Free By Design » Faith

Mere Example

Kimberly Cooley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Bridgett Barnes once told me that we’re living in a time where people are so desperate for hope, so desperate to find something or someone to believe in that they seek to find these things in places they simply cannot reside in. Even though this conversation took place years ago, it’s so relevant today right down to this very second. We are mere examples of hope, examples of faith because our hope and our faith is in God. We lead others to Him, but we are not Him. Just because I walk like my father, talk like my father, doesn’t mean I am my father. It does however mean that I spend time with him, study him, and desire to be like him. We are to make others excited about the Light that dwells in them rather than bring attention to the one in us. It’s not about us; it’s bigger than us. #oneGodoneLoveoneFaith

Peace – Kimberly

More Than Just A Number

Kimberly Cooley — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 16:08:17 +0000

Good morning. A few months ago Jeremiah with The Church At Chapel Hill preached on the “American Scheme” and how we shouldn’t conform to the American Dream (house, cars, picket fence, etc) but instead focus on living a life aligned with God’s will with or without those things. This message echoes when I think of our country who has made credit “ruler of all” and is now having its own “credibility” questioned and credit rating damaged.

In true God fashion, He prepared, refocused, and comforted his people for what was to come. Why wouldn’t I want to serve a God who constantly has me on his mind?

I am #morethananumber because #imGods.

Peace – Kimberly

Chill. He’s Got This.

Kimberly Cooley — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:26:17 +0000

Good morning. Stop trying to “over think” God. In many ways, He’s very practical. It’s just that His wisdom is so much greater than our knowledge that we usually don’t “get it” until after the fact. It’s ok though because that just means He’s already moved on our behalf, and we were too slow to mess it up.

Peace – Kimberly

Why

Kimberly Cooley — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 04:29:00 +0000

Good evening. Never give up on possibility because you could very well be the one who makes it possible.

Peace – Kimberly

Tried

Kimberly Cooley — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 03:47:55 +0000

This world alone brings tests and trials. But remember – whether tested or tried stay FULL of FAITH. #faithmakesthedifference
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Got Religion?

Kimberly Cooley — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:28:45 +0000

Religion is destroying us. It separates us and makes hate one another. It completely turns us away from the one thing that can save us… the love of Christ.

Religion will make you talk to God only on Sundays, act holy only in public, and give only after you’ve been given to. Religion will make a preacher live a double life Monday through Saturday and pulpit retaliate on Sunday.

Religion will make you have more faith in your parents and friends than God himself.

Religion will make you start a “ministry” but you never go outside your four walls. Religion will make you pray hard, long, and powerfully when it concerns YOUR needs.

Got religion? Sent from my Cellular South BlackBerry® Smartphone

Personal Note

Kimberly Cooley — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:42:52 +0000

Good evening. The moment when you realize that what you’re doing is solely for God regardless of the acknowledgement or attention is the moment in which you move to another level. We can play “follow the leader” for as long as we live, but until we decide that our worship, our praise, our song is SOLELY to bring glory to our Father, then we are are doing nothing other than playing games and insulting the purpose of our existence. When you wave your hand, when you tap your feet, when a tear falls from your face…let it be from the heart. Let it be a result of your spirit connecting with God’s. And when you do…you’ll know it because there will be such a sweet presence that will over take you, that will make your heart smile.

Peace - Kimberly

Peas In A Divine Pod

Kimberly Cooley — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:06:57 +0000

Good evening. Last weekend, a powerful message was ministered at a church I fellowship with when I’m in Georgia, The Church At Chapel Hill (CCH). Their current series is titled, “If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?” This particular message was on “Assignment.” Although the entire message kept you locked in, one particular part literally made me stop and rewind the podcast. Pastor Jeremiah touched on the American Dream being the American Scheme. In other words, he talked about how desiring to meet the world’s standards of success distracts us from what’s really important – our assignment to win souls to Christ and reach the lost. I could not agree more. Landing a 6 figure job, driving a BMW, living in a lavish house, with a dog, and a privacy fence from here to Heaven means nothing if you don’t share about God in every chance that you get. It means nothing if you don’t care enough for a single person on this earth to be concerned about their salvation. We have gotten so far out of touch with compassion and ministry and so focused on meeting the world’s standards…sadly even in the church. You better believe me when I say, “spiritual elitism does exist.” Living like this doesn’t benefit the Kingdom of God. It benefits our ego.

Yesterday I heard another amazing sermon that ironically though divinely piggy backs the message from CCH. My pastor, Terri, encouraged us to be relentless in our faith. The sermon resonated with me on so many levels.

The definition of relentless is: Unyielding in severity or strictness; Steady and persistent.
Matthew 11:12 reads, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”

I told you these two message were divinely connected. :p

At what point do we (Christians) get as aggressive and as relentless about what we believe in our faith as we do in accomplishing the American Dream? When do we get so fed up with people living in darkness that we sacrifice all that we have to reach them even if it means our reputation, public image, or financial comfort? When do we become so transparent that unbelievers can’t help but to see that you’re human yet connect with your compassion and love?

What are you working for? What are you working towards? Those questions apply to me as well so don’t please don’t get it twisted. I’m not there. Striving to be, but not there.

I’ll end with this. Pastor Jeremiah read a quote that essentially said that our most glorious purpose on this earth is to contribute to the glorification of God until the end of time (paraphrase). Well, let’s do just that…

W.I.N. Ministries Mission Statement:

We purpose to win souls for Christ; By profound proclamation; intense explanation, and practical application of the Word of God; Operating under, in and through, the Holy Spirit.

Further, we purpose to engage in consistent and frequent worship of our God to edify the saints, to reclaim the backsliders and to rescue the lost.

Church At Chapel Hill Mission:

The mission of The Church at Chapel Hill is to Worship the Lord, Reach all people, and Equip to serve.

If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?

Peace – Kimberly
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I Believe.

Kimberly Cooley — Fri, 21 May 2010 04:20:42 +0000

Good evening. Only God would be there when my father died at a time when he was all I had. Only God would be there to wait 18 years for me to get to know Him all the while looking out for me. Only God would be there when I did stupid things that should have cost me my life. Only God would be there when a 6 month old made it clear that he was in my life for good. Only God would be there when I had to choose between money for food and money for gas. Only God would be there when I realized that I had purpose even though I didn’t know what it was. Only God would be there during my 150 miles a day, 5 days a week commute safe and unharmed – not even a scratch. Only God would be there when a long time friend walked away and never looked back. Only God would be there when my own family took advantage of me and tried to dominate my life and manipulate me. Only God would be there the night I cried because my last close friend was moving away. Only God would be there when I, again, lost a father and best friend all at the same time. Only God would be there when professional loyalty turned out to be my worse nightmare. Only God would be there when I discovered that I was born into freedom. Only God would be there when I felt completely alone and misunderstood by everyone. Only God would be there when a subtle voice told me that my lifestyle didn’t align with my character. Only God would be there when my heart ached because the person I fell in love with, my first love, didn’t love me. Only God would be there when I had to swallow my pride and apologize to and forgive someone I honestly didn’t hurt. Only God would be there when I asked for forgiveness for hurting those that I did. Only God would be there the moment I realized that people stick close to you for immediate access to use you. Only God would be there to re-assure me that I was wonderfully made despite of what I felt or thought at the moment. Only God would be there when I learned that some people in my life wasn’t supposed to be there and I had to let them know. Only God would be there to give me the character to accept all the things I’ve done wrong knowing that they don’t make up who I am. Only God would be there to tell me that I’m a flawed human by design and only He was perfect. Only God would be there to give me the strength to be free and share my life with you. And so it continues…

Remember, the end is not where we learn the most, it’s the journey we take to get there. Even at our most uncertain times, the worse moment isn’t until we no longer have a chance to get it right. Where there is breath, there is fight. Never forget that. Stay the course.

Peace – Kimberly

Old Car, Hard Road

Kimberly Cooley — Tue, 04 May 2010 13:07:27 +0000

Good morning. An old car on a hard road. This morning I had a competitive experience with a gentleman driving an older model car. Throughout the stretch of the 6 mile highway from our neighborhood to the interstate, he literally smoked me. To give you a visual, I was still in the last curve when he was exiting onto I55. Then something weird happened. He fell back completely out of sight.

I could only come away with the assumption that though he knew his older car was able to burn pavement on a short highway, he failed to understand that it could do the same in the distance. Nothing changed but the highway, but when it was time to go the distance, fear controlled his confidence, and he simply chose to fall back. Because of his own insecurities and doubt, he placed limitations on the car and simply became hind sight to all around him. What the owner of that old car failed to see was that all of his power wasn’t just under the hood. He forgot that more power existed in his faith and confidence, than in the engine alone.

Many people are very similar to the driver of that old car. They will be right there with you for the short, wild rides that don’t require anything of them. They will be there during those moments when seemingly life itself can’t touch you. They will push you to your max but only to get out of you what they need at that moment. But when it’s time to go the distance, they decelerate out of uncertainty. When the bright colors and flashiness is gone, so is their faith and support in you.

When it all comes together, you and that old car need the same thing… someone whose faith matches yours. Someone who’s strapped in and in it for the ride. What you need is someone who isn’t afraid to break you and tell you the truth by pushing you beyond your limits so that they can help repair you – so that they can help make you better. Much like my friend, Rox.

Peace – Kimberly