A Note to Jesus

"Jesus didn't write back," my 8 year old daughter said.  I was confused by her comment, so she explained to me, "I wrote him a note last night and left it on my nightstand, but he didn't write back." 

I read my daughter's sweet note to Jesus. Something had been weighing on her mind, and so she wrote a letter to Jesus asking him what she should do. She also asked him if he answered her note could she tell other people, and concluded with "If you can't answer, no pressure."  

Reading her note gave me a wonderful opportunity to share with her the purpose of the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives. But I am awe inspired by the faith of an 8 year old child who fully trusts that Jesus will help her make the right decisions, and asks for his input in her life. She signed her note, "Love you Lord! I'm your biggest fan ever!" How Jesus must have smiled to see those words.

My daughter knows that Jesus can help her in every day decisions, and trusts that he will answer. Oh that I may have the faith of my child. Oh, that we all could.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God

 as a little child will by no means enter it." Mark 10:15

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Are You a Christian Ninja?

My daughter loves the television cartoon Ninjago. It is about a group of Ninjas who fight evil. The Ninjas train and study every day to be their physical best. But in order to "unlock their true potential" they each had to deal with something in their heart, so that they could be their best - body and soul.

Have you unlocked your true potential as a Christian? Being in Bible study, attending church, and learning more about God are all part of the training to be our physical best. No doubt about it, this things will product a physical change in us. But unless we deal with our heart issues, we are not unlocking our true potential.

Matthew 5:23-24 says, "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

What could having an issue with someone have to do with giving an offering? The offering is our physical training. It's our obedience of the law. But in order to "unlock our true potential" we have to deal with our heart issues. And that's about relationships; our relationship with people and with God.

There are many church going people who have yet to unlock their true potential in Christ. Are you one of them? Are you excelling in the physical, but struggling with the heart? Look at your relationships. Make restoration where you can. Forgive. Pray to God and build that relationship. Don't just take time to know about God. Get to know God. (There is a difference.)

Working on your physical Christianity will make you strong. But until your deal with your heart, you'll never be a Christian Ninja.  Take time today, and unlock your true potential!

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Happy New Day!

It's the beginning of a new year, 2013! Have you set your resolutions and goals for the year yet? The new year seems a perfect time to evaluate what's working and what isn't and make changes in your life. (Exercise, eat healthier, de-clutter). It's also a time to set into action those dreams that are goals. (Start your own business, write a book, increase productivity).

There are lots of tools out there to help you achieve your goals, and as a matter of fact I'm going to tell you about one of them later in this post.  But first, I want to remind you of something far more important.

Unlike the world, which says, "You've failed, start again next year," or next week, or even "on Monday," God gives you a new chance every single day. A chance to wipe away your mistakes, your sins, your old self, and to start again - a new creation in Christ! His mercies are new every day. So while the rest of the world wishes you a "Happy New Year!" - I'd like to say today, and every day, "Happy New Day!" May you start refreshed and renewed every day this year, knowing the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, 
for his compassions never fail. 
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 
Lamentations 3:22-23

And now - for those of you who are looking for ways to help you meet your goals for the new year, I'd like to introduce you to Kickstart the Year. Kickstart is a bundle of eproducts that I've had the chance to review in my new job as a Virtual Assistant. As a matter of fact, my boss and his partner in this project got together with 8 other experts in their fields to put together this package for only $88. Not only that, but 5% of  the net proceeds goes to Goodwill Industries.  So as an affiliate of this package, I'd love for your to check it out. It might just be the thing you need to help you Kickstart the Year! Happy New You!

Click HERE to visit the website and learn more.

Included Products:

Self Reflection: Chris Brogan
The Three Words Video Webinar (Value: $47)

Starting a Business: Gini Dietrich
Starting a Business: Real-Life Experience, Tips. and Tools for Success (Value: $25)

Write Your Book: Jeff Goins
The Writer’s Studio and How to Start Publishing for Kindle (Value: $65)

Time Management: Craig Jarrow
31 Days, 31 Ways: Daily Tips for Time Management Mastery (Value: $31)

Get Your Office Organized: Lorie Marrero
Home Office Rules of Thumb: A Handy Guide to Organizing Your Time, Information, and Workspace (Value: $20)

Making Your Dreams Happen: Jonathan Mead
Reclaim Your Dreams (Value: $47)

Live a Meaningful Life: Kate Swoboda
The Courageous Living Program (Value: $125)

Get In Shape: Dick Talens
Hack Your Body By Hacking Your Brain: Achieve the physique of your dreams by making fitness as important as eating, sleeping, and sex (Value: $45)

Take Control of Your Finances: Jaime Tardy
Eventual Millionaire Academy: Part One (Value: $67)

Level Up Your Productivity: Mike Vardy
The Ready Retreat Series: Digital Edition (Value: $20)

  

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Post Christmas Blues

Every year after Christmas it was the same thing. I got the post-Christmas blues. It wasn't that I didn't get what I wanted. The presents I received were great, everything I could hope for. It wasn't that my family didn't meet my expectations, we spent wonderful time together. For some unexplainable reason, I got the blues.

Then I realized why. I was looking for "something" in Christmas to make me happy, to fill me up and to give me joy. And that is the danger of Christmas celebrations, and why so many people get depressed during the holidays. Because we are celebrating a day or even a "season," instead of a person, the person of Jesus Christ.

When I go to your birthday party, I don't expect it to make me happy.  I'm there to make you happy. It's your birthday, and I'm celebrating you. And so it is with Christmas, Jesus' birthday. We should be celebrating it to make him happy, not us. Yet, somewhere along the way, we lose our direction, and find ourselves looking inward, instead of upward.

It isn't about the presents. It's about His presence. It isn't about our relationship with family members. It's about our relationship with Jesus. It isn't about us having peace. It's about us having the Prince of Peace, Immanuel - God with us.  It was never about focusing on us. It was always about focusing on Him.

If you're feeling the post-Christmas blues this year, I invite you to look to Jesus. Not to make you feel better about you. It's not about how we feel. It's about who we are in Christ:  Forgiven. Redeemed. Renewed. When we focus on those things, we can't help but feel the joy and peace that was lost in the wrapping paper; and found in the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and the man He grew up to be.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 
I do not give to you as the world gives. 
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 
John 14:27

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Is Christ in Christmas?

"They're trying to take Christ out of Christmas!" That's a comment I hear often in the Christian community this time of year. We get so indignant that someone should say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," But here is the thing:  They never put Christ IN Christmas - we did, coupling the birth of our Savior with a pagan holiday. 

In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival (or winter solstice) hoping to take the pagan masses in with it.  Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians.

The exact date of birth of Jesus is unknown. In fact, most scholars believe he was born in the spring (shepherds keeping watch over their sheep is a hint). Yes, we Christians choose to put Christ into the pagan holiday. And now we scream so loudly when the "pagans" try to keep him out.

Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter, is another example of us coupling our sacred event with a pagan event. The English word "Easter" is believed to be derived from a spring festival for a pagan goddess, Eostre. And don't forget the Easter bunny and eggs, also pagan symbols that we've try to revamp into a Christian holiday.

Don't get me wrong! I love Christmas! I love having a special time to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, and give gifts to those I love. A time to celebrate family, bake treats, decorate, and sing songs of His birth. I just can't justify getting angry at those who want to take Christ out of Christmas, when they never put him there to start with.

There is no Biblical mandate to celebrate the birthday of Christ. Unlike remembering the Sabbath, or communion, where Christ clearly said, "Do this to remember me," we don't see evidence of a yearly celebration of Christ's birthday. So I think to take a stance against those who happen to utter "Happy Holidays" is arrogant.

And maybe, just maybe, if instead of getting angry we showed them God's love, they might be able to find Christ in us, and then have a reason to say "Merry Christmas" after all.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Crowned

It started out like a normal shopping experience. Two cashiers were checking out customers from one line at the retail department store. The customer, an older woman, was disappointed because they only had 1 sweater left. The sales associate offered, "Let me go check the back room."

I'll admit it. Selfishly, I was annoyed. One less cashier meant a slower moving line. But soon enough I was up to the other cashier and began checking out. As I did, the first cashier, Lori, came back. "I found them!" she exclaimed to the now thrilled customer, continuing, "It was a 'Thank You Jesus' moment."

I finished my purchase and walked away. Lori was clearly a Christian, and showing it both by going the extra mile for her customer, and giving Jesus the glory. This deserved a crowning moment! 

Recently I became award of "Crowned Women's Ministries." It's a lovely ministry that provides crown necklaces as outreach tools. You can either wear one, and give it to someone when they compliment you on it as you share the gospel with them, or give it to someone who needs encouragement. I had mine in my purse, just waiting for the right moment. 

I got back in line.  As I finally made my way to Lori, she remembered me. "Back again, huh?" I handed her the crown necklace in it's pink pouch. "I heard you say 'Thank you Jesus,' and thought it was a crowning moment. I'd just like to remind you that you are chosen, wonderfully made, dearly loved and a daughter of the king," I told her, using the verbiage on the back of the necklace card. 

"You don't know what this means to me!" Then she looked me in the eye, the way you do when you're being serious with someone and said again, "You don't know what this means to me. This is the 5th day that I haven't been crying." She leaned over the retail counter and hugged me, and I said "Jesus loves you" and went on my way. As I walked away I heard her exclaiming joyfully to a co-worker, "Can you believe that?!!"

Honestly, it's scary to put yourself out there as a Christian. The reason I love "Crowned by the King" is that there are so many ways to use it out as an outreach tool. I used it to encourage. I don't know what Lori's been going through, but I know that she's had reason to cry, yet still she was thanking Jesus boldly in a retail store. She deserved to be crowned, and I'm so glad Jesus used me to encourage her.

Who can you encourage today?  Check out Crowned by the King ministries, and learn how you can bless women. I can honestly say I was almost moved to tears, and I was as blessed as my sister in Christ, Lori.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Where is the Light in the Darkness?

Where was God during the Sandy Hook school shooting? How do you explain the unfathomable? I don't have the answers. But I thought I would share something my Pastor said on Sunday.

Jesus is the light of the world. Imagine a lighthouse. It doesn't stop the darkness. It simply emits light to aid navigation in the darkness. Jesus is there to show us the way, even in the darkness of the evil. He didn't stop the evil, but he is still there shining the light, showing us the way if we look toward him.  

A sailor can chose to ignore a lighthouse, and may crash into dangerous coastlines or reefs. And people can chose to ignore the Light, Jesus, and cause the world to come crashing in on themselves and others. 

Jesus came to be our Immanuel - God with us. He is still with us. Even in the midst of darkness, he is shining his light. Seek his guidance, and reflect his light to the world.

 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com