Authenticity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxwkSqUarow



Even tho I am a princess and a butterfly, I am still always a peasant and a caterpillar - my shadow self coexists with my new self. The sooner I accept and embrace my "authentic self" the better off I'll be. B. Manning says "When we accept the truth of what we really are and surrender it to Jesus Christ, we are enveloped in peace, whether or not we feel ourselve to be in peace." Jesus is the only one who really knows me - my authentic self. I cannot hide from Him. I cannot wear a mask. I cannot play a game. I cannot lie. I cannot pretend. I cannot act. I can only realize that I stand before Him authentic and bare. He knows my thoughts before I think them, He knows which way I will move before I move. He created me - He knows me past, present and future. He knows my worst moment and my finest moment. And still....He loves me. It is a beautiful thing to be totally known, to be totally accepted and to be totally loved. It is a beautiful thing to have a friend and soul mate like Jesus. And He is available to each of us in that capacity. Now how beautiful is that?

Chrysalis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjIlaGpCfOw

This morning I was reading Brennan Manning's The Rabbi's Heartbeat and I was reminded of the fact that I am Jesus' beloved. Yesterday's reading was on the fact that I am safe in Jesus. So, I am safe and beloved in my relationship with Jesus. In the mornings when He meets me at the end of my couch, all is quiet and it is good to sit in His presence and rest in His love. I think about being a caterpiller in a chrysalis - resting, tightly bound, protected, held still by a strength and power beyond me. In the quiet silence and stillness a metamorphis occurs, a becoming. And what emerges is BEAUTIFUL - a new creation. "If any man be in Jesus, a new creation has begun - for the moment we look to the Savior, we pass from death unto life." Not only am I a princess on the way to my throne, I am also a caterpillar becoming a beautiful butterfly. My job is to rest in His love and safety. He who began a good work in me, will be faithful to complete it. And that is beautiful.

I am a Princess on the way to my throne...

There is a song that plays during the credits of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and the words that caught my ear were "I am a princess on the way to my throne." One of the beautiful things about Jesus and His good news is the hope He gives! This movie and song reminded me of what hope I have in Jesus. I am not simply Kelli, I am a princess. On the day of my salvation, Jesus put a crown on my head, gave me a weapon appropriate for me, and started me off on my adventure as a princess in His Kingdom. I'm on a journey, on the way to my throne. I am learning, growing, fighting, failing, fearing, hoping, dreaming, remembering, worshipping, wondering, finding redemption...just like Lucy, Susan, Edmund and Peter. All because of Jesus. All because God loves me and wants more for me than I can ever hope or imagine. He has lead me through the wardrobe into a land full of wonder and hope. As Aslan represents, He gave up His life for me, and then conquered death. He is alive, and I am invited to fellowship with Him, to hug his neck, yes even to ride upon His back in freedom and joy. So, thanks to C.S. Lewis for a magical story full of reminders of God's beautiful hope. And thanks to Alanis Morisette, who wrote the song. It is called Wunderkind.

Happy New Year

Happyness is realizing that the year has been a good one! Happyness is also looking forward to the next year...as I move from 2007 to 2008 I also want to transition this blog from a pursuit of happyness to a pursuit of worship. In 2008 I will record those moments of worship - the ones where I get just a glimpse of God and am swept away by His glory and grace. I cannot wait! Happy New Year to me!

Creating...

I made a simple chocolate cake with chocolate icing and then dropped red, white and green sprinkles all over the top. I realized in those few seconds that the sprinkles were making me happy. And I thought that God is so good to allow us to share in the act of creating - whether it is a piece of art, a sprinkled cake, or a child - aren't we blessed? Sprinkles led to worship, and there is no finer happyness than that. Selah.

Autumn

Autumn makes me happy. First the delight of cooler, crisper air and then the fantastic array of colored leaves clapping on the trees, dancing in the breeze, landing at my feet. The orangey-red leaves are my favorites. And then when the leaves are gone, the evergreens show off. They are so tall and majestic around my house. They take my breath away. "There's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see...everywhere I go, I'm looking." Selah, Rich! Thank You, Abba! Your creation brings me happyness.

I'm a mom again!

Yes, I've adopted a child through Compassion International and it makes me verra happy!! Her name is Mulu - she is 17 and lives in Ethiopia. She loves volleyball and singing. :) Thank you God, for Mitch McVicker who sang at our church last night and gave me the opportunity to do the one thing that really counts - "faith expressing itself through love." Welcome to our family Mulu - I hope we bring you happyness!