The Importance of Each Other - Guest Post

Today I am so happy to introduce you (again) to one of my good great friends Katie from Walking in Unity.  Katie's love and passion and desire to know more about the Word of God brings me so much joy!  When she asked what I wanted her to write about it didn't take me long!  This last year I have become so aware of the importance of community and fellowship in our lives.  Having a community of  God loving women has been the wind beneath my wings (cheezy but true) that brings me back up closer to our Father!  And who better to encourage you in this than one of those women in my life...

Are we assembling? Are we uniting?

              You are my “one another”

                         

  You sister, daughter of the one true King…

                                  You!

Hebrews 10: 23-25
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
 
  As we hold fast & faithful to His promises, we are to hold “one another” up in love and encouragement
WE are to Assemble together
 
  Rather it be at church, in a living room bible study or in the deepest underground church- we are to assemble

Why is this important you may ask?
1st Because our Father said so!
2nd together we share our faith and our prayers together, that we strengthen “one another”- and tell me who can’t use some strengthening in this world today?

He tells us in....

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

How can we do this sisters?
     if we are not assembled together
                if we are not united
                        if we are not there for “one another”

Ephesians 4:11-13
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

     That “body of Christ” mention in vs. 12 is the church.
      It is us- “one anther” united to do His works through Love and Fellowship with “one another”

How do you sisters assemble together with “one another”?
Do you encourage one another?
Do you pray with one another?
Do you study His word with one another?
Do you rejoice with one another?
Do you weep with one another?

Remember…………

                Matthew 18:20 says….

                            “For where two or three are gathered together in My name,
                                       I am there in the midst of them.”

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Thank you so much for joining me again for the Blog-tember link up!

Who is She (online me)!?

Wednesday, Sept. 16: The real you vs. the online you. Are they the same or different?

To answer this question I had to start thinking about the "online me," who she is, what she does, where she is at...

Instagram (@kyleecm) is because  I LOVE a good picture, I don't like being in them, but I appreciate beautiful photography.  Through Instagram I follow several ministries around the world; and what better way to see what God is doing than to SEE His work!  My presence on Instagram is not planned out, I don't stage beautiful photos, I don't "post 1 and only 1 a day"  or follow any specific "gram-ing" rules, but if a moment that says "capture this" flies by, it likely ends up in my photo stream!  So what does all that mean?... what you see is all real. However, I don't think anyone would "know all about me" if all they had was my spot on my list of followers; I like it that way.  It leaves room for the intimate everyday relationships.  And lets face it, some of life's moments need not to be "captured!"

This blog (RecklesslyChosen) only exists because I desired a way to document what God is doing in my life and the seasons He has carried me through.  Pen to paper still happens sometimes, but this crazy life includes so many testimonies that I think others could find hope in!  I personally have found so much encouragement in reading post after post of how God has been faithful in lives around the world.  So I hope that as I share the stories of a living Jesus in my life, you know that they are Real, and Raw, but also there may be some details spared for the special relationships that exist in everyday life.

Bottom line,  I value the people close to me, and those relationships help make me who I am.  If there were not moments and experiences exclusive to those relationships, they simply wouldn't exist in their true form.

 "She" is me!  The same me! -maybe less than the whole "me", but still me!

"She" (the online me) exists in most forms to bring glory to Him (Jesus)

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This is another post in the Blog-tember link up.  I hope you have been enjoying getting to know a little bit more about me!

Weekend Blog-Tember Catch Up

Friday, Sept. 11: It's a Friday night and you decide to stay in. What do you do?

A night in? Any night of the week for that matter, has been virtually unheard of in a couple months!  If I'm not working, we are gone on a youth trip, or at a meeting, or fundraiser, or conference, or concert, or visiting with friends.  Honestly, I think if you gave me any night at home with nothing to do, would fall asleep sacked out on the couch!  

But honestly, lets say we had a planned "night in" we would probably rent a movie and that's it! We're exciting people I know!

Saturday, Sept. 12: What are you up to currently? 

Reading... Not enough!

Playing... catch up, 4 posts in one! 

Watching... Finishing up America's Got Talent, We don't really get to watch until we go to bed, so I only catch the beginning of each episode!

Trying... To make SOME kind of routine despite a non-routine job!

Cooking... Anything quick

Eating... Whatever is available 

Drinking...water. Always water.

Calling... Mom: baby shower plans.

Texting... Jessica & Katie...it's just what we do!

Pinning... Baby gifts and baby shower ideas

Tweeting... Nothing

Going... 1000 directions 

Loving... Fall weather

Hating... Allergies

Discovering... I'm a very busy person

Thinking... I need some "me" time

Feeling... Exhausted 

Hoping... Things will slow down soon

Listening... Can't get enough Crowder these days

Celebrating... Babies. LOTS of babies

Smelling... Nothing...(see "hating"...)

Thanking... God for great friends

Considering... Best way to plan ahead meals!?!?

Starting... Getting the word out about packing shoeboxes! 

Finishing...all the summer festivities.

Basically, I have been super busy! I would like to think things might start to slow down, but we shall see! 

Sunday, Sept. 13: Create a collage or inspiration/mood board for this season in your life.

Monday, Sept. 14: The 5 books that have impacted your life the most.

First and foremost, nothing has impacted my life more than the message of God's Word! The hope laced through the words of the bible saved my life.  Had it not been for the message of Jesus, these other books wouldn't have meant what they did to me! 

2. Falling in Love with Jesus: 

The message and testimonies from Kathy and Dee were just what I needed to hear as a young Christian and truly guided my heart as I set out in pursuit of Jesus!

3. Redeeming Love:

I can't imagine this book NOT being on someone's list! Francine River is truly a phenomenal writer and makes me crave the word of God! No other fictional work has ever come close to bringing Gods grace to life the way Rivers does. And this book was only the beginning to falling in love with EVERY. SINGLE. BOOK. that she has written! See also Mark of the Lion Series

4. Kisses from Katie:
Wow! If your looking for a testimony that will make you jump into action, this is what you need. Katie's love for the Lord and dedication the the Kingdom will leave you wanting and doing more!!!

5. The Power of a Praying Wife:
The first time I read this book was actually when Brett and I were just dating!  The message behind the book is really quite simple but this has become a go to book for me.  It remains on my night stand and is just the encouragement and guidance I need sometimes to seek God's face on Brett's behalf! 

Well, I hope I didn't overwhelm you, but I didn't want to miss out on anything from Blog-tember!!!  Weekends leave no time for a computer stare-down!!! 

Glad you made it!

The Bucket List to be!

Exciting news!!! - I have officially completed now 10 days of Blog-temper!!! I had to do some catching up after the weekend, but I made it through!!! Jump on over the BraveLoveBlog if you're not sure what I'm talking about!!! 

Here it is, Day 10...

Thursday, Sept. 10: 10 items off your bucket list. If you haven't made one, now's a good time to start!

So I don't have a Bucket List! Not a tangible one.  I'm not sure why, I LOVE to make lists, I love to cross things off of lists. But I have never even considered putting pen to paper for a bucket list! But I do have ideas! Lots of ideas! So here are a few of them...

1. Serve {missions} on every continent.

2. Start my own business.

3. Alaskan Cruise.

4. Adopt.

5. Sing a special at church.

6. Visit all 50 States.

7. Run a 1/2 marathon.

8. Learn to play piano/keyboard.

9. Give away/donate more than we spend.

10. Read through the Bible in a year.

 

So I know this isn't a super impressive list, I hope it doesn't end here! It is scary and exciting to put these things somewhere besides the back of my mind! Hopefully you will stick around long enough I can tell you about completely some of them!!!

*sorry it's not a fancy post! Editing from my phone in the middle of a 12 hr shift today!!!  

Dear 16-year-old me,

                                                  Wednesday, September 9: Write a letter to sixteen-year-old you.

Miss Kylee at Sixteen,

We don't know each other, we are two very different people.  Our passions, beliefs, friends, and dreams are very different.  There are probably things we could learn from each other.  You do fairly well with handling stress and channeling emotions, try and keep it that way!  Keep pushing yourself to be better at everything you do! One day you will be able to look at all those years of effort and improvement with a sense of pride.  Be careful not to try too hard tho, you can get wrapped up in it and start to think feel like you haven't gotten anywhere.

But it will get you somewhere, you will end up in college with another two years in a sport you love! Cherish the moments and friendships that come from that, they will fade away all too soon!  I'm sorry to tell you it is there that your 4 year relationship will come to an end.  It will hurt. A lot.  But please know that there is an amazing path ahead for both of you!  The two of you will reconnect a couple years later and see that had that pain not occurred, you would have both missed out on huge blessings.

You career path will unexpectedly change, and you won't have any clue then, but it is all part of a grander plan, one that you don't even know about!  Your heart will be torn apart a couple times, but each knock down is bringing you closer to your knees, and when you finally hit them you will meet someone...

You'll learn that He has had his eye on you for quite sometime.  You'll slowly get to know Him a little bit better.  You'll start to realize the many times you broke His heart and you didn't even know it.  But you will then discover that despite all the hurt you have caused Him, He loves you just as much as He ever did; and He gave up everything to be in a relationship with you.

Then, that day, when you let go of what you think your life is suppose to look like; That day your life will change. Because of Jesus.  Your hopes and dreams will all become His. And girl let me tell you, are you in for it!  You can't even imagine what your life will look like after that!  But trust in Him, trust the Journey He will take you on. He has a messy, beautiful, life planned out for you!

Love, me You (the redeemed version)

Dear Younger Me By MercyMe

Are you wondering where this very uncharacteristic post came from...well, it's part of Blog-tember hosted by BraveLoveBlog!  

If your joining me from the Link-up, WELCOME! I'm so glad you found me! 

This one was kinda hard for me, what about you!? It got a little easier once I got started, I liked the challenge!!! 

Also read...

Time of Singing...

Tuesday, Sept. 8: Tell us about your favorite season. Why is it your favorite and what does it say about you?

I can appreciate the beginning of any new season.  

When the summer sun ushers in camping, lake fun, & fresh vegetables.   

Then when the months of heat begin to break, the leaves turn colors, and cardigans are in style. 

Even when it's bitter cold outside & outside chores take twice as long, I can appreciate the beauty of frozen precipitation.

And finally, when the days start to get longer, warmer, and more colorful, Spring has Sprung!  New life is all around, the animals are emerging from their warm homes, the flowers are in full bloom, the trees get fuller...

Spring is my favorite!

Creation calls out to be appreciated and enjoyed.  After months of cabin fever, there is work to be done.

"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land." SOS 2:11-12

Whats your favorite season!? Share with us over at BraveLoveBlog for Blog-tember!!!

What is Style Anyways!?

Sunday, Sept. 6: Share your style. What fashion trends do you love, frequent, or avoid?

Yes, I do know I am late - that's my style! (Actually I married into it)

Whats my style you ask!? 

Well, when addressing this topic I wouldn't be honest unless I included the scrubs, with which I spend 50+ hours a week wearing!  I keep them simple, usually even just scrub pants and a T-Shirt.

Beyond that, you will find me pretty much in the same outfit, with minor adjustments for climate consideration.

Jeans. T-Shirt. 

I have a closet FULL of t shirts.  What I like most about my t shirts, is each one usually has some sort of memory or purpose associated to it!

Mission Trip Fundraiser

Concerts (I love lyric tees!!!)

Fair Trade Organization

Cause Awareness

Every time I wear them, I am either reminded of their cause, or I get a chance to tell a story when I am asked about them!

This uber comfy apparel is paired with any of the following depending on the season...

Jeans, Capris, Shorts (I'm a knee length kinda girl,) 

Maxi Skirt (you know, to make it Fancy and all)

Flats, Sandals, Flip flops. Boots.

Cardigans (YES! I am obsessed with them,) scarf.

I love the "vintage" colors, aztec design (real original right!), some might even say I have a bohemian/hippy-ish style.

Do you know of any tshirts for a cause!? Point me in the right direction!!!

This is a late post in the Blog-tember series from BraveLoveBlog.  

Why, Recklessly Chosen?

Blog-tember

Monday, September 7: Tell us about your blog name. Where did it come from?

This is the post I originally wrote when "Recklessly Chosen" was first launched! My reason behind starting this blog was to share what the Lord is doing in my Life.  I wanted a name that described "this life"...

Recklessly Chosen

When we think of "reckless," what do we think?...

A book I have recently read, The Prodigal God,made me take a second look at the definition of "reckless."  The author, Timothy Keller, first brings up reckless when he refers to God as "prodigal."  Again, not my choice of words for our never moving, ever present father in heaven, however, he points out that the definition of prodigal is, "recklessly spendthrift."  Now that I think rings a little truer of a God who gave up His only son, just so we could return to Him for eternity!  Seeing Him as "reckless" took a little more thought...

The definition of "reckless" is... "marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences."

Is my God reckless?...  Of course He is!

He did not need to take caution or worry of the consequences because He ALREADY KNEW what the consequences were!  He knew what He would loose and what we would gain, and He did it anyways!

The more I thought about it, I couldn't help but think..."Would any god who was "playing it safe" or "weighing the consequences" have ever saved ME?

Absolutely not!

Keller ends the intro with this...

"Jesus is showing us the God of Great Expenditure, who is nothing if not prodigal toward us, his children.  God's reckless grace is our greatest hope and a life changing experience."

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You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.- John 15:16

My God Recklessly Chose me, and I hope to share with you the grace and hope He bestows upon me daily!

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So here's what you'll find if your just joining me here!  

Where did your blog name come from!?

iTunes playlist

Saturday, Sept. 5: Put your iTunes/music player on shuffle and share the first 10 songs that play.

1.What if His People Prayed...Casting Crowns

2. Don't Give Up...Calling Glory

3. Lord, I need You...Matt Maher

4. Awake My Love...I Am They Band

5. Everything Glorious...David Crowder Band

6. The Proof of Your Love...For King & Country

7. Wake Up...All Sons & Daughters

8.  The Power of the Cross...Matt Hammit

9. No Turning Back...For King & Country

10.  Come Alive...Crowder

11.  God Gave Me You...Dave Barnes

12. More than Conquerors...Rend Collective

13. The Harvester...Brandon Heath

... Ok I need to stop!

I LOVE music.  It's one of my love languages...but NOT a spiritual gift.  Unless I'm in the car, there... there I give Francesca Battistelli a run for her money!  Brett and I LOVE live Worship Concerts!!!

Some of our absolute FAVORITES...

All Sons & Daughters

I Am They

Crowder 

Rend Collective

NEEDTOBREATHE

For King & Country

Hillsong

Lauren Daigle

Ok, so with this post you might have got more than you bargained for, but please check some of these out if you are unfamiliar! They SING to my soul!!!

Full Heart, Full Life - Blog-tember Day 4

Friday, Sept. 4: What are you passionate about?

This is such a great follow up to yesterday's post! I showed you the pictures and now I can tell you a little about them! 

Here in my little corner, you will find the things I'm PASSIONATE about!!!

My Faith- it is real. It is messy. It is the greatest part of my life. I did not grow up with it. I found it at the age of 23. Or I should say, I finally submitted to a Father who was pursuing me! Nothing about my life has been the same since.  Living for the One True God is the only way to truly live. Everything is better when God is the glue that holds it together. 

My Marriage- I have been married for 16 months to one of Christ's most devoted followers.  Marriage is hard. But when God is as passionate about something as He is marriage, you Know it's worth fighting for! Serving the Kingdom alongside Brett is the most exciting way I could think of doing it.  Growing as a wife makes me grow as a Christian. 

Serving.Loving. - Thinking of the Love that Christ lavished upon me, makes me want to live every moment paying it forward. Unfortunately I fall incredibly short, but serving Gods people lights my soul on fire. Missions. Child Sponsorship. Fair trade. Youth Ministry - These are just a few ways I love to get involved.  Please click around to learn more about a few of these things!!!

So, I thought this list would be longer, but actually the many many things that come to mind, all fit into these three topics!  Stick around and I will follow up with some details about a few of them!!!

Day 4 (I made it 4 whole days, this may have an even greater impact beyond 30 days, b/c now I have a growing list of things I want to write about!!!) oh where was I, oh Yes, DAY 4 of Blog-tember is in the books!!! I'm so happy to be sharing my heart with all who are here!

Blog: a collage

Thursday, Sept. 3: Create a collage or inspiration/mood board that describes your blog.

A few of the things you will find around here...

Are you wondering what has caused me to post 3 days in a row!?

Its BLOG-TEMBER!!!

hosted by: Brave Love Blog

my perfect day...

BLOG-TEMBER

Wednesday, Sept. 2: Describe your ideal day. Where would you go and what would you do?

this, ya i'm not very good at this.  I'm too much of a dreamer to have a plan when the possibilities are endless...

But if I had to start somewhere I would start by saying it would last more than 24 hrs.  I don't know how many, just "more." Maybe it wouldn't have a set time limit, but when I get done with whatever is on my mind, then and only then would it end.

the ideal day would definitely include:

~Waffles
~A clean house
~Community Worship
~Kids (anybody's)
~Some form of creating
~Reading     {or I could just spend ALL day reading-there is a very good thought}
~Continue reading on a flight to somewhere in the world where I can help someone
         {see where I was going with the  >24hr request}
~Baking
~Sharing product of said baking with Friends
~A date with the Mr {outdoors, under the stars, with a blanket, and NO bugs}

none of the following would be involved:

~Alarm Clock
~Time Clock
~Cleaning
~Calorie Guilt
~News (noon, 5, 10 or anytime)


I'm sure throughout the day, more and more would be added!

Truth is, as soon as each day involves 1) Jesus + 2) Love,  it is perfect.  However, each chance to spread a little of either around, should not be passed up!

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.   Psalm 84:10

Join me for Blog-tember hosted by Bailey Jean at Brave Love Blog

Hello my name is...

So lets try something new!

I LOVE reading blogs more than I like writing...but it takes some diligence to find good ones!
I like reading lifestyle.
-Hearing (aka reading in blog-land) about those everyday encounters with God.
-Seeing those seemingly meaningless recipes you brought to existence today and seeing the joy they brought to your world!
-Learning out to perfect that wreath I have been seeing around!
-Reading how the very trial I am suffering today, made you stronger yesterday!

& I hope that these are some of the very things I can ad to your day!


The most rewarding way I have discovered some of you is by a little link from a like-written blog!  Sooooo.... Why don't I join in every-once-in-a-while!?

BLOG-TEMBER IT IS!!!

You are prolly (this is a word that I cant help but use, I'm working on a copyright*) here because you came from brave love blog.  But if you're not, you should go there!!!

*jk about the copyright

1) JESUS - nuff said. 

2) Learning to be Mrs. (16 months in, lifetime to go)

3) I love organizing, yet seem to be terrible at it.

4) My "bucket-list" consists of the following categories: 

                A)Travel B)Careers C)Service Projects/Ministries - In no particular order.

5) I don't blog everyday, I have no schedule in this particular matter - be surprised!

6) My husband is a youth pastor, so a lot of my posts involve the happenings of youth.

7) We are passionate about missions, also a common subject.

8) I get really excited about ministry!

9) We inhabit a small farm.
10) I can be am random.
11) I never know what to write "about me"
12) I am Recklessly Chosen.


btw... I'm terrible with grammar.  sorry, not sorry. - if you correct me, I will embrace it!

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I've been saved, I've been changed, and I have been set free
"Amazing Grace" is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King

Hello, My Name Is, by Matthew West

ps, I quote lyrics. A lot