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!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
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!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
I'm a Christian
In an email that I received, it did a great job of describing a Christian-
When I say that ‘I am a Christian’ I am not shouting ‘I am clean living’. I am whispering ‘I was lost, but now I’m found and forgiven.’
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not holier than thou, I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s good grace.
I pray the scripture found in Colossians 1 for each of you reading this –
I ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And I pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Have a blessed week!
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!
When I say that ‘I am a Christian’ I am not shouting ‘I am clean living’. I am whispering ‘I was lost, but now I’m found and forgiven.’
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say ‘I am a Christian’ I’m not holier than thou, I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s good grace.
I pray the scripture found in Colossians 1 for each of you reading this –
I ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And I pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Have a blessed week!
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!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Stress!
Life can be stressful – and I hate being stressed!
When I encounter stress (and problems in general) I want to not only fix the problem, but also figure out why it happened and what I can do to prevent it from happening again.
I was recently more stressed out that I had ever been. It got to the point where I wasn’t hungry; I didn’t sleep much and I just wanted to cry.
The cause of the stress: needing people to fill out forms and return them for a quickly approaching deadline. What could I do about it: send the forms with a letter explaining the need for the form to be returned. What did I do: the previously mentioned action. So why did I stress? I have no idea; it doesn’t make any sense!
A pretty amazing person kept reminding me to “do my best and God will take care of the rest”. I had to sit there and say that over and over again in my head so I would believe it in my heart.
Matthew 6:25-27, 34 says “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I know these verses are mainly about worldly possessions, but I think stressing about paperwork can be included in them also. What good does it do to stress? None at all!
So I challenge you (and I’m also challenging myself) to do your absolute best and then let God take care of the rest!
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!
When I encounter stress (and problems in general) I want to not only fix the problem, but also figure out why it happened and what I can do to prevent it from happening again.
I was recently more stressed out that I had ever been. It got to the point where I wasn’t hungry; I didn’t sleep much and I just wanted to cry.
The cause of the stress: needing people to fill out forms and return them for a quickly approaching deadline. What could I do about it: send the forms with a letter explaining the need for the form to be returned. What did I do: the previously mentioned action. So why did I stress? I have no idea; it doesn’t make any sense!
A pretty amazing person kept reminding me to “do my best and God will take care of the rest”. I had to sit there and say that over and over again in my head so I would believe it in my heart.
Matthew 6:25-27, 34 says “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I know these verses are mainly about worldly possessions, but I think stressing about paperwork can be included in them also. What good does it do to stress? None at all!
So I challenge you (and I’m also challenging myself) to do your absolute best and then let God take care of the rest!
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!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Power of Love
Love. Is there anything in this world more powerful than love? I personally don’t think so.
From the book Soul Cravings, Erwin Raphael McManus has challenged me to dig deep and really think about depth of love.
“The only people who can hurt you deeply are the ones you allow to get deep inside your soul. This is what makes love so dangerous. When you give your heart away to someone, you entrust it to that person’s care. Your beloved can pretty much do whatever he or she wants with it. You are left vulnerable and defenseless. Isn’t love grand? No wonder we’re all searching for it.”
This excerpt makes me laugh, but makes a great point! Guard your heart. Don’t be too quick give it away. And be selective about who you let in to the depths of your soul. Another thought that comes to mind is that God’s love is different than human love.
Hebrews 13:5 says, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
“We cannot live unaffected by love. We are most alive when we find it, most devastated when we lose it, most empty when we give up on it, most inhumane when we betray it, and most passionate when we pursue it.”
One of the most beautiful things in life is seeing that look of love between two people – between a parent and child, between friends or between a husband and wife – true love is beautiful.
“We all long to belong. We are created to know love and to give love. Our need to love, though rooted in God, is not limited to him. Love is not a limited commodity. Love expands as we give it away. Love dies when we do not.”
I get so caught up with my ‘to do’ list sometimes that I forget to spend time loving on the people that mean the most to me. And it just so happens that life gets more difficult when I neglect those relationships.
Take some time to reflect on the love that God has for you. Thank Him for the people He has blessed you with and pour out your love to those around you.
“You cannot take love; you have to give it. Love is a gift that cannot be stolen.”
Luke 10:27 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.
From the book Soul Cravings, Erwin Raphael McManus has challenged me to dig deep and really think about depth of love.
“The only people who can hurt you deeply are the ones you allow to get deep inside your soul. This is what makes love so dangerous. When you give your heart away to someone, you entrust it to that person’s care. Your beloved can pretty much do whatever he or she wants with it. You are left vulnerable and defenseless. Isn’t love grand? No wonder we’re all searching for it.”
This excerpt makes me laugh, but makes a great point! Guard your heart. Don’t be too quick give it away. And be selective about who you let in to the depths of your soul. Another thought that comes to mind is that God’s love is different than human love.
Hebrews 13:5 says, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
“We cannot live unaffected by love. We are most alive when we find it, most devastated when we lose it, most empty when we give up on it, most inhumane when we betray it, and most passionate when we pursue it.”
One of the most beautiful things in life is seeing that look of love between two people – between a parent and child, between friends or between a husband and wife – true love is beautiful.
“We all long to belong. We are created to know love and to give love. Our need to love, though rooted in God, is not limited to him. Love is not a limited commodity. Love expands as we give it away. Love dies when we do not.”
I get so caught up with my ‘to do’ list sometimes that I forget to spend time loving on the people that mean the most to me. And it just so happens that life gets more difficult when I neglect those relationships.
Take some time to reflect on the love that God has for you. Thank Him for the people He has blessed you with and pour out your love to those around you.
“You cannot take love; you have to give it. Love is a gift that cannot be stolen.”
Luke 10:27 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Happiness is an Attitude
It was once said, “Surrounded by people who love life, you love it too; surrounded by people who don’t, you don’t.”
There is so much truth in that statement. When someone has a bad day and they are complaining, it brings up the bad aspects of my day. However, the same is true when someone is positive about their day. Who is more enjoyable to be around?
A very wise person reminds me quite often to look for the good in every situation, and I’m so thankful for that. As a result, I have begun to change my thought process about people, work, school and life in general.
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~ Winston Churchill
“Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.” ~Unknown
“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.” ~ Francesca Reigler
“If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” ~ Mary Engelbreit
“Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don’t count on harvesting Golden Delicious.” ~ Bill Meyer
“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” ~ Scott Hamilton
“When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you’ve growled all day long.” ~Unknown
“Just because you’re miserable doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your life.” ~ Annette Goodheart
“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” ~Hugh Downs
“We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails.” ~Unknown
“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” ~Alphonse Karr
Colossians 3:23 says, Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as working for the Lord, not men.
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!
There is so much truth in that statement. When someone has a bad day and they are complaining, it brings up the bad aspects of my day. However, the same is true when someone is positive about their day. Who is more enjoyable to be around?
A very wise person reminds me quite often to look for the good in every situation, and I’m so thankful for that. As a result, I have begun to change my thought process about people, work, school and life in general.
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~ Winston Churchill
“Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.” ~Unknown
“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.” ~ Francesca Reigler
“If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” ~ Mary Engelbreit
“Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don’t count on harvesting Golden Delicious.” ~ Bill Meyer
“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” ~ Scott Hamilton
“When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you’ve growled all day long.” ~Unknown
“Just because you’re miserable doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your life.” ~ Annette Goodheart
“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” ~Hugh Downs
“We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails.” ~Unknown
“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” ~Alphonse Karr
Colossians 3:23 says, Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as working for the Lord, not men.
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!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Greatest Man of the East
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. (Job 1:1-3)
It sounds to me like Job had quite a bit going for him!
One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan also came with them. The Lord said to satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”
Then the Lord said to satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
The Lord said to satan, Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Job’s oxen and donkeys were captured and the servants killed. Fire fell down from the sky and burned the sheep and the servants. The camel herd was carried off and the servants put to the sword. His children were feasting and drinking and a mighty wind swept in from the desert and the house collapsed.
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
I want to be like Job! One really cool thing that stands out to me in addition to his faith in God is that God knew he could handle the trials. I encourage you to read the rest of the book of Job and reflect on his loyalty to God and remember when your going through a tough time to praise the name of the Lord.
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!
It sounds to me like Job had quite a bit going for him!
One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan also came with them. The Lord said to satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”
Then the Lord said to satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
The Lord said to satan, Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Job’s oxen and donkeys were captured and the servants killed. Fire fell down from the sky and burned the sheep and the servants. The camel herd was carried off and the servants put to the sword. His children were feasting and drinking and a mighty wind swept in from the desert and the house collapsed.
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
I want to be like Job! One really cool thing that stands out to me in addition to his faith in God is that God knew he could handle the trials. I encourage you to read the rest of the book of Job and reflect on his loyalty to God and remember when your going through a tough time to praise the name of the Lord.
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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