He who searches our hearts...

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully HIS, Thursday!!!  A dear friend recently received some horrible news….life altering……the news comes after years of struggling with a certain issue, many worries, stress, feelings of hopelessness for several years, hoping and praying for a positive outcome.  My heart has ached for her, watching her struggle, always praying with and for her, that she be guided by and find her strength through the love of our Heavenly Father.  And now, the devastating news; when she told me, I had no words….no words of comfort, strength, encouragement, only tears…..My heart aching for her pain, I couldn’t imagine how she would go on…..Oh, I knew that she was not alone….Our Father never leaves us alone, but I had no words for HIM either….my heart aching my mind drowning in worry….no words, no thoughts to send to HIM….how will I help my friend?  She needs support…..I need to pray, but nothing comes…..I knew had to do something, so I opened my bible……BAM!!!  A knock to my head…….Romans 8:26-27, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”  Oh Father, ahh…..it is YOU that searches our hearts….you know all about my dear friend’s problems….She is YOUR child…me too….YOU are our FATHER…..”And we know that in all things God (our FATHER) works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.  Dear, sweet friend…not to worry, He’s got this……He’s working…..it’s gonna be GOOD…..”If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him graciously give s all things?”  Romans 8:31-32.  Thank you Father for searching our hearts…..for hearing our cries…..for working even though we don’t see You….for taking care of everything. 

 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39. 

Love you all!

The warmth of His love

Today at 10:38 AM

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully, warmly wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!!!  Last Friday I gave a friend a ride to work; it was really cold that morning so when she got in I asked her if she would like the seat warmer on.  She has ridden with me lots of times, but I had never asked her about the seat warmer until Friday….don’t ask me why.  Anyway, she said “yea, why not?  I should experience that once in my life.”  We both chuckled as I turned her side all the way up!  We weren’t but a couple miles into our commute when she snuggled into her seat and said, “Oh yes, this feels really good.”  She’s a good friend and I was happy that she was enjoying her warm ride, but never thought much about it till a couple of days later.  Kim was driving, I was the passenger and it was cold…..I turned my seat warmer all the way up and within just a few minutes….oh my how good the warmth felt on my achy, tired body….I snuggled in….relaxed…..I thought about my friend’s comment on Friday….and thought, you know I use the seat warmer when I drive all the time, why have I not experienced this wonderful relaxed feeling?  Now I was chuckling to myself as I felt HIS gently touch.  “Kathie, my child you are much too often too busy, too stressed, worried, anxious, preoccupied to feel My WARMTH, to RELAX in the COMFORT and PEACE found when you come to ME.  I offer REST for your tired mind, PEACE for your hurting heart, REFUGE from the worries of this world.  Come to ME, snuggle in MY arms, feel the WARMTH of MY LOVE……You are MY child, come to ME I will give you PEACE.  I Love you!”  Oh Father, how come we are so quick to forget how much YOU love us….forgive us, bring us to YOU to snuggle in the warmth of YOUR LOVE.   Thank you Father.

 

And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.  Mark 10 :16.  He tends His flock like a shepherd:  He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.  Isaiah 40:11.  The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ fee, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.  Habakkuk 3:19.  The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  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.

Love you all!

 

Let's Eat!

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  I don’t know about you all, but I know at my house there is a whole lot of time spent on what to eat!  I wake in the morning wondering what we will have for breakfast and then what shall I take in my lunch, got to make sure I have plenty of snacks. And of course, there’s always dinner, the most planning goes into dinner!  Trying to figure out what sounds good, but doesn’t take too much time and making sure I have all the needed ingredients , not to mention special occasions like Kim’s birthday tomorrow. Birthdays require extra planning to make sure you have just what the birthday boy wants….food….yep I would say lots and lots of time is spent on what to eat!  Yesterday, I was reading from Psalms 119 and came across an interesting verse, that I must say, in the light of the “what to eat” saga, really hit.  I have read this verse a hundred times in my life, but never had it hit me like it did yesterday……”Ok, Father, I get it!”  Here’s the verse….."How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”  Wow, can you see where I am going with this?  We spend so much time worrying and planning about what we are going to eat, going to all kinds of work to find recipes, shop and prepare food for our physical bodies……when bottom line, God’s words are sweeter than anything we could eat…..God’s words nourish our spiritual bodies, food we eat satisfies us for a short time….God’s words satisfy us with the hope of life everlasting with HIM!  So, guess I better get to working on some recipes that will nourish my spiritual body….necessary ingredients----more time in HIS word, prayer time every day, regular worship, attitude of gratitude, and frost it praise and thanksgiving!  Our God is an AWESOME God!!!  Father, forgive us when we worry too much about our physical bodies, guide us to nurture our spiritual bodies so that we always remain strong in faith and ready for eternal life with YOU!

 

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.  1 Peter 2:1-3.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Psalm34:8.  Jesus said, “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?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”  Matthew 6:25-27.  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, On Him God the Father has place His seal of approval.”  Words of Jesus from John 6:27.  Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.”  John 6:35.

Love you all!  LET”S EAT!

Warmed by His love

Good Morning Friends!  Totally trusting in His care, Thursday!  Tuesday evening, I was disappointed when I got home and discovered that Kim hadn’t kept the fire going doing the day; he did have his reasons, but none the less, the house was cold.  While I changed, did my evening chores, cleaned up the kitchen, you know the drill, Kim worked on getting a fire started.  As soon as I could, I got into the living room and gave the fire my special “hurry  up and get hot” touch, all the while complaining about the cold.  As I poked and prodded, adding wood, Kim asked if I wanted him to start a fire in the stove in the kitchen.  No, I said, mumbling and complaining more about how cold it was in the living room, not to mention the kitchen my gosh…how in the heck was I gonna get dinner cooked in the ice box!  Again he asked, “want me to start a fire in the kitchen?”  Again,  in  my stubbornness I said, “NO!”  Just didn’t want the hassle.  Well, this scenario went on for a while longer, me poking and prodding the fire, complaining about the cold and Kim suggesting a fire in the kitchen….Finally….I shrugged off the stubborn and conceded!  Kim got up, brought some wood into the kitchen and within a few minutes had a nice fire in the old stove…..few more minutes I could feel the chill being overtaken by warm, cozy heat; my body relaxed, my toes thawed and I was energized to go take care of dinner!  As I was cooking I thought to myself….why am I so stubborn?  Why did I fight so hard against lighting a fire in the kitchen, when I knew it was the best thing to do…when I  knew the agony of a cold house would be gone if I just let him light the fire?  Why did I waste so much time complaining when if I would have just listened to him….given up my stubborn attitude and let him start a fire……Oh my Father…..OK, OK, I get it…..what needless worry, stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, grief, worry, stress, grumpy moods, hateful attitudes, anxiety we inflict upon ourselves because we fight YOU…..fight against YOUR WILL for us…..fail to TRUST and Believe, surrender, pile it all on YOU, when all we need to do is sit back, listen and be WARM….Warmed by YOUR PERFECT LOVE, INFINITE WISDOM, MERCY, GRACE and YOUR DESIRE to take care of us…guide us….comfort, and forgive us.  Father, thank you keeping YOUR FIRE of LOVE burning for us and please keep on prodding us when we are stupidly stubborn!

 

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.  The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!  Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is He who trusts in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.  He who trusts in the Lord will prosper.  Proverbs 28:25.  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.

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

The "Squints" in our lives

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!!!   My goodness the day is about to get away from me, but  just wanted to spend a little time with you all!  Time for us to share how blessed we are….the tiniest little blessings that surround us, that we so often miss, but oh when are hearts and minds are blessed enough to catch one…..Ummmm, the flood of blessings just immerses us in HIS magnificent LOVE!!!  This morning, my drive in, was the source of my tiny blessing….special little miracle.  At first, the ride seemed the same as it had for the last couple of weeks…..cloudy and cold, but as I got closer to town….the clouds made room for rays of sunshine to peek through….just a little at first, but soon the sky was bright with sunlight….so bright, I had to squint to see.  I was still squinting as I got out of the car and headed in to the office…..squinting….Wow, it’s been a while since I had to squint….I was so excited as I headed in, I had to tell everyone!!!!   As I passed by my coworkers offices I happily asked, “Wasn’t it wonderful to squint this morning?”  As I got to my desk and settled in, I was still excited about squinting…..silly I thought….Well now, hang on a minute…..let’s take a closer look!  OK, I had to squint so that meant the sun was shining… ponds will thaw, mud dry up…nice after a long cloudy spell…..the sun was in my eyes, so my eyes are good….I can see….I was driving….I have a car… headed  into work, so that means I have a job….I had to unlock the door to get in…..I have able hands and I work inside…..I was greeted by coworkers, I am not lonely……Thank you Father for all the “squints” in our lives…..one good thing from YOU, leads to another and another and another….Wonderfully Wrapped in Your Loving arms.

 

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  Colossians 1:6-7.  Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.  Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.  Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 1 Chronicles 16:8-10. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in EVERYTHING give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Love you all!

 

UPISH

Good Morning Friends!!!  Forever loved, Friday!  Via, big sister I heard that my 8^th grade granddaughter had a less than praise worthy progress report!  She is a very bright young lady, and extremely capable of good grades, but being the kid that she is…..well let’s just say….things happen…..In this day of texting, I don’t get to actually talk to her as much as I would like to, but last night was my lucky night!  After, I texted “Whatcha doin?” she actually text back, “I’ll call you in a minute.”  Now I get that promise fairly often, but last night she did!!!  Woo Hoo!  After a nice conversation about her trip with the band to Disneyland today, I matter of factly asked, “SO….are your grades up?”  Her response was “UPISH”   My first thought was, “hmmm, UPISH, interesting word…..”   Of course, I had to give her a bit of a Nana “you must do the very best you can” lecture, then helped her with a “teenage dilemma,”  told her to have a good time in Disneyland, exchanged “I love yous” and said our goodbyes.  Hanging up, I could not get “UPISH” out of my mind.  Upish, to me, means….yea, yea, yea….I know my grades aren’t so hot, I’ll take care of it…..Now maybe as the “Nana” I was putting too much into it….for goodness sakes she is 13….but I couldn’t help but think…..what in my life is just “UPISH”  when it could be so much better?   Hmmm….maybe it’s me that needs the “you  must do your very best you can” lecture…..UPISH….how about my bible study, prayer life, quality time with family and friends, long overdue cards and letters……unsettled tiffs,  exercise, bible study, prayer life….Oh goodness….so many areas of my life are in a “UPISH” state…..Time to get over myself and get to work….doing the very best that I can in everything and to God’s glory!  After all, HE deserves our very best!  Father, forgive us when we tend to be slackers….everything we have comes from You….we are so blessed….forgive us when we slack, energize us to do our very best to give YOU all Glory!

 

  Jesus said, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!”  Matthew 25:21.  My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Ecclesiastes 2:10.  I urge, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  1 Timothy 2:1-2.  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:23-24. 

Love you all!  Rise, Shine!!!  Give God the Glory!!!!

Splinters

Good Morning Friends!  Kim and I heat our old house with wood and this winter, my goodness we have really gone through the wood!  And to top it off, this year’s wood  seems more splintery than usual....in that I mean, I have had way more splinters than usual!!!!  The other night a sharp, throbbing pain in my little finger woke me from a deep sleep.  Yes, the pain was so great that it woke me up….the cause of the pain….an itty bitty, teeny tiny splinter…..so tiny in fact that I could hardly see it, but the pain was a guarantee it was hiding there!  Hard to believe that anything that small could cause so much pain!  Lying in my bed, in the quiet of the night, I knew that Kim would remove the splinter in the morning and the pain would be gone….but something kept nagging at me about such a tiny thing causing so much pain.  Oh my…..tiny things….a hastily spoken, less than kind word, a quick snap at a friend who needed to vent, too busy  to listen to your child just home from school and upset…..tiny things right????  In the quiet of the night I felt a heavy sadness come over me as my mind filled with “tiny things” that I had said or done, things that seemed to me inconsequential….tiny things that very well could have caused pain, intense pain to the receiver of my actions…..I often talk about the “tiny things” we can do to bring joy to others and that’s a good thing, but we sure do need to pay attention to “tiny things” no matter how small they may seem to us, that might inflict pain on others in lives….Kim did indeed remove my tiny splinter in the morning and the pain was gone…..but internal hurts are often not so easily removed…..Father, we don’t mean to hurt others, we are just so often selfish with our time and actions…..Father we are so thankful we can come to You to have our unkind acts forgiven.  Help us to know when we have hurt others with the tiniest little thing and give us wisdom to remove the pain with loving actions inspired by Your love for us.

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your moths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  Ephesians 4:29.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  Galatians 6:10.  As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.  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.  How good is a timely word!  Proverbs 15 :23.  Out of the overflow of the heart the  mouth speaks. (what’s in your heart?)  Matthew 12:34. 

Love you all!