The new addition to the family

Good Morning Friends!  Forever HIS, Friday!  Well……somehow or another we have a new dog at our house!  This past year was tough on us as far as our dogs go….lost 3, so I was somewhat surprised when Kim came home with a small, not too young dog.  He was a stray that had landed at a friend’s house in Gertie and it seems……that every time my husband was there the dog vied for his affection……not to mention that his friend really wanted to get rid of the dog.  So, Axle now resides in Lula, America!  He is a handsome little guy a mix of maybe Jack Russell and Dachshund, brown and white and quite stout.  Upon arriving at our house, Axle seemed a bit confused; he wanted to be with us, but if we tried to pick him up or pet him he ran off….very leery of our touch…it was sad, poor guy, easy to see that someone had been less than real nice to him causing him to be real skittish.  I knew there was no sense in forcing myself on him, rather I needed to just be patient, kind, reassuring (and an occasional treat never hurts).  Well, Axle has been with us for about 2 weeks now and he is really coming around; he’s so excited to see us, and follows us everywhere we go!  He loves to go with Kim in the truck and he loves to be petted and have his belly scratched!  Yep, Axle is going to be a great addition to our family….thanks to a little patience, smothered in kindness!  Do you have any Axles in your life….not dogs, but rather people…..people that for some reason or another need to be reassured of their worth….people that are leery of getting too close…..scared of getting hurt.  We so often think we know just what everybody else needs to get all fixed up!  Well, that just isn’t always the case!  I’m pretty sure that we could have chased Axle away if we would have insisted on  pushing our affections on him…..now slowly he is becoming a loving, well- adjusted pet!  For me I know that even in my prayers, at times, I become over bearing with my requests for people I feel are in need.  I think I know what they need…..Well, everyone needs prayers that’s for sure, and God knows exactly!!!  What He needs us to do is to send them to HIM and in the mean- time….be kind, patient, reassuring…..we may never see results like Axle, but we know that God is working!  He wants us to shine for HIM, to not judge others, but rather to be alert to those that might need patience…..kindness….reassuring.  Father, thank you for knowing needs, so that we don’t have to explain….help us to trust in Your will for our concerns and fill us with the will to love others like You love us!

 

The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.  1 Corinthians 1:25.  As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.  “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear,” says the Lord.  Isaiah 65:24.  Dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  Jude 20.  As believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.  James 2:1.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.

Love you!

Kathie A. Johnson

He who searches our hearts...

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully HIS, Thursday!!!  A dear friend recently received some horrible news….life altering……the news comes after years of struggling with a certain issue, many worries, stress, feelings of hopelessness for several years, hoping and praying for a positive outcome.  My heart has ached for her, watching her struggle, always praying with and for her, that she be guided by and find her strength through the love of our Heavenly Father.  And now, the devastating news; when she told me, I had no words….no words of comfort, strength, encouragement, only tears…..My heart aching for her pain, I couldn’t imagine how she would go on…..Oh, I knew that she was not alone….Our Father never leaves us alone, but I had no words for HIM either….my heart aching my mind drowning in worry….no words, no thoughts to send to HIM….how will I help my friend?  She needs support…..I need to pray, but nothing comes…..I knew had to do something, so I opened my bible……BAM!!!  A knock to my head…….Romans 8:26-27, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”  Oh Father, ahh…..it is YOU that searches our hearts….you know all about my dear friend’s problems….She is YOUR child…me too….YOU are our FATHER…..”And we know that in all things God (our FATHER) works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.  Dear, sweet friend…not to worry, He’s got this……He’s working…..it’s gonna be GOOD…..”If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him graciously give s all things?”  Romans 8:31-32.  Thank you Father for searching our hearts…..for hearing our cries…..for working even though we don’t see You….for taking care of everything. 

 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39. 

Love you all!

Life's Interruptions

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  How many times a day do our conversations get interrupted….whether it be conversations with family, friends, co-workers or customers, seems like so often a conversation does not come to a mutual end!  What’s so frustrating about that is that of course, everything we have to say is so very important……well, you know what I mean!!  We think what we have to say, or what we are listening too is important, we want the conversation to be finished, we want all the details….then right in the middle…..something interrupts and so often what was being discussed is gone forever….we simply forget….get busy….get on with other things….and what seemed important at the time and very well could have been, is gone!  Very frustrating.  This morning a conversation I was having with a friend about a week ago here at work came to mind…..on New Year’s Eve while taking down the Christmas decorations in our front office we discussed the fact that we both needed to do that at home too!  Both of us had the desire, but weren’t sure if we would be able to get to it!  On New Year’s Day she was coming into Walmart as Kim and I were leaving, from her car she hollered “did you get your Christmas decorations down?”  I laughed and said, “Yep they are down.”  I walked to the car smiling that she had remembered to ask that.  The next day at work she again brought up the subject wondering if I had finished.  I explained that I had them down, but not put back in storage yet….at that point I remember wanting to ask her if she had gotten hers down and we were interrupted!!!!!  I never thought about it again until, for some crazy reason, this morning on my way to work.  What I felt was shame…..shame on me for being so selfish….blab on and on about myself, but never got around to asking how she did….shame on me….darned interruptions!  That’s when it hit me…..not only do our earthly conversations get interrupted, but also, more importantly our conversations with our Heavenly Father!!!!!  Oh my goodness, how many times a day I start to pray for someone, about a situation, for a need, forgiveness, giving thanks, praise…..you name it…..my intentions are good….but…..interruptions…..Thinking about so many good intentioned prayers that ended abruptly, I just had to smile…..Oh wow…..gosh….How blessed we are!!!!  Our Father knows our prayers before we pray them……He hears and knows all….right through the interruptions!  OH FATHER…..THANK YOU…..for hearing our prayers even when we don’t finish……We are so blessed to be YOURS!  All honor, glory and praise to YOU!

 

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear, “ says the Lord.  Isaiah 65:24.  Dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  Jude 20.  This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (even if we get interrupted).  And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.  1 John 5:14-15.  The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.  Psalm 145:18.  The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.  1 Peter 3:12. 

Love you all!

Ice, Ice, Baby!

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty Awesome is our God, Monday!  Most of you know that my husband and I moved here from California fifteen years ago.  I think that for the most part, I have acclimated quite well to my rural Oklahoma life……yep, I can worm and vaccinate sheep with the best, feed the cows, haul hay, clear pastures, load firewood (and I keep a mean fire in the woodstove), a master of tick patrol, stay by myself during a tornado watch, why I can even fry a pretty darn good pan of okra….but there’s one aspect of Oklahoma living that this California native just can’t get mastered…..driving in inclement…..icy……weather!  Usually at the first hint of sleet, ice, or snow I hitch a ride to work with my good friend Linda.  She lives in Clarita so we hook up in Tupelo; Linda is an expert driver in the worst of conditions!  When I realized last Friday, that Linda was off today……I immediately began to panic…..bad weather predicted through the weekend and into Monday…..oh my…..however will I get to work!!!  We didn’t have ice in California….I hate it….I’m not good at it…..Oh my what will I do (are you feeling real bad Linda,  lol).  Well sure enough we had weather…..I checked the weather channel throughout the day yesterday, stewing and fretting about driving in today…..I got up at 5 as usual and looked out the back door….yep….it had snowed or something during the night, didn’t look like much but there was a layer of white.  Too early to call inclement weather, but on the dot of 6 am I called our Inclement Weather number for work…..”all offices open on schedule” was the report!   At 6:03 am I texted a neighbor that has to be to work in Ada at 6 am.  He said the roads were just wet, but be careful of ice on bridges and over passes.  Ok, I can do this… I fearfully told myself over and over….as I headed into town I called Cooper’s daddy, he had worked all night and would just be getting home, so I could get an update.  Charley said, roads are good, just watch bridge by Owl Creek, little icy!  Clenching the steering wheel I proceeded with caution…..saying a little prayer for God’s protection….after just a few minutes….the light in my fearful mind came on……I remembered our talks from last week on being thankful….Then, bravely, feeling less stressed and more confident I said a thank you prayer….Father, thank you for my safe trip to work!  And here I am….fear….is the devil’s advocate that’s for sure….and the sure way to fight the devil is by staying hooked up to our Father…..keeping HIM foremost in our hearts and minds all the time…..ceaseless conversation with HIM…..letting go and letting HIM do the driving!  Father, forgive me when I fear first…..increase my faith so that I come to YOU first when the roads are icy!  Thank you!!!!

 

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel:  “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the fame scorch you.  Isaiah 43:1-2.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  1 John 4:18.  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29-25.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7. 

He is Our All in All

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully cared for by our Awesome God, Wednesday.   I am fighting off a cold, so I feel kind of groggy this morning….hadn’t had a clear thought for us to share until I read the poem below by Roy Lessen…..my sweet Texas cousin shared  with me.  Go ahead, take a minute and read it a couple of times……What do you think…..please be still for a minute, close your eyes…..clear your mind of everything but HIM….breath……I am serious….please, .trust me on this…..whatever you are doing….be still….let HIM in……just for a minute…..HE IS OUR ALL IN ALL our EVERYTHING…..EVER PRESENT…..ALWAYS.  Eternal Father…..how blessed we are to be Your children, loved and protected ALWAYS……

 

He Is-

The Almighty One and your Might,
The Provider and your Provision,
The Giver and your Gift,
The Protector and your Protection,
The Warrior and your Victor,
The Healer and your Health,
The Blessed One and your Blessing,
The Eternal One and your Ever-Present Help in time of need.  Roy Lessen  

 

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for you Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”  Luke 12:32.

Love you all!

July 18, 2013

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

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4.  Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  2 Corinthians 1:5.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22.  Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.  Psalm 126:5-6.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4. 

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

July 11, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty Awesome is our God, Monday!  This morning while sitting on the porch having quiet time with our Heavenly Father, I heard a sound….a melodic, pleasant sound….it was unfamiliar to me….Hmmm, sounds like wind chimes, but it’s right here not out front where my favorite chime hangs….there it was again…a sweet sound…then I discovered the source of the sweet melody….a small chime hanging in the screen porch…I have had it for a long time, but have never really heard it…..what a pleasant surprise to discover that the sweet sound was coming from a small in-conspicuous wind chime….Not sure why I had never heard the sweet sound before….maybe the conditions were just perfect this morning…or maybe, just maybe our Heavenly Father was blessing me a special love song….from HIM to me…. sweet music….music that prompted a smile… a smile from the inside out….As I sat in the still quiet of the morning, the sun not quite up….I knew that I was in God’s presence….I felt HIS peace and energy for the day…my spirit was renewed and my heart joyful!  I am loved…..So often we think that we can only find God in big things….the birth of a child…..a double rainbow painted across the skies….so many lives saved in a horrible plane crash….a sick child healed….This morning once again HE showed me that HE is always there and reminded me with the sweet music of a small wind chime.  Thank you Father…..for the Your precious, special little reminders to us that You are omnipresent in our lives….open our hearts and minds so that we don’t miss YOU!

 

This is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.  Psalm 27:4.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  Psalm 139:14.  May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “Let God be exalted!”  Psalm 70:4.  The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:14.

June 19, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  Gosh, I am having a hard time waking up this morning…..I feel way too tired for 9 am!  Monday night we didn’t get near enough sleep, so last night we were determined to get to bed earlier….and we did!  Both of us were sleeping quite soundly when my phone rang….took us both just a second to rouse enough to answer.  Seems that in her excitement of sharing good news, our Hailey forgot about the 3 hour time difference…..Alaska is 3 hours behind us…..hence her evening was young while ours….well……The news was wonderful, Clark got the job he was hoping for, worthy of being shared for sure….but waking from a sound sleep can sure be disruptive to the rest of the night.  Sure enough, neither Kim nor I could go back to sleep….we tossed and turned, even turned on the TV for a while…..but it took us quite a while to drift back to sleep!  Hence, feeling a little tired…..sitting in my chair this morning, getting ready to spend some time with our Heavenly Father, I was really wishing I could wake up…..could be a long day……then I thought of how excited Hailey was when I answered the phone….as soon as she heard my voice she knew I had been asleep; she immediately began apologizing….She felt so bad because she had awakened us, but really wanted to share their good news.  We talked for just a minute, I told her how happy we were, and then she said once again how sorry she was and told me goodbye……Oh my…….I thought, smiling from the inside….sure am glad our Heavenly Father is awake 24/7……awake, ready and anxious to share in our joys and carry our burdens….He is never groggy from being awakened, needs no time come to His senses…..just always there, arms wide open….for you and for me….anytime!   Father, thank you loving us 24/7….help us to be examples of Your love even when we are sleepy!  And Father thank you for the blessing of Clark’s job! 

 

“With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, “  says the Lord your Redeemer.  Isaiah 54:8. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  Psalm 33:21.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trust I Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7.  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Psalm 100:1-2.  Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20.

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 21, 2013

Good Morning Friends! Thankfully, no matter what the situation…His, Tuesday! Watching the news last night and again this morning, I feel so hopeless and sad….here in my area we have so far been spared from the extreme devastation that has touched so many….Praising God for our immediate safety, I am deeply humbled…..deeply….and my heart and prayers go out to for all of His children suffering. I had a call from Kathyrn around 7 am, urging me to leave really early because the rain was just terrible….she was only going 15mph….driving in the rain is stressful for me ever since my accident last year….so I grabbed my stuff, kissed Kim goodbye, told him I love him and headed out the door with a prayer! As I drove, my mind kept turning to people suffering from the storms….the rain was very heavy, hard to see the road and it was so dark…Oh my, I thought….how are they going to get through all of this pain, suffering and loss! I kept my eyes forward, watching for the lights in front of me…..with taillights in front of me, to guide me, I was able to stay in the right path…..Oh my….Yes Father……with Your light to guide them….that’s how they will see their way through this….With You…..Only with You! You can see us through anything….as long as we place our trust, our hope in You. I looked in my rear view mirror and could not believe what I saw….a car behind me….with no lights on….driving in the darkness….no light to guide them…..Father, we cannot make it without Your light guiding us, Your love holding us, Your peace comforting us, Your mighty power holding us…..Father, we do not understand devastating situations like these….Help us to put our trust and hope in You….letting Your light be our guide. Father, thank you for the comfort and care that YOU WILL shower on all Your precious, suffering children.

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with and everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.” Jeremiah 31:3-4. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I stay close to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:6-8. You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. Psalm 18:28-29. “Bless is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8. 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.

Love you all and prayers for safety.

May 13, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  More than we deserve, Monday!  Hope everyone had a good weekend and all you mom’s hope yesterday was love-filled!  Mine sure was….I have to say I got everything I asked for!  A couple weeks ago I told Kim, I need a new hose for mother’s day.  Gosh I have had the same one for so long, one patch after another, had to cut off the end and a leak sprung so big that I couldn’t fix it….been wasting so much water…so I thought perfect time for a new hose, right.  Well heck a few days later, I saw the coolest yard shoes at TSC; they are rubber slip-on’s and oh so brightly colored…perfect for the yard chores!  So, I told him….forget the hose I want these cool shoes….Well, a few days after that, I thought….darn what I really want is a month of tanning (sorry doc)…so, once again I told my sweetie….forget the shoes…I want a month of tanning for Mom’s day!  Guess what I got!!!!!  Go ahead guess….spoiled brat~  I got all three!  Why he even had the new hose all hooked up, ready to go and threw away the old one!  My shoes are awesome, turquoise with bright flowers…..and tanning gift certificate.  I got everything I asked for, even though one thing is not really too good for me. Delighting in being spoiled and feeling quite special a thought occurred to me…..What if God gave us everything we asked for….what if He didn’t use His omnipotent powers to do only what’s best for us…..Sweet Kim gave me a gift certificate for tanning because I asked for it, but really…it’s not good for me.  So often we ask God for what we think is best for us….even though it is hard at times to accept what He gives…..we must trust and believe that HIS will for us is best….even if it’s not what we asked for…..Father, thank you for always knowing what’s best for us…..increase our faith so that we trust and believe in Your plans for us….keep us grounded in YOU. 

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but however trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25.   “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, “ declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!  “Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been His counselor?”  “Who has ever give to God, that God should repay him?”  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things,.  To Him be the glory forever! 

Love you all!

May 8, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully blessed by Him, Wednesday!  Yesterday Kim and I had to make some changes on our cell account and they needed him….couldn’t do it myself (let me tell you taking Kim to the cell store is more of an adventure than needed sometimes), so Kim met me in town a little after 5.  Even though he had worked cows all day and was totally pooped, he was in tip top…let’s have fun at the cell phone store mode!  After an hour and a half we were finally out the door.  To sweeten our time at the cell store we decided to go to Polo’s and have dinner!  We got right in, service was good, food oh so yummy…..while we were there Cooper and Katy’s mommy called…they were at our house…..oops (you know Nana and Papa are supposed to always be home).  Mommy had gotten a facial with all new make-up and wanted us to see.  We were both disappointed, so Papa said call her and tell her to not wash her face and we will come over when we get home.  We finished dinner and headed home….me in my car and Papa in his truck; I always hate it when we have two cars in town.  Well, I got home before him and never even saw him behind me….I unloaded the car and was changing clothes when he finally got home…..Aww….he proudly held two bags of M&M’s…One for Cooper and one for Katy.  What a sweet Papa!  I smiled, shook my head and said, “Oh Katy loves M&M’s!”  It was so nice out we decided to take the four wheeler…..upon arrival we found them in the bathtub having a splashing good time!  Papa couldn’t wait to show off the M&M’s so the bath ended rather quickly.  Cooper grabbed his, said thank you and headed down the hall.  Katy, oh my, that sweet, innocent faced, 2 year old dripping wet….Papa handed her them to her; her eyes lit up like 4^th of July fireworks.  She thanked Papa immediately and then looked at me and full of joy said, “bring M&M’s for me…..to eat?!”  She could hardly contain herself as she waited for me to say, “yes honey, for you to eat (if mommy says of course)”   Love just oozed from her….totally, completely grateful for a little bag of M&M’s…..As we rode home, I got to thinking…..here we go with that “childlike” faith again……thrilled, thankful, grateful for such a little thing……How often in our rush for the biggest and the best and in the midst of our whining, do we miss God’s “little” things…..hummingbirds feeding, birds singing, wildflowers blooming, someone to talk to in the cell store, a friend to share a ride with, an unexpected bag of M&M’s….Maybe we should reach into ourselves….go back…..find that childlike joy……And remember…..when we do, He loves to hear from us…..He doesn’t want us to hold back our praise just for the big stuff….Nope!  Our Heavenly Father wants to know about every “little” thing that brings us joy…..And oh my goodness….there are oh so many!  Thank  you Father for all the little things you send our way to bring us joy….open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to see and experience them….to Thank You, to Share, to give You Glory!  Thank you Father, for bubble baths, M&M’s and innocent grandchildren! 

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE; LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!  PSALM 118:24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works!  In wisdom hast though made them all:  the earth is full of thy riches.  Psalm 104:24.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Psalm 34:8.  A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news give health to the bones.  Proverbs 15:30.  Light is sweet, and it please the eyes to see the sun.  Ecclesiastes 11:7.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God.  Ecclesiastes 3:13.  Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.  Psalm 147:7.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21. Amen!  Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!  Revelation 7;12.

Love you all!

April 8, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty is our God, Monday!  So, remember a few weeks ago when I told you about the mouse in my house…..well, as a result of that story, a friend with lots of outside cats offered to give me a couple.  I jumped at the offer….she said if I could bring her a carrier she would catch a couple for me and we made arrangements to meet at the mini mart close to my church on Sunday.  However, one thing after another it wasn’t until yesterday that we finally managed to get together.  Church was a little long, so she was waiting for me while enjoying a sausage biscuit.  We sat and visited a minute and then went to our cars for the big transfer!  Poor cats were not happy about their confinement….there were three of them and they growled and hissed all the way home.  Kim had put out food for them in an old chicken coop…a really good place for them to call “headquarters”.   I stopped and unloaded them before going to the house….I knew they were ready for their release!  As soon as I opened the door out they came they all 3 scaled the wooden walls of their headquarters.  Well, that’s the last I have seen of my cats….Yep, it’s true, have not seen hide nor hair of them since their release….when it dawned on me this morning that I had not seen them, I thought, oh gosh….hope they didn’t run off…..but then I thought about the children’s sermon I had for the kids yesterday.  I put a glass ostrich in a box, told them what was in it (well I told them an ostrich)  and asked them if they believed me….without seeing the ostrich….did they believe it was in there?  The point being…..Thomas, without actually seeing our risen Jesus, did not believe his fellow disciples when they told him that Jesus was alive…….Jesus response when He confronted Thomas, “you believe because you have seen Me, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have not seen.”   Wow….I think our Heavenly Father sent me a little faith reminder….a little faith boost….perhaps a “practice what you preach” tap.  Yes, at times……I must admit, I am a bit of a doubting Thomas….Forgive me Father.  You know what!!!  Even though I have not seen the cats, I know that they are out there hunting….they are going to keep the mice out of my house!!!!!!  I am sure of it!  Father, sometimes I question my faith….question what’s going on in my life because I don’t see what I think I should.  Forgive me….help me to never be a doubting Thomas when it comes to Your will in my life!  And Father thank you for sweet friends that share their cats with me!

Then He (Jesus), said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my . Stop doubting and believe.”  Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”  Then Jesus told him, “because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded n tis book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.  John 20:28-31.  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.  We live by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7.

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

March 28, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Totally, Thankfully, loved by HIM, Thursday!  Before I say anything this morning I want to share a verse from God’s word that popped up at me this morning!  From Psalm 100:3, “Know ye that the LORD HE is GOD:  it is HE that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are HIS people and the sheep of HIS pasture.”  I think about Jesus on the donkey…..humble……..HE IS GOD!  We are HIS sheep……Shepherds take good care of their sheep…..some days we sure don’t feel like we are being taken good care of do we….but we are if we are giving our day to God…..Roy Lessen says it so well, “Having a good day doesn’t mean having an easy or perfect day.  It means a day spent saying ‘yes’ to God’s purpose.  A day lived in the will of God is the best day anyone could ever spend.”  Seems like there is something in the air lately, people are frazzled, stressed, anxious everywhere you go…….How in the heck can we have a “good” day when life is tumbling in all around us!  There is only one way……..we must wake up, praise God for the day, thank Him for each and every minute, give the day to Him, asking Him to open our hearts and minds to know His will…..to know His will…..for the day……we don’t have to have our whole life plan at once…..One day at time……with Him…..listening to Him……hearing with our hearts and minds His will for our day….today….tomorrow….the day after…..Thank you Father for this “good day” with You!  Enable us to come humbly to You with hearts and minds open to hear Your will for us and the faith to do….All Praise and Glory to You, our Loving Heavenly Father.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24.  Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”  John 10:27.  Pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.  Proverbs 5:1-2.  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.  The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7.

Enjoy the blessing of Easter!  Christ is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

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!

December 12, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His Loving arms, Wednesday!  Burrr….word of the week don’t you agree!  There’s no heat in our bedroom, so usually when it’s as cold as it was yesterday we crack the door just a little in the evening to cut the chill a bit.  For some reason neither one of us thought of it last night, so when I went in to get in bed….YIKES, it was freezing!  We have a memory foam mattress which is ordinarily quite soft and comfy, but last night with the room so cold, the bed was hard as a rock.  I had to laugh when I plopped myself down…..that thing did not give…..solid….hard, like I said, hard as a rock!  Good thing about the memory foam though,  is that it warms up real fast; wasn’t but just a minute and I was laying there warm and relaxed cuddled in the comfort of my cozy mattress.  As I lay there, dozing off to sleep, my thoughts turned to another ROCK….A favorite hymn came to mind…”On Christ the solid rock I stand….”   Snuggled there in my warm bed…..I thought gosh…..Christ is my SOLID ROCK…..I can “plop” on Him anytime, anywhere, for any reason and He takes me, all of me, body, mind, spirit…..His love warms me, relaxes me as He cuddles me in His loving arms…..Ahhh, Sweet Jesus……I feel You here with me……Thank you for being our Rock, warming and cuddling us with Your Perfect Love!  And I ask today, dear Jesus….please cuddle those around me that are sad or hurting….missing a loved one….troubled….stressed……depressed….Even though this is the happiest time of the year….so many hearts are sad…..heavy with this life…..Thank you for wrapping Your arms around them and filling them with Your Peace……You are our Solid Rock…..

Be at rest once more,  O My soul, for the Lord has been good to you.  Psalm 116:7.  Come to me, all you 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.  Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31.  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 43:5.  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us now birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3.  May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all time and in every way.  2 Thessalonians 3:16.  Submit to God and be at peace with Him…Job 22:21.

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!