Kristin Saatzer

Purposeful Encouragement

  • Home
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Books I Love
  • Savor the Savior Book
  • Hear The Savior Book
You are here: Home / Archives for Hope

How’s Your Bounce?

December 30, 2019 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

The end of the month.
The end of the year.
The end of the decade.

As I glance back and think about the three “ends”, I find a running refrain in the story of my life – resiliency. I bounce back. I rebound. I get up again. And again. And again… I share not to brag but with awe because this is not who I think I am- the one who bounces back.

Adulting looked glitzy from the stands. Oh, the independence and fun that awaited. But once I took the field, the curveballs came – relationship rejection, job and college struggles, depression, intense physical pain and health trials, and the divorce of my parents. Although my twenties held so much joy (wedding and baby at the top of the list!) the curve balls bruised and sometimes derailed me.

Those years are distant in my rearview mirror. However, each year, each decade, threw in its own array of curveballs to gaze back upon.

“I get knocked down and I get up again…”

You too, huh?

They tried to bury us but they didn’t know we were seeds
~Mexican Proverb

Continue Reading

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Thank You, Zeke

October 29, 2018 By Kristin Saatzer Leave a Comment

Photo by Peter Hershey on Unsplash

IF I was to have another baby boy, I would name him Ezekiel (meaning “God strengthens”). I adore this name and especially the nickname, Zeke. This moniker fits with the rest of the names of my sons. They are Samuel, Noah, Josiah, and Micah. My husband is Daniel. We took the Jewish name route. However, the birthing ship sailed from our harbor 14 years ago, so no baby Ezekiel for this fam. By the way, if that birthing ship sailed  back in (after being released from intensive shock therapy), I might win an “Oldish-Lady Birthing Record” for my region. I did hear that Janet Jackson had a baby at age 50.

Lord bless her.

Anyway, back to Ezekiel. Zeke was a major prophet in the Old Testament. This guy preached to the Israelites  held captive in Babylon; sort of a street corner preacher with a dramatic flair. He announced God’s plans for the fall of Jerusalem, and he admonished the people for their attachment  to foreign nations and wicked ways. In the hopeful end of the book of Ezekiel, He foretold of future salvation for the children of God.

Today I want to hone in on some of Ezekiel 34. This passage of promise reinvigorated me as I read it recently. I encourage you to read chapter 34, you will find rich messianic metaphors of God as our Shepherd. Beautiful and woeful stuff.

Moved as I read, when by verse 16, tears dripped on my Bible as hope welled in my soul.

I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick… (Ezekiel 34:16a, NKJV)

In my journal, I script prayers for dear ones with seemingly impossible situations. I pray each day for two troubled young people. Sometimes their conditions seem beyond hope. Their depression and lostness beyond  help. This Ezekiel passage freshly reminds me of God’s relentless love as the words jump from the page and hug me.

Also found on the pages of my journal are stories and remembrances of answered prayers and God’s faithfulness. Chronicles of healed souls, healed families and healed bodies. Myself included. These personal accounts and the words of Ezekiel increase my courage and remind me to pray big prayers, to claim the lost and the broken for Christ. I am grateful to Ezekiel for painting a picture of our Good Shepherd who has marked His sheep with His stripes of love.

Our Shepherd:

  • Seeks and Searches for the lost (verse 11) 
  • Delivers his sheep from their scattered places ( verse 12)
  • Brings them to their own land (verse 13)
  • Feeds them in good pastures (verse 14)
  • Restores the lost (verse 16)
  • Brings back what was driven away (verse 16)
  • Binds up the broken (verse 16)
  • Strengthens what was sick (verse 16)

“Christ chooses us, buys us, calls us by name,

makes us His own,

and delights in

caring for us.” 

W. Phillip Keller

My friend, can you proudly say, “The Lord is my shepherd”?

Are you under His charge?

Do you trust God’s words from Ezekiel as you pray for your scattered, broken or sick loved ones?

Are you comforted in the knowledge that your Shepherd seeks out the lost? 

Renew yourself in God’s word, enliven your prayers with expectation! I urge you to spend time in reflection, thanks, and petition today as you ponder the questions above and read the words of our hope-dispensing prophet Zeke.

Gosh, I love this name. Maybe my next dog?

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

I’m In, How About You?

October 13, 2017 By Kristin Saatzer 5 Comments

If we’ve ever needed You, Lord, it’s now, Lord, it’s now,
We are desperate for Your hand, we’re reachin’ out, we’re reachin’ out,
If we’ve ever needed You, Lord, it’s now, Lord, it’s now,
We are desperate for Your hand, we’re reachin’ out, we’re reachin’ out

Let Your Church arise, let Your Church arise!            Casting Crowns 

 The happy crowd at the Route 91 Harvest Festival sang “God Bless America”, honoring their country and the veterans present on the stage. Just moments later, evil struck, bringing devastation and death; life will never be the same.

Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.                    Psalm 31:9 NIV

I know many who attended this concert. None dead or maimed physically. Yet, emotionally maimed and changed forever.

How do we wrap our brains around the devastating events of this fall? Here in the USA and abroad: earthquakes, storms, fires, death, and darkness.  I am leery of switching on my radio, checking the news, scrolling through Facebook or even checking my texts. It seems each day brings heart-wrenching news from the world at large or from people I know experiencing sorrow or crisis. There is no making sense of it. Continue Reading

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

What To Do In The Wait?

January 31, 2017 By Kristin Saatzer 7 Comments

Unwell. Unengaged. Uninterested.   aisle-690298_640

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. 

Continue Reading

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Next Page »

About Me

My prayer is that this place and the words written here will bring you a measure of encouragement, friendship and desire to live out your life with PURPOSE. more about me

Subscribe to Blog and Updates

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Instagram

🙌🏼
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
🙌🏼
4 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/16
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/16
Saatzfam7 celebrating the launch of #hearthesavior!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Saatzfam7 celebrating the launch of #hearthesavior!
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/16
What do you want for your birthday? This. This is what I want. 💚
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
What do you want for your birthday? This. This is what I want. 💚
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/16
This morning in Temec. Shot taken by Scott Padget. #timestoodstillphotography No filter!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
This morning in Temec. Shot taken by Scott Padget. #timestoodstillphotography No filter!
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/16
A sweet reunion after far too long! We never dreamed we’d both be authors some day. #hearthesavior #ALTAR’d
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
A sweet reunion after far too long! We never dreamed we’d both be authors some day. #hearthesavior #ALTAR’d
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/16
No C&K visit is complete without #grease.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
No C&K visit is complete without #grease.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
7/16
Lovely day in a darling town with the bestest friend.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Lovely day in a darling town with the bestest friend.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
8/16
SAY WHAT???
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
SAY WHAT???
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
9/16
Happy February! 💜
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Happy February! 💜
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/16
“A sister is worth a thousand friends.”
~Unknown
Happiest birthday to a sister worth TEN thousand friends. I love you. 💚
“A sister is worth a thousand friends.”
~Unknown
Happiest birthday to a sister worth TEN thousand friends. I love you. 💚
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
“A sister is worth a thousand friends.” ~Unknown Happiest birthday to a sister worth TEN thousand friends. I love you. 💚
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
11/16
Spectacular Sunday in SoCal.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Spectacular Sunday in SoCal.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
12/16
SD has my 💙#americasfinestcity
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
SD has my 💙#americasfinestcity
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
13/16
Happy 2023! May the Lord bless and keep you this year. 💙
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Happy 2023! May the Lord bless and keep you this year. 💙
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
14/16
Merry Christmas!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Merry Christmas!
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
15/16
Phil Amazing Wickham! What a night. 🙌🏼 LOVED Ann Wilson and Brandon Lake. 🎶🎄#comeletusadorehim
Phil Amazing Wickham! What a night. 🙌🏼 LOVED Ann Wilson and Brandon Lake. 🎶🎄#comeletusadorehim
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Phil Amazing Wickham! What a night. 🙌🏼 LOVED Ann Wilson and Brandon Lake. 🎶🎄#comeletusadorehim
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
16/16
View on Instagram

Categories

  • 4 For You
  • Advent
  • Blog Series
  • Books
  • Can We Talk About?
  • Christmas
  • Devotionals
  • Easter
  • FIGHT!
  • Friendship
  • Goals
  • Health
  • Lent
  • Light
  • More of God
  • Mother's Day
  • New Year
  • Parenting
  • Planning
  • Prayer
  • Repost
  • Scripture
  • Seasons
  • Summer
  • Surrender
  • Thanksgiving
  • The Practice of Gratitiude
  • Uncategorized
  • Wisdom

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014

From the Blog

  • A Time to Rest and Refuel
  • A Time to Reset and Refocus
  • Four for March!
  • The Gift of Lent
  • Hear the Savior!

Popular Tags

#annualbooksblog Advent Books Christmas Christmas Season Comfort Courage Darkness discouragement Easter Faith FIGHT Four for You Friendship Giving Grace grateful Gratefulness gratitude Headlines Holy Spirit Hope Hope series Intentionality Jesus Journaling Lent Light Lingering New Year Parenting Praise Prayer Pslamist Pslams Purpose Reading Surrender thankful Thanksgiving The Cross The Practice of Gratitude to-do's trials wisdom

Find it Here

Copyright © 2023 Kristin Saatzer