the true heart of worship

I had the opportunity last night to worship with Kari Jobe & All Sons & Daughters. It was a sweet time to get away with a few of my closest friends. I love both of these groups & really love that they are so focused on experiencing God during worship. When my father died last December I stumbled upon the song "Reason to Sing" by All Sons...it was the single most important song that I attribute to helping me heal from his death. You know those times when the heaviness is there but no tears come out. Well their music helped the tears flow & allowed the Lord to begin my healing process. I personally have always connected deeply with music & still have to be cautious about what I listen to because it influences my emotions so much. I am just thankful today for musicians who love Jesus & want nothing more than to help others encounter His presence! There is so much intimacy that occurs when we allow ourselves to get lost in Him, He loves us so much! I know I didn't really begin to understand the heart of the Father until I opened myself up to just resting in Him. Trust, faith, and peace is built when we turn to Him for everything. The thing that stood out to me the most aside of the humility all of the performers possessed was this passage of scripture from Psalm 22:22-31 that singer Leslie Jordan(AS&D) shared with the audience. It is a perfect description to me of what God is doing in these last days. Gathering up His followers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth(John 2:24) It's time church! There has never been quite the opportunity to join amongst other believers to live & live out loud for Christ! Tell the whole world. Be the example. We have hope to offer the broken, the hopeless, the devastated....His name is JESUS!

Psalm 22:22-31
Here’s the story I’ll tell my friends when they come to worship,
    and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:
Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;
    give glory, you sons of Jacob;
    adore him, you daughters of Israel.
He has never let you down,
    never looked the other way
    when you were being kicked around.
He has never wandered off to do his own thing;
    he has been right there, listening.

^25-26 Here in this great gathering for worship
    I have discovered this praise-life.
And I’ll do what I promised right here
    in front of the God-worshipers.
Down-and-outers sit at God’s table
    and eat their fill.
Everyone on the hunt for God
    is here, praising him.
“Live it up, from head to toe.
    Don’t ever quit!”

^27-28 From the four corners of the earth
    people are coming to their senses,
    are running back to God.
Long-lost families
    are falling on their faces before him.
God has taken charge;
    from now on he has the last word.

²⁹ All the power-mongers are before him
    —worshiping!
All the poor and powerless, too
    —worshiping!
Along with those who never got it together
    —worshiping!

^30-31 Our children and their children
    will get in on this
As the word is passed along
    from parent to child.
Babies not yet conceived
    will hear the good news—
    that God does what he says.

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.on him, to all who call on him in truth. John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

Coffee & Jesus...

The picture says it all…Coffee and Jesus. I've used the term for months now when I would plan a meeting with a girlfriend for coffee & of course the topic would be life and ultimately lead to my first love Jesus. I have been so radically transformed by the love of Christ that I now desire the same freedom for every single woman I know. I pray that woman all across the world will grab hold of Jesus through the encouragement of other women who are pursuing the same goal…intimacy with their Creator. It's been 3 years since the Lord called me away from my future plans & asked me to pursue Him. In doing so I have endured trial by fire but am eternally grateful because I'll never be the same again. The trusting God & having endurance is paying off, my husband is now a born again- spirit filled man. Our house is finally in order. Our marriage is growing & it all started from the choice to be obedient to what God was calling me to do. We ALL have purpose, we ALL have influence let's start a revolution that stands for women who are in CHRIST! Let's find our identity in Him & Him alone! I pray this sparks a fire that burns so strongly for Christ that it consumes you…leaving you FREE!

So here's our challenge to you! We want you to join us for Coffee and Jesus. Whether it's just you or a group of girlfriends, GET IN THE WORD with us. This Saturday 9/29 we will be meeting to discuss the book of Ruth. We will be keeping up with you all by sharing via social media. Snap a picture & post it with the hashtag #coffeeandjesus via instagram, twitter, or facebook. Whatever you do by all means please please get a group in your town & meet up for Coffee and Jesus!

These are a few of my favorite things!

Every once in a while I enjoy writing down the things I love the most. My life has been full of heartache & greatness. I've loved & I've lost. But one thing remains is that God has been way more "good" than I deserve, through Him my soul has been ignited, let's spread the fire of His love by acknowledging every bit of the greatness that He has placed in us…So here it goes. A few of my favorite things!

~Kisses & snuggles from my 3 year old
~Spending time with God in the Word
~Discovering a new facet of God, there is soooo many things about Him, I can't wait to experience.
~The bond my husband & I share, he is my closest, most loyal friend
~Watching my boys grow into caring, God-fearing men
~rainy days
~cool mornings
~when I see my reflection & see my mother's lips (they are exactly alike)
~recognizing ALL my father instilled in me
~the blessing of my Christian heritage
~ministering love & encouragement to whomever needs it
~snow on the ground
~the mountains (I will live there one day)
~music that draws the deepest parts of my heart into worship
~the sounds of all of my family under one roof
~the purchase of a pretty new journal
~strong, hot coffee with french vanilla creamer
~the birth of the vision of "Coffee and Jesus" & the wonderful woman God has placed in my life
~spending quality time with my closest friends (Lindsey & Kendell) & talking about EVERYTHING, then leaving feeling full and a better person simply because I get the privilege of knowing them
~the sweet & faithful presence of God when I need Him most

…just a few. I dare you to sit down & think about things that make your heart smile! Take the time to really focus on all that God has placed inside you. You are unique, wonderful, and full of potential! Here's to allowing yourself to recognize what makes you, you. Here's to discovering all the good Christ created you to do…now walk in them!



 "For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." ~Ephesians 2:10

the heart of my Father...

I have a pretty bad habit of not blogging for what feels like an absorbent amount of time. I have much to say but not necessarily the release to say it. Today I decided to blog because of the heaviness that has lay upon my heart since yesterday. I went to lunch with friends & a waiter immediately caught my eye. I immediately felt God show me her sweet nature. I mean I could feel such kindness & I hadn't even spoken to her. I could also see the rejection she had encountered, the hurt, and desire to simply be accepted by those around her.  She was delicately walking &  dressed like any young lady would. I wanted to embrace her in a hug & then it hit me, she was a he. Even this morning I feel broken inside for him. I want so bad to just make him feel loved... For the loving, caring person that God revealed to me the first time I entered the building. God loved him immensely & showed me, I believe, to help me understand that just because someones issue is their sexuality, it didn't automatically cast them away from His love. I've felt so torn this week. I believe the Bible. In every way. I long to be pleasing to my Father in every way. I could always do better. But what I remember is this. When God came to me in all my shame, my sin, my drama He didn't do it with judgement. He did it with love. 

" I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."~Jeremiah 31:3

It was the love of God that began my transformation. No one in this world had the ability to release me from my shame. It literally had turned into bondage & revealed itself in the form of control, anger, insecurity, and so on. Before I met God for the first time, I was spiraling out of control. I could not feel true joy. I had no peace & it was impossible to find happiness for any length of time. But then things changed. I diligently began to search scriptures that I felt lead to read. Slowly but surely God was refining who I was by way of His Son, Jesus & the love I could not deny when reading the scriptures. I also could not deny the way He had purposed for me to lead my life. The Proverbs spoke of the dangers of gossip, loaning money (believe it or not), being lazy but most importantly the necessity of wisdom. A whole new world had opened up to me. I no longer could be guilty of not knowing the TRUTH of the Word and quickly began to understand the scripture in Hosea 4:6 that said "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…" Knowledge being the truth of the scriptures. Wow! I'm convinced that no matter what you are bound by, no matter what the name of your sins, that the words my friend once told me are true. If you don't have a different relationship with sin then you don't have a relationship with God. Sin is what made it necessary for Jesus to come and die on the Cross. If He came to make right relationship between us & God what more of a sacrifice could God offer if after His death we refused to put sin in its rightful place. The definition of a sinner by Webster's Dictionary is this: one who has sinned; especially, one who has sinned without repenting; hence, a persistent and incorrigible transgressor; one condemned by the law of God

Note the lack of repentance. Repentance is when someone turns away from the deliberate choice to keep sin as the ruler in your life. The choice of sin & the refusal to remove it grieves God, I wholeheartedly believe that.

What I'm trying to say is this. God is the one who draws us to Him. There wasn't an amount of condemning, of judgement, or of pressure any human being could put on me about my state of sin dominating & ruling my life. I had to be wooed by my Savior, accept His love as truth & allow that to make me whole. Therefore I will walk in love towards others. Refusing to play judge or take the place of the Holy Spirit. Do I DISAGREE with certain lifestyles that are directly opposite of what the Bible says? Absolutely!. But do I pray that God will use me to love whomever He says & for the Holy Spirit to get the opportunity through my love to do His will, Yes! A resounding Yes! I pray that Christians don't have the misconception that loving those who are in a rut of sin means we agree or support their choices. I pray that we begin to be heartbroken for what breaks the HEART of OUR FATHER…It's with love that I write this & with love that I pray that those who are living away from God's will, will turn & repent... returning to their first LOVE, before it's too late. It is a choice you will never regret! It may be hard to let all that has controlled you for so long but be patient & expect bumps in the road! There is so much waiting on those who choose Jesus! 


“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."~Matthew 5:12

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.~Revelation 2:4 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.~ 1 John 1:9 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold all thing are become new.~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Embracing exactly who He made me to be...

If you know me you know that I talk... A. Lot! I share what's on my mind most of the time, ok all of the time! Even my husband becomes suspicious when I am quiet. My mother has always said that as a child, she knew when I wasn't feeling well because…you guessed it…there was silence. For many years I believe my personality worked against me & a large part of me hated myself for being the way I was. I was lippy (is that even a word?), insecure, and loud! I was also involved in unhealthy relationships growing up that had no boundaries. Now as an adult who has finally found her first love, Jesus, I have stepped into what I believe is real true love not only for myself, but for the Lord, my family & my friends. I am a better person all around because I finally surrendered to the one who created me & knows me best! So I say all that to say.... I love to talk, to share, to encourage, to speak words of wisdom into the life of others. I choose to surround myself with those who embrace me, love me, and receive the love & support I have to give. I no longer care if everyone likes me because I now know that it’s simply not my problem! I refuse to any longer dislike myself for being who He created me to be!  I have gained so much confidence in knowing that God’s opinion is the only one that really counts! I hope you too discover that if you haven’t already. There is nothing better than feeling free to be yourself. God’s grace is most definitely amazing! My name is Katherine Rae Ramirez. I stand 6ft tall. I love God, my husband, kids & friends & in that order! I love coffee with french vanilla creamer, I enjoy deep talks with my girlfriends that are soul stirring. I have a passion to see woman set free from all the strongholds of life & into a life after Christ! Jail ministry is my heart. I am extremely proud of my sons and it gives me deep pride to see them growing into God fearing men that are not only handsome but kind and considerate individuals. I’m grateful for every second of every day & I never expected to learn this valuable wisdom from experiencing the death of my daddy. I will never look at life the same. He always told me the things I would get hung up on were just small things in the grand scheme of life, he was right. He understood grace & in turn gave me the greatest lesson I could have ever seen lived out in regards to God’s grace.

with all my <3, 

Katie

the heart of wisdom...

I recently had a friend express to me that she needed wisdom. I in turn told her that I felt every bit of the wisdom I've gained came through the trials & heartaches I had endured. You see I believe wisdom is priceless. It can not be bought but in a sense it is sought out. We can ask God for it James 1:5. It's so valuable that we must live through life's darkest hours to obtain it. I didn't wake up with the gift of wisdom. Every sigh, every tear, every lesson learned. Wisdom is built when life is faced with faith in God & then based on the Word in light of His truth. It is costly & by far one of the single most valuable gifts God has ever bestowed upon me. It didn't come any other way than facing difficulties & the only choice being to survive…truly trusting God. Wisdom will cost you everything you have every wrongly learned into your brain. If will require you to replace all that you are for all that He is. It will be painful in every sense of the word. In your pursuit you will learn exactly who God is & who He isn't, what He's like, and why He so desires for you to possess it. Wisdom has a way of directing you through confusion towards the light of His truth. Through heartache when all you want to do is give up. Wisdom will assist you in leading others towards the Father too…what a gift we have the opportunity to give others. The beginning or foundation of true wisdom as stated in Psalm 111:10 is the fear of the Lord. Fear not as in scared but as in reverence or deep respect. The scripture goes on to say that.. A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. When I looked up the Hebrew meaning of fear it was yir ah,(yir-aw), it usually refers to the fear of God & is viewed as a positive quality. This fear acknowledges God's good intentions. This fear is produced by God's Word and makes a person receptive to wisdom & knowledge. I began to really become interested because I had never really put two & two together to see where wisdom came from for me. But I do remember deciding in my mind & heart that I would purposefully choose God's way as shown in the Bible & make it my foundation for my life. Every decision I would make I purposed it would line up with the Word of God. It was over time…but it came. I believe wisdom comes ultimately from the awareness of our complete dependence upon God. It's available to all of God's children if they want it & it lay before you ready to gain by seeking God, wisdom is an attribute of the very essence of God. It's He that gives it to those who follow Him in obedience, to those who depart from evil. To those who choose God despite their present circumstance just like Job when He lost everything. My favorite depiction of wisdom is in Isaiah 33:6 "In that day HE will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure." Wow! Treasure! It's no wonder that the enemy tries so hard to distract us with petty things on our journey through life. That is why it is so extremely important to lean on God & His Word for all our direction. We get off the path to our treasure when we forget Who is in ultimate control or when we try to go it all alone with only our own understanding. Choose God's way & wisdom comes…. Proverbs 8:22-31 (AMP) 22 The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old. 23 I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth existed. 24 When there were no deeps, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains laden with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26 While as yet He had not made the land or the fields or the first of the dust of the earth. 27 When He prepared the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there; when He drew a circle upon the face of the deep and stretched out the firmament over it, 28 When He made firm the skies above, when He established the fountains of the deep, 29 When He gave to the sea its limit and His decree that the waters should not transgress [across the boundaries set by] His command, when He appointed the foundations of the earth— 30 Then I [Wisdom] was [a]beside Him as a master and director of the work; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, 31 Rejoicing in His inhabited earth and delighting in the sons of men. Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Job 28:28 "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." James 1:2-18 " Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 9 Believers who are[b] poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,[c] and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.[d] He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.[e] 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.[f] Katie

Real freedom...

I'm awake with the rooster this morning but today is different. I've taken the opportunity to sit out on my front porch & breath in the smell of rain. Thunderstorms have been off & on all night and right now it's cool with a little breeze, my idea of perfection. I can hear thunder coming from a distance, the lightening reminding me that a storm is near. But above all of the sounds I hear it's the sound of freedom ringing loudest. Birds of various different breeds calling out so rhythmically as if to announce to the world their location, the vibration of crickets, the singing of the song birds, and even the random butterfly that just perched itself onto my hanging basket of pretty red flowers to get some nourishment. The amazing thing is they aren't worrying, or asking anybody what to do next…their just being..living while they can, without a care in the world. I am overwhelmed & can hear rather loud that God's mercy is NEW every morning. Yes, another day is the opportunity to start over again, to cherish every moment you've been given, to really live! It takes no effort to hear all of natures sounds this morning, I haven't spoken one word, yet I've received so much refreshing inside my Sprit. God & His creation echoing His sovereignty and reminding me that if He will feed the birds in the air how much more, as a child of the King, will He take care of me. That my friends is freedom, REAL FREEDOM!! Taking God at His Word. Believing Him for ALL your needs according to His riches in glory. This is my heavenly daddy I'm talking about & He desires to withhold no good thing from me, from any of His children for that matter. He sent His Son Jesus to purchase this & I am very reminded that He LOVES & with AGAPE love. C. S. Lewis said in his book Four Loves that he believed the highest level of love known to mankind was a selfless love one that was passionately committed to the well being of another person. In a season of loss that's often marred with grief I see the beauty in this all. Oh if it meant that I would have never been able to seek the Lord out had it not been for the trials of life then I would say push repeat. It's the most precious, intimate time I ever recall spending with my HIM. There have been moments when thought I couldn't find God & I allowed myself to battle my flesh for a time. It just made me dig in my heels to seek Him even more…I found Him. He hadn't moved, it was my doubt that separated me for a moment. Hence the grave importance of putting Him first, the connection between Father & child is ridiculously important to a life lived with peace & joy. I'm glad I awoke so early this wonderful Sunday morning…I've been with my Beloved & His love indeed is better than life. (psalms 63:3) God is love, He is ALL you will ever need. He simply desires communion with His children as would any loving parent. Abraham comes to mind today…"In the same way, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."~Galatians 3:6 My goal: Ever trusting, endlessly loving, always abiding, Katie