December 26, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday! “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…….” I am sure you recognize that old familiar tune and I wonder how many times we heard people say, “Oh I hope we have a white Christmas or I’d give anything if it snows on Christmas.”? Well, here in Oklahoma those dreams of a white Christmas came true! And yes, I must say, that yesterday sitting in the living room, big fire in the wood stove, sappy Hallmark Christmas movie on TV, watching it snow….watching the dry brown pastures turn a pure, magical white was wonderful…..Pure like the baby born in the manager on that first Christmas night……I could feel His love wrapped around me….His peace filling my heart and mind…...lifting my spirit in joy and praise…blessings abounding…..joy, love and peace…..Later in the day we headed to Cooper and Katy’s for dinner and an evening of family fun….more love, more blessings….We started for home, still snowing a bit and so cold; the roads were already beginning to ice up and temperature was dropping…..couldn’t help and wonder about driving to work in the morning. At 1:30 am I got up to go potty, so I called the weather line for work….offices would not open till 10 am….that meant driving conditions were worse…..the Christmas dream was quickly becoming a nightmare…..Roads were one big sheet of ice this morning, cars were slipping off roads into the ditch, accidents everywhere…..utter chaos…….Oh how easy it is too lose our Christmas peace when life gets chaotic….when the bills, pile up, relationships cause pain, sickness, and sorry over take us…..we feel lost and forsaken.....This is when we need to go to the manger…..humbly kneel and give ourselves over to Jesus…..be still and feel His perfect love wrap you close……close your eyes and be filled with HIS peace……Christmas is not just one day of the year……CHRISTmust…..live in our hearts and minds everyday…….when He is there….in our hearts……He can quickly comfort us when the ice storm of worldly woes overtake us….Father, help us keep Jesus in our hearts and minds every day, in every way…….help us to glow with His love, warming everyone around us.

And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Gory to God in the highest and on earth, PEACE, goodwill toward men. Luke 2:13-14. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell I safety. Psalm 4:8. The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. Psalm 29:11. The peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7.

 

Merry CHRISTmas! Love you all! (be safe)

December 21, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Forever His, Friday! A few weeks ago we decorated our front lobby for Christmas (remember I am the receptionist). We put up a big tree and as a final touch to the decorations we hung candy canes all over, our plan was to offer everyone, little and big a candy cane from the tree. Oh what a pleasure I have had offering young and old alike a chance to take a candy cane from the tree….bright smiles, sincere thank yous….simple pleasures….Christmas joy! Candy canes have been a part of Christmas for as long as I can remember….how about you? Did you know that there’s real thought and meaning behind the candy cane? The candy cane was invented by a candy maker in Indiana, his main purpose to make a candy that would really represent the true meaning of Christmas….a witness to our Greatest Gift….JESUS….THE REASON FOR THE SEASON….Here’s his analogy…..the first candy canes were all white to represent the virgin birth and the holiness of Jesus…..the candy is hard to represent THE SOLID ROCK of our faith. The candy, first is in the shape of a J….for JESUS; when you turn it over it becomes a cane….a shepherd’s cane to represent that we are children of the GOOD SHEPHERD….who takes care of us, nurtures and protects us and brings us back to HIM when we stray. Last, but certainly not least, he added the red stipe……red to represent JESUS blood shed for us…..no price for us….freely HE gave HIS life for us……We need only put our faith in HIM, the Good Shepherd, our Solid Rock! So in the next few days when you come across a candy cane….remember the candy maker from Indiana that shared so wonderfully the REASON FOR THE SEASON…..and share HIS PERFECT LOVE with someone…..Father, help us to remember the true gift of Christmas every day! Not just once a year...and help us to share the message of the candy cane!

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord. This will a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in “swaddling” clothes and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12. 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. 

 

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones….Love you all!

December 20, 2012

Good Afternoon (I was in class this morning) Friends! Thankfully His, Thursday! This morning, not far into my commute I saw….well smelled first, a skunk that had been run over…..Once I got over the smell, I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the skunk was….shiny black coat with the bright white stripe….so very pretty to look at….but the smell, oh my goodness. As I drove by him, I had a silly thought…..I look like a skunk today…..all dressed in black and white…sure hope I don’t smell as bad as he does…..Well, my mind didn’t stop there….skunks are so pretty to look at, but they smell so bad and they will eat my chicken’s eggs and even kill the chickens…..so pretty to look at, but……not so pretty in so many ways…..Hmm….didn’t I just say I look like a skunk today…..Do we look prettier on the outside than what’s inside of us, inside our hearts and minds? Do we put off an offensive odor of arrogance, greed, or unconcern? Are we more concerned about putting up the biggest tree, elaborate decorations, and buying the fanciest presents, so that we “look pretty” rather than sharing simple acts of love…..Christmas is the greatest LOVE….God gave us HIS Son…..He does not care about how pretty we look on the outside…..He cares about what’s inside….inside our hearts and minds…..He wants us to ooze with the sweet fragrance of His love penetrating the hearts and minds of everyone around us, especially those that might be sad or lonely, hurting….in need of a sweet little Christmas miracle….a touch of love from our Heavenly Father from the inside! Heavenly Father fill us with Your love and faithfulness so that we are pretty for You on the inside.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that our your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gently and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. 1 Peter 3:3-5. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15:30. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun....Psalm 37:4-6

 

Love you all!

December 18, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally wrapped in His loving arms, Tuesday!  The verses below are from Luke 2, King James Version.  Even though for most of my daily reading I use the New International Version of God’s holy word, the story of our Savior’s birth I love to read in the King James.  The words I am most intrigued by today is “swaddling clothes.”  I have read that verse, Luke 2:7 all of my life, but never until this year has it touched my heart in such a warm and loving way!  The reason being, my great grandson Tucker; Tucker’s mommy has “swaddled” him since he was born.  She actually has swaddling blankets……Tucker is most at peace, calm and secure when he is “swaddled”…wrapped tightly in his warm blanket….now I mean real tight, his little arms are inside the blanket too…..Tucker loves to be swaddled!  Now my Hailey might think that swaddling is a new concept…that the “swaddling blanket” is a current concept, but take a look at verse 7…..Mary wrapped baby Jesus in “swaddling clothes”  now is that awesome or what!  2012 years ago, Mary wrapped Jesus in a “swaddling blanket.”  When I read that this morning….a quiet peace and warmth went over me……I thought of baby Jesus wrapped tightly, looking like a little burrito, just like my precious Tucker…..Oh my……that’s when the “light” came on….the LIGHT of Jesus LOVE……the LIGHT of JESUS LOVE “swaddles” us….He takes us in His arms and wraps us ever so tightly….cuddles us…comforts us….protects us…forgives us…..Swaddled in His arms we are at peace, calm and secure….Thank you Father for the gift of Your only Son….for Your love that swaddles us in His Perfect love….Your Son the light of the world!  And Father, thank you for the precious gift of grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34.  Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:2.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  Psalm 33:21.

Love you all!

December 12, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His Loving arms, Wednesday!  Burrr….word of the week don’t you agree!  There’s no heat in our bedroom, so usually when it’s as cold as it was yesterday we crack the door just a little in the evening to cut the chill a bit.  For some reason neither one of us thought of it last night, so when I went in to get in bed….YIKES, it was freezing!  We have a memory foam mattress which is ordinarily quite soft and comfy, but last night with the room so cold, the bed was hard as a rock.  I had to laugh when I plopped myself down…..that thing did not give…..solid….hard, like I said, hard as a rock!  Good thing about the memory foam though,  is that it warms up real fast; wasn’t but just a minute and I was laying there warm and relaxed cuddled in the comfort of my cozy mattress.  As I lay there, dozing off to sleep, my thoughts turned to another ROCK….A favorite hymn came to mind…”On Christ the solid rock I stand….”   Snuggled there in my warm bed…..I thought gosh…..Christ is my SOLID ROCK…..I can “plop” on Him anytime, anywhere, for any reason and He takes me, all of me, body, mind, spirit…..His love warms me, relaxes me as He cuddles me in His loving arms…..Ahhh, Sweet Jesus……I feel You here with me……Thank you for being our Rock, warming and cuddling us with Your Perfect Love!  And I ask today, dear Jesus….please cuddle those around me that are sad or hurting….missing a loved one….troubled….stressed……depressed….Even though this is the happiest time of the year….so many hearts are sad…..heavy with this life…..Thank you for wrapping Your arms around them and filling them with Your Peace……You are our Solid Rock…..

Be at rest once more,  O My soul, for the Lord has been good to you.  Psalm 116:7.  Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:28-29.  Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31.  Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 43:5.  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us now birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3.  May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all time and in every way.  2 Thessalonians 3:16.  Submit to God and be at peace with Him…Job 22:21.

Love you all!

December 10, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Marvelous and miraculously blessed, Monday!   Last night Kim and I watched the 10:00 news, mostly to hear the weather….we knew the cold was coming, but when he said there might be a dusting of snow during the night we both laughed.  This morning we were once again watching the weather and indeed they said it had snowed….I got up and looked out the window, of course it was dark but I could see some little piles of white….I said  “all’s I see is the ashes you dumped”  Once again we laughed.  I had just gotten in the shower when Kim came into the bathroom all excited.  He said, “it did snow!”  Cooper just called all excited and said’ Papa it snowed outside, can we go out and play in it?’ “  I had to laugh, but this time laughing at us for thinking we are such smarties!  Yep, Cooper had to call Papa when he saw the snow and ask him if they could go out and play…of course, Papa explained to Cooper that it was really cold outside; way too cold to go out and play in the snow.  I felt a little flutter in my heart as I thought of Cooper calling Papa, so excited and asking him about going outside.  And Papa, my goodness he was all excited that Cooper had called him to tell him the exciting news and asked him a question….made him so proud…..happy…..his heart definitely fluttered too.  As soon as I got out of the shower I ran to take a look outside…..Wow….sure enough, Cooper was right, there was snow!  As I closed the door and went to get ready for work, I again smiled…this time I was thinking of someone else that gets excited when we call on HIM!!!  Oh yes, our Heavenly Father loves us to call on Him, to come to Him about everything….. even the snow!  We are His children, we can talk to Him about everything……He wants us to, not just when we are troubled or hurting, but in the happy times too….He likes to hear our Praises and thank yous!!!!  He would love to hear us thank Him for the beautiful snow……the glistening ice……..moisture that is so needed….We should ask Him to be with the people that had accidents this morning…..and also that He watch over and guide our fireman, EMS, and policemen as they work to protect and help us…..thank Him for the blessing of friends at work that get you coffee when you are unable to leave your desk……for the children that come in the office and are so excited to get a candy cane off of the Christmas tree……ask Him to comfort those that are sad right now….lonely, grieving, financially stressed…..Praise Him that we have plenty of food and warm houses….heck a warm office too……Thank Him for the love of family and friends….Make HIM smile….His heart flutter…call Him a million times today!  Father, thank you for always taking our calls.

And He took the children (we are all His children) in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.  Mark 10:16.  This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.  1 Johns 5:14-15.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7.  Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.  1 Chronicles 16:8.  Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in EVERYTHING give thanks.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Love you all!

December 6, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Time to sing His praise, Thursday!  Last night our Administrator and Directors hosted a Christmas party for all of us in the Housing Division.  Lots of food, music, games and tons of prizes!  We were each given a ticket when we got there and all through the evening tickets were drawn.  We all sat on the edge of our seats hoping our number was called!  Some at our table won…some didn’t….but we all had a good time.  This morning a friend that sat with me, told me she got the greatest prize last night…..kind of odd, I thought, since her number was never drawn…..As she began to tell me her story, I got goose bumps…..she kept company with an angel….I am just sure of it….As she was leaving the party she was approached by a young woman, she just figured she was a co-worker; she asked if she could get a ride to the Dollar Store to get some medicine, that she was really sick and it was a long walk…..my friend moved things out the front seat and the young girl got in.  My friend asked her which department she worked in and she told her “oh I don’t work, I just go to college.”  At this point I think I may have been a little nervous and my friend said she had never done anything like this before, but she just started the car and headed to the Dollar Store.  The young stranger was at awe with my friend’s car…said she had never seen anything so fancy, especially loved her heated seat…..They chatted on the way to the store and when they got there my friend asked her if she had money for medicine.  She told her she had $3 and when she called the store they said that should be enough.  My friend said she was compelled to open her purse and give her more money…..the girl insisted she couldn’t take it, but my friend kept telling her she wanted her to have it….the young girl finally gave in and they parted ways. And the young girl said, “God bless you.”  My friend said she felt an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness and had not been afraid for one second……When her husband called her later he asked her how the party was….”did you win anything?”  She joyfully told him, “I won the greatest prize of all!”  After explaining the situation to him, he had to agree….she told me she slept all night, for the first time in years…….I told her you had the company of an angel……we were both crying by this time……crying because she had taken a giant leap of faith and Jesus caught her in His arms……Jesus is the Reason….for every Season.  Father, strengthen our faith so that we are always ready to take the leap for You!  And thank you for special angels that let us know how very blessed we are.

Jesus said, “Then the King will say to those on this right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a strange and you invited me in, (gave me a ride and money for medicine)….Then the righteous will answer him, Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?.....The king will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  Matthew 25:34-40.  Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.  1 Samuel 12:24.  We live by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7.

Love you all!

December 5, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Warmly wrapped in the glow of His love, Wednesday!  Goodness can you believe the difference in our temperatures this morning!  Crazy isn’t it?!  I could tell when I went to my car at 5 yesterday the temp was dropping…got home to a chill in the house….I was happy to change into sweats after the last few warm days.  After a visit with Tucker, Kim and I settled in to have dinner and a little TV…”Hmmm,” Kim said, “bet we should light a fire, gonna be a lot cooler in the morning.”  We sat there a few more minutes, but as reached down to pull my blankie over my feet, I said to Kim.  “Yep, I think I will start a fire….could be quit chilly in the morning.”  There’s something about starting a fire that soothes me….crumpling the newspaper, a few pine cones, and then the logs….the glow of the fire soon warms the house…I like it.  As we headed to bed we tossed in a couple more logs so we would be sure and be cozy in the morning.  Sure thing, when I got up this morning it was 37, but the house was warm….after stirring the coals and adding a few more logs I settled into my chair to have my morning chat with our Heavenly Father……the light from the stove was comforting and the room was toasty warm……I chuckled to myself….”wonder if there was a fire, a comforting light in the stable the night that Jesus was born….”   Wow…….I had to laugh at myself I as thought of the tiny baby in the manger…wondering if there was heat and light for him…...SURE WAS… the brightest, warmest, glowing light there is….Jesus the LIGHT of the world…..Jesus the tiny baby in the manager that died on the cross for us…..Jesus’ light gives us life.  Thank  you Father for the gift of light and life through your Son Jesus.  Help us to shine with His love so that others will find their way to You.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12.  The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1.  “Arise, shine, for your LIGHT has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  Isaiah 60:1.  Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and rise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16.  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  2 Corinthians 4:6.  Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.  Psalm 97:11.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4.

Love you all!

December 4, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally taken by His love, Tuesday!  Seems like so many conversations right now are all about Christmas shopping….what to get who….how much does it cost…..and then every other commercial is about some big old fancy Christmas gift and the stores and sale papers….gee whiz….easy to get stressed out.  We stress out over getting the perfect gift for our family and friends, the hottest new toy, or biggest tool, buying the perfect paper and matching bows…..people actually go in debt buying Christmas presents that they cannot afford……BAM!!!!  This morning it hit me……..each of us have already received the most perfect gift….many, many years ago……no it didn’t come from a high-dollar department store and wasn’t wrapped in shiny paper……didn’t cost us one cent….not one single penny……..This gift was born in a stable…..wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manager…..a stable….for animals….donkeys, sheep, cows…..now I love all my little critters but I night with Chloe and Eyore….no thanks.  This gift God’s Son, born in a manager for us, lived, died and rose again for us…..died that we might live…..Our Heavenly Father gave us the PERFECT GIFT….His only Son…..our Savior…..This Perfect Gift was a gift of LOVE…….unselfish……total LOVE for each of us.  The gift of LOVE, wrapped in swaddling clothes….The perfect gift comes from love……not how much money was spent or the name brand…….So go ahead finish your shopping, but remember the Perfect gift comes from love.  Father, thank you for giving us, the Perfect gift, Your only Son who died to save us from eternal death…..Fill our hearts with Your Love so that everything we do brings glory to You.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:11-12.  For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John3:16.  This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  1 John 3:16.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.  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!

December 3, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty is our God, Monday!  We have a little make-shift apartment on our property….started out as little individual rooms that Kim and I lived in when we first moved here.  They look like stores in an old west town; quite a few years ago when our son was coming out to live we pulled them down the hill side by side and built a porch all the way across.  Kim, put a little kitchen in the living room, the office became a bathroom/laundry room, and the bedroom got a closet (we had used our travel trailer for bathroom, kitchen, and closet).  Hence a make-shift one bedroom apartment!  After Shawn returned to California we had several different renters, the last ones moved out two years ago.  Kim and I got right on fixing it up…..well for a week or so, but then….well you know….stuff happens.  As winter approached, Kim turned the water off and swore he drained the lines…..Two years ago……Well, we have the apartment rented, so we had to get in there and finish up.  First thing Kim did was turn on the water……oh boy….guess what……leaks….yep…just a couple he thought not bad.  He fixed them, turned the water back on and dang it…..discovered two more spots leaking…..oh not bad he thought….but sure did think he had drained the lines.  Well yesterday after church he had to go to Home Depot and get more fittings, we had lunch and he headed back to Lula to get to work the leaks while I went to Walmart for some groceries.  I was standing in line when he called me….”Kathie, this place is full of leaks….everywhere!”  I could tell he was really upset, “behind the shower and toilet, in the walls…Kathie….it’s a mess!”  Poor guy, he was really upset and kept saying, “I know I drained the lines.”  I have no doubt that with a little hard work and perseverance that Kim will get all the leaks fixed, but the whole situation got me to thinking.  What happens to us when we just sit….unattended……we spring leaks….our faith weakens when our prayer life has leaks, when we are too busy to spend time chatting with our Heavenly Father and reading His word…..our hope gets weak….just like the water lines….we begin to see life dimly…..glass half empty…..we look at things with a negative attitude…Kim will fix the leaks in the apartment (up to nine), but our leaks can only be fixed by our Heavenly Father…..Kim goes to Home Depot for his supplies….we go directly to our Heavenly Father….when we go humbly before Him He fills our leaks with His perfect love.  He plugs the holes of sadness and anxiety with His peace…..He strengthens our hearts and minds with hope…Hope for better tomorrows….hope for life everlasting with HIM.  Father, forgive us when we let our spiritual life just sit……causing us to have leaks…..Father, bring us to You, fill us with Your Peace, encompass us in Your love.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:23.  Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  Psalm 62:5-6.  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8.  I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints.  Psalm 85:8.  Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  2 Timothy 2:22.  Mercy, Peace and Love be yours in abundance.  Jude 2. 

Love you all

November 29, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally Trusting in His will Thursday!  A friend asked me how she could pray for me today and after I gave her a list of current and on- going frets she replied with this, “comes to this….praying for direction; trusting God and having patience to wait for His will.”  Well said don’t you think!  Definitely not easy, but straight and to the point....and exactly what I need to do…..I thanked her for listening and praying with me and then read the quote on my daily calendar….Wow…..”God orders your days and is the Lord of all your ways.  He is not only the Lord of time, but He is also the Lord of all timing.  His timing is always perfect as He works through circumstances and people to fulfill His plans for you.  He is never late in bringing His will to you, and He will never bring you things before their time.  He knows your heart, He sees your faith, and He will fulfill all things that concern you.”  Roy Lessen.   God knows our hearts….that brings me comfort….He knows what is bothering me and He is taking care of it in His time…He is the “Lord of all timing”…..just like my friend said this morning….now the waiting is up to me…..sure glad “He is never late”.  Thank you Father…..help me to be a good and faithful waiter.

Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 42:11.  This I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail…The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him to the one who seeks Him.  Lamentations 3:2-22, 25.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy spirit.  Romans 15:13. 

Love you all!

November 28, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Wow, it’s a wonderful Wednesday wrapped in His love!  Seems like we spend so much time worrying about balancing….balancing our diet…..you know making sure we get healthy stuff go along with the junk.  Balancing our budget so that we make sure we can pay our bills before we buy a new dress….balance is important in so many ways in our lives.  Yesterday I was responding to a missionary in Turkey that our church sponsors; I was telling him about all the activities we were planning at church and Sunday School for Christmas and as I listed them, I began to feel overwhelmed……unbalanced so to speak.  I finished my email and as I hit send, my thoughts returned to all the things I had ahead of me, programs, costumes, decorations, Hanging of the Greens, shopping, decorations, wrapping, cooking, cards, letters……Oh my gosh….I felt like screaming.  That’s when “Balance” hit me……I need to do more than balance my diet and budget….I need to “balance” my priorites….my time…..Number one priority for this season of Advent and Christmas is JESUS!!!!  JESUS is the Reason for the Season!  Without our precious Savior there would be no season worth celebrating.  So without further ado, I am asking our Heavenly Father to help me balance my Christmas activities….after all, it’s all for naught without HIM!!!!  Without JESUS…..there’s no need for a tree….the tree points to heaven, reminding us where Jesus came from and the green represents the eternal life we receive from HIM…and the lights, well….HE is the light of the world!  So, as you shop for the perfect gift for loved ones….remember the perfect gift of Jesus life….Thank Him, Praise Him and love others as He loves us…..That’s the reason for all the fuss and muss……We will all be busier in the next month, that goes without saying….but with God’s help we can “balance” our business and joyfully celebrate the birth of our Savior…..The REASON FOR THE SEASON!”  Father, thank you for the gift of your Son and the joy of celebrating His birth….keep us focused Father on what is really important and Go Tell it on the Mountain!

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and place him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped cloths and lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:6-12.

Love you all!

November 26, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  My goodness it’s a marvelous Monday!  Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.  We had such a fun day with family and oh what good food….truly blessed in every way.  Friday morning after breakfast we headed out to get our chores done.  Kim needed to go to Home Depot in Norman to pick up 2 air conditioners (should be the end of supplies needed for the big project); Ada store didn’t have any, hence a trip to Norman on the Friday after Thanksgiving!  Yikes!  I told him I would go with him, but might have to make a couple extra stops….if you catch my drift.  He also wanted to go by Sam’s and get his tires rotated, so we had a good day ahead of us.  First stop, lunch at I Hop (right next to Home Depot).  We had a great lunch and bravely headed into the store, knowing we would have to be patient because we were asking them to do something extra on such a busy day!  Well we were there a little over an hour, but really went pretty smooth considering….next stop Kohl’s where Kim stayed in truck while I went in to catch a few sales….oh my the line was long, but I had found just what I wanted so I decided to be patient and wait….glad I did went really fast!  Back to the truck and on to our last stop, Sam’s.  Once again a line, but not too bad, got the truck in and headed into store to shop a little while we waited.  In about 30 minutes truck was ready, so we checked out, got our key and headed to truck…we were both quite ready to be headed home!  Burr it hadn’t gotten cold out, I encouraged Kim to hurry and get the truck unlocked…Kim was using a key he had gotten made a few months ago, worked just fine in the ignition, but he never tried it in the doors…..he rarely has the need to lock…..Guess what!  Yep!!!!!  The key did not work in the door….we were locked out of our truck, after a long day in the city, and it was cold.  We had no options but to call a lock smith.  I headed back into the tire shop to see if they could recommend someone….they gave me a couple of numbers and Kim called the first one….said he would be there in fifteen minutes….now just the wait…in the cold….tired and hungry….Soon the guy showed up and in no time we were in the truck and headed home with a key that worked!  As I stood in the cold waiting for the lock smith I thought about a dear friend whose father had passed away on Thursday…I thought of her deep sadness and said a prayer for her…. That’s when it hit me….Prayer is our key and our Heavenly Father our perfect Lock Smith!!!!  He gives us the key, so that through prayer, sad, grieving hearts can be opened and filled with His Perfect Love, His Peace, the only Peace that comforts.  When there’s nothing else we can do, we have the best gift of all….the key….from our Heavenly Father….the Perfect Lock Smith.  Father, thank you for hearing our prayers….for comforting sad hearts with Your love and peace.  Help us to pray faithfully for those in need.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Matthew 5:4.  Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help.  Psalm 30:10.  I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.  Jeremiah  31:13.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4.  Dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  Jude 20.  “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear, “ says the Lord.  Isaiah 55:24.

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

November 20, 2012

Good Morning Friends!!!!!  Totally at awe in His love, Tuesday.  “Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above the Heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”   My husband and I were blessed… amazingly blessed… so amazingly blessed last night that I am beyond words other than “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…..”  Father thank you, for the blessing of such special people in my life…..pour Your love and blessing on them and help me to shine and share with Your love!

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.  Psalm 95:2.  The pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.  Proverbs 27:9  Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work;  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the one who falls and has no one to help him up!  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.  Love one another deeply, from the heart.  1 Peter 1:22.

Love you all!

November 19, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Marvelous in His love, Monday!  Remember Friday I mentioned I was looking forward to going to our little cabin Friday evening?  Well, when I got home a neighbor was there visiting and we got so wrapped up in fun conversation that it got a little late to go, so I suggested to Kim that we go on Saturday after we get our chores done.  We could go earlier, more time to sit around the campfire and less stress for me getting everything ready to go, so worked out perfectly!  We were up early Saturday morning, took Cooper and Katy to breakfast, then came home and got to work.  About 4 I had everything together so we loaded the truck and headed up the hill!  Gosh I was really excited about sitting around the campfire.  First thing we did was go inside to check things out….oh shoot….wasps!  We had forgotten that last winter wasps invaded the cabin and we should have gone up and set off a bomb….well Kim thought we could go ahead and do it and just stay outside longer.  I headed out to set up outside and he set off bomb!  Gosh, the weather was perfect for a campfire, just cool enough, not to cold.  We both wore our jackets and snuggled close to the fire….I was in hog heaven!  Kim cooked on the open fire….delicious!!!!  It was getting pretty cool, so Kim went in to check on the wasp situation.  There were dead ones all over the floor, so we decided to move inside.  I started sweeping up while he started a fire in the woodstove….soon we were comfy inside, reading by the battery light and chatting away…We noticed a few wasps flittering way up high…hmmm….we kept reading, not really concerned….we figured they would settle down once the lights went out.  Soon we climbed into bed and settled into that good sleep, cozy in our cabin.  All of a sudden I felt an excruciating pain in the back of my arm….I jumped up and screamed out, “I JUST GOT STUNG!!”  No sooner had I got that out…..BAM, again….I got stung again…the other arm….by now Kim had the light on and we could see more wasps in the bed….”Let’s go home.”  I good not have agreed more…we quickly dressed, loaded all our stuff, and headed home!  My arms were both throbbing from the painful stings.  Once we were home, I told Kim I sure was glad they got me instead of him because he is allergic…oh my gosh could have been so bad for him…Hmm, a thought came to me……those stings that were painful for me, just for a minute, but didn’t really hurt me, could have been terrible for my husband…..hmmm how often does our does our Heavenly Father give us little stings….little reminders that might seem painful for just a second, but actually keep us from situations that are much worse.  You know when we have piled our cart with all kinds of things we really want….the sting….but you have bills to pay…..You overheard some unkind things about a co-worker and headed off to tell someone all about it….then the sting…..Think how many problems malicious gossip causes…..Hmmmm…..Father, make us aware of Your “stings” so that our lives always reflect You.  You know…the good old Golden Rule…do unto others as you would have them do unto you!!!! 

Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32.  As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.  Matthew 5:42.  In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Matthew 7:12. 

Love you all!

November 16, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Forever loved by Him, Friday!!!  “That my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”  Psalm 30:12.   My goodness when I read this verse at 5:30 this morning I had no idea what meaning was in it for me today!  I felt good when I read it, you know it’s Friday, looking forward to going to our little cabin tonight, Thanksgiving is coming, weather is beautiful, it’s payday….you know, just the usual, little good stuff; the feeling continued as I drove into work, but something happened when I got here.  Funny thing is nothing happened….nothing but my attitude that is….and I really don’t know why, but I was definitely sporting a bad case of the grouchies.  Darned if I don’t hate that……!!!!!  So, here it is almost 11….I have wasted a whole morning, a beautiful morning  with a case of the grouchies……After my break I took out my bible, determined to find something to kick me out of my mood.  Wouldn’t you know it….my bible opened right to Psalm 30…….I began reading…..when I got to verse 12…….I had to hang my head and ask for forgiveness…….My goodness I was being silent……I have every reason to give thanks, loud and long yet….my heart was silent.  Forgive me Father for my “grouchies” for being silent on this beautiful day that You made for me……Help me to sing Your praises everyday….even when I think I don’t feel like it!!!!  Father, thank you for loving me so very much!

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7.  I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all heart; I will glorify your name forever.  For great is your love toward me.  Psalm 86:12.     PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW…..

Love you all!  Enjoy your weekends!

November 15, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by HIM Thursday!!!!  Well my Alaska girls are officially now “Cali” girls!  I guess “Cali” is the cool way to say you are from California.  Anyway they are officially, as of last night, in their new home….new state…..new school….new friends….new climate (we are talking it was -20 when they left Fairbanks-48 in CA right now, hi of 74 today and that’s the norm)…..new lifestyle.  Wow…..those girls put a lot of faith in their dad as they pulled out of Fairbanks in their truck and trailer…..faith that he made the right decision to move them all the way to California, faith that he would drive them safely on such a very long journey (we had no contact with them for 3 days while they were going through Canada)….faith they will like their new home, school, friends…..Brave girls I say!!!!  Brave and trusting children!  As children of our Heavenly Father, we can take some lessons from my girls!  They have faith that Dad is going to take care of them…..they lean on him…..Who do we lean on?  Do we follow the plans our Heavenly Father… where do we put our faith?  Do we lean on our jobs, friends, money to get us through or do we place our lives in the all-knowing, all-loving arms of our Heavenly Father?  Do we get in HIS truck lock, stock and barrel, trusting and believing in where HE is leading us…..faithfully following HIS decisions for us……?  Or do we question Him….”Oh come on Father, are you sure you want me to teach Sunday School?”   “Father, really, you want me to apologize to him…..?”   Hmmm……what is that our Heavenly Father says about the faith of little children….Father forgive us for questioning Your will for our lives…..increase our faith so that we listen, hear and follow YOU in everything we do.

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.  1 Samuel 12:24.  For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.  They will be protected forever….  Psalm 37:28.  “According to you faith will it be done to you….” Matthew 9:28.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9.  The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6.  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him  Nahum 1:7.

Love you all!  

November 9, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Our good friend Thomas Kinkade said, “An attitude of thankfulness can also increase your joy by increasing your sense of abundant blessing.”   It’s his quote for today on my little desk calendar;  I read it this morning when I tore off yesterday’s and thought that’s nice….didn’t really dwell on it.  Then I got an email from a friend that said she was thankful she had finally found the right color for her hair.  I emailed her back and asked her if she colored her hair herself and mentioned that I was thankful that my sweet Kathyrn had come over to my house yesterday and cleaned my floors!  She emailed back, excited for my clean floors and told me that her husband colors her hair!  Too cool I replied and told her that my husband cuts mine sometimes….I expressed how blessed we are with such sweet hubbies….yet another thank you!  She also asked me to pray for her son who is battling with his allergies….I replied that I rarely have a problem with allergies….hmmm, one more thank you!  I clicked send and felt compelled to reread Kinkade’s quote…..”An attitude of thankfulness….”   Clean floors, no allergies, Kim cooked a magnificent dinner last night, sweet grandbabies, rain in the forecast, it’s Friday, Monday is a holiday, (God Bless our veterans and those serving now), tuna (my favorite) for lunch, giving a friend a ride home tonight a chance for a good visit, bacon egg and cheese biscuit for breakfast (lovingly prepared by my sweetie), the trees are magnificent with fall colors, rain in the forecast, precious grandbabies, my dog Baby has 7 puppies, oh passed the inspection in kennels with flying colors…..gosh by heart and mind are overflowing with joy!  I am abundantly blessed, even on a seemingly bad day.....if I carry a smiling attitude….and attitude of thankfulness my joy continues to increase.  Thank you Father for the abundant blessings you shower on me every day…..every hour….every minute…..keep me ever mindful of Your love, so that I share my thankfulness with others and spread the joy!  PS would love to hear some of your thank yous today!

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.  Ephesians 5:19-20.  Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17.  A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13.  The cheerful heart has a continual feast.  Proverbs 15:15.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4.

Love you all!

November 8, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His Thursday!  Big, nerve racking day at the Johnson place today…..State inspector for the kennels is coming in from Tulsa for our annual inspection!  Oh how we dread this day…even though we work hard at keeping our kennels and dogs in good condition, it’s always scary when you know they are coming to inspect everything you have and do with a fine tooth comb.  So needless to say, we have been working diligently every day this week in hopes of passing inspection with flying colors!  This morning I had to clear the clutter from the dining room table so Kim and the inspector could sit and go over things (and I cleaned the bathroom too, after all she is coming in from Tulsa).  I headed to my car just a little behind schedule, but made sure to leave my sweetie a note of encouragement; as I began my drive in my thoughts were consumed with the inspection…..being under the magnifying glass is so nerve racking…..I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful colors of leaves in the trees all around me….the colors of fall are my favorite…..a feeling of peace settled over me and my thoughts turned toward the love of our Heavenly Father……Oh Father, thank you for loving us unconditionally…. Your grace that saves us, nothing we do….just You.  Thank you for not examining us with a magnifying glass…….for just loving us…..forgiving us….through Your grace.  Father in return fill us with hearts and minds that work to bring You glory.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:8-10.  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be hold and blameless in His sight.  In love he predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.  Ephesians 1:3-10.  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 1:2. 

Love you all!

November 5, 2012

Good Morning Friends!!!!! My oh my, I am glad I am HIS Monday!!!! This morning I loaded up all my bags for work (they call me the bag lady here) and headed out the door. I was feeling quite spiffy in my zebra print dress and sporting my high heels…..Now if you have ever been to my house you know about the wooden ramp that my husband built, but for those of you that haven’t let me describe it a bit; it’s a bit steep….short and steep, I guess because of the steps it was built over and the size of the screen porch. Anyway, needless to say I try to always be careful when I head down, especially when sporting the high heels…you know the ones with the thin heals. This morning was no exception, loaded my bags and headed out the door. I hadn’t taken 3 steps down the ramp when my right heal got stuck between the boards…..a first and I hope a last! My heart and mind were both racing as my leg buckled at the knee and I was headed down. Praise God, somehow I managed to get control of my body, pull my heal out, and stay on my feet! As I stood up, I took a deep breath, said a thank you prayer and headed to my car, knowing I had been blessed because I could have really hurt myself! As I got in the car I couldn’t help but think that if I wasn’t somewhat physically fit….you know, if I didn’t exercise (not as much as I should, but I do try) and eat half way healthy I very well may not have had the strength or dexterity to hold myself up and get my balance. Because I take care of myself I was able to ward off a potentially serious fall. Hmm, oh goodness don’t we face potentially serious “falls” everyday….”falls” into worldly temptations? Falls….like the temptation to gossip, ignore a friend in need, criticize unjustly….these falls might not seem too serious, but left unattended…..oh my the pain and hurt that happens. So, you are asking what does your near fall have to do with this. If we are spiritually fit….if we spend time every day with our Heavenly Father, in prayer and His word we will be able to ward off potentially serious “falls.” We will be strong and balanced in our daily lives, being spiritually healthy His light will shine brightly through us to others….well heck our light might even help others to avoid “potentially serious falls” making the world a brighter place. Heavenly Father, help us to stay fit by spending time with YOU, the most important time in our days….Help us to share your love with others, generously!

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the spirit have their minds set on what the nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5. What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God. Micah 6:8. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11-12. 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!

October 26, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Fully confident in His plan, Friday! So, those of you with me in OK, how are you liken the chill in the air this morning?! Bit of a change from the day before isn’t it! How quickly the weather can change…..are you ready, prepared for the winter cold? Got your wood cut, propane tanked filled, know where your winter clothes are…hats, gloves, long johns? Being prepared is so important as winter hits us…..it can change so quickly! Isn’t that the way it is with our lives too…..one minute we are just cruising along….smooth….no bumps in the road and then bam….a child is very ill, a car accident, dissention in our family, loss of job, death of a loved one…..we are never really ready for life’s really tough stuff, but we can be prepared if get our hearts and minds focused on the love of our Heavenly Father, if we fill our time with prayer, His word, praise and worship and wear His love from the inside out! With HIM we can handle the tough stuff, with HIM we get over the bumps. Let’s not waste time traveling alone….waiting till the cold front hits and no propane……let’s be prepared, let’s spend each day growing in faith, loving Him, listening to HIM and following His will for our lives….Oh HE will keep us so warm with HIS love. Father lead us to follow you daily…..thank you for loving us and keeping us warm as we travel through this life. Father I ask you to comfort those suffering any pain right now, pull them close to You, wrap Your all- loving arms around them and give them Your peace.

But 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 leave are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:7. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26. We live by faith, not sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1. Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7. 

 

Love you all!

October 24, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Wow, sure is wonderful to be His child, Wednesday! This morning I was sitting in my cozy chair, in the dark, having a good visit with our Heavenly Father…..all was quiet until…..until my donkey (actually Hailey’s donkey, down for a visit with his girlfriend) started braying like the world was coming to an end! My first thought was…..Oh my gosh, how obnoxious, he knows I am not coming out there this morning…but then I just had to smile….silly donkey, what a racket he makes just to get my attention….There in the quiet darkness of the morning I smiled again thinking about me yesterday…oh heck so many days! Oh, I am sure my pleas sounded as obnoxious as Eyore’s braying….Oh my do I bray at God? Do I just cry out in the darkness sounding desperate and out of control? Yes…..I know that at times….like yesterday……I do……but, I think that our Heavenly Father smiles when I do…not because I am suffering, but because He wants us to come to Him……He knows the source of our pain and He is the only one that can fix it…..and HE wants to fix it and He rejoices when we come to HIM!!! Why oh why are we as stubborn as a……donkey sometimes!!!!! Oh Father, thank you for your attentive ears, Your open arms, Your endless love!

You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. Oh Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 30:11-12. But I trust in you O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who purse me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Psalm 31: 14-16

 

Love you all!

October 23, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally trusting in His will, Tuesday!  I am taking a big step today……totally trusting…..got some issues going on that I have been slowly letting get the best of me…… worry, stress, and anxiety are clouding my days; I don’t like it and worse yet I know that our Heavenly Father really doesn’t like it.   Went to Proverbs this morning for some wisdom, Proverbs 3:5-6 is quite clear, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”  Key word in these verses is “all”  all our hearts and all our ways….that’s where we struggle….or at least me….all is a big word…..a big step to give it “all” to Him…..I know in my heart what I need to do…..He has taught me, but yet it’s so hard to just let go…..but I know it is the only way to peace for me…..No stories today friends…..just steps…..little ones to get me going….to get my strength up and then…….stepping out of my worry into HIS arms……basking in His peace instead of wallowing in my worries……Father….get ready….get set….here I come…Thank you Father for taking all of my worries....for letting me lean on You.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.  Hebrews 12:2.  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?.....Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink?’ or What shall we wear?’…..you Heavenly Father knows you need them.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6 selected verses.  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:28-29.

Love you all!

October 19, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Finally Friday is what I feel like saying this morning….but He has proven His love for me so it’s….forever loved by Him, Friday!!!!  Last night I had a dream about spiders, well one spider actually….quite a unique one at that.  The dream actually woke me up.  Doesn’t really surprise me that I had a dream whose main character was a spider because the spiders are just everywhere right now, both at home and at work; they lurk in corners just waiting for an opportunity to scare some unsuspecting woman…..small ones, big ones, hairy ones, scary ones…..but none quite so unique as the one in my dream…..that one was translucent…..I could see right through it, now that was kind of scary.  Like I said the dream woke me and I laid awake for a while thinking about it, but it wasn’t until this morning that I understood that see-through spider.  Yesterday the fuel filter on my little black car plugged up so I had to take the old Honda car to work, no biggie I thought, I got a new filter in town and Kim would put it on for me….on the road again!  Well, on the way home last night, I felt something odd, pulled off the road and checked, darn the right front tire was separating….finished trip home at about 10 mph!  Still not worried cause I knew Kim would get my little black car fixed up again.  He went out early this morning to take care of it, but when I went out to leave at 7:20 he was fit to be tied.  My car would not start…..he tried everything, but to no avail….he tried and tried and tried….it was getting later and later….I tried to call a friend for a ride, but was too late, called work and told them I would be late again (thank heavens for an understanding boss) and prayed that it would start…..NOPE!!!!!  Finally, totally in a twit Kim said, “YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE MY TRUCK, BUT YOU HAVE TO GET FUEL, GET YOUR STUFF AND GET GOING!!!!”   I hope the capitol letters help you get the drift of his mood…mine wasn’t much better.  You see, his truck is big….real big….my legs barely, if I am sitting forward, reach the pedals big….plus it needed fuel…OH MY GOSH…..I WAS FIT TO BE TIED......driving his truck makes me a wreck, and I was going to be so late to work….it’s hard to shift and there are so many deer out right now…..As I loaded my stuff and “jumped” in the thoughts in my mind were definitely not any that I would be proud for our Heavenly Father to know……that’s when it hit me….the translucent spider……..Oh my gosh!  He sees right through me….He knows what’s in my heart and mind…..I am translucent to HIM…..oh no!  I was in a dither, but I felt His tap….”Kathie, My child, I do know what you were thinking and no it was not very nice…..but I hear you now too….you are sorry and I forgive you.  I will always forgive you when you come to Me with a repentant heart.  Now go on and get to work…..I am with you, I love you….you are forgiven.”  I hope I never really see a translucent spider, but I am sure thankful for the reminder…..sure needed it today.  Father thank you so much for taking care of me this morning even when I was less than lovable…..help me see the blessings in each and every day.  Thank you for loving and forgiving me always.

For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.  Psalm 25:11.  My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks t the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  1 John 2:1.  You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding love and faithfulness.  Psalm 86:15.  The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rise to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!  Isaiah 30:18.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12.

Love you all!

October 18, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  My granddaughter, Hailey….you know Tucker’s mom….Tucker my great-grandson who happened to be 3 months old yesterday……Well, Hailey has been in a real snit lately about her extra pounds since she had Tucker.  She was sure that by 3 months she would be fit and trim again….nope not happening.  Sunday, she had planned to go see Clark at the fire station; she called me just having a fit….declaring that she wasn’t going because she didn’t have anything to wear…..she was ranting and raving like a mad woman….I tried to calm her down, but I just had to laugh……she was bound and determined to not buy bigger pants…..Yesterday she called me after a trip to Walmart….she said, “Nana, you know how I have been whining about my weight, no clothes to that fit?  Nana, I have actually been throwing temper tantrums about not having anything to wear because of my extra weight…temper tantrums….screaming, crying……” “ Well, honey”…..I tried to console her but she interrupted me.  “Nana, I just came from Walmart, I was in a grouchy mood because I didn’t have anything to wear and I feel like a fat pig and then I saw a woman…..Oh Nana, it was so sad…..she had been burned so badly that she had no hair on her head….no hair Nana and her whole body was covered in terrible scars….but Nana, she was smiling, happy….Nana, she had no hair and she was smiling and she was wearing shorts with scars on her legs.  Nana I am ashamed of myself!!!  Here I am acting hateful, grouchy, throwing tantrums because my jeans don’t fit.  I am so sorry!”  I could tell by her tone that she was truly ashamed of herself and that she had learned a very valuable life-lesson.  We talked about her experience and I told her I was proud of her, that when we can really see how blessed we are we truly give God the praise He deserves.  I was about to say goodbye, but I could tell she had more she wanted to say….”Nana, that really got to me, I have so much to be thankful for, yet I am so ungrateful….I complain about a bad hair day and that lady had no hair…..I gripe about my stretch marks, but I have Tucker.  Nana if we just look and think for a minute even the things we think are bad have blessings in them……We have so much……”  Hailey really had her eyes, mind and heart opened  by the woman in Walmart….a most valuable lesson for each of us…..Father forgive our whining and open our hearts to truly see and appreciate all the blessings in our lives….help us to see Your love and goodness in everything, even when we think it’s not so good because we know that You work all things for good.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:19-20.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100:5.  He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.  Proverbs 11:27.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.  Hebrews 12:28.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and Hi wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21.  Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  Amen!  Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.  Amen!  Revelation 7:12.

Love you all!

October 15, 2012

 

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty is our God, Monday!  Remember a few weeks ago I told you about a major project the my husband is working on?  He did his research, made a plan, bought materials, and now the work has begun!  And what a job it is going to be…..Last Saturday was his first day to start constructing….he had a helper to weld and the two of them started off to the shop about 7:30.  After cleaning up the breakfast mess, I headed out to the kennels to do not only my usual Saturday cleaning, but all of Kim’s part too…..I was ok with that though, figured I could be done about noon and then I had big plans to spend some time doing some very much needed cleaning and book work!  I was actually looking forward to the time to get some things done that had been bugging me!  Well, about 10, Kim called and asked me if I would bring him some tea and a jug of water for his helper…said I would be there in a few…..found a good stopping point and headed up to the shop with tea, water, and a snack.  They were hard at it….David was set up welding outside and Kim was cutting the metal for him as quick as he could.  I was not prepared for what my husband had to say…..”hey, when you get done down there, sure could use you up here, so much to cut….I sure could use your help.”  Oh my gosh…..Please NO, I have big plans for this day….was my thought, but by the look on his face and the desperate plea in his voice, I knew he was serious and I was needed.  So…I went back to house, finished up kennels, put on my clothes more suited to cutting metal and headed back up to the shop.  By the size of the load of material on the trailer I knew my work was cut out for me!  The project requires building lots of racks so when we cut, we cut anywhere from 60 to 120 pieces of the same size.  All of which had to be hauled out to be welded……the last piece we cut was out of heavy flat medal, we cut 112 pieces 3 inches long…..after they were cut they had to go to the drill press and get 2 holes drilled in each one……oh my gosh….what a tedious job!  My part of the job was to keep oil on the bit in order to keep it from getting too hot.  Kim explained to me that if the bit gets too hot it will break.  So, I took hold of my oil can and got to squeezing….my gosh what a boring job and a little dangerous too as I had to remove each piece without getting my hand in the moving drill…….Standing there with my squirt can waiting for the holes to be drilled, I couldn’t help but think how boring the job was, but so very important!   The holes had to be drilled and if there was no bit……from there my thoughts went to our Heavenly Father…..Oh what a job He has “drilling His love” into us!  At times I know that are hearts and minds are much harder than that metal…..and yet I know that He never gets bored with drilling His love into our hearts and minds, pouring the precious oil of His love on us so that we don’t break…..loving us, forgiving us, guiding us, protecting us, providing all that we need……Father, thank you for never getting bored with our hard hearts and minds as You continuously pour Your love on us.  Forgive us Father…..

“With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.  Isaiah 54a;8. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  Psalm 103:8.  We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.  Hebrews 2:1.   As the Holy Spirit says:  “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”  Hebrews 3:7-8. Let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and Knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  1 John 4:7-8. 

Praise Him, Praise Him all you little children….God is LOVE, God is LOVE!    Love you all!

October 10, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  Several years ago, out in Lula, we began hearing rumors that the road in front of our house, CR 1660, was going to be redone….you know widened… the whole shamoley!  CR 1600 has a big jog in it so not only does it go in front of our house, but off of Hwy 48 west to Owl Creek.  Oh there’s a little jog north off 48 too, big project.  Like I said just rumors at first and then as time passed we began receiving more information and facts!  The job would be done, no exact date, but definite…..there’s so much more to a project like that than we know about….all the planning; can you imagine, legalities, easements, budgets….stuff I can only imagine!  Takes a long time and a lot of work to get a project like this moving.  Well, this past year we have been seeing more signs that it’s coming, gas and water lines marked, just this last week they started doing some boring just west of us and then Monday Kim and I were coming back from town and there were little yellow danger signs hanging from the power lines that cross the road.  Kim said, “Well they must be getting really close to starting, the warning flags are a definite sign that things are about to get started.”  We discussed how long it’s been since we first heard the rumors, all the waiting and now finally looks like it’s going to happen.  Gosh it will be wonderful to have really nice roads, so much better on my little car.  Oh yes, it will be inconvenient at times because I will have to find alternate routes to work, dodge equipment…you know, but the end project will be fantastic.  This morning as I drove into work I watched for the yellow flags reflecting on the fact that after all this time we are going to have nice smooth roads!   The thought hit me…..our life as Christians is so much like this major road project!  Life is not always easy for us just because we are God’s precious children…..we have our obstacles….there’s lots of planning and preparation…..we must talk with Him every day…you know go over plans, read His word….figure out the legalities…..pray for wisdom and guidance to do things His way so that the job is well-done…..we need to equip ourselves with His tools so that our final project is well done!  Our road to Him takes a life time….. lots of pot holes, curves, hills…..but if we follow His plan, stay close to Him….do our best for Him…… after all, He gave His only Son for us!!! And by HIS GRACE we are saved! Let’s give our lives to Him, trusting and believing HIM as our Perfect project manager!!!  Heavenly Father, it’s a crazy world here, but with you we can do it….we can complete the project and spend eternity with YOU.  Keep us strong Father!

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you wit loving-kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3.  From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him and His righteousness with their children’s children.  Psalm 103:17.  Everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world even our faith.  1 John 5:4.  With God all things are possible.  Matthew 19:26.  Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great poser and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.  Jeremiah 32:17.  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize (finish the project) which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14. 

Love you all!

October 9, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally taken by His love, Tuesday!  Tuesday…..almost wanted to say Monday because of our holiday yesterday!  Aren’t 3 day weekends nice once in a while.  Trouble was, this morning when the alarm went off, I did not want to get up……that extra day of sleeping in a bit spoiled me fast!  I laid in bed a few minutes thinking “Oh gosh, I do not want to get up…..wish I had another day off, it’s cold out there and I am tired; another day would be great….”   I hadn’t been procrastinating and bemoaning having to get up too long when one of my favorite Sunday School songs popped into my head!  “Rise, Shine, give God the glory, glory.  Rise, Shine, give God the glory, glory (familiar?  Join in) RISE and SHINE and GIVE GOD THE GLORY, GLORY.  Children of the Lord!”  That’s all it took…..a gentle hint…..I had a great weekend, an extra day to be with family, time to get my Jack O Lantern painted, time to bake, time to relax and now…it’s time to get up and get to work…..I am blessed to have a good job to get up and go to, I have a wonderful car to get me to and from, good people to spend my day with, and a wonderful family waiting for me at home……let’s not forget my cozy old house, now sporting a great big jack O lantern (used a round bale) in the drive way!  And best of all, I am one of the Lord’s children!  So are you, so aren’t we blessed….doesn’t that just energize you to do the best you can…today…..everyday!   Oh, some days are not so easy, that’s for sure….but like this morning when I was feeling sorry for myself just thinking about the love of our Heavenly Father got me up and going!   Too blessed to feel sorry for myself or waste one minute of the beautiful day He has given me!  Glory, glory, glory….All glory to You our most awesome Heavenly Father!  Father, forgive us when we slip and let our minds waver from You and how much You love us!  Thank you for our many, many, many blessings!

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.  You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wind abound.  Psalm 4:6-7.The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7.  Be joyful always.  1 Thessalonians 5:16.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!!  Philippians 4:4.

Love you all!