Posted on by Kristina Knowles

“Who do you say I am?”..

Jesus asked.

I love this question, it makes me ponder how people truly view Jesus. And Jesus was just as curious as I was, that is why he asked. Jesus wanted to know after everything he did, after all the conversations, after all his teachings, after every miracle performed. Who do you say I am?

I recently thought to myself, that if we asked this very question to all the people we met in our lives, who would they we were? Would they focus their response on all the positive or negative? Would they have a little to say, or a lot to say? Or would they remain silent?

When I ask this question to myself about Jesus, I instantly smile. I say, Jesus is the Savior, Jesus is the only way, I say Jesus is my Redeemer. I say, Jesus died on the cross for our sins and performs miracles each and every day. I would say, Jesus because of God through Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit became man and is seated at the right hand of God. I say, Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead and his Kingdom will have no end. I say, Jesus is amazing and his teachings have influenced me and touch my life.

Could you and I start today to recognize the value of asking ourselves,”who do you say I am?” Would you live your life differently if you cared about who people say you are? Are you living your life in a way that would be pleasing to God? Are you living like Jesus? Are you loving more, helping more, forgiving more, happy more?

I challenge you to ask yourself this very question every day. Feel, each and every word in this question: Who. Do. You. Say. I. Am?  Would you hear? I Am Loving to everyone, I Am Kind to everyone, I Am Good to everyone, I Am more like Jesus to everyone. Let’s decide today to be different, to be better. When we change for the better in every facet of our life, we change the world for God!
 

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Do you really love Jesus or…

Are you just going through the motions?

I spend a great deal of time in the Gospels. I listen to at least 3-4 sermons a day, I pray and attend church weekly. I love the good news of the bible, I relish in it. And I am stunned to see so many Christians so unhappy and disconnected. Are we reading the same good news of God?

I have come to realize that our family and friends play a huge part on who we are but God is bigger and better. If I stayed in a mediocre state of life, I guess I would be walking around unhappy and disconnected too. Instead I am filled with joy, I am so grateful I wake up happy and grateful every day. If you don’t believe me, ask my son Griffin.

At some point in life you must believe what you are reading in the bible and activate your faith. We all must truly live like Jesus, help like Jesus and most importantly love like Jesus. Within yourself, within your home, at your job, where you volunteer. Wherever you go and whatever you do, be more like Jesus.

Share your testimony when appropriate with those who need it. Almost every day someone asks me why I moved to Texas, I always respond excitedly, “Jesus!” Then I get to share the story when I was led by Jesus to move to Texas 11 years ago while on a business trip for Proctor & Gamble. It was a moment I will never forget.

Let’s all be amazing stewards of this great gift of life. In a blink it will be over. So let us not waste another moment focused on things that never truly fulfill us anyway and share the only thing that will last forever, faith in Jesus!

 

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Godly goals…

Make life so much better.

Every so often I will make a list to serve God. It’s either 5 to 10 bullet points long, written on big white poster board and God is all over it. I want to serve God in a way that is pleasing to Him and His Kingdom.

My goals are all the prompting of God and His desires for my life. God makes up all the wonderful things of our lives, even the really hard uncomfortable times. When God makes a promise He keeps it, just read the bible and see for yourself. Isn’t that awesome!!?? I believe so, and so should you.

Today I ask you to ask yourself is God in the center of the details of your life? Is He or are you, your family and/or friends in the details of your life?! How differently do you think your life would be if you trusted God with everything? I mean, really and truly trusted Him with EVERYTHING!!??

My life reads like an adventure with God, for God. Without a shadow of doubt God has been all over my life. Even when I didn’t want to listen or be obedient, He was there…waiting. God has protected me, given me strength and saved me by sending His only Son to die on the cross. Every day is a gift that I get to open my eyes and breathe.

What are your goals? Is God in your goals? If not, how will you change your life at this very moment for God? Are you willing to give up everything that is not working in your life for the cross? And let me be clear, everyone defines success, love, goodness, greatness differently. Pray and desire God’s success, love, goodness and greatness over your life and your families. It might hurt at first but God’s plan for your life is far better than your plans…I promise.

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Generational curses…

Don’t pass them on.

I have heard many stories, I have had many talks and lots of conversations about families. I am a Christian who believes in the generational curse. There has been many debates about it, I just have seen too many cases to prove otherwise.

I want to start off with the good news, you have the fortitude to stop it today. And then you get to stop some more of it tomorrow and so on and so on and so on. See, I believe we can see the curse if we just pay close attention. Most people think it’s normal if their parent is a drug addict or alcoholic that they will most likely become the same. Then you have the person who fights tooth and nail to be nothing like their parents and end up being like them anyway. Sound or feel familiar? Lastly, you have the person that is completely honest with their family history, starts to ask important questions, researches pass & present behaviors and makes every effort to stop the generational curse with honest knowledge.

It can be very daunting to try and figure out how to be different than your family for the better. I think people get scared to be different, eat different, dress different, behave different all for the good of God. And please know the difference between good vs. perfect. I am not perfect, God doesn’t expect us to be perfect but He does expect our best for Him.

My Father does not drink alcohol, my Mother started to enjoy a few alcoholic drinks much later in life. Alcohol was not glamorized in our family. And I know why, my Mother’s Father George was an alcoholic and he hurt his family in the process. George and I have never met but his legacy has lived on way pass his death.

I encourage you to stop and think about all the negative things you do, how you behave and how you handle everything. Are you riddled with fear, anxiety, rage, stress or depression? You may find the answer in the past so you can change the present and protect future generations to come. It may require you to do really big things but we have a really big God, so don’t worry.

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

368 dresses…

I owned at one point.

I am not proud of the that number, in fact, I had no idea I was out of control. I was on a reality television show called WHAT NOT TO WEAR: WANNABE and out of the blue one producer asked me how many dresses do I own? Let’s be honest, there may be women out there that have more than 368 dresses but they are not me.

I was briefly affected by the number then I quickly disregarded the number and kept living my life. Then bible study happened with Father Joe. We were reading scripture, Luke 12:16-21 to be exact, it hit me like a ton of dresses-literally.

Luke 12:16-21

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

The very reason I go to bible study and church is for this very purpose. I will hear or experience something God intends me to hear or to share. But this night, it was for me. Something came over me, it’s unexplainable. I started to tear up in front of everyone because I knew enough was enough.

I have fashion in my DNA(Grandma Leola was a dress maker). I came home from the hospital as a newborn totally decked out (thanks Mom), then as a young girl I studied Fashion Merchandising, modeled, worked in fashion retail and eventually landed on a fashion television show. I have helped many people find their fashion sense and on budget, it’s a gift. However, I didn’t manage my gift well for God. I became focused on finding pretty dresses at pretty low prices. I was a Pro but this scripture cut me like a golden pair of dress maker’s sheers.

Then my life started to change for the better. I stopped buying dresses at an alarming rate. I started to donate my beautiful dresses and sell the rest at yard sales and on-line. I hated going into clothing stores for awhile, I changed for God’s best. See, God’s plan for our lives is amazing and clear. And I know now more than ever I did the right thing many years ago.

We all don’t have the same addictions. But for most of us we might have something in our lives that occupies too much space and attention. These things take control over our thoughts, like an obsession. Drugs, porn, alcohol, food, maybe even dresses should never take control of your life. God should, His way is the only way.

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Love, truth, God…

Pass it on!

I shared my story about my son and God with Hannah, a beautiful 17 year old girl who then shared my story with friends and family. I tell that story as much as I can to those who will listen. I always make sure they have 3 minutes before I start the short and powerful story.

Love comes in at that really dark moment when all you can do is to Love, hope and pray with God. My scary situation taught me in this moment God loves us everyday, all day. We may not understand the trials He puts us through but we must always remember He loves us so much, more than we could ever fathom. Love also appears when I became strong enough to share the difficult story.

Truth is when you read the Doctors diagnosis and there is nothing he can do about it. The truth is your scared but you know how big your God is, so you begin to pray. Truth is that knowing when every time, which is every day, you see a heart you feel the truth that God answered your prayers and healed your child.

God is amazing, He sent his only Son to die on the cross for our sins. This is the same God that moved Hannah to share the Love, Truth and God with all her friends and family after hearing my story and seeing the hearts appear day after day. It moved her so much that she and her Mother bought a personalized plaque for me that read:

Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Let’s be the positive driving force for everyone around us. Let’s sow seeds that create a Love so great that God is so pleased and proud. Let’s tell the truth no matter what. And let God shine so bright in your life that His blessings will rain down on you for everyone to see.

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

National Girlfriends Day…

Is today, August 1, 2017!

Where would I be without the amazing friendships I have made throughout my life? I often think about how God brought the right women into my life for a season and others  for longer. The girlfriends who taught me who I did and didn’t want to be based on what I learned from them.

I recently moved to Texas, leaving my girlfriends behind. I was able to say good bye to most of them, which was very important to me. Some girlfriends came to my going away party, some came to my Bon Voyage party and the others met me one on one. Leaving them behind was hard and difficult but grateful we have phones, texts and social media to stay updated.

I must admit I am blessed in the girlfriend space. God has given me the type of girlfriends that have looked out for me. The type of girls that lift me up, make me laugh and support my endeavors. Some of my girlfriends have even been here to see me in Texas already, awesome; right?!

In fact, I am amazed at the new girlfriends that I have met over the last 3 years including the new girlfriends I recently met in Texas. These women have been life changing for me. The older I get, the newer the friend, we all have God in common. I am so grateful, pleased and thankful to God for the great girlfriend flow.

May you take today to reflect on all the wonderful women who gave their friendship to you. May you say a prayer to the ones that you lost for better or worse. And may God continue to bless your life with women who uplift, love, care and make you laugh all the days of your lives.

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

The happiest place on Earth…

Should be your relationship with God?

It’s not a place, a location, a vacation, a house, it’s truly not even Disney World or Land. The happiest place on Earth exists within the Trinity. When we give ourselves completely and freely to God that is when we find true happiness.

We all have our own walk with God, some realize this faster than others. Others struggle day in and day out to let go and let God in our hearts to take over. And sometimes our own inability to let go of control impedes our own success in life and more importantly with God.

We need to teach our children this very concept as well. It’s so important we clean up our own thinking so we can help our children to understand the true meaning of happiness. Children need to understand the importance of God’s Love and not love of toys, things or lavish experiences or vacations.

Do you know how differently the world would be if we were all able to start today to put God in the center of everything we did, say or feel? If we stopped putting ourselves in the position of God and truly lived for Him? You would be healthier, wealthier and happier.

I pray you start today to let God inside your life, totally and completely. Not before every meal, not on Sunday or Saturday evening Mass, not before you go to bed but totally and completely inside your life, everyday.

 

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

Are you the Victim or Victor…

Of your life?

 

I pray you are the Victor and you are living a life with joy, peace and happiness for God. And if you are the Victim, I pray if you are reading this you will make an effort to read this entire blog to no longer be the Victim but the Victor. Let me show you the difference.

A Victim will constantly complain about almost everything in life, even down to the food served to them at a fast food restaurant. Victims live in the past of their hurt and refuse to heal or see a therapist. A Victim will relive their unhealthy past to everyone they meet, even relive it in their own head over and over again. And you can’t even be who God wants you to be because you are so focused on your dysfunctional past. You can’t be in a healthy relationship with yourself because you are so focused on your past. Since you can’t be healthy with yourself, you certainly can’t be in a relationship with another person. Shocker, right!?

When someone is living in their past dysfunction, I like to call that a dust storm. And when there is a dust storm, you can see but not clearly. And until the dust storm settles in your life and mind you can’t be who God ultimately created you to be.  Easy right!? Not so fast, easy if you truly want to be healed. Most Victim’s love to play the Victim, it’s like a role. People expect them to be negative, melancholy, angry and or sad, it’s their normal but not normal.

So when you want to stop playing the madness of the Victim role these are the things that will start to happen almost immediately when you want to be the Victor in your own life:

  1. You will no longer bring up the past hurt and chaos.
  2. You will no longer complain about everything.
  3. Your heart will heal and become happier, day by day.
  4. You will no longer hurt.
  5. You will no longer play the role of Victim.
  6. You will no longer use drugs, alcohol, retail therapy or food to make you fake happy or high.
  7. You will stop blaming the past for your present or future.
  8. The people around you will notice how different you are for the better, not worse.
  9. You will notice that you will begin to love yourself and essentially love others.
  10. You will get closer to God.

The Victor is the goal, Satan loves his Victims. Satan whispers the bad memories of your past to bring you down, not lift you up. Satan would love nothing more to ruin you and your family. We have the power of God to rebuke Satan and his evil. Remember God loves you and me, He is constantly pulling for us each and every day.

 

 

Posted on by Kristina Knowles

What Wheel are you on?

I ask this question because some of you might feel like you are on a hamster wheel, a ferris wheel, wheel of fortune or maybe you feel like you are on a wheel rolling down a hill totally out of control with no breaks.

The Hamster Wheel makes me think of people who wake up everyday and go about their life in the same exact manner everyday. Unfortunately, these people don’t even realize the one track life they are on. Why!? I will help you, it’s because when they look around they see that most in their inner circle behaving the same way. Tunnel vision living is not for you.

The Ferris Wheel makes me think of another group of people that live in very high, high’s and very low, low’s. Sure you might say to yourself, isn’t that life? Well, it doesn’t have to be, more importantly it’s not healthy. We make so many different decisions everyday to make our lives good or bad. It’s safer to always strive to make good healthy decisions in order for our life to be whole and holy.

The Wheel of Fortune might remind you of a television show but that is not what I am referring to. I am talking about being on the wheel of gaining wealth, aka fortune. What good is it to gain the entire world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36) You can’t only focus on money, wealth and fortune if you truly want happiness. The love of money will lead to greed, emptiness and corruption. You can’t have two Masters of any kind.

The lone Wheel rolling down the hill out of control. The people on this wheel are experiencing anxiety, addiction, despair, fear, loneliness and/or abuse. Unfortunately, these people rarely reach out for help and feel totally, completely out of control.

No matter what wheel you might be on, get off! God ultimately wants you to release yourself from the trappings of your unhealthy decisions. God sent his one and only Son to die for our sins. He didn’t say,”Go child of mine, be dysfunctional, be emotionally unstable, angry, mad or sad.” It’s the exact opposite, God wants you to love Him and His ways, not man’s. God wants the best, His best for you and me.    


                                                                via Daily Prompt: Wheel