God’s Goodness, Not Mine

God did not choose Israel because they were mighty and God does not choose me because I am good and talented. I believe God makes his choices about who will be His long before we have done anything good or bad, big or small, right or wrong, He made his choices before he made the …

Some things you might not know about me

Kim Blenkhorn I was an odd child, even as an adult I’m a little peculiar, but the good news is I’m aware of it. I’m not sure why that’s good news, but it seems the optimistic thing to say. From the moment I was born; I was odd. The cord was wrapped, not once but …

Living Stone

1 Peter 2:1-8 2 So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation; 3 for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.4 Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but …

Sincere Love

I peter 1:18-25 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest …

Hope Fully

1 Peter 9-17 9 As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls. 10 The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation; 11 they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ …

Chosen

1 Peter 1:1-8 God has been teaching me that I did nothing to earn a place in his kingdom. I can fully rest knowing he has chosen me. It is not my work, job, responsibility or obligation to maintain or gather his love and favor. I can rest. You can rest. In Christ there is …

Passover

In 21 days Passover is celebrated by thousands of Christians and Jews all over the world. Those who celebrate have about 20 days to 'prepare' themselves. But what does that mean exactly, ,how does one "prepare" themselves and this question i pose to Christians who observe Passover. We may have an inkling as to how …

Exodus 39

Commentary The tabernacle is constructed in the exact order as God instructed Moses. The very last task to be completed is making the garments the priests must wear to minister to God in the Holy Place. They are not to appear before either in filthy garments or naked. As in the garden God clothed Adam …

God’s Design

Exodus 36:1-38 The Construction of the Tabernacle The people sinned with the golden calf, Moses intercedes God seems to pardon the people and renew the covenant by rewriting the commandments on new tablets that Moses cut for himself. Almost immediately the construction seems to begin on the tabernacle. It makes one wonder if God in …

Exodus 32

The Golden Calf Commentary 32:1 “when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain…” The people of Israel are impatient. They have not learned from their forefather Abraham the lesson of waiting upon the Lord. They are inclined towards impatience. Perhaps three months in the wilderness has worn their tolerance thin …

Exodus 16

Manna and Jesus Jesus said, "whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never thirst." John 6"33 I believe Jesus but I still need supper. Jesus is not talking of actual food, but is using food and water as a metaphor, in this passage. What spurred Jesus to say …

Freedom

What prepares us to look upon the cross of Christ and repent? The harsh realities of sin What must happen before we are ready to throw up our hands and hearts in total surrender, perhaps total captivity What makes us run towards life, like being faced with death There is nothing particularly appealing about light …

Exodus 11

The final plague was actually the first to be foretold to Moses as a result of Pharaoh killing Hebrews babies. In one Jewish Commentary it is said that God only intended this one plague and that it was the only one needed for Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go, however because of Pharaoh’s obstinacy more …

Exodus 9

Only in the Land of Goshen Israel was protected by God’s hand of mercy, even as Egypt was afflicted by it. The only “claim” they had to God’s allegiance was being the seed of Jacob, who was the seed of Isaac, who was the seed of Abraham, whom God made a promise. God covenanted with …

Exodus 8

Egypt is known to have had upwards of 1500 different gods. Many of these were creatures; such as goats, cows, serpents, falcons, crocodiles and frogs, to name a few. It was common for humans to worship many gods, most nations were polytheistic. Israel was unique in their call by God to monotheism. Abraham was called …

Exodus 7

God sometimes hardens hearts for his greater purposes. In Romans 11, Paul writes that a partial hardening has come upon the hearts of Israel in order for the fullness of the gentiles to come to Christ. Here in Exodus 7 we see God hardening Pharaoh’s heart so that God may multiply His wonders. Do you …

Exodus 5

In Ancient Egypt the children of Israel made mud bricks to build cities for Pharaoh. According to archeological sources, mud-bricks are made with organic material such as silt, sand, top soil and wheat chaff. The straw is what made the wheat chaff. It would be left in fields after the wheat was collected during harvest …

Exodus 4

In following the traditional Lectio Divina steps here is what God impressed on my heart today as I read through the chapter. Literal Reading: What does the author want us to know? What is happening in the scene? What is the context reveal to us? God equips Moses for the task of going to the …

Exodus 3

At Mount Horeb, we don’t see Jesus on a cross, though Moses does encounter the angel of the Lord and God does say he will stretch out his hand. We don’t see Jesus healing people although God does promise deliverance through miracles. We don’t hear Jesus’ preaching repentance, but God reveals himself to Moses and …

Exodus 2

Moses was a man without a land. He was homeless, but not godless. He was a man without a country, but not without a king.  Although Moses didn’t choose his life of wandering, God used it to reveal Moses’ faithfulness to follow God.  God’s goal for us has little to do with where we are …

Exodus 1

Literal Reading -What is happening in the opening scene of Exodus? We are introduced to one overarching, painful reality. The descendants of Joseph are being afflicted. Israel has become a major threat to the new Pharaoh who had no connections to Joseph or Jacob, and he had no appreciation for what Joseph did for Egypt …

Foreknown

This is how God is speaking to me today: 1 peter 1:20 “For he was foreknown before the foundation of the world but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.” Jesus Christ, the perfect spotless lamb of God, the salvation and Love of God was foreknown. Jesus, Yeshua, his Name means …

Unknown Sands

A descriptive writing piece about Bermuda Kim Diesso – 1999 Revised Kim Blenkhorn -2023 The tiny islands of Bermuda are actually made up of more than 100 islands, formed by extensive volcanic activity. The island is known and loved for its white sand, pink beaches and turquoise waters. I find it interesting that something as …

Re-Written

Going through boxes in the basement that have been there for twenty years untouched, unremembered and sorely neglected is no small task, but it must be done. The things of the past must be sorted. In the sorting we find ourselves again. We uncover parts of ourselves that have been lost, delayed, and sorely in …

Broken Things

As Children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend, I brought my broken dreams to God, because he was my friend Surely, he would see the need, And go to work at once, Prioritizing all my things, And meeting all my wants, I waited for what seemed some time For him to …

Out of the Ground

Genesis 2 December 15, 2022 In the second chapter of Genesis, I notice a repetition: God brought out from the ground; out of the ground God formed man, out of the ground God caused to grow every tree good for food, the tree of life, out of the ground a mist rose from the ground, …

the weapons of war

For the Christian person, the bible says, the weapons of warfare are not carnal, they are not physical. The weapons of the Christian are not swords, guns, clubs, bombs, rocks and not made of metal. If we belong to Christ in some ways, we are called to be David in battle, throwing off the chain …

enter grace

Photo by Anna Shevchuk on Pexels.com I find grace an overused word in Christian circles and american churches. Not that grace itself could ever be overused or run out. What I mean is that the word is used so frequently to describe so many things its true meaning has almost been lost at least to …

Hedges and Thorns

Photo by Hunter Harmon on Pexels.com The things of this world are foolishness to the Creator of this world, but to mankind the things of this world are good, pleasant and desirable. Success, beauty wealth how could we not call those things good? And herein lies the confusion since the beginning of time, between what …

The Virgin Birth

do you believe it's possible? The virgin birth is hard to swallow. For some people it's easier to file this 'Christmas miracle' with the Marvel movies. It's simply hard to grasp that God and man could collide in one form. But then again there have always been throughout history hard to believe facts and figures. …

Reflecting Christ

Luke 23:44 I cannot understand the full scope of God crucified by men and yet simultaneously with men. I cannot understand why in his final hour the Lord was consoled not by the perfect righteousness of God above him, but by the fallen sinner beside him. I cannot grasp how or why we as men …

The Eyes of the Lord

God reminded me this week that He is watching My daughter is 16. She is on the varsity volleyball team at the local High School. Her number is 2. She is a starter as a Junior and I'm extremely proud of her. Since middle school she has loved the game of Volleyball. she is highly …

What is my Goal?

Here’s something I learned this morning about Goals and decisions.   Its not uncommon to get stuck when faced with a difficult decision in life. I get stuck all the time, paralyzed with indecision; I’ll never forget the grueling task of trying to decide between two different yet equally wonderful pre-schools to work for one …

God’s Everlasting Love

Photo by Hernan Pauccara on Pexels.com Listen close, lean in. I want you to understand something; I want you to get a glimpse of God’s unrelenting love even in the midst of trials, as I too want to understand it, own it, live it, breathe it in and exhale with the most blessed assurance that …

Refiner’s Fire

Photo by Skylar Kang on Pexels.com “Then one of the seraphim having a live coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar and he touched my mouth with it. Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away and your sin purged.”- Isaiah 6:6-7 The removal of sin is painful. from …

I am that Bird

It was a slight commotion that caused me to turn my head. A small bird had flown down the chimney and into my kitchen. It fluttered desperately against a large picture window; its wings beating relentlessly and no doubt close to breaking its neck from trying to free itself. How useful in that moment would …

Moment of Trial

Why is Free Speech relevant today? If citizens of this great country continue to value a free society then they will continue to uphold the tenants of free speech and defend our rights for it. In our exercise of Free speech, we prove the distinction nature of humanity, inspire education, test administrative power and aid …

The Size of Humility

an excerpt from my memoir, The Art of Midlife Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava on Pexels.com I never thought my breasts would grow to the size of nana’s. I can see that now, as I prepare for the shower, they certainly are getting there. I’m a writer, so most of my day is spent in pajamas …

Bird Watching and God

A short article on the splendor of diversity Photo by Tina Nord on Pexels.com I enjoy watching birds, as many people do, they are splendid creatures deserving of our attention, not even Jesus left them out, reminding us that not one of these tiny frail creatures falls to the ground without the father’s knowledge. I …

The ache of lonely

Luke 10:38-42 It was Martha who welcomed Jesus into her home. ‘Lord do you not care …my sister has left me to serve alone…’ I hear loneliness in Martha’s plea to the Lord. Typically, this verse is interpreted to juxtapose busy preparations with quiet learning to teach a lesson about work with faith. however, when …

Made Alive

I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning and turned to Ephesians 2. "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the [a]course of this world." It's a truth I need to hear.  10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that …

Face to Face

There's a story in the bible about Jacob wrestling with God. Jacob was fleeing his father n law's deception and preparing to meet his brother, Esau, whose murderous vengence he fled as well. Jacob was alone and he was afraid. Esau was approaching with 400 men of war.  It got darck and silent. In the darkness, …

even if I fail at parenting

This poem is for any parent who ever felt their work was not good enough.

Its OK to be Different

Its OK to be different, and in fact it's necessary. Albert Einstein was smart but it was his different-ness  that catches my attention.  His intelligence isn't what impresses me,  but his quirkiness totally does, His unusual and uncommon ways of being and doing that gave him an advantage, His ability to hyper focus on things …

A Thousand Roads

Has Thou deceived my heart That I may know Thy grace; Torn me apart To fill me with untainted praise Led me through the driest land Let me hunger deeply Haunted me with tender hands Which others felt so sweetly Has Thou deceived my trusting heart With truth i cannot conquer and years have gathered …

Just a little bit longer

I waited month after month to see that little pink line show up in the small plastic window. I stored soft blue booties in my top drawer to remind me to have faith. I begged God to give me a child, And he said, “Just a little bit longer” After my second child was born, …

That we might live

Lord sustain us by and by save and sow each tear we cry hold out your hand with crumbs of faith to feed our souls with saving grace carry us when our feet would fail and the path we walk is trimmed with nails hold us up when at once we fade when shame becomes …

Morning Prayer

A Morning Prayer Dear Lord God, Help me today, do Help me succeed, at the work I’m called to Put my hand to the plow, and my foot to the path May you cause me to obey, all that you ask May the fruit of my labors abound and increase and the past I can’t …