June 29, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!!!  A couple weeks ago a new friend at church shared a concern with me about a situation with her husband.  They had been attending a monthly luncheon in their community for the past few months; she looked so happy as she expressed how much they were enjoying it and then her expression changed as she told me that her husband did not want to go anymore because he was afraid they might ask him to lead a prayer.  She was so disappointed….we visited a bit more and then I told her I would prayer about her situation.  Last Sunday, I had a chance to visit with her again and  told her  I had been praying for her and her husband.  Her response surprised me….”Oh there are so many big things to pray for, you don’t need to pray for that.”  I reassured her that, indeed her situation was important and I would continue to pray.  She has been on my mind ever since our conversation……I feel sad to think that she didn’t think her situation was important enough to bring to our Heavenly Father in prayer……Oh my….how silly we so often are….how we underestimate His love, His omnipotent powers, His mercy and grace……Our Heavenly Father knows how many hairs we have on our heads…..every concern that we have….however small it may seem is important to HIM….if it bothers us…..it bothers HIM!!!  From broken fingernails to broken relationships…….tension headache to terminal illness….a few pennies short for a soda to bankruptcy……HE KNOWS…..HE CARES…..Our Best Friend….Take it to the Lord in Prayer!  Father….thank you for knowing our concerns before we do…..humble us to come to You and give you the glory.

 

“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 ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9.  The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.  34:17-20.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.  Matthew 21:22.  Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:7-8.  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 John 5:14-15. 

Love you all!

June 24, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty awesome is our God, Monday!!!!  In all the years that I have been Sunday School Superintendent, I have never had a Sunday quite like yesterday.   Sunday a week ago, I found out that not only would all of my teachers be absent yesterday, but my faithful sub as well….. Oh my, that meant one thing….I was going to have to be teacher too!  As the morning went on, I discovered that most of the kids would be gone too….all of them except Emma and Ellie…..sisters…4 and almost 3….plus I would have Katy with me….Now, don’t get me wrong….I love the kids…..all of them, but like I said….it had been a long time since I had actually taught…..the thought of it…me and 3 wee ones….alone for an hour….yikes.  Silly, but I have to admit I was really concerned….actually kind of dreading the thought…. as hard as I tried, I could not find anyone that could sub….a while later, sitting in church, the light went on…..DUH…I told myself…God is calling you to teach HIS wee ones….that was all I needed….I would answer HIS call and make sure to take HIM with me!  All week, I made my plans….finally the time had come.  With a prayer in my heart, bubbles and snacks packed, Katy and I headed for Sunday School!  Emma and Ellie were already there and greeted Katy with enthusiasm fit for a princess!  The next hour was precious…..the girls were so good and so excited to be at Sunday school!  We drug out all of our instruments playing and singing joyful praises to our Heavenly Father, then headed outside to blow “Jesus loves me” bubbles….laughing and running, catching bubbles and shouting Jesus loves me….my heart was both joyful and sad at the same time…..look what I would have missed if our Heavenly Father had not nudged me do something I didn’t want to do…..Oh I wonder what other wonderful experiences I have missed because I wasn’t listening….or pretended not to hear…… worst of all, simply ignored….Father, thank you for knowing just what You need me to do and nudging me along….Forgive me when I am stubborn and ignore You.  Father, thank you so much for the blessing of small children that love you with every ounce of their being and fill our hearts with joy.

 

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcome a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”  Matthew 18:3-5.   Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14.  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise…Psalm 8:2.  We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.  Hebrews2 :1.  Jesus said, Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me.”  John 6:45.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10.

June 21, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  I have been looking forward to this weekend for a while!  Katy J is staying with us all weekend while the rest of her family makes a fast and furious trip to a family wedding!  Katy has been so jealous of Cooper’s alone time with us since Cooper stays with Papa, so she has really looked forward to this weekend too!  She arrived bright and early at 5:55 a. m.  Mommy told her she would be going to Grammi’s today, like usual while Nana and Papa worked, but she didn’t quit get that!  The fact that it is Friday, a work day, just doesn’t make any sense to her….she was going to Nana and Papa’s to stay with them all by herself….I promised I would pick her up right after work and would have a surprise….one down!  On Saturdays we often take her and Cooper to breakfast, so this morning she thought we would be going to the Kountry Store for breakfast……again the difference between Friday and Saturday just didn’t make sense to her.  While she was watching me put on my make-up, I told her she was going to Sunday School with me….not even thinking that she had no concept of “Sunday.”  Nope she was ready to go to Sunday school right now!  I tried to explain to her about the days…”today is Friday, we go to work, tomorrow is Saturday, we go to breakfast, and then it’s Sunday and we will go to Sunday school.”  She just looked at me in total confusion……she wanted to go now....and just couldn’t understand it wasn’t time…..My mind filled with God’s words from Ecclesiastics ….”There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”  How can I expect Katy to understand that it’s not time to go to the Kountry Store for breakfast, when I constantly whine to our Heavenly Father about what I want and when!!!  I too get confused when HE says, “My child, not just yet….it’s not time.”  Our time is not His time……It’s time for us to be still, to listen, to hear HIS timing for us…He loves us with a Perfect Love and His timing is Perfect for our lives…..Father help us to wait for Your will in our lives with joyful hearts.  Help us to reassure others that the sad times will pass and joyful times will return…..be still and know that His timing is Perfect for us.  Thank you, Father for special time with Katy…a time to laugh, a time to love, a time to keep……

 

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalm 9:9.  Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of jy.  Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”  Psalm 126:2.  Teach me to do your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  Psalm 143:10.  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. 

Love you all!

June 19, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  Gosh, I am having a hard time waking up this morning…..I feel way too tired for 9 am!  Monday night we didn’t get near enough sleep, so last night we were determined to get to bed earlier….and we did!  Both of us were sleeping quite soundly when my phone rang….took us both just a second to rouse enough to answer.  Seems that in her excitement of sharing good news, our Hailey forgot about the 3 hour time difference…..Alaska is 3 hours behind us…..hence her evening was young while ours….well……The news was wonderful, Clark got the job he was hoping for, worthy of being shared for sure….but waking from a sound sleep can sure be disruptive to the rest of the night.  Sure enough, neither Kim nor I could go back to sleep….we tossed and turned, even turned on the TV for a while…..but it took us quite a while to drift back to sleep!  Hence, feeling a little tired…..sitting in my chair this morning, getting ready to spend some time with our Heavenly Father, I was really wishing I could wake up…..could be a long day……then I thought of how excited Hailey was when I answered the phone….as soon as she heard my voice she knew I had been asleep; she immediately began apologizing….She felt so bad because she had awakened us, but really wanted to share their good news.  We talked for just a minute, I told her how happy we were, and then she said once again how sorry she was and told me goodbye……Oh my…….I thought, smiling from the inside….sure am glad our Heavenly Father is awake 24/7……awake, ready and anxious to share in our joys and carry our burdens….He is never groggy from being awakened, needs no time come to His senses…..just always there, arms wide open….for you and for me….anytime!   Father, thank you loving us 24/7….help us to be examples of Your love even when we are sleepy!  And Father thank you for the blessing of Clark’s job! 

 

“With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, “  says the Lord your Redeemer.  Isaiah 54:8. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  Psalm 33:21.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trust I Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7.  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Psalm 100:1-2.  Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20.

Love you all!

 

June 17, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty Awesome is our God, Monday!  My ex in-laws and I are still very close, even though I have been divorced from their son for 33 years; shortly after Kim and I moved to OK, they came from CA for a couple of visits…Ben was originally from Holdenville, but had never been back since his family moved to CA when he was about 7.  We actually found his old home place.  Mom was born in Arkansas and had never been back their either, so they both really enjoyed being back here.  Well, low and behold about 3 years after our move, Mom and Ben bought a home in Arkansas and moved back lock, stock, and barrel!  They love their home in Harrison and don’t regret their move, but they are quite elderly and live on a very fixed income, so if they have any kind of problem, they really struggle.  I call Mom every Sunday morning and try to send them little extras once in a while, but I really am not able to help them in a big way, so when Mom’s car became terminal, it was devastating to them.  Diagnosis, new engine….well there’s no way they had money for that…..Mom was so sad…..Mom is pretty crippled up with arthritis so it’s hard for her to get in and out of Ben’s truck, not to even mention driving it….but she was….she had no car and had to get to exercise (at 83), so she would drive herself in the truck.  Each Sunday she would tell me how hard it was for her and it’s so big she had a hard time parking.  I hate Mom to be upset and wished I could afford to get her car fixed, but I knew that was not feasible, so I just prayed for them like I always do….probably more for Mom’s safety and contentment than anything because I knew they would never have the money to get her car running again.  That’s how much I know, right!!!!  Yesterday, I called Mom as usual, we were just chatting away when she casually mentioned something about her car!  “YOUR CAR!!??  YOUR CAR IS RUNNING??!!!”  I couldn’t believe she was so nonchalant in her response, “Oh yes our neighbor (mind you, they have made friends with one neighbor since they have been there) helped us.  He worked on it and financed what we needed for the engine.  He is the best friend we have ever had!”  Well, I guess he is!  I rejoiced with her and as we said our goodbyes my heart and mind were overflowing with thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father!  I could feel HIM there with me….patting me on the back….reassuring me that HE is quite capable of taking care of terminal cars in HIS own way….and time.  Gosh, I couldn’t help but smile and feel so relieved to think that my prayers for “HELP” are answered perfectly according to the will of our Heavenly Father…..Pray….trusting and believing….leave the rest to HIM!!!!  Oh Father….forgive me when I think I need to have all the answers….thank  you for always hearing my cries for help!  And Father, thank you so much for taking care of Mom and Ben!  Care to join me in a round of, “Seek and Ye shall find, Knock and the door will be opened, ask and it shall be given….. “  His love is all around!

 

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.  (even if we don’t know what to ask!).  1 John 5:14-15.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:16.  The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayers.  1 Peter 3:12. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalm 9:10.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7. 

Love you all!

June 12, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Good grief what next!?  One darn doctor bill after another, flats on the backhoe, a window air-conditioner went out, electric bill is sky high already and it’s only mid-June, and now….the air conditioner in my car quit!!!!   Just plain quit…..what’s up with that and we are in our first official heat spell…..Darn it…..that’s it….I am plum worn out with all the bumps in my life.  Coming into work, I felt quite worn out and defeated…..a bit whiny I must admit.  After clocking in, I reached for my daily calendar to tear off yesterday and have a look at today……Here’s what I found….”The Lord shall preserve thy going out and they coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”  Psalm 122:8.  “Well, my goodness whiney girl,” I had to say to myself……”what the heck are you thinking!?”….I am not alone….that pile of doctor bills is right on His list of “WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT”  and the car, well it can be fixed…might have to wait a bit, but I can handle the heat for a while…..the bills won’t magically go away and we will have to pay to have the car fixed, but I am not alone……Our Heavenly Father is with me all the way to guide me…..and after all, He wants us to store up treasures in heaven not here, right!  I can do that….I can stop worrying by spending extra time in His word and prayer……focusing on His love and compassion rather than whining about the bumps…..a little spiritual exercise and it goes a long way to boost our attitudes…….Attitudes of Gratitude make us feel good from the inside out…..So, gonna follow 1Thessalonians 5:16-18….”Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in EVERYTHING give thanks.”  OK, here it goes….All glory, honor and praise to You, most gracious and merciful Heavenly Father……thank you for doctor bills because without doctors I might not have my sweet husband and thank you for mechanics that will fix my car!  Thank you Father…..for picking me up…..and carrying me!

 

“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.  He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Psalm 23:3.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds. Psalm 107:21.  Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:7.  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. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.  Psalm 30:11-12. 

Love you all!

June 10, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Magnificent Monday, loved by Him!  What fun we had on Saturday, Cooper arrived at 7 am backpack and blankie in tow….ready for a sleep over with Nana and Papa!  We had big plans to spend the night at our little cabin.  Oh goodness was he ever excited!  After we finished chores and had a little nap, Cooper and I got things ready to take to the cabin for a dinner of ribs, corn, and watermelon!  All of Cooper’s favorites.  Papa went over to Cooper’s house to find his fishing pole and found some worms that daddy had left for him!  Ice chest packed with everything we would need for an overnight, fishing pole and worms loaded, we headed to the cabin.  What a great evening we had, fishing, rock climbing and cooking out!  Gosh can that boy eat!  Once we finished eating I packed the leftovers back into the ice chest;  Papa heated a pot of water on the fire and Cooper had him a great bath in an old mineral tub on the cabin deck…..clean as a whistle, we read a couple of stories and headed to bed.  The next morning we were up early, loaded the truck with all of stuff and headed home to get ready for church.  Papa brought the ice chest into the kitchen so I good put things away….when I opened it, yuck!  I had forgotten to bring zip locks for the leftover ribs, consequently, they were floating in the melted ice water…..yucky mess!  I didn’t have a lot of time before church so I just got out the stuff that needed to be refrigerated and would take care of the rest after church.  Home from church and starting lunch, I notice that the ice chest is leaking….the yucky bbq- sauce water is on the kitchen floor oh great!  I grabbed a towel, threw it down on the floor and went back to lunch.  Cooper, noticing the towel on the floor, said Nana, “What’s this, what are you doing?”  I explained to him that the ice chest was leaking, making sure to show him the plug that the water was coming from.  I told him Nana has to get it emptied out.  I went back to lunch…..Cooper, thinking that he knew just what to do in this situation, had pulled the plug and was happily watching all the yucky water drain onto the kitchen floor!  Good Grief!!!!  I wanted to scream, but I knew he thought he was doing the right thing…..He “thought” he was doing the right thing……However, he should have asked, right…..”Nana, is it ok if I pull the plug and let the water out?”  To which I would have replied, “Yes Cooper, but we must take it outside first, then you can pull the plug.”  “Let’s go Nana, let’s take it outside right now, I want to pull the plug.”  “No, Cooper…..you have to wait.  Nana has to finish lunch first.”  HMMM, as I was cleaning up the mess and dragging the ice chest outside…..the thought struck me….How often do I do things, thinking I know best and inevitably make a big mess….for me and even those I love….If only I had gone to our Heavenly Father first……talked to Him about the situation…..and then trusting and believing that His will is always best for me….wait…..for His guidance……Father, forgive us when we take things into our own hands and make messes…..strengthen our faith so that we always, come to You first for Your perfect love and guidance.

 

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.   He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their thrust in the Lord.  Blessed is the man who makes the Lord His trust, who does not look to proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.  Psalm 40:1-4.  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.  Guide me your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Remember, O Lord, Your great mercy and love for they are from of old.  Psalm 25:5-6. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5.

Love you all!

June 8, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  I’m excited about tonight….Kim and I are taking Cooper and Katy to the rodeo (well mommy’s going too, daddy has to work).  It will be so much fun watching their excitement as they take in everything going on!  Papa says we are even eating there….oh boy!  We will all have on our boots and jeans and Papa and the kids will no doubt be sporting their cowboy hats!  Good times!  I talked to Cooper early this morning and he is sooo excited; driving into work, thinking about our fun evening ahead, my mind filled with memories of earlier rodeo outings with Hailey!  When Hailey was a toddler we all lived in California rodeo -country, so we had lots of opportunities for good times at the rodeo!  We always got her duded up in her best cowgirl clothes and headed out for a day of fun!  Hailey was such a good girl , you could take her anywhere and always have a great time…..a trip to the rodeo always included cotton candy, popcorn and soda!  The funniest thing with her…..Hailey always rooted for the animals, hated it when the cowboy roped the calf, but loved the clowns….bull riding was always our favorite, but again….she was always yelling for the bull!  Memories….precious memories…..such a wonderful blessing to be able to pull out memories from years ago….especially the happy ones….All the times our kids were growing up and with the grandkids too, I am known to say…”Makin memories…..kids….we are making memories now!”  Often times I would say this as a form of encouragement for times that at the moment did not seem so fun!  Making memories…..oh how often do we do things that we hope no one remembers!!!  You know the times I am talking about….And then one day out the clear someone says….”remember when you…..”  and your heart drops.  Thinking about memories this morning,  a bible verse came to mind…..one that really made me smile and picked up my heart…..words from our Lord, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”  Jeremiah 31:34.  Thank you Father…..for forgiving our mess ups and for forgetting them!  Help us to do the same to others~  Thank you for precious memories…..

 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.  Psalm 103:11-14.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32. 

Love you all!

June 7, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!!  I have a couple of hens that have been quite persistent in “sitting.”  Sometimes they get that “need to nurture” attitude and sit on the eggs that someone else has helped to lay!  Every night when I go in to gather eggs, I have to pull them out of the nests to get my eggs!  I would much rather eat the eggs than have baby chicks!  Well, the other evening as I went in, my two “wanna- be” mother hens let out a couple of clucks and jumped out of nests.  I thought well good, they finally got over that sitting stuff…about time….such a pain!  I stepped into the nest area and immediately realized why my hens had exited the nests so quickly!  Woven between the nests and slightly draped over the edge was a big ol gross, slimy, yucky, big nasty snake!!! And he had an egg…..my egg….bulging from his body!  I hate snakes….terrified of them…..but there I was home alone and it was eating my eggs!  I knew what I had to do…..as I rushed out of the coop to get a shovel….I asked our Heavenly Father to help me meet my fear head on…..I ran to the carport, grabbed a shovel, and headed courageously back to the coop…..I felt positive… I could handle the mission in front of me…..boldly, I entered the coop making my way to the nests….he was still there, lurking….who knows how long he would have stayed, terrorizing my hens and devouring my eggs, if I had not meet the situation head on….bravely…..I got him on the shovel threw him down and immediately began chopping at his head….egg yolk was flying everywhere….my conquest was not easy….but I did not give up…..How many times have we each been confronted with our “snakes”……a situation seems so dire….we feel so helpless…..depression consumes us.....finances are out of control…..sickness…stress at work…..broken relationships…..How was I able to conquer my fear head on???  Only because I let go and let God have my fear….HE and HE alone can see us through anything…..HE can lift the gloom, heal the sick….see us through…..fill us with confidence and a peace that passes all human understanding….joy when you think there is none…..love that holds us up, fills the empty gaps…refreshes…renews…..gives us strength to keep on keeping on…TRUSTING AND BELIEVING…that with HIM anything is possible!  Father, we come to You sad, hurting, empty….we give all our pain to You….Thank You for carrying our burdens and seeing us through!

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5.  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26.Fear of man will prove t be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25.  Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leave are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8.When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 443:2..The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7.

Love you all!

 

June 6, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  My commute to work this morning was a little easier than the last couple of days, just a light sprinkle compared to the heavy rain the past couple of days….Thank  you Father.  As I got close to town a song popped into my head…..just out of the blue….an old one….I don’t remember all of it, but the main line is, “Getting to know you….getting to know all about you…..”  Remember it?  I have no clue why it came to me, but it has a cheery tune so I started humming it, thinking about the words….”getting to know you.”  My thoughts turned to a conversation I had with one of my granddaughters not long ago.  They had recently moved next-door to a family they had considered friends for a long time….they were excited about the move, just imagining how great it would be to be right next door to them….Well laid plans, right!?  Let’s just say that things have not been exactly as they expected….She was telling me about something that had happened one day and it was really quite crazy….and I said to her, “We never really know someone until we live with them.”  She said, “Well that’s the truth, Nana…that’s for sure!”  Thinking about her disappointment while humming “Getting to know you,”  led me to another thought….well actually…..I felt the tap.  “Good morning Father, like this song do you?”  “Yes, my child, there is a very good message in that song for you.

“Really?”  “Think about what you said to your granddaughter…..”  Wow…..How can we really get to know our Heavenly Father if we don’t “live” with HIM?  Start each day with HIM…..prayer and meditation….we have to get into HIS word to “know all about Him”  His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path….He is our strength when we encounter, “snakes,” He rejoices in our victories and cries in our defeats……He blesses us with family and friends and everything we “need” for our daily lives…..Because He loves us…..not because of anything we did…in His mercy He gave us His only Son….forgiveness.  Yep, start the day with HIM, keep Him with you all day long (trust me He won’t get bored) and let Him lull you into peaceful sleep…..Get to know Him…..because…..”To know, know, know HIM is to Love, Love, Love HIM”  and loving Him is the most important thing we can ever do!  Thank you Father for the music of Your LOVE….Help us to really get to know You and LIVE for and WITH You every day!

 

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all true; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  James 3:17.  If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (To know Him is to love Him….Getting to know Him).  For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:1-6.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.  To Him belongs eternal praise.  Psalm 111:10.  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.  Getting to  know HIM……to LOVE HIM….