LISTEN - God hears the cries of our blood...

"The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground." Genesis 4:10

If this is your first time visiting my blog, let me share with you that many times I do my own studies as God directs me... He will drop a single word into my Spirit and I will then begin to do a study of the Scriptures revolving around that one word.

For this season of Lent, He has given me the word LISTEN. I will be posting some of my personal studies here. Many will remain in my personal journal, others I will post here...

Thank you for walking this Lenten journey with me, my prayers rising for you now...

In the passage above I find something beautiful in this Scripture, in my prior readings of it I only saw the heinous crime Cain committed against his brother Abel. I know that sounds strange to be able to find something beautiful in the midst of something so awful, but I have.

I searched in commentaries around this verse and strangely the beauty that I have discovered in this verse seems to be pretty much skipped over... Hard to believe that what is so profound here seems to go unnoticed, well maybe not, since I seem to have skipped over it many many times before myself. My view on this verse has been "pointed to the word LISTEN" this time, so this is what has actually caused me to see this after missing it so many times before.

Yes, we know that Cain has killed his brother, we know about how awful his temper and jealousy is. How we should never allow our rage to become so uncontrollable that we commit crimes against our fellow human beings. These are the things I've always gleaned from this in the past.

However, with this new perspective, what is being revealed to me is that when there are crimes committed our blood literally cries out to God! Our blood cries? Wow! Not only does our blood cry out to God, but God hears the cries!

I have never lost anyone to a crime; however my mother has been a victim to a heinous crime. She lived to tell about it and report it. Now, I cannot help but recognize the beauty, that when someone has been injured, harmed, or taken out of this life, our Lord HEARS the cries of the blood! Not only that, but He speaks to the criminal. He asks them what they have done and they too hear God speaking to them! They dialog with the God of the universe regarding what they have done. God of course already knows. God knows! God also provides consequences to their actions.

I know that our God is just and righteous in all of His decisions. Cain is removed from paradise, removed from the glorious place in which he was able to truly enjoy the land the beauty and all that God had provided. I can trust that He is handling everything. I can trust knowing that He knows all, sees all, and deals justly with all.

The voice of Abel came flooding into God's ears! AND, God did not ignore his cries. God hears the cries of blood, the cries of those who are no longer with us here physically, we can find a holy comfort in this. Just knowing that He hears the cries makes comforts me. Somehow, I know that the victim's families can find peace in His hearing also.

Let us take comfort and remember that our God listens and hears.

What is the cry of your heart today? What is it that you need Him to hear? Speak it to Him... let your voice be heard, He cares about you.
Amen.

Thoughts on Dreams and Dreaming

I have many God-given dreams and fewer actual dreams that I dream at night.
When I do dream during my sleep most of them are from God and very profound. Well I had one of those very profound dreams Tuesday night, I think it was Wednesday morning, because when I awoke I was just finishing the dream...

Before I share the dream I am going to do a bit of back tracking first.

God seems to drop ONE single word into my Spirit from time to time, and when He does I will type that single word into www.BibleGateway.com and find each and every Scripture verse with that word in it and do my own personal study. I print out the pages with all of the Scriptures on them, then proceed to study them each day, writing out the verse in my journal, then writing beneath the Scripture what God is speaking to me, teaching me and what is applicable to me. One of the words that I have done a study on is the word DOOR(S)... I loved doing this study!

There is one Scripture that I want to share with you here, now. It is
"because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." 1 Corinthians 16:9

OK, so God continues for each of us to Open these amazing doors, doors for us to choose to walk through or not. Should we choose to walk through them we have this journey that we are about to embark upon, not fully knowing where we are being led, but just compelled to say YES. In so doing, this door that we step though leads us onward to do EFFECTIVE work and it's also a GREAT door! So we are about to walk into something bigger than ourselves and it can be scary, because in the very same sentence just behind the comma we are told that there is opposition. So... should we at that point choose the Holy and Sacred doorway or should we choose to play it safe and stay behind?

Well, I feel like our forefathers and mothers have left each of us something in their absence, something really wonderful, therefore I want to do the same. Not really for myself and yet it is for myself... I just know that I want to benefit and give life and share what it is to be a Spiritwalker and HOW to be a Spiritwalker... My heart beats so big for this, for everyone to understand how to do so. All the while getting better at it myself. This is so much the reason that I am called to do this radio show that is up and coming. I feel so honored and so blessed with this privilege, words cannot begin to express. Though there is certainly opposition with the economy being the way that it is right now.

OK, Now onto my Dream Wednesday morning...
I dreamt that me and all of my WPPI (Women of Passionate Purpose International) sisters were on a team retreat in this beautiful and amazing house. We were singing and dancing our praises to God with our arms lifted up unto our King. We were enjoying the time of praise and it was a holy and sacred time that lasted for a long while. At the end of our praise session, we were proceeding on into our meeting and planning things out for the next coming two years. Then it came time for lunch, so we decided to walk to the different local fast food restaurants, grab what we wanted and come back with our food so that we could all eat together. Then after eating we were going to get new updated photos for our website and shoot some videos. So we all went our separate ways to grab our lunches. I decided to go across the street. I was walking and it was a very bright and sunny day and I was wearing a visor. As I walked and made my way all of the sudden the skies became very very dark and gray and then it began to pour down rain. The winds were blowing ferociously, so much so that it was hard to walk. I began to cry. (The symbolism of opposition that is here for us in our lives especially when we have been given EFFECTIVE work to be done by God) Then somehow I was walking with a walker. I know that this was symbolic of God providing me my help when I was feeling so alone and feeble during the storm in my life. I then looked back at the house thinking it would be easier to just turn and go back. Then I looked forward to where my food supply was. (I recognize this being symbolic of needing my Spiritual nourishment from God). I chose to press onward. I kept walking even though feeling very feeble. I got to my destination, and there was no way to enter into the building as they only had a window that I could walk up to to place my order. As I came to the window, she opened it up and as she did she opened the windows of heaven to me! Then sitting next to the window on the outside of the building was a Police Officer. He was smiling and appeared to be absolutely radiant. His smile caused me to smile even through my tears. He was symbolic of God going before me, watching me press on, stepping through the door, pressing on... trusting and not quitting. He then spoke to me and told me that He would always be going ahead of me, calling me onward, praising me and my efforts. He told me that I need to learn to walk, learn to get steadier on my feet, to choose to walk onward, even through the storms and the fear. Onward is where my God-given dreams and destiny are, and yes there will be storms and raging winds, but nothing we can't handle together. He told me that we could put my walker in His car and that He would give me a ride back home. So he did, and then told me that He'd hang onto the walker, and when I felt feeble again, he'd provide it for me again at just the right time, and to remember that He'd be calling me forth and helping me. That He's sees me at all times and loves me.

I was so grateful for His dream, because on Thursday I woke up with my eyes swollen shut from allergies and I began to cry. I didn't want to go on all of my appointments for the sponsorship of the radio show looking so badly. Bruce was so encouraging me and asked me poignant questions about what REALLY mattered to me. I was experiencing outside opposition, along with my own internal opposition with the negative self talk that we all can fall prey to. I got up and got ready for my day, God provided me with my walker and my Police Office and so much more that day because I didn't look back, I looked onward and pressed on to the call and boy was I blessed! In the appointments that I had Wed, Thurs, and Friday each person I met with was absolutely God-ordained! God is The Great Provider, The Great Door Opener!

Step through the God-Given Doors of your Dreams! Even when you face some of the storms of life it is worth it, it really is!

Spiritwalking, Dreaming & Doors,
Kathryn

QUESTIONS JESUS ASKS - Trees Walking... Shifts In Perspective Are Always Needed

OK, here's our passage for today...(and several more days)

Mark 8:22-26 "They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."

There is so much in this passage of Scripture that I am going to come back to it over and over as God continues to open my eyes to it. I know that there is much to this passage that He has for me. Today it seems that God wants me to look at PERSPECTIVE right now, so that is what I am going to "focus my eyes on" today.

In verse 24, after Jesus has taken the blind man by the hand and taken him outside the village, spit on the mans eyes and put his hands on him, then after that Jesus asks him "Do you see anything?"

The mans response is "I SEE PEOPLE; THEY LOOK LIKE TREES WALKING AROUND."
How many times do you see people all around you not as people, but as objects? How is it that we are viewing them? What about your spouse, your friends, your boss, your co-worker, your team, your children?

Have you allowed yourself to become jaded to who they really are in Christ? What about yourself? How are you viewing yourself? Are you seeing yourself as someone that doesn't measure up? Or as someone who will never get it right? Someone who doesn't see the true passion and joy in this world any more?

Maybe it's your view on Christ? How do you see Him in your life? When was the last time you allowed Him to take you by the hand and remove you from the outside influences of life? To take you away so that you could begin to see Him, others and yourself with the absolute truths that are really there?

Allow God to take you by the hand TODAY, take some time to be with Him, to see HIM with new eyes, to see OTHERS with new eyes, and to see YOURSELF with new eyes! It's time for you to take the hand in hand walk with the Creator of the World and Restore Your Sight!

While doing so, ask God to give you new Perspectives in all the areas He wants you to have. Commit to placing your hand in His each and every day and take a "Perspective Stroll" with El Roi- The God of Seeing, The God who Sees You, The God who Opens Your Eyes!

Sight, Strolls and Seeing,
Kathryn Bonner

As a Life Purpose Coach it is my passion to see you live your life Awakened... no longer sleepwalking through your life! Connect with me for coaching... http://www.AwakeningsLifeCoaching.com - Email- KB@AwakeningsLifeCoaching.com

Prayers Rising...Rising... Rising...

Prayers for each of us as we continue our journey, as we each follow our God-given calling upon this earth. Prayers for each of you as you see God in action, praying that you become a witness in your very own faith story of the miracles of our God, how He moves you to tears, moves you to laughter, moves you to action, moves you... moves you physically, moves you spiritually and moves you emotionally.

Prayers for family, prayers for new life, for my soon to be here grandson, my very first grandchild, prayers for my daughter Kellie Ann as her delivery date is drawing nearer and nearer. Prayers of thanksgiving for my daughter Tabitha rising… rising… rising… Prayers of thanksgiving for my sons-in-law, Prayers of thanksgiving as my wedding anniversary nears and for all the years of love I have shared in my marriage.

Prayers for each of us here reading as we continue on in our very own prayers. Our Lord knows your needs, I am praying that we all find ourselves closer to our Maker with each passing day, that we cling to His love, that we surrender all.... that we walk away lighter each day, walk away brighter at the end of each day. I pray that we are filled with joy because we have helped another in need, knowing that we can make the world a better place each day for those in our circles.

Let us sleep with smiles on our lips, and dreams of love and peace and difference be ours. How I love each of you,how I praise God for each of you... I am blessed to be walking the path with each of you...
Love, Love, Love and Jesus.
AMEN :)
Love,
Kathryn

SACRED LISTENING WOMAN

I painted my "SACRED LISTENING WOMAN" and I don't know if you can see it in this photo or not but I also painted two muted trees "underneath" her face symbolizing New Life and Growth. Her eyelashes are sacred wings...

This is my very first painting using acrylics and I must confess that I didn't feel "ready" to paint on my precious canvas, still needing to learn the way the paint brushes feel, how much to use... etc... so I used my big water color tablet :) Felt safer to start that way for me. In the end I took my Iridescent Gold and washed the entire painting with it. I might have muted the painting too much in doing so. I didn't realize how it would mute it, I thought it would make it more sparkely and shiny. But here it is! :)

ROOTED & FREE

MY VERY first watercolor painting ever.
It's elementary... but I love it... I like the trunk of the tree... Like the colors... I was at peace in the painting of it... thinking of my friend since 4th grade, Karen's sister Debbie who just passed on to be with God. Thoughts for her as I painted... she's with our God now... I felt like I painted her Spirit in the painting as I painted with the blues...

"SPIRITCLOUD"

God had prompted me to do a study of all the Scriptures regarding CLOUDS and it is truly amazing how God shows up in the clouds! He is amazing! He was a Pillar of Cloud during the day and a Pillar of Fire by night, at the baptism of Jesus out of a cloud came the voice of God announcing to all those who where there "This is my son, whom I'm well pleased, LISTEN to Him" [emphasis mine], and that the clouds are the dust beneath His feet... The list of the majesty of the clouds goes on and on... This is my painting depicting the sky, the waters, the light and the clouds are filled with His awesome presence.

SPIRITWALKING

This is one of my first paintings, and I have given it the title "SPIRITWALKING" from my life verse "If we live by the Spirit, let us walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:25

Allowing for Creativity to be welcomed into my life... enjoy... bringing peace and bliss and movement and peace and....

Taste The Rain...

Taste The Rain!!

It's raining.

I am listening.

Love the sound of the rain...

Wash away everyone's pain...

Allow us to glean and gain...

Thunder whispers...

Thunder roars...

I am listening...

Taste and Flood our veins with love...

Allow us the Holy Spirit's dove...

Heaven here, presence from above...

Taste the Cleansing Grace filling the earth...

Cleansing Grace filling each heart...

Cleansing Grace filling each mind...

Renewal My Lord

Renewal My God

Renewal My King

Grace Raining Down...

Washing away frowns...

Replacing with crowns...

Rain... Rain... Rain...

Tasting...

Listening...

Humbled...

Loved.

GATES & DOORS --- Devotional

"The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, it's gates and its walls." Revelation 21:15

"The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass." Revelation 21:21

Oh Lord, to see the vision of this angel---

This angel talking with John!

I picture this and even can experience it in a seemingly smoky kind of way. I know that this is something extraordinary - yet not to You God - not to You at all.

Gold, glorious gold, the angels measuring rod - obviously yielding powers of You God - with abilities far beyond our earthly comprehension. But you have shown us throughout your Word what power you can bring forth - what amazing acts and mighty power can come through a simple stick - or a staff- even a snake.

So... I know that this Golden Measuring Rod was used in Revelation 11 to ensure protection and here in chapter 21 to be used for measuring.... -- mmmmmm.... mmmmm... I soak in your power and majesty. I soak in awe - and joy- and holy fear of all that you are capable of.

Measure me my LORD - let me grow taller and stronger and more powerful through you to be used for You. Grow me, stretch me, let me "measure up" let me in my own unworthiness take on and be cloaked in Your worthiness. Keep me within the bounds of your Holy Walls and Gates, let me not step outside of Your will or Your protection. Protect me with Your rod, keep me within Your gates so that I remain always focused on You - serving You - through Your power.

Let me have every bit of the power You want me to have through the Holy Spirit - let me be fully surrendered and keep measuring me. Allow Your Angels to speak to me. Allow Your Angels to measure me. Keep the Angels that You assign to me ever present, let me hear their words, let me respond accordingly. Thank you my LORD for Your amazing protection - for Your amazing love and your amazing creation!!

With love and devotion,

Kathryn

(the photo above is an actual picture of my journaling devotion taken by me of these particular Scriptures)

WOMEN OF PASSIONATE PURPOSE CHRISTIAN WRITERS' RETREAT

CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S WRITING RETREAT NEAR THE POCONO MOUNTAINS

SEPTEMBER 21ST - 25TH, 2009

Oh... ladies!!! Here we go! We are beginning an unforgettable Writers' Retreat together. Each of us will all be woven together forever more as sisters who are on the writers path together. Can you believe it?

Each on the verge of writing... some for the first time, some who have done so for years...

Writing books and plays and devotions and life stories all divulging pieces of our own journey and heart, all for the glory of God. Can you feel it? Can you feel the blowing breezes of the Holy Spirit, the excitement that we all have? Many of you are coming with the ability to finally admit that you have a book or song (or something) within you that it ready to be born. Ready to speak your truth, to be vulnerable as you share the things that God has beckoned you to. You will be a jeweler or words, string each shiny word together, creating something of incredible worth page after page.

We are just a few short weeks away from our writing retreat! Marykay and I have truly enjoyed putting this retreat together for you. We have been in daily prayer for each of you as you prepare and process what you are embarking upon. Please keep both of us in your daily prayers as well.

Here in Austin we have had record high temps that have left many of us parched and thirsty for places just like Pennsylvania! There will be several Texas gals coming who I know will welcome this wonderful reprieve from the heat...

I can see many of you in my mind clicking away at your computers after reading this newsletter booking the best flight for your arrival! I see the cracks of smiles in your faces as you think about the getaway, as you contemplate the beautiful women (from many parts of the US and one all the way from Canada) that you are on the verge of meeting... coupled with a bit of stress knowing that you still have things to do in order to leave. BUT the ability to have these days of pure bliss... writing, worshipping, wondering... mmmmm... mmmmm... soaking it all in is what propels you onward. Ahh... to write and dream and listen to the Holy Spirit's leading.

I can't wait to see each of your faces and I can't wait to hear about all that the Lord propels you to write!

We only have three slots left, so be sure to let your girl friends know if they want to join you. Have them go to the website at www.WomenOfPassionatePurpose.com to register and pay.

Writing & Worshipping,
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/

UNENDING LIFE

I subscribe to the daily word from this dictionary reference. Those of you that know me, know that I am one who loves words! I love the meaning that ONE simple word can hold within a few letters. I find it fascinating and valuable. I love the power of the spoken word in each of our lives, how we are able to build one another up with our words and the beauty that comes along with that.

God created our Spirit’s within to be moved to a deeper level of intimacy and to be emotionally touched by them. He created the earth and all that is in it and the galaxies with a spoken Word!

Today’s daily word is “INTERMINABLE” pronounced “in-TUR-muh-nuh-buhl “ It means this: “So long as to seem endless; never stopping”

As I began to contemplate this word, I thought about God’s forgiveness is for us, how His peace is for us, His love, His way of blessing us is "interminable!" Thank you God for your endlessness, for loving us endlessly! Ummmmm.... ummmmm soak this in, bathe in it... for it is a gift that is truly endless.

Each and every day we rise with a gorgeous sunrise and each and everyday we witness His magnificent sunsets. This is something that our Lord has done each and every day of our waking and sleeping, it’s endless, never stopping!

Meditate on this Scripture passage:
"But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ This is the unending life, the real life!" Jude 1:20

Behold the meaning of this Scripture, read it over and over and over. What does the Lord reveal to you about Himself? Praise Him for it...

COACHES CALL TO ACTION:

1. What can you do for the Lord that is interminable?
2. What might you do for the greater good that is interminable?
3. What might you do for the building up of another?
4. How often do you find yourself praying in the Holy Spirit?
5. Think about what it is for you to "stay right in the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched" ... Wow!
6. What do you need to change in order to live into Jude 1:20?

In Christ's unending love,

Kathryn

Body Temple

Each of us has been given a Body Temple in which we house our Holy Spirit. Some bodies short, some tall, some round, some boxy... no matter, let us be clean vessels, healthy and holy to be used by our Lord for the work in which He calls... The Lord has given me these verses today as I have prayed for His revelation in regard to my Body Temple, and He as impressed it upon me to share with you... (Please know that this was just as much for me, if not more-- as it is for you)... The Scripture is in black and I have written in blue, what our LORD has revealed to me through the reading of His Word...
At the end you will find a list of coaching questions...

From Psalm 119:33-40
Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, God, thank you that you want me to learn, LORD let me always have a keen desire to soak in your teachings, let me have a hunger and a thirst for those things and keep me from my own fleshly hungers, my own edicts, and solidly stand in Yours. And I shall keep it to the end. Let me start and finish each day with Your will and Your Word for me this day, and every day. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Cause me not to rationalize with my understanding but with Your law, grant me the reasoning for it, so that I no longer desire my own will but Yours. Let my heart fall in love with Your ways, knowing that You always know what is better for me than I ever could. Let me never lean on my own understanding but in Yours as you make it known to me through Your Word and Your Holy Spirit that is living in me. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Oh Lord, MAKE ME walk with You even when I find myself wanting to walk my own path, draw me back unto Your path! Lord let me truly find your commandments not to be a harsh thought, as the word commandment seems so strong, it causes me to want to run from it! Stop me LORD from running away and getting lost on my path, but call me, let me follow Your path, with sheer joy as I trust and know that Your path is the path of restoration, wholeness and resurrection! Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, You Lord cause my heart to beat for the things that your heart beats for! Keep me from the want of things that You do not want for my Body Temple which houses the Holy Spirit! Literally, turn my vision and longing away from those foods that are not of You. In fact they are worthless, so why would I ever want to put anything in my mouth that holds no worth? and revive me in Your way. Bring to me a resurrected life in which I only live the way you would have me! Bring me the rival, the new breath of your Holy Spirit which leads me to truth, joy, fulfillment and health! Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You. Launch me each and every morning into Your Word, causing me to be Yours, fully faithful and committed to respecting Your healthy ideals for me. Turn away my reproach which I dread, Let me never make excuses or try to justify my own cravings which in the end I feel guilty about and ultimately worse for not following what you have guided me to do for Your judgments are good. You cannot, nor would you ever direct me to anything except for what is first-class and holy. Behold, I long for Your precepts; Craving Your Word, Your teachings, your guidelines now I surrender those things in which You have asked me to, take them from me Lord revive me in Your righteousness Oh what freedom I find here with you! The revival has begun, your care and love for me have strengthened me to keep My Body- Your Temple as a Holy dwelling place for You to reside, and to grow in strength so that I might serve you even better!

Coaches Call To Action:

1. What are the statutes that the Lord longs for you to grasp regarding your Body Temple?
2. Have you been turning your eyes toward worthless things or from worthless things?
3. What might you begin doing to make your Body Temple more holy for the housing of the Holy Spirit within you?
4. What do you know to be true for you in this passage?

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

QUOUGHTS ON DOORS!!

Doors and More Doors- Heavenly Doors

What are the God-given doorways in your life?

“BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO LISTENS TO ME, WATCHING DAILY AT MY DOORS, WAITING AT MY DOORWAY.”

Proverbs 8:34

Have you ever given much thought to the doors that the Lord might be opening in your life? Especially when you wait on Him to call you, then as you truly listen to Him and proceed to take the courage to actually obey what He asks of you? Then the LORD God Himself actually escorts you as you take the steps! If you commence to walking with Him you will be astonished with the incredible journey He will take you on! For me it has been truly grand!

As I become more and more obedient to Him, to His direction, the blessings just keep coming my way! I have been so busy these last few months experiencing the many doors he has opened unto me! I have been astounded by His abundance and blessing upon my life. My coaching practice, my writing, my Holy Spirit directed connections, the new women He has placed in my life and all that we are up to together is Huge!

He has so much to bestow unto those of us who seek Him and seek His will. What perspective do you take as you begin to view the Heavenly Doors? Have you ever really thought about doors and passageways as heavenly? Do you choose to stay in the room with your ears plugged and the doors shut tightly all around you in order not to venture out? Does that idea feel safer to you so that you do not have to take any risks? What would it be like for you if you were to view the word risk and shift the perspective of it? Shift the viewpoint of risk to faith, faithfully seeing a door as a heavenly opening? What doors are you keeping tightly shut that you know you should to be opening? What might be on the other side of the door should you open it?

In the verse above you see that as you listen to the calling of the LORD you will be blessed! I am so amazed at the way He calls us forth to do His work! Until the end of time we must be listening to Him, listening to His voice, His Words of wisdom, His Words of direction, His Words of love. His true desire is to bless us, not to cause us to fear Him or His calling on our lives.

I love the second part of this passage as we are instructed to watch daily at His doors. Not just every now and then, or once a month when we think about it, but every single day we are to be watching daily at HIS doors, waiting for Him to bless us! The thought of this is beautiful to me as I begin to become more and more aware of the doors that He is guiding me to walk through each and every day!

Picture the glow peeking through, radiating from underneath the door, beckoning you to come… to draw closer closer to the door. Laying on your tummy with your face up close to the door, you begin to peer through the opening seeing the lights luminosity and your nostrils take in the smells of fresh air, smelling the sweet fragrance of a magnolia tree! The scent fills you with warmth and hope for the day!

You begin to rise, placing your hand upon the old antique door knob which juts out from the old wooden hewn door - leading to the heavenly places of God, as He calls you forth; you go… you go…

You journey on with expectancy from Him who leads…

On the amazing journey with you,
Kathryn

Kathryn Bonner is an Author/Speaker/Certified Life Purpose Coach.

Ask Kathryn about having your LIFE PLAN done, a 2 day one-on-one Life-Purpose Planning Retreat for women. This is all about you and God… Asking questions that unlock your story and lead you into a discovery of God-given purpose which will empower you for the rest of your life! We are solely focused to the AWAKENING of the new and improved way you go through life. This Life Plan for you, for your future includes writing out your own personal Mission Statement, and creating a Vision Board, reviewing the Defining Moments of your life. You will truly enjoy this 2 day retreat because it will literally be life changing as we journey, step by step through your life together! This is all about you and what God plans for you, His purpose for you! We will create steps to enhance and accelerate the process of bringing joy and balance to your life, as well as deeper meaning, focus, harmony, understanding to relationships, insights to transitions, depth to your Christian walk, growth in personal and professional living, as well as clarity of your values.
http://www.AwakeningsLifeCoaching.com
http://www.KathrynBonner.com

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!! - 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!