Author: Kristi Wilson

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Change is Inevitable!

Change Is Inevitable!

Two months, just two months ago we came to the mountains.

There have been so many changes – changes in the beauty of nature, changes in our daily routine and mostly changes in our hearts.

When we first came to the mountain on June 4, the pasture grasses were yellow green from lack of water. The under growth was crunchy and dry. The fishing was poor, but I don’t know the reason for that. The rules of the campground were dictated by a Level 2 Red Fire alert so there were no fires, except for the ones of a propane stove.

We arrived needing rest. Our daily routine consisted of taking our coffee under the awning, walking through the campground several times a day but mostly we sat and rested, and we were content with that.  No TV, no internet and very little phone or text messaging.  We read, we talked, we prayed.

Our interaction with other campers was limited to a polite “hello” and “where do you come from”.

But two months have gone by, and we have changed and so have our surroundings.

Yesterday was day number thirty-two of rain. The rains began to lightly fall on July 1. They have continued to increase in the amount of daily rainfall. A normal, good shower would last an hour – soaking in and cooling the temperature but yesterday it was an all-day rain.

Oh, what a refreshing!

As we talk with campers who are heading home, they are sad to leave. “We can’t wait to come back. It’s beautiful here. We love the rain, the meadow grasses, the wildflowers, the mushrooms, the wildlife”. That’s not the reaction of one or two but it’s the sentiment of most.

“The land that you will get is not like the land of Egypt that you came from. In Egypt you planted your seeds and used your feet to pump water from the canals to water your fields like a vegetable garden. 11 But the land that you will soon get is not like that. In Israel there are mountains and valleys, and the land gets its water from the rain that falls from the sky. 12 The Lord your God cares for that land. The Lord your God watches over it, from the beginning to the end of the year.

13 “The Lord says, ‘You must listen carefully to the commands I give you today: You must love the Lord your God, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul. If you do that, 14 I will send rain for your land at the right time. I will send the autumn rain and the spring rain. Then you can gather your grain, your new wine, and your oil.” Deuteronomy 11:10-14 ERV

Not only has the land received rain, but our hearts have also been moistened with love and compassion. People we didn’t know two months ago have become friends that we know we will share a connection with for years to come.

Campers that we only see for a few days and are gone have filled us with meaningful conversation and opportunities for prayer.

Two months.  Two months of change. God appointed change!

When we open the doors of our heart, when we follow the Father’s lead, He sends “rain”, the rain of His love and compassion, and we go from dry to refreshed.

This refreshing doesn’t just come from being in the mountains and it isn’t exclusively for us. Not in the slightest! The Lord wants to shower all of our lives with His goodness.

The change He brings is wonderful and inevitable!

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It Never Gets Old

Sometimes we take things for granted. They become mundane or expected. Things lose their ability to inspire and/or be appreciated.

Several years ago I damaged my back and lived in constant pain for over two years. Since that time I have never taken a pain-free day for granted. It is something I am always grateful for.

I had a friend who was once homeless. Devastating circumstances had them on the streets with no place to call home. She was young and felt completely alone. She told me that sleeping in her car night after night brought on a depression she thought she would never be able to break. Then a kind and loving person took her in and gave her a place to stay. She says she remembers that first long, hot shower – it was life affirming. She has never taken living in a home, with clean sheets and warm water for granted again.

Maybe you’ve had experiences like these or something similar. These memories are triggers of joy – not for the circumstance but for the deliverance from them.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

Our Father is the giver of every good gift!

We should be living life expectantly; never taking these gifts for granted. Look for the joy in each day, the opportunity to give and to share what the Lord has blessed us with.

Each time I see a sunset like I did last night or watch the sunrise over the pines, my heart is filled with wonder and awe that the God who paints the sky is my Father and He fills my life with blessings.

That truth, dear friend, never gets old!

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When Things Don’t Go As Planned

Some things in life catch us off guard! Now what?!

This week some friends of ours definitely had an unexpected circumstance to deal with. Lightning struck a very large ponderosa pine tree near their 5th wheel trailer. The tree exploded! Pieces of wood were thrown through the air, some landing over 200 feet away from the damaged tree.

One piece, weighing several hundred pounds went through the front of their trailer. What do you do?

Thank God they weren’t home at the time and especially thankful that no one was injured. There were other trailers in the same area, along with a number of vehicles but none of those were damaged either.

What a mess!

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 NLT

As friends you give them a shoulder to cry on, offer your help in cleaning things up and then listen while they talk through what they need to do next. And you pray…

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

When we don’t have the answers, God always does. He can be trusted to make a way provision. In all of life’s unexpected circumstances place your trust in the Lord.

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Living With Purpose

This morning I would like to introduce you to two younger women I know. Each one of them has a heart for the Lord.

They are both wives, mothers, devoted Christians and have the ability to convey what the Lord puts on their heart with the written word. 

I met Hollie while we were living in Montana. She came to Dillon with her husband and two young sons. They bought some property and began building their dream home right across the canyon from our home. During those years Hollie faced some very real medical challenges but she always had a smile on her face, a love for Jesus in her heart and a desire to be a source of encouragement to her husband and to raise her sons to love the Lord and all He had made.

Her sons are now teenagers, almost, and they are maturing into young men who stand strong for the Lord. Hollie conveys the truths the Lord has taught her in a simplistic and heart-warming way. Here’s Hollie’s link: LivingLovingandWriting.com

The other young women I would like you to meet is Brooke. I have yet to meet her face-to-face but she is the daughter-in-law of our dear friends. Brooke and her husband have three small children and have just launched out on a great adventure, following the Lord’s leading and traveling through the country, sharing the love of Jesus in small churches everywhere they go.

Brooke also has a heart to raise her family to love and honor the Lord. She is a gifted poet and writer. The truths she shares are an encouragement to mothers of young children and to us who are grandparents of young children. Here’s Brooke’s link: www.brookelouvier.com

The word of God has no limits or boundaries in who it reaches with instruction and encouragement. These two ladies are willing ambassadors and share God’s word with candor and honesty. It been years since I had the joy of raising small children and teenagers so I appreciate the openness of these ladies. I hope that you will find practical truth as you read what these ladies share.

This past year I have been developing a study on “Bold Women of the Bible” for a teaching I will be doing in September. The stories of these women’s lives are truly encouraging – young, old, married, single, mothers, childless, respectable and those of disrepute. God used them all to bring the message of hope, redemption, grace, mercy and salvation to families, neighbors and to the world.  

“The plan of the fullness of times is to bring all things together in the Messiah—both things in heaven and things on earth, all in Him. 11 In Him we also were chosen, predestined according to His plan. He keeps working out all things according to the purpose of His will— 12 so that we, who were first to put our hope in Messiah, might be for His glorious praise.” Ephesians 1:10-12 TLV

We have all been given a story. There isn’t one of us that the Lord doesn’t want to use to touch the lives of others. Not one of us has been disqualified for service. No one has a story exactly like yours, no one can touch those in your circle like you can.

Be willing to be used just like Hollie and Brooke. Reach out and let the Lord touch others through you!

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Looking for Perfect

The last few days Dave and I have spent a lot of time talking about how much we enjoy being here in the mountains, not just any mountains, these mountains and this place, this place called Big Lake.

When we started planning our summer, months back, the first place we put on our list was this campground. It holds special memories for both of us. My folks came here over 50 years ago. It was one of Dad’s favorite places to come and although the high altitude was hard on Mom she loved coming here too.

After Dave and I were married, Dad brought Dave up here for some special days when just the two of them would fish together. The love of fishing is something the two of them shared. It was their bond.

And then as our family grew, Mom and Dad brought our oldest daughter and son here as well. They weren’t much more than toddlers. Out of diapers and able to climb over the boulders they spent time at this mountain lake. Our hearts are rooted here and we love it.

Each week we have many of the campers tell us their stories of coming here, some for more than 40 years. They are similar to ours – brought here as chidren by their parents and what a great time it was and now they are bringing their children and grandchildren to enjoy this place. What a blessing!

We spent most of the afternoon visiting with a new friend and fellow camp host yesterday. Her experiences in this area are very similar as well. The more we talked, we agreed that the Lord had brought us to this place and His ways are perfect.

“ God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future. 12 I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life, 13 because God’s gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do.” Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 CEV

Many people look for perfect. The perfect job, home, mate…and end up disappointed. If we were only looking at external factors we would miss the perfect that God has placed before us. Others have a newer, bigger, better RV than ours but when we look at where the Lord has called us we find perfection and He never disappoints.

“In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. 6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves. 7 In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace.” Ephesians 1:4-7 ERV

He has placed a calling, a destiny, within each one of us. His plan is for our good.

When we look for perfect we will always find it in Jesus! We are loved and chosen by Almighty God and there is nothing more perfect than that!

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Building Friendships

I missed sharing with you yesterday morning. It was one of those “no signal” days and as hard as I tried throughout the day I was still unable to get any internet connection. But even though I was unable to put words to screen I prayed for you all to have an amazing day, recognizing the Lord’s presence.

Two days ago, we were having one of those socked-in raining afternoons. It isn’t like that very often, so Dave and I found one of our favorite cowboy movies, a two-part, three-hour feature and made an afternoon of it. This movie is all about friendship, “Buffalo Girls”.

The eight main characters have years of friendship. Sometimes, they fight with one another, actually come to blows; sometimes, years go by and they never see one another but each reunion is sweet and filled with joy. There are rousing confrontations when faults are exposed. Friendship is built on honesty and trust. You find that in the lives of these characters.

There is heart ache and sadness. These friends help one another deal with the pain. At the end, two of our main characters die and they share their grief.

As I watched my eyes filled with tears. My thoughts were of friends we hold dear. Some we haven’t seen in years. We miss them dearly and love them deeply. Their lives have intertwined with ours for years and years.

The key to good friendship is not finding people you agree with in every situation. The key is to love without judging, allowing them to be who God made them to be and not who we want them to be. Friendship comes from living life together, sometimes its messy, and being committed to bringing out the best and not dwelling on the worst.

“You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. 4 How can you say, “My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you don’t see the log in your own eye? 5 You’re nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5 CEV

It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict of wrong doing. We, as true friends, speak the truth in love and know that we are just as susceptible to fault as they are.

Jesus said the world would come to know Him because of the way we love one another. Let’s make that our goal.

“Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. 14 And you are my friends, if you obey me. 15 Servants don’t know what their master is doing, and so I don’t speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me.

16 You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. 17 So I command you to love each other.” John 15:12-17 CEV

Be a Jesus-kind of friend!

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Heart & Soul

How many of you were like me and went to summer camp in the mountains? Ours was a church camp in the pine woods of Prescott, Arizona, Prescott Pines.

There are many things I remember fondly about Prescott Pines. The cabins, mess hall, swimming pool…the ball field, the big A-framed recreation hall, mail call. Learning to play Heart & Soul on the rec hall piano, the camaraderie…

The chapel services and the chalet-style prayer chapel where we could go to be alone and pray. Year after year, it was something I looked forward to. It was the place that I felt closest to the Lord in the early years of my life.

Last night my heart was filled with those memories as I sat under the pines with Dave. Looking up, as darkness fell, the trees began to make their silhouette against the night sky, the first stars glistened like diamonds, the air was fresh and clear and I could imagine the Lord smiling as we enjoyed all He had created.

I began to ask the question “Who made…

  • the stars to shine
  • the moon to reflect the sun
  • the planets to fill the heavens
  • the oceans ebb and flow
  • the seasons to change

Of course I knew the answer. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth!

“In the past God spoke to our people through the prophets. He spoke to them many times and in many different ways. 2 And now in these last days, God has spoken to us again through his Son. He made the whole world through his Son. And he has chosen his Son to have all things. 3 The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature, and he holds everything together by his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3 ERV

Our great God, Almighty God and Heavenly Father, created this world with His Son and now it is Jesus who holds it all together through His powerful words. The One who made all that we see and enjoy is the same Jesus who made us clean by paying the penalty for our sins!

“God—the one who made all things and for whose glory all things exist—wanted many people to be his children and share his glory. So he did what he needed to do. He made perfect the one who leads those people to salvation. He made Jesus a perfect Savior through his suffering. 11 Jesus, the one who makes people holy, and those who are made holy are from the same family. So he is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” Hebrrews 2:10-11 ERV

Jesus, who was there at creation; Jesus, who gave His life for me, is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. His love for us is so great, so amazing!

Yes, those few summers at camp made a lasting impact because they gave me an awareness of God’s greatness and it was there I fell in love with Him, heart and soul!

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No S’Mores

Last night a grandfather brought his grandson and granddaughter to the check-in hut to buy wood. They are leaving today and they all wanted to have one more campfire before they headed home.

I got them their big bag of wood and as they were leaving I asked Grandpa “do you have the making for s’mores?”. He smiled and said he didn’t think he had any marshmallows. I told him that I had some at my campsite and they were right next door so I’d be glad to give him some.

His grandson whispered something to him and Grandpa said out loud, “Oh, I almost forgot”. Grandpa then explained to me that his granddaughter has multiple food allergies and she couldn’t have them. The little girl’s countenance fell; disappointment was written across her face.

What Grandpa did next was so sweet. He bent down and hugged his granddaughter tightly and said “I love you too much to let you have something that will make you sick”and then he kissed the top of her head. He looked at his grandson and thanked him for looking out for his sister.

The three of them left, talking all about the great fire they were going to have on their last night without any s’mores.

That is so much like the Father…

The world offers us something that sounds so good, something that everyone else likes. But our Father reminds us that those things wouldn’t be good for us, in fact, what’s being offered will make us sick.

“ But that way of life is nothing like what you learned when you came to know Christ. 21 I know that you heard about him, and in him you were taught the truth. Yes, the truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to leave your old self. This means that you must stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self gets worse and worse, because people are fooled by the evil they want to do. 23 You must be made new in your hearts and in your thinking. 24 Be that new person who was made to be like God, truly good and pleasing to him.” Ephesians 4:20-24 ERV

Young Daniel and Esther were slaves in a foreign country. They had each been selected for the king’s service. Part of their preparation before they were presented at court was a special diet of the king’s dainties. Some of these foods were forbidden in the Jewish diet. Two different people, two different kings, two different countries but the two of them refused the foods being offered, they honored their God and then God honored them with a high place in the palaces.

Some things will make us physically ill, others will cause disease to grow in our mind and our spirit. Our loving Father wants to protect us in all three areas; He is concerned about our well-being spirit, body and mind.

Be thankful that He loves us enough to divert us from the things that would harm us. Follow His instruction and enjoy His presence.

Spending time with the Father, feeling His embrace and sitting by the “fire of life” with Him is so much better than giving in to the allure of life’s s’mores!

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Please & Thank You

We just returned home from spending one full day and two half days with our kids in the Valley. Those of you who read the blog a couple days ago know we went specifically to celebrate a granddaughter’s fourth birthday but it was also time to see all the rest of the family and visit with them.

It feels so good to have our necks hugged, give and receive kisses and hear all the “I love yous” being said. Better than cool water on a hot day! Gratitude feeds the soul.

For part of the drive down on Thursday and the return drive home yesterday we were in pouring rain. The windshield wipers were having a hard time keeping up; visibility was really limited. Dave does the driving and I so appreciate him for doing that.

At one point, I thanked him for being such a good driver. He thanked me for praying for the rain to stop. These aren’t empty words that we exchange; we truly appreciate what each other does.

I have no trouble asking the Father to clear the roads ahead of us and to keep us safe as we travel. He’s my Father and I know He wants to keep us safe as we go so I always ask Him to protect us on each trip. When we get there, we always thank Him for our safety.

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. 9 Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? 10 Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? 11 As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” Matthew 7:7-11 CEV

As parents and grandparents, we do little things for our kids that we knew they would enjoy. We are God’s family and He wants to give us those things that are best for us. Who, better than He, knows what that is?

He has no desire to harm us or bring destruction into our lives. In fact, Jesus said that it is the thief, the devil, that comes to steal, kill and destroy; He came to bring us an abundant life, life filled to the full.

“But you saved us from our hateful enemies, and you put them to shame. 8 We boast about you, our God, and we are always grateful.” Psalm 44:7-8 CEV

There is no reason not to be grateful! The Father has blessed us with so much. It’s important that we remember to appreciate His love and be thankful for His provision.

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A Pattern for Living

When I was a girl my mother sewed most of my clothes. I remember countless times that we headed to the department store or to the fabric store to pour over pages and pages of pattern books. Once we found the perfect pattern, we would go through bolts and bolts of fabric until we found just the material for the project.

What I didn’t realize is that many times the “perfect fabric” was the one that was on sale and would fit into the budget.

Success!

Did you know we have been given a pattern for life? It’s just right and will fit perfectly! There will be no bargain shopping for the right fabric, only the best will do. It has been custom design, no one-size-fits-all type of apparell.

“Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
9 They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger;
    they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.” Psalm 112 NLT

This is the pattern that the Lord has designed for those who are righteous. Don’t let that word scare you into thinking that this is for someone else and not you. To be righteous is to be in right standing with God. Jesus has made that possible for all of us by His sacrifice on our behalf.

Our pattern has been cut to include a heart that loves God’s word. We are designed to be generous, compassionate and fair in our dealings with others. We trust God and don’t fear bad news. We are confident in God’s provision and protection in every area of life.

We help those in need and are victorious when we face those who would like to do evil to us. We will not be overcome by those seeking to do us harm. God’s word promises that we will be overcomers in this life.

This is God’s pattern for our life. It’s tailor made, only the best will do for a child of Almighty God! Our garment has been sewn and pressed.

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 …Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:10-14 NLT

It’s laid out before us all we have to do is pick it up and put it on.

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