The perfect refill

Good Morning Friends!!!  Marvelous in HIS love, Monday!   Last week at work, all of our single roll TP holders were replaced with those great big double ones!!!  You know the ones I mean, right….seems like there is never enough TP, but our wonderful maintenance department is doing their best to keep us supplied, hence the great big double roll dispensers!  Well, you know me….as I was sitting there the other day…..I got to pondering the big rolls…..thinking sure is nice to have such a big supply of TP in every bathroom now….Then the light came on….”Hi Father, what’s going on?”  “Well, Kathie, these really are nice big TP rolls, but you know…..they will still run out and have to be refilled…..they only go so long before the dispensers are empty and need to be ‘refilled’.”  “Hmm, I’m think I’m getting Your point, Father….Are you saying that that we can only go so long before we are empty?”  “Yes, My child, you can only go so long without refilling your heart, mind and spirit with all that I am and have for you.  I love you, I want the best for you....you must come to me and be refilled, when you are sad…..lonely, discouraged, anxious, depressed, sick….Come to Me through prayer, My word, and time in My house with more of My children….I will fill you with peace, comfort, joy….LOVE, My LOVE….come to me and you will be over flowing with My LOVE”    Thank you Father for being our “PERFECT REFILL”  no matter what the situation….Help us to come to You sooner rather than later!

 

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Luke 12:32.  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  Psalm 91:1.  May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to Your promise to your servant.  Let Your compassion come to me that I may live…Psalm 119:76.  The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7. Let 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.  Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.  Jude 2. 

Love you all!

Give God a thumbs up!

Good Morning Friends!  Wow!  It’s a “thumbs up” Wednesday!  Last night Cooper graduated from Kindergarten, of course Papa and I would not have missed it for anything, so after grabbing a quick bite to eat we headed to the school in plenty of time for the big affair.   We found a place to sit and then the wait.  Finally the principal came, welcomed us, and asked us to stand for the procession of graduates!  We stood, turned and smiled as we watched those precious little kiddos start down the aisle in their caps and gowns.  Oh my gosh, how cute they looked and were they ever serious!  They must have really gotten a talking to about being serious and walking slow (very slow)…..then we saw Cooper waiting his turn to go…..we both waved to get his attention, smiling as only a Nana and Papa can….only took a second until he spotted us!  His serious little face broke into a great big, ear to ear, smile!!!!  And then……out the blue, he gave us the “thumbs up”  high and proud, smile from ear to ear…..He was so happy we were there for him, to share in his big day…..just being there prompted him to “thumbs up”!  Gosh we were so happy…proud….The rest of the ceremony was fun, singing for us, a cute little movie interviewing them and then the diplomas and recessional!  A happy evening for sure!  As Papa and I drove home we beamed as we thought of him giving us the “thumbs up.”  My mind turned to our Father……turned to all the wonderful things He does for us, day in and day out…..He’s always there, everywhere with us, guiding us, supplying our needs, comforting us, giving us wisdom, blessings of family, friends, and HE’s always there….watching out for us….rejoicing in our happy times….Oh my….I just know that our Father would be so proud if we gave Him the “thumbs up” once in a while….just cause HE’s there…….ALWAYS and FOREVER present with us, for us……so come on all you all……one, two, three…..THUMPS UP!  Father, all honor, glory and praise to You….today and every day!

 

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!  Psalm 32:11.  Be joyful always.  1 Thessalonians 5:16.  I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.  For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.  Isaiah 61:10.  May the God hope fill you with all and peace as you trust I Him, so that you may overflow with  hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13.

Love you all!!!!!

The aroma of Christ

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His Friday!  I ran across a bible verse the other day that caused me to stop and ponder…..I have read it lots of times before, but this time I paused and pondered for a minute….but it wasn’t until this morning on my drive to work that I really “got” it.  The verse, I Corinthians 2:15, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ……”  That’s where I stopped and pondered….hmm do I smell like Christ……silly thoughts like that went through my mind…What does Christ smell like???  That portion of the verse had been wallowing around in my mind ever since….. until this morning as I was driving to work…..I drove through a patch of skunk…..oh my gosh, the stench was so strong it burned my nose…the first thought that popped into my mind was….”Well that certainly is not the aroma of Christ”  Christ would smell sweet….my mind was whirling….the aroma of Christ….kind, loving, unselfish, forgiving, compassionate…..Wow, I couldn’t wait to get to get to my bible and read more….how can we be “to God, the aroma of Christ?”  We are so un Christ-like.  OK, so here’s the rest of the story….verse 14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. “  Isn’t that the coolest way to think about knowing and loving Christ…..fragrant not stinky!  Sweet not pungent…..then 15 & 16 continue, “For we are to God the aroma of Christamong those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.”  Fresh roses or pungent skunk…..life or death……We are, according to God….the aroma of Christ…..carrying HIS love to others, verse 16 concludes by telling us, “And who is equal to such a task?”  Oh my…..how do we do that…..God has confidence in us!  He trusts us with the loving, compassionate, forgiving and life giving “aroma of Christ”  HIS only SON….The SON HE gave for us….to wash us clean….Hmmm, that’s always a nice fragrance fresh from the bath…..clean, inside and out……forgiven….by HIS grace and mercy….Our Father trusts us to do HIS work…to spread the“fragrance of life” from the mountain tops!  Father, it’s hard to comprehend that You trust us with this life-giving task….thank you.  Enable us to go and confidently tell so that others may know YOU and receive eternal life.  “Rise, Shine, Give God the Glory!”

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.  I Timothy 12.

Now get out there and smell up the world!!!  Love you all!

Be safe this weekend.  God’s blessings to each of you.

The Lord turns my darkness into light

Good Morning Friends!  Freely forgiven through HIS love, Friday!  We had to have a light bulb replaced in the bathroom at work this week, it’s a big bathroom so there is more than one light, but just one was out.  Well, job done, the new bulb casts a different light than the others (nice, just different)…you know a different batch of bulbs.  This morning as I entered the bathroom the different glow seemed to reach out and encompass me…..I have been going through some tough stuff recently….really struggling to fill my heart and mind with God’s will, rather than excruciating worry…..so often feeling lost, and in the dark…..the glow of the new light…..oh the light…..Why do I allow myself to be in the dark when the light of God’s love is reaching out to me, encompassing me all the time….everywhere….Father, thank you for the light of Your love shining on me, warming me, melting my worry, holding me….comforting me…Forgive me Father when I choose to stay in the darkness, give me strength to cling to YOU!

 

You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.  2 Samuel 22:29.   The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1.  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”  made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  2 Corinthians 4:6. 

Love you all! 

Happy Mother’s Day!

The abandoned calf

Good Morning Friends, meet Homer…he’s in the middle, in between Cooper and Katy!!  Homer came to us last week…and that is the front yard at my house not a pasture!  You see, Homer’s mommy abandoned  him, but lucky for Homer Kim found him in a very weakened state, brought him to the house, ran to the feed store for milk replacer and a bottle (believe it or not we have not had to bottle feed a calf, so were unprepared) mixed up a bottle and attempted to feed him.  Poor Homer he was so weak, he couldn’t even suck….So, that meant Kim had to tube him…..put the milk in a squishy bottle with a long tube that goes down his throat into his tummy, direct nutrition…..the first couple of days were pretty bleak, Kim continued to try to get him to suck, but he just wasn’t interested, seemed weak….then all of a sudden he took the bottle….BAM!  Now less than a week later he is drinking like a champ and following us around.  This morning when I left, Homer was at the gate obviously wondering where his breakfast was!  Homer is gonna make it, thanks to Kim’s persistence!  Last night as I was taking my turn feeding Homer, my thoughts turned inward….to my heart…..How many times have I felt totally abandoned by the world, just at the breaking point, weak and alone and our Heavenly Father rescues me….Yep, picks me up, dusts me off….and tube feeds me…..from His loving arms to my broken heart!  He nurtures me with HIS grace and mercy, comforts me with HIS peace and wisdom…….Feeds me with HIS word….my strength returns….my faith grows…..I am HIS child, no matter what the world sends my way……all is well with HIM.  Thank you Father…..for feeding me……forgive me when I am weak.

This God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.  Psalm 48:14.  With His is wisdom and strength, He hath counsel and understanding.  Job 12:13.  Do not afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Luke 12:32.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.  For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1:1.

Love you all!

In everything give thanks

Today at 11:35 AM

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!   Well, how about our crazy weather!!  Lots of whining going on….Hot one day, raining the next, then down right cool, hot, rain, and don’t forget the wind!  Good grief what’s a person to do!  One day people are in tank tops and shorts, the next jackets and long pants, heck yesterday I saw a young lady with a stocking cap on!  Lots of, “I’m tired of all this rain,”  “the mud is driving me crazy,”  “Oh I have so much work to do outside and it’s too wet,”  “the wind is so cold, I want to wear shorts but it’s too cold,”  I’m tired of this weather,” “last night I had the air conditioner on and now today the heater,”  “this weather is crazy.”  Any of these sound familiar to you?  Well, the other morning while reading God’s word, snuggled under a blanket, listening to the pounding rain, I ran across a portion of God’s word, that just really hit me; oh boy…really made me think.  From Philippian’s 4:11-12, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (whether it’s cold and rainy or warm and sunny).  Seemed like it was pointed right at me lately…..so….if it’s cold…light a fire and put on a jacket.  If it’s raining….wear rubber boots and a rain coat…..If it’s hot turn on the air conditioner and put on your shorts….And if it’s all in one day….thank our Father that our lives are not boring!  Rejoice always (rain or shine); pray without ceasing; in EVERYTHING give thanks.  I Thessalonians 5:16-18.  Today, I am giving thanks for the blue sky and sunshine!  Woo Hoo, thank you Father.  And last night, I sure enjoyed the fire in the wood stove and a delicious pot of soup, both prepared by my husband!  Thanks again Father and please forgive us when we whine….we don’t want to we are just weak….help us to give you glory with our words and actions.

 

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13.  Godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  1 Timothy 6:6-8.  Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  Amen!  Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.  Amen!

Love you all!

Watch out for the poison stuff!

Good Morning Friends! My goodness our God is a Mighty Awesome God, Monday!  As if the magnificent green of our current landscapes is not beautiful enough, our Heavenly Father, Magnificent Creator that He is, has now dotted our landscape with wildflowers….All colors, all shapes, all sizes of beautiful wildflowers.  I love wildflower season and have been excited for them to start popping up, so yesterday on my way to church I was delighted to see that just overnight, the green fields and roadsides were dotted with pinks, yellows, purple and white wildflowers…some were in clusters, some standing alone….all equally beautiful!  Our God is an awesome God!  And I just had to tell HIM thank you as I drove….oh the beauty of HIS creation for us!  Later yesterday afternoon Kim and I had to go check cows on a lease a few miles from home.  We took the long, scenic way home and I was tickled because it meant I got to see more of God’s handiwork!  We had the windows down and were just putting down a dirt road the woods were just thick with every shade of green you could imagine and in spots the trees from both sides of the road had joined to make a cover for us.  Again, I said a thank you prayer…then in the midst of the beauty I saw it….all over the trees and down onto the ground….the dreaded poison oak…”Oh Yuck, I hate that stuff, it’s all over!”  I told Kim,  “ I bet that junk is all over at the cabin!”  For a brief moment I was really disgruntled….wondering why in the world we have to have that horrible stuff intermingled with all the beauty….and the scary part is it is pretty to look at too!”  Just then, I felt the familiar pat on my shoulder….”Ahh Father, so You agree with me about this poison stuff!”  “Oh Kathie, My child…..I agree that poison stuff is not fun, especially when it looks pretty, but let’s go a little deeper….don’t you have temptations every day that look pretty….harmless….when in actuality they are potentially dangerous to your life…..maybe something as simple as a piece of cake when you are trying to lose weight….looks good, so why not?  Right?  Or how about that cute dress you saw at Stage the other day….you would look so pretty in it….but remember you have a doctor’s bill to pay…..seemingly harmless little temptations that can lead to big problems.”  Thanks Father, for the reminder that everything pretty might not be good for us.  Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds to discern what’s really good for us…..and help us to always remember, every good and perfect gift comes from YOU!  Thank you for wildflowers Father and the lesson in poison stuff!

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.  Matthew 26:41Because Jesus Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.  Hebrews 2:18.  All have seined and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9. 

Love you all!

Out of the mouths of babes

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully blessed by Him, Thursday.  A couple days ago I told you about Katy’s accident on Friday, remember and I had not been home long enough to get my clothes changed?  Well, the funny part is that when I left work that day I was going to Walmart to buy groceries.  My feet were already hurting from my heels, so I decided to put on my tennis shoes I wear when I work out.  Everybody got a chuckle out of Kathie going to Walmart in her dress clothes and pink tennis shoes.  I really didn’t care what they thought….lol….I wanted to be comfortable.  When I walked in the door at home, Kim laughed out loud (he is such a fashion expert you know) and made sure I knew he thought I looked like a nerd…..again I didn’t care and told him so!  Well, when Kathyrn called us to go with her to the ER it never for one second crossed my mind to change my shoes….Nope, all I could think of was getting Katy to the hospital.  After we settled in at the ER, Cooper was his usual antsy self, couldn’t sit still.  He was hopping around in front of me when he stopped and very seriously said, “Nana, I like your shoes, they’re cool.”  I looked at Kim and said, “HA, HA!!!  Cooper likes my shoes!”  As I told him thank you I put my arms around him and gave him a great big hug and mushy kiss, poor kid!  Things were a bit hectic the rest of the evening, but as I went to bed, in the darkness I smiled, I knew that our Father could see my smile from my heart, and hear my silent thank you prayer….Thank you for children Father and the lessons we can learn from their kind innocence.  Bless and protect them with YOUR LOVE.

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.”  Matthew 18:3-4.  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.  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!

The perfect "first responder"

Good Morning Friends!  Totally in HIS care, Tuesday!  Friday evening, I hadn’t been home long, had the groceries unloaded and frig things put away, but that was it…still in my dress clothes; the phone rang, it was Kathyrn, she was frantic…..”Can you go to the hospital with me?  Katy is hurt!!!”  “YES, we’ll be right there!” I responded, she told she was already on her way to get us.  I hollered at Papa, told him to come on Katy is hurt.  He wanted to know what happened, “don’t know” I said, “but she is hurt.”  We headed down our driveway just as she pulled in.  Katy was in the back holding a towel on her arm, crying desperately.  Papa jumped in the back by her and immediately started soothing her.  He looked at her wound and knew that she would have to have stitches.  I got in the front with Kathyrn and we flew to the hospital.  Cooper was so worried about his sister, I did my best to keep him occupied while Papa gave his attention to Katy, comforting her with his gentle words and explaining to her just what would happen when she got to see the doctor.  I was so glad we had our own “first responder” with us.  He took total control.  Dad arrived at the hospital (he was at work) about the same time we did; Papa hung back for him, I went into the ER with Kathyrn and helped her get Katy checked in….then the wait…..Cooper was a nervous wreck and itching to get himself into trouble, so Papa and I decided we could take Dad’s truck and Cooper and go home.  We hadn’t been home too long, when I heard from Kathyrn, they were in the examining room.  Pretty soon a picture came of Katy’s “boo boo” with a glowing report on the patient.  Soon they were headed home.  We were so thankful that Katy was going to be ok with a few stiches inside and out!  After Mom and Dad came and got Cooper, Papa and I rehashed the whole evening…..I was so proud of his expert “first responder” care-giving.  All his training has sure paid off!  I said a great big thank you prayer to our Father, and then chuckled to myself….My goodness we have the PERFECT FIRST RESPONDER…. On call….24/7!!!  HE didn’t need any training, no pager or cell phone….NOPE HE is our all- knowing, all powerful, healer, comforter, protector, ON CALL ready and waiting for us to come to HIM.  Oh you know I was praying all the way to the hospital and Cooper and I prayed for sister too……HE was there, with Katy, with us…..going to HIM comforted me…..knowing that HE is always there….gave me strength….peace.  Thank you Father for being our PERFECT FIRST RESPONDER for any need that we have.  Keep us mindful of YOUR presence in our lives….every minute of every day!  And thank you for taking care of precious Katy.  All glory to YOU!

Co not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the  peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7.  Cast all your anxiety on God because He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7.  The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.  Psalm 145:18.  “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear,” says the Lord.  Isaiah 65:24.

Love you all!

Getting the job done

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!  Last Sunday in church I noticed one of our older (yes even older than me) ladies was sitting alone.  Her good friend that she always sat with recently passed away and her daughter-in-law had to work  so, sweet Rosemary was all alone….I too was all alone, so I decided I would march on up and join her!  We shared a hug and snuggled in ready to worship.  During announcements she whispered to me that someone had trimmed the flowers in front of the church.  She was really happy about it, explaining that she had noticed they were so badly in need of trimming, and really wanted to do it, but just hadn't gotten to it.  She went on to tell me, a beautiful smile on her face, that when she does yard work she has to choose if she wants to be on her knees or bend over.  You see, Rosemary suffers terribly from arthritis….mind you she is smiling as she relates this to me.  She chuckled and went on a bit more about her yard work…..but my mind focused on her smile, her attitude.  This woman, has reason to give up the yard work…..terrible pain in her knees and back, but she doesn't…..she picks, according to the degree of pain in each area, the position she will be in to get the job done……she doesn't give up or feel sorry for herself…..she does the very best that she can…she keeps on keeping on despite the discomfort!  Oh wow…..the more I think about her the more I must turn to our Father and ask for forgiveness….how often do we whine, complain, feel sorry for ourselves, even give up at times when life seems to be hitting us hard?  Difficult relationships, more bills than income, grief, critical illnesses….Oh yes Father…..these are the times when we must turn to You for strength you are there, with open arms, wisdom and guidance just waiting for us….help us to be strong and follow Your words from James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”  Father, we know that life is hard at times, but with YOU on our side we know we can do it and give YOU glory!

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Romans 5:3-4. For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:10.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22.  Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18. 

Love you all!

A clean slate

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty and Marvelous is our God, Monday!!!  Each Sunday during Lent in Sunday school, we all (kids and teachers) took a big nail, held it in our hands and in silence thought about our sins, maybe a particular sin that needed forgiving, asked for forgiveness and then we each, still in silence stuck our nails into a brown Styrofoam cross.  We then prayed together for God to help us do the best we can and thanked Him for sending His Son to die for us, forgiving our sins.  Like I said we did this each week so the cross was quite full of nails.  After church on Good Friday, I took all the nails out of the cross, took it home and painted the other side white; my plan was to have a lesson based on because of Easter, our sins are forgiven and we are washed clean…white.   Easter Sunday was very busy at Sunday school, so we didn’t have a chance to talk about the changes in our cross, but yesterday I was excited for the kids to see the white, nail-less cross.  I gathered them all around our table and before I could even get started one young boy, 11, said, “ hey the nails are all gone and our cross is white.”  Ah, I thought, this is going to be great, but then he went on to say, “hey the other side is still brown.”  I tried to skip over that fact and get on with the Easter message with the white side of our cross, but he would have no part of it.  He was determined to keep on about the brown side of the cross and get to the bottom of the whole deal!  Well, I was actually getting a little perturbed at him (oh yes it’s true, I had to ask for forgiveness) as he had really taken the wind out of what I thought was a great lesson.  Well, I finally got him to give it up and went on with class, but I just couldn’t get it off my mind……kids!  As I was sitting in church listening to Pastor….I finally got it……with the help of this young man, I figured it out…..Jesus didn’t die for just some of our sins, HE didn’t wash just half of them away…..HIS death and resurrection gives us a clean slate, wipes all our sins away….front and back…..inside and out….HIS blood makes us clean….Father, bring us to You in true repentance to confess and seek Your forgiveness.  Give us hearts that forgive others as You forgive us.  And Father thank  you for the pure wisdom of children and the lessons we can learn from them. 

“Come now, let us reason together,”  say the Lord.  “Though your 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.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgression from us.  Psalm 103:12.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.  Ephesians 1:7-8.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32.

Love you all!

Mending fences

Good Morning Friends!  Fabulous Friday, loved by HIM!!!!   A few years ago we had a really wet spring….so wet that the creek that runs through our property, filled to over flowing, breaking its banks and flooding a pasture.  The whole event was pretty strong, so when the flood waters broke loose they took down a quarter to half mile of fence bordering the creek.  I mean to tell you…plum flattened that fence, laid it down!!!!!  Now with the fence down the cows and sheep had total access to pastures on both sides of the creek…..not really the ideal situation.  Of course, my husband had good intentions of fixing the fence immediately…..however, life happens!  One year rolled into the next, big plans to get to it, but cows and sheep roamed where they pleased….each year more grass, limbs, leaves grew over the flat fence making a job that once would have been not easy, but very do able, now seemingly impossible!  Year in…year out….can’t tell you how many times I heard “I gotta get that fence up.”  So many times, that got to the point I really didn’t hear him….especially when he complained about the animals being where they were not supposed to be!  Tuesday when I got home from work, he was sitting on the screened porch, munching on chips and dip and sipping a nice cool beverage!  Remember how beautiful and warm it was on Tuesday, so I went in changed my clothes and put up my stuff so I could join him.   He shared his chips and even had a cold drink poured for me.  We chatted about our work days, enjoying our snacks, relishing in the beautiful spring-like weather.  I needed to take care of my critters, as I was heading out the door he hollered, “hurry up, we are going for a ride!”  When Kim wants to go for a ride on a week night he has a specific plan….something that can’t wait to have my attention.  Maybe a new tool in the shop, or the beginning of one of his creative inventions or maybe a set of twin lambs….well, I had no clue what he was up to on Tuesday.  As soon as I finished my chores we hopped in his truck and headed out!  First stop, the gate that leads into the pasture that had flooded….I hopped out, unlocked the gate and in we went.  Within just a matter of a few seconds I knew what he was up to!  No new tool, or baby…..the fence was up!!!!!  The whole length from one end of the pasture to other…..up…..in one day he had, with the help of a young neighbor, put the whole fence back up….one day….not even a whole day, he had done all his farm chores too!  I was quite impressed with his accomplishment and praised him for a job well done….we of course had to drive the whole pasture and check it all out, although not perfect the fence would definitely do its job now!  As we headed back to the house I couldn’t help but think how at times, we let the severe storms of life flatten us….our spirits, our moods, our finances…..flattened relationships…..we procrastinate…..let the messes in our lives get worse and harder to fix when we have the perfect tool with us all the time to get the job done!  Our Heavenly Father is there to guide us with HIS wisdom, support us with HIS love, wrap us in HIS comfort…..HE”S there 24/7……why do we procrastinate….allow ourselves to get depressed, emotionally and spiritually….we make ourselves sick with worry and heartache…..when like Kim, when he finally just did it, got the job done in a few hours…..we can get our fences back up by going to our FATHER, giving HIM our worries, letting HIM carry the load!  Oh Kim’s fence is not perfect nor will our “fences” in life always be perfect.  Life on this earth because of sin is just not perfect….but Praise God He sent His Son to die for us and promises to mend our fences until we get HOME with HIM!   Oh Father, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!  You supply all the tools we need to keep our fences up!!!!!

Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  2 Corinthians 1:5.  Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22. 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 43:2.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him  Nahum 1:7.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11. 

Love you all!

Lost and found

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, forgiven and loved, Thursday!  This is such a special week as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior on Sunday….Holy Week….I have been wearing a cross each day this week, just to remind myself of the sacrifice that was made for me….for you….so long ago when our Heavenly Father gave His only Son to die on a cross….for me….for you…..today my cross is on a long chain and is made of tiny, little, shiny gems, so pretty.  It was unclaimed in the lost and found and given to me…..lost and found…..As I look down and see the solid, shiny cross sparkling from the sun’s reflection….I sigh deeply contemplating the sacrifice made for me….I was lost, but now I am found….found by our Heavenly Father through the death of HIS Son…But the cross sparkles, it is empty…..JESUS LIVES!  HE made the ultimate sacrifice, HIS blood was shed, on the cross…..for me….for you.  But the three days later HE shined as HE left the tomb, alive….Because HE LIVES we too will LIVE, eternally with HIM in heaven.  Father, thank you for YOUR grace and tender mercies for us….we are undeserving, but humbled.  All Glory and Praise to YOU!

 

Jesus said, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save what was lost.”  Luke 19:10.  “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16.

Praying your Easter over flows with the blessings of HIS resurrection.  Love you all!

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully Wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  Kind of a yucky drive in this morning, the fog was so bad in spots could hardly see more than a few feet in front of me.  Driving in dense fog is such a helpless feeling…..disorientating, down right frightening at times…..I was so thankful when I got to work  safely and didn’t see any accidents; as I was turning my daily calendar I had to stop a minute, breath and ponder on the love of our Father as I read today’s bible verse, Psalm 146:8, “The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind:  the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous.”  I thought about the dense fog this morning……feeling helpless, like I was blind…..”the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.”  Our Father is there when we can’t see….when life seems so futile, overwhelming….He is there, He opens our eyes so we can see His love….the Light of His love to guide us through the foggy times.  He raises us up from the pits of fog that life sometimes brings us….the frightening, unknown times, the sad and grief-filled times….dense fog….”the Lord LOVETH the righteous.”   LOVES you and me!!!  The Lord, our Heavenly Father who gave His only Son for us……LOVES us!  Thank you Father for always being there for us, no matter how dense the fog…..keep us ever faithful.

My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.  The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Psalm 37:5-6.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Eo not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9.

Love you all!

What does He see in us?

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by Him, Thursday!  While I was talking with Hailey on the phone yesterday, Tucker woke up from a nap.  She got him up and was sweet talking him (makes me smile) when she laughed and said, “Tucker, look at your hair…..you got your ‘bed head’ from your Nana!”  She was laughing as she described his hair on the back of his head.  You see, in my family I am known for my “bed head”; my hair just gets in a big ol’ mess on the back of my head when I sleep or nap…..it used to bother me but not anymore and especially not now that Hailey sees me in Tucker’s “bed head.”  Now that is a Nana’s ultimate delight…..of course as Tucker grows up I hope that there are some slightly more significant traits he gets from me, but for now……the “bed head” makes me happy!  Hailey sees me in Tucker…….We love for our children and grandchildren to inherit the good parts of us, we love to see ourselves in them….As I thought about this last night I couldn’t help but think about our Heavenly Father…..as His children….What does He see in us?.....Does He see His love in us, in our thoughts and actions…..how we treat others is a definite reflection on how we are loving HIM……Father, help us to shine with Your love so that we reflect You in all that we do.

 

The Lord has declared this day that you are His people, His treasured possession as He promised, and that you are to keep all His commands.  Deuteronomy 26:18.  We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10.  A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.  He has given us this command:  whoever loves God must also love his brother.  1 John 4:21.  Jesus said, “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35.You yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.  1 Thessalonians 4:9.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father I heaven.  Matthew 5:16.

Love you all!

The wolf and the lamb...Isaiah 11:1-9

Good Morning Friends!  Totally His, Tuesday!   A couple years ago I was having a terrible problem with mice in the house….it was bad and I was aggravated.  People kept telling me I needed some outside cats, but much to my chagrin, my hubby hated cats and had always refused getting any!  Well, let’s say he has mellowed a bit in his old age and when a sweet friend offered to give me a few of her barn cats he said ok!  I was so excited, I brought my friend a live trap so she could catch a couple and we met on Sunday in town and I took them home.  I let them out by the old chicken coop where Kim had put food and that was the last I saw of them for a while, even though Kim saw them occasionally during the day.  Oh but I knew they were there because things got much better in the house.  A few months had past when we discovered we had kittens…..same thing didn’t really see them all the time, just occasionally, except one pretty little tiger-striped kitten….silly thing started hanging out in the chicken coop!  At first she was really skittish, running from me, but hoping I was bringing scraps…she would eat with the chickens and sleep on top of their feeder!  Really cracked me, didn’t seem to be a lot of animosity between the very different critters.  It wasn’t until last week during the bitter, bitter cold spell that a passage from Isaiah really hit me…..”and the wolf will live with the lamb….”  I walked in the coop to feed and water the rabbits and give the chickens some scratch….I couldn’t believe what I saw….There on the ground was the kitten totally surround by the hens…when I say “surrounded”  I mean totally covered, protected by their feathers….the sight was breathtaking.  The small cat, crouched on the ground, peeking out from under the hovering hens….the hens were keeping her warm….cats and chickens….natural enemies, like the wolf and the lamb……living together in peace…..more than peace….compassion….can you imagine how warm and toasty it was under all those feathers!  Oh Father, please help us learn a lesson of love and compassion from YOUR critters…..help us to live together in peace and accept everyone as they are….feathers or fur!

 

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.  The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirt of counsel and power, the Spirt of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.  He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.  He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.  Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.  The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.  The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.  The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.  They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.  Isaiah 11:1-9.      Let’s work to do this now! 

The old rugged cross! Jesus died on it, for us!

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Last week one day Papa and I picked up Cooper and Katy from school because Mommy and Daddy had to work late.  We got home and got a snack, preparing to get to homework.  Earlier in the day, close to where Katy sits, I had laid a cool, rustic cross given to me by a friend for Christmas.  I have been looking for the perfect place to hang it, somewhere I would see it often….in the meantime I laid it on the table near where Katy sits.  As Katy sat down she immediately saw the cross.  In an excitement that she could not contain, she shouted, “Nana, it’s the old rugged cross….!”  Smiling and pleased at her response to the cross I said, “Yes, it sure is, you are right!”  Without hesitation she said, loud and clear, “Jesus died on it….for us!”  This time I was the one that could not contain my excitement, to hear that precious 4 year old, confessing her faith…..loud and clear…..no hesitation!  My heart was over flowing with joy and gratitude.  I just had to give her a big hug….As I was holding her close, almost in tears, I felt our FATHER very close to us…..”Kathie, My child, I understand your joy in knowing that Katy knows that Jesus died for her…but My joy is compounded by the fact that she had no hesitation to profess her faith…..Oh, just think how wonderful it would be if all you adults….My big precious kids, would tell about Jesus dying on the old rugged cross like Katy did!”  Father forgive our hesitation in confessing You!  Increase our faith and bless us with brave, witnessing hearts so that we with Katy say loud and clear….”It’s the old rugged cross, Jesus died on it for us!”

 

Then Jesus came to them and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20.  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.  1 Timothy 1:12.  Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bow.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16.

Love you all!

 

Our forever Valentine

Good Morning!    Last week, a day or two before Valentine’s Day, we got a Valentine in the mail from Cooper and Katy.  Of course, we love that!!!  I picked up the phone and called them to say thank you….after visiting with Mommy for a minute she gave the phone to Katy.  Katy was so happy to talk to me, I thanked her for the card and told her I had a Valentine surprise for her too!  She was all excited, we visited a little longer when I heard Mommy tell her to let Cooper talk too.   “Cooper, want to talk to Nana?”   she hollered at him.  I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard him holler back, “NO.”  Well for heaven’s sake I thought, little stinker.  I told Katy, “you tell Cooper he isn’t going to get his Valentine surprise if he doesn’t talk to me.”  Katy was most happy to deliver that message with the silly delight of a little sister whose  big brother was about to get in trouble!  Immediately, a little voice came on the phone and said, “Hi Nana.”  “Hi Cooper, how’s my boy?”  “Good, nana do you have a Valentine surprise for me?”  “I sure do Cooper, thank you for our Valentine, I love you.”  “ Your welcome, I love you too, Nana, bye.”  The conversation was short and sweet, but as I was relaying the details of how I had to threaten our little stinker to get him to talk to me, I suddenly felt sad…..Gosh, sure glad our Father doesn’t ever threaten us to get us to come to HIM….He waits lovingly, patiently yearning for us to come to HIM, sit with HIM…..unburden our troubled hearts, confess our sins, receive comfort and the most wonderful LOVE surprise, everyday not just once a year!  Father, oh I thank and praise YOU for loving us so abundantly….freely, always without a threat….just the promise of life everlasting with YOU!!  How good YOU are how Blessed are we!  I love you Father, all glory to YOU!

 

You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding love and faithfulness.  Psalm 86:15.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trust in Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7  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!  Isaiah 30:18.  Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.  Job 22:21.  The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; d not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8.  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Luke:12:32. 

Love you all!

He strokes our worries and sadness away

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  Our little dog Axel is sick….oh we just hate it.  He has a terrible cough…it just sounds horrible and Kim and I just hate that he doesn’t feel good….Well, on Monday he was so worried about his little pal that he took him to the Vet.  She said he didn’t have a fever and couldn’t see anything in his throat, gave him a shot and some pills for his tummy ache and sent them home.  The cough kept getting worse and worse and yesterday morning, sitting on my lap, he kept looking at me….his eyes so droopy and sad…..he just looked miserable, so pathetic….As I sat in the quiet of the early morning, gently rubbing his throat and having my morning talk with our Father…..it occurred to me just how pathetic we must look to our Father sometimes….times we are worried, sad, grieving…..eyes drooping, cheeks tear streaked, shoulders drooped…..pathetic….Axel found comfort sitting with me, being stroked…..feeling my compassion for him….Can you just imagine how much compassion our Father has for us, when He sees us…..drooping and sad……He yearns for us to come to HIM, sit with HIM and be comforted….HE will not fail us….gently, lovingly HE strokes our worries and sadness away….carries them for us…wraps HIS loving arms around us and gives us peace.  Thank you Father.

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4.  May your unfailing love be my comfort  according to your promise to your servant.  Psalm 119:76.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11. 

Love you all!

A frog in my throat...

 

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and Wonderful is our God, Wednesday!  I love my job, but there is something that makes it most special for me….kids!  All day long I get to see precious kids, from newborn infants to snotty teens….I love them.  I feel so blessed to share my day with God’s most precious commodity.  Well, the other morning a young dad came in with his little boy, I’d say barely 3.  He didn’t have much to say, but he sure was a cutie!  I asked his dad who he needed to see and gave him a call, Danny was out of the office, but told me that he did need to see the young man in person and that he would be back in the office about 4 pm.  While on the phone, I got a bit of a coughing spell (leftovers from the flu) I apologized saying I had a frog in my throat and couldn’t get it out….I said it a couple of times as I tried to stop so that I could explain to the young man when Danny would be back and that he needed to see him.  His son stood and watched, never saying a word and so well behaved.  The young man said he could come back in the afternoon, took his little boy’s hand and left.  I said good bye and got back to work.  Right at 4, the young man returned to the office, this time by himself.  As he approached my desk he had a big grin on his face.  I said hello and went to call Danny, but stopped as he was speaking to me.  He explained that as soon as he and his son got out the door, he began frantically asking his dad about the frog in my throat!  Oh my gosh, we both started laughing as he continued on about how worried his son was wondering how I got a frog in my throat and how would I get it out!  We laughed and laughed imagining that little boy, thinking I had a big green, slimy frog in my throat desperately trying to find its way out!  After the young man left I was still chuckling about his son when I felt that familiar tap on my shoulder….”Hi Father, what’s up?”  “Well, Kathie that little boy really was adorable wasn’t he?  And to think he thought you had a frog in your throat….funny.  But, Kathie….you had said that he was quiet, bet you didn’t think he was even paying any attention to you, did you?  My child, oh My child, you are MY child….your every thought, action, word…..need to be a reflection of Me!  I know it isn’t easy, but it’s so important to be a shining light….the LIGHT of My son shining through you…spreads My love.  Now the “frog in your throat” was not a bad thing, but let’s use it as a reminder to be aware of everything you say and do, so that the beauty of My Love, not the ugly of this world shines through you.  Deal?!”  Oh Father, that’s a tall order, but oh how I what to shine for You…forgive me when I fail, and guide me “walk Your walk” and “talk Your talk”  all the time!

 

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sigh, o Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14.  There should not be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.  Ephesians 5:4.  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lives.  Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  Psalm 34:13-14.  May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.  Mya my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.  Psalm 119:171-172.   Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10.  Jesus said, “My command is this :  Love each other as I have loved you.”  John 15:12.

Love you all!

The colors of creation!

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  I needed to be to work a little early today, so I took special care to stay ahead of schedule.  Because I was earlier than usual it was not as light…funny how just a few minutes can make everything look so different.  The sky was amazing…..varied shades of pink and purple clouds looked like they had been colored by my sweet angel in heaven!  I smiled thinking about Hayden sitting on our Father’s lap coloring the sky….no limits when you are coloring in heaven and the colors…breath taking!  The colors were breath taking,  up in the sky, as well as on the ground!  Have you ever thought of how many different shades of brown there are?  Brown you’re thinking, dull, drab brown….oh take another look……and then imagine Hayden on our Father’s lap with tons of crayons…..greens, blues, pinks, reds, oranges…..Soon He will painting our world with the colors of spring and the drab browns will be a mere memory!  There are times in our lives that seem drab….but those times help us to appreciate the spring times in our lives; He wants us to be at peace and content in every season….and we can if we are with HIM, when we let go of the drab worries, stresses, burdens in our lives, we are going with HIM.  Oh we might not be sitting on HIS lap like Hayden, but HE is holding us up, guiding us, comforting and protecting us….coloring our world with HIS love, contentment and peace beyond all human understanding!  Father, thank you for coloring our world with Your Love, whether it’s drab brown or perky purple!  Help us to see You in all the colors of creation!

 

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:  God has made the one as well as the other.  Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.  Ecclesiastes 7:14.  Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33.  Seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.  1 Peter 3:11-12.  I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have earned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Philippians 4:11-12.  The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7.

Love you all!

Help me trust and believe

Good Morning Friends!  My oh my, what an Awesome God is our Maker, Monday!  Yesterday, Papa and I had Cooper and Katy all day!  Good times!  After church and a lunch of hotdogs, we all settled down for a cozy nap in the living room!  Papa put on an old western, Cooper’s favorite and we each snuggled into our little space and had a little nap!  Oh I do love those Sunday afternoon naps.  After naps we had the serious job of feeding all the cows and according to Katy, Papa really needs their help!!!  So we all loaded into the old feed truck, including the dog and headed out!  The wind was bad, but the sun was warm so it was a wonderful outing, in and out of the pastures dumping feed!  Thank goodness,  Cooper is really getting good at opening the gates gives the old Nana a break!   Job complete, we headed back to the house.  Cooper, Katy and I had our usual chores, chickens, bunnies, donkeys to feed as well as filling the wood box, silly kids love to fill the wood box!  Papa headed out to move some animals.  They grabbed their donkey feed cans and headed to the feed room, I opened the door and then the feed bin….Katy was in front so she reached in to fill her can…..she gasped, “Nana, look!”  I looked into the bin surprised to see several red wasps, feasting…..then it happened, Cooper began screaming, “And it just got me, it just got me!”  He was crying and jumping up and down in pain, I thought it was under his shirt so I was trying to get his shirt off, “No, Nana my hand, he got my hand!”  Bless his heart, sure enough already his little hand was red and his finger swelling.  I put my arms around him to console and head him to the house where I could treat it.  “Come on Cooper, come with Nana, I will fix it for you, let’s get to the house……”  He ran to the house, crying and shaking his hand, I headed him to the kitchen counter and began making my magic potent for stings.  I explained what I was doing, promising the mix would help his hand to feel better.  The tears continued, but he stood still and watched as I mixed the baking soda and vinegar…once I had it mixed I took his hand and began bathing it in the stinky mix….he didn’t flinch or fight me…..Cooper knew that I would take care of him….no matter how silly the method seemed to him, he knew that he could trust his Nana to take care of his problem…..No questions asked, no arguing or pulling away….he simply trusted and believed.  In no time at all he was smiling again and ready to go back outside…..as I cleaned up the mess, thankful that I could help him, my heart took a leap….That child totally trusted me to take care of him, no questions asked….why oh why can I not trust and believe in my Father like that……Oh Father, forgive me for all the times I pull away from You, question You, struggling against Your will….strengthen my faith Father, so that I trust and believe in Your will for me…..completely.

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7.  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 43:2.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.  Isaiah 26:4.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22. 

Love you all!

Everlasting SONshine!

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!   This winter and it’s drabness has, seems to me, been the gloomiest one I remember for a long time too….the sun is having a terrible time coming out to shine on us….must say I was really happy to see it for a little while yesterday, but today, cloudy again.  I have gained empathy for people (my grandkids) that live in places like Alaska and Sweden (Ryan) where there is relatively no sunlight for several month and understand why depression, alcoholism, and suicide are so high there.  We need the sun to thrive….oh yes we crave that natural vitamin D…so at times like this winter it’s natural to feel down at times.  Every day someone, including me, whines about the lack of sun….I just love all the fun flavors of body wash these days!  I don’t usually pay much attention to the name just the ingredients, but for some reason this morning as I climbed into the shower my eyes went right to my recently purchased bottle of body wash…..Everlasting Sunshine….that’s the name of my body wash…..Everlasting Sunshine…..I knew that our Father had a lesson for me…..and it didn’t take me long to get it…..We have Everlasting SONshine every day of our lives…..God’s SON, our Jesus, shines HIS Everlasting love and forgiveness on us day in and day out……Life may seem gloomy, clouds of worry, pain, heartache hanging over us, but don’t fret needlessly….We are glowing in Everlasting SONshine!  We need the SON to thrive in faith hope and love….everlasting!  Thank you Father, for the light of Your SON no matter how gloomy things seem around us…..help us put our hope in His glow and thrive!  And Father thank you for the sunshine that is headed our way!

 

Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”  Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.  You have fill my heart with greater joy than when their grain and wine abound.  I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:6-8.  Why are you downcast, O  my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 4:11.  You are my lamp, O Lord:  the Lord turns my darkness into light.  With Your help I can advance against a troop; with  my god I can scale a wall.  2 Samuel 2:29-30.  For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.  O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.  Psalm 84:11-12.

Love you all.

Small miracles around us

Good Morning Friends!  Totally trusting in HIS love Tuesday!  My goodness, hasn’t our environment turned to winter drab in a hurry?  Seems like just a week or so ago there was still green grass in the pastures and leaves on the trees and now….the pastures and lawns are brown, the trees empty just brown branches sticking up in the air….drab.  My commute to work…well when you look around and only see dead grass and empty trees it can get a little, well you know it’s just not the same as spring.  Bleak…..like our lives without our Savior, bleak and dead from sin……But hold on…..look out the window by the chicken coop…..bright red, magnificent cardinals….one, two, three, four….gosh five beautiful, red cardinals on my fence.  Gosh I just love the bright red birds of winter…..they overtake the bleak…..As I stood at the window my heart filled with gratitude….The red birds…..red like blood….the red birds take the bleak out of winter…..Jesus blood gives us life….The cardinals are a small miracle from our Father, a dash of color in an otherwise drab environment…..Jesus’ death and resurrection is the miracle of miracles….life everlasting for us if we simply accept HIS mercy and grace.  Oh Father….my goodness, forgive my whining and help me see Your small miracles all around me, You are an awesome God.  And Father, more than anything, thank you for loving us so much that You gave us Your Son…..the red of HIS blood makes us white as snow. 

 

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.  We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.  We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God.  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Romans 6:1-11.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  2 Corinthians 9:15. 

Love you all!

I can do it myself!

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in HIS loving arms, Wednesday!  Well, how about this cold….I feel sorry for people that have to work outside like my husband and his buddy Cooper, who has been spending his days with Papa while school is out.  On Monday when it was sooo very cold Papa and Cooper had to head out the same time I did.  Well Cooper had come prepared, hat, ear muffs, gloves, long johns and the final touch, his insulated, camo coveralls!  The boy was determined to stay warm.  I was gathering up my things to head out and couldn’t help but stop and watch Cooper working so hard to get his coveralls on.  He really seemed to be struggling, so I asked him if he needed Nana to help him.  Quite adamantly he said, “No, Nana, I can do it myself!”   I said, “OK Coop” and headed out the door, chuckling.  Little stinker I thought doesn’t think he needs any help…..Oh boy……I could feel HIM next to me…..I paused.  “Kathie, My child, you are laughing at Cooper because he thinks he doesn’t need any help, when you know that if he just let you help him, the task would be so much easier…..Kathie, you are making me laugh because you are so much like Cooper at times.  So often you struggle so needlessly….worry and stress take a toll on you….when if you would just let ME help….You know that’s what I’m here for to help….carry your burdens, ease your stress, heal your pain, watch over your kiddos and friends, wrap My arms around you, comfort and protect you…..if you would just let go and LET ME….I love you.  No matter how big or small the issue is, precious child….I can handle it!  Call on ME!  Thank you Father, oh my goodness…..forgive me for trying to go it alone…..help me to simply trust and believe in YOU!

With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment.  Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow.  Proverbs 3:5-6.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for HIM.  Psalm 37:7.The Lord is good, giving protection in times of trouble.  He knows who trusts in Him.  Nahum  1:7.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91:2.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18. 

Love you all!

Christmas is never over!

Good Morning Friends!!!!  Marvelous is HIS love, Monday!   Merry Christmas!!!!  No, I have not gone completely nuts….but I have spent a lot of time taking down Christmas decorations the last few days….Yep, I begrudgingly hauled the storage containers into the house thinking Christmas is over….time to get this stuff down and packed up for another year!  I figured the task would not take too long….take it down, put it in container and go one to the next thing right…..Well, about the third little ornament I held in my hands I realized the job was not quite as simple as I had first thought….Each decoration had its own story….memory….some were made by our children or grandchildren, some given to me by precious friends, some I picked out myself….each one telling its own story…..suddenly I didn’t want to take them down and pack them away….I wanted to keep them out where I could see them and remember their stories……but I thought that’s silly, Christmas is over!  At that moment, I could hear our Father, I could feel HIM close to me…..I could feel baby Jesus in my heart….alive and well…..CHRISTmas is never over!!!!  We may just officially celebrate once a year, but our hearts and lives must celebrate every day!!!!  Oh gosh, let’s not ever pack Jesus away…..let’s love HIM, serve Him, worship and praise HIM every day….in every way we can….Let’s keep Christmas on going all year long….. "On the 364 day of Christmas my JESUS gave to me….love and forgiveness…..every day of CHRISTmas HE loves and forgives us and that’s not an easy task…so let’s not pack HIM away…never ever!  Father, thank you for the gift of YOUR SON our SAVIOR, help us to live our lives every day with the true CHIRSTmas Spirit…..Joy to the World, The Lord has Come and is staying!

 

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.  For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as bride adorns herself with her jewels.  Isaiah 61:10.  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Psalm 100:1-2.  And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  Luke 2:7, “  She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  ”…….There was no room in the inn, but oh yes….there must always be room in our hearts for HIM!

Love you all!