EVERYWHERE I GO; THERE I AM!

EVERYWHERE I GO; THERE I AM is a saying I cross stitched some years ago that I used to describe myself back then. Recently I found myself revisiting that statement and was saddened somewhat because I think it would have described my 2011. Ever been somewhere in body, but somewhere else in mind and spirit. There but not there? Has your child ever looked at you and asked, “Mommy, are you listening to me?” Or have you spent a rare date night with your hubby, only to realize at the end of the evening that you were there, but not really there. I have missed some major moments with God, some precious experiences with loved ones, and opportunities to minster to strangers because I was there, but not there. Oh, we women pride ourselves at being great multi-taskers. I wonder if God does? Maybe you, like me, spent a good deal of my time rushing through one activity to get to another one. Hurrying to get children undressed, through the bath, and into the bed so that I could find time to fold clothes, wash dishes, etc. In the first chapter of Resolution for Women, Priscila Shirer labels this feeling “Discontentment”. If not rushing through the moment, I often found myself worrying through the moment. The Greek word for worry means “to divide the mind”. Anxiety splits our energy between today’s priorities and tomorrow’s problems. Part of our mind is on the now and part of our mind is on the not yet and the result is half-minded living.
God has reminded me that if I become habited to this way of life, I will not only miss moments, but I will miss days and even years that will never be mine again. My granddaughter drove herself to school yesterday for the first time; just yesterday it seems she was driving her Barbie jeep. Life will not stand still for us to slow down or wait for us to finish worrying. It will move on with or without our being there!
So, ladies, let us adopt this motto for 2012 and mean it: “Everywhere I go; there I will be!”

Way too long!

It has been way too long since I have blogged on this website. Trust me when I say I have been blogging. On the LifeWay women's site, on Facebook, in my personal journal, and it seems so many other places. However, I apologize for not blogging here. I have been sweetly reminded of how long it has been and how some of you have checked and rechecked and found nothing new. So, please know that I thank you for checking on Margaret Kennedy at Threads of Hope.

A unseen thing: a partially detached retina!

As I was traveling to Atlanta today, I saw a few new spots in my eye and I pulled off the road twice, asking God if it was something that should interrupt my 2 day visit. I asked Him to show me if it was an issue and then I saw a strange clear cluster move across the eye. I pulled over again and called the doctor, who suggested I come in this aft. It was God who caused me to turn around for he discovered that I had a small retina detachment in the corner of my eye. He immediately did a laser procedure to keep the detachment from becoming a full retina detachment. He kept saying how glad he was that I turned around and that if I had gone on to Atlanta it would definitely have resulted in a full detachment of the retina which requires major surgery.
I will be "laying low" for several days and will return on Friday.
My prayer is this: that the laser procedure will protect this from happening.
However, in the meantime, I will choose to continue to give thanks (this eye thing is a part of the everything) we give thanks for! I am thankful that I can still see, thankful that I have been able to read and teach His word, thankful that He went before me and gave me directions to return home in the middle of a very desired visit with my grands, thankful for a husband who cares for and listens to me, and thankful that God knows the future and that it is in His hands.

love, margaret

Count It All Joy!

God has never given me an opportunity to teach, speak, or write that He does not go before me. Sometimes with the prayers of the people, which I so feel and appreciate. But very often, He allows me to experience first hand, upclose and personal, the teaching that is on my heart to bring. He never ceases to amaze me with these happenings.

Recently I had the chance to share "God's Waiting Room" with a group of women at Lakepointe Church in Rockwell, Texas near Dallas. It was my joy to serve this word to these women.

This past weekend, I was able to share "Count it all Joy" - first session being "When Trials Come"!

Last week, on my birthday to be exact, my vision became blurred and the next morning a black dot appeared in my line of vision. I was sent to a retina specialist to learn that the gel has softened between the retina and eyeball and that left me in a dangerous place.

So, what does one do? He takes a seat in one of God's divinely designed "waiting rooms". Now I know how to do this because I just taught on it a few weeks ago. Right?

So, what does one do when trials come? Do not be surprised - they will come! Then James says that we are to "count it all joy"! Now I know what it takes to count it all joy in trials because I just taught it this past weekend. Right?

This is how I can be still in this place and even count it all joy - because my Almighty, all knowing, all seeing God knew what I was going to encounter and He knew that I needed to be knee deep in the Word concerning the matters at hand. For that, I am thanking and praising Him.

Months ago, He gave me the word to teach "God's Waiting Room" and months ago, I was impressed to teach "Count it all Joy when Trials Come".

Is this condition exasperating, a huge nuisance, frightening, bothersome, irritating - need I go on? Yes, to all of those and many other.

However, Psalms 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God." I am able to be still because I know God knew this ahead of time and is working all things out for my good and His glory. Knowing this about my Father enables me to be still while I know that the only way to "know Him" is to be still. Stillness and knowing work so well together. They are dependent upon one another.

But it is sill a choice I have to make personally when I encounter trials! To be still so that I can know and remembering that knowing enables stillness.

Perhaps you need to make the same choice. Let me hear from you and we will pray for one another in this matter!

While we wait and while we choose to count it all joy!

love, margaret

LIVE FROM HOUSTON

Dear Friends,

I am so thankful to pass on to you this excellent report from Houston: all is clear and we have been given a huge reason to celebrate. We have now passed the 2 year mark from completion of the last treatment which means that, with our type of cancer, we now have an 80% chance that the cancer will NOT reoccur. Wednesday, we were told that we needed to celebrate and Ross was called a Poster Boy. Thursday, our primary doctor called him "quite amazing." We will return for one more 6 month checkup with scans and then will probably be transferred to the "wellness program."
Now we all know Ross is not the amazing one in this case - He would be the Lord Jesus Christ! But we are so humbled and grateful for His favor upon us!
Thank you for your prayers. You are a huge part of this report!

love, ross and margaret

Living Up to my Motto!

"My motto to live by" hanging on my study wall reads: "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, 'WOO HOO what a ride."!
If I went on to glory this week, I would have to say I have lived up to my motto, at least, this summer. We have had guests in our home or been the guests in someone else's home at least a part of every week this summer. Some planned. Some unexpected. But all were such a blessing. A blessing because we had a home to offer and a blessing that friends and family wanted to come. Worn out? Thoroughly! Worth it? Absolutely.
In the middle of it all, though, God has been so faithful to speak clearly to me through friends and family and through His Word. This is the phrase I am meditating upon and praying daily. "God take away anything that is of me so that everything that is of you may be resurrected in me. I want desperately to be Margaret Kennedy: full of Jesus"!
What's up with you? I'd love to know.
love, margaret

A LONG WAY TO GO FOR A CHANGE OF HEART

I left Dothan Alabama Thursday a.m., flew to Atlanta, Ga., on to Salt Lake City, Utah, and finally arrived in Twin Falls, Idaho before driving to my final destination in Burley, Idaho! A long way to go! A day of traveling and then a repeat day lay ahead for me on Sunday, with an added 5 hour layover in Salt Lake City.
Yes, It was a long way to go but I would repeat it again this coming weekend if it meant my heart would be changed as it was this weekend. You see, I live in the Bible belt where we lavished with fine huge buildings, and large numbers of people each week, and resources at our fingertips, with a church on every corner. We definitely are blessed!
But these women do not seem to need all of the "stuff" we have to be "on mission with God." They just take the meager things of life and watch God do incredible work with their "little". I was reduced to tears so many times during this weekend - so humbled to see how happy these women were to be on mission with God, anxiously learning how to reach the lost around them. They are doing it right in Idaho and they are doing it well and I believe that when they worship, it brings a very sweet aroma up to the Father.
I had prayed for a year to be a part of a mission trip, but my schedule has not allowed it. God was saving this weekend for that purpose. It was my "mission trip." I will be forever partnering with my friends in Idaho and am praying God will allow me to return if He doesn't come for us before then.
Are you basking in your "muchness" my friend or are you "living large with your little"?
love, margaret

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

Can not believe it has been so long since I blogged on my website. Facebook has been my most visited venue.
Ross and I have returned to Houston since I last wrote and gotten a great gift. For 6 years, we have returned to Houston every 3 months for evaluations and tests. For 2 years now, we have had no cancer to reoccur, so on the last visit, we were given a 6 month reprieve. Yeah! Helps the pocketbook, the energy, and the time factors.
I am packing today to travel to Burley, Idaho, tomorrow to speak at a statewide ladies conference. If you are anywhere near, it is an open event and I would love to visit with you there.
I am teaching through the book of James on Sunday mornings and absolutely loving the learning. I highly recommend that journey!
I am speaking often these days out of the depths of my heart on "knowing God" - it is my obsession! Talk about gifts - knowing Him is the gift of a lifetime!
Thanks for visiting me here.
love, margaret

Christmas gifts

Ross and I just returned last week from another trip to Houston for a 3 month checkup and got a great Christmas gift - another good report. No sign of reoccurring cancer!
Spending time with the family has been such a great gift this year. Since we gave each other a Disney Cruise in November, gift giving amounted to each one bringing a $10 gift and playing Bingo for the gifts. Bartering was allowed at the end so that everyone went home with a gift of their choice. What fun we had. Then off to the movies to see new movie with the chipmunks.
The joy of laughter is such a great gift from God isn't it. Sometimes it is easy and sometimes it has to be a choice so I encourage you friends - enjoy the gift of laughter when it is easily obtained and when it has to be a choice. It is so contagious!
Thank you God for the greatest gift of all! Happy birthday Jesus!
Receive Him and His joy this Christmas season!
love, margaret

Well, it certainly feels great to be connecting with you once again. Sorry for the inconvenience or confusion this interruption may have caused you. Thank you for "missing me".

I have been busy teaching God's Word with women even though I was unable to share my heart with you.

I have been in Irving, Texas with women who definitely did things with a wow! How I loved teaching them wrapped around the theme of "Extreme Makeover: Heart Edition". The women received the Word with open hearts and I was so blessed to be the vessel that God chose to pour through. These women had ears and hearts to hear from God and He was faithful to speak to them. What a joy! My friend and co-author of Heart Friends, Shirley Moses, came over from Pottsboro and that was an added pleasure for me.

God gave me opportunities to teach and speak in my hometown this past week several times. At a local Bible study, a sister church at lunch, and then at "Joyful Refuge" over the weekend. I had not realized how long it had been since I have spoken in my hometown. I love making new friends that I keep in my mind and heart, but it is a blessing to share with those who have occupied individual places in my heart for years. Both are blessings straight from the Lord and I cherish friendships greatly!

And that my friend, is why I love to hear from you. Feel free to contact me at the email provided.

Love, margaret

LOVIN' LARAMIE

What an awesome first time trip to Wyoming for me. LifeWay sent me, along with 2 of my best LMM buddies, on an assignment to serve the women of Laramie, Wyoming. There we found some precious women with hungry hearts ready to receive the implanted Word into their lives. It was an absolute joy to teach Pursuing Holiness and Heart Friends.
Thank you, sweet friends, for opening up your doors and your hearts to receive the three of us. We walked away feeling so blessed and privileged to have been with you. Your faces are before me still!
What a great time we had Friday evening and Sat morning at the Living Proof Live Event. Thank you Beth for sharing the Word with us and issuing such challenges. I feel that we all committed to run our race, stay in our lane, forsake cherished sin, and pass on the truth to the generations coming along behind us. Whew!
I love Laramie!
love, margaret

LOVING MY DAYS IN PARADISE

Seriously, I have just returned from spending a few days in Paradise.
Paradise, California that is - just about an hour away from Sacramento.
Thank you, Libby, Lisa, and the other ladies, for sharing your Paradise with me.
What a joy to teach women who were so receptive to receiving the truths of God. What fun we had reflecting on "makeovers" the way the world offers us. How our hearts were challenged to dig deeper into the Word and learn about true transformation, God's way. Not as easy, not as quick, but surely incorruptible! Thanks for letting me share about my mom. I miss her so.
We opened up our hearts to Him and because "He is faithful and he will do it", we left our time together with a renewed determination to become women after God's own heart.
You were a blast to teach, pray for, love on, hang with, eat with, cry with and laugh out loud with. Do you think that could be a glimpse of what our real Paradise has pending for us?
You are loved,
margaret

California Dreamin'

How I did love the way our Lord worked this past weekend among us! In my life, to give me strength and energy to stand up and speak after flying across the country to San Francisco California. This was after a 2 hour delay in my home town, missing my flight in Atlanta, that entailed another 5 hour wait. When I stood up to speak it was 10:00 Ala. time and I had been up since 3:30 a.m. I am truly not whining, as it sounds, I am boasting in the Lord! He truly means it when He promises to be our Restorer! You, Campbell Church of Christ women, are a joy to know and a blessing to hang around with. Thank you for being so receptive to receive the deep things of God. You are a joy to serve! I know without a shadow of doubt that God began a deep work in all of us that will continue until the Day of Christ Jesus! He is "performing" so many things in us so that we become conformed more and more to the image of Jesus.
I truly love you and appreciate your allowing me to share my life with you!
margaret

GOOD NEWS FROM HOUSTON!

Ross and I made a fast and furious trip to MD Anderson in Houston for a 3 month checkup. Seems like we were there only yesterday! The tiring travel in the middle of tax season proved to be worth the weariness of it all. The head and neck region was clear of any new tumors and the spot on the lung the doctors have been watching was proven to be only inflammation! We received the news as we were driving home and can I tell you this - our car ROCKED as we shouted our praises to our God!
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts of us!
love, margaret

Greetings to my Mississippi "sun" sisters!

I am smiling as I recall my creative pajama pals! We did have a fun party for sure! I felt like Paula Abdul sitting at the judge's table. I have heard of good group participation but that was over the top - that was full group participation! I have bragged on you all to many of my friends and family here. Thanks for allowing me to share my "Once Upon a Time Story"!
I shared with Julie that I knew in my spirit before I even came that God was going to do a good work among us. And after getting to know you, I can see how and why He could - you had hearts that were open and seeking Him. Thanks for allowing me to be a "part" of you all.
I have loved hearing from you via email and Facebook. Feel free to share with me!
Now as I promised, here is the only recipe every requested from me in the whole wide world:
Chicken Salad Recipe:
Generally, for a group of 12, I purchase 8 large split chicken breasts (bone in). Clean and wash well, cutting away most of the fatty skin. After filling large pot with water, add 2 chicken bouillon cubes, plus 1/4 cup of cooking oil. Boil for 45 minutes. Turn off, cover pot, and allow chicken to sit and soak for 1 - 2 hours before boning. Debone chicken in extra large bowl. Add a quart of mayonnaise. Peel and cut into small chunks approx. 6 Braeburn apples, mixing them with the mayo to avoid turning. Wash and drain approx. 2 pounds of whole red grapes. You can use green but I believe the red ones are sweeter. Add salt and pepper to taste as you stir the mixture. Mix very well, breaking apart any chicken chunks. This salad is better served when chilled first. I always make enough for my son's family and have enough to share with friends. This dish may be served on lettuce surrounded by fruit, or on croissants as sandwich and chips.
May God bless every person who is served this chicken salad from your hands.
Again, let me say that I will not forget our weekend together and may God bless you richly as you surrender to become His slave!
love, margaret

OFF TO OPP!

Thanks to the wonderful ladies at First Baptist of Opp, Alabama. You were a joy to be with and another exceeding great joy to share the Word with. It was such a blessing to be with old friends, some radio listening friends, and some new friends. You were great and gracious and the Lord was so "with us" Thursday night.
God be with you 'til we meet again!
love, margaret

A MIRACLE YEAR ALREADY!

What a God story I have to share with you! Ross and I returned this week to Houston to have a lung needle biopsy done on a suspicious spot that had grown over the past 3 months. It was a quick return trip of only 2 weeks. When the radiologist did the scan that would guide the needle, he discovered that the spot has shrunk considerably and announced that he would not recommend the biopsy be done. Ross was free to go home.
I had barely nestled down for my 4 hour wait when Ross came out fully dressed wearing a huge smile. I made him repeat the miracle news to me 3 times before we reached the elevator. This, my friend, can only be from the hand of our mighty God. What a gift!
He had so gone before us in this already. We had a peace that was from the Prince of Peace alone. And also, the day we got the news that we had to return to Houston so soon, I received a royalty check from the sale of my book which covered our trip almost to the very penny. Another good gift!
So, I am praying for you and me that in every situation, we will see God for who He is and find ourselves consistent and constant worshippers.
I know I have made a great start!
love, margaret

Good News and Bad News

Ross and I returned to Houston this week for his 3 month checkup of his Squamos Cell Carsinoma (head and neck cancer). We got good news concerning the head and neck region that has been so attacked from the cancer. The radiologist reported no new activity found there. We were given a 6 month return of window - the longest time ever for a return visit.
However, the next day, a suspicious spot was detected in the lung. We will need to return in a couple of weeks to have a needle aspiration done on that spot.
I must say that we both experienced God's peace on the flight and drive home that could only have come from the Prince of Peace. Until God reveals what this spot truly is, we have decided to deal with it as something yet unknown to us.
So, please continue to pray for us as we take a seat, once again, in one of God's waiting rooms.
love, margaret and ross

Meeting My Savannah Sisters!

Several weeks ago, I traveled to Savannah - not Georgia, but Tennessee - and received such a sweet portion from the Lord as I came to know and truly love some new Savannah sisters. I had felt such an expectancy from the Lord in my Spirit even before I made this trip. Beforehand, God had planted in my heart such a seed of expectancy that I could hardly wait to see the fruit come to fruition. And he was so faithful to do that thing. A friend and I made the 6 hour trip through gorgeous country, winding roads, and we laughed all the way. Then, God blessed us with the time to walk slowly among the women, getting to know them, pray for them, and experience His love and graciousness from their hands. That is the way God knits His body together. I left Tennessee with new Savannah sisters in our heart. Your faces are before me as I write as they have been so many times since I met you. Thank you for your acceptance, your provisions provided, and especially for sharing God's love with me. We were so blessed by God.
I have learned to pray and stand upon the fact that when "God's word goes forth it will accomplish that for which He sent it." The Word went out and God worked it in our hearts and into the soil of our everyday lives. Who could ask for anything more?
You are loved,
margaret

At home in Wynne, Arkansas

Traveling from Dothan to Montgomery to Atlanta to Memphis to arrive in Wynne Arkansas was so worth the ride! A huge thank you goes out to Glenda and Randall Caldwell who treated me like royalty and making me feel so right at home. How I enjoyed sharing the Word with the ladies of Wynne Baptist Church. The fellowship afterwards was so meaningful to me as I was able to "get among the women" and hear their stories, share mine, and pray with some. Thank you for opening up your hearts, home, and His home with me. I feel that I have some new forever friends. Amazing to me how God is able to knit our hearts together in His body of believers. What a gift!
love, margaret