Archives for January 2017

What To Do In The Wait?

January 31, 2017 By Kristin Saatzer 7 Comments

Unwell. Unengaged. Uninterested.

It was as if I stood in a hallway before an unopened door, knowing health and healing lay on the other side.

Ten years ago, I pleaded with God to heal my malaise. I desperately needed and wanted Him to open the door and allow me to step out of the gloomy hallway. Yet there were blessings in that place. Time passed and eventually, God drew me out of the hall, through the doorway and into His healing light.

These days, I find myself in yet another hallway, praying for another door to open. Only this time it involves two family members struggling through deep waters of pain.

How about you?

Do you stand before a door today, waiting for God to answer? To heal? To provide? Do you need Him to show you the way you should go? Is there a difficult decision before you keeping you awake at night?

And the door seems bolted shut.

What Do I Want God To Do For Me In The New Year?

January 18, 2017 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

What do I want from God in the New Year?

Wait a second! Shouldn’t I be asking God what I can do for Him in the New Year? Shouldn’t I take an unselfish approach to 2017?

AND He’s not a genie or Santa. We can’t just present a list before Him and ask Him for stuff.

Or can we?

I found 67 “asking” verses in the Bible. Even Jesus begged God to do something for Him (see Matthew 26:39).

He asks us to ask.

This idea hit home months ago during a severe trial. I prayed for everyone else involved in the heartache, even those barely affected. A lot. Yet, I was not praying much for myself. I knew others were lifting up my situation and took deep comfort there. However, I was the one intimately acquainted with my legion of needs. So, why didn’t I pray for myself?

In taking an honest look, I saw fear and guilt. A fear God may not answer my prayers in the way I wanted Him to and a prick of guilt in focusing too much on myself when millions of others suffer with much worse.

However, God’s word (67 verses) says it is ok and more so- welcomed. He asks us to ask. Again and again.Continue Reading

My Best-Loved Books of 2016

January 5, 2017 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

Can we talk about books?

I enjoyed this last year (see: http://wp.me/p4RztF-ve).

Let’s do it again!

Most of the following books did not come out in 2016 and there is no particular order of favorites. I use the Goodreads app. On the app, is a list of books I’d like to read. I usually check books out at the library or borrow them on my Kindle. Sometimes I’ll splurge and buy a book if it is one I know I’ll want to highlight and return to again and again. Amazon offers used books and free shipping oftentimes for Prime members. I also like http://www.half.com As a bookaholic, I must keep my book budget down to keep the children fed.