Stay put...in HIM!

Good Morning Friends!  First and foremost, HIS, Friday!!   The other evening, Kim was sharing what he had to do the next day….it was looking a bit tricky.  He had to have Axle to the vet in Atoka by 7:30 and then be in Paul’s Valley by 9 with bunnies to meet the lady that buys them for her pet store.  For those of you that don’t live around here, that is not a small feat….doable under good conditions, but not a sure thing!  So, he decided that he would leave out a little after 6, in hopes that they could take Axle a little early, then on to Paul’s Valley.  The next morning as he prepared to head out, I asked him if there was anything I could to help….I was secretly hoping he would say, no, that’s ok, because you know how I love my early morning time, but instead he said, “Well, if you want to come help me load the bunnies that would be great, they are really hard to load.”  Oh my gosh I thought, they are little bunnies, cute little furry bunnies, how hard could it be!  But, I said sure and followed him out to the rabbit barn.  He set out the boxes for me to put them in and then climbed on a chair to get them out of their pen.  He open the door got the first one and handed it to me.  As he did, he said now hold on to it be careful, I really was not worried…it’s a sweet little bunny….Ha, Ha, joke was on me…..I could barely hold on to it long enough to get it in the box and then….OH MY GOSH, Kim said “Look out, close the lid”  I couldn’t believe it, that little stinker tried to jump out!   I closed the box and reached up for the next one…..I was a bit more careful from then on and  couldn’t help thinking….how in the world does he get the cute little bunnies loaded all by himself!  I guess I shouldn’t have been so critical!  The thought kept nagging at me that we just don’t know another person’s job until we do it!!!!  Gosh, how often we jump to criticize others, when we should be encouraging and supporting instead!  “Hello Father, gosh how are You today?  Thanks for stopping by, what’s up?”  Well, first My child, I am always here….you just don’t always, pay attention.”  Ouch, that one hurt….”Second, those are pretty smart bunnies….they had a good lesson for you, actually they have two lessons.”  “Really, tell me more Father.”  Well, Kathie remember the other day when you talked about ‘speeding down and slowing up’?”

“Well, sure, but what….”   “Think about those cute, furry little bunnies acting all crazy, jumping out of the box into a world they know nothing about!  They have been well taken care of, but now want to jump out, be crazy….it’s a dangerous world out there….they are not prepared to go out on their own….clueless in fact.  Are you getting the idea?”   “Oh Father, I sure am.  Who would have thought You could put two good lessons for us in those cute little bunnies!  Not only do we need to be mindful of judging others, we also need to stay put…IN YOU!!!  No jumping out on our own…..unprotected from this crazy word…..Take my hand and lead me Father, slow me down and keep me in the box of YOUR LOVE!”

 

As for God, His way is perfect; the Lord’s would is flawless.  He shields all who take refuge in Him.  2 Samuel 22:31.

Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Matthew 7:1-2.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there!

Love you all!

Hand out Valentines every day

Good Morning Friends!  Forever loved by HIM Friday!  Yesterday after work I had to go to Walmart to pick up a cake and  cupcakes for Cooper and Katy’s Valentine parties today.  Kathyrn has been running crazy, so I wanted to help her out just a bit.  Wow! I barely got in the door without running into a massive display of flowers, bouquets in all colors and sizes……and big signs with hearts and the word LOVE plastered all over them.  A little farther into the store were huge displays of heart-shaped cookies and  cupcakes, red, white and pink ones shouting out….LOVE.  I made my way to the bakery and got the cake….once again red hearts, love ornaments stuck in the corners, love oozing from every direction….I cautiously made my way down the Valentine “things” aisle….could have been dangerous if I wasn’t careful, but Katy wanted rings to put on her cupcakes, so I bravely forged my way…..Red, pink, white, LOVE screaming from every shelf.  I found the rings, and headed out to finish my shopping and get out of there…what a mad house.  The whole store jammed with things that are supposed to represent “love.”  Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Valentine’s Day myself, from heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast to heart-shaped meatloaf  for dinner and everything in between, but on the way home my thoughts were consumed with……well, Our Heavenly Father……LOVE…..real love…..I was drawn to 1 John 4:7-12… "Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed His love among us:  He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also out to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”  This is what it’s all about….REAL LOVE…..and not just HIM loving us and us loving HIM…..but we must love each other….So go ahead, have a Happy Valentine’s Day, but don’t stop there…..hand out valentines every day…we don’t need fancy boxes of candy, expensive bouquets of flowers, or heart-shaped cookies to say, “Hey, Jesus Loves you and so do I!”  Nope, a simple smile goes a long, long, way….or how about holding the door open for someone, or simply listening when you think you don’t have time, sharing the cookies from your lunch, helping a child with homework, and my favorite, a big old hug….Wow, the healing and love that can flow through a hug…. most definitely God given!  Use your imagination…..just don’t miss a chance to share because, “love is of God”  and HE wants us to be all about it.   “Keep on loving each other.”  Hebrews 13:1.  Father fill us with a love-giving spirit….always.

 

I want to leave you with a quote from Max Lucado, “No matter what you do, no matter how far you fall, no matter how ugly you become, God has a relentless, undying, unfathomable, unquenchable love from which you cannot be separated.  Ever!!!”   Real Love….love you all, have a wonderful weekend.

 

Our God, the master artist!

Good Morning Friends!  Forever HIS Friday!  WOW!  Our God is an AWESOME God!!!  That’s all I could think this morning as I sat down to breakfast and looked out the kitchen window…the sunrise was awe-inspiring!  I hope you had a chance to see it…..the sky was alive with color, shades of pinks and lavender,  as the sun rose slowly lighting the sky….the sky appeared to be glowing…..like hot embers in the wood stove…..God’s miraculous love glowing for us, warming us in this seemingly, at times, cold world.  I sat still for a moment…pondering…..HIS LOVE for me…for each us….how could anyone deny how HE feels about us after seeing the miracle of HIS creation in the morning sky!  A perfect reminder for us that the heavens and the earth were created by HIM, for us!  We miss so many miracles of HIS creation because we are in such a hurry, or simply do not pay attention….So, this weekend, let’s slow down….open our eyes, ears, and even our noses and take in every miracle we can find!  And more importantly….let’s open our hearts and our minds to the warm glow of HIS love….I close my eyes and see vividly the morning sky….Oh Father, there’s no way we can thank you enough….we know we do not deserve YOU, but Father we praise YOU as big as YOUR little children can.

 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  And God said, “Let there be light, “ and there was light……And God saw that it was good.  Genesis 1.  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.  He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.  He bestows rain on the earth; He sends water upon the countryside.  The lowly He sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.  Job 5:9-11.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Psalm 34:8.  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24. 

 

   I want to share a quote with you that I read this morning from Gloria Gaither, “I’ve heard a lot of sermons in my day, but the best sermon I’d heard in a long time was preached in one word by a busy waitress as she poured a cup of coffee.  God has given us this.  I don’t want to miss it.   ENJOY!”  My prayer for each of you is that you are able to “ENJOY” this weekend.

Love you all!

 

The perfect refill

Good Morning Friends!!!  Marvelous in HIS love, Monday!   Last week at work, all of our single roll TP holders were replaced with those great big double ones!!!  You know the ones I mean, right….seems like there is never enough TP, but our wonderful maintenance department is doing their best to keep us supplied, hence the great big double roll dispensers!  Well, you know me….as I was sitting there the other day…..I got to pondering the big rolls…..thinking sure is nice to have such a big supply of TP in every bathroom now….Then the light came on….”Hi Father, what’s going on?”  “Well, Kathie, these really are nice big TP rolls, but you know…..they will still run out and have to be refilled…..they only go so long before the dispensers are empty and need to be ‘refilled’.”  “Hmm, I’m think I’m getting Your point, Father….Are you saying that that we can only go so long before we are empty?”  “Yes, My child, you can only go so long without refilling your heart, mind and spirit with all that I am and have for you.  I love you, I want the best for you....you must come to me and be refilled, when you are sad…..lonely, discouraged, anxious, depressed, sick….Come to Me through prayer, My word, and time in My house with more of My children….I will fill you with peace, comfort, joy….LOVE, My LOVE….come to me and you will be over flowing with My LOVE”    Thank you Father for being our “PERFECT REFILL”  no matter what the situation….Help us to come to You sooner rather than later!

 

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Luke 12:32.  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  Psalm 91:1.  May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to Your promise to your servant.  Let Your compassion come to me that I may live…Psalm 119:76.  The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7. Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in You.  Psalm 5:11.  Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.  Jude 2. 

Love you all!

What does He see in us?

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by Him, Thursday!  While I was talking with Hailey on the phone yesterday, Tucker woke up from a nap.  She got him up and was sweet talking him (makes me smile) when she laughed and said, “Tucker, look at your hair…..you got your ‘bed head’ from your Nana!”  She was laughing as she described his hair on the back of his head.  You see, in my family I am known for my “bed head”; my hair just gets in a big ol’ mess on the back of my head when I sleep or nap…..it used to bother me but not anymore and especially not now that Hailey sees me in Tucker’s “bed head.”  Now that is a Nana’s ultimate delight…..of course as Tucker grows up I hope that there are some slightly more significant traits he gets from me, but for now……the “bed head” makes me happy!  Hailey sees me in Tucker…….We love for our children and grandchildren to inherit the good parts of us, we love to see ourselves in them….As I thought about this last night I couldn’t help but think about our Heavenly Father…..as His children….What does He see in us?.....Does He see His love in us, in our thoughts and actions…..how we treat others is a definite reflection on how we are loving HIM……Father, help us to shine with Your love so that we reflect You in all that we do.

 

The Lord has declared this day that you are His people, His treasured possession as He promised, and that you are to keep all His commands.  Deuteronomy 26:18.  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.  A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.  He has given us this command:  whoever loves God must also love his brother.  1 John 4:21.  Jesus said, “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35.You yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.  1 Thessalonians 4:9.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father I heaven.  Matthew 5:16.

Love you all!

Our forever Valentine

Good Morning!    Last week, a day or two before Valentine’s Day, we got a Valentine in the mail from Cooper and Katy.  Of course, we love that!!!  I picked up the phone and called them to say thank you….after visiting with Mommy for a minute she gave the phone to Katy.  Katy was so happy to talk to me, I thanked her for the card and told her I had a Valentine surprise for her too!  She was all excited, we visited a little longer when I heard Mommy tell her to let Cooper talk too.   “Cooper, want to talk to Nana?”   she hollered at him.  I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard him holler back, “NO.”  Well for heaven’s sake I thought, little stinker.  I told Katy, “you tell Cooper he isn’t going to get his Valentine surprise if he doesn’t talk to me.”  Katy was most happy to deliver that message with the silly delight of a little sister whose  big brother was about to get in trouble!  Immediately, a little voice came on the phone and said, “Hi Nana.”  “Hi Cooper, how’s my boy?”  “Good, nana do you have a Valentine surprise for me?”  “I sure do Cooper, thank you for our Valentine, I love you.”  “ Your welcome, I love you too, Nana, bye.”  The conversation was short and sweet, but as I was relaying the details of how I had to threaten our little stinker to get him to talk to me, I suddenly felt sad…..Gosh, sure glad our Father doesn’t ever threaten us to get us to come to HIM….He waits lovingly, patiently yearning for us to come to HIM, sit with HIM…..unburden our troubled hearts, confess our sins, receive comfort and the most wonderful LOVE surprise, everyday not just once a year!  Father, oh I thank and praise YOU for loving us so abundantly….freely, always without a threat….just the promise of life everlasting with YOU!!  How good YOU are how Blessed are we!  I love you Father, all glory to YOU!

 

You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding love and faithfulness.  Psalm 86:15.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trust in Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7  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.  Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.  Job 22:21.  The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; d not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8.  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Luke:12:32. 

Love you all!

The most perfect gift

Good Morning Friends!  Totally taken by His love, Tuesday!  Seems like so many conversations right now are all about Christmas shopping….what to get who….how much does it cost…..and then every other commercial is about some big old fancy Christmas gift and the stores and sale papers….gee whiz….easy to get stressed out.  We stress out over getting the perfect gift for our family and friends, the hottest new toy, or biggest tool, buying the perfect paper and matching bows…..people actually go in debt buying Christmas presents that they cannot afford……BAM!!!!  This morning it hit me……..each of us have already received the most perfect gift….many, many years ago……no it didn’t come from a high-dollar department store and wasn’t wrapped in shiny paper……didn’t cost us one cent….not one single penny……..This gift was born in a stable…..wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger…..a stable….for animals….donkeys, sheep, cows…..now I love all my little critters but a night with Chloe and Eyore….no thanks.  This gift God’s Son, born in a manager for us, lived, died and rose again for us…..died that we might live…..Our Heavenly Father gave us the PERFECT GIFT….His only Son…..our Savior…..This Perfect Gift was a gift of LOVE…….unselfish……total LOVE for each of us.  The gift of LOVE, wrapped in swaddling clothes….The perfect gift comes from love……not how much money was spent or the name brand…….So go ahead finish your shopping, but remember the Perfect gift comes from love.  Father, thank you for giving us, the Perfect gift, Your only Son who died to save us from eternal death…..Fill our hearts with Your Love so that everything we do brings glory to You.

 

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:11-12.  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.  John3:16.  This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  1 John 3:16.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.  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.

Love you all!

A little piece of home

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty Awesome is our God, Monday!  Yesterday began as a typical Sunday morning at church; I was finishing up my Sunday school superintendent duties, you know offering, attendance, leaving Pastor a copy of attendance on his desk…the usual; as I came out of his office I noticed we had visitors looking at our bulletin board.  I stopped, said good morning and introduced myself….the wife turned to me, took my outstretched hand and said “Tina”  then her husband shook my hand, “Keith, and this is our daughter Jessica.”  I started to ask them where they were from when Keith got the oddest look on his face, he raised his hand kind of pointing at me and slowly said, “this is a stretch, but are you from Terra Bella?”  Oh my gosh my heart leaped as I said “yes.”  He said, “you were my Sunday school teacher.”  We were both in a state of shock!  Indeed, Keith’s parents were friends of mine at my home church in Terra Bella, California….many years ago…..my mom’s family were founders of the church and Keith’s family long, long time members so our families had known each other and worshiped together for decades…..I get goose bumps right now just thinking about such a wonderful coincidence…..I was so excited as I drug them around introducing to my current church family….Keith was excited too!  I had to go finish up with the kids, Jessica was quite willing to go and meet them, so off we went.  As soon as Sunday school was over I found Keith and Tina, introduced them to more people and asked if I could sit with them.  I was so excited I wasn’t sure I could sit still and of course I had to introduce them formerly during announcements…Gosh, what a wonderful coincidence I thought all through the service, my mind raced with memories from all those years ago, smiling, remembering what a cute little boy Keith had been (nice looking man now, I must add).  After the service, as we were getting ready to say our goodbyes, Keith expressed how happy he was that we had meet again after so many years.  In a serious voice he said, “I feel like I got a little piece of home.”  Hugging him I had to agree, it was all I could do to hold back the tears as Tina expressed that even though she had not ever been to California, she felt a “piece of home too.”  As Tina and I hugged I was filled with a  special peace….a peace and joy beyond human understanding…..oh this reunion was no “coincidence”  no way…..This was our Mighty Awesome God at work with a gift of love for Keith, Tina, and me, that we didn’t even know we needed, but HE did…And the piece of home we felt was unity and love of a Christian family….shared faith in our ONE TRUE GOD and SAVIOR…..a piece of home on earth, a foretaste of the HOME we will share in heaven with our FATHER….oh my goodness….goose bumps for sure!  Father thank you for such precious, special blessings that we sure do not deserve….thank you FATHER for the awesome bond we share with YOUR children….You pour your love over us in ways that we cannot even fathom….Thank you Father, all honor, glory and praise to YOU!

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9.  Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.  Psalm 36:5.  From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children.  Psalm 103:17.   So we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him.  1 John 4:16.  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!

Potholes

Today at 8:38 AM

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by Him, Tuesday!  We sure had a great time with Harper while she was here!  One of her favorite things to do is practice driving on our country roads.  Friday evening we went out for a final cruise before she went home on Saturday; she had gotten pretty good at dodging the many  potholes on our road and others around us too.  There are spots where it is almost impossible to miss the annoying holes, no matter how hard you try, but Harper  did a heck of a job.  Friday as she was meticulously maneuvering between/around the potholes, I couldn’t help but chuckle and say to her, “DRIVING 101 IN LULA—LEARNING TO AVOID POTHOLES.”  We had a good laugh and headed home for her last dinner in Lula, tacos!  Working on dinner, I was smiling thinking about the fun times teaching Harper to drive…..especially dodging potholes….Hmmm, suddenly I had a clear thought… my goodness, the roads we travel in our lives are so often full of potholes too…..holes of envy, anxiety, depression, greed, self-centeredness…..we definitely need to learn to dodge those potholes….the potholes I have to deal with in my car, if I’m not careful, will cause damage to my car….tires….front end….you name it…potholes are hard on a car!  Potholes of envy, anxiety, depression, greed, and self-centeredness are hard on our faith…..our hearts and minds are damaged when we hit those holes…..we sink into a place that is not good for us or those around us…..We definitely are not giving glory to our Father  when we constantly hit the holes…..But it’s not futile….Soon road construction will begin on our road, yea!!!  We are very excited about having a road without so many potholes, a smoother ride will be great….Our ride through life is not always smooth, but we do have help anytime….we are not alone….Our Father will smooth the bumps for us…..He will fill in the holes of hope, love, joy, and compassion offering us strength through His grace and forgiveness.  Father, thank you for forgiving us when we hit the potholes….fill us with Your gracious love so that we avoid the potholes of attitudes and actions that are reflections of YOU!

 

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:  but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  1 Corinthians 10:13.  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.  The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak.  Mark 14:38.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and You shall find rest unto your souls.  Matthew 11:29.  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17. 

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

The seasons of your lfe

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by HIM, Thursday!  Happy first day of spring my friends!!!!  Although it didn’t really feel like spring at 32 this morning, or look like it with frost covered pastures, I chose to wear a beautiful sun-yellow blouse and my vintage flower earrings and matching pin (left to me by a dear old friend) in hopes of appearing, “spring like.”  Here in the office everyone seems to be cheery, lots of talk of working in the yard, planting flowers and gardens!  The Home Depot add has pages of flowers, garden tools and everything you could ever need to “spring” up your yard!  Out with the weeds and in with blossoming flowers……right!  “Oh, Good Morning Father, Happy first day of spring to You! What’s up?”  “Kathie, My child….it is a beautiful day isn’t it, I made this day for your rejoicing.  I love you, my child!  Now about this “spring” thing…..It is wonderful for you all to work in your yards, enjoying the beauty of creation I made for you, flowers blooming, green grass….no weeds….wonderful indeed!  But, my child….how about your spiritual yard?  Could it use some cleaning up….some planting….seeds of fervent prayer, weeding out of negative attitudes, blossoms of time in God’s word and Christian fellowship, fertilizing your actions so you grow more kind, unselfish, caring actions to your family and friends?  Just think of the beauty produced through “yard work” with Me….My love for You will shine through you producing bountiful blossoms of love!  Go my child, I am with you….always through all the seasons of your life……winter, summer, fall and spring!”  Father, I want to grow and blossom for You, with Your Love…..I want to produce bountiful fruits of the Spirit…..help me, please.  Thank you Father!

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law….Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.  Galatians 5:22-23 & 25-26.  The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.  Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.  Isiah 35:1-2.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  James1: 22-23.  Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  2 Timothy 4:2.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.Keep on loving each other.  Hebrews 13:1.

Love you all!

 

Dazed and confused...

Good Morning Friends!!!!   Wonderfully and Thankfully wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  Well, it has been a wild and crazy week….but I am determined to spend a little time with you today!!!!  Hope you are having a most blessed week wrapped in His love!  A few days ago for some reason or another Kim and I decided to start letting the chickens out of their coop during the day.  I love to have them out in the yard eating bugs (as well as leaving little treats for us), but we had so much trouble with critters terrorizing them that for the last couple of years we have just left them in.  Several years ago, Kim fortified their coop to be critter proof (well other than snakes, they still find their way in and steal my eggs), that’s when we started leaving them in….Well, like I said for some reason or another we have been letting them out and oh boy do they like it!  They hunt and peck through every blade of grass, hay bales, leaves, tore up the insulation around the faucet and they love to go in and pester the donkeys!  Well, the other night it was getting time to lock them back in their coop, so I looked outside to see if they were about all in roosting for the night.  Yep, all but one, she was in the donkey pen obviously dazed and confused, pacing back and forth along the fence that butts up to the coop!  I watched as she went back and forth, wanting desperately to get out of there and into her house!  I kept hoping she would find her way, but after a minute or two I knew I would have to go out and catch her.    The donkeys shelter made a dead end alley way and I waited until she got in there and then grabbed her!  Bless her heart she went crazy, screeching in a tone that told the world she just knew she was going to die!  Squawking and flapping her wings I carried her over to the coop…..all the while her rooster was having a fit…..an absolute get-me-out-of-here, my lady needs me-fit!!!!  Crowing so loudly I am surprised that Kim couldn’t hear him in the house….Although he couldn’t get out of the coop, that rooster, man of the coop, was giving it his all to try and rescue one of his hens!  As soon as I put her into the coop, everyone calmed down, but I was just so touched by the roosters leap into action…..no concern for himself….his loud crowing let the world know he was on his way!  Thinking about him the last few days, I have had to wonder how often I miss opportunities to leap into action to help someone in need…I kept thinking about how loud he was; then this morning I ran into a verse in God’s word that just really hit my heart…..from Luke 6:45…..”For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”  Oh my….based on what was coming from his mouth, there could be no doubt what was flowing from his heart!  He wanted to help his hen, his fellow chicken and he let the world know….kindness, understanding, empathy, concern……that’s what came from his mouth.  I had to hang my head in shame as I thought of so many times I have spoken unkind words, selfish, thoughtless words with no concern for the consequences…..Oh my goodness never giving one thought to what my heart must look like to our FATHER!  How sad to think that people in my life might me pacing around in a “dazed and confused” time in life and I stay quiet or worse yet say unkind, thoughtless things…..Father, forgive me when my heart does not reflect you…..enable my words and actions to reflect the love in my heart for YOU!  Our glorious Heavenly Father!

 

May my lips overflow with praise, for You teach me Your decrees.  May my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commands are righteous.  Psalm 119:171-172.   Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  Proverbs 12:18.   Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.  Psalm 141:3.  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your moths, but only what is helpful for building other up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  Ephesians 4:29.  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14.

Love you all!

The warmth of His love

Today at 10:38 AM

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully, warmly wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!!!  Last Friday I gave a friend a ride to work; it was really cold that morning so when she got in I asked her if she would like the seat warmer on.  She has ridden with me lots of times, but I had never asked her about the seat warmer until Friday….don’t ask me why.  Anyway, she said “yea, why not?  I should experience that once in my life.”  We both chuckled as I turned her side all the way up!  We weren’t but a couple miles into our commute when she snuggled into her seat and said, “Oh yes, this feels really good.”  She’s a good friend and I was happy that she was enjoying her warm ride, but never thought much about it till a couple of days later.  Kim was driving, I was the passenger and it was cold…..I turned my seat warmer all the way up and within just a few minutes….oh my how good the warmth felt on my achy, tired body….I snuggled in….relaxed…..I thought about my friend’s comment on Friday….and thought, you know I use the seat warmer when I drive all the time, why have I not experienced this wonderful relaxed feeling?  Now I was chuckling to myself as I felt HIS gently touch.  “Kathie, my child you are much too often too busy, too stressed, worried, anxious, preoccupied to feel My WARMTH, to RELAX in the COMFORT and PEACE found when you come to ME.  I offer REST for your tired mind, PEACE for your hurting heart, REFUGE from the worries of this world.  Come to ME, snuggle in MY arms, feel the WARMTH of MY LOVE……You are MY child, come to ME I will give you PEACE.  I Love you!”  Oh Father, how come we are so quick to forget how much YOU love us….forgive us, bring us to YOU to snuggle in the warmth of YOUR LOVE.   Thank you Father.

 

And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.  Mark 10 :16.  He tends His flock like a shepherd:  He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.  Isaiah 40:11.  The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ fee, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.  Habakkuk 3:19.  The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  The peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7.

Love you all!

 

Where Do You Find Peace?

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  Peace, Joy, Love…..words….just words???  Have you even noticed how many Christmas cards contain the words peace, joy, and love?  Let’s take “PEACE.”   Where do you find peace?  What is peace to you?  Where does a young mom, struggling through an ugly divorce find peace?  An adult child caring for an aging parent that can no longer stay alone?  Husband and father out of work?  Parents with a critically ill child?  Parents whose child left this earth?  Mourning families?  Parents with a wayward child?  People alone?  Homeless?  Down hearted?  Over worked with so much to do?  Peace?  Where is it found?  True peace can only come through the love of our Heavenly Father…..we seek HIM…..we stop everything for HIM…..Be still…..Really still…..He’s there……and only when we are there with HIM do we find peace….maybe it will be in a beautiful sunrise, a child’s smile, an unexpected hug from a friend, glistening snow, a beautiful Christmas card……Be still…HE is there……He loves you and will bless you with HIS Perfect Peace…..Be still.  Father, times on this earth are so noisy at times……enable us to be still….bless us with Your Perfect Peace.

 

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not afraid.”  John 14:27. The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts an your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7.  The God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9.

 

Love you all!

Ten Ways to Love

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Well, for the second day in a row I am going to share an email I received from a friend….just too good not to share!  “Loving” isn’t always easy is it…..be it our spouse, child, friend, or…..God says love our enemies…..at times we just are not in the mood to be “loving.”   However….we do have a very important command from our Best Friend….Jesus said, “My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.”  John 15:12.  Wow….that definitely puts a different aspect on “I not in the mood today.”  What if, our Father wasn’t in the mood to hear our prayers, heal our sicknesses, comfort our sad hearts, heck help us get through Walmart…..What if….OK, scroll back up to the top of the email and read the list again, closely please.  Each one has an important message for us….tips to help us “love each other as Jesus loves us.”  Each one has an important message for each of us for sure, but maybe one really hit a little closer to home than the others….start with that one….give it to HIM and remember HE forgives without punishing and gave HIS only Son for us…..”You yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.”  1 Thessalonians 4:9.  No, it’s not easy to love like our Father loves us, but we can give it our very best with HIM guiding and directing us…..And oh the returns are great….worth the effort.  Father fill us with the desire to love others, like You LOVE us, even when we are not in the mood.

 

Keep on loving each other.  Hebrews 13:1How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together I unity!  Psalm 133:1.  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. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one anothr, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.  1 John 4:12. 

Love you all!

The Golden Rule: Matthew 7:12

Today at 10:27 AM

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His Friday.  I have developed a bad habit….unconsciously….seems like I must be clenching my teeth in my sleep.  I do not have a clue that I am doing it, but when I wake up my jaws are sore, well my whole mouth, teeth and gums throbbing…..every once in a while I will wake up out a sound sleep and catch myself doing it….so I know exactly why my mouth is sore when I wake up.  Like I said it’s totally unconscious and I am sure it has to do with the stress I have been under lately, but I sure don’t like it.  This morning I got to thinking…..hmm, wonder what other things I do unconsciously that might make people around me feel uncomfortable……remarks that just spew out without thinking, rude facial expressions that cause pain…..all unconscious actions…..but definitely not reflections of God’s love shining through me.  God’s love shining through us is easily snuffed out if we don’t have our hearts and minds focused fully on HIM!  When we tootle along through life just doing as we please, we will do things unconsciously that may cause hurt to people around us….The Golden Rule comes to my mind…..we do want to be treated kindly, don’t we….well we must treat others just like we want to be treated…..simple enough, right??!!!  Nope, not if we don’t have God’s love in our hearts…..remember the other day we talked about “clothing” ourselves in HIS love…well, here you have it!  Oh and a PS…..I need to trust in HIS will a bit more too…..hold on tighter, be still, feel HIS peace and trust in HIS will….HE is in charge and HE will take care of every last detail….trusting and believing Father!  Please forgive us when we don’t shine for YOU…help us to find strength by staying close to YOU in Your word and prayer….staying close to YOU we will be OK!  Thank you Father!

 

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.  In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Matthew 7:12.  Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; TRUST in Him and He will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him….Psalm 37:3-7a.  And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  To our Gd and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Philippians 4:19-20.

Love you all!

Baskets of Love: Proverbs 18:16

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and Wonderful is our God, Wednesday!  Remember a couple weeks ago I told you about a Sunday school project that had little boys making bows to decorate baskets?  I was so proud of them.  Well last Saturday was our big day.  We met at church bright and early to bake muffins and cookies….yep the boys too!  After a short devotion we got to work filling the beautiful baskets with love….yes a harvest of love!  The kids had made note pads, wooly lambs, we had hot chocolate, tea, fruit, a pretty mug and lots of love.  After adding all the finishing touches we loaded into our cars and headed out to deliver the baskets to some older men and women of our congregation!  Our special friends did not know we were coming, but each one was so delighted to see the kids and tickled to get their special basket fixed for them by the kiddos!  Their faces glowed with joy….their words overflowed with gratitude.  After a couple of stops, I couldn’t help but notice how excited the kids were….not only the kids, but the adults that were with us!  Their faces….yep glowing….joy oozed from each of them as they told each person, “JESUS LOVES YOU!”  They would skip and jump their ways back to the cars to load up for the next visit…..they were giving……but in the process they, we, each of us “received.”  Oh we didn’t get pretty baskets full of fun stuff, what we got was worth much, much more than that.  We received the joy of “doing unto the least of one of these.”…the joy of “feeding His lambs” …..the joy of doing what pleases our Heavenly Father, following His will…the perfect joy…..give to others you will be rewarded with God’s love.  As Timothy said in his first book, chapter 1 verse 12….”I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.”  Take a minute to give today, you won’t be disappointed….you might even be excited at the joyous feelings that ooze from you.  We sang a song Sunday that says it all….”You can’t keep Jesus love in a box…….cause His love-ll’ come bubblin’ (or oozing) through.”  Thank you for Your love, fill our hearts to overflowing so as we are joyful we share that joy….giving it away makes us happy because You are happy!

 

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in al things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9 7-8.  Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.  1 Samuel 12:24.  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  1 Corinthians 13:4.  We love because He first loved us.  1 John 4:19.  I have spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full John 15:11.  A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the Great.  Proverbs 18:16.

Love you all!  Thank you for the joy you bring into my life!

July 30, 2013

Good Morning Friends!   Mighty awesome is our God, Monday!  Kim and I had some unexpected, as well as uninvited visitors yesterday morning!  A group of lawn mowers……trouble with them is they cut down flowers and all!  Have you guessed yet….Yep, as we got our coffee and headed to the porch we were greeted by about 30 lambs mowing our lawn…thank goodness I got to my flowers before they did…..stinkers they came a long way down the road….from green pastures to get to our house…..never happy….(remind you of anyone).  Well, no sooner than we sat down, they turned and headed back towards the road.  Shepherd Kim was not happy…..couldn’t let them go out to the road again…..30 lambs on the road spells disaster anyway you look at it.  So, Kim got the four-wheeler, gathered them up and headed up the road to their pasture.  He had me follow them in the car with my flashers on; mind you, I was just out of bed….not dressed or anything….yippee!  Shepherd Kim seemed to have everything under control, always there to take care of his lambs, guiding them to safety and lush pasture.  Everything seemed to be under control, getting close to their home when one lone lamb decides to head out on his own.  Shepherd Kim attempted to get him back with others a couple times, but then went on with the group….I too gave it a try but to no avail.  This young lamb was bound and determined to take off on his own, no clue to the dangers awaiting him.  As I turned in the road to lambs pasture, Shepherd Kim was already turning around and heading out.  I backed out of his way and watched him go right to where the young lamb had wandered off…..he patiently…oh so patiently,  coaxed him back, back to the flock….in safe lush pastures.  How often are we the wandering lamb…….How blessed we are to have the Perfect Shepherd to come back for us….take us into His flock….love us and forgive us!  Thank you Father!

 

He tends His flock like a shepherd:  He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.  Isaiah 40:11.  “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:  I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.  As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after My sheep.  I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.”  Ezekiel 34: 11-12.  Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”  John 10:11.  “I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”  John 10 14-15.  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want……Psalm 23:1

May 14, 2013

Good Morning friends!  Thoughtful and meticulous is our God, Tuesday!  This morning driving in….oh my what a beautiful morning, clear skies, green grass, trees full of leaves, and dots of colorful wildflowers….orange, blue, yellow, white….Couldn’t help but be happy….sing praises!  Sunday afternoon we went to our little cabin in the woods to relax and have a special mom’s day dinner prepared for me by my sweetie.  As soon as we got unloaded and set up I plopped myself in a lawn chair in front of the fire!  We had not been up at all since spring had made an appearance, so I was just in awe of the beauty around me.  As I scanned the view in front me, I couldn’t help but notice all the different shades of green from the ground up…..stark, deep-dark green, pale shades almost translucent, medium, luscious shades of cool comforting green….green as far as my eyes could see….a rainbow of greens.  My first thought of course was just the sheer beauty of God’s creations, until this morning driving in….so beautiful our world….and then all the greens were parading through my mind.  You know God could have made just one shade of green, but he didn’t….He could have created just one or two different trees, flowers, birds, animals…..but He didn’t.  He meticulously created infinite shades and varieties of everything for us…..I just had to lift my voice to HIM, Thank you Father for making our world so interesting…..how can we ever be bored or discontent with all the “shades” You provide for us.  Take off our blinders of anxiety, hectic, selfishness, self-pity, impatience, lack-a-daisy and help to see….really see the beauty around us!  Father, help us to see YOU in every blade of grass, flower, leaf, bug, bird, critter……Fill us with a love for YOU so that our joy overflows to everyone around us!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  And God said, “Let there be…..And God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:1. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  Psalm 100:4.  I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.  Psalm 34:1. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Psalm 100:1-2.  There are different kinds of service, but eh same Lord.  1 Corinthians 12:5.    God has made everything beautiful in its time.  Ecclesiastes 3:11. 

Love you all! 

May 8, 2013

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

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

Love you all!

April 30, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Tuesday!  Today is a Cooper day;  he arrived bright-eyed and bushy-tailed a little after 6:30!  Papa and Cooper immediately began discussing their “wok” day and I returned to the bathroom to finish getting ready for work.  A couple of minutes later, Cooper came in the bathroom, so excited he could hardly contain himself!  “Cooper” I asked  “whatch doin?”  He stammered a little, wiggling back and forth, big, cheesy-grin on his face and said, “I gonna sing a song for you Nana.”  I expressed my delight and away he went…..singing like a precious angel…Jesus Loves Me!  He was so excited, hands on his hips, but he couldn’t keep still, couldn’t contain himself as he sang every word of Jesus Loves Me!!!  His faced shined with God’s love….he glowed from the inside out as he sang.  He was so excited that his little feet were dancing as he stood in front of me….singing…..Jesus Loves Me….from beginning to end!  Smiling and dancing with delight because of Jesus’ love….and sharing that love, proudly, confidently, joyfully…from the inside out!!!!  Oh my sweet Cooper, now I know why Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell  you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:16-17.  Cooper’s childlike love…faith….his sheer delight….jubilance….eyes focused on me never wavering this way or that…Oh Father, thank you for Cooper’s example of how to love you……to shine for you.  Fill us with childlike faith so that we too share Your love with others jubilantly! 

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Psalm 100:1-2.  May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “Let God be exalted!”  Psalm 70:4.  Though you have not seen Christ, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:8-9.  Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4.

Love you all!