What is your Mountain?

February 17, 2019 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

What is your Mountain?

“…For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Jesus speaking in Matthew 17:20 BSB

FIGHT.

I am not a fighter. I am a peacemaker. I want the people I love to live in peace with the people they love. I was born this way to a certain extent, but buried motives lurk behind my craving for harmony. Life has scratched me up and along the way, I became a girl who works laboriously to keep her environment calm and non-combative. And as the mother of four rowdy, competitive boys, it is a never-ending battle and an impossible endeavor.

So, it might seem odd that my word for 2019 is FIGHT. Yet at the end of last year, I knew this word was my word, my need, and my purpose for the New Year. And when January 1 came to call, my fight began in a bigger way than I could have conceived. On that first night of the year, as terror sought to destroy me, I pulled my word out by the power of God Almighty – and the battle began.

FEAR.

As life moved forward, tearing at me and hitting me strong, fear took root and spread its ugly tentacles and became something I could keep covered if I dialed down the loud. The hard. The fight. I developed a craving to control, to keep the fear from controlling me. Yet this tightrope of juggling fear and control made me oh so tired. You might know something about this weary walk yourself.
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If, Then and Colossians 2:7

May 11, 2017 By Kristin Saatzer 7 Comments

The Practice of Gratitude Part 5

Last week, after a dire diagnosis, my dad underwent Open Heart Surgery. And each day brings a teeter-totter of challenges and emotions. Yet, the Lord’s comforting hand holds my sister Jeni and me. We feel the prayers as hundreds lift up our dad. We see God’s perfect, sweet timing as events unfold. We watch extraordinary nurses and doctors care for our father. We are grateful. Grateful our dad is still living and grateful for God’s presence in each step.

Jeni and I grieve as tears spill. We clench our hands in anxiety and hold on to one another in support. Still, I discovered something about we two: we have deep roots. We sisters practice thankfulness in a time of heartbreak because we are rooted in our faith. Rooted in God’s word. Rooted in Jesus.

Colossians 2:7 NLT says:

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

The classic “If, Then” principle is Colossians 2:7.

IF our roots have grown down into God and we build our lives on Him

THEN our faith will grow strong and we will overflow with thankfulness.

Even when death is knocking at the door of someone we love. Even when we face depression or health failure. Even when we are running out of money. Even when…. you fill in yours. Even then, we can be grateful.

Why?

Because we are rooted in the truth of God’s word

We spend time in His presence in prayer

We hang out with supportive friends who love God

We fill up our tanks most weeks at church learning truth

We water our roots and they grow deeper and deeper into Him.

I do not know how my dad’s story will play out. Or mine. I do know that life knocks us down. The bible promises this in John 16:33 (https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.16.33.NIV). Some years it seems as if each time we get up, we are knocked down again and again. Here is where our practice of gratitude finds its mettle.

So, my friend, IF we are rooted deeply with Jesus, THEN we know we will grow strong and because of this, we can be thankful in anything life throws at us.

A Christmas Cleanse

December 31, 2014 By Kristin Saatzer Leave a Comment

Do you need a Christmas Cleanse?

During the sometimes wonderful, sometimes crazy holiday season my level-headed plans, usually nice personality, and prudent budgets get challenged. Oftentimes, I lose them altogether (like when I lost it with my husband over candles on Christmas day. Nice wife.).

I picture myself in a boxing ring facing opponents named: Mr. Materialism, Ms. Food Binge and Mrs. Busyness (yes Miss Moody is there too). After an attempted knockout by these formidable foes, I lay flattened on the mat, waiting for an unseen hand to lift me.

And there YOU are lying next to me, suffering from your own version of an attempted knock-out by your own version of formidable foes (in-laws perhaps?). Together we breath deeply and expectantly, knowing the owner of the unseen hand is near. He desires to lift us and clean us up after our fight.

As we raise our hands towards His, we experience hope, strength, joy, and relief. He removes us from the fray, then we crawl on His lap. We give Him our tired and discouraged selves knowing that He seeks to wash us, to make us new, yet again.

His grace is inexplicable and always available. It boggles the mind. He is our hope and in Him our strength, focus and another beginning.

On the horizon is an unopened new year. A simple Christmas Cleanse (and maybe some apologies) are just what our hearts and lives need. Come on, let’s get off the dirty mat and bathe ourselves in God’s word and spotless grace.

“Sprinkle me with water and I will be pure; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 55:17 NET

“From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” John 1:16 ESV

“…I keep this one thing in mind: the LORD’S mercy. We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited.” Lam. 3:21 & 22 GWT

PC: Google Images

Lingering in the Season Part 5

December 24, 2014 By Kristin Saatzer 1 Comment

nativity reflection

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring Him a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him,

Give Him my heart.

Christina Rossetti

Savor the Saviour

“I thank God for His gift that words cannot describe.” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Dear Lord,

Thank you for Jesus, the gift that words cannot describe. In response, please accept the offering of our hearts. Lord, touch the spaces rooted within us that need healing. Have your way in us this Christmas God. “…Yet what can I give Him. Give Him my heart.”

Happy Birthday Jesus.

“…FLING WIDE THE PORTALS OF YOUR HEART; MAKE IT A TEMPLE SET APART…” George Weissel

only love background and manger