It's not "all about me"

Today at 8:55 AM

Good Morning Friends!  Take time to be grateful, Thursday!  Yesterday was a Cooper day for Papa, so about 6:50 am Kathyrn flew into the drive way to drop him off, then proceed to Grami’s, dropping off Katy, before heading into work.  All summer long, when they arrive, Kim and I both go out to say hi to Katy only to find her with a sad, pouty face….she is always sad/mad because she wants to stay with Papa too…..poor sweetie just cannot understand why she can’t stay and “work “ with Papa like Cooper does.  Cooper always jumps out of the van and runs to the house with his backpack happy and raring to go to “work.”  Yesterday, however, was a totally different scenario…the exact opposite to be exact.  Cooper had the mad/pouty face and barely attempted to get out hanging onto Mommy, his blankie clutched tightly.  Katy, on the other hand, was happy as a lark!!!!  You see, Grami was taking Katy and her other granddaughters to the movies and Cooper was mad because he wanted to go!!!!  We tried to explain to him that Katy is always sad because he gets to stay with Papa and she doesn’t, so now it was her turn to do something fun that Cooper didn’t get to do…..OH boy, how do you think that went over?  Cooper did not get it….he could care less about Katy’s feelings….nope it was all about him…..and he was mad because he didn’t get to go to the movies!   All about Cooper…..we all had a little chuckle at him as he stomped into the house, but as Kathyrn and Katy pulled out I felt the familiar tap on my shoulder.  “Good Morning Father,  thank  you for this beautiful day!”  What’s up?”  “Well, Kathie….I was watching you all with Cooper and I know you think, shame on him for being jealous of Katy and being all about Cooper, but Kathie…..maybe you need to stop and examine your thoughts and actions at times.  Just saying…..times when you ignore the feelings of a friend or family because you are all wrapped up in yourself….”all about you.”  How about times when you whine because someone got a new dress or went somewhere and you can’t afford a new dress…..how about that closet full of dresses, skirts, pants, tops, sweaters….just saying my child…..Cooper has pointed out actions that you, as an adult, need to avoid yourself.  So, let Me help you produce an attitude of gratitude;  I didn’t promise you could have everything your little heart desires, but I do promise to give you everything you need, to be with you in good times and bad, to give you rest and peace…..and I ask you love your neighbor (or sister) as yourself.  Kathie, please, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks. (1 Thess.5:16-18).”  Oh Father…..thank you for the tap….I am so very blessed in every way, thank you….forgive me when it’s “all about me.”

 

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19:20. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Philippians 4:11-12.  God made her desserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.  Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and sound of singing.  Isaiah 51:3.  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. 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!

Popping a little leak...

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

 

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

Love you all!

 

 

Attitude of Gratitude

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

 

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

Love you all!

Overflowing With Thankfulness

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

 

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

 

Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:7.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:1.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (s)!  2 Corinthians 9:15.  May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

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

 

Fall: A Showcase of God's Magnificent Palette

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  My goodness, this morning it seems that the beginning of winter may have touched our beautiful fall……Yesterday on my drive in I was just in awe of the beauty of fall around me….we have been so blessed with frequent rains that the grass is still green and the green grass with the fall colored leaves  framing it is simply spectacular….the reds, yellows, oranges against the green…..Our God is an awesome God….And did you notice the sky yesterday, my gosh pure white clouds sharing the bright blue sky with clouds of every shade of gray……breathtaking….I had intended to write about all that beauty yesterday, but the day got away from me, so this morning….Well, this morning when I got into my car and headed to work…..the scenery was even more impressive, intense….This morning the green grass glistened….sparkled….danced...with the first frost gently covering every blade ….the sun in the clear morning sky shining so brightly  the grass appeared to be covered in tiny sparkling gems….Breath taking….Our God is an awesome God!  How could anyone wonder about HIS existence!  As I drove, my heart over-flowed with love and gratitude to our Father for the beauty of His world, for the blessings that fill each day, for family, friends, job, home, church, for struggles that make me stronger and draw me closer to HIM……I was seeing His love in the sparkling grass……and I want to sparkle for HIM.  Father, our Creator….thank you…..Your world is magnificent, help us to be good caretakers and Father help us to sparkle with Your Love.

 

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.  But he way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.  My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart (and sparkle with them); for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Proverbs 4:18-22.  The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of His people.  They will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown.  Zechariah 9:16.  Jesus said, “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears, let him hear.  Matthew 13:43.  RISE, SHINE, GIVE GOD THE GLORY!!!  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth……AND IT IS GOOD!  Genesis 1:1.

Love you all!

"Happy, happy, happy!": Philippians 4:4

Good Morning Friends!   Thankful to be HIS, Tuesday!  Well, it’s Tuesday….we got through Monday….what are we going to do with TODAY?   Seems like sometimes we are content to “get through” a day, but I’ve thinking….well, Hailey just sent me a bunch of pictures of Tucker….I think maybe we could learn a few things from my one-year-old great-grandson.  First picture he’s in the bathtub, just sitting in the tub, surrounded by bubbles, but the smile on his face tells it all….from ear to ear his smile is shouting “I AM SOOOO HAPPY!!!”  There’s not a ton of toys in the tub, just water and a few bubbles, but a whole lot of HAPPY!  One picture shows him standing on the bed pointing out the window….no toys, just standing there in an unsnapped onesie, pointing to the beautiful world outside…..HAPPY!  Next, he is petting a chicken….he’s not afraid, but instead amazed and curious about God’s creation….enjoying the chicken, leaves, sunshine, clear air, just being outside with mommy and daddy and the chickens….HAPPY!  Seems to me that Tucker appreciates each moment of his day, simply, no great expectations, just HAPPY, that he is loved….Yes, he is too little to know all about the love of our Heavenly Father, but he does know that he lives in a beautiful world and he totally appreciates each part of his day…His precious smile shines with an “attitude of gratitude.”  Yep, I am sure that each of us can learn from Tucker…..today….tomorrow….let’s not just “get through” the day….let’s be HAPPY, like Tucker….TODAY is the DAY the LORD has made….HE made TODAY and all tomorrows for us…..let’s rejoice in each day….Rejoice that we too are loved….Loved and Forgiven by our Heavenly Father….Woo Hoo!!!!  Take a minute today….look outside, if you can go out bask in the beauty of His creation, clear skies, gentle breeze, cool temps, turning leaves….be still….feel HIM….thank HIM….Praise HIM….then go back inside glowing with an attitude of gratitude!  Father….gosh, help us please to see how blessed we are….to appreciate, rejoice, and praise YOU all day everyday with attitudes overflowing with gratitude!!!!  Thank you Father!!!!!

 

This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  Nehemiah 8:10.  How many are your works, O Lord!  In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.  Psalm 104:24.  These are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him!  Who then can understand the thunder of His power?  Job 26:14.  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.  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  Isaiah 55:12. Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4.  Be joyful always.  1 Thessalonians 5:16.  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. 

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!

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!

December 10, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Marvelous and miraculously blessed, Monday!   Last night Kim and I watched the 10:00 news, mostly to hear the weather….we knew the cold was coming, but when he said there might be a dusting of snow during the night we both laughed.  This morning we were once again watching the weather and indeed they said it had snowed….I got up and looked out the window, of course it was dark but I could see some little piles of white….I said  “all’s I see is the ashes you dumped”  Once again we laughed.  I had just gotten in the shower when Kim came into the bathroom all excited.  He said, “it did snow!”  Cooper just called all excited and said’ Papa it snowed outside, can we go out and play in it?’ “  I had to laugh, but this time laughing at us for thinking we are such smarties!  Yep, Cooper had to call Papa when he saw the snow and ask him if they could go out and play…of course, Papa explained to Cooper that it was really cold outside; way too cold to go out and play in the snow.  I felt a little flutter in my heart as I thought of Cooper calling Papa, so excited and asking him about going outside.  And Papa, my goodness he was all excited that Cooper had called him to tell him the exciting news and asked him a question….made him so proud…..happy…..his heart definitely fluttered too.  As soon as I got out of the shower I ran to take a look outside…..Wow….sure enough, Cooper was right, there was snow!  As I closed the door and went to get ready for work, I again smiled…this time I was thinking of someone else that gets excited when we call on HIM!!!  Oh yes, our Heavenly Father loves us to call on Him, to come to Him about everything….. even the snow!  We are His children, we can talk to Him about everything……He wants us to, not just when we are troubled or hurting, but in the happy times too….He likes to hear our Praises and thank yous!!!!  He would love to hear us thank Him for the beautiful snow……the glistening ice……..moisture that is so needed….We should ask Him to be with the people that had accidents this morning…..and also that He watch over and guide our fireman, EMS, and policemen as they work to protect and help us…..thank Him for the blessing of friends at work that get you coffee when you are unable to leave your desk……for the children that come in the office and are so excited to get a candy cane off of the Christmas tree……ask Him to comfort those that are sad right now….lonely, grieving, financially stressed…..Praise Him that we have plenty of food and warm houses….heck a warm office too……Thank Him for the love of family and friends….Make HIM smile….His heart flutter…call Him a million times today!  Father, thank you for always taking our calls.

And He took the children (we are all His children) in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.  Mark 10:16.  This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.  1 Johns 5:14-15.  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.  Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.  1 Chronicles 16:8.  Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in EVERYTHING give thanks.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

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 16, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Forever loved by Him, Friday!!!  “That my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”  Psalm 30:12.   My goodness when I read this verse at 5:30 this morning I had no idea what meaning was in it for me today!  I felt good when I read it, you know it’s Friday, looking forward to going to our little cabin tonight, Thanksgiving is coming, weather is beautiful, it’s payday….you know, just the usual, little good stuff; the feeling continued as I drove into work, but something happened when I got here.  Funny thing is nothing happened….nothing but my attitude that is….and I really don’t know why, but I was definitely sporting a bad case of the grouchies.  Darned if I don’t hate that……!!!!!  So, here it is almost 11….I have wasted a whole morning, a beautiful morning  with a case of the grouchies……After my break I took out my bible, determined to find something to kick me out of my mood.  Wouldn’t you know it….my bible opened right to Psalm 30…….I began reading…..when I got to verse 12…….I had to hang my head and ask for forgiveness…….My goodness I was being silent……I have every reason to give thanks, loud and long yet….my heart was silent.  Forgive me Father for my “grouchies” for being silent on this beautiful day that You made for me……Help me to sing Your praises everyday….even when I think I don’t feel like it!!!!  Father, thank you for loving me so very much!

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.  I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all heart; I will glorify your name forever.  For great is your love toward me.  Psalm 86:12.     PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW…..

Love you all!  Enjoy your weekends!

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!

November 8, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His Thursday!  Big, nerve racking day at the Johnson place today…..State inspector for the kennels is coming in from Tulsa for our annual inspection!  Oh how we dread this day…even though we work hard at keeping our kennels and dogs in good condition, it’s always scary when you know they are coming to inspect everything you have and do with a fine tooth comb.  So needless to say, we have been working diligently every day this week in hopes of passing inspection with flying colors!  This morning I had to clear the clutter from the dining room table so Kim and the inspector could sit and go over things (and I cleaned the bathroom too, after all she is coming in from Tulsa).  I headed to my car just a little behind schedule, but made sure to leave my sweetie a note of encouragement; as I began my drive in my thoughts were consumed with the inspection…..being under the magnifying glass is so nerve racking…..I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful colors of leaves in the trees all around me….the colors of fall are my favorite…..a feeling of peace settled over me and my thoughts turned toward the love of our Heavenly Father……Oh Father, thank you for loving us unconditionally…. Your grace that saves us, nothing we do….just You.  Thank you for not examining us with a magnifying glass…….for just loving us…..forgiving us….through Your grace.  Father in return fill us with hearts and minds that work to bring You glory.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:8-10.  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be hold and blameless in His sight.  In love he predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.  Ephesians 1:3-10.  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 1:2. 

Love you all!

November 5, 2012

Good Morning Friends!!!!! My oh my, I am glad I am HIS Monday!!!! This morning I loaded up all my bags for work (they call me the bag lady here) and headed out the door. I was feeling quite spiffy in my zebra print dress and sporting my high heels…..Now if you have ever been to my house you know about the wooden ramp that my husband built, but for those of you that haven’t let me describe it a bit; it’s a bit steep….short and steep, I guess because of the steps it was built over and the size of the screen porch. Anyway, needless to say I try to always be careful when I head down, especially when sporting the high heels…you know the ones with the thin heals. This morning was no exception, loaded my bags and headed out the door. I hadn’t taken 3 steps down the ramp when my right heal got stuck between the boards…..a first and I hope a last! My heart and mind were both racing as my leg buckled at the knee and I was headed down. Praise God, somehow I managed to get control of my body, pull my heal out, and stay on my feet! As I stood up, I took a deep breath, said a thank you prayer and headed to my car, knowing I had been blessed because I could have really hurt myself! As I got in the car I couldn’t help but think that if I wasn’t somewhat physically fit….you know, if I didn’t exercise (not as much as I should, but I do try) and eat half way healthy I very well may not have had the strength or dexterity to hold myself up and get my balance. Because I take care of myself I was able to ward off a potentially serious fall. Hmm, oh goodness don’t we face potentially serious “falls” everyday….”falls” into worldly temptations? Falls….like the temptation to gossip, ignore a friend in need, criticize unjustly….these falls might not seem too serious, but left unattended…..oh my the pain and hurt that happens. So, you are asking what does your near fall have to do with this. If we are spiritually fit….if we spend time every day with our Heavenly Father, in prayer and His word we will be able to ward off potentially serious “falls.” We will be strong and balanced in our daily lives, being spiritually healthy His light will shine brightly through us to others….well heck our light might even help others to avoid “potentially serious falls” making the world a brighter place. Heavenly Father, help us to stay fit by spending time with YOU, the most important time in our days….Help us to share your love with others, generously!

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the spirit have their minds set on what the nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5. What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God. Micah 6:8. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 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.

 

Love you all!

October 26, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Fully confident in His plan, Friday! So, those of you with me in OK, how are you liken the chill in the air this morning?! Bit of a change from the day before isn’t it! How quickly the weather can change…..are you ready, prepared for the winter cold? Got your wood cut, propane tanked filled, know where your winter clothes are…hats, gloves, long johns? Being prepared is so important as winter hits us…..it can change so quickly! Isn’t that the way it is with our lives too…..one minute we are just cruising along….smooth….no bumps in the road and then bam….a child is very ill, a car accident, dissention in our family, loss of job, death of a loved one…..we are never really ready for life’s really tough stuff, but we can be prepared if get our hearts and minds focused on the love of our Heavenly Father, if we fill our time with prayer, His word, praise and worship and wear His love from the inside out! With HIM we can handle the tough stuff, with HIM we get over the bumps. Let’s not waste time traveling alone….waiting till the cold front hits and no propane……let’s be prepared, let’s spend each day growing in faith, loving Him, listening to HIM and following His will for our lives….Oh HE will keep us so warm with HIS love. Father lead us to follow you daily…..thank you for loving us and keeping us warm as we travel through this life. Father I ask you to comfort those suffering any pain right now, pull them close to You, wrap Your all- loving arms around them and give them Your peace.

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 leave are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:7. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26. We live by faith, not sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1. Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7. 

 

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 18, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  My granddaughter, Hailey….you know Tucker’s mom….Tucker my great-grandson who happened to be 3 months old yesterday……Well, Hailey has been in a real snit lately about her extra pounds since she had Tucker.  She was sure that by 3 months she would be fit and trim again….nope not happening.  Sunday, she had planned to go see Clark at the fire station; she called me just having a fit….declaring that she wasn’t going because she didn’t have anything to wear…..she was ranting and raving like a mad woman….I tried to calm her down, but I just had to laugh……she was bound and determined to not buy bigger pants…..Yesterday she called me after a trip to Walmart….she said, “Nana, you know how I have been whining about my weight, no clothes to that fit?  Nana, I have actually been throwing temper tantrums about not having anything to wear because of my extra weight…temper tantrums….screaming, crying……” “ Well, honey”…..I tried to console her but she interrupted me.  “Nana, I just came from Walmart, I was in a grouchy mood because I didn’t have anything to wear and I feel like a fat pig and then I saw a woman…..Oh Nana, it was so sad…..she had been burned so badly that she had no hair on her head….no hair Nana and her whole body was covered in terrible scars….but Nana, she was smiling, happy….Nana, she had no hair and she was smiling and she was wearing shorts with scars on her legs.  Nana I am ashamed of myself!!!  Here I am acting hateful, grouchy, throwing tantrums because my jeans don’t fit.  I am so sorry!”  I could tell by her tone that she was truly ashamed of herself and that she had learned a very valuable life-lesson.  We talked about her experience and I told her I was proud of her, that when we can really see how blessed we are we truly give God the praise He deserves.  I was about to say goodbye, but I could tell she had more she wanted to say….”Nana, that really got to me, I have so much to be thankful for, yet I am so ungrateful….I complain about a bad hair day and that lady had no hair…..I gripe about my stretch marks, but I have Tucker.  Nana if we just look and think for a minute even the things we think are bad have blessings in them……We have so much……”  Hailey really had her eyes, mind and heart opened  by the woman in Walmart….a most valuable lesson for each of us…..Father forgive our whining and open our hearts to truly see and appreciate all the blessings in our lives….help us to see Your love and goodness in everything, even when we think it’s not so good because we know that You work all things for good.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:19-20.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100:5.  He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.  Proverbs 11:27.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.  Hebrews 12:28.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and Hi wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21.  Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  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!