HIS strength is never zapped!

Good Morning Friends!!!  Wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  Yesterday after I got off work, Kim had a couple chores we needed to do….first, at long last we got to move Chloe and Eyore (my miniature donkeys) from wayyyyyyyyyy back behind the house back to their regular little home in the front yard where I can see them from my kitchen window.  At a certain point they run out of grass there so we have to put them out in another pasture and I miss seeing them and giving them treats every day.  So last night was the time, I was excited, but had not considered their temperaments after a lengthy stay in a big pasture….oh my goodness, did Kim and I ever have a run (literally) for our money!!!!  But finally, they walked right into to their pen…..darn stubborn donkeys.  OK, that done we headed to a neighbor’s house to get a hay ring made specifically for horses/donkeys!  I wasn’t sure exactly what “picking up” the feeder would entail, but was sure I was up for it.  Hmm, it was huge and quite heavy I might add and I was a bit apprehensive as I listened to Kim telling me how we would lift it up and slid on the back of the truck….alrighty then….here we go.  Not without some grunting and groaning we completed the job and headed home…..to unload it in the their pen.  Oh boy, I got out and got Kim backed up to fence, helped him unstrap it and took my position to help hoist it over the fence….Oh my gosh, this is so heavy and I am so tired….the thought ran through my mind, “good grief, this is no job to attempt at the end of a long day!  First thing in the morning ok, I’m all over it, but now, 7 pm, worked all day…..not sure I can do it.”  And Kim was not much better off than me, he had worked really hard all day and was ready to be done….take off his boots and relax!  Well, it wasn’t pretty, but we did finally manage to get it unloaded; Kim headed to the house while I went to feed rabbits and lock up the chickens….Gosh I thought, “sure am glad that our Heavenly Father never gets tired….morning, noon or the middle of the night!  No siree, HE is always up for the task, whatever it is that we might need….HIS strength is never zapped, HE’S never worn out from a long day, overwhelmed by too much to do….Our FATHER is on the job, all-knowing, all-powerful, all the time!  Oh Father, me oh my, thank you for never being too tired for us.  We are so blessed.  Increase our faith and gratitude to Your glory!

 

 

For Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of a the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.  Isaiah 25:4.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the stronghold of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.  He who fears the Lord has a strong fortress.  Proverbs 14:26. “ I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”  Revelation 1:8. 

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

Giving Thanks Day

 

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His love, Wednesday!  Well, better late than never, Kathyrn and I finally finalized our plans for Thanksgiving last night….Not a big crowd, but still good to be organized right!  Everybody is talking about their plans, all the sale papers full of ads for turkey, ham, cranberries, pumpkin, stuffing, you know all the good traditional stuff….Thanksgiving…….I was thinking this morning that the name of the day needs to be changed to “Giving Thanks Day.”  Giving thanks….oh how slack I can be in that department…..This morning I was reading in the book of Acts, Paul was talking to the people of Ephesus about his work there and encouraging them to carry on in the faith when he leaves…..it was the words of our Savior, he quoted, that got me to thinking, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Acts 20:35.  Blessed to give….think about it….These are the words of the GRANDEST GIVER of all time!!!!  He gave HIS LIFE for us….HIS LIFE…..and says, “It is more blessed to GIVE than to receive”  That thought is almost incomprehensible to me……We received the gift of Eternal Life and He is blessed…..I feel, sad at my smallness, but energized to GIVE more….starting with THANKS…..I am blessed with so much and yet so often complain, envy, feel discontent……I am giving thanks that for that I am forgiven for each of those….thankful that I have a chance to do better……thankful for food, clothes, a warm home, car that starts, a good job….especially thankful for the love and support of family friends in this life……thankful that I have so much to give…..and thankful that my giving will be blessed through the love of our Heavenly Father.  Father, help me to always be a cheerful giver, I simply share what you have given me.  Thank you Father for the GREATEST GIFT.

 

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful give.  (what more motivation do we need).  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  As it is written; “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”  2 Corinthians 9:7-9.  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gate with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100.

Love you all!

July 18, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Gosh the weather was crazy here yesterday!  Sitting at my desk I have a great view outside through the front doors.  It was bright and sunny as I started my day and then about mid- morning I noticed it was getting really cloudy…I could see the clouds getting heavy and then just before 12 it just started pouring…..now I mean pouring!  The parking lot was flooded in just a matter of minutes and then, as quickly as it came…..it was gone!  Within a few minutes, the sun was shining again.  The clouds were gone, parking lot drained off….clear skies…..for a little while!  Just when you think it’s clear sailing…Bam…..the clouds moved in dark, heavy and burst into heavy downpours……this was the scenario all through the afternoon.  Clear skies turning to heavy clouds and pounding downpours!  A friend and I were discussing the crazy weather and I said….kind of like our lives isn’t it?  One minute we are cruising along happy as can be….not a care in the world, thinking Woo Hoo, life is grand….And then the next minute dark clouds move in…..hanging heaving over us…..clouds of indecision, financial burdens, family problems, health issues, broken relationships, stress at work…..the clouds get heavier until they are finally pouring on us…..We think we can’t go on……and then, the rain stops, clouds clear, and the sun shines on us again….The sun shines because we are never alone in the downpours!  This morning as I reading God’s word, I came across a verse in James 1 that really hit me as I thought about life…..the sunny times and the downpours…..”Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”  The next time I feel the clouds moving in…..and the downpours hit, I am going to remember these words….this promise…..If I love Him, I will receive His crown of life……definitely better than any umbrella….the SON is shining on and for us!  Thank you Father for the promise of a crown of everlasting life with You…keep us ever faithful.  Draw us to You in cloudy times and hear our Praise….sunny or cloudy!  And Father we do thank you for the precious rains You have sent to water our land…All praise to You!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4.  Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  2 Corinthians 1:5.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22.  Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.  Psalm 126:5-6.  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.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4. 

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

February 28, 2013

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

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

Love you all!

february 11, 2013

Good Morning Friends! Mighty and Awesome is our God, Monday!  Remember a week or so ago I mentioned the fodder factory?  Well, for those of you that don’t know what that is, let me give you a brief description.  Kim is growing wheat hydroponically (in water); every eight days he harvests 6 trays (20’ x 10”) of wheat, fresh green wheat about 8” tall with a thick mat of roots (kind of looks like sprouts).  The lush green, feeds each of our many animals…The whole system is automatic, set on timers that turn on water every few hours and also the lights for several hours each day.  All set up on automatic timers….easy right….Well, a couple weeks ago a couple of the cylinoids quit working…first one and then another on one side of the factory.  Kim had a couple extra for a part not set up for production yet so he put them on….then got on the phone to order a couple more, well actually think this happened twice….kind of weird we thought and so new they shouldn’t be breaking so fast.  Well, it was Thursday that he called to get a couple more ordered….well guess what!  FarmTek told him that there was a malfunction…duh….the wires on the cylinoid are not compatible with the timers…go figure, right!!!!!  They are working on the problem and hope to have new ones out in just a few days….in the meantime….well, just hope no more go out right!  Saturday morning as I finished in the kennels,  Kim went up to start in the fodder factory….the harvesting and planting process takes a little time, so he went to get started while I finished the kennels.  I had just gone into the house to get a bottle of water when he came in….fit to be tied.  Another cylinoid, on the other side had gone out!!!!!!  If we could not find one in town….well…no water….no wheat….Mind you we are talking 30 trays….20’ x 10” in various stages of growth…approximately 3000 pounds of feed that would go to waste without water!  Kim called all over town to no avail…..then he called FarmTek again….well they sure are sorry, but…..nothing yet.  We headed to the factory, knowing exactly what we would have to do…….Water by hand….all 30 trays…twice a day….Oh boy.   Well, I took the first shift as Kim finished planting on the other side…..back and forth, over and over watering with a fine mist so as not to mess up the freshly planted seeds….back and forth….tray after tray…..my arms were getting so tired to say the least and my back from all the bending over…….I was getting really bored and trying desperately to keep my attitude adjusted when and interesting thought came to me……What if our Heavenly Father got bored with watering us……listening to our gripes, healing our pains, supplying our needs, picking us up, wiping our tears, sharing our joys, taking care of our kids, listening….comforting…..loving……forgiving!  The good news!!!!  HE DOESN’T!!!!!!  Our Heavenly Father happily waters our every need…..each of us individually…..lovingly, happily, no attitude adjustment needed….Oh how loved we are!  Father, thank you for never getting bored with us and our constant need for watering!  We are sooooo blessed!  To You be all Glory!!!

Because You are my help, I sing in the  shadow of Your wings.  Psalm 63:7.  You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.  Psalm 16:11.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  Psalm 33:21. Praise the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 106:1. 

Love you all!