Welcome to my website!
This site reflects little bursts of inspiration and thought - through writing and photography. I like to credit anything that blesses you as simply God flowing through me...and anything that doesn't...well, that would just be my mere thinking out loud! :)
May there be more of God's inspiration than Kim's thoughts...and may you be greatly encouraged and blessed as you browse through this collection of offerings!
Feel free to scroll through the above mini-gallery by placing mouse on the arrows. (Note: Some devices do not show or allow this option. Also, some devices such as I-Phones show blog pics separated differently than you will view them on a PC. I have yet to figure out why, but then my humble technology accomplishments are doing well to even have a blog!) Check out the gallery of photos if you like color and photography. At the bottom/left of each page is a small arrow to view previous posts. There are many.
Before you get to all that, click below. Take a breath. Enjoy!!
Song by Eva Cassidy
Photos, well, by me!
A story that lives...
Don't you sometimes wonder about the stories and happenings that lie within the shadows of old buildings? If remaining rafters and beams could speak, they would share with us so much about history! Like us, they grow old and eventually silent, leaving only a hinting patchwork of the life that had taken place under their roofs. Eventually dust turns back to dust and for the continuing generations, much can simply disappear.
It is always refreshing to meet someone familiar with an existing structure who can repeat the stories that came to life inside. They often offer colorful memories and bring it back to life so to speak. They can help those who were not there to almost imagine another time and even consider humanity so as to use it's examples or not repeat its mistakes.
I have thought plenty about my own life and "structure" - especially after having lived for more than half a century! My own children have become adults and now we are watching our new grand baby grow and discover the world! I think about what will remain once my structure begins to deteriorate and eventually becomes a memory! Am I living in such a way that I can leave lasting lessons or a legacy that is eternal? What are the stories others might tell of me? Will they be encouraging ones that bring smiles and challenge to the faces of those who listen? Will my children and grandson have life-changing stories to tell as they remember treasures I shared with them?
Of course we all bear the marks and scars of mistakes and even failure in our attempts at life. However, those must not stop us from continuing to share the threads of love with those who we influence. Let us cultivate forgiveness and mercy; compassion and grace for as long as we have our being. May the legacy we pass to those we love, look similar to the one that was left to us after having endured a cruel cross in exchange for our eternal redemption! What Jesus left became yet a new building - the church - His family. His story continues to bring hope and promise and will one day become a resurrecting reality for those who have chosen to tell it and carry His legacy!
I want to tell His story! Though the world grew silent when He was laid in the tomb, all heaven and earth was forever affected when He rose from the dead! And that marvelous story is yet to see a finale that will usher the faithful into an eternity that will never deteriorate! If His legacy becomes my offering and song, then my structure is not what is important, but rather that which will echo even when my outer walls grow silent! May His story live as it reaches through me to bring life and light to those who follow!
Sharing Pearls
I love old family photos. I am particularly fond of this one as it is of my grandma and grandpa Cooper. Weren't they a handsome couple?!! Well...I think so, but I happen to be a little partial! :) We lost grandpa too early. He died in the early 60's when I was only a pre-teen and grandma would live on into her 80's. I was very close to her and loved how she was so attentive to us. When we were lucky enough to talk our parents into spending the night or a weekend with her, it was always filled with games, experimental cooking, creative fun and lots of laughing! Often my cousins Tony and Kathy would be there as well - and the party was on!! Grandma always made the time fun and memorable, getting out whatever special dishes, dress up clothes or sweet treats she could find. Her influence must have stayed with me as my family now teasingly call me "Pearl" because I also love to see them laugh and enjoy themselves and will do most anything to serve and wait on them to that end.
There aren't many "Pearl's" out there. It is rare to find a gem who truly wants to invest in your little world. I cannot remember her ever getting angry or saying a harsh word. I'm sure she wasn't perfect, but to me there wasn't a better representation of godliness. Of course she was grandma...and grandma's get to spoil and play - and then give the grand kids all back to their parents! But then, isn't that what grandparents are for?
We have a 10 month old grand baby now. I hope to share some "Pearl" influence on that little guy as he grows and experiences life! How we love to watch him grow and observe his every expression and activity! I can only pray that one day he will have an old photo of me and share similar memories of his grandma!
Aunt Rosie
Aunt Rosie. Easy going. Ever steady. Always smiling. Never complaining. Ever know anyone like that? I did...my aunt Rosie. This picture is my dad with Rosie on his right and her twin sister, Lillie on his left. Rosie seemed to always be where her family was. She played the piano quite often at church, and was just there to help in whatever way was needed. Rosie was a servant. Always waiting on others. Happy to be with the people she knew and loved. She was much like her mother, Pearl, who was my sweet grandmother. Many Sunday afternoons were spent at grandma and grandpa's singing around the piano, with Rosie right in the middle! Food was on the stove and us kids were either outside playing or inside getting ready for "Lassie" or "Lawrence Welk" on the four-legged black and white TV sitting in the living room. What warm and colorful memories!
This past year we lost Rosie after a rather sudden battle with cancer. It will be very different without her when our family is together in the days to come. Loss is something indescribable. When a person is a part of your life and all too quickly becomes absent, many hearts ache. We have all felt some of that pain, but none as much as her hubby, children, and siblings, I'm sure. She also has a brother named Lloyd (who I wish could have been in this picture)! Her son and daughter, Tony and Kathy, were dear cousins who I and my brother and sister spent a lot of time with as we were growing up. I wanted to dedicate a little memory here on her behalf and add a thought or two.
Rosie was a believer in God and knew Jesus as her Savior. For that reason alone, I know I will see her again one day. She also ran a race of seeking righteousness. I am sure she had her weaknesses as we all do, but her goal was to love God, love others and lay hold of the eternal promises she knew our God so abundantly offers! She will enjoy those for sure! If you do not have that assurance, please get that settled today. Life can be very short, but eternity will be forever.
Make sure you accept Jesus as the Lord of your life. The Bible says that to not choose Him is to choose death and eternal destruction. Now, I am not sure what that will look like in reality, but I am positive I don't want to experience it, nor do I want anyone to endure something so unimaginable. The rewards of seeing those who have passed before you will follow those who embrace the redemptive plan of God through Jesus Christ. Don't put it off. Just ask Him to forgive your sins and be Lord of your life today. He says in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Mountain living - where "the things of earth grow strangely dim."
There is something amazing about living in the presence of God. Keeping an on-going conversation with the Creator of the universe! Oh "what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer," as the old hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" says. The Bible speaks of God's people as His chosen dwelling place. In a sense we are representative of a living "Zion" where He wants to be welcomed - and inhabit the praises of His people.
Some may ask, "Just what does that look like?" Psalm 48 gives us some clues, perhaps. When we are having on-going fellowship with Him, our enemies cannot triumph! The voices of wickedness and temptation cease when our focus is fixed on Him. One verse tells us that in His presence we find the fullness of joy! There is a confidence and strength when we recognize the great love He has for us. It becomes a fortress in the storms of life. We begin to see how NOTHING can separate us from His love! What a great encouragement as we walk through a world filled with unsettlement and heartache! It is so comforting to know that abiding in Him means we have a strong umbilical cord of constant nourishment, love and protection from the accuser and all his whisperings.
It is a challenge in these days of distractions, but a good one to make a habit of spending our time in the gates of His city where we are secure always.
"Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be her fortress."
Psalm 48:1-3
I might add the words to another old, but dynamic song, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
The influence of a "tater bug"
I grew up with music. It daily filled my house, my church, my school - and my heart! When I was younger, my dad had friends who frequently came over on weekends - simply for the purpose of playing music! He played a little mandolin that he called his "tater bug". It had a rounded back and in it's "face" was a hand-carved money slot that we figured had been put there by someone who had serenaded for tips.
Dad taught me a few chords on his "tater bug" and I was captured! How fascinating to find a way to "talk" - through strings that resonated and echoed something deep from the inside of me!
When I was 10, we got our first piano and I latched onto it like it was my best friend. I gradually learned to keep up with "the guys" on one of three instruments - piano, mandolin or guitar. I even tried my hand at the bass and 5-string banjo when there was one in the house. I looked forward to those nights when the magic of music exploded out of each of us! For endless hours we happily strummed and sang in sync with tapping toes and ear to ear grins! It seemed there were no other cares in the world during those hours!
At church on Sundays it was more common than not to hear my mom on the organ or me on the piano while we belted out hymns or stood up in front and sang an old gospel quartet.
Music was the highlight of school as well, starting with basic singing classes and eventually blossomed into my learning to play a hand-me-down trumpet. I began a band class and became part of both vocal and instrumental ensembles and choirs of all kinds until I graduated. Music even took me to college where I got a degree in none else than Music Education. It was on my radio and multiple music devises as we moved from the phonograph to tapes, to 8-track players, to CD's!
I have been a music director and worship leader in church settings for most of the past 30 years of my life, and now my children are all involved in various ways with music. I am thankful for the joy it has brought me and believe that through all the fun and practice of music, I have most loved utilizing it for the purpose of communicating my gratitude for the things God has done in my life. How valuable it has been as a means of expressing the thanksgiving, praise and prayers of my heart!
I'm sure dad could have never realized how drastically my life would be influenced by that one little "tater bug"!
Love
"...Love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34
Let us not be deceived by the standard of love the world sets. Embrace the love of God - whose love is so great that it allowed for His only beloved son to endure death on a cross so that you and I could be saved. Love redeems. Love forgives. "Love is patient, kind, not jealous, does not brag, is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly, does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffers, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth. Love bears all things, believes all thins, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Holy moments
Holy Moments
Who says there is no God?
"The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." Ps. 53:1
Thank You, Lord for the miracle of life!
A little blog dedication to our "almost" one year old Asa Ellis Orion Nault
Born: April 29, 2014
9:40 am
Hello morning...
This morning I woke up singing a beloved Dan Fogelberg song called "To The Morning". The words to the chorus are "Yes, it's going to be a day, there is really nothing left to say but come on morning." It has a lilting and thought provoking melody that sort of meanders through your soul and just makes you mellow and happy! He was perhaps one of my favorite secular musicians before his life was tragically cut short a few years ago after battling cancer. How amazing was his talent and I so admired the way he sculpted words and phrases.
As rich and captivating as his tunes and beautiful words, there is an even higher Source from which they came. God has blessed us all with something to offer. Dan's gift was music. And oh what a full portion he was blessed with! So much so that it simply oozed from his being. Sometimes I wonder what kind of songs he might have written about God had he chose to. I don't even pretend to know what he thought about eternal things. At any rate he was compelled to write about life, and write he did.
Dan's talent ended up being recognized around the world and will continue to be a legacy for many generations. Most of us might not be so infamous in our offerings. We might not even be sure what our offerings are! If you are struggling to know, might I suggest you simply consider what makes your heart sing!? Maybe you are a good business man or woman. Maybe you love to read or care for children or are a great mom or dad. Maybe you work in a factory or spend time walking in your free time. Maybe you have good ideas, reasonable thoughts about life or finances. I would challenge you to utilize these things in the way that would best please the God who blessed you with the desires! Typically we are given interests or direction for reasons that will also bless others. Maybe you have a gift of patience or compassion? Maybe you are wealthy or successful in certain abilities that bring you income. How might you bless another with the things that are naturally your strengths or blessings?
Dan just sang. Another might simply offer a smile and sweet spirit. God does not measure who has a greater offering. He only asks that we generously offer! Kindness, gentleness, and encouragement alone are attributes of God, when offered back to others, surely please Him and bring refreshment and delight!
Since today, as Dan sang, IS going to be a day, let's embrace how we can sew something "God-given" into it. Let's dedicate each morning to honor Him in what we have been given! Let's offer our all to Him who gave His all.