Posts by Kelly Balarie

Today’s Truth

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector “ (Luke 18:11 NIV).


 


 


Friend to Friend


In many ways, it is far easier to rely on works than it is to rely, by faith, on grace.


I’m coming to terms with this because I have had a works-based mentality, without even realizing it. I have used my works to benefit me when it is supposed to be all about God’s grace and glory.  


For example, I’ve worked extra hard at church, really hoping to get compliments. I went above and beyond, not one hundred percent for God but, underneath, to merit my own significance, because I did such a great job! I have given compliments or encouragement to others, internally hoping that they would give the same thing back to me. 


But, were these things for

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Today’s Truth

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (John 1:47 NIV).


 


Friend to Friend 


 They dissed me. Rather than including me in future discussions about the project we were working on together, one of them essentially said, “Kelly, we will take this offline and get back to you.” 


I thought we were co-leaders on this project, but now I’d been demoted. The two of them were getting together to discuss everything—without me, and, once again, I was the girl on the playground with no friends. Left alone. Was I not good enough? Too much? Did I pour out too much of my heart? Too much passion?


Even though I knew I was left out, I was also sure about one other thing: I didn’t want to react impulsively; I wanted to respond wisely. So, I used a

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Today’s Truth

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:2 NIV).


 


Friend to Friend
Who pulls in a car like this? What are they thinking? What is wrong with them?


The people maneuvered their car an inch away from mine! Who does that? Not only did they pull close, but they pulled in horizontal to the front of my car, leaving me almost zero ease at inching out of the car line at my kid’s school.


I lifted my head and craned my neck. Who in the world would do such a thing?!


I began to formulate a mental script of who they were based on what they did. These are the sorts of people who do that.


Friends? As embarrassing as it is to say, that was me, yesterday morning. It’s horrible, I know.

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Today’s Truth

I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8 NIV)


 


Friend to Friend
I was headed up, up, up. My car climbed the towering, sky-high road up the bridge. On the ascent, I could see everything, boats below, a beach lining the shore and cargo ships out the left side of my window. But there was one thing I could not see. The other side of the bridge.


From my vantage point, it looked like the road just ended. It looked like I’d get to the top of the bridge and suddenly, fall over it, into deep waters. Ahhhh, I’m going to die!  That’s how it appeared as I drove…but at the same time, I knew that wouldn’t happen.


Why? Because, even though I couldn’t see, I knew there was another side. Even though

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Today’s Truth

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 NIV).


 


Friend to Friend


I breezed by my pastor without so much as a hello, a head nod, or a second glance.


“Kelly!” He abruptly announced. “How are you?”


His voice caught my attention. A few steps past him, I looked back, towards the sound of his voice. Only now, could I see him. Only now, was his face discernible. Before, I couldn’t make him out. He was just a figure.


Why?


The sun had blinded my sight. In the light, I could only see light. In the light, my pastor was a figure, not a face with details.


This makes me consider the power of light…


Just as the full-force of the sun had the ability to overpower my sight, so too does the full-force of God’s

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Today’s Truth

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7 NIV).


 


Friend to Friend


I have the answer. I have the solution. I know what my husband should do.


Standing back and considering his problem, I want to fix my husband’s situation. I want to wipe my hands and be done with it. I want to solve the issue with quick words of advice. I don’t want to see him struggle. It takes everything in me not to blurt out a precise prescription to his pressing problem. Instead, like a steaming hot pot, I hold the pressure inside. Ahhhhh! This is so hard because I know! I know! I know!


But, I don’t let out a peep, not even a grunt or a sigh. Instead, I listen and I hold it inside because I

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” (Ephesians 1:18 NIV).

Friend to Friend
I looked out the window, my mind trailing off beyond the house cleaning I needed to do and far past the trail of kid items I would soon need to pick up.


My life should be more, I thought. My years should add up to more than where I am today. I am getting older. If only I had more money, then I could… If people didn’t treat me like this, then I would be in a better place. If I was smarter, more gifted, or if I had more faith, then I would…


Somehow, I am not where I thought I would be. How did this happen? How did I end up here?


Maybe, like me, you wonder how you

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Today’s Truth

Then Jesus told him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk” (John 5:8 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Have you ever thought to yourself, “God, if you love me, send someone – anyone – to care for me right now?”


I’ve thought that before… In fact, I just thought that, this very morning…when my whole world got tossed upside-down in the time frame of about an hour.


It all started at my kitchen table as my two kids ate breakfast. They chowed down on bagels while my daughter explained a difficult friend issue. The more she talked, the more Brillo pad-nervousness balled up in me. I didn’t like where my husband was taking this conversation. I didn’t agree with the solutions my family was coming up with on this topic. So, without any empathy, I offered my angle.


Suffice

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Today’s Truth

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you” (Matthew 26:27 NIV).

Friend to Friend
I hopped on social media to check out my friends’ feeds. One social media friend was changing the world through missions in Africa. Now she was being publicly acclaimed. Another social media friend was hanging out with the very group that excluded me a couple weeks ago. They looked so happy. My old friend from high school was now building a whole basketball sports complex in her backyard. Her family, of course, looks picture-perfect. The girl I remember from my kid’s preschool smiles in bliss with her husband in Bermuda, her body is picture-perfect.


Me?


I am sitting like a blob on the couch, hair in messy bun, dirty dishes stacked high in the sink, while filthy toilets are calling my

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Today’s Truth

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Nearly all vacation long, I couldn’t stop worrying. I don’t know why I was worried; it was a small issue in the grand scheme of things, but, still, I kept thinking back to home…to the flowers I planted before I left. I knew the white variety that lined the front hedge of my house would be fine; the rain would hit them. But the purple ones, under my porch? Oh man, I hoped they would live. I really hoped they’d live. Those little purple flowers bring me such joy. Many a morning, I snuggled up with a hot coffee, my bible and a clear view to those cheer-me-up flowers.


But what would happen after a week with no water?

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Today’s Truth

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Have you ever started a recipe only to find you’re missing that one ingredient?


Perhaps, you begin, convinced that you have everything you need. Then you follow the recipe, adding the proper ingredients. Half-way through the process, you open the refrigerator to get an egg, when you realize you are “eggless!” Not an egg to be had!


You’re missing an important ingredient, and you’re stuck. The cooking stops!


Some of us feel this same frustration in the recipe called “us.” We feel like we’re missing something–like God left something out of the recipe. Maybe He was all out of one particular ingredient or another on the day He fashioned us in our mother’s womb.


For a long time, I felt like I

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"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…" 1 Thessalonians 2:8