A Gift Under a Pile of Books

So you can read in my last post (A "WHAT???" Kind of Opportunity) about an awesome trip that two of my sisters and I were given the chance to go on, and that will help explain what I am about to talk about.

As you know, (or should know by now) we will be leaving in about a month. I have a job at McDonalds, but that's about our only source of reliable income.

We're applying for funding from Jumpstart, as well as having asked for donations from friends and family, but we haven't gotten the applications in yet, and there hasn't been a ton of money coming from anywhere else. So you can imagine that I, being the one who is planning all of the financial stuff, have been fairly stressed about it recently.

Well, in order to relieve some small amount of stress from myself, I decided to go online and look at my bank account, and actually count how much we have already.

What I found was that I had enough to cover my own cost, plus $300, which would cover one month's rent, but I still needed another $600 for the other two months.

So I was still stressed. Just waiting, praying that God would bring in the money.

You know... God really likes surprises, I think.

One day, recently, I was cleaning my room. Going through old stuff of mine that hasn't been sorted in ages, and one of those things was my bookshelf.

As I made piles and pulled off all things that were not books, (I confess, my bookshelf over time tends to turn into an everything shelf) I found an envelope. I picked it up and looked inside, it was money.

I wasn't TOO surprised, (confession time again) because sometimes I take money out of the bank in order to pay tithe, and pay people back for things, and stuff like that, so it's usually a fairly large amount, like $300-$400.

If it had been $300, I would have scolded myself for putting it in an envelope and forgetting about it, but after counting it... I still have NO reasonable explanation for how it got there.

$600!!

Let's make this even more clear, okay? I can't even withdraw that much out of the bank at once. Which means I would have had to withdraw on two separate occasions, and put the money in one envelope for a reason, and you'd think, if that happened, I would have some small recollection of doing it. Nothing.

I asked my family, no one else left it there. It had to be mine.

Mind. Blown.

It's like an angel left it for me!

Anyway, a couple days later I was explaining to my friend about what happened, and suddenly realized that I had counted needing $600 to cover the rest of my trip to Fort Erie, and that's how much was in that envelope.

I just can't get over this, God is so amazing!!

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:25, 26)

Note:

If you would like to donate toward our trip, you can email me at keturahthomson12@gmail.com about the best way of getting the money to us.

A "WHAT???" Kind of Opportunity

Hello friends!

I have talked about dance camp, and 1:11 Ministries before, but just in case some of you still don't know what I am talking about, I'll explain a little bit, as well as encourage you to click on the link above.

My sister, Rachel Starr Thomson, co-owns a ballet company with my cousin Carolyn Currey, (a professional ballerina) and their friend Mercy Hope. 

For years, they have inspired myself and my sisters. Stories of Carolyn training herself and becoming successful in her career, as well as starting a professional company, have motivated us to work hard to hopefully become professional dancers someday as well.

I actually can't even explain how much I look up to all three of these ladies, not just in their success, but in their hearts for the Lord. I have learned so much from them.

Anyways, the point I am getting to, is that recently, my mother invited my younger sisters Anna and Tabithah and I, into the living room for a meeting with her, Rachel, and my dad. They explained that they have been thinking and planning for a while, on having the three of us go stay with Rachel in Fort Erie for a few months to train intensively with Carolyn, and then go on Christmas tour with their company.

WHAT?????

I mean, umm.... Yes, of course we would love to.

But seriously, WHAT????????? :D

So that's the news. The three youngest children of this family are leaving now from October 15th to December 18th, to practically a dream come true.

I tell you all of this because it's awesome and exciting, and also because unfortunately, we can't actually afford to pay for it all.

The goal is $4,136 for the three of us, (each of us needing $1,378.70) so if any of you feel so inclined, we would really appreciate some support. Any amount would be helpful, even if it's just $5.00, that would be awesome.

If you're not in a place to donate or something like that, you can still be a huge support to us by keeping us in your prayers!

Things you can pray for us about:

1. Funding

2. Strength, improvement in technique

3. Encouragement

I just spent this whole time talking, so I thought I would let the girls have a few words of their own about the trip, so this is what Tabithah said.

Hey y'all! I just wanted to say that I really appreciate all of your support and prayers. I'll miss you guys! -Tabithah

If you are interested in supporting us in any way, please email me at keturahthomson12@gmail.com, or Facebook message me, whichever you prefer.

Peace out!

~Keturah

"The Way to Get a Boyfriend is to Get a Job at McDonalds." -Customer

Hello!

Most of the time when I write on here, it's about the bible and stuff, but since this blog is about counting my blessings, I feel the liberty to also write a bit of other stuff sometimes.

What, you ask?

Well let's begin by saying that this past February, God blessed me with a job! I've been working at McDonalds, which has been great.

My recent theory is that I am now bound to live a long and prosperous life, since I have been blessed by so many people at McDonalds.

No, I don't mean just normally blessed, I mean verbally blessed. It's been interesting.

Anyway, I just thought I would share a few stories which I thought were funny, feel free to laugh, or judge... y'know, whatever. I won't be offended. Especially if you don't tell me you're judging. I would appreciate that.

So story #1! This one day at work, I was on my break, just chatting, while drinking water, life was good, but then all of a sudden, my voice stopped. In the middle of my sentence, words just stopped coming out. I kinda cleared my throat, took another sip, and tried to continue talking. Nope. No voice. 

I laughed and told my coworker, "I'm sorry," (in a very quiet raspy voice) "I don't know what's going on." I took another sip, but still nothing. So I went back out to work, and tried to call out an order number at the counter. 

"Now serving guest with the order number 901!" I croaked. I don't think my coworkers even heard me.

One of my wonderful coworkers then offered to speak for me, so all I had to do was put orders together, which worked well, until one of the regulars showed up at the counter. "Keturah!" He greeted me, enthusiastic as he always is.

(insert frog voice here) "Hello!"

Oh my goodness. Yeah. That was an interesting day.

One time I got offered a piano. That wasn't really a story, but like... Who gets offered a piano at McDonalds?

Recently, there was a guy who, upon giving him a coffee refill, decided to give me some advice and encouragement for how to be successful. He recommended universities, and strongly encouraged me to get a good education.

A few weeks afterward, I gave him another refill, and got a repeat of the speech. This time though, he actually asked what I was planning on doing with my life. I told him I wanted to do ballet, and he looked SO disappointed. After much questioning and passive agressive disapproval, he was still determined to bless me in my efforts, so he gave me a long speech about how to become successful in the arts, which, (he made sure to add) VERY few people are successful in.

That was not the last time I was to see him though! Yesterday I saw him again, and received another speech about how to be successful in ballet. I am getting the feeling he will be wanting regular updates...

Well, I'll leave it at that. I hope that was a fun read, next time I'm sure I'll be back to posting more serious stuff.

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:....... A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)

Israel

I was sitting in a bible study recently, and the leader was quizzing us on old testament facts. He went through Abraham, and his descendants, asking questions like, "What were Abraham's two sons' names? Which one was the promised one?" Then, "What were Isaac's two sons' names? Which one was blessed?" "What did Jacob's name become?" and "What does Israel mean?"

He asked other questions past that I think, but I confess I stopped paying attention. My mind stayed on the name that Jacob was given, Israel.

"What does Israel mean?" 

One of the kids had answered, and they were right, "Wrestles with God." "Contends with God."

Before that night, I had always thought of the meaning of Israel in light of the story found in Genesis 32, but all of a sudden it occurred to me that long after Jacob died, his children continued to be called by that name. They became a nation that was known as "Wrestles with God."

It's very appropriate, for that they did.

All throughout the old testament, you see them submit to God, then rebel, then suffer, then submit. (then rebel, then suffer, then submit, rebel, suffer...) They were constantly wrestling with God.

But here is the coolest part.

When Jesus made the final sacrifice, and fulfilled the law, they didn't stop being Israel.

Not only that, but Jesus didn't open the door for everyone to simply be followers of God, He opened the door for everyone to be a part of Israel.

Israel didn't get to be free from being called "Wrestles with God," we got to start being called that!

I feel almost like it is a reassurance to us now, that way back when God named Jacob Israel, He knew we would wrestle with Him. He knew that the ones He would save would fight Him, but He still chose to do it.

Today, as I was thinking about this, I happened upon a verse in the Psalms, which was so cool in light of all of this.

And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 148:14 NIV)

What does He call them?

"All of His faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to His heart."

2016, Ice Cream, and Acknowledging God

Happy New Year!

I am taking a little break from Project: Who is I AM? for a minute to tell you about something I learned yesterday, but I am still planning on releasing Part 3 on Jan. 3rd if possible.

So yesterday, as my family all gathered around and played board games and snacked on a variety of treats and portzelkie, (a doughnut sort of thing) I got to thinking about 2015, and the year ahead.

I was about to ask God for direction in 2016, for His leading and a clear picture of what I should be doing, when a verse came to mind.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

It's a common verse, but somehow I had missed something.

The verse doesn't say "Ask the Lord to direct your paths," it's a promise. As long as you acknowledge Him in all of your ways.

I think our prayer for the new year should not be, "Lord, give me direction," but "Lord, teach me to acknowledge You in all my ways."

I thought of an analogy, it would be like if I said, "If you help me clean my room, I will give you an icecream cone." But instead of asking me where my things go, you, knowing that my desire was to give you ice cream, kept asking me, "Keturah, please give me an ice cream cone." That might be slightly frustrating for me.

Anyway, that is my verse for 2016, and if I accomplish nothing else this year but to learn to acknowledge God in all my ways, that will be enough.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Project: Who Is I AM? - Part 2

Hello people! 

In my last post, I talked about the names of God, and how different ones stand out to different people. (you can read it by going to my last post, Project: Who Is I AM? - Part 1)

One thing that really inspired me to write about who God is, was the realization that so many people know the same God, all coming from different backgrounds, different phases in life, and we all love Him. So I wanted to see just a little bit of why, of what God has shown all of these people of Himself that makes us all love Him.

So I asked a bunch of people that I know, "What is one thing that God has taught you about Himself through your life?"

These are some of the answers I got:

"One thing I've learned is that He likes the process, the journey. 

He's shown me how He cares about the small things in life. Often through answered prayer. After all, if He cares about the grass of the field enough to design each vein in every blade and preserve it day after day, He cares about details in my own life. " -Anonymous

"Nothing in the bible moved me more than reading God's response to Job..." "...God taught me through the book of Job that He is like no other, no one can ever come close to His power, majesty, sovereignty, etc. He taught me that he is GOD!" "...You don't experience God leaving feeling so much better about yourself, you leave in AWE about how wonderful and powerful HE IS!! I don't think I will ever forget the way I felt that day, and I wouldn't trade that lesson for anything! Some people don't like the thought of fearing God, I love it because I know that powerful, mighty, being is watching over me, protecting, and helping me!" -Adam (29 years old)

"I think it's impossible to capture that for me. I have noticed some themes in learning about God over the past days, weeks, months and possibly within a year but not through my life. I can't distill it into a short snippet. There has been so. many. lessons! Mercy. Grace. Forgiveness. The justice/mercy balance. Prayer. I guess that there have been so many varied lessons, and that may be good in that it helps me realize that God is infinite and will always have something new for Him to teach me if I'm open to it."

-Gordan (49 years old)

"He really does love His children."

-Iven (32 years old)

"I have learned--and keep learning, over and over again--that God's grace is bigger and deeper than I think it is, and that everything really depends on it. Almost everything I've ever gone through has come back to this one thing: it's about grace." -Rachel (31 years old)

You can learn so much about God through other people's experience of Him, I think one reason He shows different things to different people is to make us learn from each other. To make us listen to each other, and experience joy that we would not have known had we not asked, "What has God shown you?"

If I had to add to this, my one thing that I would choose is that He is so, so, so faithful. This too, I first heard from someone else who chose to be vulnerable and tell us (it was a group) that she was learning how faithful God is in her unfaithfulness, and that has always stuck with me.

God has continued to show me in SO many ways how faithful He is to me.

I will conclude Part 2 with the encouragement again, to talk to other Christians about Jesus. Whether they are older or younger than you, or have a completely unrelatable situation in life, you will find that people have great things to share.

Project: Who is I AM? - Part 1

Hello there. :) How are you? How is your week going? I wish this were like a real letter, where I would actually get a reply. If you would like to talk to someone, I am all ears. :) Send me an email or something. But anyway, that is totally a rabbit trail.

This is what I was actually going to write about. Remember how I said I was writing a really long post about God?

Well, it's not finished! Surprise surprise. ;)

Hehe. Anyway, I am going to break it up into parts so that it will be easier to write for me, and to read for you.

So here is the first part.

Since God is the be-all and end-all of everything, I figured it would be smartest to look at what He says about Himself, who He calls Himself, first.

"I, the Lord, am the first; And with the last I am He." (from Isaiah 41:4)

"I am the God of your father-the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." (from Exodus 3:6)

"I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and Death." (from Revelation 1:17)

Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth."  (Exodus 34:6)

"Before me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and there is no savior besides Me." (from Isaiah 43:10-11)

"I AM WHO I AM." (from Exodus 3:14)

Exodus 3:14 was really the inspiration for this post, because it does not describe God, and yet it describes Him fully. If you look at all of the different names of God, each one describes Him, but none can capture every part of Him. He is too great to be described in a name, and that is why He has so many, and why He is called I AM WHO I AM, because it simply says, "I cannot be described."

That thought led me to think about His name. Names we call Him, and  names that He is called in the bible.

God puts a lot of emphasis on how great His name is. 

And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?” (Judges 13:18)

Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I.’ ” (Isaiah 52:6)

He also attributes the meaning of a name to the person who owns it.

"No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations." (Genesis 17:5)

So, if a name is the describer of the owner of it, should we, without further ado, look at some of the many names of God in the bible?

God, the Lord (ruler - master), Most High, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees, Jealous, Judge of all the Earth, Everlasting God, God Almighty, Fear of Isaac, The Angel, Mighty God, the Shepherd, Stone of Israel, the Almighty, I AM, God of gods, Lord of Lords, the Rock, Father, Jehovah, Yahweh, Prince of Peace, Jesus, Wonderful Counsellor, El-Shadai, Abba, Adonai, Alpha and Omega, Yeshua, the Word, King of the Jews, Christ, Messiah, the Deliverer, Son of Man, the Lamb, the Beginning and the End, Jehovah Jireh (Provider), the Excellent Glory, Holy Spirit, Savior, First and Last, the Amen, Lord God Omnipotent, Son of God, the Branch, the Vinedresser, Ancient of Days, Prince of the Host, Faithful and True, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Root of David, Holy One, the Mediator, the Majesty, High Priest, Apostle, Anointed One, Bright and Morning Star, Father of Lights, Mighty One.

That is 62 names, and that isn't even all.

I was going to look through the bible and use as many names for Him as I could, but I soon found that there were just TOO many. Partly because some of the names were very repetitive, ex: God, the Lord, the Lord God, the Lord God of Israel, God of Israel, the Lord God Almighty, God Almighty, God the Lord... The list goes on, and on. 

So, I tried to avoid doing any that were repetitive, and any that contained the word 'of.'

God is God of everything. We don't need to list every single thing He is God of. I did do a few repetitive ones, and a few 'ofs,' simply because they were really cool, and I couldn't pass them up.

I found a website, as I was trying to find more biblical names for God, called 900 Names of God. Each one was from the bible. Talk about a lot of names!

This part of who God is, His many names, led me to yet another train of thought. Each name describes Him, yet some names mean more to some people than to others. For me, a few of my favorites are "You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees," (Hagar's name for God in Genesis) "Father of Lights," and, of course, "Jesus."

These mean a lot to me because of things about the character of the Almighty that He has taught to me. 

You could spend a long time looking at these names for God, and learn A LOT about who He is, but one thing I really noticed as I put this post together was that He is SO personal. Each person has their own experience of who God has shown Himself to be in their life, and so we each have different names that stand out to us, that are special to us.

Let me clarify, I do not mean to say that God is different for everyone. He is always the same, always consistent, and our ideas do not change who He is. What I mean is that for one person, when they think of God, the strongest thing about Him to them is His strength, His power. To another, it might be His love, His compassion. To another, His consistency, His dependability. All are a part of Him, but He makes His relationship with us so personal that we each know Him in a different way than everyone else.

There are many things that He is, that have not been shown to me  strongly. So, I had the privilege of interviewing a few people about it, but I will talk about that in the next post.

I hope you liked it! Have a great day!