Saturday, May 30, 2009

Bible Study (& Bells!)

Are you looking for daily Bible study over the summer? Join me over at


where Sue J. will be hosting a study on the Proverbs. There will be daily reading and thought questions where we can post our comments.

She begins on this Monday, June 1. Hope to see you there!

And if you didn't know, Sue J is more than a blogger. She is a bell ringer. Here she is ringing all the bells, all by herself. It's a sight to behold! And if this doesn't make your soul sing, I don't know what will!

Chatty Kelly



Friday, May 29, 2009

The Army

Monday was Memorial Day. That is the day the government set aside for all those in the United States to stop and reflect on the those in the military who gave their lives for our freedom. I am so thankful for those who served.

It must be tough being a soldier. You may be called to do things you don't want to do, or are afraid to do, but you do them because of your love of the country you serve. And while it wasn't always true, our country is currently made up of a completely volunteer armed service.

Many other countries require military service. In Israel, national military service is mandatory for any non-Arab Israeli citizen over the age of 18. Men serve three years, while women serve two.

My husband is a Army Veteran having graduated from the United State Military Academy, fought in Vietnam and served 4 years in the service. I have never served in the United States Army. But I am in God's army.

Like the US Army, God doesn't require that you serve. It is completely a volunteer army. Sometimes it's tough being a soldier for God. You may be called to do things you don't want to do, or are afraid to do, but you do them because of your love of the God you serve.

Serving in God's army requires dedication, just like in the US Army. Some even lay down their life, martyrs for Jesus. I'll probably never be called to that level of service. I pray I'm not. But I'm proud to be God's army just the same.

"I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot in the artillery, I may never zoom o'er the enemy, but I'm in the Lord's army." Are you?

2 Timothy 2:3 -- Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.



Chatty Kelly

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Thankful Thursday - 5/28

Five things big or small I'm thankful for this week:

1. For the men & women who serve in our armed forces, as well as their families who sacrifice on our behalf every day.

2.Getting together with Sonya for coffee on Tuesday. It's become our weekly ritual. We've been friends for 15 years, and our friendship has weathered many seasons beginning with her being a newlywed, and me single, to our current both being married, with her having 6 kids and me having 2.

3. Only waiting 15 minutes when I got my car inspected. Are you kidding me? That was so quick and I am so thankful, since I had two 5 yr olds with me! (my daughter & her friend).

4. The little things my husband does like make the coffee every morning, walk the dog, and take our daughter to school. His love language is truly acts of service.

5. God as the center of my life. Just thinking about a life without Jesus makes me depressed. With all the bad things in the world, I would have NO HOPE without Jesus. He makes my life worth living, and my death only temporary. I love that guy. :-)

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday at Truth 4 the Journey

Chatty Kelly

Monday, May 25, 2009

A Chance Encounter

What would you do if you had a chance encounter with someone who could change your life? A swimmer’s chance to jump in the pool with Michael Phelps. A singer’s chance to be heard by Simon Cowell. A writer’s chance to be read by Michael Hyatt (CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing, the largest Christian publishing company in the world.)

Like the swimmer, would you jump in hoping to make a big splash? As a singer, would you sing a song, not worrying if it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear? Or would you be like a writer whose fear of rejection gives her writer’s block with no hope of inspiration.

You’ve stepped into the path of greatness ready to be judged, rejected or accepted. You’re scared you’re not good enough, but you pray you are. You squelch down the desire to run and say “never mind, I was just joking, I’m not worthy.”

But then you hear the words “I accept you!” You’re a gold medal Olympian, or a Grammy winning artist, or a New York Times best seller. You’ve been chosen by the greatest to be his protégé, and he will be your teacher.

Think it could never happen to you? I thought so too. But think again. That’s exactly what God does. He gives us the chance to do our best for Him. Sadly, by ourselves we aren’t enough. We sink instead of swim. We are more than a little pitchy. We have weak writing and no platform.

But God only sees Jesus and His perfection, so God says to us, “I accept you.” Now we have a Teacher who is willing to show us the ropes, to improve our craft and to perfect us.

All because of one chance encounter, your life can be changed. Jump in, sing out loud, write your story.

1 Corinthians 15:56-58 -- The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.



Kelly Combs is a writer who loves coffee, clothes & Christ…not necessarily in that order. A chance encounter with Jesus changed her life. She is still waiting for that chance encounter with Michael Hyatt to pitch her devotional book.

Chatty Kelly