This is my testimony of coming to Christ out of atheism, and how God continued to show Himself real to me in the coming years.
This audio, along with the slides, was shared at the MHEA conference in Starkville MS in May, 2017.
Feel free to share, but please link back here.
TWIG
This is my story, the story of how God transformed the heart of this confused, outspoken atheist into a born-again follower of Jesus Christ and how He demonstrated His love to me in the years that have followed.
Please share as you like, but link back to here.
By the way, I’ll have a YouTube video with slides coming soon!
TWIG
I’ve converted the audio talk from the MHEA conference into a Youtube video with the accompanying slides.
Feel free to share away, but please link back to here. Much appreciated!
To God be all the glory!
Over the weekend I had the incredible opportunity to share a full-length message based on my “Dear Younger Me” series at the MHEA Conference in Starkville MS. I pray that others will be encouraged by both my successes and failures as a mom and for God to be glorified over all.
You are welcome to share this link and list of “nuggets” with others, but please do link it back here.
Ten Plus One Nuggets for My Younger Self
By Kim Endraske www.TeachWhatIsGood.com
Nugget #1: “Trust the Lord”
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov 3:5-6)
Nugget #2: “Don’t Be Anxious”
“Let your reasonableness (NASB= gentle spirit) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:5-6)
Nugget #3: “Hide God’s Word in Your Heart”
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Ps 119:11)
Nugget #4: “Respect Your Husband”
“Let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)
Nugget #5: “Number Your Days”
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Nugget #6: “Discipline Yourself”
“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness, for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NASB)
Nugget #7: “Brothers and Sisters Really Can be Best Friends”
“A brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
Nugget #8: “They’re Imitating You”
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Ephesians 4:31-5:1)
Nugget #9: “Don’t Give Up”
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
Nugget #10: “Refuse to Discipline in Anger”
“Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
Nugget #11: “Grace and More Grace”
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience– among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:1-10)
God “saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” (2 Timothy 1:9)
Maybe you’re like me and you have an incredible deficit in understanding what song lyrics say. This is something my kids love to tease me about. Too true. I’m often caught singing the wrong words — or not singing at all since I have no idea what is being said.
Well, this is one example of that. I’ve heard this song a dozen or more times on the radio, but had no idea he was saying “Dear Younger Me.”
For those of you who have been thinking of this song as I’ve been posting this series: WAY TO GO. For the rest of us, here it is.
One critique: I’m concerned when Christian songs proclaim over the radio “You are holy, you are righteous, you are one of the redeemed,” etc. because not everyone listening has been born again into a saving faith in Jesus Christ. But, to those of you who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, Amen. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t gone down the roads that I have. Does that mean I should go on sinning that grace may abound? BY NO MEANS. So, forget what lies behind and press on to the high calling of Jesus Christ. Praise Him.
Lyrics:
This series is in response to the question:So if you met yourself when your kids were as young as mine (4 and 1), what would you tell her?
If you haven’t read Part One in this series, click here.
Dear Kim,
Take a minute and read this passage out loud. Savor it. I hope this one puts a smile on your face and the joy of the Lord in your heart.
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10
I want so much for you to be walking daily with Jesus, that I’m afraid I’m pushing you too hard. And when things are hard, you’re be tempted to do it in your own strength. And the thing is, Kim, it is too hard for you to do it in your own strength. You’ll only be able to walk this narrow road of faith as you trust in Him and believe in the mercy of God who loves you and gave His own Son for you.
Remind yourself daily that you were saved by grace, through faith, and that none of this is your own doing. It is not the result of works. You can’t earn God’s favor. You will never deserve His love.
It’s the other way around, Kim. While you were dead in all your sins, while you were a child of wrath, while you were the chief of sinners, God demonstrated His love for us, the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us, sending His own Son, to die for us that we could be forgiven. Wow! This is the good news of the gospel.
It’s so easy to get this mixed up.
Remember that God created you. Not the other way around. You are HIS workmanship. He created you in Jesus for good works, not because of them. As Paul wrote to Timothy, God “saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” (2 Timothy 1:9 ESV)
Before the ages began, Kim. Before you’d taken one single breath. Before you’d had the opportunity to do even one good deed, He saved you and called you. Because of His own purpose and grace.
Now, walk in that grace, by that grace. Give that grace to others. Pour out on others the grace and love that has been poured out on you. Trust Him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. He’s got the whole world (that includes you) in His hands.
By His grace,
TWIG
This series is in response to the question:
So if you met yourself when your kids were as young as mine (4 and 1), what would you tell her?
If you haven’t read Part One in this series, click here.
Dear Kim,
This is going to be another tough one. Not so much a tough one to hear, but a tough one to follow.
Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness, for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NASB)
You’re reading the books and listening to the speakers about how to discipline your kiddos, but how about how to discipline YOU? And not just disciplining yourself to wake up early to go to the gym, or disciplining yourself not to eat that third cookie of the day, but disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness.
OK. I hear you, older Kim, but what does that look like?
There are two places I want you to focus: (1) be diligent to study His Word and to pray faithfully each and every day and (2) keep a watch over your mouth. I’ll save that second one for my next post, so for today, let’s look at how to be faithful in your relationship with your Heavenly Father.
Kim, I know that you’re worn out, that you don’t want me to add one more thing to your “to do” list. But, Kim, it’s just not like that. This is going to be time that fills you up, that gives you more energy. It will give you the direction that you need, so you can spend the time you have investing in worthwhile pursuits.
Check out Terri Maxwell’s book “Sweet Journey” and go through it with a friend or a sister, or by yourself if you can’t find anyone and make a daily commitment to start your day with Jesus. She’ll help you get started in how to spend time with the Lord every day.
It will be good for your children to be trained to wait for Mommy while you read and pray. It will be time well spent. Trust me. Go to bed a little earlier and get up a little earlier. Just like your children will be trained a little bit at a time, so will you, and you need to start now. Don’t wait until they’re older to invest in your own time with the Lord. Trust me. (Why do I keep saying that? I think it’s because I know how prideful I am and what a hard time I have taking direction from someone else. Ouch.)
After you finish Mrs. Maxwell’s book, join a Bible study. A real one. Find a Precepts study (one day I know you’ll love them) or look up Community Bible Study. Don’t be afraid. I know some of those other ladies know more than you do, but you know what: That’s good! You can learn from them. Be transparent with them and tell them your needs. Do the best you can on the homework and just keep going.
No one becomes an Olympic athlete over night and no one expects you to know the full counsel of God in a day, but you’ve got to start somewhere. So, put aside your pride and all those time wasters and begin today to have a consistent time with your Savior, Redeemer, Father and Friend. Trust me. You won’t regret it.
TWIG
This series is in response to the question:
So if you met yourself when your kids were as young as mine (4 and 1), what would you tell her?
If you haven’t read Part One in this series, click here.
Dear Kim,
I know you’re coming to me looking for any nuggets of wisdom that I might be able to share with you, so here’s the next one. It comes from Psalm 90:12.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Your days are numbered by the very God who created you. You cannot add to them. You cannot subtract from them. You do not know what tomorrow holds, but He does.
So, enjoy this moment. Enjoy these moments.
Spend time with your children, Kim. Make memories with them. Smile. Laugh. Recognize that these days when they are young truly are fleeting.
Pour into them. Disciple them. Read with them. Pray with them.
Don’t be jealous of those other moms whose kids are older or whose kids are in day care or school. Don’t be jealous of your husband for the time he gets to get out of the house. Be grateful for the influence you’re able to have over your children’s lives.
Teach them what you want them to learn, even a little bit at a time. You didn’t get where you are today overnight, don’t expect them to. Remember, they’re children.
Don’t wait until they’re older to start training them. You’ll be amazed at their capacity to learn – not necessarily to learn to read or multiply, but to learn. They’re learning from you every single day.
They’re learning to be patient. To be kind. To listen. To think of others more highly than themselves. To have self-control. To value God’s Word and prayer.
They’re also learning to be impatient. To respond in anger. To pretend not to hear when you’re talking to them. To be selfish. To be foolish. To value man’s wisdom.
What kind of model do you want to be for them?
Beware of the amount of time you’re spending on social media, on making chore charts, on researching just the right Christmas gift on Amazon and just the right curriculum at Rainbow Resource. Consider spending that time in prayer and with some godly older women. That is where you will find the real wisdom and refreshment that you’re seeking.
Number your days and enjoy every single one of them. Fill them with the fruit of the Spirit who lives in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I’m praying for you.
TWIG
This series is in response to the question:
So if you met yourself when your kids were as young as mine (4 and 1), what would you tell her?
If you haven’t read Part One in this series, click here.
Here’s my third nugget for myself:
Dear Kim,
Do you see that young man in that picture? He’s just as confused and lost as you are. Be patient with him, Kim. Pray for him, sister. Encourage him and love on him.
I wish I could stop there, but I’ve got to keep going. The word of God is for our training in righteousness that we could be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
You might want to get a cup of coffee and sit down. You might want to pray and hold my hand before we dive in here. This is going to be a hard one to hear. This is an area where I’m still doing battle almost every single day. But, I have a feeling that if we’d started on this a long time ago, this battle now wouldn’t be quite so hard.
… let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)
Kim, your relationship with your husband needs to be rooted deep in respect and reverence. As hard as this is for you to hear and as much as you want to fight against it, this is the truth. Indeed, you will well learn over the years, that there is indeed a way that seems right to a man (or a woman), but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 14:12 & Proverbs 16:25). This is one of those ways.
There are going to be many, many times when you think you know better, when you think you’re right, (and in fact, you may at times be right), but in the midst of that battle, you have got to reverence your husband. Admire him. Honor him. Respect him. Listen to him. Be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19-20). Know this: it is the fool who delights in expressing his opinion, rather than in understanding (Proverbs 18:2). Yes, there may be the rare occasion when you might have to go against his wishes, but this will be the extreme exception and not the rule.
I’m not telling you to put him on some kind of pedestal or to make him some kind of an idol, taking the place of your allegiance to the one true God. No. Remember, you’re going to be trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding. Remember, you’re going to be praying with thanksgiving and making your requests known to God.
And as you do that, God will turn his heart as only He is able (Proverbs 21:1).
God will not share His glory with another (Isaiah 48:11).
Think of the story of Gideon leading the Israelites in battle against the Midianites. In Judges 7:2, The Lord said to Gideon.
“The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’
The Lord cut down the army of the Israelites from 22,000 strong down to 300! In the Israelites’ victory, there could be no doubt that God Himself had saved them.
Kim, don’t steal God’s glory but manipulating and nagging and cold-shouldering (is that a word?) your husband into submitting to your wishes. God is most glorified as you are still and let Him fight your battles for you (Exodus 14:14).
Trust me. No, Trust GOD. Remember, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and He will direct your paths.
TWIG
This series is in response to the question:
So if you met yourself when your kids were as young as mine (4 and 1), what would you tell her?
If you haven’t read Part One in this series, click here.
So, here comes my second nugget for myself:
Dear Kim,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
As you trust the Lord with all your heart, the next step is going to be doing battle against fear and anxiety. This must begin by taking captive those fearful, anxious thoughts that run through your mind. Those angry thoughts about what the future holds if you don’t “get this child under control,” were not given to you by your good, loving Father. Those thoughts come from the pit of hell.
When those ideas first come into your mind, you are going to need to choose to pray. Remember, Worry NONE, Pray ALWAYS. You are going to have to choose to cast all of your anxieties onto God, trusting that He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7). Throw those fears onto Him. Cast them off your back and out of your mind, and give them over to God, who knows is sovereign over all things. Make your requests known to Him with a thankful heart filled with trust.
Remember, Kim, all His works are right and all His ways are just and those who walk in pride, He is able to humble (Daniel 4:37). When you start to worry, you are taking on burdens that you were never meant to carry. Your fears are rooted in pride, thinking too highly of yourself, and not highly enough of our all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God. Don’t forget that He loves you and will supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Believe that “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
I look at this picture of you in the pumpkin patch with the big smile on your face and I think of all the worries that are hidden behind there. The search for the perfect pumpkins and the perfect pictures, and what people think of your screaming toddler, and I just want to encourage you. One day you will look back at all those wasted moments that could have been filled with joy and laughter and think, “What was I worrying about?”
Worry NONE. Pray ALWAYS.
TWIG
Teach What is Good 
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