He's got us covered!

Well my scenario might be a bit confusing, but think you will get the idea!  Blessings on your day.

 

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!  I was heading down the highway this morning, like I do every  day going to work, but this morning I left the house a little later than usual.  I know now, why I like to leave early….there was so much more traffic than when I leave a little earlier; I really had to pay more attention to everything around me.  All of a sudden it was coming at me from all sides….a big truck was merging onto the highway on the right of me, but a another big truck was coming up behind me and there was a van in front of me too close to get around it, but yikes got to get out of the way of these trucks…gosh, they were coming at me from all directions….for just a few seconds I really panicked…..was I about to be in the middle of a bad accident???!!!!  I’m sure I sent a prayer up, but was concentrating so hard on getting out of danger's path….well, the van managed to stay out of the merging trucks way and I was able to get around the van without getting rear-ended by truck behind me….I took a deep breath, relaxed and said a big “THANK YOU FATHER.”   As I drove on into work, my mind was whirling about what just happened…danger coming at me from all directions.  I chuckled out loud and began a conversation with our Father….Father, my goodness wasn’t I just in a dither this morning about the world crashing in on us from all directions….Golly molly…Father, You got me out of the mess on the highway…..and YOU are with me now….all these stresses, worries, overwhelmed by life….my goodness….FATHER, here I am….here come my burdens…..spread Your arms wide…there’s a bunch of them, but I know that YOU got me covered!  Wow, Father, thank you!  I feel so much better already!   Come on world!

 

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have love you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3.  The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving (don’t forget this part), present your requests to God.  And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heats and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7. 

Love  you all!

I can do it myself!

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in HIS loving arms, Wednesday!  Well, how about this cold….I feel sorry for people that have to work outside like my husband and his buddy Cooper, who has been spending his days with Papa while school is out.  On Monday when it was sooo very cold Papa and Cooper had to head out the same time I did.  Well Cooper had come prepared, hat, ear muffs, gloves, long johns and the final touch, his insulated, camo coveralls!  The boy was determined to stay warm.  I was gathering up my things to head out and couldn’t help but stop and watch Cooper working so hard to get his coveralls on.  He really seemed to be struggling, so I asked him if he needed Nana to help him.  Quite adamantly he said, “No, Nana, I can do it myself!”   I said, “OK Coop” and headed out the door, chuckling.  Little stinker I thought doesn’t think he needs any help…..Oh boy……I could feel HIM next to me…..I paused.  “Kathie, My child, you are laughing at Cooper because he thinks he doesn’t need any help, when you know that if he just let you help him, the task would be so much easier…..Kathie, you are making me laugh because you are so much like Cooper at times.  So often you struggle so needlessly….worry and stress take a toll on you….when if you would just let ME help….You know that’s what I’m here for to help….carry your burdens, ease your stress, heal your pain, watch over your kiddos and friends, wrap My arms around you, comfort and protect you…..if you would just let go and LET ME….I love you.  No matter how big or small the issue is, precious child….I can handle it!  Call on ME!  Thank you Father, oh my goodness…..forgive me for trying to go it alone…..help me to simply trust and believe in YOU!

With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment.  Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow.  Proverbs 3:5-6.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for HIM.  Psalm 37:7.The Lord is good, giving protection in times of trouble.  He knows who trusts in Him.  Nahum  1:7.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91:2.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18. 

Love you all!

Philippians 4:6-7

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved and forgiven by HIM, Tuesday!  Due to circumstances beyond my control I have some extra responsibilities to take care of and I am totally stressed out….overwhelmed…..walking in circles…..nearing wits end, I feel like screaming!!!  Consequently, my attitude is in the gutter…yes friends, I am not denying that at this moment I am truly a grumpy old woman!!!!!  Just a minute ago, I turned my daily calendar page and read the scripture verse for today….Luke 5:16, “And He (Jesus) withdrew Himself in the wilderness, and prayed.”  Oh my…..Jesus must have been stressed out too….too much swirling around in my mind to accomplish anything……Maybe I need to follow Jesus example and withdraw and pray…..Yea….I need to withdraw from the stress, the responsibilities and go to HIM….give to HIM…give every detail of the tasks at hand.  He cares, truly cares about the most insignificant details in our lives.….find peace….clarity….energy….and an attitude that gives HIM all glory!  Yes, I do have a lot to do, but I know that if I go to HIM first and keep HIM with me all the way, every day, I will succeed…..To HIS glory and that’s what it’s all about!  I come to You most Awesome God for an extreme attitude adjustment!  First and foremost forgive my gross attitude, uplift and energize me to get the job done, to YOUR GLORY! 

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds I Jesus Christ.  Philippians 4:6-7.  Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty.  I don’t concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me.  But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother.  Yes, like a small child is my soul within me.  Psalm 131:1-2.  May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  2 Thessalonians 3:16.

Love you all!

 

Don't make a wrong turn

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Tuesday!  Like I said yesterday, our granddaughter Harper is here for a visit, she lucked out and got a cushy babysitting job for the granddaughter of a friend here at work.  I am dropping her off on my way in, it’s a little off the beaten track so we are leaving a little early.  This morning, after a nice breakfast prepared for us by Papa, we headed out a little after 7.  We were jabbering away about who knows what when I saw the sign for our exit, ½ mile….I thought OK, there’s our exit coming up, too make sure I didn’t, out of habit, pass it by.  I never ceased to jabber….nope not for a second….until…..Harper said, “Nana, isn’t that where we needed to turn???””  OH MY GOSH!!!!  Of course it was….was being the optimum word!!!!  For one split second…..one fleeting moment I thought about trying to make the exit….In my heart I knew there was no way…..no way I would be able to safely make the turn at the speed I was going…..OH MY GOSH!!!!  Now we would have to go up to the next exit and cut back…..I didn’t want Harper to be late, making my friend and I both late to work…..All because I was so busy jabbering, not paying attention to the road….the way to my final destination.  I was busy berating myself to Harper, trying to come up with some legitimate excuse for my mess up when I felt the familiar tap on my shoulder…..”Hi Father, I really blew it this morning didn’t I?”  “Oh Kathie, My precious child….yes, you did mess up this morning, but you were able to turn around and get on the right track again….In this world, Kathie, it’s important that you are diligent in paying attention to the road…the road to ME.  My directions, will guide you to your final destination….life everlasting with ME!  Oh Kathie, I know that sometimes life is so very difficult, full of stress, financial burdens, worry, grief, pain…..but don’t make the wrong turn when things get rough….pay attention, don’t let life distract you from the road ahead…the road to ME!  I am there for you all along the way…..through every detour….just call on Me…follow the light of My word to guide you…..listen for Me in the wind and rain, see ME in the sunshine and moonlight….trust ME…..lean on ME…..follow ME….I will not disappoint you.  I love you!!!”  “Oh Father, gosh thank you for loving us so much, for leading us with the light of Your love through every highway and by- way.  Forgive us Father when we become distracted from YOU….turn us around, bring us back on track…..lead us to YOU.”

 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my pat.  Psalm 119:105.  The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of  my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1.  Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.  Psalm 89:15.  He brought His people out like a flock; He led them like sheep through the desert.  He guided them safely, so they were unafraid.  Psalm 78:52-53.  God will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.  Isaiah 2:3.  “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them, “ says the Lord.  Isaiah 42:16.  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.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5. 

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

Division of Housing

the Chickasaw Nation

It's the little things

Good Morning Friends! Thankfully His, Tuesday!  Recently Cooper, soon to be five, learned how to open the chicken coop.  The latch on the coop’s door is a bit tricky so until just recently, Cooper was unable to work it.  Yesterday he had no school, so mom dropped him off to spend the day with Papa while she and dad were at work.  Each morning as I leave for work, I stop and open the door to the chicken coop, fastening it with a bungee cord so they can come and go as they please during the day.  Yesterday, as I was getting ready to go to work I asked Cooper to go out and open the coop door and hook the bungee to keep it open.  No biggie right….but it would really help me and for him what a major accomplishment!  He was proud to go out and take care of the task, no matter how small, because he knew it would make his Nana happy that he was helping.  And indeed it did make me happy for several reasons…..It’s a joy to watch our grandchildren growing stronger improving their skills as they grow, I was proud that he had learned to manipulate the tricky latch.  I was of course happy to have one less little chore to do as I headed to work, but most of all I was smiling inside and out,  pleased that Cooper wanted to do something for me….to help….a small thing, yes, but huge in the scheme of things in this busy, hectic world.  As I headed to work, still beaming thinking about Cooper’s task, I felt the familiar tap on my shoulder.  “Good morning Father, wasn’t Cooper cute this morning?”  “Yes, Kathie, he certainly was.  I was so happy to see him go out by himself and take care of the door in order to help his Nana.  Kathie, I know that you think the little things you can do don’t really make a difference….but, My child, you are so wrong.  There is so much pain and suffering, worry and stress in this world, it is the little things that can make a big difference in someone’s day….maybe more than a day….the little things can truly lead to hope in a sad, worn out heart or mind…refresh, renew dampened spirits….boost confidence….dry tears….the little things, can heal in big ways.  The little things you do make ME smile…..I am pleased to see your faith in action, no matter how small the task may seem to you….do it….I will do the rest……Renew your spiritual energy, strengthen your faith….through the little things…..Smile as you do My work…..it matters.”  Thank you Father, for the little things that lift our lives….enable us to never tire of serving YOU, no matter how little it seems to us!  To YOU be all glory and honor.

 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people….  Galatians 6:9-10.  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 17:22.  There are different kinds of service, (some big some little) but the same Lord.  1 Corinthians 12:5.  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.  Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32.  Jesus said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”  Matthew 10:42.  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service (not matter how small).  1 Timothy 1:12.

Love you all!

 

Bumps in the road, but filled with joy!

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and wonderful is our God, Wednesday!  Been feeling kind of down and out the last few days….you know feeling sorry for myself…..hit some bumps in the road of life….nothing any different than anyone else goes through at times….but it’s me…and I’m tired….down and out…drowning in a sea of worry, stress, bills……Needless to say….my attitude….definitely was not shining with God’s love, quite to the contrary actually.  Snuggling into my recliner this morning I opened God’s word to Psalm 126…..”When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion”,…..OK now that hit me right off…..BACK the CAPTIVES….yep, there had been trouble for someone….held captive, but now they are BACK….OK, so I am captive right now, imprisoned by stress, worry, bills…..but I will be BACK!  “Our mouths were filled with laughter”  don’t feel like laughing right now, but I will be back….”our tongues with songs of joy.”  Well, kind felt like a slap to the face of my attitude…Maybe if I got to singing some joyful songs, praising and thanking God for His tender mercies…..Maybe…..Hold on….. "Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’  The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”  My goodness, the Lord has done great things in my life, I should be filled with joy….just found out that Hailey is going to have my second great grandchild……now what could be more joyful than that!!!!  And I’ve rediscovered the sheer delight of sour gummy worms, added bonus Katy loves them too!  Cooper is starting T ball, summer fun!  And oh my goodness I will have all my family together in California for Hannah’s high school graduation!  Added bonus Harper graduates from 8^th grade the same day, so we will get two for two!  Double bonus…..looks like Papa and I might very well get to bring Brayden and Dane back with us for a couple of weeks!!!!  Woo Hoo!  I AM filled with joy!  I am so blessed!  So many precious grandchildren, children,  a husband that thinks I am “impeccable”, house, home, food, clothing, great job!  I AM filled with joy!  A Wise and Wonderful Heavenly Father, that loves and forgives me when I feel sorry for myself, blesses me with HIS grace and mercy!  I AM filled with joy!!  The Psalm ends saying, “Restore our fortunes, O Lord….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.”   Restore…..HE will restore me, in HIS way, and HIS time….in the meantime I will be joyful and sing HIS praises…..looking forward to carrying in the sheaves of HIS LOVE!  Thank you Father, for the times that make me look UP to YOU!!!!  Fill me with the pure JOY of Your Perfect Love and forgive my weakness.

 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.

Love you all!

God's Loving Rays

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty Marvelous is our God!  Saturday morning Kim and I headed into Ada to get a couple of propane bottles filled and while we were there have breakfast!  Missions accomplished we headed back to Lula; about half way home, I was awe-struck by the beauty in the sky.  The sky was cloudy with a mix of both puffy white and heavier dark clouds with blotches of blue sky peeking through…. huge magnificent rays of sunlight expanded the entire sky…..reaching out through both the white and dark clouds….reaching out….warm and comforting.  As I stared at the breath-taking site I suddenly felt like our FATHER was there with me, shining through the clouds to warm and comfort me, to uplift and guide me with HIS love.  Later on in the day while helping Kim with ranch chores I couldn’t help but notice that the sky was now totally filled with dark clouds…..dark, gloomy clouds…like certain times in my life when I seem to be consumed by heavy dark clouds of stress, worry, family needs, financial…..staring at the gloomy sky, I felt a big smile emerging from within me….I know what is behind those gloomy clouds…..God’s loving rays are always there, shining on us… all over us… from the inside out!  Whether the skies are clear or cloudy HIS Marvelous, Magnificent LOVE shines on us warming our hearts and minds with HIS Peace….Father, thank you for shining on us….forgive us when our worry consumes us and we become weak…..

 

Restore us, O God; make Your face shine upon us.  Psalm 80:3.   My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.  The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  Deuteronomy 33:27.     The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.  Numbers 6:10. 

Love you all!

Happy lights!: Psalm 27:1

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and Wonderful is our God, Wednesday!  So, how about this weather….isn’t it wonderful, I love the changing of seasons, especially summer to fall.  I love putting up fall decorations, corn stalks, ornamental corn, beautiful colored leaves, but my favorite is my pumpkin and turkey lights…well actually, one strand of mini white Christmas lights that stretch across the front porch (now Cooper and Katy’s playroom) window.  Each fall I alternate hanging plastic jack o lanterns and turkeys on the lights…..and it’s the silliest thing, but when I go to turn them on for the first time, I am so excited….just happy….well heck joyful…..isn’t that silly!  This morning as I walked into the dark living room for my morning prayer time, I smiled as I flipped on my happy lights…..Oh my…..I felt our Father…..so close to me….His arms around me…..”Kathie, My precious child….you love those lights because of the joy they shed on the darkness.  This world is so often full of darkness, sadness, worry, stress……My LOVE is your LIGHT in the darkness, your HAPPY LIGHT…..I shine to bring you JOY…..HAPPY, knowing that I am with you always, through every turmoil…..know that your JOY will come through MY LIGHT.”   Thank you Father….forgive my times of doubt and weakness.  All Honor, Glory, and Praise to YOU my LIGHT and my SALVATION.

 

You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.  With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.  2 Samuel 22:29-30.  The Lord is my LIGHT and my SALVATION—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of life—of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1.  Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the LIGHT of the Lord.  Isaiah 2:5.  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never wak in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of life.”  John 8:12. Restore us, O God; make Your face shine upon us.  Psalm 80:3. 

Love you all!

 

The Creator and Performer of great and glorious things

Good Morning Friends!  Full of His Greatness, Friday!  “You are, O God, The Creator and Performer of great and glorious things.”  A friend shared this quote with me today…..On first read, might seem like one simple sentence, but if you will “be still” for just a moment and read it again…..Wow!  Of course we all know that God is the “Creator” of our world, just open Genesis 1 for a magnificent recap of the 6 days in which He created-made out of nothing- our world.  It’s the “Performer” part that got me to thinking…..We think about Jesus “performing” miracles, you know healing the blind, turning water into wine, casting out demons, but how about today…..right now…..do we believe that our God still performs miracles or in our weakness do we  tend to forget….forget that HE is the Maker and DOER of all….What “things” do you need “Performed” for you?  Great and Glorious things????  Feeling trapped?  Worried?  Stressed? Anxious?  I think about my son, sick in the hospital in California….I hate to think how much time and energy I have wasted worrying about him rather than Praising our God, our Father, for the great and glorious things He is planning to Perform for Shawn….for you, your family….friends…for me…..Great and Glorious beyond our human imagination….we see His magnificent world in front of us….the works of His hands and still can’t understand how He did it….just imagine….be still and let your mind be full of HIM and be blessed by the great and glorious things our Performer has in store for us!  Thank you Father, forgive our worry and our simple minds! “ To YOU, O God, The Creator and Performer of great and glorious things” be all Honor, Glory, and Praise, now and forever. 

 

Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18.  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His/  we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100.

Love you all!

Yuck! Our pool is green! August 30, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Didn’t we have an awesome break in our typical summer heat this year!  Oh yes it’s warm right now, but gosh our temps were so nice and the rain….Wow!  Fantastic!  The only negative I could find in the pleasant break was it was too cool to swim….the water in the pool got really cool!  Well, after last weekend Kathyrn and I decided that it was time for a dip with the kids, so Monday after work they came over for a much anticipated swim!  The kids came into the house looking for me, so excited in their swim suits!  I had mine on too, but was brewing tea, so sent them on out.  In just a few minutes I headed out too.  I could hear the kids squealing with delight, but it’s what Kathyrn hollered to me as I got close that threw me for a loop!  She said, “IT’S GREEN!!!”   I couldn’t believe my ears…..Green….there’s no way!  True we had not been swimming in a couple of weeks….but Kim had run the filter…..Oh my gosh, I couldn’t believe my eyes!!!  GREEN, really GREEN and full of debris from all the rain and wind…leaves, bugs…tons of dead june bugs floating….gross!  Kathyrn cleaned the plugged filter and began skimming, I begrudgingly got in and played with the kids stirring the water so it would filter better.  We filled the chlorine containers and just shook our heads……when Papa got there, he couldn’t believe it either, stating it wasn’t green on Saturday…..Well, after the kids left home I couldn’t help thinking about our green pool…..how quickly it had turned from a clear, clean pool to a yucky, murky GREEN one!  Talking about it with a friend here at work, he said the same thing had happened to his pool….he said, “All the conditions were just right.”  Conditions….just right……to turn clean to GREEN…..that’s when it hit me!  Oh my, how often is my life like the green pool….How often do I let “conditions” in my life, turn me GREEN….murky…..stressed, anxious, worried, ill-tempered, short, grumpy, jealous, hateful…My heart and mind are not “clear”……not clearly focused on the pure love of our Heavenly Father…..Rather I let “conditions” turn me murky……like the green swimming pool I am undesirable to those around me…..and I know that my Father is disappointed…..Thankfully, conditions can change.  Our Father, unclogs the filter of my heart and mind, refills me with HIS love and skims off my sinful actions through the blood of His only Son, our Savior……Clean again I pray that my actions will sparkle with HIS love…….me, HIS child, loved and forgiven…..Thank you Father, for the loving clean-ups!  All Glory, honor and Praise to YOU!

 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but my God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.  I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.  Jeremiah 33:8.  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.  John 3:16.  Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.  Psalm 79:9.  The Lord bless you, and keep you:  The Lord make 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!  Have a great holiday weekend!  Be safe

July 26, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His Friday!  Golly molly!  How about this weather!  Loving the rain, but driving in it is such a challenge for me, especially since my accident.  So, this morning coming to work, I had my job cut out for me….First thing I did as I started out, was say a prayer…..The roads were definitely water logged and first thing, 3 huge diesel trucks flew by totally obscuring my vision with muddy water.  That’s ok….I held onto the steering wheel, not with a death grip, I wanted to stay calm and focused, avoid being all stressed out….I held the wheel firmly, with confidence.  The traffic was pretty heavy as I turned onto 3W, but I wasn’t going to let them force me into going faster than I felt was safe…..the rain was steady, highway very wet, visibility not too good…..why in the world are people driving so crazy….one car after another passed me, flying by as if the world was about to end….lots of cars didn’t even have their lights on….and the roads were water logged….I stayed focused, held firm, checked my mirrors……determined to get to work, safe and sound…..focused, holding firm…..I made it just fine.  As I pulled into my parking space and grabbed my plastic rain cap, I felt warm and thankful….God was present on my drive…..God is present in my life…..sometimes the ride is tricky, hazardous….devastating illness, broken relationships, abuse, financial burdens, stress at work……God is present!  Hold firm to HIM….let the LIGHT of His word be your guide…..when the muddy waters obscure your vision turn to the wipers of His LOVE….He will clear your path…..be confident in His LOVE, trust in His CARE….Stay focused and steady through word and prayer…. Be firm in your faith…..don’t let the crazy drivers stress you out and lead you away from HIM... His GUIDANCE will take you all the way……Forever HIS!  OH Father, thank you for the LIGHT of Your Love……keep us holding on to YOU forever!

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.  The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over you coming and going both now and forevermore.  Psalm 121:7-8.  The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.  Proverbs 3:26.  Do not rear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God>  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10.

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

Division of Housing

the Chickasaw Nation

580-421-8800

Kathie.johnson@chickasaw.net

July 18, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Gosh the weather was crazy here yesterday!  Sitting at my desk I have a great view outside through the front doors.  It was bright and sunny as I started my day and then about mid- morning I noticed it was getting really cloudy…I could see the clouds getting heavy and then just before 12 it just started pouring…..now I mean pouring!  The parking lot was flooded in just a matter of minutes and then, as quickly as it came…..it was gone!  Within a few minutes, the sun was shining again.  The clouds were gone, parking lot drained off….clear skies…..for a little while!  Just when you think it’s clear sailing…Bam…..the clouds moved in dark, heavy and burst into heavy downpours……this was the scenario all through the afternoon.  Clear skies turning to heavy clouds and pounding downpours!  A friend and I were discussing the crazy weather and I said….kind of like our lives isn’t it?  One minute we are cruising along happy as can be….not a care in the world, thinking Woo Hoo, life is grand….And then the next minute dark clouds move in…..hanging heaving over us…..clouds of indecision, financial burdens, family problems, health issues, broken relationships, stress at work…..the clouds get heavier until they are finally pouring on us…..We think we can’t go on……and then, the rain stops, clouds clear, and the sun shines on us again….The sun shines because we are never alone in the downpours!  This morning as I reading God’s word, I came across a verse in James 1 that really hit me as I thought about life…..the sunny times and the downpours…..”Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”  The next time I feel the clouds moving in…..and the downpours hit, I am going to remember these words….this promise…..If I love Him, I will receive His crown of life……definitely better than any umbrella….the SON is shining on and for us!  Thank you Father for the promise of a crown of everlasting life with You…keep us ever faithful.  Draw us to You in cloudy times and hear our Praise….sunny or cloudy!  And Father we do thank you for the precious rains You have sent to water our land…All praise to You!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4.  Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  2 Corinthians 1:5.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22.  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.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4. 

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

March 28, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Totally, Thankfully, loved by HIM, Thursday!  Before I say anything this morning I want to share a verse from God’s word that popped up at me this morning!  From Psalm 100:3, “Know ye that the LORD HE is GOD:  it is HE that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are HIS people and the sheep of HIS pasture.”  I think about Jesus on the donkey…..humble……..HE IS GOD!  We are HIS sheep……Shepherds take good care of their sheep…..some days we sure don’t feel like we are being taken good care of do we….but we are if we are giving our day to God…..Roy Lessen says it so well, “Having a good day doesn’t mean having an easy or perfect day.  It means a day spent saying ‘yes’ to God’s purpose.  A day lived in the will of God is the best day anyone could ever spend.”  Seems like there is something in the air lately, people are frazzled, stressed, anxious everywhere you go…….How in the heck can we have a “good” day when life is tumbling in all around us!  There is only one way……..we must wake up, praise God for the day, thank Him for each and every minute, give the day to Him, asking Him to open our hearts and minds to know His will…..to know His will…..for the day……we don’t have to have our whole life plan at once…..One day at time……with Him…..listening to Him……hearing with our hearts and minds His will for our day….today….tomorrow….the day after…..Thank you Father for this “good day” with You!  Enable us to come humbly to You with hearts and minds open to hear Your will for us and the faith to do….All Praise and Glory to You, our Loving Heavenly Father.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24.  Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”  John 10:27.  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.  The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.  Psalm 33;11.  The mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6.  The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7.

Enjoy the blessing of Easter!  Christ is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

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 14, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Marveling in His mighty love, Monday!   I usually buy groceries on payday Friday, but last Friday things came up and I just couldn’t get to it; so Kim and I decided to come into town late Saturday afternoon, get groceries, and then go out to dinner!  It was really cold, so I dressed appropriately…or so I thought.  Warm coat, gloves, stocking hat and my warm, all- weather, Ugg type boots.  About half way through our list it sounded like jet airplanes were right on top of us….was actually a torrential downpour!  By the time we finished shopping and headed to the car it was barely sprinkling, but of my gosh!  The parking lot was flooded….and it was cold!  I was so glad that I was dressed for the occasion (or so I thought)  feeling so smug in all my outer wear I drudged right into the flooded parking lot…..OH NO!  THERE’S NO WAY!!!  THESE BOOTS ARE WATER PROOF!!!!......or so I thought.  Within a matter of seconds, my feet were soaked…..my boots leaked….my boots that I was so sure were all weather…..leaked…..I thought I was ready for anything and my boots leaked….within seconds!  Later that evening after we got back home and I was removing my wet socks and trying to warm my feet I couldn’t help but think that the smug feelings I had about my “all weather” boots carries into my life.  How often do we carry on like we are untouchable….that will never happen to me….we go about our daily lives with little contact with our Heavenly Father, smugly thinking we are prepared for things on our own and then….BAM!!!!  In a matter of seconds our life feels like it is flooded with worry…..one minute we are smug and confident and the next minute “our feet are wet” with stress and worry……alone in the blowing wind and rain…..drowning…..in just a matter of seconds!  Good news!  Doesn’t have to be this way, nope!  We just need to stay dressed in God’s word, praying and talking to HIM daily….heck hourly…….That’s where we get our strength, our protection from the “bad weather” this world can dump on us……Spending time, regular time with our Heavenly Father we are prepared for the storms……Father, we know that life will always have its storms, but we are so thankful that You are there with us when we call on You!  Help us to stay “dressed” in You every day in every way.

For nothing is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37.  For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13.  The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him  Daniel 9:9.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9.  The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalm 29:11.

Love you all!

December 4, 2012

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 manager…..a stable….for animals….donkeys, sheep, cows…..now I love all my little critters but I 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!

December 3, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty is our God, Monday!  We have a little make-shift apartment on our property….started out as little individual rooms that Kim and I lived in when we first moved here.  They look like stores in an old west town; quite a few years ago when our son was coming out to live we pulled them down the hill side by side and built a porch all the way across.  Kim, put a little kitchen in the living room, the office became a bathroom/laundry room, and the bedroom got a closet (we had used our travel trailer for bathroom, kitchen, and closet).  Hence a make-shift one bedroom apartment!  After Shawn returned to California we had several different renters, the last ones moved out two years ago.  Kim and I got right on fixing it up…..well for a week or so, but then….well you know….stuff happens.  As winter approached, Kim turned the water off and swore he drained the lines…..Two years ago……Well, we have the apartment rented, so we had to get in there and finish up.  First thing Kim did was turn on the water……oh boy….guess what……leaks….yep…just a couple he thought not bad.  He fixed them, turned the water back on and dang it…..discovered two more spots leaking…..oh not bad he thought….but sure did think he had drained the lines.  Well yesterday after church he had to go to Home Depot and get more fittings, we had lunch and he headed back to Lula to get to work the leaks while I went to Walmart for some groceries.  I was standing in line when he called me….”Kathie, this place is full of leaks….everywhere!”  I could tell he was really upset, “behind the shower and toilet, in the walls…Kathie….it’s a mess!”  Poor guy, he was really upset and kept saying, “I know I drained the lines.”  I have no doubt that with a little hard work and perseverance that Kim will get all the leaks fixed, but the whole situation got me to thinking.  What happens to us when we just sit….unattended……we spring leaks….our faith weakens when our prayer life has leaks, when we are too busy to spend time chatting with our Heavenly Father and reading His word…..our hope gets weak….just like the water lines….we begin to see life dimly…..glass half empty…..we look at things with a negative attitude…Kim will fix the leaks in the apartment (up to nine), but our leaks can only be fixed by our Heavenly Father…..Kim goes to Home Depot for his supplies….we go directly to our Heavenly Father….when we go humbly before Him He fills our leaks with His perfect love.  He plugs the holes of sadness and anxiety with His peace…..He strengthens our hearts and minds with hope…Hope for better tomorrows….hope for life everlasting with HIM.  Father, forgive us when we let our spiritual life just sit……causing us to have leaks…..Father, bring us to You, fill us with Your Peace, encompass us in Your love.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:23.  Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  Psalm 62:5-6.  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8.  I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints.  Psalm 85:8.  Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  2 Timothy 2:22.  Mercy, Peace and Love be yours in abundance.  Jude 2. 

Love you all

November 29, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally Trusting in His will Thursday!  A friend asked me how she could pray for me today and after I gave her a list of current and on- going frets she replied with this, “comes to this….praying for direction; trusting God and having patience to wait for His will.”  Well said don’t you think!  Definitely not easy, but straight and to the point....and exactly what I need to do…..I thanked her for listening and praying with me and then read the quote on my daily calendar….Wow…..”God orders your days and is the Lord of all your ways.  He is not only the Lord of time, but He is also the Lord of all timing.  His timing is always perfect as He works through circumstances and people to fulfill His plans for you.  He is never late in bringing His will to you, and He will never bring you things before their time.  He knows your heart, He sees your faith, and He will fulfill all things that concern you.”  Roy Lessen.   God knows our hearts….that brings me comfort….He knows what is bothering me and He is taking care of it in His time…He is the “Lord of all timing”…..just like my friend said this morning….now the waiting is up to me…..sure glad “He is never late”.  Thank you Father…..help me to be a good and faithful waiter.

Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.  Psalm 42:11.  This I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail…The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him to the one who seeks Him.  Lamentations 3:2-22, 25.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy spirit.  Romans 15:13. 

Love you all!

November 28, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Wow, it’s a wonderful Wednesday wrapped in His love!  Seems like we spend so much time worrying about balancing….balancing our diet…..you know making sure we get healthy stuff go along with the junk.  Balancing our budget so that we make sure we can pay our bills before we buy a new dress….balance is important in so many ways in our lives.  Yesterday I was responding to a missionary in Turkey that our church sponsors; I was telling him about all the activities we were planning at church and Sunday School for Christmas and as I listed them, I began to feel overwhelmed……unbalanced so to speak.  I finished my email and as I hit send, my thoughts returned to all the things I had ahead of me, programs, costumes, decorations, Hanging of the Greens, shopping, decorations, wrapping, cooking, cards, letters……Oh my gosh….I felt like screaming.  That’s when “Balance” hit me……I need to do more than balance my diet and budget….I need to “balance” my priorites….my time…..Number one priority for this season of Advent and Christmas is JESUS!!!!  JESUS is the Reason for the Season!  Without our precious Savior there would be no season worth celebrating.  So without further ado, I am asking our Heavenly Father to help me balance my Christmas activities….after all, it’s all for naught without HIM!!!!  Without JESUS…..there’s no need for a tree….the tree points to heaven, reminding us where Jesus came from and the green represents the eternal life we receive from HIM…and the lights, well….HE is the light of the world!  So, as you shop for the perfect gift for loved ones….remember the perfect gift of Jesus life….Thank Him, Praise Him and love others as He loves us…..That’s the reason for all the fuss and muss……We will all be busier in the next month, that goes without saying….but with God’s help we can “balance” our business and joyfully celebrate the birth of our Savior…..The REASON FOR THE SEASON!”  Father, thank you for the gift of your Son and the joy of celebrating His birth….keep us focused Father on what is really important and Go Tell it on the Mountain!

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and place him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  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 cloths and lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:6-12.

Love you all!