"You thought that I was just like you."

Psalm 50:21

Sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico, Henderson State Beach, Florida

Copyright Simple Grace Ministries, 2009

Beloved,

One of the things I love about being on the road is that without a two-story house, a yard and flower garden, or extended family and friends nearby, my time for reflection, study and prayer increases dramatically. The hours spent traveling afford opportunity to pursue Godly things without neglecting any responsibilities.

This week, through a series of “coincidences,” I have been pointed three times through different sources to the scripture in Psalm 50 which says, “You thought that I was just like you”. (Ps. 50:21) Somehow amid seeking His will and following His call, feeling His love and studying His word, I still find it difficult to absorb how empirically and intrinsically different He is from me. I long to comprehend His GOD-ness, His indescribable sovereignty that scrutinizes the universe from wide expanse to micro-atomic detail, and yet is somehow devoted to me in my obscurity. I am chosen by Him. I am beloved. I am His defended possession, treasured more than His life, for He gave His life for me. Not like me at all!

In the familiarity of scripture, He can sometimes be sensed as too common, too much a peer, and it is tempting to reduce His majesty to a fraternal level. Though I am not tempted to consider Jesus my ‘buddy’, He is my closest Friend and I confide in Him all day long. Casually. Intimately. Informally. He is my ‘Abba.’

Existing far beyond that capacity, I am thankful to be reminded that sometimes I DO think He is just like me. Tragically so. Limited by earthly boundaries. Restricted in resources. Perplexed by circumstances. Wounded by words or relationships. Broken by sin.

“You thought that I was just like you.”

Those words are a wake-up call to consider Him. From Genesis to Revelation, He is NOT like me! I delight in pondering His untouchable holiness, His limitless power and astonishing creativity. If at any time I entertain thoughts of being ‘like Jesus’, a moment’s consideration of Who He is places me back into the realm of reality.

I am simply an extremely grateful servant who, in humility, passionately desires to be His disciple. Transformed by His love and redemption. Dependent. Vulnerable. Sustained by grace. For today, at least, I am awestruck by the King of Kings: He who alone puts the ‘Awe’ in Awesome, the ‘Wonder’ in Wonderful, and Who loves me personally enough to remind me of Who He is.

Passionately serving Christ,

Kathy Hitch, for the Hitch family

To Everything There Is A Season

Beloved,

Today (June 11th) was a display of variety of seasons! We are traveling in Colorado for two weeks, and we can’t decide exactly what season we are experiencing.

This morning Avery, Sterling, Havilah and I went skating/rollerblading/jogging along a sparkling mountain stream in blazing morning sunlight with short-sleeved shirts and summer clothes. This afternoon we traveled over Berthoud Pass to Grand Lake, Colorado, and experienced a freezing blizzard, hail and rain as we ascended and descended the 11,307 foot pass. It simply took our breath away to experience the dramatic change of climate as we traveled the switchbacks and made the steep climb up and over the Continental Divide to arrive in the picturesque mountain town of Grand Lake.

Blowing snow near the top of Berthoud Pass, 11, 307 ft.

This is a rushing mountain stream covered in freshly fallen snow.

The storm passed and we sang outside in the gazebo in Grand Lake, but the storm wasn't over yet, and we had to quit in the middle of the concert due to rain. =)

We camped for the weekend at Winding River Resort, in this beautiful meadow that boasted spectacular scenery in EVERY direction! This was our sunset view that very same evening. I know you can't see them in this small view, but grazing in front of the tree-line is a herd of elk!

In Nebraska, the tulips and daffodils have finished their blooms for the year. Lilacs and peonies are fading, and the roses are in beautiful bloom. We’ve backed up a whole month by being in Colorado! The park in Grand Lake is boasting delicate daffodils and tulips, and the lilacs are barely budding. The roses have tiny, new leaves, and the peonies are sending up their thin, burgundy-hued legs. They are in a whole different season!

God’s Word speaks of lots of different seasons, too. “I shall give you rains in their season” (Lev. 26:4), “Like the stacking of grain in its season” (Job 5:26), “Can you lead forth a constellation in its season?” (Job 38:32), “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season” (Ps 1:3), “He made the moon for the seasons” (Ps 104:19), “They all wait for You to give them their food in due season.” (Ps 104:27), “Even the stork in the sky knows her seasons.” (Jer 8:7), “And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing.” (Ez 34:26), “And when He (Jesus) came to it (the fig tree), he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.” (Mark 11:13), “He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17)

If you live 500 miles in any direction from where I live, you are most likely experiencing a different season than I am experiencing. Chances are though, even if you live right next door, you are experiencing a different season spiritually than me, or most of the friends and family you encounter. Some of us are in a lush season of drinking up the heavenly outpouring of God’s wisdom and affection and fellowship, growing in understanding and harvesting the fruit of a season of hard work and dedication. Others of us may be in a desert region, parched and dry, longing for precious time with the Lord and aware that we are enduring a thirsty, unfruitful season. Some may be laboring through a planting season and savoring the anticipation of new sprouts and harvest a long way off. Still others may be praying through a stormy and intense season, hanging on through wind and hurricane, or frightening clouds obscuring the Son. It may be winter where you are, still and sparkling and beautiful, or cold and dark and foreboding.

If lightning is blazing and thunder is deafening, or summer flowers are peacefully smiling, know that any season is ordained of the Lord if you are making this journey as His child. We must be ready in season and out of season to know and trust His sovereignty. When the weather changes from sunshine to snow, we can retain our contentment in Him because He rules the seasons, on the Earth, and in our very personal lives as we abide in Him. As temperatures dip into the low 30’s tonight in Grand Lake, I am truly thankful for the variety of seasons that my Lord so deliberately orchestrates for me as I continue this precious journey that He graciously began with me!

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven.” Ecc 3:1

Passionately serving Christ,

Kathy Hitch, for the Hitch family

True to Course

Beloved,

Today as I studied Psalm 107, I started thinking about how easy it is to get off course in my walk with the Lord. Whether it is by the hand of the adversary (v. 2), my own wandering (v. 4), my rebellion (v.11), my quests for adventure and prosperity (v. 23-34), or when I am needy and afflicted (v. 41), just straying the tiniest bit can prevent me from treading the straight and narrow road where I need to be.

As I pondered how imperative it is to stay true to the course set before me by the Lord, I thought of an airplane whose pilot sets the course for his destination. To illustrate the point, I asked a friend of mine who is a licensed pilot to do the math on a flight from Los Angeles, California, to Denver, Colorado, with the compass only one degree off of the true heading. On the 849-nautical-mile flight, an error of only one degree would cause the plane’s landing to be 14.15 miles off course. Now you may think that 14 miles is staying pretty close to target, especially after 849 miles, but if a pilot missed the Lincoln Municipal Airport in the city closest to me, his error could land him smack into the side of my house! We live almost exactly 14 nautical miles directly south of that airport! There could be serious and deadly consequences for missing his mark by only one tiny degree.

Staying true to the course set before us as believers means that we must deliberately and diligently follow the Lord~~ through His word, His appointed leadership and His still, small voice~~ on a daily basis. Though it may seem safe to travel in the right general direction spiritually, straying off course with the Lord, even slightly, can have severe consequences. Jesus Himself warned us that “the way is narrow that leads to life and few are those who find it.” (Matt 7:14)

Now, I’m not downplaying God’s grace and mercy, or His fatherly attention to guiding discipline and generous lovingkindness. Especially when I wander. He has made me aware today that complacency and distraction can alter my route significantly enough to put me in peril. Unfortunately, it’s in my human nature to downplay the seriousness of being “almost on course.’ I just love verse 30 in this same Psalm 107: “So He guided them to their desired haven.” The haven I desire is with Him, in the shelter of His wings. I am so comforted to know that, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Prov. 16:9)

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,

And for His wonders to the sons of men!” (Ps. 107:8, 15, 21, 31)

Passionately serving Christ,

Kathy Hitch, for the Hitch family

Memorial Day Week

A water fight was one of the Memorial Day activities in Big Springs, Nebraska, where we ministered at an All-City worship service on Sunday morning.

Our family was scheduled to minister in Lexington that same afternoon, so we couldn't stay to find out who won the fight. It looked very refreshing, and once-in-a-while, the opponents would shoot the water at each other instead of the barrel.

Avery, Sterling, Havilah and Bristol traveled to central Nebraska for their annual Rodeo Bible Camp, and stopped in the lane just long enough for me to snap this photo. It's going to be quiet this week, with only Lucas and Jim and I home! Don't know if that's a good thing or not. . . .

This bleeding heart is dedicated to all those who grieve and mourn this Memorial Day, 2009.
We also thank those who have served or are serving in the United States Armed Forces, and to those who have borne the loss of loved ones who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy.

This is my garden today, and the beauty I came home to after the last trip. Bet you can't tell my favorite flower color! Our God is so creative!! There is joy in everything we do, at home or traveling in ministry, because of Him. It's that simple.

Enjoy!

Posted by Kathy.

Mt. Rushmore

On the road again, and enjoying the scenery in South Dakota today! Though we have traveled extensively in South Dakota, we have never visited Mt. Rushmore and explored the history of the site. The Black Hills are so beautiful and the stone carvings are amazing. Another great family day!
We will be singing in Belle Fourche tonight! See you there!

Kathy

Pruning

Pruning Lavender Plants

Beloved,

I've been spending every available moment working in my flower gardens the past few weeks. The spring work includes cutting back the dead and unproductive branches of my roses and lavender and many other perennials that died back during the cold winter months. It's a lot of work cleaning out the spent flower stalks and reshaping the plants so that they will produce an abundance of flowers to enjoy throughout the season. Right now, some of my precious plants look harshly chopped and decimated. If I didn't know what the end results will be, it would appear that I had ruined my garden!

All the work brought me to thinking about Jesus' teaching us that He is the true vine and His Father is the vinedresser. He said, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. " (John 15: 1-2) As I studied the word "prunes" in that verse, I found that the word means 'to cleanse, purify, to be pure, clean, without stain, without spot.' (1)

I've been through some pretty painful pruning in my life. I've felt the painful 'snap' of His pruning shears removing the things I've allowed to taint my life; to stain my heart or mind or emotions. I've resisted His tender cleansing of my dreams and hurts and expectations that had the potential to consume my fruit for Him, or worse, allow unchecked growth in a destructive direction. There have been times I've felt completely cut back in freedom or liberty, only to realize that I have been saved from myself and my own selfishness.

Pruning is good and necessary for the gardener. It is hard work and must be deliberate and consistent. How I wish to submit myself to the most ruthless pruning possible in the faithful hands of my Heavenly Father! I pray for the courage to surrender myself humbly to His tenderhearted cleansing.

"By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." John 15:8

Passionately serving Christ,

Kathy

(1) Spiros Zodhiates, Lexical aids to the New Testament, The Hebrew-Greek Study Bible, NAS Bible, AMG Publishers 1984 & 1990, page 1843.

The Raffle Quilt Winner!

On April 1st, we held our drawing for the beautiful, hand-pieced, hand-tied quilt that was made by our daughters (including Mardel!).
The quilt was won by Irv and Melody Jennings from Arnold, Nebraska.
Congratulations Irv and Melody!

Another quilt is in the works and we will be offering raffle tickets at our concerts.
Thank you to all who participated in this fund-raising project for Simple Grace!
We raised $400 through raffle sales, which was a huge blessing.
The quilt raffles are taking the place of Barn candles, which are no longer available to us.