May 31, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Windy, when we get up!  Windy when we go to bed!  Windy all day long….hairs a mess, got to be careful what skirt you wear, my poor little car tossed to and fro, dirt in your eyes….wind!  Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind some wind….I love a gentle breeze on a warm day, but really come on…..you got to agree with me that the wind has been a bit much lately….kind of wearing me out at times…I was sitting in my chair this morning, getting ready to spend some time with our Heavenly Father and the darn wind distracted me….blowing like a big dog….howling through the trees, rattling the windows….Darn Father, I thought….I know I am supposed to be thankful in everything…I know that everything You created is good….but gee whiz…..I sat there in the dark, desperately trying to come up with something positive about this wind….admittedly I was drawing a blank….and then…..I heard the familiar, pleasant clinking tune of my favorite wind chime……The tone soothing and reassuring…..Oh yes, Father…..I hear you in the tinkling of the sturdy chimes…..I hear You in the wind….I have always loved wind chimes and had quite a large collection of them when we moved here from California.  I had a big front porch there and collected chimes to go from one end to the other.  The wind there was nothing like our wind, but the breezes would turn my chimes into a melodic symphony…..a true delight to me.  I brought all my chimes, but the winds here have destroyed most all of them…..except the one that drew me from cranky distraction to hearing God through the pleasant clinking of the sturdy chimes….This wind chime is very special to me…. a gift from my father-in-law, long since gone to heaven……a man very special to me….the gift was well thought out and given in unselfish love…many years ago…..it’s made of strong tubes of medal, connected with chain and hangs prominently on a strong hook…time and weather has caused rusting, but that does not hinder it’s message….in the wind……I hear our Heavenly Father singing over me….blowing His unselfish love into my heart…filling my days, nights, hours, minutes with blessings beyond my human conception….Our Father’s love is well thought out….given freely, abundantly even in the wind!  Father, thank you for allowing us to hear You, feel You, know You through all of Your creation.  All honor, glory and praise to YOU!

 

Praise the Lord, O my soul.  O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty.  He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of His upper chambers on their waters.  He makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.  He makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants….I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.  But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more.  Praise the Lord, O my soul.  Praise the Lord!!!  Psalm 104:1-4 and 33-35.  Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.  Today, if you hear His voice, (in the wind, or calm) do not harden your hearts…..Psalm 95:7-8a. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  Isaiah 55:12.

 

Love you all!  Prayers please for God’s blessings on our Relay for Life event tonight.  Thank you.

May 29, 2013

Good Morning Friends!!!!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  Remember I mentioned a few weeks ago that Cooper would be staying with Papa a few days a week since Hailey has gone back to Alaska?  Well, Katy is just not to fond of the situation….Kathyrn drops Cooper off about 6:30 and then she and Katy head on into town where Katy stays with Grami…..she really has a wonderful time at Grami’s two little girls her age to play with and 2 babies to love on all day, but when Cooper gets dropped off with Nana and Papa, Katy is not happy!  I don’t get to see her every morning, but this morning I was late getting in the shower, so I ran out to get some sugar!  Oh my….the look on her face was pathetic and that bottom lip stuck out…way out….there was no getting a smile out of her…nope it was a full on pout! Cooper was outside side running crazy with the dog….”Papa what are we going to do to today?!!!!”  Papa’s answer was the straw that broke the camel’s back!!!!  “Cooper, we have to go take puppies today!”  The pouty face, if possible, immediately looked graver and now tiny tears began to stream down her cheeks, Katy declared, “I want to go take puppies too!”  Mommy told her she was going to Grami’s and I tried for a kiss….but it was not happening!  Oh that just broke the old Nana’s heart…..As I got in shower I could not get that precious “pouty” face out of my mind!  Such a scowl and that bottom lip…..not a pretty picture…..Hmmm, then it hit me……my goodness……oh my goodness!  How often does our Heavenly Father see us with a “pouty” face……”I want……a new car, new furniture, bigger vacation, more clothes, bigger diamond, less hamburger more steak, I’m tired of working, gas is too high, too much work to do, I hate to exercise, I want to look like her, why do the neighbor have a nicer house…..” Get it!?  Oh Father, forgive us for “pouting” when You give us so much!  Oh goodness…..how yucky we must look to You when we stick out our bottom lips and whine…..Help us to get into our attitude of gratitude modes and give You glory and praise all the time!  And Father please be with my precious Katy as she adjusts to this new situation…..we don’t like her to be so sad! 

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  God will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.  Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and sound of singing.  Isaiah 51:3.  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.

May 25, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Yesterday I asked my sweet young co-worker to come cover phones so I could get a cup of coffee.  I opened  a drawer to get out a sweetener and there was a crumpled up Kleenex….”Oh my gosh, I wondered what had happened to this, for heaven’s sake!” As I closed the drawer my sweet, young friend said, sternly, “Slow down, Kathie, you need to slow down.”  I had to agree with her…no getting around it….I need to slow down, inside and out.  For the rest of the day I worked hard on my “slow down” skills.  This morning as I sat in my chair for my morning time with our Heavenly Father, my mind was filled with Des’ words, “slow down.”  Father I said, slow me down as I read Your word this morning….help me get it.  My time in God’s word led me to Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”  The verse was underlined, so I know I had read it before, but something about the words hit me…..I read it again….slower…..”The Lord your God is with you”…..with me….little old, crazy me….”He is mighty to save….”  Oh my, do I ever need saving!  And how in the world could He ever want to “delight in me.”  The mere thought made me smile….Aha!  Key word….”quiet”  He will quiet me…..kind of like….slow me down…….gosh, what a magnificent, comforting verse…But it was the last line that really hit me as I read it, slowly, again and yet again…..”He (now we are referring to our Heavenly Father here),  “He will rejoice over you with singing.”  Had to chuckle to myself as I tried to imagine Him….in all of His Holy Magnificence….singing over me!!!!!  For just one minute I had to wonder where Zephaniah was coming from…..But just for a minute…because suddenly my mind was filled with song….Cooper belting out “Jesus Loves Me” with a smile so big, had to be our Heavenly Father singing through Him…..the sun just beginning to peek through the clouds has the birds singing in perfect harmony…..last night, as soon as Kim got in, I stopped all chores and went in and sat down with him….sat still for a long time as we chatted non-stop about our days, the kids, grandkids….didn’t even have the TV on.  Before I knew it, it was 7:30 and I hadn’t started dinner….what the heck…threw in a frozen pizza, dined in our recliners and didn’t even use a plate. He will quiet” me….Do I hear singing?....a friend brings me veggies from her garden….fresh coffee delivered to my desk by another friend…..Hmmm….The sounds of music?  Sighing, my thoughts turn to yet another friend and the situation she told me about yesterday.  She has been really stressed, worried about her dad and test results.  She and her sister had gone to a nearby town to buy groceries, both of them consumed with thoughts of their dad; as they were loading their cars an older gentleman that worked at the store approached her.  He apologized for not being there to help them and then asked if she was Christian to which she replied yes!  He then said, “I have a treat for you!’  Immediately he broke into song, strong and clear he sang an old hymn, every word loud and clear…..I had goose bumps as I listened to her...at that moment she knew….the Lord was with her…..delighting in her as His child, quieting her with His love….singing to her.  Father slow us down so that we never ever miss hearing….feeling You singing for us through each and every blessing that comes our way….Help us to see the blessing even in the things we do not understand.

 

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!  Psalm 32:11.  Le all who take refuge in You be glad; Let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.  Psalm 5:11.  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.

God Bless America, our troops past, present, and future.

Love you all!

 

May 21, 2013

Good Morning Friends! Thankfully, no matter what the situation…His, Tuesday! Watching the news last night and again this morning, I feel so hopeless and sad….here in my area we have so far been spared from the extreme devastation that has touched so many….Praising God for our immediate safety, I am deeply humbled…..deeply….and my heart and prayers go out to for all of His children suffering. I had a call from Kathyrn around 7 am, urging me to leave really early because the rain was just terrible….she was only going 15mph….driving in the rain is stressful for me ever since my accident last year….so I grabbed my stuff, kissed Kim goodbye, told him I love him and headed out the door with a prayer! As I drove, my mind kept turning to people suffering from the storms….the rain was very heavy, hard to see the road and it was so dark…Oh my, I thought….how are they going to get through all of this pain, suffering and loss! I kept my eyes forward, watching for the lights in front of me…..with taillights in front of me, to guide me, I was able to stay in the right path…..Oh my….Yes Father……with Your light to guide them….that’s how they will see their way through this….With You…..Only with You! You can see us through anything….as long as we place our trust, our hope in You. I looked in my rear view mirror and could not believe what I saw….a car behind me….with no lights on….driving in the darkness….no light to guide them…..Father, we cannot make it without Your light guiding us, Your love holding us, Your peace comforting us, Your mighty power holding us…..Father, we do not understand devastating situations like these….Help us to put our trust and hope in You….letting Your light be our guide. Father, thank you for the comfort and care that YOU WILL shower on all Your precious, suffering children.

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with and everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.” Jeremiah 31:3-4. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I stay close to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:6-8. You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. Psalm 18:28-29. “Bless 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. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3.

Love you all and prayers for safety.

May 14, 2013

Good Morning friends!  Thoughtful and meticulous is our God, Tuesday!  This morning driving in….oh my what a beautiful morning, clear skies, green grass, trees full of leaves, and dots of colorful wildflowers….orange, blue, yellow, white….Couldn’t help but be happy….sing praises!  Sunday afternoon we went to our little cabin in the woods to relax and have a special mom’s day dinner prepared for me by my sweetie.  As soon as we got unloaded and set up I plopped myself in a lawn chair in front of the fire!  We had not been up at all since spring had made an appearance, so I was just in awe of the beauty around me.  As I scanned the view in front me, I couldn’t help but notice all the different shades of green from the ground up…..stark, deep-dark green, pale shades almost translucent, medium, luscious shades of cool comforting green….green as far as my eyes could see….a rainbow of greens.  My first thought of course was just the sheer beauty of God’s creations, until this morning driving in….so beautiful our world….and then all the greens were parading through my mind.  You know God could have made just one shade of green, but he didn’t….He could have created just one or two different trees, flowers, birds, animals…..but He didn’t.  He meticulously created infinite shades and varieties of everything for us…..I just had to lift my voice to HIM, Thank you Father for making our world so interesting…..how can we ever be bored or discontent with all the “shades” You provide for us.  Take off our blinders of anxiety, hectic, selfishness, self-pity, impatience, lack-a-daisy and help to see….really see the beauty around us!  Father, help us to see YOU in every blade of grass, flower, leaf, bug, bird, critter……Fill us with a love for YOU so that our joy overflows to everyone around us!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  And God said, “Let there be…..And God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:1. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  Psalm 100:4.  I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.  Psalm 34:1. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Psalm 100:1-2.  There are different kinds of service, but eh same Lord.  1 Corinthians 12:5.    God has made everything beautiful in its time.  Ecclesiastes 3:11. 

Love you all! 

May 13, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  More than we deserve, Monday!  Hope everyone had a good weekend and all you mom’s hope yesterday was love-filled!  Mine sure was….I have to say I got everything I asked for!  A couple weeks ago I told Kim, I need a new hose for mother’s day.  Gosh I have had the same one for so long, one patch after another, had to cut off the end and a leak sprung so big that I couldn’t fix it….been wasting so much water…so I thought perfect time for a new hose, right.  Well heck a few days later, I saw the coolest yard shoes at TSC; they are rubber slip-on’s and oh so brightly colored…perfect for the yard chores!  So, I told him….forget the hose I want these cool shoes….Well, a few days after that, I thought….darn what I really want is a month of tanning (sorry doc)…so, once again I told my sweetie….forget the shoes…I want a month of tanning for Mom’s day!  Guess what I got!!!!!  Go ahead guess….spoiled brat~  I got all three!  Why he even had the new hose all hooked up, ready to go and threw away the old one!  My shoes are awesome, turquoise with bright flowers…..and tanning gift certificate.  I got everything I asked for, even though one thing is not really too good for me. Delighting in being spoiled and feeling quite special a thought occurred to me…..What if God gave us everything we asked for….what if He didn’t use His omnipotent powers to do only what’s best for us…..Sweet Kim gave me a gift certificate for tanning because I asked for it, but really…it’s not good for me.  So often we ask God for what we think is best for us….even though it is hard at times to accept what He gives…..we must trust and believe that HIS will for us is best….even if it’s not what we asked for…..Father, thank you for always knowing what’s best for us…..increase our faith so that we trust and believe in Your plans for us….keep us grounded in YOU. 

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but however trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25.   “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, “ declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!  “Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been His counselor?”  “Who has ever give to God, that God should repay him?”  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things,.  To Him be the glory forever! 

Love you all!

May 10, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Getting ready this morning…..thinking ahead to a special  day on Sunday, my thoughts turned to my sweet mom, long from this earth.  I decided it was a perfect day to wear a pair of her earrings, keeping her close to my thoughts all day.  I was thinking how, as I get older I am so like her in so many ways…..Some good, some not so good, as my husband loves to remind me.  One thing he hates that I got from her is….having to do one more thing before I leave!  I can remember my dad sitting in the car honking at her in the house….doing one more thing!  Mom, loved to send cards and always covered them with stickers….I have to laugh when I think of my box of stickers in with my cards…..Even with her stroke, she exercised everyday (better than me on that)….but my intentions are good!  We drink our coffee just the same and both loved to dunk our toast in our coffee!  My sister says, I am little but mighty, just like mom….not sure what that exactly means….Mom was a work-alcoholic and I have been called that a time or two…I say, she gave me a good work ethic.  Mom had a tendency to interrupt at times…..oops…..and pick food off families plates….ooops.  And lately, sometimes when I walk past a mirror, I think….Oh my goodness there’s mom!  Seriously, I cannot believe how much I look like my mom now.  Well, she had no wrinkles or gray hair at 82, sure can’t boast that!  There are things about my precious mom that I am glad I haven’t acquired, such as…she was notorious for saying exactly what she thought…..”you are gaining weight,”  “you have a big pimple on your chin,”  “that does not look good on you.”  I mean really mom!  As I finished my hair and put on the earrings….I thought…..none of us are perfect by any means!  We try to be good moms, grandmas, sisters, friends, employees, but sometimes we fail….we are human….but thank goodness there is ONE who is perfect…..Perfect, Holy….and most of all…HE is our Heavenly Father….loves us more than we deserve for sure….FORGIVES us, unquestioningly……PERFECT!  And we are HIS children!  Oh Father, we know that You want us to be more like You in everything that we do….in every action, thought, deed…..like You…Father, please help us, guide and direct us so that we grow in faith…grow to be more like YOU!

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is our shield.  Psalm 30:18.  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness..”  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he create them.  Genesis 1:26-27.  We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:22-24.  In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect trough suffering.  Hebrews 2:10.  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!  Happy Mom’s Day to all  you moms out there……

May 9, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Trusting and Believing in HIM! Thursday!  Gosh, I had such a blessed day yesterday….one “little” special thing after another.  Went to the Good Book Store at lunch and they had boxed, greeting cards half price…Woo Hoo!  Saw a former co-worker and sweet friend and got her new phone number and a hug!!!  Had a wonderful call from my son in California and got my little, black car back after 2 weeks in the shop! I was singing HIS praises as I tootled home from Stonewall, sun-roof wide open!  Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful to have the old reliable Honda to drive in a pinch, but I must admit I was really excited to head to work in my little, black car!  As I got on the highway, I reached up to set the cruise control….Oh shoot, it got turned off….I have never actually turned it on, my husband has always just left it on and then I set it as needed.  Well, it was too risky to mess with it while I was on the highway so, I just told myself, “No big deal….just watch your speed.”  No big deal….HUH!  As hard as I tried, I kept finding my speed creeping up….way up past the speed limit…dang it….last thing I need is a ticket…..self –control Kathie, I told myself…exercise some self-control with your foot!  Oh boy…..the familiar tap…..Hi Father….I know, I know, I keep speeding….sorry…..can’t help it….can’t do it without my cruise control……”  “Oh Kathie, My precious child….your problem driving without speed control reminds Me of times in your life when you try to “drive” without Me….without Me to help you ‘control’ your actions…..forging down life’s highway alone,  you speed into situations that are not good for you, not pleasing to Me…..things happen…things happen…..things that I, your Heavenly Father, do not like to see happening to you….things that can lead you down a very bumpy road…..alone.  My child, ‘set’ your life with Me.”  Wow, was all I could I think…..sure could use a little more self-control in my life….I need to set my life, in His hands…..more time with Him, in word and prayer….more listening for His will in my life….more letting go…..and letting HIM!  Father, forgive us when we want to cruise alone.  Please give us strength, increase our faith, so that we let You set the controls in our lives.

The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6.  The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.  Joshua 2:11.  Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”  Matthew 24:35.  “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11.  God will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.  Isaiah 2:3.  This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is His name:  “Call to me and I will answer you and tell  you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  Jeremiah 33:2-3. 

Love you all.

May 8, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully blessed by Him, Wednesday!  Yesterday Kim and I had to make some changes on our cell account and they needed him….couldn’t do it myself (let me tell you taking Kim to the cell store is more of an adventure than needed sometimes), so Kim met me in town a little after 5.  Even though he had worked cows all day and was totally pooped, he was in tip top…let’s have fun at the cell phone store mode!  After an hour and a half we were finally out the door.  To sweeten our time at the cell store we decided to go to Polo’s and have dinner!  We got right in, service was good, food oh so yummy…..while we were there Cooper and Katy’s mommy called…they were at our house…..oops (you know Nana and Papa are supposed to always be home).  Mommy had gotten a facial with all new make-up and wanted us to see.  We were both disappointed, so Papa said call her and tell her to not wash her face and we will come over when we get home.  We finished dinner and headed home….me in my car and Papa in his truck; I always hate it when we have two cars in town.  Well, I got home before him and never even saw him behind me….I unloaded the car and was changing clothes when he finally got home…..Aww….he proudly held two bags of M&M’s…One for Cooper and one for Katy.  What a sweet Papa!  I smiled, shook my head and said, “Oh Katy loves M&M’s!”  It was so nice out we decided to take the four wheeler…..upon arrival we found them in the bathtub having a splashing good time!  Papa couldn’t wait to show off the M&M’s so the bath ended rather quickly.  Cooper grabbed his, said thank you and headed down the hall.  Katy, oh my, that sweet, innocent faced, 2 year old dripping wet….Papa handed her them to her; her eyes lit up like 4^th of July fireworks.  She thanked Papa immediately and then looked at me and full of joy said, “bring M&M’s for me…..to eat?!”  She could hardly contain herself as she waited for me to say, “yes honey, for you to eat (if mommy says of course)”   Love just oozed from her….totally, completely grateful for a little bag of M&M’s…..As we rode home, I got to thinking…..here we go with that “childlike” faith again……thrilled, thankful, grateful for such a little thing……How often in our rush for the biggest and the best and in the midst of our whining, do we miss God’s “little” things…..hummingbirds feeding, birds singing, wildflowers blooming, someone to talk to in the cell store, a friend to share a ride with, an unexpected bag of M&M’s….Maybe we should reach into ourselves….go back…..find that childlike joy……And remember…..when we do, He loves to hear from us…..He doesn’t want us to hold back our praise just for the big stuff….Nope!  Our Heavenly Father wants to know about every “little” thing that brings us joy…..And oh my goodness….there are oh so many!  Thank  you Father for all the little things you send our way to bring us joy….open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to see and experience them….to Thank You, to Share, to give You Glory!  Thank you Father, for bubble baths, M&M’s and innocent grandchildren! 

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE; LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!  PSALM 118:24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works!  In wisdom hast though made them all:  the earth is full of thy riches.  Psalm 104:24.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Psalm 34:8.  A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news give health to the bones.  Proverbs 15:30.  Light is sweet, and it please the eyes to see the sun.  Ecclesiastes 11:7.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God.  Ecclesiastes 3:13.  Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.  Psalm 147:7.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21. 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!

May 6, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Marveling in HIS Monday!  I have a skirt that is an integral part of my wardrobe, nothing special, just a straight, kaki skirt; actually acquired it as a hand-me-down, but my goodness it just goes winter, summer, spring or fall…..can’t imagine not having it.  Well…..a month or two ago while doing laundry I washed it with a brightly colored sweatshirt.  Now this sweatshirt is several years old and been washed a hundred times, so I didn’t think twice about washing them together……..Well, it was one of those days I just didn’t get stuff out of the washer and into dryer immediately….just lazy I would say….plain lazy!  Well, when I finally got to it I was horrified!  My most valued kaki skirt had splotches of purple and blue…..oh they were pretty, don’t get me wrong….kind of the tie dyed affect…..BUT NOT ON MY SKIRT!  I was horrified…..what a stupid ghastly mistake I had made….lazy and careless!  I immediately rewashed skirt….to no avail…yet again nothing…….I never dried it in the dryer, but washed a few more times before I just gave up.  For some silly reason I hung it back in my closet…..gosh whatever would I do without that skirt…..One day, a week or so ago, just out the clear, I had a thought….”I wonder if I washed it in Rit Dye Remover if that would get the colors out?”  Well, I thought worth a shot, what can I lose!  So, the next time I was in Wal-Mart I got a box.  It wasn’t until this weekend that I finally got around to trying it…..I carefully read the directions and followed them to a tee….after 20 minutes in the washing machine……WOW….I think this is going to work!  I let the cycle run through and then washed it like regular……I have my kaki skirt back!  Clean as a whistle!  I was so excited about my skirt…couldn’t wait to tell Hailey and Kim….poor things were there the day it happened….Then…..as I began calming down……I felt the need to pray……the need to thank our Heavenly Father for….yes for dye remover…OH yes I am thankful for such a wonderful invention, but oh so much more than that…..I am so thankful that HE REMOVES all the splotches of our sins……REMOVES them….never to be seen again….CLEAN AS A WHISTLE…even though we don’t deserve it!  Oh Father…..how blessed we are to be Your children…..loved and forgiven….clean.  Help us to try harder for You!  Help us to forgive others as you forgive us.  All glory, praise and honor is YOURS!

“My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou has redeemed.”  Psalm 71:23.  “Come now let us reason together, says the Lord.  Though you 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.  For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Psalm 25:11.  I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.  Hebrews 8:12.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.