Living For ONE

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

May 13, 2013 By kelliwommack 1 Comment

I have always said that May was like a second December. Seems we try to squeeze nine months of stuff into 31 days of May. End of the school year awards, parties, tests, and dress-up days, gifts, and Teacher Appreciation. Sports and their award nights. Mother's Day? (How can it be a day for Mothers when mothers are scrambling to do all this other stuff?) I think we need a Mother's WEEK - in October or something. Church picnic. This from my son: "I want to take my lunch to school because it is Manager's Choice this week." Manager's Choice is a nice way of saying leftovers. (Which gives me an idea...) Oh, and this year, I threw in speaking at a Women's Retreat in Hershey, PA. It was the chocolate awesome sauce. Seriously. None of these things are inherently or even individually bad. (Well, maybe the manager's choice meal.) But, all together they can weigh. on. a. person's. mind. We end up saying things like, "I'll be glad when _____ is over." When we begin to wish things were over, we miss out on the moments. Take a deep breath of grace. Grace says ok to a B on a cumulative history exam. Grace … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas, grace, May

10 Ways Running Affected My Walking, Part 2

May 2, 2013 By kelliwommack 2 Comments

I just started running a few months ago. It hasn't been easy, but it has been good. My goal was to be healthier, but God had more than just my physical health in mind. He has used running as a great analogy for my walk with Him. (For more on this and for part 1 and the first 5 ways, read here.) So, here are another 5 ways that Running for God has affected my walking with God. 6. Stay hydrated. And not just on any liquids... WATER. WATER. WATER. And you can't' wait until you run to drink water. You need to be drinking the day before and then be sure you drink after. So it is with life and walking with God. The Living Water (Jesus) is the only hydration source to face the challenges that life brings. And we can't wait until the challenge comes! We need to be drinking in the Spirit daily so that we are ready when difficulties do come. And they will. 7.Don't forget to stretch. Though there is great controversy in the running world as to whether or not you should stretch before or after a run, the point is to keep those muscles soft and pliable. It's when our muscles our stiff that we run the most risk for injury. In our walk … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: relationship with God, rest, running, walk with God

10 Ways Running Affected My Walking

April 29, 2013 By kelliwommack 3 Comments

Before you quit reading because you think I am some runner superstar, let me just tell you that before 3 months ago, my running history consisted of the days my cheerleading coach made me run before practice and I got stomach cramps after 30 seconds because I had just drank a 20 oz. bottle of REAL coke and eaten a bag of Cheetos. (Those were the days!) Oh... and there was that time I ran real fast because I was being chased by a dog on a morning walk. Yep, that's it. I started running 3 months ago with a class called Run for God at my church. It basically combines a beginner interval running program with a bible study. It has been a fantastic journey. My goal: to become healthier in my pursuit of living for ONE. I knew that in establishing a regular exercise routine (running 3 times a week) that I would have more energy for what God has called me to do. What has happened in the process has been amazing. No, I haven't lost 20 pounds - not yet anyway. But I have gained in so many ways. Running for God has affected my walking with God. Here are 10 ways: 1. "Just start running." That was the advice given to me about becoming a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: encouragement, exercise, God's Word, Hello Mornings, Living for one, quiet time, relationship with God, running, walk with God

Power-full Living

April 22, 2013 By kelliwommack 2 Comments

I wanted to share with you a prayer I wrote back in January that continues to be an outcry of my heart. Maybe it will bear witness to your heart as well. Lord, You are good. YOU are good! You ARE good! You are GOOD! Thank You. Thank You for the cross. Thank you for your amazing love - Your ineffable, indescribable love that reached down and chose to give up everything for the world. Thank You! Thank You for dying once and for all and yet Your death is sufficient for every and all sin - my sin yesterday, today, and tomorrow. There is nothing I have done or can do that would change the way You feel about me. Your grace is beyond words. That You would give me what I don't deserve - and not give me what I do deserve. That's GRACE - and - MERCY. And after You died in my stead and in the place of sinful humanity, You conquered DEATH. Why? Because You wanted us to live. We could not and cannot live without Your grace, Your mercy, Your power. The power that raised Jesus from the dead. That same power is made available to us through the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. What is dead in me that needs to be brought … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: grace, mercy, power, prayer, presence, relationship with God

A Spacious Place

April 18, 2013 By kelliwommack 12 Comments

Field of Yellow, thanks, Sea Turtle (flickr)

It is an open field as far as the eye can see, filled with yellow daisies. The sun is shining and beaming down. And I am running wide open. And dancing. And twirling. And jumping. Without a care. Without a fear. That is my spacious place. I saw it for the first time about five years ago when I started attending my current church. I had just been through a heart-wrenching time where the enemy had beaten me up and left me for dead. I had never been in that place before and by the grace of God, haven't been since. Depression engulfed me. Fear and anxiety surrounded me. I was cornered and trapped. My body reacted with constant sickness and my mind responded with irrational thoughts. But God rescued me. He told me to be still and He would fight for me. (Exodus 14:14) And He carried me out of my place of distress into my spacious place. I would see glimpses of this spacious place as I slowly crawled out of my enemy-ridden place of confinement. When I would praise God for life, for little things and big. When I would offer up prayers of thanksgiving. When I would go to church and release and receive with hands open, not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: freedom, God's love, relationship with God, spacious place

No Hide and Seek

April 15, 2013 By kelliwommack 5 Comments

I used to love to watch my children play Hide and Seek when they were young. They would hide behind things that were smaller than them but think they were hidden well. Ryan even believed that by covering his eyes where he could not see us that we could not see him either. So cute! As fun as it is playing Hide and Seek and watching toddlers "attempt" to hide, there really is no Hide and Seek when it comes to God and His Work. He clearly tells us that when we seek Him with our whole hearts, He will be found. And He desires for us to seek Him, so that we can see Him. Today, I am posting at a dear friend's blog... my friend and former ministry apprentice, Sharita Knobloch and her blog, 7 days time. I share a story of how God is always at work. I just need to take the time to seek Him, and recognize Him. Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works; be alert for signs of His presence. Psalm 105:4 I challenge you today to look for God... seek Him, watch for His works, and be alert for signs of His presence. And be sure to share the works you see! And don't forget to read my story over at Sharita's blog... and show us both … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: relationship with God, seek God

My Un-welcomed Friend, FEAR

April 9, 2013 By kelliwommack 5 Comments

FEAR. It is running rampant in the body of Christ! The enemy has chosen to use our minds against us -- he plants seeds of fear in our hearts to render us useless and ineffective for the Kingdom of God. Because, when we have fear and anxiety... we are paralyzed. I am sharing a post today that I originally shared on my friend, Laurie Wallin's site. But I know many of you are struggling with fear right now, so I decided I would share it again here. FEAR. I know it well. We hang out together from time to time. The more I entertain it, the more it becomes familiar with me and begins to cater to my weaknesses. The fear of ridicule. The fear of failure. The fear of embarrassment. The fear of the unknown. To just name a few. Sometimes it creeps in like a quiet wave. Other times it is more like a freight train. And when I try to ignore it, it stalks me. It shows up in my dreams at night. It is there when I find myself in deep thought. Even while I listen to music or watch TV, a lyric or scene will beckon its entry. I have tried to tell fear to leave me alone. At times, I have even thought I conquered it. What I am realizing is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: faith, fear, relationship with God, trust

I Sometimes Forget

April 4, 2013 By kelliwommack 5 Comments

Have you been watching The Bible Miniseries with the rest of the world? Though I have been distraught at the fact they left out my favorite stories (Joseph, Ruth, Esther), my family and I have been fascinated. Yes, I know it all hasn't been portrayed exactly as it has been written. But, it has definitely shown the journey of God and His people. Themes of faith, trust, suffering, and obedience are evident. Though there are many scenes worth mentioning, there is one that I cannot get out of my mind. I am sure you will think it is odd. But it is the scene where Pilate has already given Jesus over to the Romans to be crucified and he is self-balming by receiving a massage. His wife who had tried to talk him out of handing Jesus over, comes in and says,"He is different. He (Jesus) was chosen by the gods." Basically, you made a mistake! Pilate responds, "He will be forgotten in a week." That's the scene. Those are the words that have been haunting me. When I first heard them, I thought, "Oooh. He was so wrong. Jesus' story is still going strong!" And it is. The story of Jesus is still very much alive after 2000 years. But … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: abundant life, cross, God's plan, Jesus, relationship with God, remember, resurrection

We All Need SomeONE

March 21, 2013 By kelliwommack 5 Comments

Just when you think no one cares, no one is listening, and you want to just throw in the towel... someone sends you an email with five long paragraphs describing how you have impacted their life, their dream, their hopes... someone who you love tells you they pray for you daily and think about you a WHOLE, WHOLE lot... someone comments on your blog that even though they don't comment very often, they read every post and you. have. impact. someone writes on your Facebook wall that they love you and miss you and are thinking of you... someone who you used to encourage face to face now separated by oceans and miles and culture, but held together by the bond of Jesus Christ someone (a male friend) tells you some of his favorite preachers and bible study teachers are women... and to keep on keeping on someone stops you in the parking lot of Chick-fil-a and tells you how much your blogging ministers to them. some little someone prays to Jesus at night thanking Him for a mom who cares and spends ALL her time making sure his throat feels better some other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: art, encouragment, the God who sees

Trusting the Master Puzzlemaker

March 18, 2013 By kelliwommack 3 Comments

God continues to bless me with opportunities to share with people how they are Gifted to Serve. It is amazing to me how the knowledge of one's giftedness can change the way they see themselves and the way they serve others. I have spent the last three weeks sharing this goodness with ten teenagers. As they sorted through their spiritual gifts and temperaments, I saw faces light up and confidences build. Our God is so good to give us everything we need for life and for godliness... and for serving Him! He puts us together like a puzzle, with all the pieces interlocking and touching each other either directly or indirectly, with the Master's hands of grace and sovereignty. He knows what spiritual gifts I will need to fulfill His calling on my life. He knows what abilities He needs to grant me at birth so that I can develop them and use them for His glory and Kingdom. He knows what stirring in my heart is required to push me to follow my dreams, take risks in His name, no matter the cost. He knows what personality is necessary for me to need Him, desire Him, and share Him with others. He knows what life experiences … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: gifted to serve, personality, spiritual gifts, trust