Christmas is never over!

Good Morning Friends!!!!  Marvelous is HIS love, Monday!   Merry Christmas!!!!  No, I have not gone completely nuts….but I have spent a lot of time taking down Christmas decorations the last few days….Yep, I begrudgingly hauled the storage containers into the house thinking Christmas is over….time to get this stuff down and packed up for another year!  I figured the task would not take too long….take it down, put it in container and go one to the next thing right…..Well, about the third little ornament I held in my hands I realized the job was not quite as simple as I had first thought….Each decoration had its own story….memory….some were made by our children or grandchildren, some given to me by precious friends, some I picked out myself….each one telling its own story…..suddenly I didn’t want to take them down and pack them away….I wanted to keep them out where I could see them and remember their stories……but I thought that’s silly, Christmas is over!  At that moment, I could hear our Father, I could feel HIM close to me…..I could feel baby Jesus in my heart….alive and well…..CHRISTmas is never over!!!!  We may just officially celebrate once a year, but our hearts and lives must celebrate every day!!!!  Oh gosh, let’s not ever pack Jesus away…..let’s love HIM, serve Him, worship and praise HIM every day….in every way we can….Let’s keep Christmas on going all year long….. "On the 364 day of Christmas my JESUS gave to me….love and forgiveness…..every day of CHRISTmas HE loves and forgives us and that’s not an easy task…so let’s not pack HIM away…never ever!  Father, thank you for the gift of YOUR SON our SAVIOR, help us to live our lives every day with the true CHIRSTmas Spirit…..Joy to the World, The Lord has Come and is staying!

 

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.  For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as bride adorns herself with her jewels.  Isaiah 61:10.  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Psalm 100:1-2.  And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  Luke 2:7, “  She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  ”…….There was no room in the inn, but oh yes….there must always be room in our hearts for HIM!

Love you all! 

The miracle of memories

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  A couple of weeks ago while going through some things I ran across an old picture of my sons, Shawn and Ira, young teens at the time.  Shawn is 37 now and Ira would be 39 on Sunday (Ira headed to his heavenly home about 10 years ago…stinker.  He is in fact my step-son, but to my heart my son); in the picture they are working on their yearly project books for 4H, undoubtedly they were due the next day!!!!  Well, I smiled at my handsome boys and stuck the picture in my bag to take to work….for some reason I wanted to take it with me…..no clue why until today.    A woman just came into our office to reserve the community building in Stonewall for the end of the year party for her 4H group.  I shared with her that my boys had been in 4H and soon we were sharing 4H stories, hers happening now, for me….memories from those wonderful,l busy kid years! Memories, gosh it didn’t take long until my mind was a buzz with our 4H years.  I asked her if they still had to do their yearly project books and she said yes.  At that point, my co-worker in charge of community center came to help her.  While they were taking care of business I remembered the picture of Shawn and Ira….working on their 4H books.  I got into my desk and pulled it out….this time my heart and mind overflowing with loving memories of my young boys….As she finished her reservation, I showed her the picture of the boys….we laughed about taking “event” pictures for the “whole ”year at one time and rushing to get them printed.  Of course, way back then  we didn’t have digital pictures….so I had to do the one hour deal….I think we had one hour….surely we did!  She asked how old the boys are now and I her told Shawn is 37, sharing that Ira had taken residency in heaven…holding back tears.  Her routine stop to reserve a building had turned into a precious time of sharing for me…..she has no idea how much that little extra time she spent visiting….sharing with me touched my heart….stirring precious memories within my mind….memories that make me smile…..from the inside out!   Just a little time….without knowing…..how often do we miss out on the “little times.”  Father, help us to slow down, just a little, so we don’t miss the smile making times!  And Father thank you for our boys, times to remember and times to look forward to! And Father thank you for the little miracle of memories.  To YOU all PRAISE, HONOR , & GLORY!

 

Whoever touches you touches the apple of God’s eye.  Zechariah 2:8.  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything (including memories) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20.  A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.  Proverbs 15:30  All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be….(our memories, now that’s just awesome)  Psalm 139:16.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  2 Corinthians 9:15. 

Love you all!

He Yearns for Our Touch

Good Morning Friends!  True and Tender is our God, Tuesday.  I had the most amazing week last week….a whole week in Fairbanks, AK with Hailey, Clark and my precious great grandson, Tucker!  Blessings overflowing from the minute I arrived until, I sadly left on Saturday…..sitting at the airport alone, I began reflecting on the special times during the week.  There were tons of laughs, too many happy smiles to even count, and the conversations, especially with 18 month old Tucker, were stimulating!  Oh so many precious memories, but the event that touched my heart most deeply was rocking Tucker to sleep….We would sit in the big rocker, snuggled in a blanket all cuddled up;  at first a bit restless, but he soon settled down, as we rocked I could feeling him relaxing in my arms, his breathing slowing, deep and then… just as I felt he was almost asleep, he reached up with his little hand and touched my face, his tiny fingers gently caressing me….my heart….oh my heart was bursting with love, the joy overwhelming….a brief touch…..precious….irreplaceable…..sitting alone in the airport, reflecting on that moment I could not hold back a smile…a smile building from the inside….glowing on the outside.  Pure joy from that little hand touching my face…..My thoughts turned to our Heavenly Father, as I sat there I began thanking Him for the joy of Tucker’s touch……Oh Father, I can only imagine how You must yearn for our touch….for us to reach up to You, touch You and receive Your endless mercy, grace……love.  Thank you Father for filling our lives with joys overflowing, precious memories, and love.  Help us to remember all that we have, every blessing is from You….thank you for Your tender caresses……

 

People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have Him touch them.  When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Luke 18:15-16.  Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:7.  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.  1 John 4:7-8.  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!  Matthew 7:11.  Amen!  Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever.  Amen!  Revelation 7:12.

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

Overflowing With Thankfulness

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

June 8, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  I’m excited about tonight….Kim and I are taking Cooper and Katy to the rodeo (well mommy’s going too, daddy has to work).  It will be so much fun watching their excitement as they take in everything going on!  Papa says we are even eating there….oh boy!  We will all have on our boots and jeans and Papa and the kids will no doubt be sporting their cowboy hats!  Good times!  I talked to Cooper early this morning and he is sooo excited; driving into work, thinking about our fun evening ahead, my mind filled with memories of earlier rodeo outings with Hailey!  When Hailey was a toddler we all lived in California rodeo -country, so we had lots of opportunities for good times at the rodeo!  We always got her duded up in her best cowgirl clothes and headed out for a day of fun!  Hailey was such a good girl , you could take her anywhere and always have a great time…..a trip to the rodeo always included cotton candy, popcorn and soda!  The funniest thing with her…..Hailey always rooted for the animals, hated it when the cowboy roped the calf, but loved the clowns….bull riding was always our favorite, but again….she was always yelling for the bull!  Memories….precious memories…..such a wonderful blessing to be able to pull out memories from years ago….especially the happy ones….All the times our kids were growing up and with the grandkids too, I am known to say…”Makin memories…..kids….we are making memories now!”  Often times I would say this as a form of encouragement for times that at the moment did not seem so fun!  Making memories…..oh how often do we do things that we hope no one remembers!!!  You know the times I am talking about….And then one day out the clear someone says….”remember when you…..”  and your heart drops.  Thinking about memories this morning,  a bible verse came to mind…..one that really made me smile and picked up my heart…..words from our Lord, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”  Jeremiah 31:34.  Thank you Father…..for forgiving our mess ups and for forgetting them!  Help us to do the same to others~  Thank you for precious memories…..

 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.  Psalm 103:11-14.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32. 

Love you all!

May 10, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Getting ready this morning…..thinking ahead to a special  day on Sunday, my thoughts turned to my sweet mom, long from this earth.  I decided it was a perfect day to wear a pair of her earrings, keeping her close to my thoughts all day.  I was thinking how, as I get older I am so like her in so many ways…..Some good, some not so good, as my husband loves to remind me.  One thing he hates that I got from her is….having to do one more thing before I leave!  I can remember my dad sitting in the car honking at her in the house….doing one more thing!  Mom, loved to send cards and always covered them with stickers….I have to laugh when I think of my box of stickers in with my cards…..Even with her stroke, she exercised everyday (better than me on that)….but my intentions are good!  We drink our coffee just the same and both loved to dunk our toast in our coffee!  My sister says, I am little but mighty, just like mom….not sure what that exactly means….Mom was a work-alcoholic and I have been called that a time or two…I say, she gave me a good work ethic.  Mom had a tendency to interrupt at times…..oops…..and pick food off families plates….ooops.  And lately, sometimes when I walk past a mirror, I think….Oh my goodness there’s mom!  Seriously, I cannot believe how much I look like my mom now.  Well, she had no wrinkles or gray hair at 82, sure can’t boast that!  There are things about my precious mom that I am glad I haven’t acquired, such as…she was notorious for saying exactly what she thought…..”you are gaining weight,”  “you have a big pimple on your chin,”  “that does not look good on you.”  I mean really mom!  As I finished my hair and put on the earrings….I thought…..none of us are perfect by any means!  We try to be good moms, grandmas, sisters, friends, employees, but sometimes we fail….we are human….but thank goodness there is ONE who is perfect…..Perfect, Holy….and most of all…HE is our Heavenly Father….loves us more than we deserve for sure….FORGIVES us, unquestioningly……PERFECT!  And we are HIS children!  Oh Father, we know that You want us to be more like You in everything that we do….in every action, thought, deed…..like You…Father, please help us, guide and direct us so that we grow in faith…grow to be more like YOU!

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is our shield.  Psalm 30:18.  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness..”  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he create them.  Genesis 1:26-27.  We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10.  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.  In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect trough suffering.  Hebrews 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!  Happy Mom’s Day to all  you moms out there……