The eyes have it

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Yesterday I went to the eye doctor for a thorough exam; it had been several years since I had been (shame on me) and I knew that my eyes had changed.  In fact, to me, my vision had gotten so much worse that I was afraid something was going on with my eyes.  So, I was really anxious to have a good exam.  I went to a doctor I had not been to before, but was highly recommended and I was not disappointed!  After carefully testing my vision, he began the exam to determine the health of my eyes (remember I am not a spring chicken), first one test and then another….with his hi tech equipment he looked right into my eyes, in front, behind, on the sides he could clearly see every part of my eyes and the result was good!  He said my eyes are very healthy!  I was really happy with his diagnosis and sent up a quick thank you prayer as I went to pick out new frames….I left quite happy that my eyes are healthy and excited about my new glasses and better vision.  This morning as I was driving to work, I was thinking about my eye exam….it’s so cool that the doctor can use his equipment and look right into my eyes to see just what’s going on….Oh gosh, I thought…..what if you could look into our hearts and minds like that……look in at our thoughts and attitudes…..Wow, that’s a scary thought isn’t it….so often what we are thinking doesn’t match up with what we say or do…..We are all dressed up on the outside, but on the inside things may paint such a pretty picture…..On the inside we are not always “healthy.”  I felt sad as the realization hit me…..Our Father does look into our hearts and minds…..HE knows…..Father, my goodness, shame on us for working so hard to be pretty on the outside when it’s our “INSIDE” that needs working over.  We are so weak Father, in Your mercy, forgive us.  Father, draw us closer to You, guide us to be more like YOU, to reflect YOUR love, inside and out!

 

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.  1 Peter 3:3-4.  The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.  1 Samuel 16:7.  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.  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.  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30.  Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  Matthew 12:34. Love one another deeply, from the heart.  1 Peter 1:22.  The world and its desires pass away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever.  1 John 2:17. 

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

April 10, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  My oldest California grandson, Brayden has a birthday coming up….the big 8!  So, the other day I called mom to get some good ideas for his gift.  She said, “Oh you know him, anything to do with cowboys, horses, bulls….”  The boy, even though he lives in LA loves anything cowboy/country!  After a little more yik yak, Mom said…”Oh I know what he would love, a real cowboy belt buckle!”  …… guess you know what I am on the hunt for.  After talking with Annie about Brayden, I got to thinking about a story she had told me a while back when they were in the doctor’s office.  Mind you, this is in the big city, in a Kaiser facility…..big!  Brayden had seen the doctor for something and was heading down the halls when the doctor asked him what he was going to be when he grew up….he suggested a basketball player.  Annie said that Brayden bucked right up and said, “No, I am going to be a bull rider!”  The doctor chuckled and said, “Not many bulls around here, young man.”  To which Brayden responded, “My Papa Kim in Oklahoma has lots of bulls for me to ride!”  That was a couple of years ago and he hasn’t changed his mind yet, he is determined to be a bull riding cowboy!  He just loves it when the PBR comes to Anaheim (and a special blessing was getting to take him in OKC a few years ago).  Well, of course Brayden is young and who knows if he will be a bull rider or butcher, or an electrician, school teacher, contractor, fireman, maybe even a basketball player…..only our Heavenly Father knows…. most importantly, for Brayden, for each of us is that whatever we do we are doing according to God’s plan.  I was reading an article the other day and found a quote that had such a good perspective for us, “Not God’s plan for my life, but my life for God’s plan.”  Oh my…..what a wonderful thought….my life….little old me….little old nana from Lula….my silly, crazy, life for God’s plan…..If my life is following His plan….it’s got to be good!  To Him be the glory!  Father, it seems impossible that you could want us in Your plan, but we are so thankful that you do.  Thankful that you love us so much that we are forgiven through your Son’s death….washed from our sins so that we can follow your plan.  Father, open our hearts and minds to really hear, know, and follow…..and do the best we can….To Your glory!

And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  1 Corinthians 12:5.  Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.  1 Samuel 12:24.  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. 

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson