Archives for March 2016

I Can’t Stop Remembering The Cross!

March 25, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh

mental and spiritual attitude]. ~Ephesians 4:23 AMP

“I can’t stop remembering the cross!” Words uttered by my four-year-old after participating in a Good Friday observance. As worship music played in the park, I walked Sammy over to look at large wooden crosses displayed on the ground. These crosses replicated the historical death-crosses of Jesus’ time. After running our fingers over the rough wood of one, my little boy attempted to lift it. Impossible. Next, came a litany of questions after plopping himself on my lap. Each question I attempted to answer brought on five more questions. His inquiring mind wasn’t satisfied and ready to move on to the playground. As he took in the scene, I felt his nervousness as he settled and unsettled on my legs. Revelation blossoming in his little soul.

In the weeks following our time in the park, Sammy peppered me with questions as he continued to analyze and processes this story- this Jesus dying on the cross story. We read from the Bible and from picture books on the subject. We prayed. Running through the house, he’d stop and say “I can’t stop remembering the cross!”

Seventeen years later, I hear his sweet, passionate four-year-old voice in my head.

This experience moved Sammy (and his mommy too). He was renewed in the spirit of his mind by seeing and touching the cross. Ephesians 4:23 tells us in the Amplified, that we may have a fresh mental and spiritual attitude by being renewed constantly, continually, perseveringly.

Our renewal comes through remembering: the cross, the nails, the hands, the feet, the grace, the promise of eternity. Remembering: the love, the pierced side, sin erased, the curtain torn, the resurrection. Rebirth. Renewal. Jesus.

Experiencing Christ, this is renewal! Trying to lift a heavy cross and running our hands over splintered wood. Reading the stories in His book. THIS is renewal (constant, continual), born anew again and again. Revelation blossoming in our souls.

And like my little boy once did, we say, “I can’t stop remembering the cross!”

At the cross at the cross, I surrender my life

I’m in awe of You, I’m in awe of You

Where Your love ran red and my sin washed white

I owe all to You, I owe all to You Jesus

~Chris Tomlin

God, Renew My Strength.

March 20, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

Psalm 23:3 NLT

What comes to mind when you hear the word renew?

I think of a sunny morning, the day after a rain storm. My neighborhood is sparkly, green and fresh. The same old street, given a jolt of life. Renewed.

Webster’s defines it this way: Renew- to make something new, fresh or strong again, regenerate

Spring! The ideal time to contemplate renewal as we watch the earth regenerate with color-popping beauty, and as we mark the dramatic death and regeneration of our savior.

Are you in need of renewal? To be made new, fresh or strong again?

Even the strongest get weak don’t they? As spiritual beings, we need restoration in every area: physically, emotionally, spiritually and beyond. Continue Reading

Baby Steps Part Three

March 3, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ” ~Philippians 1:6 NIV

Thanks for joining me again for Baby Steps Part Three. Who knew a funny movie could inspire so!*

Please refer to my last two posts for reference: http://wp.me/p4RztF-v3 and http://wp.me/p4RztF-vY

So, did you do your homework? Did you list your SMART goals and hindrances?

How was your time of prayer? In what ways did the Lord speak to you?

Let’s wrap up with steps 4 and 5.

Baby Step Number 4: Enlist a Friend (s)

“Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD is witness between you and me…’ “ 1 Samuel 20:42 NIV

Share your ONE thing with your buddy. Brainstorm together. Plan times of accountability. Choose a friend (or friends) that will truly hold you up and ask the hard questions, no wimps allowed. Perhaps your friend has a similar goal or struggle and you can hold one another up?

How about joining an online support group? Or make your goal public by posting it on social media and ask for accountability (gutsy, I know). Perhaps you send a group email asking for prayer.

All of the above?

When I began working towards my goal, my husband and I buddied-up and did a sugar fast. I also joined an online support group. When I’m well, I go to a weekly workout called Revolution Fitness. It is faith-based and encourages me as I continue in my health journey.

Victory is found in community.

Baby Step Number 5: BEGIN!

“The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds us irrevocably in thought and act.”

~Orison Swett Marden

JUST DO IT! Start. Execution is everything. Commit your goals to the Lord and take off.

Baby steps enable us to gain success. I have implemented one thing at a time in my healthy eating journey. I began with a sugar fast, then I started examining my foods and recording what I was eating. Small, do-able steps toward success.

My friend, I’m praying for you as you commit your ONE thing to the Lord. May you experience success as you take baby steps. When you stumble and experience temporary failure (as I already have), give yourself grace as God does and begin again. HE who began a work in you will carry it to completion, one baby step at a time.

Your ONE thing is waiting…

On your mark, get set- GO!