Posts by karlahagan
“A Torn Up Bible!” (study)
a note from my journal. . . Carson was in the living room swiffering in order to get his Dove chocolate. That was the deal he made with Ron. So, anyways, we were still at the kitchen table from dinner, and Carson is talking to us from the living room. All kinds of words – then he says – “hey, Mom, I talked about you on Sunday. My teacher in class was talking about her Bible being torn up and stuff. So, I raised my hand and told her that my mom says a messed up Bible is good. That means you are using it.” What a gift! I just love it. A great story of Carson catching the story and then sharing it. Thanks, Father, for that gift tonight.
Read MoreSay Yes – part 5 – “Stories from the Toolbox” (study and breathe)
“The classical Disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. . . . The purpose of the Disciplines is liberation from the stifling slavery. . . . The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us. . . . They are meant to bring the abundance of God into our lives.” Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline I wanted to share with you some Spiritual Discipline stories from my journey thus far, a few quick stories about Bible Study, Fasting and Journaling. Engaging in these activities is another great way to respond to Father God’s love. There are many more disciplines than I will discuss...
Read MoreSay Yes – part 4 – “The Right Accessories for the Walking”
So, you might be done with this metaphor of mine, but I hope you will give me one more moment to talk about – “Walking in the Yes!” Again, the “Yes” that I am referring to is your response to Father God’s story – his pursuit of your heart, his gift of life, and his constant desire for a conversation. Have you “opened your door to him” (Romans 8)? If so, then I hope that you are “weaving and reaching” – weaving him in to your day to day by reaching out for him in prayer and conversation amidst the details of your day. And lest I ever let you forget – He has already said yes to you, and he endlessly reaches for you with his love. “I have...
Read MoreSay Yes – part 3 – “Dishes and Diapers But Still Walking!”
I have already shared with you in previous posts my thoughts about “Walking in the Yes!” Again, the “Yes” that I am referring to is your response to Father God’s story – his pursuit of your heart, his gift of life, and his constant desire for a conversation with you. One of the first steps in this relationship is our focus and attention in the midst of our day to day. Through the words of Romans 8, Bebo Norman and Brother Lawrence, I encouraged you to “open your door to him, cry out and lift your eyes to him, and abandon yourself in his hands.” And then I reminded you that he is already there – loving you! So, this month, I wanted to take you a...
Read MoreSay Yes – part 2 – “Walk in the Yes!”
I am still thinking about a quote by Henri Nouwen in his book Road to Daybreak. I wanted to talk more about this idea of “saying Yes!” If you recall, Nouwen wrote that – “Christmas is saying ‘yes’ to a hope based on God’s initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel” (105). This hope has all to do with Jesus and what he did on our behalf. Jesus “entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all . . . . Absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8:1-3, 39 Many of you resonated with Nouwen’s words, Father...
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