Fully known, chosen and loved

Known, chosen and loved

My step daughter, Mrs. Whitney Sanchez 

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie
copyright 2018

It was recess time and I could hardly wait to go outside and play. I was a new 5th grader at Starkey Elementary School and was anxious to make some new friends. 

Someone quickly organized a kickball game and I loved to play kickball. Two people were designated as captains of the teams and began choosing who they wanted on their team from the rest of us that wanted to play.

I had to wear brown corrective shoes instead of cute tennis shoes like the rest of the girls, so I did not look real athletic and no one knew me. I really could kick the ball a long way, however, no one knew that. Perhaps someone would just take a chance and pick me, I thought. 

Then my worst fear happened. I was the last one chosen for my team. I felt like a loser but was hopeful I could kick the ball far and make it around the bases fast enough to score. Perhaps you were not chosen for something or  have been in a similar situation in your life and wished people really knew you and your talents you possessed. 

I recently read a scripture that made me smile when I read it, as it shows God’s heart for Jesus and for us, and how he has chosen us. It also tells us he knows us and takes great joy in who we are.

Isaiah 42:1 says, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.” (NIV)

wedding celebrations with Whitney and Margaret

This scripture shows us that we are chosen and hand picked by God and he is actually takes delight in us. To think that the creator of the universe has chosen you and me and is delighted to be with us in everyday life, is almost unbelievable! But it is true.

Mr. and Mrs Sanchez

I have also loved the part of the verse that says he upholds us. Three of our five children have gotten married in the last eight months so I have leaned on this verse and depended on God to uphold me! It has felt like I’ve been on a wedding marathon!

Matthew 12:18 also tells us we are chosen by God. It states, “ Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight.” (NIV) 

Life circumstances can often leave us feeling less than, unloved and not very special; however, those are the days when we have to remember what God says about us instead of our circumstances. We have a choice to believe our circumstances or what God says. 

I was visiting with a widow recently and she shared her struggle with loneliness after losing her husband of 55 years and how she did not feel loved anymore. The one that had loved her dearly for so many years was gone. I remember struggling with those feelings too after losing my husband. I shared this scripture with her and she later commented that it was exactly what she needed and was healing to her heart. She shared how on the nights she felt lonely, she would read the scripture over and over and it settled her heart, reminding her she was loved and not alone.

Zephaniah 3:17 states, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quite you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

The word delight means to please someone greatly or to take pleasure in. Have you ever thought about God taking pleasure in you? You make him smile!

our latest addition-Anna Joseph Maxwell

God not only knows you personally; he actually takes great joy in you and your life. You are fully known by a mighty God and fully loved by him. He gave you and me, special gifts and talents, sees our potential, sees our flaws, and yet still loves us.

I was not the top draft choice in the kickball game that day in 5th grade, however, when my turn came to kick, the ball sailed through the air and I kicked a home run. I had talents that people could not see at first glance. I began to make friends, and am still are close with some of my classmates I made in 5th grade. 

As you walk through this week, I challenge you to write one of the above scriptures on a sticky note or index card, and put it in place where you will see it often. I pray that you will constantly be reminded that you too are chosen, loved, and God takes great pleasure in you.

Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God and their value. Fall of 2018, she will lead a study called, The Gathering- Bringing God into everyday life. For more information, you can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com and on her blog www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com

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Coming this fall!

I am so excited about this opportunity to speak to the Kerrville community! I will speak on many of the things I have written about. Hope you will come!

Is God interested in your everyday life?

Is God interested in your everyday life?

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

copyright

August 2018

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks, when everything was five times harder than it needed to be? I am talking about a time when things take a lot longer to do than are necessary.

I recently had a few days like that. I have traveled a great deal this past month, and after  returning from a trip, there is much to catch up on. Mail piled up, newspapers to go through,  bills to pay, calls to return, grocery store, and a “to do” list a mile long, consisting of things I needed to accomplish this week.

I’ve trusted God with the big things in my life, like cancer, finances, death, etc., but what about the little challenges in life? Is God interested in helping us in our everyday life?

In addition to the above list,  and one of them was a meeting with a friend that is helping me with a project. The project is time sensitive and the next few weeks will be busy for me with a step-daughter getting married, a new grand baby due, as well as grandchildren with birthdays. I needed to get things done on my project this week, to keep the ball moving.

During the meeting with my friend, I was intent on accomplishing tasks  and had high hopes of walking away from the meeting and our mission being accomplished. Then, everything began to  be a process instead of something I could check off my list!

My computer had been upgraded recently and a simple task was taking both of us a great deal of time. Furthermore, we were also trying to find a phone app that would help us with the project. I do not like  technical difficulties. 

Fishing trip in Alaska

 We worked and worked to figure out the new computer upgrade and after two hours, we decided to end our meeting. We had ask Siri, tried to look things up on YouTube and the internet, only to run into road blocks.  We had not accomplished much of anything! We did laugh and have a good time, and that is always good. I love my friend.

“Jesus, help us figure out these issues,” I prayed, as I smiled at my friend, thanked her for her time and we walked out the door of the restaurant. We could not figure our problems out but I knew God could.

I decided to call Google and got someone on the phone who replied, after I ask for assistance, “I do not know much about this issue but I will try to help you.” After 25 minutes of being on the phone and on hold, the call dropped! I closed my computer, asked God again for his help and decided to move on to something else on my “to do” list.

One of my next task was getting a new remote control for my garage door so I could open my garage door, and then program it to my car. My husband and I had tried for hours to program the door and car and finally gave up. I was going to take it again. This is not a big crisis, but something that makes life  a lot easier. 

 I went to a local store, only to find two hot water heaters stacked in front of the end cap that had the universal remote controls. There was no clerk around to help, and I tried to squeeze behind the hot water heaters to find what I needed. Again, I asked God to help me with this simple task that was suddenly difficult.

Finally, someone came along and was able to help me. I thanked God as I walked out of the store, asked him to help me, program the devise. Again, technology is not my area of expertise. 

God loves relationship with us and is interested in our everyday life. He delights in enjoys relationship with us in the little things, as well as life crisis. All things in life are not easy, but God enjoys our company and dependency on him.

Psalms 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (NIV)  This is a promise we can take to the bank and cash in.

People often think God is not interested in the little things in life, but he is. I pray with many people about major crisis in their lives and I am happy to help others, however, God is just as interested in helping in the little things in our everyday life.

Alaska adventures

I enjoy conversations with my adult children. Sometime they call just to check on us, other times it is for advise, and then there are times they call just to visit. All the calls are special to me. I love hearing about their lives, as well as helping with their difficulties. God is the same way. We are his kids and he takes great delight in us.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)

I came home that evening and in a matter of ten minutes, my garage door was programed. I paid a few bills, returned phone calls and sat down at my computer again. In a matter of minutes, I figured out how to solve my problems for my project! God was faithful in the little things.

Prayer is nothing more than talking to God, and we can do that anyplace and anytime. Those simple prayers I offered up the past few days, accomplished much. They accomplished more than I could accomplish in hours and days. 

How about you? Have you ever talked to God about the little things in your life? You do not have to wait until you go to church or you are in crisis to visit with him. He is ready  to instruct you, teach you and help you, and he loves relationship with you.

Perhaps you have never talked to God and don’t know him. That’s okay, God knows you and is ready  and waiting for you to know him. Just offer up a simple prayer, “God, I want to know you.” I have no doubt, he will hear your prayer and lead you in a relationship with him.

Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God and their value. Fall of 2018, she will lead a study called, The Gathering- Bringing God into everyday life. For more information, you can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com and on her blog www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com

Hope-Do you have it?

Hope-Do you have it?

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

copyright 2018

Summer 2018 trip to Alaska

Hope is not only vital in times of crisis but in our everyday life. It is necessary to keep us moving forward in any situation. Many of the challenges we often face in life,  need the anchor of hope. I’ve found I have needed hope to help me in business, relationships, health or finances. 

The Bible has much to say about the subject of hope and even secular society understands the importance of hope. What is hope? How do you get hope? What do you do when hope is gone or what you hoped for does not happen?

Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen. To not have hope, is to have a negative mindset and can be detrimental,  nor only for the person with a negative mindset but also those around a person that has lost hope.

Where do you go when you need hope? I have found God’s Word to be my “go to” spot for hope. 

Romans 15:4 tells us, “ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (NIV) 

There are many negative circumstances and negative people in life, so it is important that we look to God’s promises for our lives. He is the one person we can always count on.

Alaska

 Romans 15:13  which says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.”(NIV) From this scripture we find that hope is part of the character of God. It is part of who He is and who we are as we are made in His image, therefore, we always have access to hope. We also find in this passage that trust in God links us to not only hope but joy and peace. That right there is reason enough to keep trusting God. Everyone  needs more joy and peace? 

The benefits of hope are amazing. Isaiah 40:31 states, “ But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strengthen, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (NIV) In this scripture, the meaning of the word hope is to bind, to strengthen and to wait.

 Hope in God, not our circumstances, gives us strength and ability to weather extreme circumstances, and keeps us going. Please note that we are instructed to not hope in anything but God.

Bears in Kodiak Alaska...yes I needed hope

David commanded his soul to hope in God. Psalms 43:5 says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”  (NIV) This is a good reminder for all of us to command our inner man to not  rely on our negative feelings, but to put our hope in the one who has the power to change things.

One of the things I noticed at MD Anderson when my late husband was battling a rare cancer, was how all the staff encouraged and spoke of hope and were optimistic during his battle. Medicine is about science and facts and yet all the doctors and nurses we dealt with always spoke of the importance of hope in his battle. That was not really a problem for us because we had a deep faith in God. Although we sought some of the best medical treatment, our hope was in God and our trust was in Him. Even when we came home for him to die, we still had hope in God’s ability to intervene in our circumstances. 

Price, Mallory, Kathleen and late husband Joe

Nine months after his diagnosis, he passed away. Did I get what I hoped for? No, but to me, God never failed me, He was faithful and was with me in the most challenging time of my life. My hope remained in God that dearly loves me,  in God,  to heal my broken heart and to help me keep moving forward in my life and purpose. 

God is looking for a people that are optimistic, see all the possibilities in life  and hope in Him. Jeremiah 31:17 promises us hope stating, “So there is hope for your future,” declares the Lord.” (NIV) 

I challenge you to grab that promise and trust in God. And once we are anchored in hope ourselves, then we can offer hope to those around us. 

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Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God and their value. You can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com and on her blog www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com

God does not do shame

God does not do shame

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

July 2018

copyright

“Shame on you,” my grandmother said, as she shook her finger at me, with a scowl on her face. I was about nine or ten years old and those word cut to the core of my being as I stood in her picture perfect kitchen.

Our adorable grand kids!

I do not remember what I did wrong, but I do remember being confused about even getting in trouble for whatever upset her. All I could think about was getting away from her so I could cry.

Our words carry power and what I remember, was I had done something wrong in her eyes and I just wanted to hide. I felt like a mistake and felt her intense displeasure with me.  I  could not figure out why she would respond like that. I thought she loved me and I had looked forward to going to see her and my grandfather. Now, I just wanted to go home.

I was feeling the power of shame. Shame say, “you are a mistake, instead of “you made mistake, let me help you.”

Shame makes people feel less than and devalued. Jesus paid a great price so we could be free from shame. 

Whenever we have done something wrong, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin.  His purpose is to bring us to repentance, not shame. In His great love, Jesus paid the price so we do not have to live in shame.

Romans 10:11 states, “For scripture says, Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. (NIV)

When we realize we have made a little mistake or a huge one, God’s heart is that we recognize it, ask his forgiveness and the forgiveness of others if necessary, and walk in freedom. Jesus paid the price for our freedom.

Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” 

Acts 13:38 states, “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” (NIV)

Once we repent, we can walk free of shame. God sent Jesus to take care of shame for us. Yes, we may struggle to walk free of the feelings of disgrace, but in God’s eyes we are loved and accepted.

Hebrews 4:16 instructs us, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (NIV)

God’s grace and forgiveness are an incredible gift that each of us have an opportunity to enjoy. It begins with asking Jesus into our hearts, confessing our sin, and believing he died for us and loves us. That is the simple part. Practicing our new life in Christ, enjoying freedom from past mistakes, is where the work comes in, as our culture seems to like to judge.

We have all done things we regret or that are embarrassing at some time or another in our lives.So why do people try to put shame on others when they have missed the mark and done something wrong? I think there are two reasons. Judgement and pride. And both of those are not part of a Christian’s our job description.

Often times people look at their sin and compare it to someone else and say, “I did this but I didn’t do something that bad.” Statements like this are rooted in judgement and pride.

 Matthew 7: 1 & 2 warns us, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV)

Proverbs 16:18 tells us, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Our own foolish pride can get us in trouble. 

When we walk with God, we are to hate the sin, but love the sinner. That is what Jesus does. Sin separates us from God and Jesus came to bridge that gap so we can have relationship with a God that loves us and forgives us. 

I had to forgive my grandmother for the hurtful words she said many years ago. I later found out, she was a very wounded woman and because of her wounds and her own failures and  shame, she projected that on me and others.

If you have shamed someone, I encourage you to ask for forgiveness. If you have been someone that has been on the end of receiving shame, I pray healing for your heart and for any lies you have believed about being a mistake, to be erased. Remember to forgive those that have shamed you.

If you have judged others or walked in pride, ask God to forgive you. 

I Corinthians 13 reminds us that, “love covers a multitude of sin.”

 All of us mess up and can be embarrassed of our failures. Christ came to set us free, so get back up, and walk in his grace and forgiveness. You do not have to walk in shame any longer. God sees you, he loves you, he forgives you and he loves to restore the broken pieces of your 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. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog on www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com 95,934