Philippians 4:6-7

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved and forgiven by HIM, Tuesday!  Due to circumstances beyond my control I have some extra responsibilities to take care of and I am totally stressed out….overwhelmed…..walking in circles…..nearing wits end, I feel like screaming!!!  Consequently, my attitude is in the gutter…yes friends, I am not denying that at this moment I am truly a grumpy old woman!!!!!  Just a minute ago, I turned my daily calendar page and read the scripture verse for today….Luke 5:16, “And He (Jesus) withdrew Himself in the wilderness, and prayed.”  Oh my…..Jesus must have been stressed out too….too much swirling around in my mind to accomplish anything……Maybe I need to follow Jesus example and withdraw and pray…..Yea….I need to withdraw from the stress, the responsibilities and go to HIM….give to HIM…give every detail of the tasks at hand.  He cares, truly cares about the most insignificant details in our lives.….find peace….clarity….energy….and an attitude that gives HIM all glory!  Yes, I do have a lot to do, but I know that if I go to HIM first and keep HIM with me all the way, every day, I will succeed…..To HIS glory and that’s what it’s all about!  I come to You most Awesome God for an extreme attitude adjustment!  First and foremost forgive my gross attitude, uplift and energize me to get the job done, to YOUR GLORY! 

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds I Jesus Christ.  Philippians 4:6-7.  Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty.  I don’t concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me.  But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother.  Yes, like a small child is my soul within me.  Psalm 131:1-2.  May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  2 Thessalonians 3:16.

Love you all!

 

Angels watching over you

Good Morning Friends!!!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!!   I just love it when fall finally rolls around again!  Oh I’m sure our hot days are not over, but Monday evening did officially mark the beginning of fall!  And I was ready!  As soon as I got home and got Kim fed, I headed to the front porch to clean up a bit and get ready to hang my pumpkin and turkey lights!  Gosh I just love my lights on the porch…it’s just one strand of white mini lights, loosely stung, but I change them with the seasons.  Beginning with fall, I alternate pumpkins (jack o lanterns actually) and turkeys.  Simple little plastic ornaments, but I just love the white lights shining through them, especially in the long winter evenings!  Well, it’s become a tradition the last couple of years to endorse the help of Cooper and Katy (my 5 and 4 year old grandkids) to help me with the fun task.  So after cleaning up the porch I headed to their house to beg Mom to let me take them for a little while….my trip was successful.  Katy and I got the ornaments out of the closet and the three of us got to work.   They were so good at taking turns handing me pumpkins and turkeys…..We hadn’t hung too many when I discovered an angel ornament that I had missed taking down after Christmas…..somehow it had gotten hidden….all summer long, never once had I noticed the beautiful angel hanging in the front window of the porch…..I showed the kids and they were so excited….we all did a little happy dance about the hiding angel and left her right there in the front window with the pumpkins and turkeys.  As soon as they were all hung, Cooper got the honor of turning the lights on; another happy dance and to celebrate….ice cream.  I took them home and headed back to the house, anxious to check out our lights and see if I could possibly find the angel…..I just couldn’t believe I had missed it and never once spotted it hanging there.  Well, try as I may, I could not see the angel from the road….. right then, I suddenly felt….so warm, a safe, comforting warm…..I knew that I was not alone, His arms were encompassing me……He was not alone either…..a company of angels were with HIM…..the angels that HE provides for us…..all the time, everyday, in every way and place…..even though we do not ever see them…..Thank you Father, I know we keep YOU and Your angels real busy…..whatever would we do without YOU to comfort our sad, heal our sick, guide our confusion, calm our anxious, and share our joys.  All Praise to You Father!

 

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.  Psalm 91:11-12.  Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?  Hebrews 1:14.  God said, “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.”  Exodus 23:20.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and He delivers them.  Psalm 34:7.  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace goodwill to men.”  Luke 2 13-14.

Potholes

Today at 8:38 AM

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by Him, Tuesday!  We sure had a great time with Harper while she was here!  One of her favorite things to do is practice driving on our country roads.  Friday evening we went out for a final cruise before she went home on Saturday; she had gotten pretty good at dodging the many  potholes on our road and others around us too.  There are spots where it is almost impossible to miss the annoying holes, no matter how hard you try, but Harper  did a heck of a job.  Friday as she was meticulously maneuvering between/around the potholes, I couldn’t help but chuckle and say to her, “DRIVING 101 IN LULA—LEARNING TO AVOID POTHOLES.”  We had a good laugh and headed home for her last dinner in Lula, tacos!  Working on dinner, I was smiling thinking about the fun times teaching Harper to drive…..especially dodging potholes….Hmmm, suddenly I had a clear thought… my goodness, the roads we travel in our lives are so often full of potholes too…..holes of envy, anxiety, depression, greed, self-centeredness…..we definitely need to learn to dodge those potholes….the potholes I have to deal with in my car, if I’m not careful, will cause damage to my car….tires….front end….you name it…potholes are hard on a car!  Potholes of envy, anxiety, depression, greed, and self-centeredness are hard on our faith…..our hearts and minds are damaged when we hit those holes…..we sink into a place that is not good for us or those around us…..We definitely are not giving glory to our Father  when we constantly hit the holes…..But it’s not futile….Soon road construction will begin on our road, yea!!!  We are very excited about having a road without so many potholes, a smoother ride will be great….Our ride through life is not always smooth, but we do have help anytime….we are not alone….Our Father will smooth the bumps for us…..He will fill in the holes of hope, love, joy, and compassion offering us strength through His grace and forgiveness.  Father, thank you for forgiving us when we hit the potholes….fill us with Your gracious love so that we avoid the potholes of attitudes and actions that are reflections of YOU!

 

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:  but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  1 Corinthians 10:13.  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.  The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak.  Mark 14:38.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and You shall find rest unto your souls.  Matthew 11:29.  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17. 

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

The joy of finding lost lipstick

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and Wonderful is our God, Wednesday!  I am on a hunt for a lost….well hopefully just misplaced cord to my camera!  This morning, in a fit of desperation I pulled out a bag I used to carry back and forth to work.  I knew I never had finished cleaning it out, so I thought maybe, just maybe I’d left it in the bag!  It’s a pretty big bag and I could tell there was definitely “stuff” in it, so I was feeling hopeful as I dug in, pulling out note books, pens, pictures…..but no cord….No cord, but wait….what am I feeling…feels like a tube of lip stick….Wow, it was not just any tube of lipstick….no siree!!!!  I was my favorite tube of orange lipstick given to me by a wonderful friend!  I thought it was gone forever…..and there I was holding it in my hands!!!!  I was so excited I could hardly stand it….poor Kim, just didn’t get it, but that’s ok!!!!  No, I didn’t find the cord, but in the process of looking I found something else that I had totally given up ever finding…I was so happy that I had decided to wear brown and orange today, so I got to wear my beautiful orange lipstick!!!!   As I headed into work, still a bit frustrated I hadn’t found my cord, I couldn’t help but smile about finding my lipstick….my thoughts were suddenly consumed with love…..the love of our Heavenly Father….Our Father’s love is an all-knowing love…..He knows what’s best for us and when…..how often we trudge off looking for the best job, or snazziest car, perfect house, classiest friends…..thinking we know what we need and where to find it…..but God knows better, He knows best for us….Thank goodness when we are looking for what might not be the best for us, He helps us find what we really need….We whine and cry, thinking God doesn’t hear us, or worse just doesn’t care….wrong!!!!  He cares so much, that He doesn’t want us to “find” the things that are not best for us…..He wants us to lean on Him for everything….to stay strong in our faith….to trust and  believe in HIS will for our lives….Oh might not always be easy.  He didn’t promise that, but He did promise to never leave us or forsake us.  Thank you Father…take our hands and lead us so that we find all that You have for us….trusting and believing in Your grace and mercy!

 

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31:6-7.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love for they are from of old.  Psalm 25:5-6.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there you hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast, O Lord.  Psalm 139:9-10.Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalm 9:10.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5. 

Love you all!

 

 

It's the little things

Good Morning Friends! Thankfully His, Tuesday!  Recently Cooper, soon to be five, learned how to open the chicken coop.  The latch on the coop’s door is a bit tricky so until just recently, Cooper was unable to work it.  Yesterday he had no school, so mom dropped him off to spend the day with Papa while she and dad were at work.  Each morning as I leave for work, I stop and open the door to the chicken coop, fastening it with a bungee cord so they can come and go as they please during the day.  Yesterday, as I was getting ready to go to work I asked Cooper to go out and open the coop door and hook the bungee to keep it open.  No biggie right….but it would really help me and for him what a major accomplishment!  He was proud to go out and take care of the task, no matter how small, because he knew it would make his Nana happy that he was helping.  And indeed it did make me happy for several reasons…..It’s a joy to watch our grandchildren growing stronger improving their skills as they grow, I was proud that he had learned to manipulate the tricky latch.  I was of course happy to have one less little chore to do as I headed to work, but most of all I was smiling inside and out,  pleased that Cooper wanted to do something for me….to help….a small thing, yes, but huge in the scheme of things in this busy, hectic world.  As I headed to work, still beaming thinking about Cooper’s task, I felt the familiar tap on my shoulder.  “Good morning Father, wasn’t Cooper cute this morning?”  “Yes, Kathie, he certainly was.  I was so happy to see him go out by himself and take care of the door in order to help his Nana.  Kathie, I know that you think the little things you can do don’t really make a difference….but, My child, you are so wrong.  There is so much pain and suffering, worry and stress in this world, it is the little things that can make a big difference in someone’s day….maybe more than a day….the little things can truly lead to hope in a sad, worn out heart or mind…refresh, renew dampened spirits….boost confidence….dry tears….the little things, can heal in big ways.  The little things you do make ME smile…..I am pleased to see your faith in action, no matter how small the task may seem to you….do it….I will do the rest……Renew your spiritual energy, strengthen your faith….through the little things…..Smile as you do My work…..it matters.”  Thank you Father, for the little things that lift our lives….enable us to never tire of serving YOU, no matter how little it seems to us!  To YOU be all glory and honor.

 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people….  Galatians 6:9-10.  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 17:22.  There are different kinds of service, (some big some little) but the same Lord.  1 Corinthians 12:5.  Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.  1 Samuel 12:24.  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.  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service (not matter how small).  1 Timothy 1:12.

Love you all!

 

The seasons of your lfe

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by HIM, Thursday!  Happy first day of spring my friends!!!!  Although it didn’t really feel like spring at 32 this morning, or look like it with frost covered pastures, I chose to wear a beautiful sun-yellow blouse and my vintage flower earrings and matching pin (left to me by a dear old friend) in hopes of appearing, “spring like.”  Here in the office everyone seems to be cheery, lots of talk of working in the yard, planting flowers and gardens!  The Home Depot add has pages of flowers, garden tools and everything you could ever need to “spring” up your yard!  Out with the weeds and in with blossoming flowers……right!  “Oh, Good Morning Father, Happy first day of spring to You! What’s up?”  “Kathie, My child….it is a beautiful day isn’t it, I made this day for your rejoicing.  I love you, my child!  Now about this “spring” thing…..It is wonderful for you all to work in your yards, enjoying the beauty of creation I made for you, flowers blooming, green grass….no weeds….wonderful indeed!  But, my child….how about your spiritual yard?  Could it use some cleaning up….some planting….seeds of fervent prayer, weeding out of negative attitudes, blossoms of time in God’s word and Christian fellowship, fertilizing your actions so you grow more kind, unselfish, caring actions to your family and friends?  Just think of the beauty produced through “yard work” with Me….My love for You will shine through you producing bountiful blossoms of love!  Go my child, I am with you….always through all the seasons of your life……winter, summer, fall and spring!”  Father, I want to grow and blossom for You, with Your Love…..I want to produce bountiful fruits of the Spirit…..help me, please.  Thank you Father!

 

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….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 5:22-23 & 25-26.  The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.  Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.  Isiah 35:1-2.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  James1: 22-23.  Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  2 Timothy 4:2.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.Keep on loving each other.  Hebrews 13:1.

Love you all!

 

The Pitter Patter of Little Feet

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  As the receptionist for a pretty large office, I sit at a big desk in the reception area.  I am fortunate to have a great view of our world outside through the large glass doors; there is a long hall on each side of my desk and one to the right of me, pathways for co-workers coming up front to take care of business throughout the day.  During the time that I have worked here I have acquired the ability to recognize the sound of my co-workers footsteps as they approach.   They are surprised when I greet them before I can even see them…..not sure when I first realized that I knew who was coming before they got here, but it adds a special touch to my day!  One special friend tries to trick me by changing the way she walks…just one of the little things that brings an extra smile to our day!  The other day I was telling someone about being able to recognize footsteps and they were amazed; I chuckled and gave myself a slight pat on the back….at that moment I thought I heard something…..Hmmm, there it is again….at first, I couldn’t quite make out the words….then the LIGHT came on!  “Hi Father”  He didn’t have to say it…..I knew that I not heard HIM clearly because my head was too full of myself!  Gently, not chastising I heard His words….”Kathie (calls us by name) I know how many hairs are on your head…I knew you before you were in your mother’s womb…..your mind, hearing, perception are blessings from Me……”  “Oh yes Father!!!!!  Of course, You created us intricately, in Your image…..We are so blessed.”  Father, forgive us when we think we are on our own out here….making our own way!  Without You we are nothing!  Thank you for our amazing senses and enable us to use them to YOUR GLORY in all that we do!

 

Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?  Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  Luke 12: 6-7.  The word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;….”Jeramiah 1: 4-5.  By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also.  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ Himself?  1 Corinthians 6:14-15.  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,  The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.  1 Corinthians 12:12.  Who gave man his mouth?  Who makes him deaf or mute?  Who gives him sight or makes him blind?  Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.  Exodus 4:11-12.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him  Psalm 34:8. 

Love you all!

God's Loving Rays

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty Marvelous is our God!  Saturday morning Kim and I headed into Ada to get a couple of propane bottles filled and while we were there have breakfast!  Missions accomplished we headed back to Lula; about half way home, I was awe-struck by the beauty in the sky.  The sky was cloudy with a mix of both puffy white and heavier dark clouds with blotches of blue sky peeking through…. huge magnificent rays of sunlight expanded the entire sky…..reaching out through both the white and dark clouds….reaching out….warm and comforting.  As I stared at the breath-taking site I suddenly felt like our FATHER was there with me, shining through the clouds to warm and comfort me, to uplift and guide me with HIS love.  Later on in the day while helping Kim with ranch chores I couldn’t help but notice that the sky was now totally filled with dark clouds…..dark, gloomy clouds…like certain times in my life when I seem to be consumed by heavy dark clouds of stress, worry, family needs, financial…..staring at the gloomy sky, I felt a big smile emerging from within me….I know what is behind those gloomy clouds…..God’s loving rays are always there, shining on us… all over us… from the inside out!  Whether the skies are clear or cloudy HIS Marvelous, Magnificent LOVE shines on us warming our hearts and minds with HIS Peace….Father, thank you for shining on us….forgive us when our worry consumes us and we become weak…..

 

Restore us, O God; make Your face shine upon us.  Psalm 80:3.   My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.  The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  Deuteronomy 33:27.     The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.  Numbers 6:10. 

Love you all!

April 24, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully loved by our Heavenly Father, Wednesday!  God is great, God is good let us thank Him for our…..we always said this prayer before meals…let us thank Him for our food!  This morning I want to say….God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our flowers…..and the special people that planted them and the special pots that my Hailey left for me to have and made arrangements for my Kathyrn, Cooper, and Katy to fill them with flowers!!!!  The little blessings that mean so much, and He sends them when we need them the most.  Monday, I came home from work quite tired….having a terrible issue with my teeth, such pain, and missing Hailey and family, I was just not in a great frame of mind…..as I pulled in the driveway, heading for the carport, I couldn’t believe what I saw!!!   Not only were my old flower pots filled with spring flowers, but the pots that Hailey had to leave behind were there and full too!!!!!  My goodness…..how my mood lifted instantly……the flowers were beautiful….but knowing that someone cared enough for me to do that……well, made my old heart soar!  I called Kathyrn immediately to thank her, couldn’t you just see her there with Cooper and Katy planting flowers for Nana!  She said , “Your welcome!  You know, Hailey asked me to bring pots down and fill for you!”  Double blessed….for sure….from Fairbanks to Lula…..blessed with a special, “love blessing.”  Thank you Father for spring flowers, but most importantly thank for the people in my life that “plant love” shining their lights!  Your blessings are new every morning!  We don’t need flowers to “plant love”  we only need the love of God in our hearts….Where can you “plant love” today….where can you bring a special love blessing to someone that just might need one…..

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another about yourselves.  Romans 12:10.  Love one another deeply, from the heart.  1 Peter 1:22.  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.  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  Colossians 3:23.  Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  1 Thessalonians 5:14.  Keep on loving each other.  Hebrews 13:1.  May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your heart and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

Plant a little love today…..love you all!!!!!