The Path To Purpose, Joy & Contentment

Morning Pages Week Five

I shared last week that I am going through the 12-week workbook “The Artist's Way.” As a part of the course, I write three pages in a journal each day. I am sharing a section of my writing each week with you. I would love your feedback on this new approach to my weekly Dispatch.

I am so blessed. God has done so much for me. I think about this: If God only answered one prayer for me and it was my prayer for salvation, wouldn’t that be enough? 

When I see the pictures of outer space from a satellite and am overwhelmed by its vastness and magnitude, who am I that God cares for me and has a plan for my life? There is so much that I do not understand. I cannot comprehend God. He spoke everything into being. He has always been there. He was not created. He is! He watches over all of His creation. He loves each of us more than we could ever imagine. He is always there for us. 

How does He do that? How does He love that way? I know I sadden Him when I stray from what He wants me to do. There are times that I just want to do things my way. I set His best for me aside. But when I follow God’s way is when I am most content and joyful. That is my purpose in life. 

Questions For You To Think About:

  • If you were asked to describe God, what words would you use?

  • When do you think you sadden God?

  • From God’s perspective, what is your purpose in life?

2 Minute Drill

Are you ready to have kids? Here are some things to help you know!

Quick Hits: 

This Week’s Quote: Mickey Mantle

Growing up in Oklahoma, Mickey Mantle was one of my heroes. Born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, Mickey spent his entire career with the New York Yankees. Many people regard him as the greatest switch hitter of all time. He was a 20 time All-Star and played on 7 World Series Championship teams. He was a 3 time American League MVP and his number “7” is now retired by the Yankees. His off the field life was marred by tumult and tragedy but on the field he was a consistent force to be reckoned with.

“After I hit a home run I had a habit of running the bases with my head down. I figured the pitcher already felt bad enough without me showing him up rounding the bases.” Mickey Mantle

This Week’s Trivia Question

In which year did the first Disneyland open in the USA and in which state?

This Week’s Did You Know?

A giraffe cleans its ears with its tongue.

A giraffe’s tongue is over a foot and a half long (21 inches). They also use it to acquire the leaves they want to eat!

Awesome Marriage This week

AM Podcast: The Worst Marriage Advice We’ve Ever Heard

Today Lindsay and I are sharing some of the bad marriage advice we’ve heard over the years, in hopes that you can relate, call the bad advice you’ve heard what it is, and chuck it out! 

AM YouTube Channel: Which Is More Important, Talking or Listening?

Most couples at some time in their marriage struggle with communication.  Is it because they do not listen or is it because they just do not say things in a way that their spouse can hear? 

Click on the link for this week’s vlog on the Awesome Marriage YouTube Channel!

AM YouVersion Plan: Boundaries in Marriage

In this four-day plan, we want to help you get the conversation started on areas of your marriage that could use boundaries, both from outside sources and also possibly from within.

This Week’s Trivia Answer:

  • Disneyland first opened in 1955 in California.

Kim KimberlingComment
2 Questions to Ask In Every Season of Marriage

Morning Pages Week Four

I shared last week that I am going through the 12-week workbook “The Artist's Way.” As a part of the course, I write three pages in a journal each day. I am sharing a section of my writing each week with you. I would love your feedback on this new approach to my weekly Dispatch.

Marriage is a marathon. There are new things to learn and to embrace each year. I am very blessed to have Nancy as my wife. She is beautiful inside and outside. She is willing to trust me and be vulnerable with me.  

When I look back, sometimes I wish some of our years had been easier, but then I remember what we learned during those times and how every experience taught us. Getting to where we are today has been a journey. Over the course of it there have been sunny days and rainy days. There have been times of incredible warmth and closeness.  

In each season, we have had to figure out how to do that season well. How can we connect best? What is realistic and unrealistic for that season? How do we grow? How do we keep God first? I wish in marriage you could get it right in one season and then that worked for the next season. That does not seem to work. What works is acknowledging each season and asking these two questions: 1) How do we keep God first in this season? And 2) How do we keep each other and our marriage second? 

In each season, how we answer those two questions is what makes the difference.

Questions For You To Think About:

  • What season is your marriage in today?

  • What are you doing to keep God first?

  • What are you doing to keep your spouse and marriage second?

2 Minute Drill

What advice would you give a spouse who is feeling alone? Don’t miss this powerful clip from my conversation with Stasi Eldredge. 

Quick Hits: 

This Week’s Quote: Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd was born on October 22, 1938 in Stamford, Connecticut. His long career spanned from the drug-using cab driver in Taxi to Doc Brown in the Back To the Future Trilogy. You probably did not know that he is a distant descendant of indentured servant John Howland (c. 1592-1673), one of the passengers of the ship Mayflower and signers of the Mayflower Compact. Lloyd has never retired from acting and continues to appear in various roles.


“Every role I get is always a challenge. I can read a script and say, 'Oh, I can do that!' and then when I start working on it, I suddenly realize that I had no idea what I was getting into. Then I have to really work hard!” Christopher Lloyd

This Week’s Trivia Question

What state is simultaneously the furthest west, east, and north?

This Week’s Did You Know?

Did you know Disneyland has an underground tunnel system?

The tunnels were built in response to characters having to run through other lands to get to their posts, which spoiled the magic. Thanks to the tunnels, you won’t see a Tomorrowland spaceman in the Old West–inspired Frontierland.

Awesome Marriage This week

AM Podcast: 3 Ways to Do Intimacy His Way

Last week we gave the ladies practical ways to  build intimacy in their marriage in the ways their husbands need and want it. This week we shift to the guys talking about ways for them to build intimacy with their wives!

AM YouTube Channel: Do You Want An Answer To a Major Relationship Issue?

What if God gave us a plan to address one of the most common problems in relationships and what if that plan was absolutely foolproof? Would you want in on this secret? Click on the link for this week’s vlog on the Awesome Marriage YouTube Channel!

AM YouVersion Plan: Putting God First In Your Marriage

In this five part plan, we will look at the importance of seeing God’s work in your marriage and the importance of putting Him first!

This Week’s Trivia Answer:

  • Alaska

Kim KimberlingComment
Does God Always Want the Best For Us?

Morning Pages Week Three

I shared last week that I am going through the 12-week workbook “The Artist's Way.” As a part of the course, I write three pages in a journal each day. I am sharing a section of my writing each week with you. I would love your feedback on this new approach to my weekly Dispatch.

“One of the sad and destructive desires of the sinful nature is the desire for self rule. One of the dark delusions of sin is that it causes us at points to buy into the insane thought that we might be smarter than God.” Paul David Tripp

I read that quote this morning and it hit me hard because I get it. It can be me. I want my way. I want to do what I want to do. I don’t think I ever think that I am smarter than God but my actions may send a different message. I can rationalize almost anything. 

The bottom line is that none of the “my ways” ever work - at least in the long term. Why would I ever question my Creator? Doesn’t He always want the best for me? Of course, He does! When I focus on what God wants me to do, I find that works better than “my way” - always! So when I change “my way” to “His way,” what a difference that shift makes for me.   

How about you? Your way or God’s Way?

Questions For You To Think About:

  • When are you most tempted to choose your way over God’s way?

  • Is there anything that keeps you from believing that God always wants what is best for you?

  • What step can you take today to follow God’s way for your life?

2 Minute Drill

What Does It Mean To Predecide?

Quick Hits: 

This Week’s Quote: Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc purchased McDonald’s in 1961 and led the company until 1973. He turned McDonald’s into the most successful fast food company in the world. During World War I, Kroc lied about his age and became a Red Cross ambulance driver at the age of 15 and served alongside Walt Disney. He once said that it takes a certain kind of mind to see beauty in a hamburger bun.

“The two most important requirements for major success are: first, being in the right place at the right time, and second, doing something about it.”

This Week’s Trivia Question

What went on sale for the first time on October 1, 1908?

This Week’s Did You Know?

The famed pumpkin spiced latte or PSL is a certified fall classic. The comforting blend of pumpkin and spices was invented by Starbucks employee Peter Dukes in 2014.

Awesome Marriage This week

AM Podcast: 3 Ways to Do Intimacy His Way

This week and next week, we are repeating two of our most popular podcasts.  This week we are giving wives practical ways to build intimacy in their marriage the way their husband needs and wants it.  Next week we will turn the tables and talk to the guys!

AM YouTube Channel: Decide What’s Important About Your Married Sex Life

This week’s vlog concludes the six part video series on sex in marriage. If you missed a week, you can catch up on the Awesome Marriage YouTube Channel.

AM YouVersion Plan: Lust vs Sexual Desire

In this three part plan, I discuss the differences between lust and sexual desire.  My goal is to help you go from the chains of lust to the freedom of sexual desire in your marriage.

This Week’s Trivia Answer:

  • Ford’s Model T: One of the first mass-production vehicles, the Model T is generally considered the first affordable automobile made for use by the general populace. Though modern cars existed long before the Model T, they were not particularly accessible to ordinary people.

Kim KimberlingComment