The fires in our life

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!  Have you noticed the smoky skies lately?  Seen flames, heard sirens?   Seems like our weather conditions have definitely landed us right smack dab into a busy fire season!  As the wife of a volunteer fireman (a very dedicated one) I know full well what this entails….and how dangerous it can be for the firemen.  Yesterday I received a call from him about 2:30, he was full into the “going to a fire mode,” his voice serious and strong….fearless even though he was telling me, “It’s a big one, I can see the flames.”  These men and women that protect our rural areas are volunteers…..no one pays them to go into the dense smoke, hot flames, unknown terrain to put out the fire….to protect their communities from harm….these firemen do it for free because they care….rather amazing to me, makes me so proud to be a small part.  As I was driving home I could see the smoke and as I got closer to Lula I could smell it too.  I said a prayer, lifting the firemen into the loving care and protection of our Heavenly Father.  As I pulled into our driveway I felt a warm peace flow through me; I smiled from the inside out….I knew our Father had something really important to remind me of……”Kathie, there will always be fires in life…..blazing finances, smoldering relationships, flaming out of control children, stress, worry, pain, grief….fires threatening to destroy you…..But Kathie, I am here, always here, no need to call 911 and wait for the firetrucks to come….come to me….I will put out your fires, I will guide you, comfort you, hold you in My arms and fill you with My peace….come to ME, precious child I will douse out your fires….come to ME.”  Thank you Father….for loving us so much that You remind us in such special ways that You are always on call for us.  And Father, please protect our firemen and women when they head out. 

 

Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help.  Psalm 30:10.  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.  He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress.  Proverbs 14:26. We say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:6.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  Cast all your anxiety on God because He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7.  I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.  Jeremiah 31:13. 

Love you all!

The wolf and the lamb...Isaiah 11:1-9

Good Morning Friends!  Totally His, Tuesday!   A couple years ago I was having a terrible problem with mice in the house….it was bad and I was aggravated.  People kept telling me I needed some outside cats, but much to my chagrin, my hubby hated cats and had always refused getting any!  Well, let’s say he has mellowed a bit in his old age and when a sweet friend offered to give me a few of her barn cats he said ok!  I was so excited, I brought my friend a live trap so she could catch a couple and we met on Sunday in town and I took them home.  I let them out by the old chicken coop where Kim had put food and that was the last I saw of them for a while, even though Kim saw them occasionally during the day.  Oh but I knew they were there because things got much better in the house.  A few months had past when we discovered we had kittens…..same thing didn’t really see them all the time, just occasionally, except one pretty little tiger-striped kitten….silly thing started hanging out in the chicken coop!  At first she was really skittish, running from me, but hoping I was bringing scraps…she would eat with the chickens and sleep on top of their feeder!  Really cracked me, didn’t seem to be a lot of animosity between the very different critters.  It wasn’t until last week during the bitter, bitter cold spell that a passage from Isaiah really hit me…..”and the wolf will live with the lamb….”  I walked in the coop to feed and water the rabbits and give the chickens some scratch….I couldn’t believe what I saw….There on the ground was the kitten totally surround by the hens…when I say “surrounded”  I mean totally covered, protected by their feathers….the sight was breathtaking.  The small cat, crouched on the ground, peeking out from under the hovering hens….the hens were keeping her warm….cats and chickens….natural enemies, like the wolf and the lamb……living together in peace…..more than peace….compassion….can you imagine how warm and toasty it was under all those feathers!  Oh Father, please help us learn a lesson of love and compassion from YOUR critters…..help us to live together in peace and accept everyone as they are….feathers or fur!

 

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.  The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirt of counsel and power, the Spirt of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.  He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.  He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.  Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.  The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.  The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.  The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.  They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.  Isaiah 11:1-9.      Let’s work to do this now! 

The colors of creation!

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  I needed to be to work a little early today, so I took special care to stay ahead of schedule.  Because I was earlier than usual it was not as light…funny how just a few minutes can make everything look so different.  The sky was amazing…..varied shades of pink and purple clouds looked like they had been colored by my sweet angel in heaven!  I smiled thinking about Hayden sitting on our Father’s lap coloring the sky….no limits when you are coloring in heaven and the colors…breath taking!  The colors were breath taking,  up in the sky, as well as on the ground!  Have you ever thought of how many different shades of brown there are?  Brown you’re thinking, dull, drab brown….oh take another look……and then imagine Hayden on our Father’s lap with tons of crayons…..greens, blues, pinks, reds, oranges…..Soon He will painting our world with the colors of spring and the drab browns will be a mere memory!  There are times in our lives that seem drab….but those times help us to appreciate the spring times in our lives; He wants us to be at peace and content in every season….and we can if we are with HIM, when we let go of the drab worries, stresses, burdens in our lives, we are going with HIM.  Oh we might not be sitting on HIS lap like Hayden, but HE is holding us up, guiding us, comforting and protecting us….coloring our world with HIS love, contentment and peace beyond all human understanding!  Father, thank you for coloring our world with Your Love, whether it’s drab brown or perky purple!  Help us to see You in all the colors of creation!

 

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:  God has made the one as well as the other.  Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.  Ecclesiastes 7:14.  Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33.  Seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.  1 Peter 3:11-12.  I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have earned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Philippians 4:11-12.  The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7.

Love you all!

Are you in a fog?

Good Morning Friends!  Wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!  My ride to work this morning was interesting at best…leaving my house there was a high fog or haze, but as I continued the fog got thicker…at least in spots!  I was driving along pretty much at normal speed when BAM I hit a thick wall of fog.  You know the kind you can’t see through….I slowed way down and really concentrated on the road.  Gosh, I hate fog, so disorienting…then BAM….it was clear as a bell again.  High fog, but the road was clear again, aww, I took a deep breath, thankful.  I was just getting my speed up again when….BAM….POW…hit it again….so thick, I couldn’t see more than a couple feet in front of me.  Again,  slowed way down…the fog was so thick that I felt…well….it was kind of a scary, unknown feeling….I hadn’t gone too far when….BAM….clear again!  Traveling the same road, but encountering such different conditions…..As I got on the highway the fog was really high, but I couldn’t help but think about my travels on 1600….hmm….kind of like our lives….as we travel through life we never know when we our going to hit a thick patch of fog….fog of financial worries, sick or troubled kids, health issues for us or our family, turbulent relationships, over-worked, stressed out and anxious we hit the fog.  We become disoriented…..not knowing which way to go, what conditions may be awaiting us….frightened….And then the road becomes clear again, the fog lifts….As I got close to town the high fog actually broke to display beautiful clouds enhanced by rising sun….pinks, blues, and purples enhanced the gigantic, puffy clouds…..I knew then that God, our Father, was speaking to me….I felt HIS presence, HIS peace…..Thank you Father for the reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we encounter on the road of this life, we know that YOU are with us….Just waiting for us to call on YOU…..YOU guide us lovingly through the foggy patches as well the clear ones….OH FATHER, help us to never forget. 

 

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  Psalm 16:11.  I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night (or in the fog) my heart instructs me.  I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand,  I will not be shaken.  Psalm 16:7-8.  You will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me (no matter how thick the fog) with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:12-13.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires wit good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  Psalm 103:2-5.

The open gate

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and Wonderful is our God, Wednesday!  Last night after a rather late dinner of chicken tacos, Kim said we needed to go up and check on a calf that had been born the night before.  He explained that all day yesterday, it laid in one spot and mama was not too close.  He was sure that mama would join him by nightfall, but just wanted to be sure the calf was not alone all night.  We were both tired, but knew we would hate ourselves if something happened to that calf because we didn’t go check.  So, we started up the little Isuzu and headed to the pasture where baby was last seen.  Sure enough, the little black calf was curled up sleeping in the same spot Kim had seen him off and on all day…..mom….well she was on the other side of the fence, not too far in distance, but too far for safety!  Kim got out and jostled him to his feet, mama was watching intently and headed towards her baby.  Soon they were face to face, however there was a fence in between; Kim thought the gate was open as we headed the calf that way so he could reunite with mama.  However, as we got closer we could see that the cows had pushed the gate shut…..What if we had not gone up there to check…..baby would have been alone all night, coyote bait for sure!  Silently thanking our Father that we had found the gate that separated the calf from his mama, I got out and opened the gate.  I hadn’t even made it back into the truck when mama and her shiny black calf were together again.  As I got back into the truck, my mind filled with the wonder of God’s creation, His magnificent planning….that mama cow knew right where her baby was, there’s lots of shiny black calves, but she knew hers and he knew his mama.  Amazing, there’s no doubt in my mind that she would not have come to get him before dark…..that’s God’s amazing planning….but what about the closed gate……what a terrible night they could have spent, separated by a closed gate.  Kim drove me around a bit more, showing off his new water system…the pastures green….the sky… shades of pink and purple highlighted the fluffy clouds as the light began to fade…..God’s breath taking handy work filled me with overwhelming peace….AHHHH, my heart and mind whirled…..There’s no closed gate that could ever keep us from our Heavenly Father…..no matter what the circumstances are that might separate us for a time…..He always yearns for us to come back to HIM!!!  He is our Good Shepherd, our Perfect Shepherd….He delights in pushing open the gates of our mess ups, frustrations, grief….OH Yes Father!!!!  How blessed we are to have a Father, a Good and Perfect Shepherd to open the gates to YOUR LOVING arms….wrapped in Your arms we have peace that passes all human understanding. 

 

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.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:1.  Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:6-7.  Submit to god and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.  Job 22:21.  The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Psalm 23:2-3.  The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7. 

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

Division of Housing

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!

The Most Important Christmas Choice

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by Him, Thursday!  This meditation really touched me and I know I could not put the message into better words, so sharing with you!  Praying your choices always reflect Christ.  Love you all!

December 4, 2013 The Most Important Christmas Choice Tracie Miles "Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.'" Luke 2:13-14 (NLT) Tis' the season to be merry... and stressed. Although it should be a season of peace, this month can often make us feel more tangled up inside than a messy string of Christmas lights. Some people dread the hustle, bustle, and emotional rustle this time of year brings, knowing that irritability, loneliness, or depression will threaten. While there are others who may love the Christmas season, but worry, busyness, family conflicts, and unmet expectations take their toll. In either case, we have a decision. We can choose to get bogged down with stress or we can choose to bow down in worship. Scripture gives us a beautiful picture of praise in Luke 2:13-14. When Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds sharing the good news. Then many other angels joined together and praised God. "Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.'" (NLT) That's not the only place the Bible records angels worshipping the Lord. In Hebrews 1:6 it says, "And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, 'Let all of God's angels worship him.'" (NLT) And Revelation 5:11-12a says, "Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus." (NLT) Angels serve as role models of worship. They bow down before Jesus. They shout with incredible joy as they sing songs of praise. Through worship, angels spread the news of God's glory and exhibit holy reverence. Angels intentionally and deliberately spend time praising God. Keeping Christ in Christmas is more than just a cliché. It is an intentional act of worship. It requires a heart of adoration, much like the angels had. When Jesus is the focus of our holiday, we're centered on His love, peace, and joy. This prompts us to be His hands and feet to others in need. When worship fills our hearts, it leaves little room for aggravation in long lines at the store. We focus on what Christmas is truly about—the amazing gift of a Savior—rather than stressing out over buying the perfect presents. We exhibit grace to someone when we'd rather do otherwise. Worship turns our attention to giving thanks to Jesus for all He has done, rather than letting stress strip His joy from our hearts. And it might even mean joining in with the heavenly chorus to sing praises to Him, even if we can't carry a tune! The holidays can bring a flurry of heightened emotions and can often result in an unhealthy level of stress which can prevent us from engaging in worship and praising the One we are supposed to be celebrating. There will be lots of choices to be made during the month of December: where to serve, what gifts to buy, and how many events to attend. The most important choice we can make is to worship and sing praises to our Lord. For His gift. For His love. For His peace. And when our hearts are at peace, our holidays can be too. Lord, I choose to intentionally worship and praise You during this Christmas season. Help me stay focused on You and Your goodness. Amen.

Our POWER is UP!

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Tuesday!  I wanted to go to the bank before work today, so I exited on Cradduck instead of coming in on the loop as usual.  Good grief!  Road construction big time…..and you know that with road construction comes lots of warning signs….uneven lanes….right lane closed ahead….power lines with an arrow pointing up!  Warning signs are a good thing you know, they keep us from getting into predicaments that could cause us problems, accidents, damaged car, tickets….So I always watch and heed the warning signs….It was really the “Power Lines”  that got my attention.  One after another the bright orange signs heeded the warning that the overhead power lines were hanging low.  After passing 3 or 4 of them I got the giggles…..POWER LINES UP……go figure!  First the warning signs….uneven lanes….oh life’s lanes can be most uneven at times….and how we struggle when the lanes are closed……but not to worry……the POWER is UP!!!  Our strength and hope is UP!!!!   Our comfort and healing, peace and rest are UP!!!!  When we are hanging low with “life’s construction” stress, sickness, worry, depression…..when we are hanging low…..Our POWER is UP!!!  Up into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father….UP where He is waiting for us to come to Him for rest, peace, and hope…..UP where He is anxiously waiting to lift our burdens, heal our pain…..lead and guide us through the construction zones.  Father, thank you for being our omnipresent  Power and strength.  We are weak Father and don’t always heed the warning signs, forgive us, increase our faith, enable us to always come to you for every need.  To You, Oh Awesome Father be all glory, honor, and praise.

 

God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  1 Corinthians 10:13.  Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22.  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.  Psalm 37:5-6.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7.  Do  not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been please to give you the kingdom.  Luke 12:32.  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 3:8.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12.

Love you all!

He knows what's best for his children: Psalm 55:22

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!!!!  I had not been home very long last night when I got a phone call.  Caller ID said Kathyrn, but it was actually Katy and I could tell by her voice she was very upset!  When I realized it was Katy and she was upset, I said in my most sympathetic Nana voice, “Hi Katy, what’s the matter?”  She immediately began telling me that mommy wouldn’t bring her over to my house, the more she talked the more she began to cry.  Soon, she was full- on sobbing!!!!  She wanted to come to my house and that’s all there was to it….My heart was broken, I just couldn’t stand to hear her so unhappy….I could hear Mommy in the background, so I asked her why she couldn’t come over.  Mommy said, “I told her we are not going over to Nana’s tonight.”  She went on to tell me that Katy doesn’t always have to get what she wants…..now of course I know that’s true, but it took every ounce of self-control that I could muster to not go over and get her!  My heart was broken listening to her deep, painful sobs…..I wanted her to get what she wanted, but I knew that is not always the best for her……as I said goodbye, told her I loved her, and would see her soon, a sweet, calming peace came over me.  Oh my….my oh my…..if my heart feels broken because Katy is sad and what she wants is not best for her…..can you even imagine how our Heavenly Father feels  when we call HIM sobbing…..we really think we know what’s best for us, but……God in His infinite wisdom….knows….and will provide….but more than that…..He longs to comfort us…..He feels our pain and yearns to dry our tears……His arms are open, His shoulders strong…..He will embrace and comfort us.  Thank you Father…..for hearing our sobs, drying our tears….loving us beyond all human understanding.

 

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  Revelation 7:17.  Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage.  Ezra 7:28. 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.  Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.  Psalm 126:5-6.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11. Pay attention to My wisdom, listen well to My words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.  Proverbs 5:1-2.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22. I wait for you, O Lord; You will answer, O Lord my God.  Psalm 38:15.

Love you all!

July 11, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty Awesome is our God, Monday!  This morning while sitting on the porch having quiet time with our Heavenly Father, I heard a sound….a melodic, pleasant sound….it was unfamiliar to me….Hmmm, sounds like wind chimes, but it’s right here not out front where my favorite chime hangs….there it was again…a sweet sound…then I discovered the source of the sweet melody….a small chime hanging in the screen porch…I have had it for a long time, but have never really heard it…..what a pleasant surprise to discover that the sweet sound was coming from a small in-conspicuous wind chime….Not sure why I had never heard the sweet sound before….maybe the conditions were just perfect this morning…or maybe, just maybe our Heavenly Father was blessing me a special love song….from HIM to me…. sweet music….music that prompted a smile… a smile from the inside out….As I sat in the still quiet of the morning, the sun not quite up….I knew that I was in God’s presence….I felt HIS peace and energy for the day…my spirit was renewed and my heart joyful!  I am loved…..So often we think that we can only find God in big things….the birth of a child…..a double rainbow painted across the skies….so many lives saved in a horrible plane crash….a sick child healed….This morning once again HE showed me that HE is always there and reminded me with the sweet music of a small wind chime.  Thank you Father…..for the Your precious, special little reminders to us that You are omnipresent in our lives….open our hearts and minds so that we don’t miss YOU!

 

This is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.  Psalm 27:4.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  Psalm 139:14.  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.  The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:14.

April 17, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  Yesterday afternoon Kim and I took Hailey, Clark, and Tucker to the airport in Dallas…..from Dallas to Fairbanks, AK…..the first leg of a new adventure in their lives…..moving back to Fairbanks.  The last couple of months, knowing that they were leaving have been quite difficult for Papa and I.  Of course, we love them so very much, and always want what’s best for them, but I must admit my first reaction was more selfish than loving.  Yes, at first I even questioned our Heavenly Father…asking Him why He would bring them to Lula to live, bless us with Tucker and then BAM!  Take them away……Alaska is a long ways from Lula!  We listened to their reasons and their plans, teased them endlessly about staying and then helped them pack up, and finally yesterday took them to the airport with lots of great big bags!  It took all of us to get everything checked in, my job…..taking care of Tucker!  Finally the moment had come, we had to say goodbye.  I found someone to take our picture, lots of hugs and kisses…..tears…..and the final goodbye.  Kim and I walked silently to the car, tears streaming down our faces wondering how long it would be till we see our precious Hansen family again.  We got in the car and headed out of the airport towards home, silent at first and then Kim broke the silence….”Well, at least they got to have the country experience for a while.  They have really grown and matured.”  I agreed….and then….peace….do I feel peace?  I asked myself…..I think I do…..but I just put my first-born granddaughter, her sweet husband, our grandson, Clark and our first great-grandson on an airplane to Alaska…to live.  How can I feel peace?  I am devastated, broken hearted, sad…..peace…..there can’t be any room for peace in my heart…Oh wait….”OK Father…..I feel you…..I hear you…..Yes, forgive me….I know You supply peace beyond human understanding…yes that’s what I am feeling!  I just have to let You in don’t I?  But Father they will be so far away and I worry about them…..Oh Ok, OK…..yes…..I do know that You are with them…they love you and You will guide and protect them…..Thank you Father…..Thank you Father for the blessing of having Hailey, Clark, and Tucker in Lula with us for almost 3 years.  Gosh we are so blessed!  Father thank you for finding me and filling me with Your peace when I am wallowing in self-pity.  Forgive me.

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7.  The God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  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 be afraid.”  John 14:27.  To everything there is a season, and a purpose to everything under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Love you all!

February 27, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  I am sitting at my desk watching our house keeper wash the windows!  Wow, they look great!  All the finger prints, smudges, dirt and grime gone; the view outside is perfectly clear!  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could take some Windex and paper towel and wipe the smudges and grim from our thoughts….You know the stress, worry, frustrations…the envies, anxiety, worry, the over loaded mind, frustrations, stress, envy…..wouldn’t it be nice if we could wipe it away with some Windex and paper towel and see clearly….calmly again…..Oh my….feeling that familiar tap on my shoulder…”Yes Father, I am here.”  “Kathie, My precious child……come to Me…..be still…..close your eyes, take a deep breath, maybe 2 or 3…..let your shoulders relax….BE STILL and know that I am your God, your loving Father, you are My precious child….I will wipe away the smudge, the grime….come to Me and find peace.”   Oh Father…..Thank you!

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 be afraid.”  John 14:27.  May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  2 Thessalonians 3:16.  Submit to God and be at peace with Him….Job 22:21a.  Jesus said, “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.  The God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9. 

Love you all!

February 4, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Tuesday!  I was already up this morning when I heard Kim get up, first thing he said was, “we are fogged in.”  Oh great I thought, but didn’t really stress about it because often times Kim over reacts about such things as fog.  A little later while I was eating breakfast, Kathyrn called to report….”It’s foggy, you better leave a little early.”  Well, great I thought, but still didn’t fret much….it wasn’t until I got in my little black car and headed down 1600 that I could no longer deny the truth…..It was foggy!  Well, I don’t know about you, but I do not like driving in the fog……ordinary things seem distorted, even the sounds of the road seem heavier, kind of looming…..driving in the fog is very disorientating to me.  So, needless to say, I was not particularly excited as I headed to work….especially on 1600 where there are no lines on the road….I felt much better when I got onto a road with lines….a solid white line on the right edge and the broken yellow lines in the center of the road.  With lines on both sides of me I was able to stay focused, I felt safer…..There was no break in the fog this morning……thick fog engulfed me all the way to work.  Sometimes our lives seem to be engulfed in a thick fog……bills, stress at work, health, children, lack of direction and motivation….the fog of life’s problems can get so thick that it’s like driving on a road with no lines…..we go blindly, alone, not knowing what looms around the next curve or how we will handle it…..This morning before I had lines on the road, I was so tense, I gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles were white…..once I had lines I relaxed some….the lines guided me.  When our drive through life is foggy, we are not alone…..we have “life lines” to guide us….First step to get through the fog….prayer!  Engulf yourself in conversation with our Heavenly Father…..He knows what you are going through…..lean on Him, feel your body relax……feel the fog lift as you read His word, praise Him for all that He has done for you, thank Him for all the blessings you know are coming your way….close your eyes and picture yourself sitting next to Him, His loving arms around you, listening….loving….now…..continue your drive filled with His Peace, that passes human understanding.  Father, we know that life will be foggy sometimes, strengthen our faith so that we take You with us to guide and protect us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7.  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 bless you, and keep you:  The Lord makes His face shine on you and be gracious to you:  The Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.  Numbers 6:24-26.

Love you all!   

January 15, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Totally trusting in His care, Tuesday!  My sister gave me one of those daily inspirational calendars; each day there is a verse from one of the Psalms….I love Psalms don’t you.  Today, as I tore off yesterday’s and read today’s…...a sweet peace came over me……a quiet strength…..I could feel worries being lifted…..The verses are from Psalm 139, “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.”   I sighed….a deep cleansing sigh……Oh silly me….how can I for even one second think that I am alone…..”in the uttermost parts” of the pile of bills…….of health issues…..cranky husband….wayward child…..aging parents……grief……Take my hand and lead Father, holding 0nto You I am safe……trusting and believing in Your power in my life……according to Your will.  Thank you Father, all glory, honor, and praise to You.

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar…..Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?...If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you…..How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!  Were I to count them they would outnumber the grains of sand.  When I awake, I am still with you…..Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  From Psalm 139.

Love you all!

December 18, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally wrapped in His loving arms, Tuesday!  The verses below are from Luke 2, King James Version.  Even though for most of my daily reading I use the New International Version of God’s holy word, the story of our Savior’s birth I love to read in the King James.  The words I am most intrigued by today is “swaddling clothes.”  I have read that verse, Luke 2:7 all of my life, but never until this year has it touched my heart in such a warm and loving way!  The reason being, my great grandson Tucker; Tucker’s mommy has “swaddled” him since he was born.  She actually has swaddling blankets……Tucker is most at peace, calm and secure when he is “swaddled”…wrapped tightly in his warm blanket….now I mean real tight, his little arms are inside the blanket too…..Tucker loves to be swaddled!  Now my Hailey might think that swaddling is a new concept…that the “swaddling blanket” is a current concept, but take a look at verse 7…..Mary wrapped baby Jesus in “swaddling clothes”  now is that awesome or what!  2012 years ago, Mary wrapped Jesus in a “swaddling blanket.”  When I read that this morning….a quiet peace and warmth went over me……I thought of baby Jesus wrapped tightly, looking like a little burrito, just like my precious Tucker…..Oh my……that’s when the “light” came on….the LIGHT of Jesus LOVE……the LIGHT of JESUS LOVE “swaddles” us….He takes us in His arms and wraps us ever so tightly….cuddles us…comforts us….protects us…forgives us…..Swaddled in His arms we are at peace, calm and secure….Thank you Father for the gift of Your only Son….for Your love that swaddles us in His Perfect love….Your Son the light of the world!  And Father, thank you for the precious gift of grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34.  Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:2.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  Psalm 33:21.

Love you all!