The Kathleenmaxwellrambie Podcast

The Kathleenmaxwellrambie Podcast- click here

Check out my new podcast! Follow and receive updates when new messages are released. Current podcasts include: 
Wake up to who you are-Where do you get your identity? Work, kids, marriage?
Understanding your value and worth-Do you see yourself and your potential through God's eyes?
Walking in peace-How do we walk with our hearts at peace in times of difficulty?

You are much more capable than you think you are

You are much more capable than you think

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

Copyright June 2019

“There is no way I can shoot 1,000 shotgun shells in a day,” I told my husband, as we were planning our recent vacation to Argentina. Shooting that many shells sounded painful and I did not think I was that interested in trying to shoot that many birds.

 Going to Argentina dove hunting was on my husband’s bucket list and I was happy to go and practice my shooting. We had planned to go with friends; however, they had to cancel and gave us their trip. It was an incredible blessing and I’m always up for an adventure and a fun adventure with Stephen.

Dove are very prolific in Argentina because they have three hatches a year, and shooting 1,000 shells a day is not uncommon. In Texas, we only have one hatch a year and I have only been hunting six seasons. I can count on two hands the times I have gotten my limit of 15 birds, so shooting 1,000 shells sounded impossible to me.

I was the only woman at our lodge and I was determined to hold my own. The first day we went out, I was in awe of the number of birds and opportunities to shoot. Much to my amazement, that morning, I shot 500 shells and hit 110 birds! Somehow, after lunch and a siesta, I managed to hit more birds that afternoon, totaling 219 birds. Stephen hit 1,011 of 1425 shells. It was a fun filled day.

Thankfully, we fished a few days before we hunted again. We caught Golden Dorado and many other fish I had never seen. You never knew what you were going to pull out of the water and catching Golden Dorado was challenging, as they are an acrobatic fish. 

The second day we hunted, there were 20 mile an hour winds and it was much harder to hit the birds. They were zipping by very fast.  I was proud of the 170 birds I hit and much to my amazement, shot 1,000 shells again. That day was very difficult and a lot of fun. The beauty of the land was captivating and the breeze felt good.  

The last day, I hit my stride and shot 1,500 shells and got 531 birds! I could not believe I shot that many times, much less could hit that many. Stephen, on the other hand, broke the lodge record, shooting 1,500 shells and hitting 1,135. Needless to say, you could find me in the hot tub that evening. 

As I pondered the days of hunting, I felt like God said, “You are much more capable than you think.” I thought of how I underestimated myself, doubted, and never saw myself doing what I did. Then I began to think of that in spiritual terms. I have felt God calling me to step out in some new things, and yet I have struggled and doubted at times.

God has a call on each of our lives. There are things He wants all of us to do for the Kingdom of God, people to touch, pray for, encourage, love, speak to, and bless. How many times do we miss it because we do not think we are capable?

Ephesians 4:1-3 shows us that God has work for each of us.  It states, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (NIV)

Your calling will look different from mine, however, each of our calling has equal value in God’s kingdom work. The key is that we seek to know God and hear what He has for each of us and ask Him to show us how He sees us. 

I think the big key for each of us, is to simply show up and say “yes Lord.” Just like in Argentina, I simply had to show up prepared for the day ahead, and trust Him for the strength and everything that I needed. What is God calling you to that you do not think you are capable of? 

I know God is calling me to some things for His kingdom that I do not feel I can do in my own strength. I know He wants to expand my territory, and yet I wonder if I can do that. 

Ephesians 3:20 says, “²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” (NKJV) 

 

You and I are much more capable than we think. Many have gone before us that have failed numerous times, only to later succeed and make a big difference. Abe Lincoln tried many times at many things, before he became a great president and set a whole group of people free. He simply kept showing up and overcoming the adversity that was before him.

I saw my mom and dad, in the last few years and months of their lives, touch countless caregivers, Hospice workers, and those that provided home health care. They bloomed right where they were planted in their home. Perhaps you are sitting in prison, wondering what you can do for God, He has a purpose for your life and a calling. It might be the person in the cell beside you.

Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Never underestimate your ability. 

I want to encourage you to simply show up and say “yes” to a God that loves you dearly and sees your potential. You do not have to be perfect for Him to use you. The Bible is full of people that God used, that had made mistakes.

I challenge you, just like I feel He is challenging me, to show up and be a willing vessel for Him to use. God is our strength and source of life, and that life is an abundant life.

Kathleen is a native of the Hill Country and is a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth. Beginning September 2019, at 6:30, she will be leading a Bible study at The Kroc Center called, The Gathering-Bringing God into everyday life. You can register for the event and reach her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.comor visit her blog at www.theMaxwellminutes.blogspot.com

Visit her podcast at www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.podbean.com

Who needs kindness and why should we practice it?

Who need kindness and why should we practice it?

May 2019

Kathleen Msxwell-Rambie

copyright

Stephen and Kathleen

The hot Texas sun was beaming down highlighting the green rows of cotton, corn, and melon that lined the road. I was driving down Highway 90 on my way to Uvalde, Texas thinking of how I love seeing all the fruits and vegetables this part of the country produces. My husband was a farmer for several years in the 80’s and it is always interesting to hear his farming stories. He tells about the long hours each day he invested to produce a good crop and some challenges.

There were years that he made good money and then there was the year he was ready to harvest onions, and the night before the harvest, there was a hail storm that destroyed the entire crop. Then there was the story about the beautiful bell peppers he grew in October that were plump and full of color.  He woke up one morning, and much to his surprise, snow covered his crop and lost every bell pepper.

Growing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is not always easy and takes a lot of hard work and practice. Often times, it is in the difficult soil of life that we have the opportunity to plant the seeds and cultivate them. 

Galatians 5:22 states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.” (NIV) Basically, this is saying when you practice these fruits, they will always work for you, not against you. Practicing these always puts you in the winners circle and will benefit not only you, but others.

I have been studying about each fruit, to cultivate them in my own life and see what God says about each one and what He requires of me. Recently, I have been looking at kindness.

What is kindness? Who should we be kind to? What are the benefits of kindness? 

Kindness is the quality of being considerate, friendly and generous, thoughtful and loving. Kindness considers where someone’s heart is and acts accordingly. It is also showing superior qualities of grace. I think we would all have to admit, we like it and it makes us feel valued when others are kind to us, especially when we really do not deserve it. 

I have asked God to open my eyes to His kindness in my life and I am amazed at what I have discovered. Day after day I have seen God’s kindness and it has caused me to have a deeper desire to be kind to others. It has begun to change my heart and made me want to practice kindness to a greater degree on those around me.

Jesus tells us in Luke 6:35 that he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. It is easy to be kind to our friends, but a little more challenging to be kind when others are ungrateful and ugly to us.  I think those are the people that need kindness the most. I have to admit; God has given me the chance to practice kindness recently on some ungrateful and unkind individuals and it has taken every bit of Jesus in me to persevere! The good news is God has helped me and I it is actually getting easier!

There was a situation I was involved in where I was doing a lot of work and had to make some decisions for others. Often times when we step up to the plate to make a difference and do what is right, there will be those who are insecure and oppose us. I encountered this, and the opposition was challenging. I was determined to practice kindness because Jesus is kind. It was not easy, however, over a course of months, the kindness paid off and I saw God work in the situation and totally change the heart of the person that was using so much difficulty.

Proverbs 16:25 says, “kind words cheer up an anxious man.” Just today I was talking to a woman and she was very fearful and anxious. As I spoke kind words to her in a soft voice, I saw her countenance change right before my eyes and she left our meeting with a smile on her face.  Her circumstances have not hanged yet, but I watched kindness cheer her up. 

I Thessalonians 5:15 states, “Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (NIV) That about covers anyone you will encounter each and every day! 

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 11:16 &17, “A kind woman gains respect and a kind man benefits himself.”(NIV) If you want respect, the answer is being kind. We win when we are kind and there is power in our kindness, to change a situation. Kindness makes us a hero.

Baby Vega, one of our grand girls

I still have much to learn about kindness and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit.  I want to challenge you to join me and practice kindness in the days ahead. Sow good seeds of kindness to the difficult people in your life and all others around your home, workplace and community. Ask God to open your eyes to how He is kind to you and let his kindness change your heart. I am now seeing his kindness each day in my life. Most of all, enjoy the wonderful blessings and benefits that being kind will reap in your own life. You will not only bless others but will receive many blessings yourself.

Kathleen is a native of the Hill Country and is a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.comor visit her blog on www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com  106,196