Are you a Mary or Martha? Luke 10:40-41

Good Morning Friends!  Totally taken with His LOVE, Tuesday!  Tomorrow Kim and I are flying to California both to attend Craig’s memorial service and also to see our son Shawn, who is still in the hospital.  Gosh when one lives on a ranch there is so much to do to get ready to go away.  I am thankful for all the neighbors and friends that are pitching in to take care of our cows, sheep, lambs, donkeys, chickens, bunnies (well Cooper and Katy are taking care of the chickens and bunnies…) and dogs.  Kim has been working tirelessly outside to get things all set up, while I have been taking care of packing and inside arrangements.  Last night I got serious about packing….wanting to just take carry on-s I had to carefully pick just the things we really need…..let’s see, I need jeans and capris, several shirts and shoes, oh gosh a light jacket, can’t forget our “Nana and Papa” shirts because we will get to see grandkids (that’s a plus), hmmm got to get all our pills, make-up…got to make sure I get what I need, but that nothing is over 2 oz. Oh gosh, gonna need some jewelry…which earrings…can’t take them all, and we need some snacks…oh gosh what would be easy to carry on, not too bulky, don’t want anything to melt…Oh I need to pack a good shirt for Kim, and something for him to read…oh he will need his glasses and we need our phone chargers…..the needs seem endless…And I sure don’t want to forget anything we NEED!!  This morning while taking care of a few more “NEEDS”  running around a bit crazy…my thoughts were drawn to an incident in God’s word…Jesus had gone to visit Mary and Martha….while Martha was busy in the kitchen taking care of everything they “NEEDED” for Jesus’ visit, Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to HIM…..Mary sat with Jesus, while Martha stressed over  the things they “NEED”……To say the least, Martha was a bit ticked at her sister, she went to where Mary was sitting with Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!”  Don’t you just know how Martha felt, she just knew Jesus would take her side, so indeed she was surprised when Jesus relied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one this is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:40-41.  Whoa……!!!!  Martha was obsessed with earthly “things” while Mary “sat with Jesus”  Mary got it!!!!  That’s all we “need”  Jesus, our Savior alive in our hearts, filling our minds with HIS love, forgiving us, sending the Holy Spirit to nurture our faith….Jesus, our God and Savior…..the ONE and ONLY “thing” we need!  Father forgive us when we get obsessed with earthly “things” bring us back to what matters, the only thing that matters, faith in YOU!  Father, thank you for sticking with us when this earthly stuff gets hectic, leading and guiding us all the way!  All honor, glory and praise to YOU!

 

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6.  We live by faith, not by sight (or things).  2 Corinthians 5:7.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2.  Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all this ‘things’ will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33.  Though you have not seen Christ, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:8-9.

"Judge not...lest you be judged" Matthew 7:1-3

Kathie A. Johnson

 

Good Morning Friends!  Marvelous Monday, loved by HIM!  Have you noticed how the plastic grocery bags are getting cheesier and cheesier.  My gosh I can hardly get from the car to the house without one ripping open!  Makes me so mad, so lately I have been making every effort to use my blue recycle bags that Hailey left for me!  If I leave them on the front seat of the car I can remember (sometimes) to take them in with me, at least when I am doing my big grocery shopping.  So, Friday at lunch was grocery day…..it seems like a lot of the checkers don’t like dealing with the blue bags, so I always hesitate a bit when I hand them over, must admit until Friday their attitude at times has really irritated me.  The checker  I had on Friday took the bags and began hanging them on the hooks, checking my groceries and placing them strategically in the bags.  I was pleased and grateful, so I thanked her mentioning that some checkers do not like messing with the blue bags.  At that point, continuing to check my groceries, she enlightened me; it seems that very often the bags are not clean….full of pet hair, trash,  spots when liquids have leaked and dried on the bags…..Simply put….gross!  She continued telling me that they just hate to touch the bags, none the less put food into them….they feel like they need a bath when they finish, kind of sums what she explained to me.  Wow!  The light came on…..it’s not that they don’t like using the bags, they just don’t like the condition of some bags….and who could blame them for that, right! As I paid for my groceries, I thanked her again sympathizing with her dilemma; I headed to the car loaded up my groceries and headed back to work, but I couldn’t help thinking about those poor checkers that have to deal with gross bags….I felt truly remorseful for judging them without knowing what they go through!  The light got brighter….”judge not…..lest you to be judged.”  “Got it Father!”  How often do we get irritated at people or circumstances, reacting unkindly, or selfishly without knowing what that person is going through….without knowing what condition their “bag” is in?  We judge…..because we seem to think, at times, that we know it all….That makes it easy for us to behave in ways that do not reflect the love of our Heavenly Father….Oops Father, please forgive us when we judge others without looking at ourselves.  Help us to treat others as You would…..full of love and compassion.

 

Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eyes and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  Matthew 7:1-3.  In everything, do to others what you would have them  do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Mathew 7:12.  As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10.  When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  Titus 3:4-5. 

Love you all!

The Creator and Performer of great and glorious things

Good Morning Friends!  Full of His Greatness, Friday!  “You are, O God, The Creator and Performer of great and glorious things.”  A friend shared this quote with me today…..On first read, might seem like one simple sentence, but if you will “be still” for just a moment and read it again…..Wow!  Of course we all know that God is the “Creator” of our world, just open Genesis 1 for a magnificent recap of the 6 days in which He created-made out of nothing- our world.  It’s the “Performer” part that got me to thinking…..We think about Jesus “performing” miracles, you know healing the blind, turning water into wine, casting out demons, but how about today…..right now…..do we believe that our God still performs miracles or in our weakness do we  tend to forget….forget that HE is the Maker and DOER of all….What “things” do you need “Performed” for you?  Great and Glorious things????  Feeling trapped?  Worried?  Stressed? Anxious?  I think about my son, sick in the hospital in California….I hate to think how much time and energy I have wasted worrying about him rather than Praising our God, our Father, for the great and glorious things He is planning to Perform for Shawn….for you, your family….friends…for me…..Great and Glorious beyond our human imagination….we see His magnificent world in front of us….the works of His hands and still can’t understand how He did it….just imagine….be still and let your mind be full of HIM and be blessed by the great and glorious things our Performer has in store for us!  Thank you Father, forgive our worry and our simple minds! “ To YOU, O God, The Creator and Performer of great and glorious things” be all Honor, Glory, and Praise, now and forever. 

 

Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18.  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His/  we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100.

Love you all!

See with your heart, not your mind: Psalm 73:26

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Went into the bathroom at break like I always do, looked at the ceramic tiles on the wall in front of me like I always do….But today I saw things on that wall I had never seen before…..the wall was the same as it had always been, but today I saw….goodness me, I saw a big animal….wolf like, his features were quite distinct, large head, muscular shoulders, perky ears and eyes wide-open…..at first I thought you are crazy you have looked at that wall a million times and never seen anything but ceramic tile…..today you are seeing a large animal.  I stared at the wall, moving my eyes over a larger area and I saw more animal-like shapes….My mood thus far today had been very sullen….tired, worn down emotionally and spiritually….the sickness and grief in my family….getting to me…..I just sat looking at the forms that appeared life-like to me…..the thought came to me….it wasn’t my eyes seeing those shapes….it was my mind……my mood…..as I sighed, feeling heavy, I felt a gentle tap…..”My child….you are seeing with your mind….not with your heart…..Your heart is Mine and if you open it to Me I will help you SEE through the grief, the sickness, I will lighten your load…..SEE ME with your heart and I will lift your mind, your body….you will know joy through hope in ME.”  Sighing I felt HIS touch again…as if HE had HIS arms around me, under my arms, pulling me up…..lighter…I felt lighter….”Now precious child, simply be still…..be still and let ME lift you out of your darkness into MY LIGHT of LOVE…..be still and know that I am God, I love you and will carry you….open your heart to ME and you will SEE.”  Thank you Father……

 

My flesh and my heart may fail, bug God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.  Psalm 5:3. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…Romans 8:6a.  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.  Psalm 46:1-2.  Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  Psalm 46:10-11.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His Holy name.  Psalm 33:21.

Love  you all!  “Rejoice in the Lord….always!”

 

Baskets of Love: Proverbs 18:16

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and Wonderful is our God, Wednesday!  Remember a couple weeks ago I told you about a Sunday school project that had little boys making bows to decorate baskets?  I was so proud of them.  Well last Saturday was our big day.  We met at church bright and early to bake muffins and cookies….yep the boys too!  After a short devotion we got to work filling the beautiful baskets with love….yes a harvest of love!  The kids had made note pads, wooly lambs, we had hot chocolate, tea, fruit, a pretty mug and lots of love.  After adding all the finishing touches we loaded into our cars and headed out to deliver the baskets to some older men and women of our congregation!  Our special friends did not know we were coming, but each one was so delighted to see the kids and tickled to get their special basket fixed for them by the kiddos!  Their faces glowed with joy….their words overflowed with gratitude.  After a couple of stops, I couldn’t help but notice how excited the kids were….not only the kids, but the adults that were with us!  Their faces….yep glowing….joy oozed from each of them as they told each person, “JESUS LOVES YOU!”  They would skip and jump their ways back to the cars to load up for the next visit…..they were giving……but in the process they, we, each of us “received.”  Oh we didn’t get pretty baskets full of fun stuff, what we got was worth much, much more than that.  We received the joy of “doing unto the least of one of these.”…the joy of “feeding His lambs” …..the joy of doing what pleases our Heavenly Father, following His will…the perfect joy…..give to others you will be rewarded with God’s love.  As Timothy said in his first book, chapter 1 verse 12….”I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.”  Take a minute to give today, you won’t be disappointed….you might even be excited at the joyous feelings that ooze from you.  We sang a song Sunday that says it all….”You can’t keep Jesus love in a box…….cause His love-ll’ come bubblin’ (or oozing) through.”  Thank you for Your love, fill our hearts to overflowing so as we are joyful we share that joy….giving it away makes us happy because You are happy!

 

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in al things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9 7-8.  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.  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  1 Corinthians 13:4.  We love because He first loved us.  1 John 4:19.  I have spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full John 15:11.  A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the Great.  Proverbs 18:16.

Love you all!  Thank you for the joy you bring into my life!

It's Friday the 13th! If you're superstitious, read Psalm 91!

Good Morning Friends!  Fabulous Friday because we are HIS!  Don’t think of myself as a superstitious person, but can’t say the thought of a black cat crossing in front of me thrills me and for safety reasons of course, I never walk under an open ladder, so this morning when I realized it was Friday the 13^th……well actually I said to my dozing husband sitting next to me, “Ah, it’s Friday the 13^th my lucky day!”  Like I said, I have never considered myself to be superstitious, but sinner that I am….I must admit I let those little….icky….weak…scaredy cat….thoughts rumage around in my pea brain a bit at times.   My bible reading this morning was Psalm 91…..I opened my bible and began reading…”He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ “  Oh my…..I had to smile….”He is my refuge and my fortress, my God”  I do trust Him….so bring on the black cats…..I continued reading, ”Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare, and from the deadly pestilence.”   Nothing could be worse than deadly pestilence, so what is there to worry about…right….my smile grew as I continued reading….”He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”  His faithfulness, shame on me…..how could I ever have a doubt….”HIS FAITHFULNESS”  is for me….and you!  Get this my friends, “For He will command His angels concerning you (little ol us that means)to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (or an open ladder).”  His angels, all of them…watching over us…..I can hear them singing…..”Glory to God in the highest!!!” Our Heavenly Father and His angels…..who could ask for anything more…..my smile was from ear to ear as I finished the Psalm, “’Because he loves me,’  (oh I do so love HIM) says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.’ “  Salvation, how sweet it is!!!!  Oh Father, thank you for loving us even when we are weak in thoughts, word, or deed.  Help us to always trust in Your love and care.  Thank you for Your angels that watch over us, help us to see them around us and give You the glory.

 

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24.  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!

Watered by the Holy Spirit: September 11, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  I had to chuckle this morning when I got the paper at work and it was in a plastic bag….Ha, ha I thought….sure looks like rain doesn’t it!  I know we had so much wonderful rain earlier in the summer and spring, but now it is getting so dry again.  Our grass is crunchy, and leaves are falling way to soon…driving to work the poor pastures look so dry and thirsty and the fire danger signs have been upgraded….conditions are looking bleak.  As I opened the paper I said a little prayer for rain…..it was then I felt the tap….”Hi Father.  What’s up?”  “You know Kathie, the yard and pastures are not the only things that dry up when there’s not enough moisture.”  “Ok Father, go on, tell me more.”  My child you too dry up spiritually when you are not ‘watered’ by the Holy Spirit, ‘immersed’ in My word, prayer, and worship……your spiritual yard goes dry and look out, that’s when things get bleak……stress and worry consume you because you turn to yourself rather than come to me….small situations turn into misunderstood messes because you try to figure things out for yourself rather than follow My words of guidance…..sadness can consume you because you don’t see My arms wide open…waiting to hold you, lift you, comfort you, guide you My child through every dry spell.  Come to Me, follow Me through My word, pray to Me, trust Me….you are My child, I love you.  Thank you Father…..forgive my stubbornness…”rain” on me!

 

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 leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!  Isaiah 30:18.  Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.  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.  Dear friends, build yourselves up  in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  Jude 20.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.  Isaiah 26:4. 

Love you all!

 

Philippians 2:13 - Do Everything Without Complaining!

Good Morning Friends! Thankfully His Tuesday!  I got up as usual this morning a little after 5; Kim was still asleep.  I had only been up for a few minutes when I thought I heard his phone ringing….oh dear I thought, ringing so early usually means a problem, of course my thoughts turned to his brother.  However, in just a few minutes he emerged from the bedroom fumbling, still half asleep trying to get his clothes on.  “Sheep are in Jason’s yard” was all he said.  I blurted out a big, “Oh no!  Good grief, for crying out loud, my gosh!”  Something to that effect expressing my disgust with the sheep that were causing him to have to get out of bed and go, in the dark to put them back into their pasture….hopefully before they got into the road.  I was surprised when he calmly, positively responded, “Well, it’s sure better than having them in the road.”  No cussing, grumbling, stomping or door slamming…simply got dressed, got on the four wheeler and headed up the hill to get the job done.  I was quite proud of his behavior, thinking to myself, don’t think I could have been quite so congenial in the same situation.  I couldn’t help but think about things at work, church, at the fire department that irritate me and I don’t always contain my not so pleasant thoughts……I thought of how my day was blessed by Kim’s pleasant reaction to an unpleasant deed…….Oh Father I am so sorry that I often react to situations with words and actions that are not pleasing to those around me, which I know Father means that You are not pleased.  Forgive me…..fill me with Your peace and love and guide me in every situation to respond to Your glory, to be a blessing to others for You.

 

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pour, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.  Philippians 2:13.  At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He save us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He save us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, sot having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy saying.  And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  Titus 3:3-8.  Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.  Titus 3:1-2.  Now may the God of peace….our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.  Hebrews 13:20-21.

Love you all!