QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED? - What Is More Important?

The Question that Jesus is asking me today...
"IS NOT LIFE MORE IMPORTANT THAN FOOD, AND THE BODY MORE IMPORTANT THAN CLOTHES?" Matthew 6:25

I can almost hear the tone in Jesus' voice as He asks me this, almost a tone of frustration, like "don't you get this Kathryn?" like "how long is it going to be before you finally understand girl?"...

I know that when my girls were growing up and as a parent, I ALWAYS wanted what was best for them 10 out of 10 times, every single time, always always always! Wanting them to have certain things sink in and sometimes feeling the frustration of "why don't they get this?" I think Jesus is feeling the same way here with me. He ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS 10 out of 10 times wants what is best for me. I know that and I believe that without question. So why is it that I can seem to know when something is best for me and yet I choose what is worst for me? Why do I do that?

So, is LIFE more important than FOOD? Yes it is. Of course I need food to live and sustain my life, BUT what kind of food am I choosing? So much of the time I will choose cookies or ice cream over apples, oranges, grapes. I know which of these foods is real food vs junk food, I know which brings me health, life, energy as well as I know which ones bring me a temporary feeling of satisfaction vs long term dissatisfaction. One gives health and energy and keeps me from gaining weight, while the other cause me to feel sluggish, stuffed, lazy and adds weight to by Body Temple.

LORD, I want to choose LIFE, create in me strength where there is weakness, create in me submission where there is wanting wanting wanting, create in my satisfaction when the right and beautiful choices are made. Create in me the desire for apples, oranges, grapes rather than the desire for cookies, ice cream and junk. In fact remove the desire in me for all things junk and replace it with the delicious craving for the beauty of and the flavor of pineapple, nuts and grains and mango's and bananas.

Your Word is what causes me to have life, for my Spirit to grow, for my love of you to grow, your desire for my best blesses me so. Thank you God for your unending and tirelessness to bring me to higher heights, both in my body as well as my mind...

Renew me, Recreate my will into yours which is SO much better, Renew my mind, Transform me... My belief and faith in you increases with each passing day.

Let my Spirit rise as I quiet my mind and listen to your heart felt questions that are full of true love for me. Let my heart hear your questions that are full of life and promise and love...

Life, Love and Living,
Kathryn

WOMEN OF PASSIONATE PURPOSE (WOPP) - Hosting a Christian Women's Writers' Retreat in Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania - September 21st- 23rd, 2009

I am really excited to share with you our upcoming "WOMEN OF PASSIONATE PURPOSE" Christian Women's Writing Retreat! Marykay Moore and myself are hosting it in beautiful Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania, which is approximately 20 minutes away from the breath taking Pocono Mountains! It will be held September 21st-25th, 2009.

It is absolutely beautiful there, and will be especially gorgeous at the beginning of the fall season.

This writers retreat is designed even for the journaler, and those who dabble in poems, song writing, devotional writers, the novice, as well as to the published author. It is our passion and our purpose to nudge even the most hesitant journal keeper to the most devout daily writer. Come and explore your God-given inner thoughts with your outer experiences and bring them to life! Put them all on paper for the greater good of God's kingdom.

We are here to inspire you to soak in the tub of beautiful and lovely words, allowing them to bubble up and out of you... Imagine yourself soaking in this wonderful tub, relaxed, smelling the aroma of fall all around you, lit with the candlelight of inspiration from the Holy Spirit...

You will find your writers voice, you will enjoy other voices of other women having your Spirit stirred and become amazingly encouraged, inspired to write what is within you and what God longs to be released!

Come if you feel called to do so...

Invite others you might know who would be blessed to be there.

To register for the Writers' Retreat go to our website:

http://www.womenofpassionatepurpose.com/ and you will also find the beautiful photos of the Manor House in which we will reside.

Writing and Worshipping,

Kathryn

Kathryn Bonner- Founder

Women Of Passionate Purpose

http://www.womenofpassionatepurpose.com/

http://www.awakeningslifecoaching.com/

http://www.kathrynbonner.com/

Do you have room for Christ the King?

MAKE ROOM FOR CHRIST THE KING!

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. --Luke 2:7

We are in the season of celebrating Christ, celebrating His coming into our lives, and all the blessings and abundance that comes with Him.

As I was reading over this Scripture passage in my mind I was watching Mary give birth. Giving birth in and of itself is such a miraculous thing. The additional miracle Mary received was the way in which she conceived! To be given such a blessing - to be the actual mother of Jesus!

It awes me.

I continue watching Mary... seeing her love spill forth, seeing her experience this miracles of miracles that no other woman has ever experienced - nor will again. She stares, she smiles, she wonders, she worships, she praises our God, with tears that flow expressing the countless sentiments within her heart. After giving birth to Jesus, tenderly she holds her costly newborn, wrapping him up, keeping him warm, and keeping him safe. Nursing and comforting him. He drifts off into a slumber, so she lays him in the manger. In a manager, because there is no crib, no bed, no "genuine" place for sleeping; more specifically as the Scripture tells us,
because there was "not any room for Him."

As I read this I began to take a look at myself and my relationship to Christ Jesus and I pray, O my LORD, my GOD and KING, let me never keep you from entering the heart of myself, let me never keep you out because I have no room for you!

I began to think about how we edge Him out, having "no room for Him" in the numerous areas of our lives.He has come to bring us life and yet we can have no time for Him; no room in our hearts for Him.

All the "rooms" of our hearts seem to be overcrowed, packed with the very "things" that are the Stressmakers of our lives. Christ is our Creator, our Caretaker, our Breathmaker... Let us be the ones who make room for our Lord!He is our Peacemaker, our Possibilitymaker, our Gracemaker, and our Joymaker!

Why in the world would we ever want to miss out that?

Make room for Christ the KingAnd all that He brings!

Merry Christmas!

Kathryn

Heavenly JoAnne

I've been up since about 3:00am this morning, unable to sleep, I am thinking of dear sweet Joanne who is about to transition from this life on earth, to the next life in heaven. My husband Bruce and I were over at George and Joanne's until about 9:00pm last night. I've had her in my prayers, and the whole family, her kids, and grandkids were there and able to say their good-byes, so did I. I told her of how much I loved her. She has been a gift to me. I will miss her greatly.

The last post I wrote was talking about going on a God hunt. Boy, it's been a long hunt. I love the way blogging can really show us where we are, and where we have been on our journey. Sometimes I visit other blogs and am always inspired by the way they seem to be always consistant with the "every Monday Musing" or the every "Works for me Wednesday" postings. Sometimes I think maybe the consistancy can be truly boring, too predictable, if you will... I then think to myself, "Kathryn, why don't you write every Monday or Wednesday? Have a committed time frame to blog each week, that kind of dedication is good! Then I remind myself that "Kathryn, remember you are a busy author, writer, Life Coach, AND the wife of a pastor and things come up that can not be predicted..." Of course I could argue both points and be very persuasive in each debate because I believe both to be true... I digress though because that is not the topic of my writing for today...

Anyway, my God hunt has taken me many places over the course of months. I'll just share with you a few of my journeys that our Lord has taken me on, some have been exhilerating and some have been emotionally exhausting. (Remember I am a pastor's wife :)

The Lord has been doing another new work in me while on my latest "God hunt" over these last few months. Sometimes we think we have learned things well, and then something comes up to remind you that you still need God! Ha! How soon we forget of our dependancy upon Him, even though we talk about it all of the time, even though He instructs us to keep our eyes on Him at all times, even though His Word teaches us about where to place our faith, we can forget.

I have been doing some of the most lovely work over the last few months, which has connected me even closer to my Lord, My King. All praise to Him who loves us even when we are unworthy. My Lord has had me doing some incredible training to facilitate Life Plans! I have been doing Life Plans for the most wonderful women! I have completed my training and now have my certification to do Life Purpose Plans for women. It's a 2 day, One-on-One retreat, where together we go through your entire life. We assess your spiritual gifts, go through your Wheel of Life (which covers all of the areas of your life such as health, romance, career, calling, relationships, finacial health, etc...) and we discover your passions and purpose. We go through an amazing powerful surrender excercise, then begin the process of setting goals and plans in place for you to begin accomplishing your God-given dreams!

As we go through your life, we each always stand amazed at what the Lord reveals during our two days together. The process is absolutely beautiful, absolutely transformational, especially when we take the time to look at what we have been through over the course of years in our lives. Some of the places in our journey that we experienced the harshest, dryest desert times prove to have had some beautiful learning, and lovely leaning upon our Lord. Those places we have journeyed in the past have meaning and purpose for our futures. As we look beyond ourselves, we are able to see the ministry that our Lord is calling us to.

We must remember through the course of our lives that we ALWAYS stand in a place of CHOICE. Freedoms to choose to look for the silver lining, look for GOD, to stand in a place of totally trusting God in the midst of fear or pain. Choosing to love, even when someone might not be making the same choice, choosing to forgive even when it seems impossible... we always can choose Christ,

*** Shift in my writing**** It's 5:30 am and I just hung up the phone, I just got the call from dear sweet George Tomin, and his dear sweet wife Joanne joined our Lord, around 3:00 am this morning. (Just about the time I was awakened and thinking of her:) I love you Joanne. George and all of us will miss you greatly, we will see you again... love, love, love you!

I will write again later about Life Purpose Plans and post some lovely pictures indicating the true beauty of the process.... I must go and wake Bruce so that he can call George back...

Choose love, choose love every time, I am.

Love,
Kathryn

ALL THINGS Q! QUOUGHTS- Powerful Questions That Provoke Thought... When was the last time that you were on a hunt for God?

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WENT ON A "GOD HUNT"? The other question would be, Have you ever been on a "GOD HUNT"?

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

I am in the midst of doing a Group Coaching Tele-class Study with a group of women, from all over North America! Two of the women are from New Mexico, four of them are from Toronto, one is from Brampton, one from Edmonton, one from Australia, one from Vancouver and I am from Texas.

The one thing that we all have in common is the fact that we are all Christian women. In this coaching study we are learning from the wonderful book "Character Makeover" co-authored by Katie Brazelton (who is the owner & founder of LPCCI - Life Purpose Coaching Centers International, of which I am a Certifired Life Purpose Coach) and Shelley Leith.

The action step that I took on for this week was: "I will hunt for God." I will go on a daily God Hunt, journaling where I see Him show up in my day; the things I see in nature, the interruptions, the serendipities, the detours, the provisions, the difficulties, the connections with people, and/or the answers to prayer. I will share with at least one person something I saw on my daily God Hunt."

I am really looking forward to this. I feel like I am usually very aware of the way that God is showing up in my daily life. It will be really wonderful, and assuring for me to write it out. I pray that you will take the time to HUNT FOR GOD in your dailiness. Think about the way that He has instructed you, or kept you out of a mess, or revealed something to you in a particular way in which you know without a doubt He is speaking to you. It might be through the still quiet whispers, or the cry of a baby that you see God, or hear Him. It might be through an amazing undeniable Holy Spirit connection, divinely appointed by our Lord.

When was the last time that you were on a "GOD HUNT?" Why don't you try journaling about your experiences of this for a week. Take the time to get your eyes off of yourself, and on His majesty. Begin the praising of Him now and always.

He loves you so...

I'm headed out on my GOD HUNT... I will be reporting on what I have seen!

Expectantly...

Kathryn

http://www.kathrynbonner.com/

http://www.awakeningslifecoaching.com/

ALL THINGS Q - QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED

Jesus asked in Matthew 14:31

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

I am a Life Purpose Coach and I know the power of encouragement and powerful questions. These are just two of the things I do as your life coach, enabling you to awaken to your God-given dreams.

I know that often the fear of the call, or the fear of the BIGNESS of the call from God can keep one from living the fulfilled and meaningful life that God has for you. Many focus completely on the fear of it rather than the exhilaration of doing it.

Let's take a close look at this story of Peter walking on the water. He was the one and only disciple who stepped into the call. The rest of the disciples stayed in the boat, not budging, or getting up, but stayed steeped in their fear.

We all know and love this story of Peter, when he sees Jesus walking on the water toward him and along with all of the other disciples in the boat he is scared! He sort of starts freaking out, thinking he must be seeing a ghost! Naturally Jesus wants to calm Peter's fears, and reassures him of who He is, and tells Peter not to be afraid. Peter needs more proof and says to Jesus, "if it's really you, then command me - call me to come to you on the water." So, Jesus obliges Peter and "calls for him to come."

Peter begins the trek, actually walking on water, just like Jesus! He's doing it, going for it! Then the Scripture tells us that he took his eyes off of Jesus, looking and then focusing in on the fierce winds, becoming very afraid of the storm. The most significant part of this story is that Peter takes his eyes off of Jesus, and that is when Peter began to go down. There is a big question for us to answer for ourselves here, and something for me to point out to you as I believe it effects each of us in our daily living, effects so much of our lives in an adverse way that it bears posing this question to you.

What happens to your God-given dreams when you focus on the fear (take your eyes off of Christ, the one who calls you) rather than the possibilities of faithfully walking with Christ? I really want you to think about what dream it is that you have within yourself for a moment. He places the holy call within you, you know that don't you? Is your calling from the Lord one that you are not facing because of fear around it?

Ponder these questions deeply that Jesus asked Peter, and apply them to yourself:

1. "Where is your faith?
2. And why do you doubt?"

Really take a moment to ask yourself these two questions individually, and answer them honestly. Are you ready for a life change? Are you ready for a life coach in your life? I hired a life coach to propel me into the writing of my first book, and I keep a coach in my life. I am now writing books 2 and 3, and my life coach asks me powerful questions, causes me to choose the life God has for me! Think about what you know you are supposed to be doing with your life. Are you standing in your faith, or your doubt (fear)? Check out my two websites: http://www.kathrynbonner.com/ and http://www.awakeningslifecoaching.com/

Ponder these questions, pray about it, maybe it's time you began FAITH WALKING with a life coach. You won't regret it! Live fully into your God-give purpose, be passionate with your life!

What areas of your life (and there may be many) are you not stepping out of the boat because of self doubt or fear? Do you not trust God? If not, why not? He wants you to place your faith in Him, not yourself. Contemplate this, and get to the place where Peter was, ask the Lord to re-connect with you on a deeper level, reach out and grab His hand just as Peter did, allowing Him to be there with you, to pull you along... Live into the amazing possibilities! Why doubt the call He has upon your life, you know He has placed it there and believes in you! He would not have called you to it otherwise.

Here's to faithful living and fulfillment in Christ who calls you!

Kathryn

I am a life coach who loves to see you discover your purpose and live your passion!

ALL THINGS Q!! - Quote For The Day

QUOTE FOR THE DAY...

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Dr. Seuss

I love Dr. Seuss!! I think most people love Dr. Seuss too.

What are some of the things you might be missing out on? Where can you be smiling when you haven't been? Let us always take the opportunity when we can and where warranted to "smile because it happened."

I remember at my very first "conversational" book signing at Barnes and Noble Bookstore I was reflecting at the end of it, critiquing myself. I was not completely satisfied with the way I did everything, I didn't speak loud enough, I forgot to talk on something that was indeed part of my heart and wanted the audience to hear and know.

My husband (my wonderful husband) reminded me of how amazing it is to even be a published author, and how astounding it is to even have a book signing! He reminded me to take the time to relish in the moment, to stand in awe of it, to love it, and to give thanks to God for it, because after all, it isn't about me, it's about God! He gave this gift to me. Therefore, I was able to take the mistakes I'd made, learn from them and do things differently the next time. All the while rejoicing in it and "smiling because it even happened!" It is miraculous that I am blessed to be able to do this at all! Had my husband not pointed that out to me I would have missed the amazement of it all, the joy that comes from meeting all of the different people that come to the book signings, and how much each of them enjoyed it, how people were truly touched, it was evident through the tears that were seen streaming down their faces, the laughter shared, the similarities that many of us shared in our life experiences, the beautiful in depth conversations we have! The smiles we all share together. Sharing Christ, the most beautiful part!

So... Let's all make a deal-- let's not be overly critical of ourselves, because when that's the case we miss the grandness of God and His majesty that He blesses us with each day! :) SMILE! SOAK IT IN, BATHE IN IT! :)

Let's embrace the God-given moments in our lives more and more each day. Remember that we "stand in the place of choice" and make the choice to enjoy this INCREDIBLE life!!

So let's take the advice of Dr. Seuss... Smile when you can... I am!!

With Joy,
Kathryn

http://www.kathrynbonner.com/

http://www.awakeningslifecoaching.com/

ALL THINGS Q... - Questions Jesus Asked??

QUESTIONS ASKED BY JESUS
As a life purpose coach I love the powerful question. Every life coach, when they are going through their training learns that as a coach we do not have to nor do we need to answer the questions, but rather ask the questions of the client in order for them to find the answers that seem to allude us. In the search of the answer... somewhat of an inner journey goes on. It can bring you to a place of introspection, make you find out what you know, what you believe, what you want, what you are truly about. When the answer comes bells go off, lights flash, and there is a sense of knowing, new understanding, and clarity! It is lovely.

My girlfriends within my prayer group (whom I get with early Wednesday mornings) know that I have been doing a study of all the questions that Jesus asked. I apply the questions to my own life, and go about answering them. When I say "go about answering them" it doesn't mean that I have the answer right away, it doesn't mean that I have answers every time, it doesn't mean that I am satisfied with my answers when they come; yet there are times when I am more than satisfied, in fact amazed at the answers that come to me. It varies, depending upon the question, and my own personal abilities to comprehend at the time. BUT, I LOVE ALL OF THE QUESTIONS THAT JESUS ASKS!! So... without further ado, let's begin! :)

Jesus asked some of the most powerful questions! Things that make you go hmmmm...

This question He asks: "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?" Matthew 5:46

Wow! What a great question. It's very easy for us to love those who love us isn't it? There is no challenge for us with that, it's a no brainer, a piece of cake. It doesn't require us to rely on the Lord for anything in that situation. Love, this is the the crux of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and teaches us all about love. Love is not rude it says in verse 5. How often are we rude to those around us? (I ask myself this question too). Far too often for me. Sadly I hate to admit it. But as we walk closer and closer to Christ this becomes easier and easier, a natural out pouring of the Holy Spirit living within us.

I love it when those I love show love to me, it feels SO good. Love is one of the most wonderful things that God instilled within us, each of us!

In 1st Corinthians it says things like, love is patient, love is kind, love is not rude, it is not jealous, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered... it continues on with a list of things regarding love. When Jesus asked, what reward is there when we love those who love us is such a great reminder of the reward we recieve while loving on the unlovable. Think about the folks who are hard to love in your life. What if you were to start being loving to them? There could be an amazing change that could come over them because of your love being given to them. They may actually need your love a lot more than a person who's easy to love. If we all become more free with our love, the reward would probably be that those who have been difficult to love will probably be truly touched and moved by your love that they begin to have a heart change. Their hearts will more than likely become softer and sweeter because of you! That's the reward! Let us love all those God places in our path even the difficult to love, then, we will begin experiencing true love! What do you think? Can you begin to try it? I am starting today!

After all, LOVE is the greatest of all things! God is love!

Here's to love!
Kathryn

Check out my website: http://www.kathrynbonner.com/ for more information about coaching!

ALL THINGS Q - The Beginning of Q!!

I am going to begin posting on my blog on a regular basis the different topics of "All Things Q!" Originally I thought that I would post something Monday through Friday each day. But I began to think about my life and the reality of that, and Quite honestly that doesn't seem like something I would be able to completely commit to. However, I would like to commit to more blogging more often, which is something I am totally able to commit to. SO... Here's to All Things Q! I'm sure that by now you are wondering "What is "All things Q?"

"All things Q" really does pertain to my life, many aspects of it, and each topic that I will cover will have something to do with the five things Q. I will explain...

The five topics around Q that I will be writing on are the following... (drum roll please:)

1. QUOUGHTS = POWERFUL QUESTIONS THAT PROVOKE THOUGHT. As most of you know I am a Certified Life Purpose Coach, (http://www.kathrynbonner.com/) so, as a Coach I am always asking my clients some powerful questions in order to get them thinking, to get them to know who they are, what they really want out of their lives, to discover what their purpose is. To AWAKEN those God-given dreams that have been lying dormant within them. Many times when they ask me a question, I respond with a question in order for them to find the answers to their passion, and truth. So there will be days that my posts will cover QUOUGHTS! Be on the look out for "QUOUGHTS FOR THE DAY" you might like to begin pondering. It will be fun and inspirational!
2. QUESTS = The dictionary defines QUEST as The act or an instance of seeking or pursuing something; a search. An expedition undertaken in medieval romance by a knight in order to perform a prescribed feat: the quest for the Holy Grail. I personally love the adventure of any give QUEST given to us by our LORD - Because it takes FAITH to pursue, it takes strength of character, perseverance, hope and dedication. As a Life Purpose Coach, I myself and most of those that I coach are usually on a QUEST of some sort. Pursuing after the the things ahead of us, with an excitement, and sometimes with fear, but always with anticipation and expectation. Are you on a QUEST to write a book, to become a leader in your field of interest, to begin leading a study group, to begin your own business? The Quests are many when you multiply our lives! What is your QUEST? Let's begin our QUEST of discovery together, you never know what we will discover on the journey of the QUEST!! I look forward to the adventurous journey we will go on together!
3. QUERIES = As you know I am an author of the new book "Confessions of a Pastor's Wife; He Speaks Can You Hear Him?" Queries are what we authors send out to publishing houses in hopes of receiving a book contract in the mail. A Query is the QUESTION and the HOPE of every writer of becoming an author. So, I will QUERY some things from time to time on the blog. I hope that you authors, or those of you who HOPE to be an author find some joy and hope in this part of your journey.
4. QUOTES = They are inspirational and motivational remarks that you read, hear speakers say that cause us to make positive change in our lives. So I will be quoting various folks who had something wonderful to say that we simply should not miss out on. Be looking for THE QUOTE OF THE DAY...
5. QUESTIONS ASKED MY ME, COACH KATHRYN= I will pose some powerful questions to you as I would a client. Questions that hopefully will spur more thoughts, cause you to look deeply within yourself, cause you to draw closer to God, make change in your life where needed. I know that you will deeply enjoy the "QUESTION OF THE DAY" when it comes up! Here's to the questions marks of your life :)
6. QUESTIONS ASKED BY JESUS = All through out the Gospels Jesus is asking questions. Over the last few years I have been reading through the questions He asked and have been highlighting them in my Bible with a blue highlighter. I will begin the process of writing out the questions Jesus asked and answer them for myself. I LOVE the questions He has asked through out the pages of the WORD. Here are a couple to get you thinking... ** "What are you looking for?" ** "What do you want me to do for you?" ** "What is your opinion about the Messiah? ** "Do you want to be well?" ** "What are you thinking in your hearts?" Remember that I am no theologian, and my intention is not to get too "heady" - that's not my purpose of writing out the Questions that Jesus asked. This is more for you and I to come to a thoughtful, spiritual, meditative place. A place that I Quite frankly need more of. Thoughts that come from our own place of introspection, from our hearts, and the Holy Spirit that lives within each of us, to draw us closer to our Lord, commune with Him, soak in His Word.

I am looking forward to this section of "All things Q" more than any of them. The Questions of Christ will certainly be my most favorite area of "ALL THINGS Q!"

I know that you will enjoy this "Quest of Q" with me... :)

Oh yes... I almost forgot to say it... Happy Leap Year To You!!

Blessings to you,

Kathryn