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The prodigal returns home Kristen Gray+ published . 1 min read "But when he came to himself, he said, 'how many of my father's hired servants have more bread, but I perish here with hunger." (Luke 15:17) I have FINALLY submitted. Awkward and embarrassed, I am grateful to find my way back home to CB. This time my absence was a little over a year. In my time away I wasted time. I wasted my gift. My God-given talent with the written word. I lost the love for it too. I can't remember the last time I truly was inspired to pen as a ready writer. My joy to express the treasures that the Holy Spirit prompted was dormant as a frosty winter morning. I reasoned that my "writing block" was seasonal and typical of most writers. However, I could not escape the truth that I lacked the discipline and accountability to my ministry of......
Keeping the sabbath holy Kristen Gray+ published . 4 min read "Remember to observe the Sabbath dayby keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8 NLT). Does this conversation between two friends sound familiar to anyone? Friend #1: "Hi!" "It's so good to hear from you!" "It's been such a long time since we talked." "What have you been up to lately?" Friend #2: "I've been crazy-busy... "During the weekI driveJohnny to his basketball practices then theweekends are filled with his games." "My elderly mother has just moved into our home due to health problems." "My boss has just given me more responsibilities at work." "Laundry still needs to get done." " I'm grocery shopping on Sunday's because there is no other day to get it done."......
I need a listening ear! Kristen Gray+ published . 1 min read "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope(Jeremiah 29:11) NLT". I'm just expressing some random thoughts today and I want to get it out of my spirit. Writing in this state is something that I've never done before, (I'm a private person)and I couldn't even begin to tell you where all this is going. I have no answer for why I'm feeling like this, but I don't want to succumb to the temptation of planting my self in front of the T.V. to numb thispain. So, I will write! I'm taking courage to confront this! Today. Yes, it's a pain. The pain I feel is like a dullache deep inside my soul that surfaces from time to time. Although it's been there a long......
You are declared blessed! Kristen Gray+ published . 3 min read "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the post of my doors" (Proverbs 8:34) KJV. As I moveforward in God's plan for my life, I want to shareGod's wisdom and instruction that He gave me to remain connected! That is, to stay connected to His presence and be in divine alignment with His will. To recap, I allowed a new, demanding job to slowly distract me and fall out of balance with my relationship with the Father and His Son, Jesus. But, thanks be to God for His mercy and loving-kindness forsnatching me out of disobedience throughloving discipline and correction, that I may understand my errors and change my direction (repentance). Success is defined differently for many people. Some consider success as the acquisition of wealth and......
A state of willful disobedience Kristen Gray+ published . 2 min read Zephaniah 2:3 “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger." "R-E-P-E-N-T!"The words loudly echoed in my spirit. The fierceness of the sound causedmy knees to buckleunder me.Immediately, I yelled out "Yes, Lord"! Sobbing with uncontrollable tears, I managed to grab my belongings and make my way off the pulpit platform where I was sitting. You see, in my leadership capacity in my local church, I was assigned to serve communion today. At that point, serving was NOT a priority, listening to God was. As He prepared my heart to receive from Him, in a still, small voice Jesus whispered, "Willful Disobedience." Ipondered this......
Behold! the bridegroom cometh! Kristen Gray+ published . 1 min read "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." Matthew 25:6 Excitement fills my heart at the announcement of your return. It pounds faster in anticipation of my Beloved coming back for me. You promised. And, I will wait to meet you. Our vows. Visibly captured through the hope in Your Word, And the voice of my Help; “Its preparation time for the bride!” He announces, “Behold the Bridegroom cometh!” His Bride: Adorned in white clothes, fragrant from the aroma of worship, Pure and chaste, no other lovers to soil my bridal garments. Alert and watchful, occupied with the duties that are assigned to me, Love's passion grips my soul at the pleasure when we finally meet. Thunderous rejoicing that shakes the heavens,......
A closer walk with thee Kristen Gray+ published . 2 min read "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be now and forever. Amen." (Jude 24-25 NKJV). I don't know about you, but I can worry about worrying. Pathetic, I get it. Yep. I've been guilty of carrying heavy loads of burdens ranging from completing mundane chores to keeping my spiritual disciplines (praying, bible study etc.) current. In fact, I've made my load even heavier by creating lists: To do lists, priority lists, urgent lists etc. Some lists were mental and some were meticulously created. What I figured out though, I created these lists because I was afraid. Afraid of failing. Afraid of Not being perfect. Afraid that everyone would see......
Be alert! temptation is knocking -- is anybody home? Kristen Gray+ published . 6 min read “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” James 1:14 NLT Walking home from school, Katie passed by the window display showing the latest Barbie accessories at a neighborhood toy store. To get a closer look, she pressed her face to the glass and was excited by the items on the shelf. The huge “Sale” sign caused her eyes to focus on the fancy cell phone cases just below it. Katie saw the one she admired immediately. It was the shiny, satin pouch with a vintage picture of Barbie silkscreened on its cover. Katie thought to herself, “All my friends would be so impressed with me because NO ONE would have a cell phone case like this one.” Her thoughts continued. “More people will be my friend because I have a unique phone......
I hate sin! Kristen Gray+ published . 2 min read "...Hate evil, love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: It may be that the LORD GOD of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph". (Amos 5: 14-15 KJV) I HATE EVIL! Although the Bible teaches us to not be surprised or alarmed when evil goes from bad to worse, I just had to express my emotion-filled lament. My heart is loaded with such grief that to write I must hold back the tears that are welling up. I'm crying out for the soul of our nation. "Sob!" "Sob!" "OH, God, Have MERCY on us!" "Save us from our National sins!" " Wash us from all of our iniquities, Purge us, from all unrighteousness; that we may be clean before you. In the name, of Jesus. Blot out all of our transgressions; forgive us and make us over, Lord.......
Our safety net Kristen Gray+ published . 2 min read "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9 KJV)." Murder of the innocent. Injustice acts prevailing over justice. Rage and hatred smoldering in the hearts of young people. Cities destroyed by flooding waters. Uncommon plagues and viruses. Food and water supply contamination. Beaches inhabited by amphibious predators. Ungodliness legalized. Corruption overlooked. Mediocrity and laziness tolerated. Families broken and divided... . And unfortunately, the list continues... I'm sure that every reader can add a few (or many) to this list. My question to you is this: In the above scripture can YOU identify with those that are oppressed? If not, then read on. Oppression is not only attributed to those that are enslaved, poor, needy or......