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.

Each day is a gift

Good Morning Friends!   Totally, thankfully, HIS Tuesday!  Yesterday I got yet another birthday card in the mail!  Gosh I got so many cards this year, wonder if that’s because I am getting so much older!  This was a beautiful card from a special friend, silly girl had already sent me a funny card, this one is sweet.  It’s what it says on the front that got me to thinking!  A quote from Goethe, “Nothing is worth more than this day.”  Of course in light of this being a birthday card it is of course making reference to my birthday, but my thoughts went further….nothing is worth more than any day, right….because God makes each day especially for us…..”This is the day the Lord has made….”  Each day is a gift from HIM, some days are seemingly better than others, but each day was made with love by our FATHER.  So, what are we going to do with each day….each blessing from HIM…..Our daily blessings are abundant, oh I know we all gripe about being broke, too much to do, kids are brats, husband a pain…..but count the blessings in each of those subjects!!!  Are you hungry?  Naked?  Living on the street?  We are blessed each day….Let’s REJOICE, PRAISE HIM, HONOR AND BLESS HIM WITH OUR ACTIONS AND ATTITUDES!  Nothing is worth more than PRAISING our Father each day….each day…that HE lovingly makes for us….each of us….We are all HIS children!  Tenderly loved and forgiven TODAY, TOMORROW, and each day of our lives.  All Honor and Glory to You our AWESOME Father God!

 

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24.  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything (everyday) give thanks.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge I Him.  Psalm 34:8.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.  Ecclesiastes 3:13.  The Almighty says:  “See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  Malachi 3:10.  Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.  2 Thessalonians 2:16. 

 

Love you all!

His most extraordinary, everyday blessings!

Good Morning Friends!  Totally, thankfully HIS, Tuesday!!!   This morning driving to work, I was thinking….”hope things are just a bit less hectic today….”  I was distracted when I saw cows in a pasture with grass at least a foot tall, poking their heads through the fence trying to get something on the other side….my gosh they had lush, green grass, in August right in front of them.  Couldn’t help but think dumb, greedy cows…they are so ungrateful for what they have!  I just couldn’t believe my eyes, but soon turned my thoughts back to a less hectic day….OH MY GOSH, BAM!!!!  DUMB and GREEDY….UNGRATEFUL!!  Those adjectives could easily apply to me…..for heaven’s sake….I am driving to work….First of all in these troubled times I have a great job!  Next, I am driving to it in my little black car….Yes, I live in the country and gas is high, but….did you hear me???  I live in the country, surrounded by lush, green pastures, tall trees, ponds and lots of critters….I live there….oh dear.  My job, is inside of a beautiful office, full of awesome friends and co-workers…My goodness, the friends I have made while at my job are such a huge blessing in my life…not to mention all the benefits…..After work, I go home to a loving, hard-working husband and our little dog Axle and almost always I hear from at least one of my out of state grandkids or maybe a visit from Cooper and Katy.  Last night I invited Katy for a Nana bath; Cooper was at firemen’s with Papa, so it would just be us girls.  They love their “Nana bath”  and it gives me so much joy….they are so grateful to have a bath at my house (of course I do have some really cool stuff for the tub)….a simple bath….Oh and it ended up firemen’s was short so Cooper got to have a “Nana bath” too and then we all sat on the porch and visited until the mosquitos ran us in.  While Harper was here one day Cooper asked her if she had ever had a Nana bath….how special is that?  He didn’t want her to miss out on the fun….shame on me for being ungrateful for even one second, when I have so much, my heart is so full…overflowing with HIS most extraordinary, everyday blessings!   Harper told Cooper, “Oh yes Cooper, I was having Nana baths long before you were even born!  Oh my, I have been blessed to be a Nana for a long time….Shame on me Father when I seem to be greedy and ungrateful for even a minute….I am so blessed by YOU and to be YOUR child…..Let my heart continually sing Your praises!

 

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.  Psalm 118:1.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (every one, big or little).  12 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.  Amen! 

Love you all!

Popping a little leak...

Good Morning Friends!  Forever HIS Friday!  This morning in my still half asleep mode I turned on the water in the kitchen…hmm I thought, Rural Water District must still be having problems, not much pressure.  I didn’t mention it to Kim because I figured since RWD had been having some problems this week, it was just them, so didn’t give it another thought until….We were sitting on the front porch just like every other summer morning, me reading God’s word and praying, Kim dozing; as it started to get light I could see a big puddle of water in the driveway.  I hadn’t heard it rain during the night, so I was surprised.  I asked Kim, “did it rain in the night?  There’s a bunch of water in the driveway.”  He sat up and looked outside….”Or we have a water leak.”  At that moment I thought about no water pressure…gently I told him…”There wasn’t much pressure this morning.”  At that point, he jumped up and looked out.  “Yep we have a leak, either out here or in a kennel.  GOOD MORNIG!’  And at that he stomped out the door to check it out!  In a few minutes he was back from a completely flooded Kennel….leaks, not a good way to start the day.  I went in the house to pack my lunch and get things ready for breakfast (fresh fruit smoothies for me and the boys), as I opened the frig I was not happy at the sight that greeted me…..oh my gosh, another leak!  The zip lock bag of wild berries the boys had picked had leaked all over the frig.  Dark purple juice everywhere….I had to chuckle just a little bit thinking of the leaky morning!  Well, only one thing to do….get to cleaning so, I soaked up, wiped off, moved things and cleaned under them and pretty soon…Well for goodness’ sake….look how nice and clean the frig is….been a long time.   As I finished my lunch, happy to have a clean frig, the thought came to me…..Leaks don’t necessarily have to be all bad!  Nope, that leaky bag of berries resulted in me having a clean frig…We are blessed with so much from our Heavenly Father, loved beyond our imagination, blessings of food and clothes, jobs, friends, family….the list is endless….Aww yes, I do think we could pop a few leaks….Leaks of love through unselfish acts of kindness, sharing, time, patience, listening, gratitude and thankfulness….leaks that give honor to God…little leaks will be just fine, little acts add up to lots of love puddled up all over, just like the berry juice!  So, friends how about joining me in popping a little leak!  Father, thank you for the bounty of blessings you shower on us every day in every way, instill us with hearts of gratitude, so that we leak your love where ever we go, to Your glory!

 

Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.  Matthew 5:42.  Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32.  As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.  1 John 4:12.  The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself (leaking) through love.  Galatians 5:6.

Love you all!

 

 

Baby bunny blessings

Good Morning Friends!  WOW, our GOD is an AWESOME GOD, Wednesday!  Some of you might remember that a year or so ago, we (well hubby’s idea), got Cooper a little bunny for his 3^rd birthday.  The bunny stayed at our house for fun visits from Cooper (as well as to keep mommy happy).  Well, my husband couldn’t be happy having just one bunny so over the year we have acquired 4 more bunnies….now all rabbits!  We have bred them several times without a lot of success, but finally…..last Thursday when Kim went in the coop to give them fodder he noticed one girl rabbit was pulling her fur.  OH BOY!  A sure sign she was going to have babies, so he put a nest in her pen……..Friday morning when I went out to feed and water before work……Wow, the nest was full of fur and breathing!  Well you know, I couldn’t really see babies, but I knew they were there because the fur was moving!  They were alive…..I could see there were several, but dare not touch them…..mommy rabbits do not like you touching their newborn bunnies!  As soon as I got in the car to head out, I called Kim and told him!  Cooper and Katy were with us over the weekend and they were just thrilled with the bunnies too…we explained they couldn’t touch them, but they were very content to just look at them….at least, as Cooper would say, a hundred, thirty, fifty, ten times a day!!!  That was ok with me though, because I am, I must admit, just as excited as they are about the baby bunnies….precious new life….spring is blossoming all around us and at my house I have precious tiny baby bunnies…..What an awesome God we have!  In the midst of the turbulence of our lives HE blesses us with baby bunnies, singing birds, blossoming trees and flowers, growing grass….Today, I am just stopping to acknowledge and enjoy these simple to us….but our MASTER mind created them….from nothing….without HIM we are nothing….with HIM our lives  NEW!  Father, Help us to blossom in Your love, to grow in faith, shower others with Your love in word and deed!  And Father thank you so much for the special little blessings You share with us, they sure brighten our days!  We Praise You Heavenly Father, keep us ever grateful!

 

The Sovereign Lord says, “I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill.  I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.”  Ezekiel 34:26.  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”  Lamentations 3:22-24.  Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father we too may live a new life.  Romans 6:3-4.  Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God…For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Love as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).  Ephesians 5:1-2 & 8-9.

 

The "Squints" in our lives

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

 

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

Love you all!

 

Crocodiles in My Kitchen: Believing in what you don't see

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!  You all remember Cooper and Katy right (in case you don’t Cooper 4 and Katy 3 are our “adopted” grandkids.  They live nearby)?  We live in an old farm house that we heat with wood.  We have a good air tight stove in the living room that for the most part works well, but sometimes when it is really cold we have a fire in the old stove in the kitchen…..until this year we had not done that for years.  Well, quite some time ago, Cooper took a keen interest in that stove and since we never used it we let him open the door and look in.  Well, way over a year ago, one day while playing with his new flashlight upon opening the stove door he discovered crocodiles residing there!  He was quite excited and of a course Papa and I played along with him, admiring the lovely crocks and offering pretend food for him to give them.  The next time Cooper was over, found his flashlight and went right to the stove to check his crocks….and each time we all took a look, playing along with his imagination.  This went on for month after month until finally his sister Katy had her own flashlight and was big enough to join in….Cooper opened the door and showed his sister the crocodiles.  His excitement was uncontainable and Katy joined right in with him.  Now this has been going on for over  a year, never ever do those kids come to our house whether together or alone ,that they do not check on their crocks.  We just smile and thank God for the blessing of children!  Remember the big snow and awful cold we had before Christmas?  Well, I was off work, but Coop and Katy’s mom had to work so Papa and I were keeping the kids.  It was so cold that morning that Papa thought maybe he better light a fire in the kitchen.  I cleared the top of the stove off and he built a nice fire…As he was getting it going it hit me the crocodiles!!!!   What would those babies think if they came over and a their crocks were all burned up….I asked Papa, “think I better get the crocks out and put them in something else?”  At first he laughed and said no and then decided….”yep, you better.”  So, I found an empty trash can and got a towel to cover the top….carefully (lol) I moved the crocks from the stove to the trash can!  When the kids got there we immediately explained that we had a fire in the stove, it was very hot, so they had to stay away…..but…before they could get upset….I showed them where I had moved their crocks!  They were delighted.  Immediately taking the towel off, checking them, holding them…of course we all did and then covering them up and placing them in a perfect place in the kitchen.  Sometime during that day………oh my gosh…..the discovery was almost too much for them!!!  The crocodiles had babies…..precious little baby crocodiles!  What a glorious day in LULA!  I have tried upon several occasions to move crocks and babies back to the stove, but with no luck!  For some reason they like them in the trash can in the middle of the kitchen!  I was telling my sister the croc tale the other day, gramma of 2 four year olds and a three year old, she totally understood and relished in their imagination.  I said to her, “I have been trying to figure out how to get a today out of this wonderful story.”  Immediately she responded, “Faith is believing in what you don’t see…..”  Wow!  Why didn’t I think of that??!!  Those precious children set a perfect example for our “faith” life.  We cannot see God, but with Holy Spirit filled faith we KNOW that HE is our ALL in ALL!  We cannot see HIM with our eyes, but we see HIM through the wonders around us, nature, kindnesses of others, special little blessings….the imagination of children…..Father, keep our faith strong so that we believe without seeing….trust without answers……forgive as you forgive us……LOVE others as YOU have shown us to LOVE….to remember….”Faith without works is dead…”  James: 2 17.

 

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.  It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2:8.  We live by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7.  Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1. 

Love you all!

Attitude of Gratitude

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty awesome is our God, Monday!  Well, here it is Monday after Thanksgiving!  Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and weekend, I know I sure did.  So many things which made me stop and say a big thank you to our Father!!!!  There’s one in particular that really touched my heart……a reality check….so to speak about what’s really important.  After a wonderful day and dinner with Cooper and Katy, oh yea and Mom and dad on Thursday, Kathyrn, Katy, and I headed to OKC to shop at 4 am Friday morning!  Papa kept Cooper, but Katy was excited to go “shopin” with us.   Of course, I was missing out on the ranch chores that Papa loves to save till I have an extra day off, but I didn’t care.  Figured I would worry about that on Saturday and just enjoy my time with the girls on Friday!  And yes, a definite thank you for that day….lots of love shared and Katy is a born shopper!  Saturday morning Kim and I headed out for a day of chores, first on the list was the kennels.  We worked for several hours, cleaning repairing and pampering our dogs…..I was trying hard to keep a good attitude and keep my energy going because what Kim had planned for us next was definitely going to require both a good attitude and energy.  Kim and I were going to work our calves…you know gather them, sort off mommas and then give them all their shots…..oh that means that you have to run them through the corrals and into the shoot….then give them 3 shots each!  OK, Kim lost our good shot equipment off the back of the truck awhile back and it’s too expensive to buy at one time, so we had to use one- dose shots which means I would be filling syringes for each calf….Kim would have to leave shoot, go into pens and get each calf up…..oh my…..Well, we were out in the pasture luring them in, when Kim had a call from a young-man neighbor.  He was looking for Kim because he was bored…..Oh my…..young man, country boy…bored.  Indeed!  We nabbed him up took him to Tupelo for a burger and yep, you got it….he didn’t even hesitate when Kim asked him if he would help us!!!!   I cannot even imagine how long and how many tiffs there would have been if Kim and I had set out alone!  Oh we would have done it, but…..We hadn’t been working too long when I realized how Kim and I had been blessed….Jayson did all the dangerous stuff, while I filled syringes and Kim gave the shots….Blessed….As I was cleaning up I felt a warm glow from the inside….Oh I had said “Thank you” several times, but suddenly I knew that it’s not the big things in life that warm our hearts….it’s the unselfish acts that really warm us…..right then I knew that Jayson had been sent to us by our Heavenly Father as a special Thanksgiving blessing.  And you know what…..Jayson had the best time…..He was so excited about each calf, his youthful attitude and energy were definitely a boost to Kim and I and he was having fun!  Thank you Father for the special little blessings that warm our hearts and help us but “things” into perspective!  Fill our hearts with attitudes of gratitude and help us to share the warmth of Your love with others.

 

Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21.  I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise t the name of the Lord Most High.  Psalm 7:17.  Praise the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 106:1.  Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  Psalm 33:21.

Love you all!

Overflowing With Thankfulness

Hi friends, I reached back in my archives and pulled out our Today from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving last year….and there’s a thank you… modern technology!  I’m just so excited today, silly I know, but couldn’t seem to settle down with a new thought……so many thank yous running through my mind….I know that each of us have certain struggles going on, but for the next few days, let’s try to focus on the positives…..lift our hearts and minds in total praise and see what happens….let’s remember our prayers of comfort for those mourning, healing for loved ones with health problems, peace and rest for troubled minds.  Chiming in with apostle Paul in his words from Thessalonians….”Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks!  1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18.

 

Good Morning Friends! Thankful, oh so very Thankful to be loved by HIM wonderful Wednesday!!!  The Johnson family has always had a family reunion at Thanksgiving.  Kim and I have not attended since we moved to Oklahoma, but oh I have some great memories of our Johnson Thanksgivings.  As I sat in the quiet darkness this morning having my morning chat with our Heavenly Father, my thoughts went to Thanksgiving…..being thankful, grateful, I asked for a true attitude of gratitude, I felt so blessed and undeserving of all the blessings I receive day in and day out…..Thanksgiving attitudes should be everyday….Father forgive us when we forget in between.  Well, anyway the Johnson reunions kept coming into my mind and I thought about my sister-in-law, Rita.  Rita is from Germany, Kim’s brother met her while he was stationed there many years ago.  She is a wonderful, kind, unselfish woman….worthy of thanks!  Well, what I really remember about Rita at Thanksgiving is that she always cleaned the turkey carcass…..yes the most dreaded, awful job of the whole meal and Rita did it (sure she probably still does) every time, without asking, without griping… with a smile.  Rita would stand as long as it took and pick the meat off the carcass so we could make something tasty, she never missed one speck.  Lots of times we were done with the rest of cleanup and ready for pie and Rita would still be picking…..smiling, chatting with her heavy German accent…..love just oozed from Rita as she completed the most dreaded job of the day!  You know….we don’t have to do great things to serve……it’s what’s in our hearts…..Rita’s heart reflected God’s love as she worked on the carcass….she knew the rest of us hated that job, dreaded it, so she lovingly took the job from us….Rita knows what Thanksgiving is all about……Father help us see that there are so, so many ways to serve You, to show You how grateful we are for all you do for us.  Father thank you for Your greatest gift….Your SON… who took our sin from us.  Fill us with love and gratitude.  To You be all glory, praise and honor!  A quote from Roy Lessen, “It is not how busy you can be for the Lord that makes a difference, but what the Lord does through your obedience to Him that really matters.”  Father, help us to listen and obey.

 

Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:7.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:1.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (s)!  2 Corinthians 9:15.  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 hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

Praying your Thanksgivings are blessed with His best. Love and peace to each of you.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!!

 

Is Your Worship Off Track?

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty awesome is our God, Monday!  Our church organist was out of town yesterday, so in her absence, Pastor ( he’s quite a good organist as well) recorded the whole service, liturgy and hymns on our awesome organ.  I don’t understand it all, but he records everything in order and then someone (Deb you’re the best) pushes the buttons at just the right time and we have our music!  It had been awhile since we had been without our awesome organist, so we were a bit rusty at the routine.  We are so programed by our organist to have just the right music at just the right time…so we go through the service virtually thought free….Yesterday, however things were not quite so on track…..during the liturgy we would all be doing as usual…singing with no thought when all of a sudden there would be no music….I have never heard so many deep breaths getting ready to belt out the words….big breath and nothing….the organ had not caught up with us…time and time again we would flub up….just not thinking….so used to things just going as they are supposed to.  At one point I looked up at Deb at the organ and we had to smile that “oops” smile at each other.  At that point I thought….my gosh, think Kathie…..you are in church, your worship should not be routine….use the pauses to reflect on God’s love, to thank Him for the blessings of the day, for the joy of being in His house, for His grace and forgiveness.  Use the pauses to bless Him….I enjoyed the rest of the service so much, looking forward for a chance to pause, to rest in His love and say, Thank you Father…..As I left church I asked our Father to help me to consciously pause throughout my days….to take a break, find rest and peace in Him, to thank and praise Him every chance I get!  Father, help us to never take You and the blessings you provide for us for granted….Thank you for the rest you provide when we come to You.  All glory and honor to You!

 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1.  Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.  Psalm 62:5.  The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:14.  Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.  Psalm 116:7.  Taste (pause) and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Psalm 34:8.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.  Ecclesiastes 3:13.  Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7.

Love you all!

June 17, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty Awesome is our God, Monday!  My ex in-laws and I are still very close, even though I have been divorced from their son for 33 years; shortly after Kim and I moved to OK, they came from CA for a couple of visits…Ben was originally from Holdenville, but had never been back since his family moved to CA when he was about 7.  We actually found his old home place.  Mom was born in Arkansas and had never been back their either, so they both really enjoyed being back here.  Well, low and behold about 3 years after our move, Mom and Ben bought a home in Arkansas and moved back lock, stock, and barrel!  They love their home in Harrison and don’t regret their move, but they are quite elderly and live on a very fixed income, so if they have any kind of problem, they really struggle.  I call Mom every Sunday morning and try to send them little extras once in a while, but I really am not able to help them in a big way, so when Mom’s car became terminal, it was devastating to them.  Diagnosis, new engine….well there’s no way they had money for that…..Mom was so sad…..Mom is pretty crippled up with arthritis so it’s hard for her to get in and out of Ben’s truck, not to even mention driving it….but she was….she had no car and had to get to exercise (at 83), so she would drive herself in the truck.  Each Sunday she would tell me how hard it was for her and it’s so big she had a hard time parking.  I hate Mom to be upset and wished I could afford to get her car fixed, but I knew that was not feasible, so I just prayed for them like I always do….probably more for Mom’s safety and contentment than anything because I knew they would never have the money to get her car running again.  That’s how much I know, right!!!!  Yesterday, I called Mom as usual, we were just chatting away when she casually mentioned something about her car!  “YOUR CAR!!??  YOUR CAR IS RUNNING??!!!”  I couldn’t believe she was so nonchalant in her response, “Oh yes our neighbor (mind you, they have made friends with one neighbor since they have been there) helped us.  He worked on it and financed what we needed for the engine.  He is the best friend we have ever had!”  Well, I guess he is!  I rejoiced with her and as we said our goodbyes my heart and mind were overflowing with thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father!  I could feel HIM there with me….patting me on the back….reassuring me that HE is quite capable of taking care of terminal cars in HIS own way….and time.  Gosh, I couldn’t help but smile and feel so relieved to think that my prayers for “HELP” are answered perfectly according to the will of our Heavenly Father…..Pray….trusting and believing….leave the rest to HIM!!!!  Oh Father….forgive me when I think I need to have all the answers….thank  you for always hearing my cries for help!  And Father, thank you so much for taking care of Mom and Ben!  Care to join me in a round of, “Seek and Ye shall find, Knock and the door will be opened, ask and it shall be given….. “  His love is all around!

 

This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.  (even if we don’t know what to ask!).  1 John 5:14-15.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:16.  The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayers.  1 Peter 3:12. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalm 9:10.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7. 

Love you all!

June 6, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  My commute to work this morning was a little easier than the last couple of days, just a light sprinkle compared to the heavy rain the past couple of days….Thank  you Father.  As I got close to town a song popped into my head…..just out of the blue….an old one….I don’t remember all of it, but the main line is, “Getting to know you….getting to know all about you…..”  Remember it?  I have no clue why it came to me, but it has a cheery tune so I started humming it, thinking about the words….”getting to know you.”  My thoughts turned to a conversation I had with one of my granddaughters not long ago.  They had recently moved next-door to a family they had considered friends for a long time….they were excited about the move, just imagining how great it would be to be right next door to them….Well laid plans, right!?  Let’s just say that things have not been exactly as they expected….She was telling me about something that had happened one day and it was really quite crazy….and I said to her, “We never really know someone until we live with them.”  She said, “Well that’s the truth, Nana…that’s for sure!”  Thinking about her disappointment while humming “Getting to know you,”  led me to another thought….well actually…..I felt the tap.  “Good morning Father, like this song do you?”  “Yes, my child, there is a very good message in that song for you.

“Really?”  “Think about what you said to your granddaughter…..”  Wow…..How can we really get to know our Heavenly Father if we don’t “live” with HIM?  Start each day with HIM…..prayer and meditation….we have to get into HIS word to “know all about Him”  His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path….He is our strength when we encounter, “snakes,” He rejoices in our victories and cries in our defeats……He blesses us with family and friends and everything we “need” for our daily lives…..Because He loves us…..not because of anything we did…in His mercy He gave us His only Son….forgiveness.  Yep, start the day with HIM, keep Him with you all day long (trust me He won’t get bored) and let Him lull you into peaceful sleep…..Get to know Him…..because…..”To know, know, know HIM is to Love, Love, Love HIM”  and loving Him is the most important thing we can ever do!  Thank you Father for the music of Your LOVE….Help us to really get to know You and LIVE for and WITH You every day!

 

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all true; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  James 3:17.  If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (To know Him is to love Him….Getting to know Him).  For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:1-6.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.  To Him belongs eternal praise.  Psalm 111:10.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.  1 John 4:12.  Getting to  know HIM……to LOVE HIM….

May 25, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Yesterday I asked my sweet young co-worker to come cover phones so I could get a cup of coffee.  I opened  a drawer to get out a sweetener and there was a crumpled up Kleenex….”Oh my gosh, I wondered what had happened to this, for heaven’s sake!” As I closed the drawer my sweet, young friend said, sternly, “Slow down, Kathie, you need to slow down.”  I had to agree with her…no getting around it….I need to slow down, inside and out.  For the rest of the day I worked hard on my “slow down” skills.  This morning as I sat in my chair for my morning time with our Heavenly Father, my mind was filled with Des’ words, “slow down.”  Father I said, slow me down as I read Your word this morning….help me get it.  My time in God’s word led me to Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”  The verse was underlined, so I know I had read it before, but something about the words hit me…..I read it again….slower…..”The Lord your God is with you”…..with me….little old, crazy me….”He is mighty to save….”  Oh my, do I ever need saving!  And how in the world could He ever want to “delight in me.”  The mere thought made me smile….Aha!  Key word….”quiet”  He will quiet me…..kind of like….slow me down…….gosh, what a magnificent, comforting verse…But it was the last line that really hit me as I read it, slowly, again and yet again…..”He (now we are referring to our Heavenly Father here),  “He will rejoice over you with singing.”  Had to chuckle to myself as I tried to imagine Him….in all of His Holy Magnificence….singing over me!!!!!  For just one minute I had to wonder where Zephaniah was coming from…..But just for a minute…because suddenly my mind was filled with song….Cooper belting out “Jesus Loves Me” with a smile so big, had to be our Heavenly Father singing through Him…..the sun just beginning to peek through the clouds has the birds singing in perfect harmony…..last night, as soon as Kim got in, I stopped all chores and went in and sat down with him….sat still for a long time as we chatted non-stop about our days, the kids, grandkids….didn’t even have the TV on.  Before I knew it, it was 7:30 and I hadn’t started dinner….what the heck…threw in a frozen pizza, dined in our recliners and didn’t even use a plate. He will quiet” me….Do I hear singing?....a friend brings me veggies from her garden….fresh coffee delivered to my desk by another friend…..Hmmm….The sounds of music?  Sighing, my thoughts turn to yet another friend and the situation she told me about yesterday.  She has been really stressed, worried about her dad and test results.  She and her sister had gone to a nearby town to buy groceries, both of them consumed with thoughts of their dad; as they were loading their cars an older gentleman that worked at the store approached her.  He apologized for not being there to help them and then asked if she was Christian to which she replied yes!  He then said, “I have a treat for you!’  Immediately he broke into song, strong and clear he sang an old hymn, every word loud and clear…..I had goose bumps as I listened to her...at that moment she knew….the Lord was with her…..delighting in her as His child, quieting her with His love….singing to her.  Father slow us down so that we never ever miss hearing….feeling You singing for us through each and every blessing that comes our way….Help us to see the blessing even in the things we do not understand.

 

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!  Psalm 32:11.  Le all who take refuge in You be glad; Let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.  Psalm 5:11.  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.

God Bless America, our troops past, present, and future.

Love you all!

 

May 9, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Trusting and Believing in HIM! Thursday!  Gosh, I had such a blessed day yesterday….one “little” special thing after another.  Went to the Good Book Store at lunch and they had boxed, greeting cards half price…Woo Hoo!  Saw a former co-worker and sweet friend and got her new phone number and a hug!!!  Had a wonderful call from my son in California and got my little, black car back after 2 weeks in the shop! I was singing HIS praises as I tootled home from Stonewall, sun-roof wide open!  Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful to have the old reliable Honda to drive in a pinch, but I must admit I was really excited to head to work in my little, black car!  As I got on the highway, I reached up to set the cruise control….Oh shoot, it got turned off….I have never actually turned it on, my husband has always just left it on and then I set it as needed.  Well, it was too risky to mess with it while I was on the highway so, I just told myself, “No big deal….just watch your speed.”  No big deal….HUH!  As hard as I tried, I kept finding my speed creeping up….way up past the speed limit…dang it….last thing I need is a ticket…..self –control Kathie, I told myself…exercise some self-control with your foot!  Oh boy…..the familiar tap…..Hi Father….I know, I know, I keep speeding….sorry…..can’t help it….can’t do it without my cruise control……”  “Oh Kathie, My precious child….your problem driving without speed control reminds Me of times in your life when you try to “drive” without Me….without Me to help you ‘control’ your actions…..forging down life’s highway alone,  you speed into situations that are not good for you, not pleasing to Me…..things happen…things happen…..things that I, your Heavenly Father, do not like to see happening to you….things that can lead you down a very bumpy road…..alone.  My child, ‘set’ your life with Me.”  Wow, was all I could I think…..sure could use a little more self-control in my life….I need to set my life, in His hands…..more time with Him, in word and prayer….more listening for His will in my life….more letting go…..and letting HIM!  Father, forgive us when we want to cruise alone.  Please give us strength, increase our faith, so that we let You set the controls in our lives.

The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6.  The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.  Joshua 2:11.  Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”  Matthew 24:35.  “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11.  God will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.  Isaiah 2:3.  This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is His name:  “Call to me and I will answer you and tell  you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  Jeremiah 33:2-3. 

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!!!!!

April 16, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Tuesday!  Last night Kim had call a phone call from our grandson Brayden in California.  Brayden was reading Papa Kim the very first report he had ever written.  The subject….pick your hero and write about him/her.  Well, guess who Brayden wrote about!  Yep, his Papa Kim….he read, “My hero is my Papa Kim……because he is a fireman.  He is a fireman, he helps his community,  and he saves lives……that’s why he is my hero!  I am proud of my Papa Kim.”   I didn’t hear the whole report, but that is what I could get from Papa Kim…….He was so proud, beaming like a bright light, smiling from ear to ear, so he could hardly speak.  Gosh, can you just imagine…..a tribute like that from your 7 (8 tomorrow) year old grandson.  His hero, Papa Kim.  After his call I started thinking who I would write about if I was given that assignment…..people in my life came to mind first…my mom, my brother Sam, my husband…..then I thought of some biblical persons….David slaying Goliath, Daniel in the lion’s den, how about all the apostles dying because they would never deny their faith……dying…I thought of Brayden’ s report….how Papa Kim saves lives……..yes Papa Kim and all firemen do have the opportunity at times to save lives and I am so thankful for all the people that risk their lives for others in their jobs…..And then the LIGHT came on….the LIGHT of the WORLD is my hero……Jesus our Savior, our Good Shepherd, our Best Friend….HOLY…without blame….born in a stable…..DIED FOR US!  He didn’t risk HIS life….HE GAVE IT…..WILLINGLY!  For you and for me…….Really, Hero is not nearly BIG enough to call our JESUS!!!!  We are so blessed!  By grace we have been saved……Father, my goodness how we so miss the LIGHT so often, forgive us!  Thank you for YOUR gift to us…YOUR only Son, our Savior…….Father, thank you for precious grandchildren that help us to see the LIGHT and bless our lives in such very special ways.  All Praise, Honor, and Glory to You!!!!!

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.   Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for You name’s sake.  Psalm 79:9  Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.  You ha e filled my heart with great joy than when their grain and new wine abound.  Psalm 4:6-7.  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His suffering in order that we may also share in His glory.  Romans 8:16—17. 

Love you all!

April 2, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Tuesday!  I didn’t realize that it had rained during the night, but when I got up I could hear it on the metal roof of the porch….I said a thank you prayer.  As I drove into work the rain was steady….not too hard, so visibility was ok, but steady enough to be a good rain….I said another thank you, grateful for the rain for our dry pastures and low ponds…..My thoughts turned to the pasture Kim and I had checked on Sunday….I smiled as I envisioned the fragile, green- grass yearning to emerge through the dry grass…..I felt my shoulders relax and even though when I left the house my husband was worried and anxious, I could feel a smile forming in my heart….yearning to break out in joy…….My heart and mind were consumed with the many blessings our Heavenly Father rains on me every day…..doesn’t have to be a torrential down pour, the gentle blessings are so wonderful too….you know…..lunch with an old friend…..a call from a grandchild…..fresh coffee delivered to your desk…..dying Easter eggs with grandkids and then hunting them……something you really need going on sale……a visit with family you haven’t seen in a long while…..notice of on-line donations to Rely for Life popping up on computer…..fresh eggs from the chickens you thought never would lay…..homemade ice cream…friends that pray faithfully for and with you…..new tires……the Good Will Store……volunteer firemen…..sweet puppies….good jobs…..French toast made with rye bread and powdered sugar…cold water in the fountain at the touch of a finger…an unexpected box of goodies in the mail from your sister…….gentle rain falling on the pastures…..sunshine that follows the rain……green grass…….Thank you Father for the good little blessings that bless us every day.  Forgive us for being too busy, too dry to appreciate our steady blessings……to Praise and Thank you with grateful hearts….Shame on us Father….Thank you for loving us still!  All glory, honor and praise to YOU!!

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 gates 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! 

April 1, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty and Miraculous is our God, Monday!  Christ is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!  Praying that your Easter celebrations were as blessed as ours were!  We headed to church early for our annual Easter breakfast before Sunday School; what a wonderful array of breakfast casseroles, muffins, delicious monkey bread and luscious fresh fruit!  The kids had the tables decorated with baskets they had made from empty plastic containers and several different styles of decorated eggs, and of course let’s not forget the lovely green Easter grass and candy!!!!  Spirits were high as we joined in celebrating the resurrection of our Jesus, our Lord and Savior!  The kids, well me too….had a blast in our egg rolling contest…you know roll the egg, like the stone was rolled from Jesus’ tomb!  And then we headed over to Sterling House with a box full of beautiful vases that the girls had made from empty glass jars, we filled them with beautiful silk flowers, and with special Easter greetings from the Sunday school kids, handed them out to residents.  Really not sure who enjoyed it more the residents or the kids….my heart was warm with the love of Easter as I watched the kids shining brightly with the love of Jesus!  After a nice nap, Kim and I headed out on the four-wheeler to check for new calves and check a lease pasture that’s been empty for a while to see if there was any grass growing.  The sun shining so warmly, I climbed on behind Kim and thanked God for the beauty of His creation.  As we approached the lease from the road we were not encouraged; the pasture was thick with dry, brown grass…..from the road, no sign of any green….new life….food for the cows….we continued down the road, opened the gate and headed in for a closer look.  We hadn’t been in long when we could indeed see green peeking through the dead grass…..even where the dead grass was very thick, looking close you could see the tender, green, grass….hope…..the green of life coming through the dead, dry, brown.  As we covered the pasture we felt quite hopeful that in a couple of weeks there would be sufficient grass for the cows.  As Kim and I headed home, the thought occurred to me that our lives, at times, are thick with the dead, dry, grass of the world…..dry grass that wants to choke out the hope of new, green, life…..I thought of earlier in the weekend when something that happened wanted to choke us with stress and worry….and then my thoughts turned to our church service…..the joy of Easter consumed my thoughts…..Jesus died….but the world did not choke HIM out, no HE rose on the third day……Alive, like the green grass….Jesus is our hope for LIFE everlasting…..no matter how dry the world might get, as HIS children, we are never ever without HOPE….without LOVE….without LIFE.  Father, thank you for YOUR SON, our HOPE…..for life everlasting with YOU.

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 hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.  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. 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. 

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!

Love you all!

February 1, 2013

Good Morning Friends! Forever loved by Him, Friday!!!  My husband was out of town yesterday, so I had to feed all the dogs when I got home last night.  I had talked to Kathyrn in the afternoon and told her I would be feeding both kennels after work, well for heaven’s sake, when I got home she and Cooper, and Katy were there and almost done feeding….how sweet was that!   I hurried into the house to change so I could go out and help them finish; Kim called and said that the neighbor that had feed the big animals didn’t realize that we had feeder lambs that needed to be fed, so……honey you will have to feed them.  We just got them last weekend so he had to explain to me what and how much.  Kathyrn and the kids were happy to go with me;  first stop was the fodder factory to harvest one 5- gallon bucket of fodder….Cooper followed me out the door, but I was in front of him so I didn’t notice when he stepped full on into a mud puddle (remember Cooper is in a cast and wears that boot thing for a shoe).  I didn’t notice, but his Mom did and she was not happy….Poor Cooper, she picked him up, pulled off the boot, put him back in the car, and told him to stay there!  Oh my goodness, he was so upset, just cried and cried you know how it is when you are 3!  Of course, Katy went in to get the fodder with us, so that upset Cooper all the more!  We got our bucket full, loaded it in the car and headed up the hill to feed the lambs, once again, Mommy made Cooper stay in the car (it was cold and windy and he had no shoe…..).   And once again, Katy went with us and joyfully helped fill the troughs with hay while Cooper continued to cry…..a tare at Nana’s heart, pathetic, whimpering, whining, almost tears kind of cry……he never stopped.  No matter what I did or said to him he continued to cry.  Back at the house Katy came in with me to borrow some hot dogs for dinner and get a popsicle…..we could hear Cooper all the way on the porch.  I cut the popsicle in half, half to Katy and half to Cooper….NOT!  Cooper was way too busy being pathetic to even have a popsicle…a blue one at that, wrapped in a napkin so his fingers wouldn’t get cold….Oh my, now that is bad!  Poor Cooper…..later in the evening I couldn’t help but think how pathetic Cooper had been and how he missed out on fun times with me and all the animals because of it.  Cooper was simply feeling sorry for himself.  Ding Dong….I heard the bell……how often in our lives do we act like Cooper, feeling sorrow for ourselves, missing out on so many blessings…..so many happy times with friends and family…..even to the point of making ourselves physically sick because of our attitude.  Life does suck sometimes…..we do step in puddles…..get our boots wet….get stuck in the car…how we handle it makes all the difference…..If we snuff out the light of God’s love with a pathetic attitude we are only hurting ourselves….missing out on fun times with our Heavenly Father…..Let’s choose to be happy, positive uplifting…..not by ourselves, nope….can’t do it alone….got to Ride with our Heavenly Father….lean on HIM….give HIM the puddles and take the blessings!  “Don’t worry, be happy!”  Thanks Father for hanging in there with us when we step in puddles.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13.  I have learned t be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Philippians 4:11-12.  I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Isaiah 41:13.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6.  Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord.  You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.  Psalm 4:6-7.

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

December 21, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Forever His, Friday! A few weeks ago we decorated our front lobby for Christmas (remember I am the receptionist). We put up a big tree and as a final touch to the decorations we hung candy canes all over, our plan was to offer everyone, little and big a candy cane from the tree. Oh what a pleasure I have had offering young and old alike a chance to take a candy cane from the tree….bright smiles, sincere thank yous….simple pleasures….Christmas joy! Candy canes have been a part of Christmas for as long as I can remember….how about you? Did you know that there’s real thought and meaning behind the candy cane? The candy cane was invented by a candy maker in Indiana, his main purpose to make a candy that would really represent the true meaning of Christmas….a witness to our Greatest Gift….JESUS….THE REASON FOR THE SEASON….Here’s his analogy…..the first candy canes were all white to represent the virgin birth and the holiness of Jesus…..the candy is hard to represent THE SOLID ROCK of our faith. The candy, first is in the shape of a J….for JESUS; when you turn it over it becomes a cane….a shepherd’s cane to represent that we are children of the GOOD SHEPHERD….who takes care of us, nurtures and protects us and brings us back to HIM when we stray. Last, but certainly not least, he added the red stipe……red to represent JESUS blood shed for us…..no price for us….freely HE gave HIS life for us……We need only put our faith in HIM, the Good Shepherd, our Solid Rock! So in the next few days when you come across a candy cane….remember the candy maker from Indiana that shared so wonderfully the REASON FOR THE SEASON…..and share HIS PERFECT LOVE with someone…..Father, help us to remember the true gift of Christmas every day! Not just once a year...and help us to share the message of the candy cane!

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord. This will a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in “swaddling” clothes and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12. 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. 

 

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones….Love you all!