Living Legacy

Posted on | By KimberlyMac | No comments

My husband is my life hero. He is the one who led me to Jesus Christ. He has loved me well. I honor him because He honors God and lives wholly-holy for Him. KimberlyMac


 

2 Timothy 3:1-4 And know this: in the last days, times will be hard. You see, the world will be filled with narcissistic, money-grubbing, pretentious, arrogant, and abusive people. They will rebel against their parents and will be ungrateful, unholy,  uncaring, coldhearted, accusing, without restraint, savage, and haters of anything good. Expect them to be treacherous, reckless, swollen with self-importance, and given to loving pleasure more than they love God. The Voice

 

Do You Have Regrets?

My husband and I took a person to court today. What a crappy feeling that was. How did we get there to that place where we are taking someone to court? What an awful place to find yourself. My husband and I, together we have spent over 40 years helping people, sacrificing and putting others first before ourselves. Our marriage is a living legacy, there is not one moment of our time together as a couple that we regret, we have been committed to each other and our friendship over the years has blossomed. We have never lied, cheated or stolen from anyone to get ahead or gain momentary value. Our lives have not been about us, they have always been about Jesus and being found in Him. We have been so open to God over the years and the Holy Spirit has discipled us from life situation to life situation, changing us and teaching us the value of making the right choices in life and the responsibility of adding value to others lives.

 

John 10:10 The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance. The Voice

 

Have You Been Falsely Accused?

In the past month we have been falsely accused of so many things it is hard to keep track of them, it has been so hard to reconcile the feelings of anger, betrayal, hurt and to not take up an offense against these accusers, who have defamed our reputation with lies to family members, neighbors and lawyers.

 

Philippians 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. And he humbled himself even further, going so far as actually to die a criminal’s death on a cross. Living Bible

 

Do You Stumble Over Your Rights?

For a while when the offense was first dealt, we chased after the “right to be right”. When you do that you get caught up in the whirlwind created by those who are lying about you. They spin the tornado and you step into it and get pretty banged up and also lose your bearings and begin reacting to the people and their foolishness, instead of responding to God.

 

Proverbs 19:1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity  than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. English Standard Version

 

Have You Been Hurt By Someone’s False Reality?

People can lie to themselves so much, that they actually begin living in that false reality like it is real. Like falsely accusing my husband of scaring and abruptly handling a 14 year old and saying you are going to have him arrested for it. My husband is one of the tenderest hearted, kind people I know. I have experienced firsthand over 38 years his love and care for people, especially teenagers. We started out together before we were married with a ministry in the Juvenile detention jail and for two years I watched this man love on those kids in that jail, listen to them, to their pain and point them to Jesus.

 

Acts 20:33-35 “I’ve never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.'” The Message

 

Are You Willing To Sacrifice For Others?

After we were married, we spent 10 years of our lives in ministry to teenagers of all kinds, in all kinds of life situations, giving our lives to them, being available, loving and caring for youth who had been broken by life. Our home was open to them 24/7 and we helped hundreds of youth over those ten years. We never had a family vacation, all of our time and resources was invested in youth. When our oldest child turned 11, we moved to North Carolina, it was time to step out of that 24/7 ministry and give into our children, who had given up so much time with us, let them have time to do things like sports and extra circular things that we never could do when we were in ministry.

 

Romans 15:1-2 So now what? We who are strong are not just to satisfy our own desires. We are called to carry the weaknesses of those who are not strong. Each of us must strive to please our neighbors, pursuing their welfare so they will become strong.

 

Do You Go The Second Mile With People?

In this chapter of our lives, we ministered with Youth for Christ for three years, every Sunday night at the Parkridge Hospital in their lock up ward for teenagers who had been severely wounded by life and were acting out in ways that were detrimental to their health. After that door closed, God opened the door for us to be foster parents with the state of NC, and for five years we used our home to help wounded teens get back on their feet, some back to their families, others strengthened to make a life for themselves.

 

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion, even to the end of the age.” The Voice

 

Do You Add Value To People’s Lives?

Then God opened the door for us for two years, to encourage soldiers every Sunday, soldiers who were training to go off to war, what an incredible thing that was. We saw over 500 soldiers a weekend and were able to encourage them with the hope of God. My husband was amazing in his wisdom, compassion and courage as he shared Jesus with these soldiers week after week.

 

Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, you must love your wives so deeply, purely, and sacrificially that we can understand it only when we compare it to the love the Anointed One has for His bride, the church. We know He gave Himself up completely to make her His own, washing her clean of all her impurity with water and the powerful presence of His word. The Voice

 

Do You Have A Living Legacy?

Our legacy over 38 years of marriage together is amazing. We have made tough choices to do things right and it is never easy to live that way in this world. My husband actually lost a job because he refused to cheat on a set of plans. I love him so much and I admire him more than anything. I have never seen him abuse anything in this life. He doesn’t drink, do drugs, smoke, cheat, steal or lie. He is constant in His belief of God and never has wavered in all these years, He has stayed steady with God. He makes the right choice, the first time. I honor him for that.

 

To put it another way, the gospel of love demands that we surrender individual liberties for the sake of our brothers and sisters. We see this demonstrated powerfully in the example of Jesus who gave up His life and freedom for the sake of the world. When we live by this ethic, we create a community marked by warmth and hospitality. Food, drink, and holidays may well be personal options within the Kingdom. But justice, peace, and joy are communal essentials for life in the Kingdom. Romans 15 The Voice Commentary

 

Is Your Legacy One Of Respect?

My husband has spent 35 years of his life as a referee of soccer and volleyball, in middle school, high school, college and club and is highly respected for his work with these youth over all these years. He has excelled in his refereeing and in his reputation for adding value to youth over many states and places he has been.

 

James 1:27 The Christian who is pure and without fault, from God the Father’s point of view, is the one who takes care of orphans and widows, and who remains true to the Lord—not soiled and dirtied by his contacts with the world. The Living Bible

 

Do You Care For The Hurting?

I watched him my husband one day with my nephew, who has had a rough rode in this life with his dad committing suicide and then his step dad committing suicide. My nephew’s dogs needed a place to stay, My husband took his whole weekend and helped guide my nephew how to make a place for his dogs to stay warm. Together they built this dog shelter and He patiently taught him how to do it, he added value to his life, it was so sweet to watch it. This is my husband. He is not a wife beater, cheat, bully of a minor, a liar and because he has lived his life with such excellence, these false accusations made by his accusers will never stand. He has a legacy that is living.

 

Romans 13:7 Pay all of them what you owe. If you owe taxes, then pay. If you owe fees, then pay. In the same way, give honor and respect to those who deserve it. The Voice

 

Do You Give In An Honorable And Excellent Way?

There are not many people in this life who can say that there is not one area of their lives, like their jobs, their community, their neighborhood, their family, their church, their ministry, their marriage that no matter what has happened, in every situation the choices they have made have all been above board, and brought glory to God. This is my husband’s legacy. He has had a city major write him an incredible letter when he did a difficult project where he had to drop the existing building, and put up a new city hall in the middle of a busy area, the major was so impressed with him and the way he dealt with people so honorably. He has had a USA General give him a civilian medal of honor for the respectful way he worked on a base with all the military. His family, he is always there for them. If anyone needs him, no matter what the cost, our children and grandchildren have had his priority and sacrifice. We have put on additions, done roofs, put on family rooms, tiled floors, repaired damages to homes, built porches, run gas lines, put in water heaters, whatever anyone needed, he has cheerfully given up time, effort and money to serve them and care for them.

 

Psalm 68:4-6 Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence! Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. New Living Translation

 

Are You Writing A Godly Life Legacy?

I can’t even begin to write all the things my husband has done in the 38 years of marriage to add value to others, how many broken families and people who needed help, that we have taken into our home over the years, to help them be healed and restored. It is who He is. He has not changed over all these years. He has been a Godly man, who is not afraid to sacrifice for others, who has given much and added so much value to others. It is just staggering the number of people who have lived with us over the years, who God has restored and sent back out whole. One family comes to mind, a single mom with three kids and two big dogs, lost their home suddenly. We were at a volleyball match, she was crying, she told us what happened, she had nowhere to go. My husband said, yes you do, and we took them into our home that night and provided for them for over a year and half until she was able to get back on her feet.

Proverbs 19:11 Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense without seeking revenge and harboring resentment. Amplified Bible

 

Do You Have Trouble Stumbling Into Offense?

I took up an offense when all these false accusations and lies began to come out, and a root of bitterness began to form in my soul, but because I am accountable to friends who loved me, they pointed it out and helped me to deal with it and I realized, I don’t need to defend my husband. It is so easy to take up an offense and slip into bitterness, so very easy to do. We must guard our hearts in times such as these. Defending your husband, it comes naturally, of course, I naturally wanted to defend him, I stepped into God’s position because I love my husband, it is a natural reaction, when you know it is so unfair and that he did not deserve it. But I have learned I don’t need to defend my husband, his living legacy is enough and the God he has served all these years, He will defend him. Just like Jesus was silent before His accusers and God completely vindicated Him. If I was to call upon everyone my husband has helped over the years, there would be thousands of letters pouring in on his behalf. But I don’t need to do that either. His life legacy stands for itself.

 

Isaiah 30:18 God Is Gracious and Just Therefore the Lord waits expectantly and longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed, happy, fortunate are all those who long for Him, since He will never fail them. Amplified Bible

 

Are You Walking Through An Injustice?

We took a person to court today because we had exhausted every amicable way and our only human option left was court. We made a mistake with the timing of what we filed, so the judge dismissed the case and said we needed to file again in a week. But he warned this person, to make things right so that court would not be necessary. Be responsible and do the right thing, so we won’t end up back here is what he basically said. Was court the right thing for us to do? We asked ourselves that after the experience of it today. It is hard to weed through the injustices of this life, to be in the world but not of it. What we decided is that we have to be led by God, not by our offense or us trying to make a way for justice or make our own way of vindication.

 

Romans 12:17-21 Do not retaliate with evil, regardless of the evil brought against you. Try to do what is good and right and honorable as agreed upon by all people. 18 If it is within your power, make peace with all people. Again, my loved ones, do not seek revenge; instead, allow God’s wrath to make sure justice is served. Turn it over to Him. For the Scriptures say, “Revenge is Mine. I will settle all scores.” But consider this bit of wisdom: “If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink; because if you treat him kindly, it will be like heaping hot coals on top of his head.” Never let evil get the best of you; instead, overpower evil with the good.

 

Do You Trust In God’s Justice?

God is a God of justice. Do we trust Him? Is He our Way-Maker? Or are we trying to make our own way? We need to answer these questions in our heart before we take our next step and settled them in our hearts. My husband has been yelled at, cussed at and verbally abused and never once returned the anger and irrational bantering that was given to him. He stayed calm and reasonable until he could no longer communicate because of the foolishness at hand. He wisely cut off communication and began to pray for his next step. I wish I could say I was like Him, I took up an offense and stumbled around emotionally until I realized that wasn’t helping, just making things worse. I believe my husband made the right decision in this matter and I stand by him.

 

Romans 12:2 Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. The Voice

 

Do You Lean Into God’s Sovereign Sway?

Well, God of the highest court of the land truly spoke to our hearts after He stopped that proceeding with a technicality. God works purposefully in all things. We don’t have much as far as worldly wealth goes, we have spent most of our lives giving instead of stockpiling money and things. This person we took to court, has truly hurt our finances and we will take a huge property loss because of the maliciousness that money, the root of evil can stir up in people. A few years back, we actually took in this person’s child and this person into our home for almost two years trying to help them through a very hard time and God truly restored this person’s child. We sacrificed for this person for almost two years of our lives, which is a part of our living legacy. God reminded us of that today. If this accuser wants to lie, falsely accuse, damage our things and steal from us what is rightfully ours, then let God deal with this and let every lie, every false accusation stand up next to years and years of a living legacy, because what will stand the test of time will be the truth and the living legacy that has been faithfully established.

 

Isaiah 61:8 “For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. New Living Translation

 

Are You Living Right, Constantly?

What I have learned through this difficult time is that vengeance belongs to God and when we try to stand up for ourselves and vindicate ourselves things go wrong and we too become part of that wrong. When we let go and let God, He can and He will make things right. We may lose money and our reputation may take a temporary hit because of false accusations, our property will have to be repaired, but our living legacy, it will stand through it all. In the midst of the human condition things that we all have to face because of other people’s sins, the lies, the false accusations, the cheating, the stealing, the damaging of property, the not keeping of commitments, out of this mess comes the message of hope in Jesus Christ. When you live right, constantly and habitually because you love Jesus Christ and you serve Him with your life, He’s got you and the legacy you have it is living and it will endure through all these things. God owns all people and all things and He takes care of what He owns.

 

Matthew 6:19-21 Some people store up treasures in their homes here on earth. This is a shortsighted practice—don’t undertake it. Moths and rust will eat up any treasure you may store here. Thieves may break into your homes and steal your precious trinkets. Instead, put up your treasures in heaven where moths do not attack, where rust does not corrode, and where thieves are barred at the door. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The Voice

 

Where Is Your Treasure?

I love you my husband, you are one of the best people I know on this earth. You have worked hard, excellently so, all of your life to add value to people every single day of your life. You have one of the best work ethics I have ever seen, you have sacrificed much to minister to people in your church life, your community life, your neighborhood life, your family life, and your marriage. Your living legacy, it will stand through all of these false accusations and God will protect and keep you as His son, His servant. We may not have much when it comes to worldly money and things, but we are so rich in the love of God in us and through us. Our treasure in this world is heart treasure and no one can steal that from us. Hubby, I love your heart for God and for people. I honor you because this honor is due.

 

Matthew 5:43-45 You have been taught to love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you this: love your enemies. Pray for those who torment you and persecute you— in so doing, you become children of your Father in heaven. He, after all, loves each of us—good and evil, kind and cruel. He causes the sun to rise and shine on evil and good alike. He causes the rain to water the fields of the righteous and the fields of the sinner. The Voice

 

Bmac4him, Kmac4him loves you with all of her heart and I am so grateful for the day my dad brought you home for dinner and God divinely connected us forever.

Thank you for stopping in The Author Table today. This piece is a personal heartfelt meal that will fill you with wisdom for the things we all are “growing through” in this fallen world. Please share it with others.

God bless you Much, KimberlyMac


Thank you for stopping in The Author Table today. This piece is a personal heartfelt meal that will fill you with wisdom for the things we all are “growing through” in this fallen world. Please share it with others.

God bless you Much, KimberlyMac


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