33 says, Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
What do you need to surrender?
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Surrendering to God is an act of humble submission. It is admitting that Jesus is Lord; that he is God and you are not. It is trusting God with every aspect of your life, to the point of submitting all to him. When you think you couldn’t love God any more than you already do, try surrendering something important to him. It will be an interesting and difficult exercise, to say the least! When you can release something that you have held on to tightly, you will fall more in love with the one whom you can never outgive.
God wants you to give him our despair, worry, feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, secret sin and checkered past. He wants you to turn over to his care your aspirations, favorite pet, most expensive jewelry, worst enemies, parent’s failing health and fear of being burglarized. He is to be the Lord of your job, home, bank accounts, vehicles and even your hobbies. He is there to help you with every part of your life – your emotions, education, possessions, talents, health, awards and more – as you surrender all to him. Would you be willing to give him your credit cards, sugar addiction, children’s future, control issues, evening wine, or agenda for the day?” (taken from Praying for Purpose for Women by Katie Brazelton).
In high school, I was an overachiever to say the least. Maybe I wasn’t so much an overachiever but a people-pleaser. If anyone ever suggested a contest, I would try my hardest to succeed and win.
I feel like I had a great relationship with God but I had a need to be the best, which wasn’t a good thing. It wasn’t until after I graduated from high school that I realized I had spent so much time studying and practicing for competitions in addition to the actual contest that I had neglected my relationships with the people around me.
I’m nowhere near where I need to be with surrendering the need to be a people pleaser, but I’m working on it.
Luke 14:33 says, Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
What do you need to surrender?
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Claiming Scripture
As a young female I get scared every now and then. And I’m sure it’s not only me, but everyone gets that uneasy feeling occasionally.
Working as a sales intern for a seed company this summer kept me on the road about 90% of the time. I visited farmers in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming.
It’s amazing though – I never got scared when I was traveling. However, one night, back in Lubbock I had a very uneasy feeling.
I had been at the office at work all day and when I got home that afternoon my blinds were open in the common area (I share an apartment with two roommates). I knew that the apartment workers had been in to check all the rooms and repaint one since the summer sessions are over and the fall semester hasn’t started yet but it frustrated me that they didn’t put things back the way they found them.
As I climbed into bed that night, I did my daily devotional, wrote down my blessing for the day and closed my eyes.
That’s when I got scared. It made me nervous that there had been people in my apartment that I didn’t know as well as the fact that I was there by myself and the apartment complex was practically empty.
I started praying but needed something stronger than my words – that’s when I pulled out my phone and started reading on my Bible app.
I started with Isaiah 41:10, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I continued reading in Isaiah 41 and came to verse 13 ~ For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
In the book I am currently reading, it talks about claiming scripture as your own so that is exactly what I did.
I prayed over and over that night, “For you are the Lord, my God, who takes hold of my right hand and says to me, do not fear, I will help you.”
God’s peace is truly amazing!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Working as a sales intern for a seed company this summer kept me on the road about 90% of the time. I visited farmers in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming.
It’s amazing though – I never got scared when I was traveling. However, one night, back in Lubbock I had a very uneasy feeling.
I had been at the office at work all day and when I got home that afternoon my blinds were open in the common area (I share an apartment with two roommates). I knew that the apartment workers had been in to check all the rooms and repaint one since the summer sessions are over and the fall semester hasn’t started yet but it frustrated me that they didn’t put things back the way they found them.
As I climbed into bed that night, I did my daily devotional, wrote down my blessing for the day and closed my eyes.
That’s when I got scared. It made me nervous that there had been people in my apartment that I didn’t know as well as the fact that I was there by myself and the apartment complex was practically empty.
I started praying but needed something stronger than my words – that’s when I pulled out my phone and started reading on my Bible app.
I started with Isaiah 41:10, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I continued reading in Isaiah 41 and came to verse 13 ~ For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
In the book I am currently reading, it talks about claiming scripture as your own so that is exactly what I did.
I prayed over and over that night, “For you are the Lord, my God, who takes hold of my right hand and says to me, do not fear, I will help you.”
God’s peace is truly amazing!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Soar like Eagles
Here’s the setting – you walk through the terminal, line up to get on the plane and find your seat. The plane is pushed back from the gate and starts to taxi towards the runway. It comes to a stop, the pilots do last minute checks and push the throttle.
Within a matter of seconds you and the a massive hunk of metal weighing well over 100,000 pounds lift off the ground into the air – you defy gravity!
I sit in wonder every time I fly. It’s amazing that people saw the birds in the air and figured out how we could soar through the air also.
I find it interesting and frustrating at the same time how we take flying for granted. I understand being on a tight schedule and needing flights to be on time, but I think it’s important to take the time to thank God for the technology to safely go from one end of the country to the other, or even to another continent in very little time opposed to other means of travel.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youth grow tried and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~ Isaiah 40:28-31
The key words in this verse today are ‘soar on wings like eagles’. The cool thing about having a strong relationship with God is that with Him, you can defy gravity in life.
You can beat the odds and fly to new heights. There are times in life that are tough and it seems like there is no way to get through the situation, but God gives us the strength and power that we need. God is good, all the time!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Within a matter of seconds you and the a massive hunk of metal weighing well over 100,000 pounds lift off the ground into the air – you defy gravity!
I sit in wonder every time I fly. It’s amazing that people saw the birds in the air and figured out how we could soar through the air also.
I find it interesting and frustrating at the same time how we take flying for granted. I understand being on a tight schedule and needing flights to be on time, but I think it’s important to take the time to thank God for the technology to safely go from one end of the country to the other, or even to another continent in very little time opposed to other means of travel.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youth grow tried and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~ Isaiah 40:28-31
The key words in this verse today are ‘soar on wings like eagles’. The cool thing about having a strong relationship with God is that with Him, you can defy gravity in life.
You can beat the odds and fly to new heights. There are times in life that are tough and it seems like there is no way to get through the situation, but God gives us the strength and power that we need. God is good, all the time!
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Searching for Meaning
Where do you search for significance? What do you look to for meaning?
As a college student, it’s so easy to get caught up searching for organizations and job titles that will make us stand out from the rest of our peers.
Sometimes it’s clothes and brands that we seek – we have to have to be in on the latest fashion trend.
Then, one of the biggest ways we search for significance is when we try to find meaning from others.
I believe this is where we have it all wrong. We try to find self worth when we have lots of friends, or we have to be in a relationship to feel complete.
My older brother and I have in depth conversations about theories we have in life. One of mine is – You have to know who you are and be content with yourself before you can be in a healthy relationship (both with friends and a significant other).
Think about it, if you depend on someone else (a human) for your happiness, they are going to let you down eventually. That’s just part of being imperfect.
BUT, if we put our hope in Christ – striving to have your meaning in Him, life will truly have meaning.
And what better way to find meaning that in the One who created you?
Psalm 139 says, (v.1-2) O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
(v. 13-14) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
(v. 17-18) How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
Take some time and think about where you find significance. Where do you search for meaning? What are you defined by? Do you know who you are?
Visit with a good friend; discuss your thoughts on these questions and encourage each other to strive for significance in Christ.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
As a college student, it’s so easy to get caught up searching for organizations and job titles that will make us stand out from the rest of our peers.
Sometimes it’s clothes and brands that we seek – we have to have to be in on the latest fashion trend.
Then, one of the biggest ways we search for significance is when we try to find meaning from others.
I believe this is where we have it all wrong. We try to find self worth when we have lots of friends, or we have to be in a relationship to feel complete.
My older brother and I have in depth conversations about theories we have in life. One of mine is – You have to know who you are and be content with yourself before you can be in a healthy relationship (both with friends and a significant other).
Think about it, if you depend on someone else (a human) for your happiness, they are going to let you down eventually. That’s just part of being imperfect.
BUT, if we put our hope in Christ – striving to have your meaning in Him, life will truly have meaning.
And what better way to find meaning that in the One who created you?
Psalm 139 says, (v.1-2) O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
(v. 13-14) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
(v. 17-18) How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
Take some time and think about where you find significance. Where do you search for meaning? What are you defined by? Do you know who you are?
Visit with a good friend; discuss your thoughts on these questions and encourage each other to strive for significance in Christ.
To contact Kristen, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com or send a letter to The Wellington Leader, Attn: Kristen’s Corner, Box 992, Wellington, TX 79095.
Happy Trails & God Bless!
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