Author: nikicks

My name is Nicole and I have two blogs. On the Cliff of Life was created when I became chronically ill in high school. I was sick for 3 1/2 years before God healed me of my food allergies, chronic pain, chronic fatigue and so much more. This blog was a great outlet for me when I felt like I was on that "Cliff." Now, as I go through life--I realized that there are still those "cliff-like" moments and the need to encourage one another to become overcomers. KentCreated is my crafting business. I love to create, design and free-hand all of my products. Who knew something that I learned as a child would one day become my passion and career?

The Unfitting Puzzle Piece

March 27, 2020 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

~ We are the body of Christ—of one mind ~

Have you ever felt like you were the puzzle piece that was shoved into the wrong place—never truly fitting in?

Well, there’s a chance that you weren’t meant to be there.

Many times, there are people with opinions who speak on what you need to do in life—how to live and especially how to serve (Don’t get me wrong—serving is important but there are many outlets and God has a specific one for you). They do believe that they are helping because they’ve had such amazing experience with what God led them to and through—but there is a chance that God is calling you to something different.

Okay, let’s consider this term, “Body of Christ.” We each have a potential role like the parts in a body—the eyes for seeing what others do not, the much needed listening ears, the voice to speak to millions, the helping hands behind the scenes, the feet that guide us in the right direction, etc. and the head—that should always be Christ’s position—guiding the eyes, the ears, the voice, the helping hands, and the feet to be of one mind.

We all have a purpose and just because it may be different than yours, does not mean it is the wrong path—it might just be different than others. It may be a path so unique that you are paving a way for others with the same unique calling.

The hand needs the wrist and the wrist needs the forearm and the forearm—the elbow. These body parts work together wonderfully…just like the puzzle piece finding the right spot to fit with others of similar calling.

Yes, we all work together in the body of Christ, but I want you to know that if you feel that nudge on your heart from God—calling you elsewhere—pray. There is a chance you’re not in the right spot.

Hey, and let me just say, you are doing great. You got this because God has got you and knows where you’re supposed to be—question is, will you let Him?

Love is…

December 10, 2019February 1, 2020 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I recently asked God what areas of my life I specifically need to work on and instead of dumping all the “fine tunings” that my imperfect self needs, He led me to the 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB

Me reading: “Love is patient—”

God: “Stop right there. I want you to break-down this passage and focus on one aspect of love each day. Today, look at your personality towards others. Is there an area that you are lacking patience? Maybe it is with someone who has a trying personality or maybe it is yourself—maybe you need to give yourself time to grow and continue to transform to whom I’ve called you to be.”

Patient: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
: not hasty or impetuous
: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity

Over the next several weeks, I’m going to read through 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and am going to break-down and meditate on each part of what love truly is and should be. Follow along on my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/onthecliffoflife/

Side Note:

This last weekend, I read these verses with someone I know, and they stated, “In all my life, I have NEVER met a person who has succeeded at all of these testaments of love.”

My response: “Maybe it was meant for us to meditate on before we speak or respond, so that our words would be spoken through the filter of love. Maybe it is something for us to strive for—a goal.”

Their response: “I like the verse, ‘Cease striving and know that I am God.’ So, we shouldn’t be ‘striving.’” (Psalm 46:10 NASB)

My response: “I do believe that we are not to strive to a point of self-condemnation or guilt, but shouldn’t we try to be better than who we were yesterday?” (If God didn’t believe in change, then He wouldn’t have sent His Son to die for us, in the hope that we all would one day come to know Him and be transformed in the forgiveness that He so willingly gives)

Their response: “That is true and a different version of the Bible—the Amplified—translates Psalm 46:10 to ‘Be still and know that I am God.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I find it interesting that “strive” has two definitions…

Strive: to devote serious effort or energy; endeavor
Strive: to struggle in opposition; contend

So, the “striving” in Psalm 46:10 is most likely to struggle in opposition. “Cease struggling and know that I am God” or “Cease contending and know that I am God.”

The amplified version says to “be still” and I just had to break-down that word as well.

Still: calm, tranquil

“Be calm and know that I am God.”

It is amazing to dive more into the definitions of what we once imagined the true meaning of a word or verse. Where I was considering that we should strive to be better, as in, “devoting serious effort or endeavoring,” the person I was conversing with considered that Psalm 46:10 meant the same thing—which endeavoring and contending are opposite in meaning. #HearIGoAgain

Endeavor
- to work with set purpose
- to attempt (something, such as the fulfillment of an obligation) by exertion of effort
Contend
- to strive in debate: argue
- struggle

Sources: Word definitions from Merriam Webster Online Dictionary, Bible verses from NASB & AMP

Walk with Me Again

November 21, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Walk with Me Again
By: Nicole Renee Kent

God asked me to take a walk with Him
And as I took a step forward–He led my gaze within

He removed the blinders and opened my eyes to see
Of who I am–compared to who I was meant to be

Stripping the walls I’ve built around my heart
From past wounds–where I pushed others from me–far apart

God revealed errors of my past without condemnation
To help me better understand the meaning of salvation

As I looked at my heart, bare before my God, my friend
I asked Him what areas He desired to be–to touch and mend

He responded, “I want it all and every bit
And for you to use My Word–My heavenly first aid kit

For all has been given to you to walk in this world of woes
To see beyond the false pretention and to truly know

Grasp my hand, dear one, and continue to walk with Me
For I will always be with you and help you to see”

An Ageless Lifetime in a Day

September 7, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

An Ageless Lifetime in a Day
By: Nicole Renee Kent

If we lived an ageless lifetime in a day
Would we care about what people say

Would we follow God without doubt or dismay
If we lived an ageless lifetime in a day

Would we know that everything would be okay
Would we stay the course and not be tempted to stray

Would we not put stock in the petty things people display
Would we place the worries aside—far away

Would we see life as vibrant colors and not a subtle grey
Would we know it’s never too late to be something new—molded like clay

Would we notice that life is something more than a mere cliché
Would we understand that there is hope amongst the disarray

Would we catch a glimpse of a magnificent ending that is underway
Would we open our hearts now, instead of waiting someday

Would we change our ways to prepare ourselves for heaven’s résumé
If we lived an ageless lifetime in a day

© Nicole Renee Kent and On the Cliff of Life [2013-current year] Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Renee Kent and On the Cliff of Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Life is Not a Straight Line

September 1, 2019September 1, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Me: *Draws a straight, perfect line*

Me to God: “There we go. This is my life plan, a straight path.”

God: “You do realize that most paths wind around different objects and obstacles, like mountains, trees and other landmarks…”

Me: “But how can I see the end goal—how can I follow the path where I cannot see where I’m going—like a straight path would allow? Also, if there are many turns and bumps in the road, how can I keep-up my speed…and what happens if there is a fork in the road⁈”

God: “Just begin at the path and take a step forward. Do not presume or worry about what may be around the next curve, for I am with you. I am with you the moment you take a step—till the end—where we will meet face to face…then into eternity. There will be bumps in the road, warnings of loose rocks, forks along the path—but that’s what life is. Life will have its difficulties—but you have Me. I can guide your steps, help you over those ‘bumps in the road,’ shield you from the falling rocks and help you determine which way to go when multiple paths come before you.”

Me: “Sometimes, I wish you’d just fly my family and me on a private jet to heaven and forget this curvaceous—annoying path.”

God: “You do realize that planes and jets have a path set for them too…and there are storms and turbulence in the sky, just as below.”

Me: “…but You would be the captain and tell the skies to be still…”

God: “Yes, either I would calm the skies or help you to fly through them and guide your landing. It is not the path but your perception of it. If you look at the trial in your path, you can either be overcome by it or be an overcomer.”

Me: “Okay, is there a ‘fast-pass’ for this said trial?”

God: “Maybe the trial is a part of the refining…”

Me: “I feel pretty refined already—if I were a rock that was being sanded down—I would be a speck. Although, I admit that I do know of others who have had more tribulations—worse ones at that—and some seem to even be smiling through it.”

God: “It’s their perception of their circumstances. Some see their trials as just a small detour on the journey of a greater destination.”

Me: “How do I acquire perception like theirs?”

God: “You focus on Me. You see, you have been focusing on the undulating path and what could go wrong, instead of turning your eyes on Me. You didn’t give Me a chance to bless you through it for I give you My peace. Think of the times when trials have come your way…what were you focusing on when you were most stressed?”

Me: “I focused on the issue and how it could be handled or should’ve been handled. At that time, I couldn’t hear Your voice.”

God: “You didn’t seek Me first in your trial.”

Me: “I tried, but had to move on in life.”

God: “And you continued to try handling it on your own…”

Me: “A burden I never want to bear again…”

God: “A burden you were never meant to have. So you see, the trials you’ve tried dealing with—were on your own. Don’t be afraid based on your past experiences—it is time to live.”

Our Country

July 9, 2019July 9, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Our Country
By: Nicole Renee Kent

What has our country come to be
Is it still the home the brave—the land of the free?

With basing laws and regulations on how we feel
Are we losing what is moral—what is real?

What is right—what is wrong
Division, strife—will we ever get along?

Debates turn to tearing one’s character to the ground
Not fighting with facts—cutting with lies that the media spreads around

Have we forgotten to listen to both sides
Using our own brain—thinking for ourselves—no longer letting the falsehoods abide?

We were meant to have two parts of government—showing different views
To see each other’s sides without the vision becoming askew

As iron sharpens iron—the two parts were meant to debate
Finally coming together in a compromise—not in an unrelenting hate

But has our government become engorged with wealth and status itself
Being bought beneath the table—turning their own views by being paid in stealth

Freedom of speech has been choked from what is viewed as wrong
But is that not what thinking for ourselves is—what makes our country strong?

The Sea of Life

June 24, 2019June 24, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Waves by Jessica — Watercolor waves by Jessica Yee @Calligraph.yee

The Sea of Life
By: Nicole Renee Kent (Onthecliffoflife)

There was a girl sailing a boat on the sea called “Life”
When suddenly, the waves became turbulent, pushing her into an unrelenting strife

After the water finally calmed and settled down
She realized a plan should be in place or next time surely she would drown

The girl prepared and overthought every potential possibility
Believing she had to do this alone—her own responsibility

Suddenly, a voice came softly over the wind
Bringing peace to the water as her broken boat began to mend

“You do not need to worry about the storms on Life’s sea
For I bring peace and healing—plans that will give you prosperity”

“No, no” she said, “I have to be prepared”
She spoke out of fear and utter despair

“I cannot trust in what I do not know
Planning for every outcome—especially when the Life’s waves seem to grow”

So, the girl continued on this self-destructing path
Carrying her own burdens and alone, dealing with the sea’s torturous wrath

By going along in this burdensome way—she built-up anxiety
With the potential outcomes filling her head—threatening the girl to her knees

It finally became too much for her to bare
Finally breaking under the weight of Life, no longer could she plan or prepare

Lying crumpled on the deck of the boat
She became too weak—unable to try and stay afloat

Suddenly, a the voice reappeared
Stronger than before and oh, so near and dear

A man dressed as a captain crouched down next to her
He touched her face and spoke more than the previous whisper

“Dear one, you were never meant to carry this burden on your own
Let me help you and let My love be ever known

You need not plan for every possibility
For I will steer you in the correct direction—just trust in Me”

The girl fell into his arms, feeling the weight of Life go
Putting her faith in the Captain and letting His trustworthiness show

Soon the next storm came upon them
But it was no match for her ever-present, knowledgeable captain

He guided the boat over one of the giant swells
Commanding her to focus on Him—from then on she knew all would be well

Chasing Reflections

February 10, 2019February 10, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Chasing Reflections
by: Nicole Kent

Driving to work each and every week day
Beginning to memorize the same cars that weaved and swayed

I noticed a girl who seemed to sing with all her might
Not caring who saw her expressions…(which may have been a fright)

I got used to seeing her along my usual drive
Smiling at her contagious grin that seemed ever to thrive

No matter what day it was, she made best of it
Going to and from work, singing songs that never seemed to quit

But one day, I noticed tears in her eyes
Attempting to sing- but the sorrow wouldn’t be disguised

I waved at her and tried to make her smile as she once did for me
But her focus was on nothing, heartbreaking-urging her to flee

I followed and tried to signal her to stay
But she began to leave as if I chased her away

Soon losing track of her, I continued to drive on
When all-of-a-sudden, the sun made a revelation dawn

Looking at the lighted reflection in the window I began to see
That the girl was not someone else…but was me

I chased after the smiles and joys I once knew
Instead of focusing on the One who can heal and renew

I grasped for the happiness that was once there
But needed to look nowhere else but the One who can repair

I believe the One knew to light my way
Revealing that my reflection was here to stay

Open Bible & Heart Poem

September 3, 2018September 3, 2018 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Poem by: Nicole Kent (@onthecliffoflife )

•
Do not fear
For God is near
•
Do not be shook
By man’s deprivational look
•
Pick up the truth, the Word
The hope, the healing, where burdens are deferred
•
The desires of your heart He will provide
Under his love you will abide
•
Don’t be afraid my neighbors, my friends
For we know the truth and the forgiving end
•
Open up your Bible and your heart
Knowing it’s not to late to start

Left Lane Ends

June 26, 2018June 27, 2018 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I was driving to work and saw the ever-known orange road construction signs. *sigh* One sign signified that the lane to the left would end, so I stayed on the right. Suddenly, almost all the cars in front of me started going to the LEFT LANE. I began to doubt that I read the sign correctly. After steering my car to the left, I soon came to a halt. You want to guess why? The left lane ended. The sign was right. The people in front of me were wrong…AND I FOLLOWED THEM.

While waiting for a kind driver to let me squeeze back into the CORRECT lane, God decided to bring in a “spiritual lesson” to beat some time.

Spiritual Lesson:

God: “Have I not given you directions on where to go? Have you not doubted my Word and decided to go the way of the crowd?”

Me: “This is some ‘pep-talk’ before work today. Thanks, God.” *sigh* “But, yes. I know You, yet I have gotten swayed by taking my eyes off your guidance and by going by the way of the majority.”

God: “It is easy to sway in the way of the world, but I have overcome the world. You need not look to where the group is going, for their way is a large path where many will enter…go by the narrow path where few are called.”

Me: “Technically, everyone who was in the wrong lane began scrambling to get back towards the correct lane (especially when they realized the end of the road was near).”

God: “Exactly. When the end is near, and they see their errors, they will try to come back…but for some, it will be too late. Keep your eyes upon Me and listen to My direction.”

Me: “What about the cars to the right that stop to let the wrong lane back in?”

God: “They are willing to help those be free of their wrong path. Will you be one of them?”

Me: “What if the person who wants back in was the one that cut me off earlier?”

God: “What about grace? You should be excited that they want to go on the right path and turn from their error.”

Me: “I see your point…but we’re still talking metaphorically, right? Not in handling real traffic, right?”

God: “….”

Me: “Hello?”

********************************

End Note:

Don’t you just love when God uses those simple day experiences to teach you a life lesson? Whether driving to work, being at work or even being at home, God will meet you where you’re at. He will use those “interesting moments” to speak to your heart. Let’s just say, there are many lessons that God has been revealing to me when I drive through traffic (and I might just share a few more of the stories with you).

What and where has God been speaking to your heart recently? Please share in the comment section below.

P.S. (A nice driver let me squeeze back into the correct lane. Thank you kind sir! 😉)