Always looking out for us

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty awesome is our God, Monday!!  This morning, I needed to get some fire department paperwork to Chad, our FEMA director (he takes care of certain aspects of business for volunteer fire departments), so that he could take it to County Commissioners meeting for us.  He works right down the road from me, so it would be great if I could just stop by there on my way to my office, but he is hardly ever there yet when I go by.  Oh, he is also a resident of Lula and we take the same route to work every day, but again, I rarely ever see him on my way in.  Anyway, I figured I would call him and have him call me as soon as he got to the office and then run down there real quick…..I was happily tootling down 1600 right on time, jabbering to Kathyrn when guess what I saw!!  Yep!  There, right before my eyes was Chad, pulling up to a stop sign, preparing to turn onto 1600….woo hoo, maybe he will be there at the same time as me today!  I waved as I drove by him and then called him.  After the usual good mornings, I asked him if he was going straight to the office, to which he replied, “uh, well….I might stop somewhere.”  In other words, he was planning to stop for breakfast….I told him I had some paperwork for him to approve for the meeting….after just a short pause he said, “where are you now?”  I told him “Owl Creek….should I pull over and we can do it now?”  “Yea, I will be right there,” was his cheery reply.  Wow, I was so excited, this was the perfect solution to the top of my ‘things to do TODAY list!’  I drove a little farther until I found a safe place for both of us to pull over and watched for him to pull behind me.  Wasn’t but a few seconds and I spotted him in my rear-view mirror!  I gathered up my paper work and headed to his truck, he greeted me with a big smile as he took my paper work, and added “you look nice today” which always brightens my day!  He said he would call if he needed anything else and we both went on to work!   As I pulled out I thought….what a stroke of luck for me today!  BAM!!!!  Hit me full on….that was no luck….that was one of those, how blessed I am to be HIS child….the recipient of HIS “special little miracles”  when we least expect them, but really need them!  That’s our Father for you….always looking out for us, brightening our days, warming our nights….filling our lives with love……we just need to vigilant so we don’t miss one….And remember the next time you think you were lucky….be still and thank our Heavenly Father for the blessing of HIS special little miracles!  Father we are so blessed, forgive us when we are too busy, frantic or worried to see YOU in everything!  Bless my friends with eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that yearn for YOU!

 

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.  Psalm 111:2.  The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:1.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107-21. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24.

Love you all!

Where are the cows?

Good Morning Friends!!  Thankfully HIS Thursday!   Kim has been trying to buy about 10 more cows to finish out his herd for several months.  Gosh, prices are so high and they are really hard to find too.  So, last week when he heard about a special sale in McAllister on Saturday we couldn’t help but get a little excited.  We knew that it was mostly a bull sale, but there were supposed to be some cows/heifers also, so yep we were anxious.  We got up real early Saturday morning and got all our chores done so we could leave around 10.  I stoked the fire to last all day because we didn’t think we would be home till late and left the pumpkin/turkey lights on too…..I was packed and ready for a day at the sale barn (I just love those sale barn burgers) and excited that Kim might finally get his cows (he has been driving me a bit crazy)!  It was a beautiful morning, the drive was gorgeous,  trees flaunting their phenomenal fall colors, the warm sun dancing happily through the fluffy clouds and the company…..my favorite sweetie what a great day!  We arrived early, pulled on our jackets and headed to the lots to get a sneak preview of what we had hoped to bid on.  We could tell as soon as we stepped in that there wasn’t an abundance of animals.  We walked up and down every row….one after another……bull after bull….where are the cows!!!  We finally found two or three pens of heifers…registered at that…but that was it!  Wow!  What a let- down….dang, we had worked ourselves into a state of anxious anticipation and now nothing….With our bubbles burst and our heads hanging we headed to the car….no need to hang around there!  Now what??!!!  Poor Kim, once again he faced the disappointment of not completing his herd…..We were quiet as we hit the road  home….I did talk him into stopping at a couple antique stores so I could brose and we had lunch, but then headed home.  We were sleepy when we got home, so we sat in our recliners and looked for a movie to watch….we both dozed off….the silence was broken by the shrill sound of Kim’s pager…..he jumped up as the voice from Central Dispatch said Lula Fire….you need to respond…unattended death…..We looked at each other, oh how he hates those calls….he responded and headed out the door.  I said a prayer for the family  and went to the office to do something.  It hadn’t been too long when I got a call from him…..his voice was serious, “Kathie can you come sit with a wife who just lost her husband?”  Oh my gosh I thought, oh how sad….can I?  “Kathie, Vera needs you.”  At that point it hit me, a dear friend and neighbor had died…his sweet precious wife of 62 years was all alone.  “I will be right there!”  I headed out the door, crying….poor Vera….oh I will miss Waymon….precious man, poor Vera.  I drove as fast as I dared, Kim greeted me on the porch where he waited for the ambulance.  “She’s on the couch, on the phone, go on in.”  I embraced her, she cried…..At that moment I knew why there were no cows at the sale!  God had a bigger plan for our day…..His sweet child, Vera, needed hugs……God was in charge of our day…..how could we ever have doubted HIM!  Father, help us to trust and believe in Your plans for us and to joyfully obey.  Help us to always reflect Your love in our actions with Your children.

 

“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.  The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.  Psalm 33:11.  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9.  As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.

Love you all!

Mouse in the house

Good Morning Friends!  Totally washed with HIS love, Tuesday!!!  First things first!  Thank you Father for this awesome rain!!  Last week was a busy one for me, real busy.  Saturday was our annual BBQ fundraiser at the fire department and that means a lot of work!  So I was busy all week shopping, preparing food, etc. and then the big day!  We started a little after 7 am moving the fire trucks out, cleaning and then setting up tables and chairs, decorating, organizing, you know the whole shamolly!  About 10 I headed home to cook 24 pounds of pinto beans!  One of our pots is almost as big as me….lol…really I have to stand on a chair to stir them….and so the day went….busy, busy and the anticipation, hoping for a big turnout always gets to me!  Back to the department about 3:30 to finish up the kitchen things…thank heavens for a great group of women to help out!  Five pm finally comes and we start serving, the band is playing, kids are having a great time in the bouncer and getting their faces painted and let’s not forget the silent auction!  Great success this year!  Our crowd was a bit slim, but it was a great night.  Finally it’s time to clean up (thank heavens for women that wash dishes hour after hour), and head home.  I was pooped, but did manage to unload my car!  Kim and I sat up and watched TV for a while hashing everything over while trying to relax and unwind; finally we gave up and went to bed!  I didn’t sleep good at all, so finally got up about 6 to  make coffee.  I grabbed a cup and went back to bed, Kim had turned on the news, so I sat there and watched for a little while.  Pretty soon we both got up…..he headed to the bathroom, sleepy-eyed and groggy, I went to the sink to run some dishwater……OH MY GOODNESS!!!!  The sight in my sink made me scream!  SCREAM, at the top of my lungs and run to the other side of the room.  Poor Kim, didn’t know what happened.  “THERE’S A MOUSE IN THE SINK, A MOUSE IN MY SINK!!!!!”  “Is it dead?”  he asked.  “NO!!!!!!  IT’S ALIVE!”  I screamed.  At that point he came into the kitchen, summed up the situation, reached in, picked it up by its tail, and flushed it!  Flushed it right down the toilet….oh mind you, it took two flushes!  Oh my gosh, my heart was racing, that thing….that mouse in my sink….My sink!!!!  That mouse in my sink, grossed me out!!!  Thank heavens for Kim and a good flush!!!  Later that morning, sitting in church, I couldn’t help but think about that gross mouse, in my sink!!!!  As we kneeled to confess our sins….a warm peace consumed me, inside and out…..Oh Father, I am so sorry that I am such a gross sinner!  I know that my sins must really gross You out like that nasty mouse did me.  Oh Father, You flush our sins through the death and resurrection of Your Son….Thank you Father, we sure do not deserve Your precious mercy and grace…..Thank you for loving us anyway!

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12.  The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him.  Daniel 9:9.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2:8.

Love you all!

 

 

Little leaks lead can to big problems!

Today at 11:15 AM

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty awesome is our God, Monday!  I was anxious to get the water bill for the fire department this month (I am secretary/treasurer for fire department) because last month it was really high, more than double the usual amount…the reason, a leak.  A leak somewhere, but where?  That was the important part….where was the nasty water leak that was causing the water bill to soar???!!!  So the search was on, it was finally determined it was the flapper in the women’s toilet….a dumb little flapper caused that big of an increase….I was skeptical.  My husband fixed it right away…then the wait for the new bill.  That’s why I was so anxious to get the bill…..I was not as sure as him that that was the cause….for heaven’s sake a stuck flapper….a little leak in the toilet caused that huge bill!  Well, I knew the bill probably came on Saturday because ours did, so on my way home from church yesterday I stopped at the fire department to get the mail.  Sure enough, the water bill was there and….well for goodness sakes…..the bill was the usual minimum……so obviously the toilet was the problem….a little leak….a big bill!  As I drove home contemplating the leak situation, a thought came to me.  I wonder how many “little leaks” I have in my life that left “unfixed” could create big problems…..Seemingly  trivial gossip about a co-worker…..a grudge that stays stuck in my attitude…..cards and letters long over-due…..hasty judgment on a friend’s situation…..occasional skipped prayer time……habitual tardiness…..just little “leaks” right!  No big deal right!!!!  “OK Father, I get it!  “Little” seemingly harmless actions and attitudes can cause big problems for others….pain, anxiety, pulling us away from a life that makes You smile….a life that does not bring glory to Your Holy Name!”   OH Father, forgive our little leaks…..we want to do our best for You, but we are so weak….we mess up so often.  Father, fill us with the desire to live closer with You, so that You can “prevent” us from leaking so much!  Thanks for forgiving us when we mess up!  To You be all glory!

 

Jesus said, “My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:12-13.  Do to others as you would have them do to you.  Luke 6:31.  Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  John 13:15.  Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Hebrews 10:24.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8.  Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  1 Thessalonians 5:14.  Jesus said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”  Luke 6:37. 

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

Philippians 2:13 - Do Everything Without Complaining!

Good Morning Friends! Thankfully His Tuesday!  I got up as usual this morning a little after 5; Kim was still asleep.  I had only been up for a few minutes when I thought I heard his phone ringing….oh dear I thought, ringing so early usually means a problem, of course my thoughts turned to his brother.  However, in just a few minutes he emerged from the bedroom fumbling, still half asleep trying to get his clothes on.  “Sheep are in Jason’s yard” was all he said.  I blurted out a big, “Oh no!  Good grief, for crying out loud, my gosh!”  Something to that effect expressing my disgust with the sheep that were causing him to have to get out of bed and go, in the dark to put them back into their pasture….hopefully before they got into the road.  I was surprised when he calmly, positively responded, “Well, it’s sure better than having them in the road.”  No cussing, grumbling, stomping or door slamming…simply got dressed, got on the four wheeler and headed up the hill to get the job done.  I was quite proud of his behavior, thinking to myself, don’t think I could have been quite so congenial in the same situation.  I couldn’t help but think about things at work, church, at the fire department that irritate me and I don’t always contain my not so pleasant thoughts……I thought of how my day was blessed by Kim’s pleasant reaction to an unpleasant deed…….Oh Father I am so sorry that I often react to situations with words and actions that are not pleasing to those around me, which I know Father means that You are not pleased.  Forgive me…..fill me with Your peace and love and guide me in every situation to respond to Your glory, to be a blessing to others for You.

 

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pour, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.  Philippians 2:13.  At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He save us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He save us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, sot having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy saying.  And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  Titus 3:3-8.  Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.  Titus 3:1-2.  Now may the God of peace….our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.  Hebrews 13:20-21.

Love you all!

March 11, 2013

Good Morning Friends!!!  Mighty is our God, Monday!  Yesterday afternoon a neighbor came over to help Kim with some computer work for the fire department.  She brought her young sons with her, I think they are about 10 and 8.  While Kim and the neighbor were working I had the pleasure of the boys company.  They played with our new puppy and then we went outside to feed all the critters, of course they loved handing out treats to everyone.  Back inside, I needed to get a cobbler in the oven for a luncheon here at work and they were great help with that!!!  After we popped it in the oven I asked them if they would like to play Jenga (the game where small rectangle blocks are stacked into a tower and you take turns pulling one and adding them to the top…the loser is the person whose pull tumbles the tower).   They thought that would be fun, so I got out the blocks and stacked them into a tower; the tower appeared strong…..Nathan went first, then Ty, I was last….we were all successful for several turns, but after a while we had to be so careful, making sure we found a loose block and pulling it ever so carefully…..and then all of a sudden when we least expected it….Ty’s pull seemed fine….then…..it all came crashing down around us!  Blocks everywhere…the tower was gone.  Well, we rebuilt of course and played another game, which of course ended just the same…we screamed and laughed, so much fun, but after they left I couldn’t help but think how the game of Jenga reminds me of life.  We work at building our towers…..oh we think we are being careful…..building a strong, secure life and then all of a sudden, in the blink of an eye……life comes tumbling down around us…..What we do when that happens depends on the source of our blocks……What have we built our lives on?  What is our foundation made of?  Job, money, possessions……or faith…..faith in the mercy and grace of our Heavenly Father?  If we build our lives on things of this earth…..we will tumble and rebuilding will be difficult….But if we….. oh gosh… one of my favorite Sunday School songs comes to mind….You might know it….The Foolish Man….remember, the foolish man built his house on the sand and when the rains came it was washed away……the wise man…he built on the rock, so when the rains came his house stayed strong…..last verse…So build your house on the LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!  The Lord Jesus Christ our ROCK….our FIRM FOUNDATION….hmmm bet we could all use a little remodeling…..Heavenly Father, fill us with the desire to build our lives with You as the Rock of our foundation so that when things tumble around us we turn to YOU and stay strong.

Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sad.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  Matthew 7:24-27.  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.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.  Isaiah 26:4. 

Love you all!

February 5, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty and awesome is our God, Monday!  Well, Kim’s trip to Kansas last week was productive….he got his cows….3 year old, black angus and all pregnant.  He was quite excited Friday evening waiting for them to be delivered.  The trucker called about 7 and said he should be there about 9.  Sure enough he called right about 9, so Kim and a neighbor meet him at the fire department so he wouldn’t get lost.  Kim came in about 10 all excited.  “We are going to brand them tomorrow!”  Just last week he got an electric brand he had ordered…he was quite proud of our lazy K-hanging J brand.  A good brand is really important for cattle owner’s protection.  We got up early, Saturday and got to work on our regular chores, so he could work the cattle in the afternoon.  About 1:30 I sent him off with a PB&J sandwich and some tea…..he was so excited-2 neighbors were going to help him, so I could stay home and get my work done.  He hadn’t been gone long when he called and needed me to bring some wormer.  As I walked up to the chute I could see Kim holding the hot brand on a cow.  One guy was helping to hold her while Kim held the brand….she did not like it…..you could tell it hurt her.  I knew it was important, but I hated to see her in pain.  I left the wormer and headed home, but my thoughts stayed on the cows being branded so they could be identified as ours.  Wow, we too are branded….branded with the cross that Jesus hung and died on for us……but our branding hurt HIM, not us….Jesus took all the pain of our sins and in turn branded us with HIS love…..We don’t walk around with a lazy K-hanging J for everyone to see….to identify us as HIS, but others will see that we are HIS by our actions, by our love….like the song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”  Father, thank you for the gift of Your Son….the brand of Your love on us…..Your mercy, grace, forgiveness.  Help us to show others….and bring glory to You.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage our hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10.  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.  Keep on loving each other.  Hebrews 13:1.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.  1 John 4:12.  The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.  Galatians 5:6. 

Love you all!