I will give you rest

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderful to be HIS child, Wednesday!  Well, how’s everybody doing?  Is it just me, or does life just seem to be so crazy, hectic, busy, and so much turmoil in our world?   Sometimes, it all just seems to hit me and really weigh me down….I hate that, but sometimes…..like yesterday…..it happens.   Seemed like an ordinary morning at first and then bam….My husband and I got into a nasty screaming match, as a result, I left for work all upset…that started it…Darn, I really hate to leave for work like that, but I was really irritated.  My work day, was quite busy, which I like, but I felt like everybody was a bit off, like me…then in the afternoon, I had a call from a close family member very distraught…..at the brink of an emotional breakdown…..this person is precious to me, so my heart became heavy with worry….heavy….my heart, mind, and body felt heavy….worry, stress, anxiety taking over, stealing my joy….I try to be upbeat, positive, encouraging….I know I am a blessed child of God, but gosh…the day had me….heavy.  So on top of all that, I was mad at myself.  I was glad that Linda and I had car pooled, so I had someone to talk to on the way home….a good friend indeed to listen to me!  When I got home, Kim was still working, but when I talked to him he seemed to be in a good mood….that was good.  I had time to get some extra little chores done, plus get a head start on dinner before he came in.  Wow, when he came in, I could tell that his mood was so improved from the morning.  We talked, and calmly resolved the issues from the morning…what a relief….a little bit later, I got another call from my distraught family member….she had talked with her husband and got the support she needed and was in a way better place….oh thank you Father, I prayed…I felt lighter….then I got a text from a co-worker thanking me for the littlest deed….Oh Father…..I smiled as I closed my eyes, thanking HIM again, joyfully praising HIM for lifting the weight….asking for HIS forgiveness for carrying it by self in the first place…."Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28  Thank you Jesus…

 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15.

Love you all!

This IS the day the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it!

Good Morning Friends!  Fabulous Friday, loved by HIM!  Gosh, after two nights of very restless sleep, I finally had a good sleep last night.  As I sat in my cozy recliner, snuggled in my blanket made by my granddaughters, bible in hand, I had to say a thank you prayer for feeling so awake and refreshed!  One of my readings was Psalm 96, the words fit my mood, filling me with such joy and praise as I read, “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.  Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.  For GREAT is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary .” (1-6).  My mood just got better and better, we had a simple but yummy breakfast, no bickering and I got out of the house early, so I could go to the bank before work!  I was feeling quite happy, positive, praising our Father with each step to the car, and singing “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow” as I buckled my seat belt!  Oh yes a fabulous day indeed…..and then…Well, let’s say my perfect little day got a bit bumpy.  Kim was calling, for goodness sakes, I wasn’t even out of the driveway yet, what could he want.  “Do you have time to….?????”  My mind went ballistic…and I am sure my tone matched….My perfect day was all set, leave early, go by bank before work and have all lunch hour to work out….yep perfect.  Until, “do you have time?”  Kim wanted me to wait while he printed off a bid that just came via email; the bid along with others, needed to go to Commissioners office…Oh no, that meant I had to go at lunch, giving up exercise time….Ugh!  I felt my mood rapidly deteriorating, but I said yes, but hurry.  In a minute he called and told me to go on because he couldn’t find the other bids….I said ok and once again began to pull out of drive, at that point he had discovered the bag of chicken scraps sent home with me last night by a good friend…they had defrosted all over the bbq where I had left them when I got home last night.  Usually I give them to the chickens right away, but we were going to dinner with Cooper and Katy so there wasn’t time. I meant to do it when we got home, but of course….completely forgot.  Well, he was irritated by the mess, so I stopped the car, unbuckled, ran to the porch and grabbed the yucky, wet, sloppy bag, and headed to the coop.  Kim’s irritation serenading me all the way.  OK, bag emptied, hands rinsed, back in car, buckled and headed down the road, quite irritated myself….The phone rings again, Kim…I figured he was calling to apologize, nope….he found the bids and wanted me to come back and get them!!!!  I could not believe my ears!!!!  I flipped a Ueeee, and headed back to the house…..making no effort to disguise my disgust,  I grabbed the papers from his hand and headed out again!  My positive mood from earlier gone!  Thing is, the words from Psalm 96 kept resounding in my mind….. "Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength..  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name.”  Oh dear, was I giving God glory with my attitude…wow, look at the blossoms on those trees, they are about to bud, my goodness what a huge flock of turkeys, amazing, that pond is sure full…spring is really going to be beautiful….Oh my… "Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.  Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His truth.”  The words of the Psalm were all I needed to bring me back….to fill me again with joy….joy in being HIS child, blessed with the beauty of HIS creation and love of family and friends day in and day out.  “This IS the day the LORD has made!”  I am rejoicing in it!!!!  Forgive me Father, for letting the little things in my life get in the way of YOUR GLORY!!!  All GLORY and HONOR to YOU!

 

Have a great weekend…no matter what!

Love you all!

Mending fences

Good Morning Friends!  Fabulous Friday, loved by HIM!!!!   A few years ago we had a really wet spring….so wet that the creek that runs through our property, filled to over flowing, breaking its banks and flooding a pasture.  The whole event was pretty strong, so when the flood waters broke loose they took down a quarter to half mile of fence bordering the creek.  I mean to tell you…plum flattened that fence, laid it down!!!!!  Now with the fence down the cows and sheep had total access to pastures on both sides of the creek…..not really the ideal situation.  Of course, my husband had good intentions of fixing the fence immediately…..however, life happens!  One year rolled into the next, big plans to get to it, but cows and sheep roamed where they pleased….each year more grass, limbs, leaves grew over the flat fence making a job that once would have been not easy, but very do able, now seemingly impossible!  Year in…year out….can’t tell you how many times I heard “I gotta get that fence up.”  So many times, that got to the point I really didn’t hear him….especially when he complained about the animals being where they were not supposed to be!  Tuesday when I got home from work, he was sitting on the screened porch, munching on chips and dip and sipping a nice cool beverage!  Remember how beautiful and warm it was on Tuesday, so I went in changed my clothes and put up my stuff so I could join him.   He shared his chips and even had a cold drink poured for me.  We chatted about our work days, enjoying our snacks, relishing in the beautiful spring-like weather.  I needed to take care of my critters, as I was heading out the door he hollered, “hurry up, we are going for a ride!”  When Kim wants to go for a ride on a week night he has a specific plan….something that can’t wait to have my attention.  Maybe a new tool in the shop, or the beginning of one of his creative inventions or maybe a set of twin lambs….well, I had no clue what he was up to on Tuesday.  As soon as I finished my chores we hopped in his truck and headed out!  First stop, the gate that leads into the pasture that had flooded….I hopped out, unlocked the gate and in we went.  Within just a matter of a few seconds I knew what he was up to!  No new tool, or baby…..the fence was up!!!!!  The whole length from one end of the pasture to other…..up…..in one day he had, with the help of a young neighbor, put the whole fence back up….one day….not even a whole day, he had done all his farm chores too!  I was quite impressed with his accomplishment and praised him for a job well done….we of course had to drive the whole pasture and check it all out, although not perfect the fence would definitely do its job now!  As we headed back to the house I couldn’t help but think how at times, we let the severe storms of life flatten us….our spirits, our moods, our finances…..flattened relationships…..we procrastinate…..let the messes in our lives get worse and harder to fix when we have the perfect tool with us all the time to get the job done!  Our Heavenly Father is there to guide us with HIS wisdom, support us with HIS love, wrap us in HIS comfort…..HE”S there 24/7……why do we procrastinate….allow ourselves to get depressed, emotionally and spiritually….we make ourselves sick with worry and heartache…..when like Kim, when he finally just did it, got the job done in a few hours…..we can get our fences back up by going to our FATHER, giving HIM our worries, letting HIM carry the load!  Oh Kim’s fence is not perfect nor will our “fences” in life always be perfect.  Life on this earth because of sin is just not perfect….but Praise God He sent His Son to die for us and promises to mend our fences until we get HOME with HIM!   Oh Father, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!  You supply all the tools we need to keep our fences up!!!!!

Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  2 Corinthians 1:5.  Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him  Nahum 1:7.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11. 

Love you all!

Well, you aren't dead!

Good Morning Friends!  Take time to be thankful, Tuesday!!  Well, my goodness seems like it’s been forever….missed you all!  Last Sunday I wanted to have a lesson on being thankful in conjunction with Thanksgiving for the kids.  I found a neat idea on the internet and adapted it to our group.  Basically I had a basket of apples with a number taped on each one.  I had each child tell me a song they wanted to sing and I had bible verses on being thankful.  So, I read a bible verse, someone picked an apple and we sang the song that corresponded to the number on the apple!  The singing came directly from the first verse, Psalm 147:7, “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp (I said piano too, we have the most awesome pianist at church).”  And so we began, bible verse, apple, sing….what a good time we were having making music to our God!  Pretty soon, I read 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  This verse lead me to ask the kids, quite dramatically, “Well, I’ve been really sick….so does this verse mean I have to be thankful for being sick???!!!!!”  I was really trying to make a point, about not being whiners, when one Jr. Hi boy said in his getting deep Jr. Hi voice, head down….”Well…..you aren’t dead!”  Wow!  Did that ever hit home….I have been doing quite a bit of whining about being sick…..in fact I’m sure there are friends and co-workers that are sick of hearing me whine……the point is I am alive!  Alive, with medicine, lots of chicken soup, cough drops and a caring husband…..I am going to be just fine!  That young man’s comment may have been a bit on the extreme side, but I think it really made a good clear point for us…..we do have so very much for which to be thankful, grateful….praise worthy!  Yet, it seems we are so quick to see the negative…..get sick once in a while and we think the world has come to an end….How about all the days we are healthy, feel great….are we thankful on those days.  Do we think to thank our doctor, pharmacist, friends, caring husband on those days….My husband starts my car every morning and pulls it right up to the back door for me…..Hmmm, have I thanked him lately….Ever called your doctor when you felt really good and thanked her for always being there when you need her?  Ever thanked God for her and prayed for wisdom for her in so many difficult situations?  Thursday is “Thanksgiving Day”  why wait…..let’s start thanking and praising right now!  Our God takes good care of us….provides us with what we need….oh yea sometimes we think it’s not quick enough, but…..never forget, Our Father always knows what’s best!  Trust and believe!!!  Father, oh my goodness there’s not enough hours in the day to thank you for all you do for us!!!  Accept our humble gratitude and praise!  Help us to always keep attitudes of gratitude.  And thank you for my doctor!!!

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the God of gods.  His love endures forever.  Give thanks to the Lord of lords:  His love endures forever.  Psalm 136:1-3.

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!

His most extraordinary, everyday blessings!

Good Morning Friends!  Totally, thankfully HIS, Tuesday!!!   This morning driving to work, I was thinking….”hope things are just a bit less hectic today….”  I was distracted when I saw cows in a pasture with grass at least a foot tall, poking their heads through the fence trying to get something on the other side….my gosh they had lush, green grass, in August right in front of them.  Couldn’t help but think dumb, greedy cows…they are so ungrateful for what they have!  I just couldn’t believe my eyes, but soon turned my thoughts back to a less hectic day….OH MY GOSH, BAM!!!!  DUMB and GREEDY….UNGRATEFUL!!  Those adjectives could easily apply to me…..for heaven’s sake….I am driving to work….First of all in these troubled times I have a great job!  Next, I am driving to it in my little black car….Yes, I live in the country and gas is high, but….did you hear me???  I live in the country, surrounded by lush, green pastures, tall trees, ponds and lots of critters….I live there….oh dear.  My job, is inside of a beautiful office, full of awesome friends and co-workers…My goodness, the friends I have made while at my job are such a huge blessing in my life…not to mention all the benefits…..After work, I go home to a loving, hard-working husband and our little dog Axle and almost always I hear from at least one of my out of state grandkids or maybe a visit from Cooper and Katy.  Last night I invited Katy for a Nana bath; Cooper was at firemen’s with Papa, so it would just be us girls.  They love their “Nana bath”  and it gives me so much joy….they are so grateful to have a bath at my house (of course I do have some really cool stuff for the tub)….a simple bath….Oh and it ended up firemen’s was short so Cooper got to have a “Nana bath” too and then we all sat on the porch and visited until the mosquitos ran us in.  While Harper was here one day Cooper asked her if she had ever had a Nana bath….how special is that?  He didn’t want her to miss out on the fun….shame on me for being ungrateful for even one second, when I have so much, my heart is so full…overflowing with HIS most extraordinary, everyday blessings!   Harper told Cooper, “Oh yes Cooper, I was having Nana baths long before you were even born!  Oh my, I have been blessed to be a Nana for a long time….Shame on me Father when I seem to be greedy and ungrateful for even a minute….I am so blessed by YOU and to be YOUR child…..Let my heart continually sing Your praises!

 

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:1.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (every one, big or little).  12 Corinthians 9:15.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20.  Amen! 

Love you all!

Our Perfect, All Knowing Fix-it Man

Good Morning Friends!  Today, Tuesday, so very thankful to be His!  A while ago…..I would say maybe 2 or 3 months ago I noticed a musty, wet smell in the house.  At first mostly in the kitchen, but as time went on I could smell it all over the house.  My first thought, something’s leaking under the house….oh yuck….not the kind of thing one looks forward to addressing with the man of the house….know what I mean?!  But as time went on and the odor worsened, I knew what I had to do….So I began by just mentioning I had been noticing a wet…..kind of musty odor all over the house.  His initial response….”I don’t smell anything!”  Imagine that!!!!  Did I expect anything different!!!!  Well, this went on like I said, for a couple of months, me politely complaining while he ignored me or insisted he smelled nothing.  Remember a couple of weeks ago, I went to California for a few days?  Well, one of the first things Mr. Johnson had to report was…..”Uh…..I smell the musty odor.  Must be something leaking under the house!”  To which I wanted to reply, notice I said wanted to….”DUH!!!”  But I didn’t, I merely smiled and silently thanked our Heavenly Father.  His plan was to crawl under the house and check it out….definitely not an easy feat for an old, chubby man (I say that most endearingly).  The space under the house is so small and remember it had been leaking for quite some time……can you imagine.  I didn’t push him about it and in a few days, bless his heart he ventured under with his spotlight to see if he could find the problem, having me turn on different faucets.  Well, he found it…kitchen sink.  Step one…..next step, go all the way under and fix it.  He was quite convinced he would not be able to get under to do it, so he tried his best to find a slighter built friend to help him out…..I stopped using the kitchen sink on Friday to help dry it out a little, but finally on Sunday afternoon he had to suck it up and go under himself.  Remember this issue had been brewing for at least 2 months….drip, drip, drip, damp, damper, wet….puddled….by now a real mess!  Most unhappy and quite negative, he gathered the tools and supplies he thought he would need and headed in.  I could hear him grunting and groaning, struggling to say the least to make his way over to the kitchen pipes……wasn’t very long at all, and I heard him grunt and groaning his way out!!!!!!  He was covered in cobwebs and mud from head to toe, but the leak was fixed!!!!!!  Golly molly, was I ever a happy wifey.  In 3 hours I could actually do the dishes!  Later as I attacked the piles of dishes that had accumulated since Friday, so happy that the leak was fixed, the odor soon to be gone, I couldn’t help but think about the leaks in my life.  The situations, that could have been easily taken care of that I let drip with worry, drip with frustration, drip with stubborn attitudes about doing it my way….drips that turned into wet puddles of hurt, anger, financial issues….muddying up my life……why?  Because I ignored God’s direction, His wisdom, and guidance, thinking I can do it on my own.  In the end……muddy, covered with cobwebs of guilt and sadness……all over a little drip that could have been fixed pretty easily if I had just called on our Heavenly Father first!!!!  Our Perfect, All Knowing Fix-it Man…..just waiting to stop our leaks!  Thank you Father for bearing with us through our stubbornness, forgive us…..help us to trust and believe that YOU always know best for us and come to YOU first.

 

“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 plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11.  I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Psalm 73:23-24.  I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will  not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.  Proverbs 4:11-12.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.  Isaiah 26:4.  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 whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25. 

Love you all!

Do you hear what I hear?

Good Morning Friends!  Fabulous Friday, loved by HIM!  This morning sitting in the living room, in my house, with all the windows closed, I could hear one dog….one little bitty dog barking….in the kennel…..behind my house….the back side of my house, living room is in front…..behind the carport…..one little bitty, yapping dog….I could hear him plain as day……yipping….a constant, irritating yip….in my house….with the windows closed…..As I sat there irritated, becoming quite annoyed at the barking dog…..behind my house, behind the carport…..in  my living room with the windows closed…..I chuckled to myself….isn’t it funny that I can hear that dog….you know where……but quite often I do not hear my husband speaking to me when he is sitting a couple of feet away…….Now just how crazy is that!!!!!  At first I chuckled, then I thought….hmmm that little dog is irritating me in the house, but my poor husband often gets ignored a few feet away……I felt rather ashamed of myself….why can I hear that dog way outside, but don’t hear my husband…..Hmmmm….yep……because I choose, selfishly at times, to “not hear” “ignore” him….quite human of me…..while the dog continued to yip, my annoyance building I thought…OH MY…..Father……I too am a yipper…..whining and complaining to You all the time…..begging, pleading day in and day out!  Yet, You never get annoyed with me….never….Your love and compassion are endless, engulfing my life inside and out…..PLUS…..You NEVER IGNORE me either…..OH Father, thank you for hearing my constant yipping and answering my prayers!  Forgive my selfish nature, help me to listen compassionately to others.  All glory, honor, and praise to YOU!

 

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 John 5:14-15.  The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!  Isaiah 30:18.  Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  Galatians 5:13.  As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.  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!

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

Division of Housing

Get er done!

Today at 11:01 AM

Good Morning Friends! Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  Me oh my, Luke 1: 37, “For nothing is impossible with God.”  Took on a whole new dimension for me this past weekend!  My husband got hit by some kind of horrible cough, cold, sinus, chest, deep cough, headachy, body achy, tummy yucky sickness last weekend.  Well it started about Thursday, but by Friday at noon he was off the ranch and in the recliner….and that’s where he stayed until yesterday!  Now those of you that know him, know that is not at like him….not even a little bit!  So, Friday night when I went up to fill the seed buckets in the fodder factory, I knew I had quite a weekend ahead of me…..standing there alone, filling the buckets I let our Father know exactly how I was feeling about the weekend ahead……Saturday morning, I got up early, got on my work clothes, grabbed a tablet and proceeded to get detailed instructions from my sicky!   He carefully detailed how much fodder, each group of animals got (and how to place it on the truck),  how many buckets of wheat for the calves, bull, sheep….lambs get 50 pounds of pellets, fodder on top and fill troughs with alfalfa and don’t forget to water them….oh cows need half a bale of Alf alpha too….(we are talking a very large bale)…..suddenly he stopped….sadly shaking his head he said, “there is NO WAY you can do this!”  Again, this is not like him….he always thinks I can do and he always manages to get up and go, not Saturday.  Oh boy, I thought I am going to need some reinforcement for sure……So, as put on my coat, hat, and gloves and headed out the door I said, “Father……you are coming along aren’t You?”  Please!”  I was feeling really overwhelmed and unsure of what lay ahead of me…..first obstacle…getting the old feed truck started!  Great little 1983 Isuzu diesel with a little flatbed….has no heat, no defrost, driver’s side door doesn’t latch….and oh gosh did I tell you that to get it started you have to spray ether in the air filter first!  I got the hood popped, found the latch to lift it and then stood staring at all the parts…air filter…hmmmm….let’s see I should remember which one of these figga ma jobbies is the air filter….yep, think it’s this one…one little squirt Kim said that’s all…ok done, now let’s start it.  With a few rattles, bumps, and lots of exhaust we were up and running!  Thank you Father!  Axle (remember our new little dog) and I headed out….our FATHER right beside us…We took one chore at a time, one bucket, one bag, one flake….when I got to feeling like I wasn’t going to be able to do it….I took a deep breath, feeling HIS gently touch I continued…..Cooper, Katy, and Mommy came over and helped me for a while, wow that was wonderful….Mommy said, “what a workout!  I need to do this more often” as she flaked large chunks of alfalfa to the cows.  Late in the afternoon, after giving the lambs and calves their nighttime food, I pulled off my boots and jeans, slipped into some comfy sweats and started sorting the laundry….I was totally exhausted, my back, legs and arms throbbing, but I felt good….the job, big job, for today was done….I smiled as I thanked our Father for going with me…..”For nothing is impossible with God.”  Lesson learned.  Thank you Father for reminding me that if I take you along with me, no task on the ranch, at work, in my family, heart or mind is too much….With YOU we can “get er done!”  Thanks also Father, for getting Kim on the road to health, for the doctors, nurses and meds that You provide!

 

Jesus said, “Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”  Matthew 17:20.  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm.  29:11.  The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8.

Impeccable Taste

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully loved by HIM Wednesday!  Last night I went with my husband to a Storm Watchers class at the Vo Tec…needless to say when he asked me to go with him, I was not all that excited….However, always trying to be a good little wifey, I agreed to go, with a smile.  In hopes of easing my less than enthusiastic attitude, he enticed me with dinner out before class.  I had hitched a ride with my good friend from Clarita, so Kim picked me up at 5 and we headed to dinner.  We decided on Oscar’s Chinese Restaurant.  When we have Chinese food, I always read our fortunes out loud.  I finished eating first, so I opened my cookie and read it…something about good news coming my way…that’s always nice!  When he finished, he opened his and handed me his fortune.  OMGOODNESS!  As soon as I read it I burst out laughing….Those of you who have the distinct pleasure of knowing my husband will understand my reaction immediately…for those of you who do not….Well….let’s just say….when you look up the definition of “redneck” you will find him there!  The last worry he ever has is how he looks….he wears bib overalls everywhere and when they get worn, he cuts them off for shorts and wears them to town (sorry Julie, I know how that hurts you)….he is a red headed, chubby, out spoken, work-alcoholic…he gets his clothes so dirty I know that people think I don’t wash them, jokester, red necked, man; he could re-write the book on “frankly….I don’t give a d…..n…..getting the picture……So when I read his fortune…..I could not help but burst into laughter….I laughed so hard I couldn’t even read it to him.  Every time I tried I would just burst into laughter that was, in fact, a bit loud for a restaurant…..OK, are you ready to hear what it said…..I am laughing as I think about it……OK, here it goes…..”You have impeccable taste”…..that’s it……giggling and wiping tears from my eyes waiting for his response…..You know what that little redneck said……without a second’s hesitation…….”Of course I do…..I picked you!”  So now….you have his other side….kind, unselfish, loving……Look up “impeccable” in the dictionary……”.perfect, without flaw”  of course he could not be further from the truth, but wow how blessed am I to be married to such a redneck!  All throughout the evening I couldn’t help but think about his response…..How quick we are to point out the flaws of others…..how thankful I am that the only PERFECT, FLAWLESS MAN died for me….and you! True God and True Man our sins…our flaws are forgiven……we are blessed.  Father, please help us to treat other as You treat us…..To YOUR Glory!  Thank you Father for the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, for us.

 

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.   For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.  John 3:16-17.  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.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.  Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.  Jude 2.

Love you all!

 

 

Don't blame it on the dog!: Matthew 7:1-5

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Yesterday I told you a bit about our dog, Holina Dos; today I am going to share a cute story that my dear friend Julie shared with me about her precious dog, Annie.  Julie got home after work, the day it had been raining, Annie was outside but very anxious (she is a bit of a worry wart) because there was a big truck parked next door.  So anyway, Annie was in a big rush to get into the house.  As soon as they got in the door Julie noticed some mud on the floor.  She scoffed at Annie, grabbed a cloth and went to wiping off Annie’s paws…..Annie wasn’t thrilled about it and was so excited that Julie kind of had to follow her through the house to get each paw.  She was irritated that she kept wiping, but there was still mud everywhere!  I wasn’t there, so I can’t be sure, but I would just bet that Annie was getting chewed out pretty good…..after a few minutes and lots of wiping on Annie’s paws, Julie discovered….oh my….ready for this….the mud she kept seeing was on her shoes!!!!  Annie was innocent, blameless….but was so quickly accused of making the muddy mess when actually….the accuser was to blame!  Ouch!!  We were laughing as she shared her Annie story, but it got me to thinking.  How often do we…..place blame on others rather than looking at ourselves, our actions first?.....Husband/wife a grouch????  Kids whiney??? Co-worker rude???  Grocery store clerk snotty???  Neighbor selfish????   Hmm maybe we should check for the mud on our feet, before we accuse everyone else around us of the wrong doing……Father, forgive us when we look to blame others before we look at ourselves.  Help us to be more like YOU…..Fuel our lights to shine brightly with kindness and love.

 

Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘let me take the speck out our your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?.....first take the plank out of your won eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:22-24.  We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10.  How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!!!  1 John 3:1. 

Love you all!  Have a wonderful weekend

June 29, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!!!  A couple weeks ago a new friend at church shared a concern with me about a situation with her husband.  They had been attending a monthly luncheon in their community for the past few months; she looked so happy as she expressed how much they were enjoying it and then her expression changed as she told me that her husband did not want to go anymore because he was afraid they might ask him to lead a prayer.  She was so disappointed….we visited a bit more and then I told her I would prayer about her situation.  Last Sunday, I had a chance to visit with her again and  told her  I had been praying for her and her husband.  Her response surprised me….”Oh there are so many big things to pray for, you don’t need to pray for that.”  I reassured her that, indeed her situation was important and I would continue to pray.  She has been on my mind ever since our conversation……I feel sad to think that she didn’t think her situation was important enough to bring to our Heavenly Father in prayer……Oh my….how silly we so often are….how we underestimate His love, His omnipotent powers, His mercy and grace……Our Heavenly Father knows how many hairs we have on our heads…..every concern that we have….however small it may seem is important to HIM….if it bothers us…..it bothers HIM!!!  From broken fingernails to broken relationships…….tension headache to terminal illness….a few pennies short for a soda to bankruptcy……HE KNOWS…..HE CARES…..Our Best Friend….Take it to the Lord in Prayer!  Father….thank you for knowing our concerns before we do…..humble us to come to You and give you the glory.

 

“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 ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9.  The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.  34:17-20.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.  Matthew 21:22.  Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:7-8.  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 John 5:14-15. 

Love you all!

June 12, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Good grief what next!?  One darn doctor bill after another, flats on the backhoe, a window air-conditioner went out, electric bill is sky high already and it’s only mid-June, and now….the air conditioner in my car quit!!!!   Just plain quit…..what’s up with that and we are in our first official heat spell…..Darn it…..that’s it….I am plum worn out with all the bumps in my life.  Coming into work, I felt quite worn out and defeated…..a bit whiny I must admit.  After clocking in, I reached for my daily calendar to tear off yesterday and have a look at today……Here’s what I found….”The Lord shall preserve thy going out and they coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”  Psalm 122:8.  “Well, my goodness whiney girl,” I had to say to myself……”what the heck are you thinking!?”….I am not alone….that pile of doctor bills is right on His list of “WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT”  and the car, well it can be fixed…might have to wait a bit, but I can handle the heat for a while…..the bills won’t magically go away and we will have to pay to have the car fixed, but I am not alone……Our Heavenly Father is with me all the way to guide me…..and after all, He wants us to store up treasures in heaven not here, right!  I can do that….I can stop worrying by spending extra time in His word and prayer……focusing on His love and compassion rather than whining about the bumps…..a little spiritual exercise and it goes a long way to boost our attitudes…….Attitudes of Gratitude make us feel good from the inside out…..So, gonna follow 1Thessalonians 5:16-18….”Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in EVERYTHING give thanks.”  OK, here it goes….All glory, honor and praise to You, most gracious and merciful Heavenly Father……thank you for doctor bills because without doctors I might not have my sweet husband and thank you for mechanics that will fix my car!  Thank you Father…..for picking me up…..and carrying me!

 

“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.  He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Psalm 23:3.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds. Psalm 107:21.  Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:7.  You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.  Psalm 30:11-12. 

Love you all!

May 9, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Trusting and Believing in HIM! Thursday!  Gosh, I had such a blessed day yesterday….one “little” special thing after another.  Went to the Good Book Store at lunch and they had boxed, greeting cards half price…Woo Hoo!  Saw a former co-worker and sweet friend and got her new phone number and a hug!!!  Had a wonderful call from my son in California and got my little, black car back after 2 weeks in the shop! I was singing HIS praises as I tootled home from Stonewall, sun-roof wide open!  Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful to have the old reliable Honda to drive in a pinch, but I must admit I was really excited to head to work in my little, black car!  As I got on the highway, I reached up to set the cruise control….Oh shoot, it got turned off….I have never actually turned it on, my husband has always just left it on and then I set it as needed.  Well, it was too risky to mess with it while I was on the highway so, I just told myself, “No big deal….just watch your speed.”  No big deal….HUH!  As hard as I tried, I kept finding my speed creeping up….way up past the speed limit…dang it….last thing I need is a ticket…..self –control Kathie, I told myself…exercise some self-control with your foot!  Oh boy…..the familiar tap…..Hi Father….I know, I know, I keep speeding….sorry…..can’t help it….can’t do it without my cruise control……”  “Oh Kathie, My precious child….your problem driving without speed control reminds Me of times in your life when you try to “drive” without Me….without Me to help you ‘control’ your actions…..forging down life’s highway alone,  you speed into situations that are not good for you, not pleasing to Me…..things happen…things happen…..things that I, your Heavenly Father, do not like to see happening to you….things that can lead you down a very bumpy road…..alone.  My child, ‘set’ your life with Me.”  Wow, was all I could I think…..sure could use a little more self-control in my life….I need to set my life, in His hands…..more time with Him, in word and prayer….more listening for His will in my life….more letting go…..and letting HIM!  Father, forgive us when we want to cruise alone.  Please give us strength, increase our faith, so that we let You set the controls in our lives.

The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6.  The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.  Joshua 2:11.  Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”  Matthew 24:35.  “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.  God will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.  Isaiah 2:3.  This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is His name:  “Call to me and I will answer you and tell  you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  Jeremiah 33:2-3. 

Love you all.