All posts by Beverly Kimball

I have learned to enjoy the blogging process of putting lessons I am learning into print. I hope you can grow and learn with me on this journey to be all that God has called me to be.
Meditations

Forbearance – What does that word mean?

We deal with tough people and situations every day.  How do you handle it?  A word that came up in my bible study this week was FORBEARANCE.   According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, forbearance means “the quality of someone who is patient and able to deal with a difficult person or situation without becoming angry.”  As I read that definition a several  things stood out to me.
First, is that forbearance is a character quality.  It is not an action but a way of thinking that our actions follow.  If we have the quality of forbearance then the result is patience when dealing with difficult people or situations.  It is a quality I find myself needing quite often in my job as an Alternative Education teacher.  People and situations can become volatile and escalate quickly if I do not keep my head in the midst of a crisis.  I need to have the quality ahead of time and know how to control my emotions during the event.
Another word that is important to understand in this definition is the word DEAL.  We do have to deal with people and situations, not just withdraw from them.  God never called us to be withdrawn from the world but to come along side people and restore them to God.  We cannot just ignore a difficult person or situation but must decide which action is the right one.
Now is the one that people tend to focus on:  “without becoming angry.”  It is so easy for our emotions to get out of control in a difficult circumstance but forbearance calls us to do just that.  When talking to my bible study group about this issue, the first thing someone said was “Well, Jesus got angry at the temple.”  Yes, yes he did.  BUT that was one instance out of hundred’s more where he dealt with difficult people and situations without becoming angry.  We can’t point to that one time as an excuse for us to do it over and over again.  There is a time for righteous anger but in very few circumstances does God want us to act this way.
So, how do we do this?  Here are a few ideas:
  1. Be sure to take some time to calm down when you feel your anger rising.  If that requires counting to ten or taking a walk, or just talking to yourself, do it!
  2. If you know a person is going to be difficult before you even face them, have some scenarios in mind of how you can respond. Choose to be proactive.
  3. Consider what might be causing the difficult situation or person. There may be stresses in the person’s life you know nothing about and has nothing to do with you. Empathy can go a long way.
  4. Sometimes it is necessary to pick your battles. We are supposed to deal with what is before us but be prayerful and know what your part is in God’s plan.  Sometimes God has the perfect person in place to take the steps necessary and it may not be you.  Spend some time in prayer  (if the situation gives you time) and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
So, think of the quality of forbearance as you go through your week and let me know what you think of this little talked about word.
Life Happens

Genuine (Fair Week) – Rabbits can teach us a lesson

This week in Saginaw County, Michigan it is fair time!  I have enjoyed going to the fair since I was a little girl.  My dad always took us to the tractor pulls, horse pulls and of course, the rides.  I entered some crafts in the 4-H program as a child and my children did the same thing.  But with my kids, we had rabbits to show every year.  My husband and I became involved with the rabbit barn and have worked at it for several years.  My children are all done with the 4-H program and have moved on to college but we still work and enjoy the fair.

Today was the rabbit show and the word that came to mind for today was genuine.  One of the classes that was to be judged was the lionhead rabbits.  When the entries all came up, the judge asked me if he was supposed to judge them based on the standards?  I told him yes.  Well, all of them would have been disqualified.  None of them fit into the category of purebred lionhead.  They were not genuine.  We told the students that we would look at them but that the judging would not be based on the book standards.  More like a pet class.  Each entry learned why their rabbit did not fit into this category and what to look for next time.  The judge was great with the 4-Her’s and they had a great discussion.

That leads me to my life as a Christian.  If I am going to say that I fit into that category, as people look at me, do they see the standards that make me genuine.  I am not talking about the mistakes I may make but my heart attitude.  Am I truly portraying the heart and mind of Christ as I carry His name with me.

My prayer is that people see me as a genuine Christian that is getting closer to my Savior every day.  Am I learning, growing and sharing the love of Christ with those I come in contact with?  I want people to see me as someone who has a heart of compassion, gratitude, generosity and love.  I want to share the incredible love I know the Father has for me, to the world around me.  Are you living as a genuine Christian or just entering the category by name only?

 

Pastor's Wives

Purpose – What was God thinking?

In July 1992, I was nine months pregnant with our first son, my husband was graduating from college and we had our first call to a church.  My life was going just as expected.  Ever notice when you feel that way, God has a way of saying “I’m the one in charge, not you?”
Well, two weeks before our son was born and we were to move to our new church, we got a call “The church is closed.  You are still welcome to come and help in a restart but there is no longer a congregation here.”  WOW!  I was a wreck.  What was the purpose in all this? I am so glad God has given me a level-headed husband.  He prayed and said, “I know God called us there so this does not change our plan.”  Well, long story short, what we thought was going to be our first ministry as assistant pastor became a two year growing time for God to shape us into a couple dependent on Him alone and to teach us many lessons in contentment and prayer.
To this day I look at that time as the greatest spiritual growth and faith building experience of my life.
Is purpose any different than calling?  Absolutely!  God called us to a church that didn’t exist for a purpose totally different than what we were expecting.  We had to follow God’s calling and did not know His purpose until years later.
Acts 5: 38-39 says
“…if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men;
you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
God calls us to do certain things that seem to have no purpose, but by following God’s plan and striving to please him we’ll begin to see the purpose in our lives.We must live each day asking God to show us how to draw closer to Him TODAY.  Some days it may be keeping our mouths shut, another day may include speaking out against a wrong.  The only way we know what His purpose is in our lives is by being close enough to God to hear Him give us direction.
Life Happens

Fear – Is fear holding us back?

We all have a fear of something.  Whether that is spiders, mice, heights or the million other things we can be afraid of.  But what fear in our life is holding us back.  Are we afraid to fail, afraid to be judged, afraid to not fit in, afraid to speak the truth?  Those fears keep us from doing the very things God calls us to do.  I have struggled with this for many years.  My personality wants people to like me.  I like to be a part of whatever group I am with.  BUT, if I let that drive my actions and judgment, where do I stand with God?

My ability to overcome fear is, I believe, directly related to how much I know about who God is and how He knows me.  As I grow closer to God, I begin to see that I do not have to fear failure if I am in his will.  I do not have to worry about being judged, except by God himself, I do not have to fit in but I must stand out as someone who is filled with God’s love for people, and I have to rely on the Holy Spirit to speak the truth in love when I am called to do so.  God has me in this world for a reason and as long as I am actively seeking His will throughout my day I have nothing to fear.

That does not mean that I use poor judgment when it comes to spiders and snakes (yuck).  A healthy fear of things that can harm me is God-given wisdom.  I just need to learn to discern what the healthy fears in this world are and what fears are keeping me from being all that God wants me to be.

I John 4:18 (MSG) says, “God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.”

I want to be the person that is standing with Christ in this world and seeking his approval and relying on His love to keep me from fear.

Life Happens

Wedding Week – Preparing for my son’s wedding

Wedding Week

As we prepare for my second son’s wedding this weekend, nostalgia, excitement and prayers are abundant.  It has been so exciting to see our son find love and develop the relationship with a wonderful girl.  It has been my prayer since by children were small that they would find partners that love the Lord and want to serve him first.  What a joy to see that happening!
From the day he was born, Trevor has been the peacemaker in the family.  He does not like to see people hurting and always finds way to lighten the mood and make us laugh.  Watching him develop his love for music has been another amazing journey.  The dedication he had learning guitar and piano on his own was impressive.
His fiancé is a special woman of God too. I have enjoyed getting to know her and her family.  I see the love she has for my son.  Helping people who are struggling is a lifelong goal for her.  Her personality is a perfect match for Trevor and I love watching them solve problems together.  She is a wonderful addition to our family.
The wedding is a very special day but not what I have been preparing for during the life of my son.  It was more about a process of helping him know how to treat a lady, how to be the man that loves and serves the Lord first, and how to be independent.  I am so proud of the young man he has become and am excited to see God use this couple in advancing His kingdom.
So bring on the craziness of wedding week!  We are ready!
Life Happens

Rejoice – Do you know the WHO in your day?

Deuteronomy 31:8 is a great verse to start your day with and get into the rejoicing mode.  It says “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

And again in Philippians 4 Paul tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!”
How do we do that?

The key is what I learned from one of my professors at Bartlesville Wesleyan College; Dr. Weeter shared in a message “The how and the why do not matter if you know the WHO!”  That is so true.  If we know who we serve than the hows and whys of this world should not keep us from rejoicing.

Rejoicing is not an emotional outburst but more an outpouring of joy that comes from withing because we know Who’s we are and Who is in control.  We can continue to rejoice in the Lord through the trials of this world (because we will always have trials) when we focus outside of this world.

Look up some of these great men of the Bible who had great suffering but were still able to rejoice:

David throughout the Psalms
Paul in Prison
Daniel

Then think about what you can rejoice about today, even if it is not about circumstances but about the God who is in control of your life.

Pastor's Wives

Path – Who are you walking with?

I have heard so many sermons about choosing the right path, leading others to the right path, how to get back on the right path but this week during prayer at a church we were visiting I distinctly heard God ask me another question I had not thought about before.
“Are you willing to walk with someone on their path to Me instead of just showing them the path to Me?”

I have learned a lot about evangelism and have talked with people about my faith and how they can take steps to be closer to God, but I haven’t really been willing to get down in the mud with those who are on the wrong path and walk with them until they find the path to God.  I am still processing what God has planned for me in this, but I do know that I have to take another look at what I am willing to do to reach people who are lost.

Paul states it well in I Corinthians 9:19-23

“19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

It is never easy to walk with someone through their struggles, but the reward is so great when I can see the miracle God does in a life.  Instead of looking down on the alcoholic, the stripper, the homeless, the unlovely, I want to be able to come along side them, love them and share with them what God can do; THEN take it one step further and walk with them as they discover that.  I do not believe God wants me to just be the one willing to tell them (which I need to do), but to be a guide and a friend along the journey, however long that journey is.

I want to be willing to be the “slave” to the weak, the oppressed and the outcasts in our society.  Who else will?

Life Happens

Correcting – Stop judging me . . . really?

The bible is good for correcting . . .  I am very tired of church people using the word judging in place of correcting and rebuking.  When one of my children made a bad decision it was my job as a parent to rebuke and correct them.  I would be a horrible parent if I just let it go.  The same is true in the work place.  Supervisors are supposed to correct and rebuke their workers to make the work place safe and functional.  So why do we get so bent out of shape when someone tries to get us back on the right track in our spiritual life.

We get defensive immediately and think “this person is judging me!”, when really it is our job to help each other stay true to the end.  If I mess up, I need my sisters to let me know.  Sometimes I do things unintentionally and need to make it right, sometimes I am very intentional but think no one will notice this one sin (yeah, right).  My sisters in Christ should feel comfortable to confront me (in a gracious way) and let me know I may be heading down the wrong path.

It happened in bible times as well.

Peter was confronted by Paul in Galatians 2: 11-21.  Peter was in the wrong and had to be brought back to the right path.

Paul also confronted several churches about the way things were being done.

In Revelation, John talks to the churches about some of the wrongs they were doing.

We need each other to help us stay true to the end and to not get entangled by the world.  Correction should be done graciously, not judgmentally, but it should be done. We are here to build each other up AND keep each other on the right path.  We live in a world full of temptations, and sometimes we give in.  Let us be the family of God that works the way God intended it to work.  In 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 it clearly states the purpose of God’s word in our lives, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
And in Proverbs 27:17 we see how we are to help each other,  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Let’s keep each other strong until the end.  Let’s do what it takes to help each other along this rough journey we call life!