I decided years ago that I wanted to live a life filled with purpose. I want to be a world-changer...even if it is just in my little corner of the world. I want to know that I am needed and have a job to do. I am always on the lookout for meaning and purpose, which is really why I started writing this blog. I believe that God created all of us with a desire to have purpose.
Adam and Eve were intentionally created. God made Adam to be in relationship with Him. And then God made Eve to be in relationship with Adam. Jesus said, "The most important [commandment] is this...Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31) Relationships with God and with each other should still be our purpose!
What about the things in life that seem to serve no purpose? I have often felt like trials and tribulations are only keeping me from being useful. Romans 8:28 says "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." That applies to all of us who are Christians. All of us are called to His purpose. I can be confident that every difficulty that I face has a purpose in my life and that God will use it for my good. Neil T. Anderson says in his book Victory Over the Darkness , "People tend to look for quick-fix solutions to difficult situations. But God's plan is for you to hang in there and grow up."
It is strangely reassuring to me that even the rough times in my life have a purpose. I pray for growth and change in my life as I walk in the valleys filled with shadows. I pray that God will use these times in my life to make me the girl He wants me to be. I pray that I will not only survive, but my relationship with Jesus will become stronger and closer. And that is the ultimate purpose!
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
No apologies
Last week, I accidentally discovered that I had been "unfriended" on Facebook. That hurt my heart and I questioned myself about what I had done. I felt like I had messed up somehow by being myself. I am not shy about sharing my joys and my struggles, and I definitely have lots of room for improvement. But, I have heard myself apologize to people for being me...the person that God created...Dawn Marie Dow Karr.
This morning, my mom said to me, "It took me a long time to realize that it is sin when I try to be someone else. I'm saying the way God made me isn't good enough." Wow! Way to bottom line it, Mom! I took some time to repent to God for being apologetically me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139) God made me an all or nothin' girl who loves deeply and lives enthusiastically and out loud. No more apologies for living the life that God called me to live!
This morning, my mom said to me, "It took me a long time to realize that it is sin when I try to be someone else. I'm saying the way God made me isn't good enough." Wow! Way to bottom line it, Mom! I took some time to repent to God for being apologetically me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139) God made me an all or nothin' girl who loves deeply and lives enthusiastically and out loud. No more apologies for living the life that God called me to live!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Throw off everything that hinders
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
These are becoming some of my favorite Bible verses. This morning I was thinking about the phrase, "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles". I carry around so much physical, emotional, and spiritual junk! Things like extra body weight, fear, shame, hurt, unmet expectations, unforgiveness, sin, and lies about myself weigh me down. No wonder I feel tired and burdened, but it all comes down to me choosing to let it go! The King James Version says, "let us lay aside every weight". I lay things aside every day when I finish with them. Why is it so hard for me to put down the junk? The truth is I am comfortable and complacent about my junk. I put up with it until I absolutely can't stand it anymore and then things need to change!
My hair is an excellent example, although not terribly profound, of something that entangles me! It has been getting longer and longer for several years, but recently, I hit my limit! I am tired of it weighing me down and entangling me...literally! I am finally going to lay some of it aside today! And that is just the beginning of throwing off the things that hinder me!
Hebrews 12:1-2
These are becoming some of my favorite Bible verses. This morning I was thinking about the phrase, "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles". I carry around so much physical, emotional, and spiritual junk! Things like extra body weight, fear, shame, hurt, unmet expectations, unforgiveness, sin, and lies about myself weigh me down. No wonder I feel tired and burdened, but it all comes down to me choosing to let it go! The King James Version says, "let us lay aside every weight". I lay things aside every day when I finish with them. Why is it so hard for me to put down the junk? The truth is I am comfortable and complacent about my junk. I put up with it until I absolutely can't stand it anymore and then things need to change!
My hair is an excellent example, although not terribly profound, of something that entangles me! It has been getting longer and longer for several years, but recently, I hit my limit! I am tired of it weighing me down and entangling me...literally! I am finally going to lay some of it aside today! And that is just the beginning of throwing off the things that hinder me!
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Laughter
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." Psalm 126:2
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25
Last night, I was blessed to have time with good friends at a wedding reception. We laughed more than I have in a long time, and I thought to myself, "I forgot what my laugh sounds like!" Yikes! I take life so seriously and it crushes my spirit and dries up my bones! I have intentionally looked for opportunities to laugh with Joe and Christopher in the last couple of weeks...and I have found my laugh again! It felt so good to laugh hard and out loud last night...it really was good medicine for me!
I want people to see Jesus in me because I am quick to laugh and filled with joy. I want to be like the Proverbs 31 woman who laughs at the days to come. Maybe the more I practice laughter, the easier it will be for me. That's my goal...to be filled with joy and laugh easily! I will seek out opportunities to laugh with my family and friends this summer. Are you ready to laugh with me???
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25
Last night, I was blessed to have time with good friends at a wedding reception. We laughed more than I have in a long time, and I thought to myself, "I forgot what my laugh sounds like!" Yikes! I take life so seriously and it crushes my spirit and dries up my bones! I have intentionally looked for opportunities to laugh with Joe and Christopher in the last couple of weeks...and I have found my laugh again! It felt so good to laugh hard and out loud last night...it really was good medicine for me!
I want people to see Jesus in me because I am quick to laugh and filled with joy. I want to be like the Proverbs 31 woman who laughs at the days to come. Maybe the more I practice laughter, the easier it will be for me. That's my goal...to be filled with joy and laugh easily! I will seek out opportunities to laugh with my family and friends this summer. Are you ready to laugh with me???
Friday, June 13, 2014
the battle is already won
Jesus won every battle when He shed His blood and gave His life on the cross for us. So why am I always exhausted from the fight? I didn't get it, until this morning. When I started out on my run, I said, "God, I really want to hear from you this morning." And He answered with some awesome analogies and a revelation in my spirit that the battle is already won!
Right at the end of my first mile is a hill that always slows me down. At the top of the hill is a pole with a basketball hoop, and I keep my eyes on it as I work my way up. I know once I reach that pole, the worst part of my run is over! There are 2 life lessons here. There will be an end to the fight, even if I can't see it. And, I must keep my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. I just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
And that is the hard part for me! My focus is easily deterred by the distractions that the enemy sends my way. I stop to engage in swordplay and fancy footwork with the devil's minions and I lose my focus. I get exhausted and overwhelmed. I focus on me instead of my Savior. I forget that Jesus already won this battle and every one that is to come.
In my last mile today, I looked ahead and saw a big German Shepherd coming toward me. I am not afraid of dogs, but I didn't know this one and I was a bit wary. I slowed to a walk and tried to avoid him, but he followed me. I didn't want to run, because I didn't want him to chase me. Completely and totally distracted from my goal, I was focused on getting this dog to leave me alone. Finally, I summoned my toughest teacher voice and said, "NO! GO HOME!" I had to say it several times, but eventually, he turned and trotted off.
This is the second analogy God gave me. The devil sends big dogs my way to slow me down or stop me and make me lose my focus. Jesus already fought those battles and won by His blood! I just need to say, "NO! GO HOME!" to those dogs and keep moving forward! I am safe and protected in the shadow of the Almighty Who won the battles for ME!
Right at the end of my first mile is a hill that always slows me down. At the top of the hill is a pole with a basketball hoop, and I keep my eyes on it as I work my way up. I know once I reach that pole, the worst part of my run is over! There are 2 life lessons here. There will be an end to the fight, even if I can't see it. And, I must keep my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. I just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
And that is the hard part for me! My focus is easily deterred by the distractions that the enemy sends my way. I stop to engage in swordplay and fancy footwork with the devil's minions and I lose my focus. I get exhausted and overwhelmed. I focus on me instead of my Savior. I forget that Jesus already won this battle and every one that is to come.
In my last mile today, I looked ahead and saw a big German Shepherd coming toward me. I am not afraid of dogs, but I didn't know this one and I was a bit wary. I slowed to a walk and tried to avoid him, but he followed me. I didn't want to run, because I didn't want him to chase me. Completely and totally distracted from my goal, I was focused on getting this dog to leave me alone. Finally, I summoned my toughest teacher voice and said, "NO! GO HOME!" I had to say it several times, but eventually, he turned and trotted off.
This is the second analogy God gave me. The devil sends big dogs my way to slow me down or stop me and make me lose my focus. Jesus already fought those battles and won by His blood! I just need to say, "NO! GO HOME!" to those dogs and keep moving forward! I am safe and protected in the shadow of the Almighty Who won the battles for ME!
Friday, June 6, 2014
Joshua
I heard someone say that everyone can find themselves in the Bible. There have been times when I have identified with Hannah, Mary the mother of Jesus, Timothy, and others. But, I almost always go back to Joshua. His name means Yahweh is salvation. He is well known as one of the Israelite spies in the land of Canaan and as the successor of Moses as the leader of the nation of Israel and as the leader of an unusual attack on Jericho. But, we first see him leading the battle against the Amalekites in Exodus 17:8-16. These 9 verses really hit me today and I saw many parallels in my own life.
Moses gave Joshua the order to choose some fighting men and go into battle against the Amalekites. Moses took Aaron and Hur with him to the top of a hill, and there he held up his hands. As long as Moses' hands were in the air, Israel was winning, but when his hands dropped, Amalek was winning. Aaron and Hur stood on each side of Moses and they each held up an arm until sunset when Joshua and his army defeated the Amalekites. I love verse 14...The Lord said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." And Moses built an altar to remember the battle and he named it "The Lord is my Banner".
I am in a battle. I need people to fight alongside of me and I need a Moses, an Aaron, and a Hur up on the hillside. As much as I would like to win this battle on my own, I can't. God knows who I need, and I believe He will show me. I certainly need HIM! One thing I know for certain, the victory is ours! And the memory of this battle will be blotted out, but I will remember it because this is a turning point for me. This will be the time I look back on and say, "That's when things changed! That was a crucial moment for me!" And I will build an altar of words to remember this battle and the victory!
Moses gave Joshua the order to choose some fighting men and go into battle against the Amalekites. Moses took Aaron and Hur with him to the top of a hill, and there he held up his hands. As long as Moses' hands were in the air, Israel was winning, but when his hands dropped, Amalek was winning. Aaron and Hur stood on each side of Moses and they each held up an arm until sunset when Joshua and his army defeated the Amalekites. I love verse 14...The Lord said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." And Moses built an altar to remember the battle and he named it "The Lord is my Banner".
I am in a battle. I need people to fight alongside of me and I need a Moses, an Aaron, and a Hur up on the hillside. As much as I would like to win this battle on my own, I can't. God knows who I need, and I believe He will show me. I certainly need HIM! One thing I know for certain, the victory is ours! And the memory of this battle will be blotted out, but I will remember it because this is a turning point for me. This will be the time I look back on and say, "That's when things changed! That was a crucial moment for me!" And I will build an altar of words to remember this battle and the victory!
Monday, June 2, 2014
Facing the fears
I am done with paralyzing fear! I mean it...I have had it! This is the time for me to face the fears that stop me in my tracks. The battle is on...and it has been going on. But this time it is different. Right now, I'm fighting mad at the enemy who keeps bringing fear into my life. I'm done cowering in a corner whenever situations arise that make me doubt myself and bring fear. And this time I realize the battle is already won! The devil is going to keep shooting fear arrows at me, because they used to work. Not any more!
I'm sick of thinking about my fears and talking about them! I'm choosing to be obsessed with Jesus! My mind will be occupied with Him and His Words! I will dwell on thoughts of hopes and dreams that came from God! I will aggressively dig into my Bible for truth so there is no room in my mind for lies, and fear, and worry! It is going to be a fight! I am going to need people behind me and beside me urging me forward and fighting for me.
This afternoon, I visited the roof of Christopher's school. Not something I would normally do...since heights are a fear trigger. But, Christopher loves to be on a roof and I decided it was time for me to face that fear again and I WON! I hope that the summer brings more opportunities for me to face my fears...spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It is time for the fear to lose its power over me!
I'm sick of thinking about my fears and talking about them! I'm choosing to be obsessed with Jesus! My mind will be occupied with Him and His Words! I will dwell on thoughts of hopes and dreams that came from God! I will aggressively dig into my Bible for truth so there is no room in my mind for lies, and fear, and worry! It is going to be a fight! I am going to need people behind me and beside me urging me forward and fighting for me.
This afternoon, I visited the roof of Christopher's school. Not something I would normally do...since heights are a fear trigger. But, Christopher loves to be on a roof and I decided it was time for me to face that fear again and I WON! I hope that the summer brings more opportunities for me to face my fears...spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It is time for the fear to lose its power over me!
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