March 12, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Trusting and believing Tuesday!  Good grief, I have known for a long time that CR 1600 is going to be totally redone, but haven’t given the whole process too much thought until last week….well little over a week ago I guess, “Road Closed” signs were placed strategically along the road…hummm, keep in mind this is MY route to and from work and church, so that’s 6 days a week…..OK, so I went home and told Kim, “Road Closed” signs are up….guess they are getting close.  Still I didn’t lose any sleep over it, did talk with Kathyrn about alternate routes for us…..cross that bridge when the time comes, right??????   Came to work yesterday no sign of any construction going on, never gave it a thought as I toddled home……until….I got close to intersection at Owl Creek….OH NO!  Even from a distance I could see that the road to my house was indeed….CLOSED!  All kinds of men and equipment were still working and there was no way I could continue any farther on 1600.  Of course I had a meeting at 7 and needed to cook dinner and eat first, so this delay was most inconvenient.  My first thought, I will turn right and go through Stonewall…..oh yes…..way out of my way!  However as I got to the intersection it appeared I would not be able to turn right either….oh no, now what!  I turned left and called Kim…..how do I get home….Can you imagine after all these years of living out in Lula…..I did not know how to get home if I turned left at Owl Creek……After a brief conversation with Kim, I decided to turn around and see if I could get through to the right and go through Stonewall…..at least I knew my way and that would have to be quicker right!  Well, luckily, I could ease through, I took a deep breath and figured I just as well calm down and make the best of it.  I arrived home safely about 15 minutes later than usual cooked dinner, and headed to the meeting, but I couldn’t stop thinking, about my alternate route!  Things don’t always go just as we planned do they…..just as we think they should…..Just because I won’t be able to take 1600 for a while doesn’t mean that I am not going to be able to get to work….just because the alternate route will not be my first choice…..As we travel through life, we so often make our own “route” then one day we get a big sign from our Heavenly Father…..”Road Closed”…….My precious child, He says, I have another plan for you…..Trust Me……Let Me guide you.  My ways are wiser than yours….But Father……I start to whine and list my route choices…..you know family, kids, job, finances……But, My child, your ways (routes) and not My ways….Trust and Believe in My ways for you, precious child…..I want only what’s best for you.  Father, forgive us when we want to ignore Your “Road Closed” signs…..help us to open our hearts and minds to trust, believe, and follow YOU!

“I now the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.  I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.  Proverbs 4:11-12.  God will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.  Isaiah 2:3.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.  Remember, O Lord, Your great mercy and love for they are of old.  Psalm 25:5-6. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

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 15, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by HIM Thursday!!!!  Well my Alaska girls are officially now “Cali” girls!  I guess “Cali” is the cool way to say you are from California.  Anyway they are officially, as of last night, in their new home….new state…..new school….new friends….new climate (we are talking it was -20 when they left Fairbanks-48 in CA right now, hi of 74 today and that’s the norm)…..new lifestyle.  Wow…..those girls put a lot of faith in their dad as they pulled out of Fairbanks in their truck and trailer…..faith that he made the right decision to move them all the way to California, faith that he would drive them safely on such a very long journey (we had no contact with them for 3 days while they were going through Canada)….faith they will like their new home, school, friends…..Brave girls I say!!!!  Brave and trusting children!  As children of our Heavenly Father, we can take some lessons from my girls!  They have faith that Dad is going to take care of them…..they lean on him…..Who do we lean on?  Do we follow the plans our Heavenly Father… where do we put our faith?  Do we lean on our jobs, friends, money to get us through or do we place our lives in the all-knowing, all-loving arms of our Heavenly Father?  Do we get in HIS truck lock, stock and barrel, trusting and believing in where HE is leading us…..faithfully following HIS decisions for us……?  Or do we question Him….”Oh come on Father, are you sure you want me to teach Sunday School?”   “Father, really, you want me to apologize to him…..?”   Hmmm……what is that our Heavenly Father says about the faith of little children….Father forgive us for questioning Your will for our lives…..increase our faith so that we listen, hear and follow YOU in everything we do.

But 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.  For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.  They will be protected forever….  Psalm 37:28.  “According to you faith will it be done to you….” Matthew 9:28.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9.  The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6.  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  Proverbs 29:25. 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.

Love you all!  

November 9, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Our good friend Thomas Kinkade said, “An attitude of thankfulness can also increase your joy by increasing your sense of abundant blessing.”   It’s his quote for today on my little desk calendar;  I read it this morning when I tore off yesterday’s and thought that’s nice….didn’t really dwell on it.  Then I got an email from a friend that said she was thankful she had finally found the right color for her hair.  I emailed her back and asked her if she colored her hair herself and mentioned that I was thankful that my sweet Kathyrn had come over to my house yesterday and cleaned my floors!  She emailed back, excited for my clean floors and told me that her husband colors her hair!  Too cool I replied and told her that my husband cuts mine sometimes….I expressed how blessed we are with such sweet hubbies….yet another thank you!  She also asked me to pray for her son who is battling with his allergies….I replied that I rarely have a problem with allergies….hmmm, one more thank you!  I clicked send and felt compelled to reread Kinkade’s quote…..”An attitude of thankfulness….”   Clean floors, no allergies, Kim cooked a magnificent dinner last night, sweet grandbabies, rain in the forecast, it’s Friday, Monday is a holiday, (God Bless our veterans and those serving now), tuna (my favorite) for lunch, giving a friend a ride home tonight a chance for a good visit, bacon egg and cheese biscuit for breakfast (lovingly prepared by my sweetie), the trees are magnificent with fall colors, rain in the forecast, precious grandbabies, my dog Baby has 7 puppies, oh passed the inspection in kennels with flying colors…..gosh by heart and mind are overflowing with joy!  I am abundantly blessed, even on a seemingly bad day.....if I carry a smiling attitude….and attitude of thankfulness my joy continues to increase.  Thank you Father for the abundant blessings you shower on me every day…..every hour….every minute…..keep me ever mindful of Your love, so that I share my thankfulness with others and spread the joy!  PS would love to hear some of your thank yous today!

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.  Ephesians 5:19-20.  Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17.  A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13.  The cheerful heart has a continual feast.  Proverbs 15:15.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4.

Love you all!

November 5, 2012

Good Morning Friends!!!!! My oh my, I am glad I am HIS Monday!!!! This morning I loaded up all my bags for work (they call me the bag lady here) and headed out the door. I was feeling quite spiffy in my zebra print dress and sporting my high heels…..Now if you have ever been to my house you know about the wooden ramp that my husband built, but for those of you that haven’t let me describe it a bit; it’s a bit steep….short and steep, I guess because of the steps it was built over and the size of the screen porch. Anyway, needless to say I try to always be careful when I head down, especially when sporting the high heels…you know the ones with the thin heals. This morning was no exception, loaded my bags and headed out the door. I hadn’t taken 3 steps down the ramp when my right heal got stuck between the boards…..a first and I hope a last! My heart and mind were both racing as my leg buckled at the knee and I was headed down. Praise God, somehow I managed to get control of my body, pull my heal out, and stay on my feet! As I stood up, I took a deep breath, said a thank you prayer and headed to my car, knowing I had been blessed because I could have really hurt myself! As I got in the car I couldn’t help but think that if I wasn’t somewhat physically fit….you know, if I didn’t exercise (not as much as I should, but I do try) and eat half way healthy I very well may not have had the strength or dexterity to hold myself up and get my balance. Because I take care of myself I was able to ward off a potentially serious fall. Hmm, oh goodness don’t we face potentially serious “falls” everyday….”falls” into worldly temptations? Falls….like the temptation to gossip, ignore a friend in need, criticize unjustly….these falls might not seem too serious, but left unattended…..oh my the pain and hurt that happens. So, you are asking what does your near fall have to do with this. If we are spiritually fit….if we spend time every day with our Heavenly Father, in prayer and His word we will be able to ward off potentially serious “falls.” We will be strong and balanced in our daily lives, being spiritually healthy His light will shine brightly through us to others….well heck our light might even help others to avoid “potentially serious falls” making the world a brighter place. Heavenly Father, help us to stay fit by spending time with YOU, the most important time in our days….Help us to share your love with others, generously!

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the spirit have their minds set on what the nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5. What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God. Micah 6:8. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11-12. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! 2 Peter 3:18.

 

Love you all!

October 26, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Fully confident in His plan, Friday! So, those of you with me in OK, how are you liken the chill in the air this morning?! Bit of a change from the day before isn’t it! How quickly the weather can change…..are you ready, prepared for the winter cold? Got your wood cut, propane tanked filled, know where your winter clothes are…hats, gloves, long johns? Being prepared is so important as winter hits us…..it can change so quickly! Isn’t that the way it is with our lives too…..one minute we are just cruising along….smooth….no bumps in the road and then bam….a child is very ill, a car accident, dissention in our family, loss of job, death of a loved one…..we are never really ready for life’s really tough stuff, but we can be prepared if get our hearts and minds focused on the love of our Heavenly Father, if we fill our time with prayer, His word, praise and worship and wear His love from the inside out! With HIM we can handle the tough stuff, with HIM we get over the bumps. Let’s not waste time traveling alone….waiting till the cold front hits and no propane……let’s be prepared, let’s spend each day growing in faith, loving Him, listening to HIM and following His will for our lives….Oh HE will keep us so warm with HIS love. Father lead us to follow you daily…..thank you for loving us and keeping us warm as we travel through this life. Father I ask you to comfort those suffering any pain right now, pull them close to You, wrap Your all- loving arms around them and give them Your peace.

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leave are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:7. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26. We live by faith, not sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1. Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7. 

 

Love you all!

October 24, 2012

Good Morning Friends! Wow, sure is wonderful to be His child, Wednesday! This morning I was sitting in my cozy chair, in the dark, having a good visit with our Heavenly Father…..all was quiet until…..until my donkey (actually Hailey’s donkey, down for a visit with his girlfriend) started braying like the world was coming to an end! My first thought was…..Oh my gosh, how obnoxious, he knows I am not coming out there this morning…but then I just had to smile….silly donkey, what a racket he makes just to get my attention….There in the quiet darkness of the morning I smiled again thinking about me yesterday…oh heck so many days! Oh, I am sure my pleas sounded as obnoxious as Eyore’s braying….Oh my do I bray at God? Do I just cry out in the darkness sounding desperate and out of control? Yes…..I know that at times….like yesterday……I do……but, I think that our Heavenly Father smiles when I do…not because I am suffering, but because He wants us to come to Him……He knows the source of our pain and He is the only one that can fix it…..and HE wants to fix it and He rejoices when we come to HIM!!! Why oh why are we as stubborn as a……donkey sometimes!!!!! Oh Father, thank you for your attentive ears, Your open arms, Your endless love!

You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. Oh Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 30:11-12. But I trust in you O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who purse me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Psalm 31: 14-16

 

Love you all!

October 19, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Finally Friday is what I feel like saying this morning….but He has proven His love for me so it’s….forever loved by Him, Friday!!!!  Last night I had a dream about spiders, well one spider actually….quite a unique one at that.  The dream actually woke me up.  Doesn’t really surprise me that I had a dream whose main character was a spider because the spiders are just everywhere right now, both at home and at work; they lurk in corners just waiting for an opportunity to scare some unsuspecting woman…..small ones, big ones, hairy ones, scary ones…..but none quite so unique as the one in my dream…..that one was translucent…..I could see right through it, now that was kind of scary.  Like I said the dream woke me and I laid awake for a while thinking about it, but it wasn’t until this morning that I understood that see-through spider.  Yesterday the fuel filter on my little black car plugged up so I had to take the old Honda car to work, no biggie I thought, I got a new filter in town and Kim would put it on for me….on the road again!  Well, on the way home last night, I felt something odd, pulled off the road and checked, darn the right front tire was separating….finished trip home at about 10 mph!  Still not worried cause I knew Kim would get my little black car fixed up again.  He went out early this morning to take care of it, but when I went out to leave at 7:20 he was fit to be tied.  My car would not start…..he tried everything, but to no avail….he tried and tried and tried….it was getting later and later….I tried to call a friend for a ride, but was too late, called work and told them I would be late again (thank heavens for an understanding boss) and prayed that it would start…..NOPE!!!!!  Finally, totally in a twit Kim said, “YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE MY TRUCK, BUT YOU HAVE TO GET FUEL, GET YOUR STUFF AND GET GOING!!!!”   I hope the capitol letters help you get the drift of his mood…mine wasn’t much better.  You see, his truck is big….real big….my legs barely, if I am sitting forward, reach the pedals big….plus it needed fuel…OH MY GOSH…..I WAS FIT TO BE TIED......driving his truck makes me a wreck, and I was going to be so late to work….it’s hard to shift and there are so many deer out right now…..As I loaded my stuff and “jumped” in the thoughts in my mind were definitely not any that I would be proud for our Heavenly Father to know……that’s when it hit me….the translucent spider……..Oh my gosh!  He sees right through me….He knows what’s in my heart and mind…..I am translucent to HIM…..oh no!  I was in a dither, but I felt His tap….”Kathie, My child, I do know what you were thinking and no it was not very nice…..but I hear you now too….you are sorry and I forgive you.  I will always forgive you when you come to Me with a repentant heart.  Now go on and get to work…..I am with you, I love you….you are forgiven.”  I hope I never really see a translucent spider, but I am sure thankful for the reminder…..sure needed it today.  Father thank you so much for taking care of me this morning even when I was less than lovable…..help me see the blessings in each and every day.  Thank you for loving and forgiving me always.

For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.  Psalm 25:11.  My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks t the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  1 John 2:1.  You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding love and faithfulness.  Psalm 86:15.  The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rise to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!  Isaiah 30:18.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12.

Love you all!

October 18, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  My granddaughter, Hailey….you know Tucker’s mom….Tucker my great-grandson who happened to be 3 months old yesterday……Well, Hailey has been in a real snit lately about her extra pounds since she had Tucker.  She was sure that by 3 months she would be fit and trim again….nope not happening.  Sunday, she had planned to go see Clark at the fire station; she called me just having a fit….declaring that she wasn’t going because she didn’t have anything to wear…..she was ranting and raving like a mad woman….I tried to calm her down, but I just had to laugh……she was bound and determined to not buy bigger pants…..Yesterday she called me after a trip to Walmart….she said, “Nana, you know how I have been whining about my weight, no clothes to that fit?  Nana, I have actually been throwing temper tantrums about not having anything to wear because of my extra weight…temper tantrums….screaming, crying……” “ Well, honey”…..I tried to console her but she interrupted me.  “Nana, I just came from Walmart, I was in a grouchy mood because I didn’t have anything to wear and I feel like a fat pig and then I saw a woman…..Oh Nana, it was so sad…..she had been burned so badly that she had no hair on her head….no hair Nana and her whole body was covered in terrible scars….but Nana, she was smiling, happy….Nana, she had no hair and she was smiling and she was wearing shorts with scars on her legs.  Nana I am ashamed of myself!!!  Here I am acting hateful, grouchy, throwing tantrums because my jeans don’t fit.  I am so sorry!”  I could tell by her tone that she was truly ashamed of herself and that she had learned a very valuable life-lesson.  We talked about her experience and I told her I was proud of her, that when we can really see how blessed we are we truly give God the praise He deserves.  I was about to say goodbye, but I could tell she had more she wanted to say….”Nana, that really got to me, I have so much to be thankful for, yet I am so ungrateful….I complain about a bad hair day and that lady had no hair…..I gripe about my stretch marks, but I have Tucker.  Nana if we just look and think for a minute even the things we think are bad have blessings in them……We have so much……”  Hailey really had her eyes, mind and heart opened  by the woman in Walmart….a most valuable lesson for each of us…..Father forgive our whining and open our hearts to truly see and appreciate all the blessings in our lives….help us to see Your love and goodness in everything, even when we think it’s not so good because we know that You work all things for good.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:19-20.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100:5.  He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.  Proverbs 11:27.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.  Hebrews 12:28.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and Hi wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21.  Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  Amen!  Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.  Amen!  Revelation 7:12.

Love you all!

October 15, 2012

 

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty is our God, Monday!  Remember a few weeks ago I told you about a major project the my husband is working on?  He did his research, made a plan, bought materials, and now the work has begun!  And what a job it is going to be…..Last Saturday was his first day to start constructing….he had a helper to weld and the two of them started off to the shop about 7:30.  After cleaning up the breakfast mess, I headed out to the kennels to do not only my usual Saturday cleaning, but all of Kim’s part too…..I was ok with that though, figured I could be done about noon and then I had big plans to spend some time doing some very much needed cleaning and book work!  I was actually looking forward to the time to get some things done that had been bugging me!  Well, about 10, Kim called and asked me if I would bring him some tea and a jug of water for his helper…said I would be there in a few…..found a good stopping point and headed up to the shop with tea, water, and a snack.  They were hard at it….David was set up welding outside and Kim was cutting the metal for him as quick as he could.  I was not prepared for what my husband had to say…..”hey, when you get done down there, sure could use you up here, so much to cut….I sure could use your help.”  Oh my gosh…..Please NO, I have big plans for this day….was my thought, but by the look on his face and the desperate plea in his voice, I knew he was serious and I was needed.  So…I went back to house, finished up kennels, put on my clothes more suited to cutting metal and headed back up to the shop.  By the size of the load of material on the trailer I knew my work was cut out for me!  The project requires building lots of racks so when we cut, we cut anywhere from 60 to 120 pieces of the same size.  All of which had to be hauled out to be welded……the last piece we cut was out of heavy flat medal, we cut 112 pieces 3 inches long…..after they were cut they had to go to the drill press and get 2 holes drilled in each one……oh my gosh….what a tedious job!  My part of the job was to keep oil on the bit in order to keep it from getting too hot.  Kim explained to me that if the bit gets too hot it will break.  So, I took hold of my oil can and got to squeezing….my gosh what a boring job and a little dangerous too as I had to remove each piece without getting my hand in the moving drill…….Standing there with my squirt can waiting for the holes to be drilled, I couldn’t help but think how boring the job was, but so very important!   The holes had to be drilled and if there was no bit……from there my thoughts went to our Heavenly Father…..Oh what a job He has “drilling His love” into us!  At times I know that are hearts and minds are much harder than that metal…..and yet I know that He never gets bored with drilling His love into our hearts and minds, pouring the precious oil of His love on us so that we don’t break…..loving us, forgiving us, guiding us, protecting us, providing all that we need……Father, thank you for never getting bored with our hard hearts and minds as You continuously pour Your love on us.  Forgive us Father…..

“With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.  Isaiah 54a;8. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  Psalm 103:8.  We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.  Hebrews 2:1.   As the Holy Spirit says:  “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”  Hebrews 3:7-8. Let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and Knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  1 John 4:7-8. 

Praise Him, Praise Him all you little children….God is LOVE, God is LOVE!    Love you all!

October 10, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  Several years ago, out in Lula, we began hearing rumors that the road in front of our house, CR 1660, was going to be redone….you know widened… the whole shamoley!  CR 1600 has a big jog in it so not only does it go in front of our house, but off of Hwy 48 west to Owl Creek.  Oh there’s a little jog north off 48 too, big project.  Like I said just rumors at first and then as time passed we began receiving more information and facts!  The job would be done, no exact date, but definite…..there’s so much more to a project like that than we know about….all the planning; can you imagine, legalities, easements, budgets….stuff I can only imagine!  Takes a long time and a lot of work to get a project like this moving.  Well, this past year we have been seeing more signs that it’s coming, gas and water lines marked, just this last week they started doing some boring just west of us and then Monday Kim and I were coming back from town and there were little yellow danger signs hanging from the power lines that cross the road.  Kim said, “Well they must be getting really close to starting, the warning flags are a definite sign that things are about to get started.”  We discussed how long it’s been since we first heard the rumors, all the waiting and now finally looks like it’s going to happen.  Gosh it will be wonderful to have really nice roads, so much better on my little car.  Oh yes, it will be inconvenient at times because I will have to find alternate routes to work, dodge equipment…you know, but the end project will be fantastic.  This morning as I drove into work I watched for the yellow flags reflecting on the fact that after all this time we are going to have nice smooth roads!   The thought hit me…..our life as Christians is so much like this major road project!  Life is not always easy for us just because we are God’s precious children…..we have our obstacles….there’s lots of planning and preparation…..we must talk with Him every day…you know go over plans, read His word….figure out the legalities…..pray for wisdom and guidance to do things His way so that the job is well-done…..we need to equip ourselves with His tools so that our final project is well done!  Our road to Him takes a life time….. lots of pot holes, curves, hills…..but if we follow His plan, stay close to Him….do our best for Him…… after all, He gave His only Son for us!!! And by HIS GRACE we are saved! Let’s give our lives to Him, trusting and believing HIM as our Perfect project manager!!!  Heavenly Father, it’s a crazy world here, but with you we can do it….we can complete the project and spend eternity with YOU.  Keep us strong Father!

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you wit loving-kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3.  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.  Everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world even our faith.  1 John 5:4.  With God all things are possible.  Matthew 19:26.  Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great poser and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.  Jeremiah 32:17.  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize (finish the project) which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14. 

Love you all!

October 9, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Totally taken by His love, Tuesday!  Tuesday…..almost wanted to say Monday because of our holiday yesterday!  Aren’t 3 day weekends nice once in a while.  Trouble was, this morning when the alarm went off, I did not want to get up……that extra day of sleeping in a bit spoiled me fast!  I laid in bed a few minutes thinking “Oh gosh, I do not want to get up…..wish I had another day off, it’s cold out there and I am tired; another day would be great….”   I hadn’t been procrastinating and bemoaning having to get up too long when one of my favorite Sunday School songs popped into my head!  “Rise, Shine, give God the glory, glory.  Rise, Shine, give God the glory, glory (familiar?  Join in) RISE and SHINE and GIVE GOD THE GLORY, GLORY.  Children of the Lord!”  That’s all it took…..a gentle hint…..I had a great weekend, an extra day to be with family, time to get my Jack O Lantern painted, time to bake, time to relax and now…it’s time to get up and get to work…..I am blessed to have a good job to get up and go to, I have a wonderful car to get me to and from, good people to spend my day with, and a wonderful family waiting for me at home……let’s not forget my cozy old house, now sporting a great big jack O lantern (used a round bale) in the drive way!  And best of all, I am one of the Lord’s children!  So are you, so aren’t we blessed….doesn’t that just energize you to do the best you can…today…..everyday!   Oh, some days are not so easy, that’s for sure….but like this morning when I was feeling sorry for myself just thinking about the love of our Heavenly Father got me up and going!   Too blessed to feel sorry for myself or waste one minute of the beautiful day He has given me!  Glory, glory, glory….All glory to You our most awesome Heavenly Father!  Father, forgive us when we slip and let our minds waver from You and how much You love us!  Thank you for our many, many, many blessings!

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.  You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wind abound.  Psalm 4:6-7.The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7.  Be joyful always.  1 Thessalonians 5:16.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!!  Philippians 4:4.

Love you all!

October 5, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  Remember yesterday we talked about cruise control, specifically, “God’s cruise control?”  Well, must have been the day for that topic because Roy Lessin’s quotes for yesterday and today both carry out that theme.  So, gonna share…..”God’s desire is that you walk upon the pathway the He has called you to follow.  He wants you to walk with confidence in His wisdom to guide you….with trust in His power to keep you…and with the assurance that He makes no mistakes.”  That was yesterday, pretty good don’t ya think, now for today’s….”God is leading you on a prepared pathway and will perfectly lead you into the plans He has for your life.  Take each step without concern about where the path is taking you.  He has gone ahead of you like a scout who has already checked out the trail.  Nothing that is ahead will take Him by surprise.”  We are not out there alone, friends, are lives are not haphazard!  Our Heavenly Father is our Guide, our Protector, our Healer, our everything!  One of my favorite hymns comes to mind….”Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee.  Take my moments and my days.  Let them flow in ceaseless praise.”  Don’t worry, be happy!!!!  God is in control!  Thank you Father, for Your constant love and care. 

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8.  The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with your; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8.  We say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:6.

Love you all!