February 7, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully HIS, Thursday!  I couldn’t help but feel a little down this morning coming into work….the sky was so overcast…not really raining, but really wet, and it just kind of hung, kind of heavy over me….I know we need rain so badly, kind of wish it would just rain, really rain and stop this dreary drizzle stuff.  I drove along, like I said feeling a little down and then I noticed how green the sides of the road are turning….through the dry, brown grass fresh green grass is growing…showing through the dreary brown….as I passed a pasture there were several young calves frolicking playfully together while mama cows grazed nearby….they were grazing on what appeared to be…bits of green grass…..ahh….I was thinking about how beautiful the pastures are when they are plush with green and then I spotted a bunch of blooming daffodils at the end of someone’s drive….bright yellow, like the warm sun…..I had to lift my eyes to the heavens and ask our Father to forgive me for feeling so dreary when I have so much…..Thank you for precious reminders……green grass and calves…..new life…everlasting life for us through Your Son…..His Light, bright, like the daffodils…. and warm shining on us……lifting us….loving us.  All Glory to You Precious Father!

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.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17.  Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.  1 Chronicles 16:8.  Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:7. Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:57.

Love you all!

January 14, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Marveling in His mighty love, Monday!   I usually buy groceries on payday Friday, but last Friday things came up and I just couldn’t get to it; so Kim and I decided to come into town late Saturday afternoon, get groceries, and then go out to dinner!  It was really cold, so I dressed appropriately…or so I thought.  Warm coat, gloves, stocking hat and my warm, all- weather, Ugg type boots.  About half way through our list it sounded like jet airplanes were right on top of us….was actually a torrential downpour!  By the time we finished shopping and headed to the car it was barely sprinkling, but of my gosh!  The parking lot was flooded….and it was cold!  I was so glad that I was dressed for the occasion (or so I thought)  feeling so smug in all my outer wear I drudged right into the flooded parking lot…..OH NO!  THERE’S NO WAY!!!  THESE BOOTS ARE WATER PROOF!!!!......or so I thought.  Within a matter of seconds, my feet were soaked…..my boots leaked….my boots that I was so sure were all weather…..leaked…..I thought I was ready for anything and my boots leaked….within seconds!  Later that evening after we got back home and I was removing my wet socks and trying to warm my feet I couldn’t help but think that the smug feelings I had about my “all weather” boots carries into my life.  How often do we carry on like we are untouchable….that will never happen to me….we go about our daily lives with little contact with our Heavenly Father, smugly thinking we are prepared for things on our own and then….BAM!!!!  In a matter of seconds our life feels like it is flooded with worry…..one minute we are smug and confident and the next minute “our feet are wet” with stress and worry……alone in the blowing wind and rain…..drowning…..in just a matter of seconds!  Good news!  Doesn’t have to be this way, nope!  We just need to stay dressed in God’s word, praying and talking to HIM daily….heck hourly…….That’s where we get our strength, our protection from the “bad weather” this world can dump on us……Spending time, regular time with our Heavenly Father we are prepared for the storms……Father, we know that life will always have its storms, but we are so thankful that You are there with us when we call on You!  Help us to stay “dressed” in You every day in every way.

For nothing is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37.  For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13.  The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him  Daniel 9:9.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.

Love you all!

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!

December 18, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally wrapped in His loving arms, Tuesday!  The verses below are from Luke 2, King James Version.  Even though for most of my daily reading I use the New International Version of God’s holy word, the story of our Savior’s birth I love to read in the King James.  The words I am most intrigued by today is “swaddling clothes.”  I have read that verse, Luke 2:7 all of my life, but never until this year has it touched my heart in such a warm and loving way!  The reason being, my great grandson Tucker; Tucker’s mommy has “swaddled” him since he was born.  She actually has swaddling blankets……Tucker is most at peace, calm and secure when he is “swaddled”…wrapped tightly in his warm blanket….now I mean real tight, his little arms are inside the blanket too…..Tucker loves to be swaddled!  Now my Hailey might think that swaddling is a new concept…that the “swaddling blanket” is a current concept, but take a look at verse 7…..Mary wrapped baby Jesus in “swaddling clothes”  now is that awesome or what!  2012 years ago, Mary wrapped Jesus in a “swaddling blanket.”  When I read that this morning….a quiet peace and warmth went over me……I thought of baby Jesus wrapped tightly, looking like a little burrito, just like my precious Tucker…..Oh my……that’s when the “light” came on….the LIGHT of Jesus LOVE……the LIGHT of JESUS LOVE “swaddles” us….He takes us in His arms and wraps us ever so tightly….cuddles us…comforts us….protects us…forgives us…..Swaddled in His arms we are at peace, calm and secure….Thank you Father for the gift of Your only Son….for Your love that swaddles us in His Perfect love….Your Son the light of the world!  And Father, thank you for the precious gift of grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34.  Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:2.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  Psalm 33:21.

Love you all!

November 20, 2012

Good Morning Friends!!!!!  Totally at awe in His love, Tuesday.  “Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above the Heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”   My husband and I were blessed… amazingly blessed… so amazingly blessed last night that I am beyond words other than “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…..”  Father thank you, for the blessing of such special people in my life…..pour Your love and blessing on them and help me to shine and share with Your love!

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.  Psalm 95:2.  The pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.  Proverbs 27:9  Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work;  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the one who falls and has no one to help him up!  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.  Love one another deeply, from the heart.  1 Peter 1:22.

Love you all!

November 15, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by HIM Thursday!!!!  Well my Alaska girls are officially now “Cali” girls!  I guess “Cali” is the cool way to say you are from California.  Anyway they are officially, as of last night, in their new home….new state…..new school….new friends….new climate (we are talking it was -20 when they left Fairbanks-48 in CA right now, hi of 74 today and that’s the norm)…..new lifestyle.  Wow…..those girls put a lot of faith in their dad as they pulled out of Fairbanks in their truck and trailer…..faith that he made the right decision to move them all the way to California, faith that he would drive them safely on such a very long journey (we had no contact with them for 3 days while they were going through Canada)….faith they will like their new home, school, friends…..Brave girls I say!!!!  Brave and trusting children!  As children of our Heavenly Father, we can take some lessons from my girls!  They have faith that Dad is going to take care of them…..they lean on him…..Who do we lean on?  Do we follow the plans our Heavenly Father… where do we put our faith?  Do we lean on our jobs, friends, money to get us through or do we place our lives in the all-knowing, all-loving arms of our Heavenly Father?  Do we get in HIS truck lock, stock and barrel, trusting and believing in where HE is leading us…..faithfully following HIS decisions for us……?  Or do we question Him….”Oh come on Father, are you sure you want me to teach Sunday School?”   “Father, really, you want me to apologize to him…..?”   Hmmm……what is that our Heavenly Father says about the faith of little children….Father forgive us for questioning Your will for our lives…..increase our faith so that we listen, hear and follow YOU in everything we do.

But 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.  For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.  They will be protected forever….  Psalm 37:28.  “According to you faith will it be done to you….” Matthew 9:28.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9.  The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6.  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him  Nahum 1:7.

Love you all!  

November 9, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Our good friend Thomas Kinkade said, “An attitude of thankfulness can also increase your joy by increasing your sense of abundant blessing.”   It’s his quote for today on my little desk calendar;  I read it this morning when I tore off yesterday’s and thought that’s nice….didn’t really dwell on it.  Then I got an email from a friend that said she was thankful she had finally found the right color for her hair.  I emailed her back and asked her if she colored her hair herself and mentioned that I was thankful that my sweet Kathyrn had come over to my house yesterday and cleaned my floors!  She emailed back, excited for my clean floors and told me that her husband colors her hair!  Too cool I replied and told her that my husband cuts mine sometimes….I expressed how blessed we are with such sweet hubbies….yet another thank you!  She also asked me to pray for her son who is battling with his allergies….I replied that I rarely have a problem with allergies….hmmm, one more thank you!  I clicked send and felt compelled to reread Kinkade’s quote…..”An attitude of thankfulness….”   Clean floors, no allergies, Kim cooked a magnificent dinner last night, sweet grandbabies, rain in the forecast, it’s Friday, Monday is a holiday, (God Bless our veterans and those serving now), tuna (my favorite) for lunch, giving a friend a ride home tonight a chance for a good visit, bacon egg and cheese biscuit for breakfast (lovingly prepared by my sweetie), the trees are magnificent with fall colors, rain in the forecast, precious grandbabies, my dog Baby has 7 puppies, oh passed the inspection in kennels with flying colors…..gosh by heart and mind are overflowing with joy!  I am abundantly blessed, even on a seemingly bad day.....if I carry a smiling attitude….and attitude of thankfulness my joy continues to increase.  Thank you Father for the abundant blessings you shower on me every day…..every hour….every minute…..keep me ever mindful of Your love, so that I share my thankfulness with others and spread the joy!  PS would love to hear some of your thank yous today!

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.  Ephesians 5:19-20.  Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17.  A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13.  The cheerful heart has a continual feast.  Proverbs 15:15.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4.

Love you all!

October 24, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Wow, sure is wonderful to be His child, Wednesday! This morning I was sitting in my cozy chair, in the dark, having a good visit with our Heavenly Father…..all was quiet until…..until my donkey (actually Hailey’s donkey, down for a visit with his girlfriend) started braying like the world was coming to an end! My first thought was…..Oh my gosh, how obnoxious, he knows I am not coming out there this morning…but then I just had to smile….silly donkey, what a racket he makes just to get my attention….There in the quiet darkness of the morning I smiled again thinking about me yesterday…oh heck so many days! Oh, I am sure my pleas sounded as obnoxious as Eyore’s braying….Oh my do I bray at God? Do I just cry out in the darkness sounding desperate and out of control? Yes…..I know that at times….like yesterday……I do……but, I think that our Heavenly Father smiles when I do…not because I am suffering, but because He wants us to come to Him……He knows the source of our pain and He is the only one that can fix it…..and HE wants to fix it and He rejoices when we come to HIM!!! Why oh why are we as stubborn as a……donkey sometimes!!!!! Oh Father, thank you for your attentive ears, Your open arms, Your endless love!

You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. Oh Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 30:11-12. But I trust in you O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who purse me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Psalm 31: 14-16

 

Love you all!

October 23, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally trusting in His will, Tuesday!  I am taking a big step today……totally trusting…..got some issues going on that I have been slowly letting get the best of me…… worry, stress, and anxiety are clouding my days; I don’t like it and worse yet I know that our Heavenly Father really doesn’t like it.   Went to Proverbs this morning for some wisdom, Proverbs 3:5-6 is quite clear, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”  Key word in these verses is “all”  all our hearts and all our ways….that’s where we struggle….or at least me….all is a big word…..a big step to give it “all” to Him…..I know in my heart what I need to do…..He has taught me, but yet it’s so hard to just let go…..but I know it is the only way to peace for me…..No stories today friends…..just steps…..little ones to get me going….to get my strength up and then…….stepping out of my worry into HIS arms……basking in His peace instead of wallowing in my worries……Father….get ready….get set….here I come…Thank you Father for taking all of my worries....for letting me lean on You.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.  Hebrews 12:2.  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?.....Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink?’ or What shall we wear?’…..you Heavenly Father knows you need them.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6 selected verses.  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:28-29.

Love you all!

October 19, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Finally Friday is what I feel like saying this morning….but He has proven His love for me so it’s….forever loved by Him, Friday!!!!  Last night I had a dream about spiders, well one spider actually….quite a unique one at that.  The dream actually woke me up.  Doesn’t really surprise me that I had a dream whose main character was a spider because the spiders are just everywhere right now, both at home and at work; they lurk in corners just waiting for an opportunity to scare some unsuspecting woman…..small ones, big ones, hairy ones, scary ones…..but none quite so unique as the one in my dream…..that one was translucent…..I could see right through it, now that was kind of scary.  Like I said the dream woke me and I laid awake for a while thinking about it, but it wasn’t until this morning that I understood that see-through spider.  Yesterday the fuel filter on my little black car plugged up so I had to take the old Honda car to work, no biggie I thought, I got a new filter in town and Kim would put it on for me….on the road again!  Well, on the way home last night, I felt something odd, pulled off the road and checked, darn the right front tire was separating….finished trip home at about 10 mph!  Still not worried cause I knew Kim would get my little black car fixed up again.  He went out early this morning to take care of it, but when I went out to leave at 7:20 he was fit to be tied.  My car would not start…..he tried everything, but to no avail….he tried and tried and tried….it was getting later and later….I tried to call a friend for a ride, but was too late, called work and told them I would be late again (thank heavens for an understanding boss) and prayed that it would start…..NOPE!!!!!  Finally, totally in a twit Kim said, “YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE MY TRUCK, BUT YOU HAVE TO GET FUEL, GET YOUR STUFF AND GET GOING!!!!”   I hope the capitol letters help you get the drift of his mood…mine wasn’t much better.  You see, his truck is big….real big….my legs barely, if I am sitting forward, reach the pedals big….plus it needed fuel…OH MY GOSH…..I WAS FIT TO BE TIED......driving his truck makes me a wreck, and I was going to be so late to work….it’s hard to shift and there are so many deer out right now…..As I loaded my stuff and “jumped” in the thoughts in my mind were definitely not any that I would be proud for our Heavenly Father to know……that’s when it hit me….the translucent spider……..Oh my gosh!  He sees right through me….He knows what’s in my heart and mind…..I am translucent to HIM…..oh no!  I was in a dither, but I felt His tap….”Kathie, My child, I do know what you were thinking and no it was not very nice…..but I hear you now too….you are sorry and I forgive you.  I will always forgive you when you come to Me with a repentant heart.  Now go on and get to work…..I am with you, I love you….you are forgiven.”  I hope I never really see a translucent spider, but I am sure thankful for the reminder…..sure needed it today.  Father thank you so much for taking care of me this morning even when I was less than lovable…..help me see the blessings in each and every day.  Thank you for loving and forgiving me always.

For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.  Psalm 25:11.  My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks t the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  1 John 2:1.  You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding love and faithfulness.  Psalm 86:15.  The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rise to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!  Isaiah 30:18.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12.

Love you all!

October 15, 2012

 

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty is our God, Monday!  Remember a few weeks ago I told you about a major project the my husband is working on?  He did his research, made a plan, bought materials, and now the work has begun!  And what a job it is going to be…..Last Saturday was his first day to start constructing….he had a helper to weld and the two of them started off to the shop about 7:30.  After cleaning up the breakfast mess, I headed out to the kennels to do not only my usual Saturday cleaning, but all of Kim’s part too…..I was ok with that though, figured I could be done about noon and then I had big plans to spend some time doing some very much needed cleaning and book work!  I was actually looking forward to the time to get some things done that had been bugging me!  Well, about 10, Kim called and asked me if I would bring him some tea and a jug of water for his helper…said I would be there in a few…..found a good stopping point and headed up to the shop with tea, water, and a snack.  They were hard at it….David was set up welding outside and Kim was cutting the metal for him as quick as he could.  I was not prepared for what my husband had to say…..”hey, when you get done down there, sure could use you up here, so much to cut….I sure could use your help.”  Oh my gosh…..Please NO, I have big plans for this day….was my thought, but by the look on his face and the desperate plea in his voice, I knew he was serious and I was needed.  So…I went back to house, finished up kennels, put on my clothes more suited to cutting metal and headed back up to the shop.  By the size of the load of material on the trailer I knew my work was cut out for me!  The project requires building lots of racks so when we cut, we cut anywhere from 60 to 120 pieces of the same size.  All of which had to be hauled out to be welded……the last piece we cut was out of heavy flat medal, we cut 112 pieces 3 inches long…..after they were cut they had to go to the drill press and get 2 holes drilled in each one……oh my gosh….what a tedious job!  My part of the job was to keep oil on the bit in order to keep it from getting too hot.  Kim explained to me that if the bit gets too hot it will break.  So, I took hold of my oil can and got to squeezing….my gosh what a boring job and a little dangerous too as I had to remove each piece without getting my hand in the moving drill…….Standing there with my squirt can waiting for the holes to be drilled, I couldn’t help but think how boring the job was, but so very important!   The holes had to be drilled and if there was no bit……from there my thoughts went to our Heavenly Father…..Oh what a job He has “drilling His love” into us!  At times I know that are hearts and minds are much harder than that metal…..and yet I know that He never gets bored with drilling His love into our hearts and minds, pouring the precious oil of His love on us so that we don’t break…..loving us, forgiving us, guiding us, protecting us, providing all that we need……Father, thank you for never getting bored with our hard hearts and minds as You continuously pour Your love on us.  Forgive us Father…..

“With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.  Isaiah 54a;8. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  Psalm 103:8.  We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.  Hebrews 2:1.   As the Holy Spirit says:  “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”  Hebrews 3:7-8. Let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and Knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  1 John 4:7-8. 

Praise Him, Praise Him all you little children….God is LOVE, God is LOVE!    Love you all!

October 10, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  Several years ago, out in Lula, we began hearing rumors that the road in front of our house, CR 1660, was going to be redone….you know widened… the whole shamoley!  CR 1600 has a big jog in it so not only does it go in front of our house, but off of Hwy 48 west to Owl Creek.  Oh there’s a little jog north off 48 too, big project.  Like I said just rumors at first and then as time passed we began receiving more information and facts!  The job would be done, no exact date, but definite…..there’s so much more to a project like that than we know about….all the planning; can you imagine, legalities, easements, budgets….stuff I can only imagine!  Takes a long time and a lot of work to get a project like this moving.  Well, this past year we have been seeing more signs that it’s coming, gas and water lines marked, just this last week they started doing some boring just west of us and then Monday Kim and I were coming back from town and there were little yellow danger signs hanging from the power lines that cross the road.  Kim said, “Well they must be getting really close to starting, the warning flags are a definite sign that things are about to get started.”  We discussed how long it’s been since we first heard the rumors, all the waiting and now finally looks like it’s going to happen.  Gosh it will be wonderful to have really nice roads, so much better on my little car.  Oh yes, it will be inconvenient at times because I will have to find alternate routes to work, dodge equipment…you know, but the end project will be fantastic.  This morning as I drove into work I watched for the yellow flags reflecting on the fact that after all this time we are going to have nice smooth roads!   The thought hit me…..our life as Christians is so much like this major road project!  Life is not always easy for us just because we are God’s precious children…..we have our obstacles….there’s lots of planning and preparation…..we must talk with Him every day…you know go over plans, read His word….figure out the legalities…..pray for wisdom and guidance to do things His way so that the job is well-done…..we need to equip ourselves with His tools so that our final project is well done!  Our road to Him takes a life time….. lots of pot holes, curves, hills…..but if we follow His plan, stay close to Him….do our best for Him…… after all, He gave His only Son for us!!! And by HIS GRACE we are saved! Let’s give our lives to Him, trusting and believing HIM as our Perfect project manager!!!  Heavenly Father, it’s a crazy world here, but with you we can do it….we can complete the project and spend eternity with YOU.  Keep us strong Father!

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you wit loving-kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3.  From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him and His righteousness with their children’s children.  Psalm 103:17.  Everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world even our faith.  1 John 5:4.  With God all things are possible.  Matthew 19:26.  Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great poser and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.  Jeremiah 32:17.  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize (finish the project) which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14. 

Love you all!

October 9, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally taken by His love, Tuesday!  Tuesday…..almost wanted to say Monday because of our holiday yesterday!  Aren’t 3 day weekends nice once in a while.  Trouble was, this morning when the alarm went off, I did not want to get up……that extra day of sleeping in a bit spoiled me fast!  I laid in bed a few minutes thinking “Oh gosh, I do not want to get up…..wish I had another day off, it’s cold out there and I am tired; another day would be great….”   I hadn’t been procrastinating and bemoaning having to get up too long when one of my favorite Sunday School songs popped into my head!  “Rise, Shine, give God the glory, glory.  Rise, Shine, give God the glory, glory (familiar?  Join in) RISE and SHINE and GIVE GOD THE GLORY, GLORY.  Children of the Lord!”  That’s all it took…..a gentle hint…..I had a great weekend, an extra day to be with family, time to get my Jack O Lantern painted, time to bake, time to relax and now…it’s time to get up and get to work…..I am blessed to have a good job to get up and go to, I have a wonderful car to get me to and from, good people to spend my day with, and a wonderful family waiting for me at home……let’s not forget my cozy old house, now sporting a great big jack O lantern (used a round bale) in the drive way!  And best of all, I am one of the Lord’s children!  So are you, so aren’t we blessed….doesn’t that just energize you to do the best you can…today…..everyday!   Oh, some days are not so easy, that’s for sure….but like this morning when I was feeling sorry for myself just thinking about the love of our Heavenly Father got me up and going!   Too blessed to feel sorry for myself or waste one minute of the beautiful day He has given me!  Glory, glory, glory….All glory to You our most awesome Heavenly Father!  Father, forgive us when we slip and let our minds waver from You and how much You love us!  Thank you for our many, many, many blessings!

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 wind abound.  Psalm 4:6-7.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.  Be joyful always.  1 Thessalonians 5:16.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!!  Philippians 4:4.

Love you all!

October 5, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Remember yesterday we talked about cruise control, specifically, “God’s cruise control?”  Well, must have been the day for that topic because Roy Lessin’s quotes for yesterday and today both carry out that theme.  So, gonna share…..”God’s desire is that you walk upon the pathway the He has called you to follow.  He wants you to walk with confidence in His wisdom to guide you….with trust in His power to keep you…and with the assurance that He makes no mistakes.”  That was yesterday, pretty good don’t ya think, now for today’s….”God is leading you on a prepared pathway and will perfectly lead you into the plans He has for your life.  Take each step without concern about where the path is taking you.  He has gone ahead of you like a scout who has already checked out the trail.  Nothing that is ahead will take Him by surprise.”  We are not out there alone, friends, are lives are not haphazard!  Our Heavenly Father is our Guide, our Protector, our Healer, our everything!  One of my favorite hymns comes to mind….”Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee.  Take my moments and my days.  Let them flow in ceaseless praise.”  Don’t worry, be happy!!!!  God is in control!  Thank you Father, for Your constant love and care. 

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8.  The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with your; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8.  We say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:6.

Love you all!

October 4, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Well, at the ripe old age of 61 and now the owner of a car with cruise control, I am proud to say I have finally figured out how to use it!!!!  Didn’t take me too long, did it….!!!  I am really enjoying setting my speedometer on 65 as I get on the highway…..my little black car has a tendency to want to fly when it gets on the highway, so by setting the cruise my worries about getting a ticket are alleviated!!!  I really like that….This morning, I was a little late leaving the house, so I encountered more traffic on the highway than usual…..at one point I had to press on the break, releasing the cruise control and slow down…..As I was sitting at the stop light near the office, gloating about my cruise control, I felt that familiar tap on my shoulder…..Yes Father….ok, I am sorry for gloating, but sure like that cruise control!  “Kathie, not here about your gloating, but do watch that….about cruise control……You know, I too offer a form of “cruise control”   “Father, what the heck are you talking about??!!”   “Now, Kathie…..be still and think about it for just a minute…..think about setting your life on my ‘cruise control.’  Set your life on ME and don’t hit the brake when things aren’t going just your way……Set your life on ME……let ME be your total, constant guide….let ME be in control……..Trust and Believe in My will for your life…..not just the big stuff…..everything….every day…….every which but loose from Me!!!!  I love you, I want what’s best for you!  Relax…..be still…..set My cruise and be ready to be blessed!”  Wow, Father….You are so smart…..don’t understand why you love us so much, but sure glad You do!  Help us be strong in our faith so we willingly let You be in control of our lives!  And thanks for the many blessings!  Father I just love the colors of fall! 

The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.  Psalm 33:11.  The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21.  “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.  I guide you in t the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.  Proverbs 4:11:12.  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.  Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5.

Love you all!

October 1, 2012

Good Morning Friends!! Magnificent is our God, Monday!  Last week a sweet friend gave me a bag of fresh green apples.  You know the tart ones that are so good for cooking and baking!  Well, I had a busy week and didn’t get to them, but Saturday afternoon as it was raining I decided to make some applesauce.  I had not made applesauce for, probably, a couple of years.  I love to make it for Kim, with Splenda, so it’s good for him and lots of cinnamon!  So I peeled, cored, chopped, and flopped them in a pan with a little water….soon the water was boiling, so I turned it down to simmer.  Within a few minutes I was able to perform my first mash!  Soon I was adding the Splenda and cinnamon….oh did it ever smell wonderful!  If I do say so myself, the final product was quite yummy!  Hailey, Cooper and Katy were all there for a visit so I shared with them and they loved it too!  It’s always, a joy to treat your family to something special, especially when it’s so good for them too.  The final product was worth the work for sure…..took a little time to get there, but no pain no gain right!!  So applesauce is cooling, everyone has had a little taste and there on the counter is a big bowl of peelings and cores…….so, you are thinking….throw them away and get the mess cleaned up right?  Nope…..not one peel, seed, core….not one little speck was wasted!!!!  Out to the critters I went….oh how the donkeys love apple peels and the bunnies too!  You should have seen them all quivery with excitement as I opened their cage and gave them a few peels.  All the rest…..to my precious chickens!  They ate it all….every last seed!  Not one piece was wasted, rather, what some might think is worthless fed my critters….nourished and treated them too!  Just think what we could accomplish if we didn’t waste any of the talents/skills that God gives us…..oh we go around thinking we don’t have any talents, we can’t do anything special, nothing to help anyone……Just think about it…..if apple peelings can make donkeys bray in delight and bunnies quiver with excitement, just think what one of your beautiful smiles could do for someone having a bad day….how about the neighbor kid waiting for his parents to get home from work that needs help with his homework…..or maybe a snack.  How about the young mom juggling little ones in the grocery line….would it be a waste to let her go in front of you….then maybe helping her to her car to get loaded up?  How about the bake sale for Relay for Life, or Sunday school class without a teacher….how about the old neighbor that needs help with her yard…..or a friend that needs help with a recipe…….are you thinking these aren’t talents Kathie…..Oh yes….I think they are…..when we use our hearts, minds, and bodies to help others we are serving our Heavenly Father…..we are using the gifts He gave us for good…….No act is too small…Wouldn’t it be a shame to waste what He has given us!  Heavenly Father, thank you for equipping us with wonderful bodies and minds, fill our hearts with the desire to use all that you give us to help others.  To You be the glory.  And Father, thank you for yummy apples, friends that share and all our wonderful critters!

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  1 Corinthians 12:5.  It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere.  Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him.  Deuteronomy 13:4.  If anyone serves, He should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Crist.  1 Peter 4:11.  Each one should use whatever gift He has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  1 Peter 4:10.  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.  1 Timothy 1:12.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10. 

Love you all!

September 28, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His Friday!!!!  This is the day the Lord has made!!!!  Let’s rejoice and be glad in it!!!!  …….Wednesday, it was hot, dry and windy…..Thursday raining cats and dogs and cool…….today fogged in……Each day uniquely blessed by our Lord and Father…..each day His….whatever the “weather” we are still HIS, He will never, ever, ever, leave us or forsake us…..on the days we are “fogged in” HE is there…..we must just be still, be still…wait….watch for the break in the clouds……He is there…..He is watching over us….over our families and friends…….Be still…….quiet….listen……Hear Him….feel Him……Be still….swaddled in His arms……the SON will shine……we are not alone…..we are His children…loved.  Thank you Father, for being with us even when we are feeling fogged in.

And hope does not dis appoint us, because God has poured His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.  Romans 5:5.  “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5.  Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.  Psalm 55:22.  Pray without ceasing.  1 Thessalonians 5:17.  The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?  The Lord protects me from danger—so why should I tremble?  Psalm 27:1. 

Love you all!

September 27, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Each morning when I get in my car and start out the drive way I sing a little praise song…..You might know it, “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow”……familiar?  I’ve been doing it for a long time….think I started during a sad time in my life….a time I needed to be reminded that I am blessed and not alone and it just feels so good that I continued.  This morning it was starting to rain….I turned on the wipers as I sang and thought, “Oh yea….the blessings are flowing from the sky this morning!”  We really need the rain on our dry pastures and ponds, so the gentle rain boosted my morning mood……Praise God for sure, I thought…..for the rain……for the new day……for the gift of His Son……Praise Him for my wonderful raincoat on the seat next to me…….Praise Him for the joy of a granddaughter’s birthday today (Happy birthday Katy J) For all my grandkids…..Praise Him for a sweet hubby that makes breakfast everyday….Praise Him that the rain will pass and the sun will shine brightly……grass will grow…….” Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye Heavenly Hosts, “Praise Father, Son , and Holy Ghost.”  Praying you feel the blessings of His love overflowing in your life today.  Praise Him, Praise Him!!

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise….Psalm 8:1-2.  I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O most High.  Psalm 9:1-2.  Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.  Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten stringed lyre.  Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for you.  For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.  Psalm 33:1-4  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14.

Love you all!

September 26, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  Oh boy!  Check out this bible verse I just came across in Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter……”  Now, imagine that concept……I have been dealing with some long term prayer issues both for me and a friend too and we had just talked about how frustrated we are getting…..how we just don’t understand why nothing is happening…..Now this morning I read….."it is the glory….GLORY of God to conceal a mater…..”  My mind immediately started whirling with that concept, so I went to the study part of the chapter to see what it said about that verse.  Here it is….."to conceal a matter.” ‘God gets glory because man cannot understand His universe or the way he rules it’  “Man cannot understand”  well that makes everything perfectly clear to me!!!  No I am not insane, I may have finally come to my senses…..through God in His word….The situation in my life and the life of friends, that we just don’t understand…..well, that’s God’s will……When He is ready, when the time is right, when our loved ones are ready….we will know God’s plan ….until then…..FAITH……we must have FAITH in God’s will for us and those we love…..We must TRUST and BELIEVE that His plan will be revealed and it will be perfect!  To God be the GLORY!!!  OH Father, please forgive us when we tend to take things into our own hands, when we doubt that You are there…….still our hearts and minds of the worry and enable us to put our trust in Your will….To You be ALL Glory.

The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!  Isaiah 30:18.  Whoever give heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is He who trust in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25.  Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8.  For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.  Psalm 25:11.  Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins.

Love you all! 

Kathie A. Johnson