As of 7:30 this morning, summer at the Kostick home officially came to an end. The kids entered their little, yellow school bus carrying new backpacks heavy with classroom supplies. This is true evidence of fall, and it’s already nagging me to burn candles, and decorate with auburn colored leaves and pumpkins.
It’s hard for me to comprehend the movement of time. I often don’t realize how fast it’s ticking until my children’s pants are too short or new laugh lines on my face beg me to purchase a more effective night cream. Those are bitter-sweet truths I can count on. And speaking of the ever persistent tick of the clock, on September 19th, my blogging journey will hit the four year mark.
Over the last four years, we’ve talked aging, miscarriage, stillbirth, infertility, and grief on so many different levels. I’ve shared what God speaks to me and how I’m working out my own salvation with fear and trembling. I’ve given you glimpses into my marriage, children, seminary journey, and book writing process. I’ve allowed walls of embarrassment to crumble and have been baptized in newfound freedom, which has come from exposing the tender pieces of who I am. And, even better, I’ve been able to learn about your tender pieces, too. Those of you who email, send messages, and leave comments in this space have blessed me with your very own stories. I pray for you regularly.
God made us to be relational; we need each other. Over the last few years, I’ve noticed all over the great, big blogosphere, talk about community and benches. We’ve been encouraged to sit with each other and talk openly from one heart to another. We’ve been told we’re enough because God is enough. I’ve spoken that truth myself. However, there’s something else I think we all need to recognize: we must do more than listen to each other. We need to listen to God. We have to start opening our ears to the God who wants to speak from His Spirit to our own. How do we do that? Through His word.
As we move forward together, more than anything, I want this space to be a place to rediscover the word of God. I want us to seek Him with determination. With my whole heart I believe that the only way to fight battles in this life is to learn who our God is, intimately. We can’t do that if we don’t know His word.
The word of God will change everything about who we are and how we determine our circumstances.
I’m preparing for an October series based on finding purpose through the word of God. Friend, I don’t want to do this by myself. I want to hear from you. What questions do you have concerning purpose? What passages of scripture do you want to study? What do you want to know about who God is? I’m not saying I have all the answers. There’s very big wisdom in three little words: I don’t know. BUT, I believe we can dig inside the Bible, together, and do our best to discover what we are seeking to find. I believe we can learn to listen to a God who wants to speak peace in areas of anxiety.
I would love it if you would leave a comment on this post with questions you’re hoping to find answers to, as well as biblical topics you would like us to study. What do you want to know about God? And, what are you longing to find out about yourself? If you don’t want to leave a comment, you can email me at jen@jenniferkostick.com, or message me on Facebook.
We are going to work on uncovering spiritual truths. Through it, I believe we will learn who God is, and in turn, learn who we are.
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
-Psalm 119:11
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Love,
Jennifer
This speaks to my heart so much more than you will ever know. I don’t want religion. I want a relationship with Jesus Christ. For a very long time I didn’t know the difference. I will pray for you and also for some things that may need discussed.
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I look forward to hearing what you would like discussed on the blog. I am stunned at the response I’m getting via email concerning questions people need answered. I’m really looking forward to studying together!
I’m thankful you’re using the blog as an opportunity to delve deeper in the Word. It seems I have time to read your blog, but don’t take the time I should for Scripture. I’m currently walking a journey with an ill husband who suffers with intense ongoing pain. I search for answers to where God’s purpose is in my husband’s suffering. Life is different than I expected, yet I know a faithful God.
Hello Nancy. I’m so sorry that your husband is dealing with such intense pain. I will definitely cover this topic in our October series. In the meantime, I will be praying for your husband ,and for you, as you endure this season of life. Thank you so much for responding. I’m so thankful you’re here.
I am so thankful to have a devotion to read from someone who speaks the truth. You are full of integrity and your not afraid to show the vulnerability in your life Jen. So, I would love to understand why so many Christians go thru so much hardship and others seem to have an easy life when it comes to tribulations.
Hi Melissa. Thank you for your kind words. We will most certainly dig into this topic in the October series. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to journey together as we look to His Word for answers.
I would like to study the prayers of the Bible, The prayers of David, Nehimiah, Jabez, Jeremiah, all the greats who seemed to understand and grasp the concept and importance of prayer in our lives. I love to be in the Word, my problem is how to retain it once I read it. I try to study some each day, I have already hand written the book of Ephesians, Colossians and 1 & 2 Peter. I thought that hand writing them would help me to retain them. I just want to know how to dig deeper into the Word and get all the morsels out so that I can understand and apply them to my life today.
Betty, I love this idea, and the focus on how to retain the word. We will definitely cover some of this in October. Thank you so much for your suggestion and question. I’m looking forward to seeking God together!
Why doesn’t God give us specific or clear directions? I know the easy reason is faith but it can be so frustrating when you want to be sure.
Thank you, Cathy, for this question. It’s an excellent point that I would love to talk about. We will address it in the series.
I love how you said there is big wisdom in ‘I don’t know.’ It was refreshing for my soul this morning! Thank you!
God is faithful to give us what we need when we need it. Thank you for reading!