Help us hear You in the thunder

Good Morning Friends!  Totally loved by HIM Tuesday!!!   Well, how about this crazy weather!  Most of you know that I hate driving in any kind of bad weather conditions….and ever since my accident, blinding rain terrifies me.   This morning as I was gathering up my things to come to work, I could hear it starting to rain, it was so dark and the wind was really blowing….oh gosh I thought…Please let me get to work before it gets bad….as I headed out the driveway, there was a huge flash of lightening…it was horizontal all the way across the sky…Oh no, is all I could think of, please let me get to work safely, was my prayer.   As I got closer to town the rain got heavier, but I could see just fine and there wasn’t much traffic, but I was still tense gripping the steering wheel for dear life.  I never heard any thunder, but that lightening….one flash was so big, so bright the whole sky glowed….but no thunder… so, it wasn’t real close, the rain was not very hard and the wind had died down….Hmm…Father, You are there aren’t You?  Oh yes, my goodness You are always there….when the storms are raging, You are right there lighting our way with Your love….the winds blow, but You provide shelter, thunder roars… help us to hear You in the thunder, to hear and feel Your power over the storms of this world….You are always there with us, but we are so weak…gripping the steering wheel instead of holding on to You!!!  I had an email from a friend early this morning asking me how my ride to work was.  I told her that is was ok, but I was just hoping to get here before the storm hit.  She said, “Oh is it storming?   There are no windows anywhere near me, so as far as I am concerned it’s a lovely, sunny day out there!”  She’s not worried about a storm because she cannot see….she’s trusts that the sun is shining…..Oh Father help us all to let go of the steering wheel and  trust in the shining light of Your SON to see us through the storms!

 

One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.”  So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep.  A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”  He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  “Where is your faith?”  He asked His disciples.  In fear and amazement they asked one another, ”Who is this?  He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.”  Luke:822-25.

Love you all!

The gardens of our faith

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and Wonderful Wednesday, loved by HIM!    One of the first things I do each morning when I get to work is tare off yesterday and look at today on my daily calendar; each day has a bible verse.  A couple days ago, the verse was from Genesis 1:29….”Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.  They will be yours for food.’ “   At first glance, I didn’t think too much about it, I paused and said a thank you for my food each day…..and then later as I read it again….it made me think of a garden.  Have you noticed how gardens are just popping up all over….in backyards in town and in the country wow, some great big ones!  Kim and I haven’t planted a garden ourselves in the last few years, but Cooper and Katy’s mom and dad are gardeners extrodinaire!!  Lucky for us, they share!  I can hardly wait for that first, plumb, red-garden tomato…bring on the bacon.  Cooper has already brought us yummy radishes and lettuce, a friend at work has shared lettuce too, and a friend at church brought me fresh onions and cabbage…all from their gardens!  Gardens are a blessing and when shared, a true blessing to the receiver!  The more I pondered this verse, anticipating all the wonderful, fresh veggies to come my way, I couldn’t help but think about all the work that goes into producing a good garden!  Tending a garden is no small feat, it takes a lot of time and dedication, but oh the benefits are awesome!  Wouldn’t you agree?  Well, all this gardening got me to thinking about some more of God’s word from Galatians 5:22-23….”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”   The gardens growing in our neighborhoods are not the only gardens that need to be tended…..the gardens of our faith….the gardens that should produce the “fruits of the Spirit” need lots of attention in order for us to do our Father’s will and give glory to HIM through our words and deeds.  We need to “weed” out envy, greed, in-tolerance, gossip; we need to “irrigate” our faith with God’s word, prayer, Christian fellowship; we need to spray to “kill” ugly thoughts, grudges, laziness, lack of empathy.  We cannot produce the God’s fruits on our own…we need HIS help to guide us and feed us….but when we come to HIM through His word and prayer, taking time to “tend” our faith we can produce “fruits” words, thoughts, and actions that help others…actions that give HIM glory!  Help us Father to be the best “gardeners” we can be, draw us to you daily to be fed.  And Father thank you for friends and neighbors that share with us!  “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”  Galatians 5:24-26.

Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32.

Love you all!

He's got us covered!

Well my scenario might be a bit confusing, but think you will get the idea!  Blessings on your day.

 

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!  I was heading down the highway this morning, like I do every  day going to work, but this morning I left the house a little later than usual.  I know now, why I like to leave early….there was so much more traffic than when I leave a little earlier; I really had to pay more attention to everything around me.  All of a sudden it was coming at me from all sides….a big truck was merging onto the highway on the right of me, but a another big truck was coming up behind me and there was a van in front of me too close to get around it, but yikes got to get out of the way of these trucks…gosh, they were coming at me from all directions….for just a few seconds I really panicked…..was I about to be in the middle of a bad accident???!!!!  I’m sure I sent a prayer up, but was concentrating so hard on getting out of danger's path….well, the van managed to stay out of the merging trucks way and I was able to get around the van without getting rear-ended by truck behind me….I took a deep breath, relaxed and said a big “THANK YOU FATHER.”   As I drove on into work, my mind was whirling about what just happened…danger coming at me from all directions.  I chuckled out loud and began a conversation with our Father….Father, my goodness wasn’t I just in a dither this morning about the world crashing in on us from all directions….Golly molly…Father, You got me out of the mess on the highway…..and YOU are with me now….all these stresses, worries, overwhelmed by life….my goodness….FATHER, here I am….here come my burdens…..spread Your arms wide…there’s a bunch of them, but I know that YOU got me covered!  Wow, Father, thank you!  I feel so much better already!   Come on world!

 

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have love you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3.  The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving (don’t forget this part), present your requests to God.  And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heats and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7. 

Love  you all!

Stay put...in HIM!

Good Morning Friends!  First and foremost, HIS, Friday!!   The other evening, Kim was sharing what he had to do the next day….it was looking a bit tricky.  He had to have Axle to the vet in Atoka by 7:30 and then be in Paul’s Valley by 9 with bunnies to meet the lady that buys them for her pet store.  For those of you that don’t live around here, that is not a small feat….doable under good conditions, but not a sure thing!  So, he decided that he would leave out a little after 6, in hopes that they could take Axle a little early, then on to Paul’s Valley.  The next morning as he prepared to head out, I asked him if there was anything I could to help….I was secretly hoping he would say, no, that’s ok, because you know how I love my early morning time, but instead he said, “Well, if you want to come help me load the bunnies that would be great, they are really hard to load.”  Oh my gosh I thought, they are little bunnies, cute little furry bunnies, how hard could it be!  But, I said sure and followed him out to the rabbit barn.  He set out the boxes for me to put them in and then climbed on a chair to get them out of their pen.  He open the door got the first one and handed it to me.  As he did, he said now hold on to it be careful, I really was not worried…it’s a sweet little bunny….Ha, Ha, joke was on me…..I could barely hold on to it long enough to get it in the box and then….OH MY GOSH, Kim said “Look out, close the lid”  I couldn’t believe it, that little stinker tried to jump out!   I closed the box and reached up for the next one…..I was a bit more careful from then on and  couldn’t help thinking….how in the world does he get the cute little bunnies loaded all by himself!  I guess I shouldn’t have been so critical!  The thought kept nagging at me that we just don’t know another person’s job until we do it!!!!  Gosh, how often we jump to criticize others, when we should be encouraging and supporting instead!  “Hello Father, gosh how are You today?  Thanks for stopping by, what’s up?”  Well, first My child, I am always here….you just don’t always, pay attention.”  Ouch, that one hurt….”Second, those are pretty smart bunnies….they had a good lesson for you, actually they have two lessons.”  “Really, tell me more Father.”  Well, Kathie remember the other day when you talked about ‘speeding down and slowing up’?”

“Well, sure, but what….”   “Think about those cute, furry little bunnies acting all crazy, jumping out of the box into a world they know nothing about!  They have been well taken care of, but now want to jump out, be crazy….it’s a dangerous world out there….they are not prepared to go out on their own….clueless in fact.  Are you getting the idea?”   “Oh Father, I sure am.  Who would have thought You could put two good lessons for us in those cute little bunnies!  Not only do we need to be mindful of judging others, we also need to stay put…IN YOU!!!  No jumping out on our own…..unprotected from this crazy word…..Take my hand and lead me Father, slow me down and keep me in the box of YOUR LOVE!”

 

As for God, His way is perfect; the Lord’s would is flawless.  He shields all who take refuge in Him.  2 Samuel 22:31.

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.”  Matthew 7:1-2.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there!

Love you all!

Speed down or slow up!

Good Morning Friends!  Today was my weekly “share a ride” day with my good friend Linda!  We made a New Year’s resolution to ride together one day a week and by golly, we have stuck to it!  Gosh, I really look forward to it; today was my turn to drive, so I picked her up in Tupelo.  She was already there when I pulled in, but I wanted us to have a tasty coffee so I ran into the store, got us coffee, then buckled in and headed to work.  We were having the best time chatting about current events, laughing about our husbands, sharing grandkid stories, what fun we have; as I got close to our exit, traffic was a bit heavy (well they were in my way anyway)!  I attempted to go around one car, but they were going too fast, I needed to get into the right lane, and pretty quickly in order to make my exit.  Yikes….there wasn’t a whole lot of room between the car in front of me and the one behind, but I had to get in there……I was getting a little panicked, I let off the gas slowing down enough to sneak in between, it was obvious I wasn’t going around.  As I prepared to ease over I said out loud…..”I’ve got to speed down or slow up, now!”   “Speed down or slow up”  oh my gosh, Linda and I both burst out laughing…..I was certainly in a dither….frantic to make my exit….words coming out of my mouth that made no sense.  We chuckled and decided that aging has a way of making it much easier to laugh at ourselves.  We finished the last leg of our commute, still chuckling as we walked into work!  As I was clocking in, I felt that familiar tap on my shoulder….I was happy to hear from our FATHER, but I knew there was a lesson in store for me.  I paused, relaxed and listened as HE pointed out how my statement, “slow up or speed down” wasn’t far off from my life at times!   “Kathie, you so often head into things not knowing if you are coming or going….slowing up or speed down……”  Hmmm, I thought to myself as HE continued….”Precious child, do you know why you go about so crazy, hither and thither at times?  All stressed out and anxious…”   Hmmm, I thought again…..almost afraid to ask….”Go ahead Father, I’m listening, tell me.”   “You go without consulting ME first…..you think you have things under control, or you think you are just too busy to stop and chat with ME before you head out for a busy day….WRONG!!!!!   Take MY hand and let ME lead you…..everywhere.  I love you, I want the best for you, safe, and at peace….come to ME first, then head out.  I will keep you going in the right direction…..slowing down or speeding up, whatever the case need be.”   Oh Father, thank you.....how silly we are so often to head out alone, when YOU are always waiting to guide and protect us.

 

The Lord is with you when you are with Him.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you.  2 Chronicles 15:2.  Dominion and awe belong to God; He establishes order in the heights of heaven.  Job 25:2.  The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.  Proverbs 3:26.  The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  Psalm 121:7-8.  I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Psalm 73:223-24.  You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.  Acts 2:28. 

Love you all!

A snake is a snake, period!

Good Morning Friends!  Forever HIS, Friday!!!  A couple of nights ago, Kathyrn and the kids came over looking for Box Tops for Cooper.  I went to the pantry and began a mad search, the kids were going bonkers, so I suggested they get the egg bucket and go out and get eggs!  Didn’t have to say it twice, they grabbed the bucket and flew out the door.  Almost before I could get back to the pantry, I heard them screaming and flying back into the house.  “Nana, Nana”  they both screamed.  “There’s a great big snake in the chicken coop!  It’s really big” Cooper excitedly reported.  “Do you have a gun Nana?  Hurry Nana we have to get it!”  Papa was gone to a meeting, so Kathyrn and I had to jump into action.  “Get a shovel or a hoe!” she said as she headed out to the coop with the kids!  I grabbed a couple different shovels and by the time I got to the coop, Kathyrn had the snake spotted.  It was big, just like Cooper said and had obviously eaten several eggs which was, in the end, its demise!  When the kids first spotted the snake, it was on the floor of the coop by the nests, by the time Kathyrn got there, it had attempted to get out through the wire on the back.  However, so fat from the eggs it had stolen, it got stuck and was just hanging there on the back wire wall.  Kathyrn and I were a bit intimidated by the size of it, so we called Charley to come on his way from work!  He killed the snake and got it out of the coop, egg yolk oozing out, what a gross site.  You could see the shape of several eggs in the very big snake; Charley figured it to be about 5.5 feet!  Gosh I was so mad at the creature, getting into my coop, scaring my chickens and eating their eggs!  UGH!  Even though it was just a chicken snake, it had to go!  We were all still hipped up when the kids left and when Kim got home I relayed the whole story in exact detail stressing, I hate that snake for eating my eggs!  And that was that!  Until I came into work the next morning and read the bible verse on my daily calendar from Genesis 1:25……”God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds.  And God saw that it was good.”  Oh my gosh, I killed one of the creatures that God created and deemed good!  What have I done!  My mind went crazy…..should we have let the snake live?  After all, it wasn’t a poisonous snake….but it ate the eggs that belonged to us and scared the chickens….is that ok….My mind was going crazy, I just couldn’t get over the thought that I had offended our Heavenly Father.  I got out my bible and did some researching, still confused I called my Pastor…I am sure he thought I was crazy, but this was really bugging me.  After a good conversation with him, what should have been obvious to me, but somehow wasn’t….duh, think HE was giving me a gentle reminder….Yes, when HE created the snakes they were good…..Yep, HE created us in HIS IMAGE, Genesis 1:26 ‘God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness….” Wow….What the heck happened??!!   I sure do not imitate God all the time….shame on me….Sin happened….the devil showed up in a serpent…tempted Eve….and that’s how it all got out of whack!  So, does that make it ok for us to “steal eggs” ?  Are we doomed because we do?  No, to both….God’s plan was not over, thank goodness, “For 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.  Wow!  That’s the good news…yes we sin, no we don’t want to, we need to try harder, but we are forgiven.  And as verse 26 of Genesis 1 continues…”and let them (man) rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  God wants us to take care of HIS earth, that’s quite a responsibility, but with HIS guidance we can do it….and if a snake is stealing your eggs…well.  Thank you Father, so very much for the reminders from You that we are all sinners, but that through the death of YOUR SON, we have forgiveness and the hope of eternal life.

 

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved….For it is grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of god—not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:4-10.

The true first "Earth Day"

Good Morning Friends!  Feeling the beauty of HIS earth today, Friday!  And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.  Genesis 1:31.  Happy Earth Day friends!  April 22, 1970 was the first day designated “Earth Day” in the hopes of drawing attention to the environment….to preserving our environment….it was the beginning, you might say, of the “environmental movement.”  I have always loved our earth, not always as aware as I should be of taking good care of it, so I think that the basic idea is good for all of us.  Earth Day, to me, began long before 1970…….”In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was hovering over the water.”  Genesis 1:1-2.  Now, that’s what I call “Earth Day” the beginning…when God decided to create, form out of nothing, the heavens and the earth!  “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  Colossians” 1:16-17.  And what a magnificent job He did, right!!!  No matter where you live you can look outside and experience the wonder of the heavens and the earth….for me living in the country, I of course think I have the best of all, green pastures, full ponds, tall full trees, animals grazing, stars twinkling, frogs croaking….never ceases to amaze me….”but ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.  Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?”  Job 12:7-9.   wherever you are, you are part of His creation…”Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.  And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”   Being made in His likeness, brings with it an incredible responsibility to take care of HIS earth…..we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalm 139:14.  We are His children, blessed to live on His magnificent earth….He has given us dominion over all the earth…..let’s get out there and give HIM all GLORY, as we enjoy and take care of HIS EARTH!  “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”  Psalm 19:1.  Happy Earth Day, every day….Thank you Father, for loving us so much!  For the wonders of Your creation, for Your Son!

 

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Psalm 100:1-2.

Love you all!

We are always His priority

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully HIS, Tuesday!  Last week, a new neighbor called Kim about having cows on his place….oh boy, Kim headed right over to our lease and headed out to find the hole!  This was new territory that he not been into before, he soon found a fence down and fixed it, thinking all was well.  That’s what he gets for thinking…..next day he gets a call from the neighbor again….more cows out…..so, once again, he drops what he’s doing and heads over to try and get the fence fixed once and for all.  He heads deeper into the woods, searching for the problem, the woods are thick, the bugs terrible, and the ticks…well use your imagination!  Plus, he has to carry t-posts and wire through the woods…once again, he finds a bad spot and thinks he has the problem taken care of once and for all.  The next day he heads out to do his regular work which he is now behind on because he has had to drop everything and head to the woods to take care of a more pressing matter!  This went on for 5 days….boy did he ever play catch up on Friday, but he did what he had to do!  On Saturday, we….well…he decided we needed to take down our old pool (it pooped out on us, no more patches) and put up the new one…..Oh boy, sounds fun right!  Well, we did have fun, worked hard, got the job done, but again, we had to let our regular Saturday chores go….and Kim always saves a few “special” chores for me on Saturday, so I knew my  Sunday afternoon would not be quite as relaxed as I like…We did get the pool up and were happy with the job, but of course, on Sunday afternoon we had to go out, in the rain and get our Saturday work done….Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the pool up and get chores done too….Monday morning as I stood in the shower, I was going over our weekend in my mind….we had to let Saturday work go to get the pool up, just like Kim had to let his weekly, regular work go in order to get the fences fixed and keep the cows in.  All of a sudden I started laughing!  Wow, I thought, I am sure glad that our Father doesn’t have to let my little needs go in order to take care of someone’s bigger, more urgent needs!!!!   Nope!  Not our Father, HE is all powerful, all knowing, and able to take care of all of our needs at the same time…..mend our broken hearts, heal our wounds, calm our anxious minds, feed, us, clothe us, guide us, love us….all of us…..all the time!  Thank you Father for taking care of each and every need of each and every one of us all the time!

 

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.  Philippians 4:19.  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  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 8:37-39.  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?  (oh yes you are, all of us!)  Matthew 6:26.  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 3:1a.

Love you all!

Don't miss out on God's FUN blessings

Good Morning Friends!  Find HIS fun blessings, Friday!   Most of you know that I have 3 miniature donkeys, Cloe, Eyore, and baby Sky.  Their main home is a small pasture adjoining the front yard butting up to the chicken coop.  I like having them where I can see them from the kitchen window and be able to give them treats when I go outside.  A couple of weeks ago, we moved Eyore over to the fenced yard in the front of the house.  You can’t get the lawnmower in it, so we periodically put Eyore in there to mow, plus it gives the girls a break.  Well, the whole time he has been there, around 5:30 am, he lets out an ear piercing hee haw, keep in mind, he is right outside the living room.  Things are very quiet in the house at that time, as I am chatting with our FATHER and Kim is snoozing in his chair, so when the hee haw sounds, you can’t help but notice…and honestly usually I am a bit annoyed…..This morning however, when he started in with his serenade, I smiled, just couldn’t help myself, one of those oh gosh what a stinker, but sure glad you're mine, kind of smiles….Know what I mean, and I chuckled thinking of him out there by himself, wishing he was over with the girls eating hay…gosh darn silly donkeys, I just love them!  This weekend Kim and I are going to move all three of them to a pasture a ways back from the house.  I won’t be able to see them unless I take the time to walk out there, and the morning serenade will be no more…..I always hate it when we move them, but it’s necessary so that their pen can rejuvenate and grow some nice grass for the summer.  This morning as I sat in the quiet darkness, still smiling from our hee haw serenade, I said a thank you prayer to our Father for the fun blessing of Cloe, Eyore and baby Sky…..no matter how annoying at the time, I will miss my morning serenade, but look forward to the green grass growing so the little family can return to their home.  God blesses us with so many “fun blessings” but we must slow down to see them, hear them, even smell them…stepping outside right after the lawn has been mowed, geese flying overhead in perfect V- formation, babies laughing at my silly faces, stopping to look at a turtle crossing the road, fresh from the garden veggies shared by friends, counting how many green eggs with Katy, shopping at the $Tree for treats to send to Tanleigh & Tucker (affordable treats), hearing Tanleigh say “Nana”……fun blessings…in the hectic, stressful, hurry of life….take time to enjoy the fun blessings, the little things that God sends our way to brighten our day….and then share!  Thank you Father for the fun little blessings all around us.  Open our eyes, ears, hearts and minds to savor them, slow us down so we don’t miss out, bless us with attitudes of gratitude and joyful hearts singing praises to YOU.

 

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (s)!  2 Corinthians 9:15.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20.  Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.   Psalm 111:2.  Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:7.  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24.

Love you all.

Do what you can do!

Good Morning Friends!! Totally loved by HIM, Tuesday!  Sunday afternoon, after a busy Saturday, Kim and I were taking it easy watching a movie when we had a surprise visit from Cooper, Katy and Mom!  Woo Hoo!  We were both excited to see them, heading right to the door to great them!  Papa was holding the door open, I was behind him, Coop rushed in first, “Hi Pop” he said as he passed Papa and charged to my open arms….I wrapped my arms around him as he snuggled in for one of those “oh how great it is to be a Nana” hugs.  My heart glowed with the warmth of his love.  We even got Katy snuggled in for a group hug, much better than the old western movie we had been watching!  I wonder if he has any idea what joy those hugs bring me…..This morning I was reading in Mark 14, Jesus was having dinner with friends when a woman came in an opened an expensive jar of perfume and poured it on Jesus.  The disciples had a fit, she is wasting that, they told Jesus, it could have been sold and given to the poor.  They couldn’t believe that Jesus didn’t get mad at her….It was Jesus response that grabbed a hold of me…..He told them, “Leave her alone…She has done a beautiful thing to Me…..She did what she could.”  (Mark 14:6-8).   Those words really hit me….she did what she could….What she did wasn’t earth shattering or spectacular, I mean she didn’t end world hunger or convert a thousand people to Christianity….but…..she did what she could.  Jesus was happy with that, those are HIS words….Hmmm, as I pondered this my mind was in a whirl….HE wants us to do what we can, no great expectations of us changing the world, or traveling the world spreading the gospels…..just do what we can….Now, if you can travel the world and spread the gospel, go for it!  Go with God’s blessings, but each of us when empowered by the Holy Spirit and filled with the love of God can do HIS work……we can do…what we can do!  And God will bless us, if we are inspired by the Holy Spirit….In the midst of my whirling this morning, I thought of Cooper’s hug on Sunday……makes me smile…I know how much Cooper loves JESUS….so I know that Cooper did what he could,  he was inspired by the love of Jesus to hug his Nana, so deeply, so lovingly that Nana has been smiling from the inside out ever since……So let’s take a lesson from Cooper and do what we can do….today, right now!  We just never know what a little act of kindness, inspired by the love of Jesus, can do for someone….an unexpected hug, a few extra minutes with a friend in need, volunteering to do a job that no one else seems to want, listening, hearing, sharing, loving, caring, smiling, laughing, crying, hugging….from the inside out.   Father, fill us with the Holy Spirit and give us the desire to do what we can…..to Your glory.

 

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.  Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32.  Jesus said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”  Matthew 10 :42.  Keep on loving each other.  Hebrews 13:1.

 

Love you all!

I will give you rest

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderful to be HIS child, Wednesday!  Well, how’s everybody doing?  Is it just me, or does life just seem to be so crazy, hectic, busy, and so much turmoil in our world?   Sometimes, it all just seems to hit me and really weigh me down….I hate that, but sometimes…..like yesterday…..it happens.   Seemed like an ordinary morning at first and then bam….My husband and I got into a nasty screaming match, as a result, I left for work all upset…that started it…Darn, I really hate to leave for work like that, but I was really irritated.  My work day, was quite busy, which I like, but I felt like everybody was a bit off, like me…then in the afternoon, I had a call from a close family member very distraught…..at the brink of an emotional breakdown…..this person is precious to me, so my heart became heavy with worry….heavy….my heart, mind, and body felt heavy….worry, stress, anxiety taking over, stealing my joy….I try to be upbeat, positive, encouraging….I know I am a blessed child of God, but gosh…the day had me….heavy.  So on top of all that, I was mad at myself.  I was glad that Linda and I had car pooled, so I had someone to talk to on the way home….a good friend indeed to listen to me!  When I got home, Kim was still working, but when I talked to him he seemed to be in a good mood….that was good.  I had time to get some extra little chores done, plus get a head start on dinner before he came in.  Wow, when he came in, I could tell that his mood was so improved from the morning.  We talked, and calmly resolved the issues from the morning…what a relief….a little bit later, I got another call from my distraught family member….she had talked with her husband and got the support she needed and was in a way better place….oh thank you Father, I prayed…I felt lighter….then I got a text from a co-worker thanking me for the littlest deed….Oh Father…..I smiled as I closed my eyes, thanking HIM again, joyfully praising HIM for lifting the weight….asking for HIS forgiveness for carrying it by self in the first place…."Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28  Thank you Jesus…

 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15.

Love you all!

No sin is too big for Him to roll away!

Good Morning Friends!!!  Totally loved and forgiven by HIM, Tuesday!  Last Sunday in Sunday school we continued our Easter lessons by making an edible empty tomb!  I got the idea from Pintrest, and thought it would be a fun activity to do while I read the Resurrection account from the Gospels of Luke and Mark. The kids listened as I read and then I had them put together their empty tombs.  I gave them each a Graham cracker as the base, we then frosted the crackers with green frosting to represent grass, for the tomb, we used half a donut, setting it on the cracker so you could see right through it….hence the empty tomb.  Last, but not least was the stone; for that we used a donut hole and placed it beside the tomb.  I must say, they were pretty cute and allowed for a wonderful discussion about the events of that first Easter morning!  The tombs were so cute that I had a teacher take a picture so we could share them…..later when I had a chance to look at the picture, I couldn’t help but notice that our stones….donut holes….actually stood taller than our tombs….half donut.  I chuckled a bit thinking oh well, they are still cute, but the thought kept rolling around in mind….The stone was bigger than the tomb, but was still rolled away…..Wow!  Rolled away for us…..all of us…..rolled away so our SAVIOR could emerge….with life eternal for us….all of us!  No sin is too big for HIM to roll away….No sin too big to bring to HIM…..And HE doesn’t just roll a little ways….NO!  HE rolls it down the cliff, into the water……gone forever…."I even, I am HE who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”  Isaiah 43:25.  Our Savior welcomes us to come to HIM give HIM our sins and accept HIS full forgiveness….no cost, no fees, no hidden surprises….forgiveness…Free…"It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God.”  Ephesians 2:8.  OH Father….we come humbly to You, knowing we do not deserve Your forgiveness and mercy, but Thank You Father for loving us so much that You roll all our stones away!

 

“Come now, let us reason together,” says 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 transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12.  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.

Love  you all!

The magnificent taste of the goodness of the Lord

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by HIM, Thursday!  A couple of days ago, during my scripture time, I came across a verse from Psalm 34 that I just couldn’t get out of my mind.  Verse 8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”  I was all about the “blessed is the man” part, but the  “taste and see”  I know the LORD is good, but the “taste” part has me pondering ever sense I read it.  Now I have read that verse who knows how many times in my life, it’s highlighted in all of my bibles, but for some reason tasting the Lord just got me wondering…..how do we taste the Lord, besides in Holy Communion…..well, like I said for the past several days “taste the Lord” has been rolling around in my head….until last night, finally came all together for me….Kim had a call from a neighbor with a joining property;  he was calling to let Kim know we had sheep on his place.  Oh boy, we were relaxing on the porch at the time, I really didn’t relish the idea of loading into the truck and roaming pastures to get them back home.  However, that’s what we did…..the windows were down in the truck, and it was so nice I didn’t roll mine up….gosh, I thought, the air is so fresh, no wind either, as we headed up to where the sheep are we first passed the cows grazing on the most luscious green pasture!  I had not been out in a week and I couldn’t believe how much greener everything was and the calves are getting so big; the black cows look so magnificent against the luscious green….then we hit the sheep; lots of them were home where they were supposed to be, quite happy to see Kim in the feed truck, little did they know they were not getting fed again….we headed out into the pasture to find the roamers, look at the trees they are really starting to leaf out, oh gosh are those wildflowers blooming…yes, wow, beautiful!  We got the sheep in, found the hole in the fence, visited with the neighbor and headed out.  I couldn’t help but point out the fantastic sky….grey and white clouds mixed in joy with the rays of the setting sun illuminating them….magnificent….the ponds are so full, oh look at that flock of ducks flying overhead in a perfect V formation….What a wonderful evening….I felt so much more relaxed and at peace as we pulled back into the yard…Kim grilled us a steak and I fixed some veggies,  my first bite of steak “tasted so good”……hmm, I paused and said a thank you prayer….not for the taste of my steak, but for the magnificent taste of the goodness of the Lord, through the magnificence of HIS creation!  Oh Father, thank you for the beauty all around us, the miracles of YOU!  Help us to use all of our senses to “taste” Your goodness, and be filled with Your eternal love….to rest in Your peace.

 

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.  Psalm 34:8-9.  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 2:2-3.  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Psalm 119:103.  Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  Amen!  Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.  Amen!  Revelation 7:12.

Love you all!

The shepherd and his sheep

Good Morning Friends!  Totally loved by HIM, Tuesday!   How long has it been since you have seen or heard a hundred baby lambs, running, jumping, baaing for mama?  Sound like fun?…..Well come on out to Lula, it’s lambing time!  Last summer, Kim replaced his old ewes with young ones and this is their first time to lamb, so he has been extra watchful and careful… first-time mamas can have problems birthing.  He decided when they first started lambing to lock them into a large catch pen, rather than let them go out into the pasture, allowing him to keep a closer eye on them.  It’s extra work with all the feeding, but so much safer.  Well, a couple weeks ago our well pump went out so there was no water in the catch pen; he had no choice but to let them out into a pasture with a pond while the well was repaired.  Oh boy, they loved being out in the pasture….but there was no way he could leave them out there, he had to bring them in at dusk, no matter what it took.  I was with him that first day, it was a bit of a chore to say the least, but they sure liked the fresh grass, so being the kind shepherd that he is, Kim has let them out each morning to graze and brings them in at night, feeds them, and locks them in.  As he pulls into the alley way where he feeds, he turns on the siren on the feed truck, his signal to the animals that chow is on!  Sunday evening I got to go out with him to let them in; during the week he is usually done by the time I get home, so I was looking forward to seeing all the little ones.  As we drove in I could see them all way out in the back pasture…oh boy I thought, this could be a real rodeo, but as soon as Kim turned on the siren they started running in mass towards the gate and feed!  It was truly amazing to watch them come as Kim stood out in the pasture to make sure no one was left behind for coyote bait.  He noticed one lone lamb way out and was headed out to get it, when I hollered at him….”I’ll go, rest your weary legs.”  As soon as they were all in and the gate was locked we filled the troughs with grain….they just go crazy, but what a joy to see them all together, safe, protected, fed, and growing strong.  As we drove away I could still hear the babies baaing for their mamas (they were of course bellied up to the troughs), their cries made me smile….Is that what I sound like to our Good Shepherd….I laughed as I thought, “of course Kim is a good shepherd to his sheep, he had the Perfect Example…our Savior.”  “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…..Ps. 23”  He protects me from the coyotes of a sinful world, He feeds me with His word and provides me with all I need on this earth, He calms my fears.  Kim’s sheep know the sound of his feed truck, Jesus says of us, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”  John 10:27-28.  No one can snatch us out of HIS hands, Kim, try as he might can never guarantee that one of his lambs will not get snatched….Our Good Shepherd, is our Savior, our God and Lord…..”My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”  John 10:29-30.   Thank Father, for a Shepherd that laid down HIS life for us…”Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23:6.

 

Love you all!

This IS the day the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it!

Good Morning Friends!  Fabulous Friday, loved by HIM!  Gosh, after two nights of very restless sleep, I finally had a good sleep last night.  As I sat in my cozy recliner, snuggled in my blanket made by my granddaughters, bible in hand, I had to say a thank you prayer for feeling so awake and refreshed!  One of my readings was Psalm 96, the words fit my mood, filling me with such joy and praise as I read, “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.  Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.  For GREAT is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary .” (1-6).  My mood just got better and better, we had a simple but yummy breakfast, no bickering and I got out of the house early, so I could go to the bank before work!  I was feeling quite happy, positive, praising our Father with each step to the car, and singing “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow” as I buckled my seat belt!  Oh yes a fabulous day indeed…..and then…Well, let’s say my perfect little day got a bit bumpy.  Kim was calling, for goodness sakes, I wasn’t even out of the driveway yet, what could he want.  “Do you have time to….?????”  My mind went ballistic…and I am sure my tone matched….My perfect day was all set, leave early, go by bank before work and have all lunch hour to work out….yep perfect.  Until, “do you have time?”  Kim wanted me to wait while he printed off a bid that just came via email; the bid along with others, needed to go to Commissioners office…Oh no, that meant I had to go at lunch, giving up exercise time….Ugh!  I felt my mood rapidly deteriorating, but I said yes, but hurry.  In a minute he called and told me to go on because he couldn’t find the other bids….I said ok and once again began to pull out of drive, at that point he had discovered the bag of chicken scraps sent home with me last night by a good friend…they had defrosted all over the bbq where I had left them when I got home last night.  Usually I give them to the chickens right away, but we were going to dinner with Cooper and Katy so there wasn’t time. I meant to do it when we got home, but of course….completely forgot.  Well, he was irritated by the mess, so I stopped the car, unbuckled, ran to the porch and grabbed the yucky, wet, sloppy bag, and headed to the coop.  Kim’s irritation serenading me all the way.  OK, bag emptied, hands rinsed, back in car, buckled and headed down the road, quite irritated myself….The phone rings again, Kim…I figured he was calling to apologize, nope….he found the bids and wanted me to come back and get them!!!!  I could not believe my ears!!!!  I flipped a Ueeee, and headed back to the house…..making no effort to disguise my disgust,  I grabbed the papers from his hand and headed out again!  My positive mood from earlier gone!  Thing is, the words from Psalm 96 kept resounding in my mind….. "Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength..  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name.”  Oh dear, was I giving God glory with my attitude…wow, look at the blossoms on those trees, they are about to bud, my goodness what a huge flock of turkeys, amazing, that pond is sure full…spring is really going to be beautiful….Oh my… "Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.  Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His truth.”  The words of the Psalm were all I needed to bring me back….to fill me again with joy….joy in being HIS child, blessed with the beauty of HIS creation and love of family and friends day in and day out.  “This IS the day the LORD has made!”  I am rejoicing in it!!!!  Forgive me Father, for letting the little things in my life get in the way of YOUR GLORY!!!  All GLORY and HONOR to YOU!

 

Have a great weekend…no matter what!

Love you all!

He did not procrastinate our salvation

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His Tuesday!  How about this weather!  Yesterday everybody was talking about how beautiful it was on Saturday, and all the stuff they did outside, enjoying the weather.  Some went to the lake, lots of fishing, yard work, just fun being outside.  When I was asked about enjoying the weather Saturday, I had a different story to tell.  You see, Kim and I had a major project….paperwork…..in the office…..that really needed to get done!  We had made a deal that Saturday would be the day….all day at best.  We did go out and feed the sheep and calves, water the hogs, but that was it….as nice as it was already then and as tempted as we were to stay outside, procrastinating the paper work….we didn’t!  We dragged ourselves back into the house…..straight to the office….and dug in!  More than once during the day, Kim tried to lure me outside…it is so nice he said….we can do this later….NO!!!!  Let’s get it done and we did!  As I was finishing up on Sunday (yes was a two day project) filing the last pieces, I was hit with the greatest thought….made me smile…from the inside out…..Aren’t we thankful that our Heavenly Father didn’t procrastinate giving us His Son, our Savior Jesus, to wash us clean from sin?  To give us the promise of eternal life?  He sure could have….how do you think He felt when Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane…”My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  Do you think He liked seeing His Son suffering, and then on the cross in the ninth hour when Jesus called out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  As a mom, I know to see your child in pain and sadness hurts my heart….I know that our Father’s heart ached for His Son, but HE did not procrastinate our Salvation….He gave HIS only Son…..for us….all of us….Jesus died for us, but most importantly, HE rose for us….eternal life is now ours….believe and you will be saved.  “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”  Ephesians 2:8.  Father, thank you for not procrastinating our salvation, thank you for YOUR Son, our SAVIOR.  Keep our faith strong.  And Father, we do so often procrastinate the things that are important in our lives…forgive us and give us Your strength and guidance to do what we need to do, when we need to do it!

 

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.

Love you all!

Using the gifts God gave us

Good Morning Friends!!  Forever His, Friday!  I found a cool, fun, yet learning project for my Sunday school kids for Lent.  They are making posters depicting the events of Holy Week.  To get us going we read the events starting with Palm Sunday through Christ’s resurrection from the Gospels; then we went over each major event and talked about how they could make posters for them.  I let them pick the event they wanted and told them to be as creative as they wanted to be.  Thanks to lots of generous crafters and friends that donate cool stuff, we had more than enough things to cut and glue and paint and color…..from popsicle sticks to colorful feathers, live palm leaves, and  real pokey thorns for His crown!  They were so excited as they started gathering things, the teachers and I kept very busy finding their requests and making some little suggestions, but I was very adamant that I wanted the posters to be the kids….however they turned out….the kids were doing their best!  Sometimes it is very hard for us to let the kids do their own thing, seems like we often think we know how to do things better than the actual doer!  So, as hard as it was for us adults I insisted all the way that the kids could do it their way….with the skills that they have.  Each child has different creative abilities, so the posters are all very different, some quite intricate others simple….but each one perfect because each child did their very best with the skills that our Father gave them….I even let them pick the place in the church they wanted to hang their posters….they decided on the big hallway between the fellowship hall and our classrooms….perfect…Now the plain white walls are adorned with  HOLY WEEK…..the children are proud of their accomplishments….I am proud of them….As we hung our last poster I thought, sure hope the congregation likes them…..doesn’t judge them….but appreciates that the children did their best to God’s glory.  As I have pondered our posters this week, I know that God wants each of us to always do our very best…..using the skills that we have from HIM.  We are all different, so we don’t do things the same way, that’s ok… "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve other, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 4:10-11.  “Each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, anther has that.” 1 Corinthians 7:7.  Point is, use it….God gives to us, and desires that we use our gifts to His glory and….”Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians.  So,….”Serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you.”  1 Chronicles 28:9.  Father help us to, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever!”

  2 Peter 3:18.

Have a great weekend!  Love you all!

Why did the guinea hen cross the road?

Good Morning friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!   For the last few days on my ride into work I have encountered a flock of guineas, probably 20 or maybe a few more….they live on the north side of the road…..Now, I said that’s where they live, however I didn’t say that’s where they spend all their time.  Oh No!  Each morning as I turn onto Old 3W, I have to be on the lookout for these critters crossing the road to eat at the neighbors.  Now, let me say this…..the home of this flock of clever birds is very nice, you know big grassy yard with undoubtedly an abundance of tasty morsels, you know ticks, fleas, gnats, moist little weeds buried in the grass….tasty for sure….the yard across the road…well it’s fine, but not as big and not as much vegetation to pick through….yet these strange winged critters risk their lives by crossing a busy road to get to the yard across the street….And why….well of course, they just know that the grub across the road has got to better than the grub at their place!  Each day as I slow down and wait for them to cross, I give them a little lecture….You silly birds, why do you risk your life getting a cross the road when you have everything you need at home….This morning, I felt the familiar tap on my shoulder.  “Hello Father, how are YOU today? “  “Kathie, My child, you are the silly one….why do you strive to ‘cross the road’ to the good life, when you have everything you need right here with ME?  You risk your faith when you slight your prayer life, your time with Me in My word, worship, and Christian fellowship.  You put yourself at risk because when you are not with Me, things that are not of Me, start looking better than what you have.”  “Oh Father, I get it…..You hold everything that I need….You hold the key to life everlasting with YOU.  I don’t need to run after more and more things, bigger, better, prettier, faster, more, more, more….NO, NO, NO….YOU are all that I need!  To love and trust and in YOU and YOU only for what’s best for me.  You know what we need before we ask, You want what’s best for us and You gave us Your only SON.”  Thank you Father, for taking such good care of us and giving us enough of everything we need.  Forgive us when we think we need more and more…..thank you for YOUR gentle reminders that keep us from temptation.

 

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.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:12-13. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5.  But 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.  Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.  Proverbs 16:8.  A happy heart makes the face cheerful Proverbs 15:13.  Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.  Ecclesiastes 4:6.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  Psalm 33:21.

Love you all!

 

The flames of life's temptations

Good Morning Friends!  Must remain in HIM, Monday!!!  Kim had really been wanting to burn one of our pastures, but had to wait until weather conditions were just right, most importantly the wind.  Gosh we have had so much wind lately and it is just too risky to start fires if it’s windy.  Looked like maybe Friday evening would be good….he called the firemen to get some to come and help him and then waited….finally about 5:30 he had enough men committed to come help and the wind was calm, humidity good, so he made the big decision to light it up!  A little after 6, Kathyrn and the kids came over….Cooper is all about the firemen stuff you know, so he was all suited up in his wildland gear and Katy too in brother’s hand-me-down fire suit.  Cooper couldn’t contain himself….”Nana we have to go up to the cabin and see the fire, Nana please, please…..”  Mom and I both tried to convince him that he could see better if we stayed at the house, but he wasn’t having it at all!!!  “We Have TO GO!”  We walked outside and showed him where they had started to burn, that just made him want to go more!  So, we loaded into the van and headed up the hill.  We went as far as we thought was safe and we wouldn’t get stuck, then headed up the hill on foot towards the cabin.  When we got there small fires were burning all around the cabin; they were out making a fire line.  Cooper was thrilled….fire!  In a few minutes the guys all showed up and were ready to head out again; Papa was on the 4-wheeler and invited Cooper to go with him, oh yea, Cooper was gone in a flash, of course poor Katy was crying, “I want to go….”  Papa promised he would be back for her, so Kathyrn and I settled in on fire watch at the cabin….the flames were getting bigger and Kathyrn and I were getting cold and really wanted to go to the house, but Katy would have no part of that….pretty soon she was crying and I convinced her to come to the house and have a “Nana bath” and cheese pizza.  So off we went, gosh it was so dark by then we had a time getting to the car and the fires were really popping up all over the pasture.  Kathyrn and I talked about the fact that it is really so pretty to watch it burn, the colors in the flames so brilliant, we drove past some that were so big, gosh they were amazingly beautiful.  From the house the pasture seemed to be dancing with flames, it was truly a magnificent site….beautiful yet at the same time so dangerous.  The next morning the first thing Kim and I did was drive the whole hill checking for hot spots.  Wow, the whole hill was black…Kim was pleased because he had gotten a good burn.  I was in awe with all the black….the beautiful flames from last night had turned the pasture black……black and bleak….As we drove slowly through the pasture, I couldn’t help but think of the black like the black of our sin…..the flames of life’s temptations….the flames so very beautiful in fact caused the black….so very beautiful, but so very dangerous.  Oh Father, how often the things of this world that seem to be harmless, actually tempt me away from you…..away from the life you want me live….greed for things that we think we must have, but only led us to more greed and selfishness….Father, temptations are all around us…appearing harmless and attractive….Father give us strength to resist temptations that will led us away from you….we need your help to shine for you.

 

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  1 Corinthians. 10:13.  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.  Matthew 26:41.  Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.  And lead us not into temptation.  Luke 11:4.

Love you all!

Lord, buck us up and get us going!

Good Morning Friends!  Fill me with Your word Father, Friday!  The other day while I was in the bathroom getting ready for work, Kim came behind me on the porch to get his boots on.  I could tell he was pondering something…never know with him, he is always reading and studying new ways to take care of the animals.  What mineral is best, rotational grazing with sheep and cows, what kind and how much feed is most effective for breeding and raising calves.  He isn’t stuck on doing things the same “way they have always been done.”  That’s what he was pondering….he had been having a discussion with one of our cattle-raising neighbors about some new idea he had and as usual the neighbor said, “Well, we have always done it this way…..no need to change.”  Now this isn’t the first time Kim has had a discussion like this with this neighbor and others….I have heard it before, but this time….I just couldn’t stop thinking about it….really bothers Kim that people are stuck in the same old ways of ranching that their fathers did, when they could be growing, learning, strengthening their herds…Well, it finally hit me….could I be stuck in “the same old ways” of spending time with our Father, strengthening my faith, growing in the word, serving…..doing the same things, saying the same prayers day in and day out because….. "that’s the way I have always done it.”  Yikes!!  Tell me it isn’t so……However, if I honestly look within myself, I have to admit that I very well could be in a bit of “faith growing/time with God” rut….Yep, maybe…..NO!  Not maybe!!  Definitely!!!  Time is now for me to change things up a bit….oh I will never give up my time with HIM first thing in the morning, have to have that to make it through the day, but I can spend a few more minutes reading his word, rather than watching the news, more time praising rather whining about things in my life, I can step out of my box at church and volunteer for a new to me project, I can spend more time thanking and praising rather than begging and crying,  I can look for new ways to let my light shine, out of my comfort zone……with God’s help I can….and I will Father for You!  Forgive us Father when we get complacent in our lives with You.  Buck us up and get us going….going with You, for You, learning, growing, praising, loving….loving others as You love us!

 

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever!  2 Peter 3:18.  Jesus said, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches…apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5.  Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  2Peter 1:6-8. (and there we have it!)  Let’s get going!

Love you all!

Our Magnificent Creator

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  Last Saturday, after a long afternoon of yucky paperwork, Mr. Johnson decided we needed to take a ride.  I agreed, grabbed a bottle of water, loaded Axel, and off we went in his cute little Suzuki Samurai that he converted into a feed truck.  We headed east and then north, back east one dirt road after another, some were pretty bumpy, others smooth, but lots of dust as we were in need of a rain.  Kim knew the area we ended up in because he had fought fires there, but it was new to me….we only saw one vehicle the whole time, just us and God’s creation….nice, the sun was shining, it was warm….just right.  As we tootled down one, new to me, road my attention was drawn to the size of the trees in a big open pasture….huge oak trees, tall, reaching up toward the sky….I knew they were very old because they were so very big around….Kim was driving real slow, so I had time to ponder their magnificence.  standing tall, strong, surviving for so many, many years….resilient….my heart leaped as I thought of if only they could talk…the stories they could tell….but there in the pasture, reaching to the heavens, I knew they were praising our Father, Creator of all….I smiled and thanked HIM for the wonder of trees and a husband that wanted to take a ride on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  Father, our Magnificent Creator of the heavens and the earth, thank you for each and every piece of creation, given to us.  And Father, we thank you for the precious rain You sent from heaven yesterday to water the trees, pastures, settling the dust and blessing us with clear blue skies.  All Glory, Honor, and Praise to You!

 

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation;  seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.  And it was so.  The land produced…and God saw that it was good.  Genesis 1:11-12.  You alone are the Lord.  You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.  You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.  Nehemiah 9:6.  For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the God gods.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the Lord of lords:  His love endures forever. To Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever, who by His understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever, who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.  Who made the great lights—His love endures forever. The sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. The moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.  Psalm 136:1-9.  By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding He set the heavens in place; His knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.  Proverbs 3:19-20.

Love you all!

Always looking out for us

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty awesome is our God, Monday!!  This morning, I needed to get some fire department paperwork to Chad, our FEMA director (he takes care of certain aspects of business for volunteer fire departments), so that he could take it to County Commissioners meeting for us.  He works right down the road from me, so it would be great if I could just stop by there on my way to my office, but he is hardly ever there yet when I go by.  Oh, he is also a resident of Lula and we take the same route to work every day, but again, I rarely ever see him on my way in.  Anyway, I figured I would call him and have him call me as soon as he got to the office and then run down there real quick…..I was happily tootling down 1600 right on time, jabbering to Kathyrn when guess what I saw!!  Yep!  There, right before my eyes was Chad, pulling up to a stop sign, preparing to turn onto 1600….woo hoo, maybe he will be there at the same time as me today!  I waved as I drove by him and then called him.  After the usual good mornings, I asked him if he was going straight to the office, to which he replied, “uh, well….I might stop somewhere.”  In other words, he was planning to stop for breakfast….I told him I had some paperwork for him to approve for the meeting….after just a short pause he said, “where are you now?”  I told him “Owl Creek….should I pull over and we can do it now?”  “Yea, I will be right there,” was his cheery reply.  Wow, I was so excited, this was the perfect solution to the top of my ‘things to do TODAY list!’  I drove a little farther until I found a safe place for both of us to pull over and watched for him to pull behind me.  Wasn’t but a few seconds and I spotted him in my rear-view mirror!  I gathered up my paper work and headed to his truck, he greeted me with a big smile as he took my paper work, and added “you look nice today” which always brightens my day!  He said he would call if he needed anything else and we both went on to work!   As I pulled out I thought….what a stroke of luck for me today!  BAM!!!!  Hit me full on….that was no luck….that was one of those, how blessed I am to be HIS child….the recipient of HIS “special little miracles”  when we least expect them, but really need them!  That’s our Father for you….always looking out for us, brightening our days, warming our nights….filling our lives with love……we just need to vigilant so we don’t miss one….And remember the next time you think you were lucky….be still and thank our Heavenly Father for the blessing of HIS special little miracles!  Father we are so blessed, forgive us when we are too busy, frantic or worried to see YOU in everything!  Bless my friends with eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that yearn for YOU!

 

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.  Psalm 111:2.  The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:1.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107-21. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24.

Love you all!

Created in His image

Good Morning Friends!  Totally HIS Thursday!!!!  Recently, a good friend of mine has been in a real funk.  Now, this isn’t real unusual for her, but this time the funk seems to be lingering and leading her to places, in her mind, that are not good for her.  She is important to me, so this really upsets me, I just want her to feel good from the inside out.  I pray for her all the time and try to encourage and uplift her, but she is just stuck in a bad place….yesterday she told me, “I am bad.”  Wow, that hit me hard….criticizing herself to the point of saying she is bad.  I immediately told her…”NO, you are not bad, you are good!”  She replied, “I am not good.”  As I stopped to send up another prayer for her, the thought came to me……She is God’s child, a child of our Heavenly Father, HE made her…..”For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Psalm 139: 13-14.  Wow friends, when we pick on ourselves we are criticizing our Heavenly Father….That really hurts to think that when I moan about my big nose, short legs, flabby belly I am telling our Father, He messed up…..Let’s look at it from Genesis 1:27…”So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”  How about that…..we, you and me, were created by God in His image….Shame on us for criticizing not only ourselves, but others too….shame on us….Our Father wants us to Praise HIM….HE made us because HE loves us and HE wants us to love others like we love ourselves!  So, before we start picking others or ourselves apart, let’s stop and remember where we came from and then offer up a big thank you and Praise HIM for our fantastic bodies!  Now, when I say fantastic I don’t meant that we are all in perfect shape….nope we still have a responsibility there to try and eat right and get plenty of exercise….because….”do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?....therefore honor God with our body.”  1 Corinthians 6:19.  We honor God by taking good of ourselves and helping out our friends in a funk!  Father, forgive us when we want to criticize, helps us to remember we are Yours.  Enable us to take good care of what You give us and to honor you by reaching out to others when they need a lift!

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 42:11.  Do to others as you would have them do to you.  Luke 6:31.  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!

The fires in our life

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!  Have you noticed the smoky skies lately?  Seen flames, heard sirens?   Seems like our weather conditions have definitely landed us right smack dab into a busy fire season!  As the wife of a volunteer fireman (a very dedicated one) I know full well what this entails….and how dangerous it can be for the firemen.  Yesterday I received a call from him about 2:30, he was full into the “going to a fire mode,” his voice serious and strong….fearless even though he was telling me, “It’s a big one, I can see the flames.”  These men and women that protect our rural areas are volunteers…..no one pays them to go into the dense smoke, hot flames, unknown terrain to put out the fire….to protect their communities from harm….these firemen do it for free because they care….rather amazing to me, makes me so proud to be a small part.  As I was driving home I could see the smoke and as I got closer to Lula I could smell it too.  I said a prayer, lifting the firemen into the loving care and protection of our Heavenly Father.  As I pulled into our driveway I felt a warm peace flow through me; I smiled from the inside out….I knew our Father had something really important to remind me of……”Kathie, there will always be fires in life…..blazing finances, smoldering relationships, flaming out of control children, stress, worry, pain, grief….fires threatening to destroy you…..But Kathie, I am here, always here, no need to call 911 and wait for the firetrucks to come….come to me….I will put out your fires, I will guide you, comfort you, hold you in My arms and fill you with My peace….come to ME, precious child I will douse out your fires….come to ME.”  Thank you Father….for loving us so much that You remind us in such special ways that You are always on call for us.  And Father, please protect our firemen and women when they head out. 

 

Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help.  Psalm 30:10.  The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8.  He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress.  Proverbs 14:26. We say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:6.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  Cast all your anxiety on God because He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7.  I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.  Jeremiah 31:13. 

Love you all!

Hand out Valentines every day

Good Morning Friends!  Forever loved by HIM Friday!  Yesterday after work I had to go to Walmart to pick up a cake and  cupcakes for Cooper and Katy’s Valentine parties today.  Kathyrn has been running crazy, so I wanted to help her out just a bit.  Wow! I barely got in the door without running into a massive display of flowers, bouquets in all colors and sizes……and big signs with hearts and the word LOVE plastered all over them.  A little farther into the store were huge displays of heart-shaped cookies and  cupcakes, red, white and pink ones shouting out….LOVE.  I made my way to the bakery and got the cake….once again red hearts, love ornaments stuck in the corners, love oozing from every direction….I cautiously made my way down the Valentine “things” aisle….could have been dangerous if I wasn’t careful, but Katy wanted rings to put on her cupcakes, so I bravely forged my way…..Red, pink, white, LOVE screaming from every shelf.  I found the rings, and headed out to finish my shopping and get out of there…what a mad house.  The whole store jammed with things that are supposed to represent “love.”  Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Valentine’s Day myself, from heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast to heart-shaped meatloaf  for dinner and everything in between, but on the way home my thoughts were consumed with……well, Our Heavenly Father……LOVE…..real love…..I was drawn to 1 John 4:7-12… "Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed His love among us:  He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also out to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”  This is what it’s all about….REAL LOVE…..and not just HIM loving us and us loving HIM…..but we must love each other….So go ahead, have a Happy Valentine’s Day, but don’t stop there…..hand out valentines every day…we don’t need fancy boxes of candy, expensive bouquets of flowers, or heart-shaped cookies to say, “Hey, Jesus Loves you and so do I!”  Nope, a simple smile goes a long, long, way….or how about holding the door open for someone, or simply listening when you think you don’t have time, sharing the cookies from your lunch, helping a child with homework, and my favorite, a big old hug….Wow, the healing and love that can flow through a hug…. most definitely God given!  Use your imagination…..just don’t miss a chance to share because, “love is of God”  and HE wants us to be all about it.   “Keep on loving each other.”  Hebrews 13:1.  Father fill us with a love-giving spirit….always.

 

I want to leave you with a quote from Max Lucado, “No matter what you do, no matter how far you fall, no matter how ugly you become, God has a relentless, undying, unfathomable, unquenchable love from which you cannot be separated.  Ever!!!”   Real Love….love you all, have a wonderful weekend.