A gift from the Father

Big surprise, I got up early this morning ready to write. Thinking my characters wouldn't rest on this day before Christmas, I put pen to paper--or finger to keyboard--and what happened next is something I want to share with all of you.Instead of another chapter, a poem appeared on my computer screen. I haven't written a poem in more than twenty years. The last one being for my best friend Christy's funeral in high school. For me, writing is more than coming up with a good story--it is worship. The poem I wrote is as much an act of worship as singing praises at church on Sunday. (Maybe more so, because that's the way the Father wired me.) Writing is a gift to be shared with others, so this poem is my Christmas gift to all of you. I pray your HOLYday is filled with the blessing of God's love.


The Gift –A poem by Kristi Hardin-Alexander

Impoverished teenaged parents,
Far from home.
Baby boy born in a barn,
Manger for a crib.

“From you little Bethlehem, a mighty ruler will come!”

Birth announced by the Heavenly Host,
To lowly Shepherds.
They found him wrapped in rags,
Surrounded by smelly animals.

“Unto to us a child is born.”

Old man, eyes dim with age,
Beheld the Light of the Lord’s promise.
Faithful prophetess, always at the temple found,
Told everyone she saw.

“Immanuel, God with us.”

Kings bore royal gifts from a faraway land,
His own people missed the star.
Greedy false king gave a wicked decree,
The angel said, “You must flee!”

“Out of Egypt I have called my Son”

Wicked king gone, in danger no more,
Home to Nazareth they returned.
In wisdom and favor with God and men,
The child grew strong.

“He grew like a young plant, a root out of dry ground”

The child, sent from the Father above,
That we may all know His great love.
On a hillside years later, arms outstretched,
He cried out and breathed His last.

“It is finished.”

For me the way was made, no more lost in sin--
My adoption complete.
One day with the host I will sing:

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty.”

It's a dirty job...

This may be a bit of a candid post, but it is what it and I am what I am. Yesterday morning started like most others, early. I got the kids up to get ready for school. My daughter got in the shower and I heard water dripping onto the the floor behind me in the kitchen. The pipes were backed up and overflowing my kitchen sink...stinky black water everywhere. I made her plug the tub and finish getting ready for school, sent her out the door, and called a friend to find out if he could help me fix the problem. I called the local hardware store and rented a sewer auger. I ripped out the old toilet in the spare bathroom--actually I broke it apart with a hammer (it hasn't worked in a long time) and what happened after that...well... let's just say I never want to be a plumber. Three hours later I was at the car wash hosing off the auger and my pipes were draining again--and my pocket book was saved the expense of a call to the plumber. All of this now motivates me to rip the stuff out of the bathroom and start over. I already have the new toilet and sink that I bought on sale a few years ago thinking I would get around to it--someday. Well, I guess someday is going to be very soon. I think a lot of people might look at this "crappy" situation and be angry, or upset, but while my friend and I were running the auger the thought crossed my mind that God was using the situation to motivate me to finally do the remodeling to that ugly, outdated bathroom with a carpeted floor. (I hate carpet--not just bathroom carpet--any carpet.) The words from Romans 8 played through my mind, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Is there a "crappy" situation in your life right now? Do you see God working it to your good? My hope and prayer is that you will look beyond what your physical eyes see, and find what God has for you on the other side.

(P.S... I will take some before and after pictures when the remodel is complete.)

Why I Write

"Kristi, why do you write?"

That's a loaded question! It always makes me feel like I'm looking into the double-barrel of a shotgun.

"Well...um...because...I have a story to tell?"

Well, duh! The truth actually is a lot deeper than that. Years ago I decided to try writing a story about my third great-grand parents--blending my love of family history and Amerian history. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I knew two things, the book would be Christian and it would be accurate to the time and place they lived in. The one thing that will make me toss a book across the room is historical inaccuracy. For example, I once read a book my Mom loaned me about a horse farmer in Kentucky during  the Civil War. The characters were sympathetic to the South and talked about how the Federal money they found on a Union soldier was worthless in Kentucky at the time. News Flash! While Kentucky was a slave state and many people there were sympathetic to the South, the state never left the Union!! Much of my family came from Kentucky, and a 3rd great grand father on both sides of my family fought in the Union Army. Federal currency would have been the currency they used to buy whatever they needed. I put the book down and never finished it. If a person is going to write anything, a reasonable working knowledge of the subject matter is of utmost importance. (IJS~~Okay, I got off on a bit of a rant there. Sorry.)

Having said all of that, I still haven't answered the question as to why I write--why I hope to one day have a publised work on the shelf at Wal-Mart or Barnes & Noble. Simply put, I write to share the Gospel with people. I want others to meet God through the pages of a book, to see characters in real and believeable situations overcome struggles through His love and mercy. Lord knows where Iwould be without the fictional characters brought to life by people like Janette Oke, Karen Kingsbury, or Lynn Austin. For a time the works of such authors were the only thing reminding me that God wanted me to turn back to him. Honestly, I was like one of those cartoon characters hanging over a cliff on a rope with only one strand left intact. Christian fiction became my final strand. As I read books like Kingsbuy's Baxter Family Series or Austin's Refiner's Fire Series, I became alarmingly aware of the place I was in spiritually. I had all but walked away from the faith that had guided me most of my life. Thankfully, I did eventually heed God's calling and he pulled me out of that place of darkness.*

Ultimately the answer to the question is this: I write to give God glory by reaching others through the stories he gives me to share. See, It really has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him. (See Philippians 2:13-16) My prayer for anyone who reads this is that they will do what they do, whatever it is, to share Christ with others--to hold the Gospel out to a crooked generation so hearts will be turned to Jesus.

In Him,
Kristi


*Note that I had been writing a book before the events leading up to this point in my life, and by God's grace He kept me from pursuing other writing genres. There were times I would sit down to write and NOTHING would come...good or bad.

Dark Days or Holy Days?

I'm including a link to Our Daily Bread's online devotion for the day. Today's devotion is good for anyone dealing with the heart-wrenching loss of a loved one and the pressure of the Holidays. Having lost so many loved ones, I know this pain all to well...it took me years to finally deal with grief issues after my husband died. For years I lived in a fog of depression, and denial. I thought being strong meant not letting anyone see the cracks. I pursued everything except the one thing that would have brought healing and wholeness...Jesus. Yes I was still a Christian, but I shut out people who could have helped me, and got mad at others who tried to tell me what I was too blind to see for myself. I'm not proud of any of that, but as the Bible says in Romans 8, God worked all things out for my good. Why he has been so merciful and gracious to me it an utter mystery to me..but He has been and for that I am so thankful. I'm now in a much more healthy place. I have a new church family that loves and supports me, and some people who really only caused harm are no longer allowed to drag me down (again, by the grace of God). Please don't hesitate to ask for help if you are dealing with grief and and depression through the Christmas season. Jesus wants us all the receive the gift of fath and hope in him.  http://odb.org/

Gobbling up the Gobbler

Mmmm, do you smell that? The Gobbler is in the oven, pies have been baked, and the beans are in the slow cooker! It must be Thanksgiving! Thanking the Father for the gifts he has lavished on me is one of my favorite parts of the day...pumpkin pie is second. (Kristi pauses and wipes the drool from the corner of her mouth.)

Most people don't know that Thanksgiving wasn't declared a National Holiday until Abraham Lincoln's Administration. In the midst of the the bloodiest conflict our country ever faced, President Lincoln recognized the need to stop and reflect on the blessings the Father gives us~~even when we don't deserve or appreciate them. This is what he said in his proclamation:

Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day

October 3, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.  In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.  Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.  Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.  They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.  I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.   And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

A. Lincoln

Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love love endures forever!

The Writing Wringer

Have you ever felt like you were being put through the wringer of an old washing machine? Well, that's what I feel like right now. God has shaken the dust off of me, paid special attention to the stains, washed me, ran me through the wringer, then rinsed the soap residue off and put me through the wringer again. THEN, every few months, or even daily, we go through the whole process again.

This concept applies, in varying degrees, many areas of my life in varying degrees. Writing seems to be the area getting the most attention right now. I have been a "writer" for a long time...actually more years than I want to mention...I started seriously writing a novel about seven years ago. I still have the dusty manuscript on my all but obsolete desktop. A lot has happened in those seven years, and for a time I had all but given up my faith. Writing nearly fell by the wayside. It is only by the grace of God that I didn't walk away from His calling, and more importantly from Him! For three and a half years after my husband passed away I wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of self-pity...though I never admitted to myself that is what it was. Thankfully, God drew me out of that wilderness and set me back on the right path, and he also rekindled my love for writing. He has given me new stories to tell, and a desire to share them with others--Which means I have to actively seek publication...In other words, I have to put myself out there in the form of an on-line presence. Blog--check. Facebook "fan" page--check. Website--check. None of those things are what I really want to spend my time doing...BUT...I have to be willing to do them in order to be able to proclaim the Gospel through writing. Daily I have to remind myself of the fact that the "self-promotion" is not really self promotion at all. It's promotion of Him in me and the things He has called me to do so HE can be made famous. Honestly, I don't like it and it scares me, but I can't stop writing either! So, as He runs me through the "Writing Wringer" I will trust him to accomplish the work he has started. After all, He is the author and perfecter of my faith! (See Ephesians 2:10 & Hebrews 12 )

(Side note: Christian fiction was one of the ways God drew me back to him. Reading about characters struggle with life and faith, and then finally leaning on God through the hard times opened my eyes to the reality of my own struggles, and lack of willingness to deal with the issues of life)

One of those high-falutin' websites.

I really don't have much of anything to blog about today. Why? BECAUSE I have spent an unnecessary amount of time trying to revamp my website. I couldn't remember my user name or password, had the wrong customer number, and my little computer told me he doesn't like thinking that hard! Maybe I should remind him of the "Little Engine That Could"! Please take a look and let me know what you think!

http://www.kristihardin-alexander.com

Game Plan--JESUS!

Well, this week I signed away the next several years of my life.

 "To what?" You ask.

"School," I reply.

Thirteen credit hours, four classes, and one huge step towards something I have been talking about for nearly nine, count them, nine years.

"What took you so long?" you ask.

"Life, death, and taxes."

 Having the feeling that I couldn't go back because I had to keep a roof over my head and food on the table has been my biggest obstacle. The need to spend time with my kids also ranks high on my list.  Follow that with a God given desire to someday become a published writer (Yes, there is a book in the works!) and you have a hillbilly version of too many irons in the fire to get edumicated! (Kristi hangs and shakes head in shame.)

At times I stop and think about all the effort and time needed to do the things I believe God is calling me to and I just want to throw my hands in the air and walk away. Who can do all that stuff? Serve God and His people at church.Raise three kids--ALONE! Work. Pay the bills. Write books. AND--Go to school too? Well, I'm here to tell you: I can't--unless it is Him doing all of it through me. Shoot, I can't do any of the things on my list without Him! Hebrews 12 says: "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the  right hand of the throne of God."

Did you catch the part about him despising the shame? Doesn't mean the cross was enjoyable for him... but it was necessary to accomplish what the Father had sent him to do. Jesus had the ability to see beyond his suffering to the promise of what would come after his suffering had ended... He conquered sin and death to bring sinful man into right standing with the Father. And where is Jesus now? Seated on the the right hand of the Father's throne.

Surely if he endured all of that for me, I can endure a few years of school to do what he has asked me to do for Him. Definitely makes my "trials" seem bearable. Time to dust off my running shoes!

How a dipstick helped me measure my parenting skills.

Yeah, I know it's been like a million years since I posted anything. SAME ON ME! I will do better next time.

Now, on with the show:

Last night I was in bet *trying* to fall asleep over the chatter of my precious sons, ages 9 and 10. (Yes, I realize that's close together...I carried them!) Anyway, I hear the younger one say, "No, dipstick!"...(silent pause & giggle)..."I don't even know what a dipstick is or where I heard that word before."

The older boy says, "I don't know either, but I bet it's something you aren't supposed to say!"

I laugh to myself then call them into my room and say, "Do you boys know what a dipstick is?"

The youngest looks at me and says, "No, but I wont say it anymore. I promise!"

The older says, "Me either."

Well, I can't hold my laughter any longer and I give them a crash course on the Dukes of Hazard, Roscoe calling his deputies dipsticks, and what a dipstick actually is. They both leave the room knowing that dipstick is somewhat acceptable--at least on the same level as saying things like dork or silly.

In hindsight we all had a good laugh, but I gleaned a little more from this event: I spend hours and hours trying to teach my kids to respect each other, watch what they say, and not just blurt out whatever they hear from other kids at school. In this one little interaction with my sons I realized my labor is not in vain... they are listening and actually starting to apply what I have taught them. (All those seeds might just be turning into fruit bearing plants!!)

Proverbs 6:22 (ESV)- Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Changing Seasons, Spiritual Refreshment

Song of Songs 2:11-13- See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit, the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."

The weather has been magnificiant this week. Birds are singing, daffodils are popping up everywhere, and the trees are starting to bud. Everything is made new again! Sping is my favorite time of the year, and isn't it wonderful that spring heralds new life and we are blessed to celebrate the ressurection of Jesus in this season?! I know Easter is still almost a month away, but today I was reminded how wonderful the cycle of life and constant renewel through fellowship with my ressurected Lord is. The cycle of nature proclaims this to all who listen. I urge everyone to get out and spend some time listening as the earth sings the praises of the One who created everything! If we don't the rocks will cry out: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

Bubble Gum & Buzz Cuts

There are things my Momma always said: "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt"... "You're gonna put someone's eye out if you aren't careful." ... "Spit that gum out before you go to bed, or you'll wake up with it in your hair!" 

Well, I'm  here to tell you if your child goes to bed with gum in his mouth, you are the one who pays the price! I spent HOURS working to get gum out of his hair. Every helpful gum removal tip I have ever heard was used... I wasted half a jar of peanut butter, and time I should have been using to get ready for church; all to no avail! We were late for church, had no breakfast, and my son wore my favorite "Farmall" hat all day! (He dislikes Farmall  because it's what I like.) Finally tonight I broke out the clippers and gave him an old fashioned buzz cut. The was one spot that had to be cut  with scissors, and he now as an odd looking bald spot on the back of his head. Within ten minutes the problem was solved.

This situation reminded me of how so many times I will go about things the hard way when an obvious and simple answer exists. There are things and ways I know God wants me to do things, or things He has promised me, and I don't follow His instructions. I set out trying to figure out how to make things happen on my own and forget to trust Him to work everthing out in his timing. I mean, gee whiz, He only created EVERYTHING, why can't I trust Him to take care of my future. How many times to I wind up in a mess because I'm opereating on my own? All the time, and every time I have to get down on my knees and ask him to undo what I "done went and did" without him. Today is an excellent reminder for me to be patient and wait on the Lord to work everthing out for me.

Jeremiah 29:11
For  I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Laughter-Good for what "ails ya"!

Psalm 126:2

Our mouths were filled with laughter,
   our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
   “The LORD has done great things for us!"

Tonight I spent time with  some of the most incredible women I have ever known- single moms, college students, professional women, women of different races and stations of life, and a couple of women from different countries. What could bring such a diverse group together, and what do we all have in common? The answer to this question is as simple as it is complex: Jesus. We all attend the same church, and have been adopted into the family of God because of our faith in Jesus Christ. We all sat around a kitchen table  played games, fellowshiped, and laughed until I'm sure a few of needed to run to the bathroom. What a blessing to be able to reach across racial, social, and national boundaries and find a sister: to be able to say "The Lord has done great things for us!" I pray He continues to bring more and more diversity to my growing list of sister-friends. I am truly thankful for this gift!

This is a test... only a test

Hiya,

I'm just trying to figure this stuff out... without crashing my new laptop!