Unexpected Epiphany

I sat in an auditorium chair; nervous but expectant. This was the first writer’s conference that afforded me appointments with publishers, agents and published authors. Fifteen minutes. How could I possibly communicate my ideas in a mere fifteen minutes? I sat in a chair next to Suzie Eller. This was different than the other meetings, because we belonged to the same community. The blogging community.

So I told her my dilemma. How I’ve been blogging, and writing a novel and now God throws in this twist…Executive Director of a non-profit organization…me? How does a retired home school mama find herself here? And what if I have to quit blogging? What if I never finish the book I’ve spent three years on?

She smiled, and calmly asked in her charming southern drawl, “What is your blog about, Kimberly?”

“I don’t really know, I guess it’s about finding out more about me and how I can influence my world for Him.”

“Do you realize that you’ve used the word ‘influence’ three times in this conversation?” She paused for effect. “What if I told you that it may not be important whether you ever get a book published or not? Whether you continue blogging or not? Clearly the thing that motivates you is to influence the world around you for Christ. However the Lord has you doing that is His business, wouldn’t you agree?”

I felt dizzy. How did this sweet lady figure me out better than I had figured myself out in less than ten minutes? I was struck dumb.

It’s amazing how epiphany bolts through like a bullet train, changing perspective and destiny. I can’t say that there has ever been a conversation that I can look back to that has caused such instant clarity before or since. And after meditating on Suzie’s wise words I realize that there was also wisdom in what I said that this place was all about…”finding out more about me and how I can influence my world for Him.” I guess I just didn’t expect what I found out about myself, or the way that the Lord would have me to influence others.

Epiphany changes the filter on the camera lens you are peering through. Even though the objects haven’t changed, the light in which you view them alters everything. I am called to influence, but how I influence may not be the same filter I saw myself using…and I am learning to leave all preconceptions at the door, because they are rarely what He has planned. What He has planned is usually much bigger.

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When Glory Came

Surprised, frightened, nothing to give but pure adoration, the shepherds stare in wonder.

Why would they be invited here and now?

Simple shepherds…included in the best surprise birthday party….ever.

No one but Angels and shepherds, a humming cow, oohing and mooing

All invited to the birth of a King, the Son of God.

They weren’t searching for deep wisdom, only a savior from oppression,

Quietly, calmly, minding their own business, tending their sheep

When Glory came down on a blue velvet night.

Waiting…calculating…the kings poured over books.

What did this bright star proclaim to the world?

Men of means…and wisdom seeking to honor a child. An infant.

Riding, rolling on the back of a camel, for one thousand miles.

Just to catch a glimpse of a planet altering arrival. God on Earth.

The stars couldn’t help but sing. Light broke through darkness.

History was being made, and these wiseman, astrologers, magi…they knew it.

When Glory came down on a blue velvet night.

Pacing….hands wringing…Herod had heard enough!

Murmurings of an insurrection…an overthrowing of power.

Someone to deliver the Jews. Whisperings of prophets and foreseers.

And what about those foreigners? The ones following signs in the sky?

Traveling from the other side of the world to pay this “king” homage?

Not to see him, Herod, king of this land.

He must rid himself of this opposition, no one would bring his

glory down on this blue velvet night.

Heart pounding, hands sweating, do I approach as simply shepherds?

Looking for a savior, deliverer, mighty to save?

Do I pour over books, desperately searching for meaning, following yonder star?

Prepared with gift in hand, relinquishing my right to rule to an authority higher than I?

The one who asks me to bow not in golden hall, but in an animal odorous cave,

Who lays as Perfection embodied, nestled in straw, not feather ticking.

Or, like Herod, do I resist too proud to experience deliverance and surrender?

When Glory comes down on a blue velvet night,

am I shepherd, or wiseman or king?

Epiphany Quest! – A Blogging Neighborhood Bible Study – Week 1

After praying and fasting I feel that the Holy Spirit has directed me towards a theme for the Blogging Neighborhood Bible Study in 2012. I take this task with trembling and trepidation, for I recognize the weight of responsibility I carry in sharing God’s Word with others…but o that I would cause a hunger and thirst for a desire in you, dear reader, for your own personal quest. O that you would desire to journey towards the epiphanies He holds for you and you alone, your own Pilgrim’s Progress of sorts.

So, as simple as it may seem, the theme for this year’s Bible Study is found in the name of this blog. Journey Towards Epiphany. And its name is so appropriate this week, in that January 6th is the ancient Christian celebration of Epiphany. The celebration that marks the first Gentiles to find Him as Christ the King.

I am overwhelmed by the mystery of it. Who were these men? How far did they travel? What does it all mean to me? And the first thing that I am struck by is their willingness to listen to their hearts. These men were more than likely Zoroastrians, but more importantly they were Truth seekers. They went beyond the common knowledge of those around them to find what they knew to be true.

You see, the Gospel had been prophesied to the Magi in the book of Daniel during the time of King Nebuchadnezzar, and the Magi of the New Testament likely studied what Daniel and his friends predicted. Just as Abram was called from pagan moon worship to follow a personal God, a Father, these men were called from earthy magic and from astrology to Astronomy. For the Heavens delcare His Glory (Psalm 19)…and they saw it. They had heard about the Truth, and they recognized it.

We only see what we seek for. Many things go unnoticed simply because we have not determined to notice. Days go by without really living; errands and laundry, and work lived without intentional seeking. Ann has inspired me to notice gifts…and my life is richer for it. Now, I hope to inspire you to notice the leading of the Magi in you.

There is a wise man in all of us. One that has seen or heard some “Truth”, something that causes our spirit to cry out “Yes!” I encourage you to take a moment to remember. What was that last morsel upon which your spirit fed? The last bit of Truth that sparked a flame? Now fan the flame.

For the Magi, that bit of Truth was what they heard from previous generations about a coming King. And the more they sought the Truth, the more they found Him. For when we seek Him we will find Him when we seek Him with our whole heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) Friend, what can I say to implore you and I to seek Him with our whole beings? For when we seek Him, we will find Him. Seek and you will find. Knock….pound on the door…until it is opened. (Matt. 7:7-8) For our determined purpose is that we may know Him. (Phil 3:10)

Do you know Him? Do you want to know Him more? Quest for Him. Live from epiphany to epiphany. Feed on Him as He is the Bread of Life. Thirst for Him as He is Living water, and you’ll never thirst for anything else again.

Seeking scriptures:
Deut. 4:29
Pro. 8:17
Isaiah 55:6
Jer. 29:13
Matt. 7:7-8

Luke 11:8-10
Luke 15:7-9
Acts 17:26-28

If you care to share, what was your most recent epiphany?

Sharing with Ann and Jen and Shanda

Where Is My Star? – Day 5 Christmas Photo Scavenger Hunt

Please scroll down to vote on your favorite photo and/or participate in today’s photo prompt: Star

I want to find the Christ Child.
…to be the Shepherds, the Wise Men,
A donkey in the the stable, for all I care
I just want to be found there.

I want to see the blue light of night
pierced through with white star beam.
…to hear Heavenly hosts sing
the song of Heaven’s theme.

The religious were looking too
…looking for a man of power, a king.
But He came as humble God-man child
And they missed Him, looking past Him all the while.

It must have seemed so anti-climatic
after all their studying and seeking
A baby born amidst whispers of shame
and impropriety…without fame.

And hindsight’s 20/20
It’s so easy to see the handwriting in the sky
after history has been written.
…but in present blind eyes are smitten.

And I sweat to search
with every fiber of my being
I look, I peer…is He in History?
Literature, Science, Prophecy?

After all, the Magi found the path
to God in Science and heathen religion.
And Mary said yes to imagine
herself Mother of God and to the loss of her reputation.

The Wise Men still had to travel
through desert and discomfort
after the excitement of the start
and after their homes they departed.

Following yonder star
From afar. I am far
Far away from where I long to be.
Where is the star that will lead me?

Will I be willing? Willing to study
Hard and long?
Willing to travel far and wide?
Willing to put my reputation aside?

Am I willing to knock over sacred cows?
Put preconceived ideas away?
To find Who He really is,
And not Who I make Him to be?

Lord, give me the pure faith of Mary,
The simple trust of Shepherds,
The tenacity of Wise Men
Following Yonder star.

Please vote on your favorite ornament picture.

A little about the contributors.
1. Reflection is found at my friend Shanda’s place: A Pause On The Path

2. Frosted Church is found at Emilie’s place: Capturing This Lifesong

3. Homemade Ornaments is found at Elizabeth’s place: Just Following Jesus

4. Peace Pillow is found at Dolly’s place: Soul Stops

5. Nature’s Best is found at Kateri’s place: Dandelion Haven

6. Hello Kitty Ornament is found at Melanie Joy’s place: Our Journey Home

Link up your post with a picture of a star! Include my blog button, and visit other “star” blogs. Stop by tomorrow to vote for your favorite “star” picture, and find out what tomorrow’s photo hunt will be! Have fun! (Blog links must be provided before 7:00 AM CST, in order to be voted on 🙂 ) I have no idea why the number of links doesn’t update…There are participants!

Inclusive Exclusivity, An Epiphany

God uses the stutterer who stammers a resignation,

He speaks through youth who quake in their shoes.

He shares secrets with prostitutes, moon seekers and stargazers,

Visits with strangers of small stature in trees.

He employs sarcastic donkeys and keeps sparrows secure.

Exalts smelly fishermen to positions of honor.

His deep knowledge is grasped by children

And his simple message is scoffed at by sages.

He spits on blind eyes, chases hypocrites OUT of church,

Offends prideful offenders, defends the humble defenseless;

Inclusively exclusive, He is the ultimate paradox,

An Epiphany Beyond Time

 

Photo by my dear friend from Creations and Inspirations.

Linking with sweet Jen at Soli Deo Gloria

 

An Acronym for Easter

E   xPecTant

A  NtiCiPatIon

S  uRroUnDs

T eRriFic

E piPhaNy  –

RESURRECTION

A Day Without Shoes???

Today, I’m taking a break from my usual serious note.  Yet, the reason I do this is quite serious indeed.

TOMS Shoes is a wonderful newer shoe company offering really cool looking shoes.  In addition to this, for every pair of shoes you purchase they donate a pair of shoes to a third world country.  TOMS Shoes is just one of the many companies owned by young people trying to make a difference in the world.

Each year they host an event where for an entire day they ask you to fast wearing your shoes in order to see how much of the rest of the world lives.   TODAY IS THAT DAY!   You can find out more about this event by clinking on here.

You are about to have an epiphany.  An epiphany of empathy.

All Seasons Have Their Glory (via To tell you the truth)

As some of you may be experiencing the winter of lent, the distance of the desert and the wandering of the wilderness, meditate on the end of the matter. Just as the snowdrops and crocus peek their heads out of hard cold soil, our spirits begin to emerge from the lenten season, fresh and new with resurrection life. A new epiphany of Who He is and Whose you are.
This post is from the blog of a dear friend of mine. Enjoy her lovely words as well as her lovely pictures. By the way, I’m the snow angel….;)

I am late… to give homage to the passing of Winter 2011.  It’s okay.  I was in denial in December that it was actually Winter.  I call it my “Delusional December”.   But these images are no illusion or delusion.  They are moments of glory during this latest season of dormancy.  Some moments of the glorious you can actually capture…   Most, you must accept by faith that they actually occurred, as there is no proof except the mark left on your … Read More

via To tell you the truth