Karen Porter The View From the Woods

Re-Evaluating my Goal

2011-03-25T06:42:00.002-06:00

Re-evaluating My Goal
by Karen Porter

A friend spoke at a recent conference. Her presentation was deep, thoughtful, and resonated in the hearts of the women in the giant auditorium. I had spoken earlier that morning. My presentation was light; the crowd laughed and applauded and enjoyed the fun.

As I listened to my friend share the deep truths of discipleship and love in the story of Mary and Martha, I felt a twinge of doubt and a touch of shame. I had made them laugh, but she had made them think and think deeply.

Later, I expressed my ache to be more like her. She said, “God built us to be different, so be yourself, just don’t hide behind the laughter.”

Since that day, I’ve been working through the question: what is my goal as a speaker and author. Is it entertainment? Is it imparting knowledge? Is it building name recognition? Is it selling more books or getting more speaking engagements? What is the motivation to spend hours on a plane, sleep in strange hotels, and eat on the run?

The answer is: I’ve been changed by the power of Jesus and I want to see others changed. So I’ve re-set my goal as transformation. I want to see people changed in a deep and lasting way. Real change that doesn’t wear off after the excitement of a conference or retreat dims.

Transformed People Transform People

Paul and Silas were in the prison at midnight (Acts 16). The charges were a farce. It wasn’t fair they in the innermost dungeon in chains.

The dungeon was a whining place—the perfect situation for crying “Why me?” But not for Paul and Silas; they prayed and praised God. The language indicates they sang the Pascal Psalms (Ps 113-118, 136)—the Psalms of highest praise typically sung at Passover. These songs are the Great Hallal—the hymns of greatest joy!

Let’s stop right there. Roll that last thought in your mind again: they are in the worst kind of place yet they sang the songs of great joy.

How did Paul and Silas come to that point? Why did thanksgiving, praise, worship, and joy come out in the worst situation? Because they had been transformed. Paul was a murderous villain until transformation on the road to Damascus. Silas followed Jesus out of an obscure life to play a prominent role in the early church. They were changed and their joyous response to a terrible situation proved it.

Then the most amazing thing happened: the prisoners and the jailor listened. The language indicates they were mesmerized (as in sitting on the edge of your seat). Everyone was transformed because two guys had been transformed.

I’ve discovered that God is not the God of tweaks; He is the God of transformation.

He changes people. My transformation was radical and thorough. What about yours? If you live and speak and write from your transformation, others will be changed too.

Transformation is our message. It may be transformation of hearts, marriages, leaders, physical health, children’s lives, or spiritual disciplines but transformation is our goal. I’ll still use humor and fun because that’s the way God built me. I have asked God to help me not care if they remember my name but to care if they are changed by the message.

I’ve reevaluated and focused on transformation as my goal, I hope you will too.
I’d love to hear about your transformation. Email me at kaeporter@gmail.com

Magazine Clips

2010-09-30T15:32:00.002-06:00

See my magazine clips
http://www.box.net/shared/9uf40xh1e6

What is the Kingdom of God like?

2010-06-10T19:45:00.002-06:00

Mark chapter 9.

Couldn't figure what it had for me to learn.
I've been going through the Gospel of Mark one verse at a time for months. I'm learning more than I ever knew before about Jesus. Some days I spend a time on just a few words. Other days I step back and look at the big picture.

Today I read the verses about the transfiguration of Jesus on the mount. He said just before this that some people there would see the Kingdom of God. Then he took Peter, James, and John up into a mountain to give them (and us) a glimpse. So what can we learn about the Kingdom of God --- that place or time when we will be with Jesus.

They went into a high mountain. The Kingdom is part of the world yet separated from it. On a mountain, you see the world from a whole new perspective. When we get into the Kingdom, we will not see the world from the same eyes.

Jesus was changed before them. We will be changed too. Totally different than we are today. There are some things about me I'll be glad to be rid of.

Jesus clothes were whiter than anyone on earth could possibly bleach them. Things will not look the same when we get into the kingdom. The things we know will be better. Whites will be whiter. Fresh will be fresher. Sweet will be sweeter. Blues will be bluer and reds will be redder. Clear will be clearer. The best things on earth will be better. It seems we will remember the things of earth, but we will say, "Oh! That's the way it was supposed to be."
We'll declare, "Oh, that's the way strawberries were supposed to taste." and on and on.

The three disciples recognized Elijah and Moses. How? There were no photographs, no portraits, not even any discriptions in the Scripture. They would have looked like any other Jewish man. Yet they knew them. Revelation says, "We shall know as we are known."

God spoke from heaven, "This is my son." Everything in the Kingdom will point to Jesus. The focus will be on HIm. He is the joy of the kingdom.

The Kingdom is our destination. What do you think?

OPEN DOORS - BIG OBSTACLES

2010-02-15T08:00:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I entered the church sanctuary with a heavy heart about a big decision.

My pastor, Steve Riggle, read from Numbers 13-14 about Israel cowering at the edge of the Promised Land saying, "there are giants." Then he read from I Cor 16:9 "For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

I felt his message was for me alone in the crowd of thousands. Thought you might like to see some of my sermon notes.

Both Paul and Israel came to an open door. Isreal trembled in fear of the giants on the other side. Paul saw the opportunity for ministry even though there were giant obstacles.

If something is from God, will it be easy, smooth, and worry-free? Not necessarily. There are many adversaries.

1. What (or who) opposes us? We have an enemy who wants to stop the kingdom work

2. What divides us? Do our personal agendas keep us from seeing God?

3. What distracts us? Are we so busy we can't focus?

4. What keeps us from the vision? Vision is beyond what our eyes can see because eyes see giants and vision sees God.

Do we see obstacles or opportunity?

Do we see doors or difficulties?

The message isn't against frugal decisions or fiscal responsibilities but the message is about asking the question: "Is this opportunities credible and does it honor God?"

The measurement is the voice of God. (We recognize the voice because we've heard it before-in smaller decisions-like David did when the lion and the bear attacked his sheep. He knew the voice and power of God so when he saw the giant, he said, "You're too big to miss!"

The biggest obstacle may be the biggest opportunity. IF God has opened a door, he will help us walk through it.

TOP EIGHT WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR HEART FOR CHRISTMAS

2009-12-15T16:01:00.004-07:00

Top Eight Ways to Change Your Heart for Christmas

1. Read the story of Christmas found in Luke and Matthew every morning to remind you of the reason for the season.
2. Say Merry Christmas when someone says happy holidays.
3. Slow down. Don't do something on your "To Do" list. Instead of baking cookies, buy them; instead of all those decorations, leave some in the storage boxes for another year.
4. Smile
5. Spend one afternoon at the mall without buying anything. Grab a cup of your favorite coffee or tea, sit down --- watch the crowds, especially the children.
6. Play Christmas music all through the house.
7. Put out a jigsaw puzzle for the whole family to work on through the season.
8. Every time you see a shepherd in a Nativity, remember to be as joyous as they were.

Merry Christmas to all!

Psalms reading plan

2009-09-09T10:29:00.002-06:00

You're invited!

Join George and me as we read the Psalms together. All 150 Psalms every month. It's easy and fun!

Here's the plan:

Pick today's date. Read that Psalm, then add 30 read that Psalm, then add 30 and read that Psalm too until you've read five Psalms each day.

So on the 1st day of the month, you read 1, 31, 61, 91, 121.
and on the 8th day of the month, you read 8, 38, 68, 98, 128
and on the 20th day of the month, you read 20, 50, 80, 110, 140
and on the 25th day of the month, you read 25, 55, 85, 115, 145.

Got it?

It's simple. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you know which Psalms to read because you know the date!

I like to call this my "NO Guilt" plan because if you miss a day, it doesn't mean you have to go back and try to catch up (as in some devo or reading plans). Instead, you just pick up on today's date! NO GUILT! I like that!

So you're invited to join us as we read our five Psalms together each morning. We sit by the pool. If you want to come to Texas, we'll pour you a cuppa and read along with you too.

Let us know if you are joining in!

Happy "no guilt" reading.

Hanging on

2009-08-06T10:27:00.003-06:00

Early this morning when the air was still misty and barely light, I let Isabelle out the back door. She took off for her favorite spot and disappeared from sight. I looked around the glassed-in porch thinking I needed to do some organizing and cleaning out here today.

When I looked back outside, Isabelle was hanging from the side of the pool!

I started running toward her speaking words of comfort, "Hold on Izzy. I'm coming."

When I reached her, I tried to coax her over just three inches to the step where she could gain her footing and climb out. She wouldn't budge. She pulled harder on her two front paws somehow digging her claws into the concrete and tile. I reached under her front leg and gave her a small lift which was all she needed to make her way out of the pool.

As I dried her off I noticed that her head and front paws weren't wet at all. Somehow she had fallen into the pool backwards and caught herself on the edge. And instead of letting go and swimming to the steps which she knows how to do, she desperately hung on. With her weight and girth, there wasn't much hope of her getting out alone yet she wouldn't let go.

How many times do I hang on to my opinion or stubbornly cling to my ideas when all I'd have to do is reconsider my position just a little bit to be safe and happy? How many times do I cling to my way instead of letting God show me a better way?

I'm so glad God is willing to give me that little nudge I need to lift me out of danger. Other wise I'd just be dog paddling alone.

Ps 10:12 Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.Do not forget the helpless.
Ps 40:2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rockand gave me a firm place to stand.

CLASSEMINARS ANNOUNCES NEW CONFERENCE DIRECTOR AND NEW LOCATION

2009-04-21T14:54:00.000-06:00

Date: April 21, 2009

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen Porter, VP Marketing, 281-797-3920
kaeporter@gmail.com

CLASSEMINARS ANNOUNCES NEW WRITER’S CONFERENCE DIRECTOR AND NEW LOCATION

CLASSEMINARS, INC. named Linda Gilden of Spartanburg, South Carolina, as Director of the new CLASS Christian Writers Conference (formerly Glorieta Christian Writers Conference) to be held November 4-8, 2009, in New Mexico.

The writers conference will be held at the Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and will feature Writing at the Ranch including intensive segments on fiction and non-fiction, workshops and tracks on the craft of writing, marketing, and career building for both beginners and advanced writers. The focus of the conference will also include spiritual development and formation for the writing life. “We see Writing at the Ranch to be a new and unique writers conference. Writers will discover new inspiration at this beautiful location and be given the opportunity to unleash the creative power within while building solid, lasting relationships with other writers and editors,” said Gilden.

Gilden is a well-known and respected author and speaker with more than twenty years experience in the publishing industry. She is author of Love Notes in Lunchboxes, Love Notes on His Pillow, and Mommy Pick Me Ups and writes regularly for national magazines and is editor of a monthly magazine. Gilden developed the popular Get Published Now program for CLASSEMINARS and is a regular presenter at writers conferences across the country. Gilden also owns a successful editing and ghostwriting business.

Gerry Wakeland, President of CLASSEMINARS INC, said of Gilden, “Linda brings a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise to the director’s position. We are planning a new kind of writing conference where attendees will not only learn the craft of writing and the intricacies of the industry, but will also find time for renewal and spiritual awakening. Linda is just the person to lead us to new heights with this important conference.”

The Ghost Ranch, located near Sante Fe in Abiquiu, New Mexico, is an educational and retreat center. The 21,000 acre ranch is where Georgia O’Keefe painted her legendary landscapes and home of two world famous anthropology and paleontology museums. The writers conference was previously held at the Glorieta Conference Center.

For registration and other information, go to www.classeminars.org.

CLASSEMINARS, INC is a 501c3 corporation which presents training seminars for authors, speakers, and leaders throughout the United States and internationally. CLASSEMINARS, INC is not affiliated with CLASServices, Inc.

CLASSEMINARS NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

2009-03-13T11:03:00.002-06:00

CLASSEMINARS is the premiere training of Christian communicators! I am proud to be a part of the team leading into the future. Check out this new press release about the changes at CLASS.

PRESS RELEASE

CLASSEMINARS, INC. NAMES NEW PRESIDENT
New Corporation Board of Directors Meet, Name Officers, Plan

Houston Texas. The Board of Directors of CLASSEMINARS, INC. named Gerry Wakeland of Albuquerque, New Mexico, President of the corporation at its first annual board meeting.

CLASSEMINARS, INC is a 501c3 corporation which presents training seminars for authors, speakers, and leaders throughout the United States and internationally. The flagship seminar is The CLASSeminar which has trained more than 30,000 men and women in the past twenty-eight years. CLASSEMINARS, INC. acquired The CLASSeminar from CLASServices in a contract ratified by the Board of Directors.

Wakeland brings a wealth of diverse expertise to her leadership role including corporate and non-profit management experience for organizations such as Sheraton, PacTel Cellular, and the Master Chorale of Orange County, California. Wakeland has wide experience in ministry positions including Women’s Ministry Director at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.

The CLASSeminar is the creation of Florence Littauer, international speaker, master teacher, and author of over 40 books. Littauer was designated Founder of the new corporation and will name a Founder’s Board of Advisors within the next few months.

Other seminars provided by the new corporation will include personality workshops, writer’s conferences, book proposal workshops, and a number of new seminars to be piloted this year. New seminars will cover writing, marketing, marriage, leadership, women’s ministry, and technology, as well as a future Express CLASSeminar which will be an intensive short-course presentation of the original seminar.

In addition to Wakeland, the Board named officers: Betty Southard, Newport Beach, California, as Executive Vice President, Robin Stanley of Orlando, Florida as Secretary, and Linda Jewell of Albuquerque, New Mexico, as Treasurer, and Karen Porter of Friendswood, Texas, as Vice President of Marketing. In addition to the officers, Tama Westman of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was named Director of Communications, Steve and Julie Ferwerda of Lander, Wyoming, were named Directors of Internet Services.

The Board consists of Wakeland, Southard, Jewell, Stanley, Porter, and Fred Southard of Newport Beach, California, and John Thurman of Albuquerque New Mexico.

CLASSEMINARS INC. is a 501c3 corporation and is not affiliated with CLASServices, Inc.

The Dog Hugs --- Yes She Does!

2009-03-01T21:35:00.005-07:00

By now you've seen the photo of ISABELLE which I've captioned "Our Hugging Great Pyrennes". You may be wondering about that caption.

We got this Great Pyrenees from a rescue vet and brought her home on a rainy stormy day. What we didn't know is that she is terrified of thunder. So the first time we took her into the back yard, a big clap of thunder startled her and she jumped into the pool! From that auspicious start, we began to try to build her confidence (after we dried her off and begged her to come in the house)

Now months later, she's still afraid but now she stays close to us and she hugs.

The Dog Hugs --- Yes she does!

She's too big to sit in your lap. She's too overpowering for picking up. But she doesn't let it stop her. She gets up next to you and hugs. If you are standing, she leans on your legs and if you are sitting, she lays her head against your knee. She lays in the hall (its safe there :) and every once in a while she gets up and comes wherever we are and hugs us a while.

There's something wonderful about the unconditional love of a big 'ol white ball of fur. Excitement when we get home and hugs when things are slow.

Who have you loved in your home today?

You can only remember if....

2008-11-28T08:24:00.004-07:00

When Peter went to Cornelius' house in Caesarea Maritima (read the whole story in Acts 10-11), he witnessed the salvation of Gentiles. "Repentance that leads to life" was bigger than any of the disciples imagined.

When Peter described the phenomenon, he said, "Then I remembered the word of the Lord, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 11:16). Peter remembered the words of the Lord because those words were burned into his memory.

You can't remember something unless you’ve heard or learned it. You can’t recall information, feelings, or truths unless you have those facts and emotions stored in your mind. You can’t recall scripture unless you’ve read and memorized it.

Memorizing scripture gets the words of God into you.

If you put scripture in your mind, it sits ready for recall when you need it. And you will need it! To answer questions. To comfort when troubled. To turn on the light of understanding when life takes a downward tumble.

I love to memorize long passages but most people don’t want to hear me say these verses. I started memorizing the book of Acts and after I had memorized chapters 1-9, I couldn’t get anyone, not even my own mother, to sit still long enough to listen to it.

But it was good for me.

One day I was teaching a lesson on JOY from Philippians 4:4-5. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

One of my points was your joy will help you in troubled times. As I was speaking to my class and giving this point, it seemed that my examples were kind of weak and preachy. (I was thinking – this isn’t working) Then, all of a sudden a verse from Acts 5 popped into my mind.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 5:41-42

I quoted it to the class showing when joy overcomes suffering and shows in your behavior. The disciples could have been sad, mad, or depressed, but instead they rejoiced and never stopped proclaiming the good news.

I had not planned to use the verse but it was in my mind from memorizing and it came to me when I needed it.

If you memorize Scripture, it will enhance and enrich your life and your presentations.

So if you haven’t started memorizing, start now.

Today I am starting to memorize Psalm 30. Will you join me? It will be an adventure. And as the title of the Psalm says there will be JOY IN THE MORNING when we do it.

If you will take this challenge, email me at kaeporter@gmail.com or add your comment here.

Thanksgiving Preparation

2008-11-25T11:04:00.004-07:00

This morning began with reading from the Acts. Scattered by fear and persecution, the New Testament Christians moved throughout Asia and Europe. As they moved, they took with them the good news and the truth that they couldn't deny: Jesus is alive!

Difficulties, troubles, and problems often lead us to new opportunities. As Mark Batterson capably proves in his book In a Pit With A Lion On a Snowy Day, our scariest lions may be our greatest opportunities.

I am certainly a living picture of this truth. Loss of an executive job, including the prestigue, salary, security, position, and perks scared me. But God intended it for good. Today I am pursuing my dreams and discovering how reliable God is as provider.

I'm reminded of friends who turned their adversity to ministry:
Teresa Griggs - lost her young daughter now ministers to women in distress
Carmen Leal - whose husband suffered with Huntingtons disease now heads a national caregivers conference.
Tricia Goyer - whose dsyfunctional teenage life now encourages and ministers to young moms
Lisa Copen - ravaged daily by agressive RA ministers to all those who live with silent diseases
Pamela Sonnenmose - whose dramatic weight loss led her to help women become healthy

How many more can I name?

God works when lions show up. Now that truth gets me prepared for Thanksgiving!

2005-01-24T19:53:00.000-07:00

Through the words

2005-01-08T07:16:00.001-07:00

Karen Porter

2005-01-08T06:42:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year!

It is early morning in the words at Mt Porter. The skies are grey but there is hope for sunshine later.

This weekend will be a clean-up-pack-up-put-away blur. Trees must come down and all the bright gaudy decorations removed. I really don't want to start but I want the serenity of clean house to return so I will do it!

Reflecting on the holidays I rejoice over the days that all the kids were home. Four grownup kids and five grandbabies - all under five. What a wonderful, exhilirating, active, lovely time together. I loved every single tiring second of it.

As I reflect, I thank God for the family and the sweet friendship and love we share.

Blessings to all for a January morning.
karen