September 12, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  Oh boy!  Check out this bible verse I just came across in Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter……”  Now, imagine that concept……I have been dealing with some long term prayer issues both for me and a friend too and we had just talked about how frustrated we are getting…..how we just don’t understand why nothing is happening…..Now this morning I read…..”it is the glory….GLORY of God to conceal a mater…..”  My mind immediately started whirling with that concept, so I went to the study part of the chapter to see what it said about that verse.  Here it is…..”to conceal a matter.” ‘God gets glory because man cannot understand His universe or the way he rules it’  “Man cannot understand”  well that makes everything perfectly clear to me!!!  No I am not insane, I may have finally come to my senses…..through God in His word….The situation in my life and the life of fiends, that we just don’t understand…..well, that’s God’s will……When He is ready, when the time is right, when our loved ones are ready….we will know God’s plan ….until then…..FAITH……we must have FAITH in God’s will for us and those we love…..We must TRUST and BELIEVE that His plan will be revealed and it will be perfect!  To God be the GLORY!!!  OH Father, please forgive us when we tend to take things into our own hands, when we doubt that You are there…….still our hearts and minds of the worry and enable us to put our trust in Your will….To You be ALL Glory.

The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!  Isaiah 30:18.  Whoever give heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is He who trust in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25.  Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8.    For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.  Psalm 25:11.  Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.  Psalm 79:9.

Love you all!

September 11, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally loved by Him, Tuesday!  A few months ago Kim fixed up an old stock trailer he had gotten in a barter deal and put it for sale on a little lease pasture we have on Hwy 48.  He spray painted a big “FOR SALE” sign and hung it on the fence in front of the trailer with his phone number on it.  The trailer sat there for quite a while before it finally sold not long ago.  Of course we were quite happy about that!  Well, Saturday we were sitting in a restaurant in Claremore, OK having breakfast when Kim’s phone rang.  From my end I heard him say, “No, the property is not for sale, I had a trailer there, sold it and forgot to take the sign down.  I have got to do that.”  When he got off the phone I asked him what that was all about.  He explained that he had never taken down the “FOR SALE” sign after selling the stock trailer and someone thought the property was for sale.  We had a good laugh and went on with our day.  This morning as I drove past the lease, the “FOR SALE” sign sang out to me……Indeed, it does appear that the property is for sale……I thought to myself, well of course people would think the property is up for sale, why the heck wouldn’t they!!!  The sign is hanging on the fence and there is nothing in the pasture to sell…..so what else could passerbys think but that the land is for sale!  Hmmmm, now that thought got me to thinking…..When people look at me….when they are just passing by…..What do they see……What kind of sign do I wear…..Gosh, hope I don’t wear a sign that says, “don’t stop, too busy to talk” or “Too many bills, can’t help you out”  or maybe “Buck up and stop your whining”.  How about, “Who me, help out at Sunday School…No time”…..”I have enough problems of my own.  Take yours someplace else.”   Oh geez….I could go one and on, but I bet you are getting it…..What DO people see when they look at us?  Looking in the mirror isn’t going to answer that question….Looking into our hearts will…..Father, we want others to see YOU when they look at us.  Please fill us with Your love, give us willing spirits, and energize to live our lives to Your Glory!!   

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.  Ezekiel 36:26-27.  We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10.  A happy heart makes the face cheerful. Proverbs 15:13.  Love one another deeply, from the heart.  1 Peter 1:22.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:2.  Be glad and rejoice with me.  Philippians 2:18.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.  1 John 4:12.

Love you all!

August 31, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Forever His, Friday! What a week…..after Kim’s surgery and the extra stuff that came with it, I had to go and get sick….and I have so much to do and I just don’t have any energy and……this morning I was sitting quietly feeling rather sorry for myself, lamenting to our Heavenly Father….when He led me right to Isaiah 40:31, “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” He always knows just what I need…… I’ll wait Father because I know You are going to carry me and fix me all up, so I called my doctor for a check- up, took a sinus pill so my face will soon stop pounding, popped in a cough drop and smiled a thank you prayer! He is always right beside us, it’s us that veer off…..I see Him now as our Good Shepherd with His cane tapping me back onto the right path…..when I am herding our sheep with the cane I say “yip, yip, yip” and they come right along….Our Good Shepherd calls us my name…..lovingly….”Kathie, come on over here….everything will be ok…I will heal you and give you energy, I will give you wisdom so that you can complete all your projects……just be still, Kathie and wait…..” Thanks Father….Oh and Kim just called he just left the doctor from his post- op check up!!!! Doc says he is doing fantastic! So…….I am almost ready to put on my running shoes! Thank you Father….Oh Father, thank you so very much for knowing me, loving me, for lifting me, carrying me….forgiving me when I veer. Help me to shine for You!

Humble yourselves, therefore under Gods’ mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores m soul. Psalm 23:1-2.

Love you all!

August 30, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Well, after a week and a half in the transmission shop I got my little black car back yesterday.  Gosh, I can’t even tell you how excited I was when my hubby showed up at work and said, “your car’s out there.”  What an awesome surprise, I had no clue it was ready; I have been driving the old Honda car and it does leave a bit to be desired.  I immediately emailed a couple of friends to share the good news…..silly, but I just hated driving the Honda.  I lamented to one friend that the old Honda needs to be put to rest.  Her response was quite appropriate….”Look how many times it’s come thru for you.”  Wow….now I had to admit that to be the absolute truth!  Over the past couple of years, through the problems with my dear old Mercedes, the wreck, and even Kim’s truck problems, the old Honda has always been there to get us where we needed to go!  Oh, maybe the ride wasn’t the most pleasant, broken doors, and the gas mileage….let’s not dwell on that, but always gets us where we need to go.  My sweet friend had me really thinking now, so I emailed her back telling her how right she was…..What would we have done without the old Honda car…….to that she replied, “It’s been like a good friend.”   Hmmm…….like a good friend…..Good friends, the ones that are there when we break down…..they takes us in their arms….their hearts and take us where we need to go……good friends….the ones that tell you when you have something in your teeth……the ones that know your favorite sandwich and fix it for you……good friends, the ones that are truly excited with you when your car gets fixed and know how much you love your grandkids……the ones you can call crying in the middle of the night, or laughing at the crack of dawn.  They share your bad days as well as rejoice with you on the good ones…..good friends…..they love you from the inside out…..So today…..I am honoring all my good friends and all of yours too….I am lifting my heart and mind in prayers of thanksgiving to our BEST FRIEND for His wonderful blessing to each of us….good friends.  Thank you Father for loving us just the way we are and for blessing us with good friends to cry and rejoice with us on this earth….Whatever would we do without them…..thank you Father, to you be the glory!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.  Proverbs 17:17.  My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God.  Job 16:20  Many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24.  The pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.  Proverbs 27:9.  Love one another deeply, from the heart.  1 Peter 1:22. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:2-3.  Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again:  Rejoice!!!!  Philippians 4:4.

I am blessed with so many wonderful, loving, supportive “good friends”  I thank God for the gift of each of you! 

Love you all!

August 28, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Tuesday!  Yesterday I had my regular 6-month checkup and cleaning with my favorite dental hygienist.  I have flossed for years, but always gave myself a break on the weekends….you know a treat…..actually, if I am honest with myself should probably call it like it is….a bit lazy.  Well anyway, at my last cleaning in February the conversation went to flossing….I told her that I always took the weekends off, she said she flossed 7 days a week, without fail!  Something about her dedication inspired me so I decided to give it a try; it happened to be the beginning of Lent so I thought an excellent time to” give up: being lazy.  Well, Lent came and went and I kept on flossing!  For the last six months I have only missed a day or two because of sickness and yesterday was my reward!  My hygienist couldn’t have been happier with my teeth and gums!  I was so happy about the results of….giving up lazy….healthy teeth and gums!  Boy, oh boy…as I was driving back to work a thought hit me…..What if……just what if I gave up lazy in my spiritual life……What could I accomplish there?  What reward could I gain?  My goodness…..what if I never skipped out on prayer time or made excuses not to read God’s word or go to church….What if…….What could I gain…..a healthier faith, that’s what……a stronger trust in God’s will, a more willing spirit to do His will, a better understanding of the endless blessings He pours on me in His time and His way….Peace…..just think of the Peace that we miss out on because we are “lazy” with our time for/with our Heavenly Father…..Healthy Faith……that’s my goal….Father fill me with the desire to spend more time with you, to listen for YOU, to hear and understand Your will for me…..Father I know my reward will be worth it! 

Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17.  Then He (Jesus) touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you, “ and their sight was restored.  Matthew 9:29-30.  My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understand, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:1-6.  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14.  Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever!  2 Peter 3:18. 

Love you all!

August 27, 2012

Hello Friends! Mighty Marvelous is our God, Monday! I am a little late getting around today, been good and busy and I like that! Anyway, I did have a thought I wanted to share (thanks to something a friend said). Lots of you know that my sweetie had surgery on Thursday (just in case you missed me that’s where I have been); bless his heart he had his sinuses “roto rootered”. Poor guy has had a sinus infection practically nonstop for the past year. After just a couple of visits to the specialist and a cat scan they decided he had to be cleaned out and last Thursday was the day…..He made it through surgery well and while we were in the recovery room his doctor came to talk to me. He told me he could not believe (now don’t get too grossed out) what they pulled out of his right side! He said, “It was really gross! He was completely blocked.” Well, since I got him home I have been quite busy tending to him and all the critters so I had not had a lot of time to think about what the doctor said until last night when a friend called to check on him. She said I think there has to be a message in all that snot!!!!! We all had a good laugh, said goodbye and I went about evening chores, but I kept having a nagging thought… what message could there be in all that gross, nasty, disgusting, gross, yucky snot they pulled out of Kim’s sinuses???? Somewhere between gathering eggs and feeding the donkeys I got the familiar tap. “Hi Father” I said, “thanks for this awesome weather, what can I do for you….” “Kathie,” He said, “Kathie, My child…..you have been wondering about Kim’s gross snot….Remember when you came to me this morning and were feeling so awful about something you had done……Remember how you told me you were sorry and asked for My forgiveness?” Yes Father, I remember and thank you, but what does that have to do with Kim’s snot?” “Kathie, I pulled that sin right from you….and remember it no more! And no matter what gross thing you may have done, I forgive you….there is nothing absolutely nothing that is too gross for Me…….I love you, I will take care of you, carry your burdens….forgive your sins both now and always! Oh Father…..by Your grace I am saved…..thank you Father……And thank you for taking care of my sweetie too! To You be all glory!

I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12. “Com now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against Him. Romans 4:7-8. For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Psalm 25:11.

Love you all!

August 22, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!!!!! So, tell me…..how are you all liking this break in the hot weather? Not making anybody mad is it??!! Last night before we went to bed we opened the house up, doors and windows, so this morning when I got up….oh my, the house was so cool. Got my coffee and went into living room to spend some time with our Heavenly Father and I actually had to grab my blanket (my favorite made for me by sweet daughter, Stacy) and wrap up…..felt so good…..warm….cozy….kind of protected and secure. My thoughts immediately turned to praise…..how blessed I am because I am always wrapped in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father….always safe and secure….warm and cozy….despite myself……despite my gaps in faith….doubts….straying……despite all of my human misgivings our Heavenly Father keeps me wrapped securely in His loving arms. Hailey has a contraption for Tucker that allows her to have him wrapped close to her, but her hands are free to do other things…..handy thing……our Heavenly Father keeps us close to HIM all the while taking care of our world…….Handy….don’t you think? So this morning as I sat in my cozy old recliner, snuggled in my favorite blanket, sipping my first cup of coffee enhanced with fat free half and half and equal (what wonderful little blessings), oh and let’s not forget my sweetie lightly snoring next to me in his recliner……Awww, I was smiling from the inside out…..not just a simple regular smile, but a smile generated by an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I really am a most loved child of our Heavenly Father… not through anything I have done or could do, no through His grace….Aww….Thank you Father……help me to never ever take Your merciful love for granted, but rather to generously share Your most perfect love!

May the God of your fathers, the Almighty, bless you with blessings of heaven above and the earth beneath. Genesis 49:25. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8. So we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16. This is what the Lord says…”Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1.

Love you all!