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!

October 4, 2012

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Well, at the ripe old age of 61 and now the owner of a car with cruise control, I am proud to say I have finally figured out how to use it!!!!  Didn’t take me too long, did it….!!!  I am really enjoying setting my speedometer on 65 as I get on the highway…..my little black car has a tendency to want to fly when it gets on the highway, so by setting the cruise my worries about getting a ticket are alleviated!!!  I really like that….This morning, I was a little late leaving the house, so I encountered more traffic on the highway than usual…..at one point I had to press on the break, releasing the cruise control and slow down…..As I was sitting at the stop light near the office, gloating about my cruise control, I felt that familiar tap on my shoulder…..Yes Father….ok, I am sorry for gloating, but sure like that cruise control!  “Kathie, not here about your gloating, but do watch that….about cruise control……You know, I too offer a form of “cruise control”   “Father, what the heck are you talking about??!!”   “Now, Kathie…..be still and think about it for just a minute…..think about setting your life on my ‘cruise control.’  Set your life on ME and don’t hit the brake when things aren’t going just your way……Set your life on ME……let ME be your total, constant guide….let ME be in control……..Trust and Believe in My will for your life…..not just the big stuff…..everything….every day…….every which but loose from Me!!!!  I love you, I want what’s best for you!  Relax…..be still…..set My cruise and be ready to be blessed!”  Wow, Father….You are so smart…..don’t understand why you love us so much, but sure glad You do!  Help us be strong in our faith so we willingly let You be in control of our lives!  And thanks for the many blessings!  Father I just love the colors of fall! 

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.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21.  “I know 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 t 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.  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 from of old.  Psalm 25:5-6.  Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.  Proverbs 16:20.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5.

Love you all!

October 1, 2012

Good Morning Friends!! Magnificent is our God, Monday!  Last week a sweet friend gave me a bag of fresh green apples.  You know the tart ones that are so good for cooking and baking!  Well, I had a busy week and didn’t get to them, but Saturday afternoon as it was raining I decided to make some applesauce.  I had not made applesauce for, probably, a couple of years.  I love to make it for Kim, with Splenda, so it’s good for him and lots of cinnamon!  So I peeled, cored, chopped, and flopped them in a pan with a little water….soon the water was boiling, so I turned it down to simmer.  Within a few minutes I was able to perform my first mash!  Soon I was adding the Splenda and cinnamon….oh did it ever smell wonderful!  If I do say so myself, the final product was quite yummy!  Hailey, Cooper and Katy were all there for a visit so I shared with them and they loved it too!  It’s always, a joy to treat your family to something special, especially when it’s so good for them too.  The final product was worth the work for sure…..took a little time to get there, but no pain no gain right!!  So applesauce is cooling, everyone has had a little taste and there on the counter is a big bowl of peelings and cores…….so, you are thinking….throw them away and get the mess cleaned up right?  Nope…..not one peel, seed, core….not one little speck was wasted!!!!  Out to the critters I went….oh how the donkeys love apple peels and the bunnies too!  You should have seen them all quivery with excitement as I opened their cage and gave them a few peels.  All the rest…..to my precious chickens!  They ate it all….every last seed!  Not one piece was wasted, rather, what some might think is worthless fed my critters….nourished and treated them too!  Just think what we could accomplish if we didn’t waste any of the talents/skills that God gives us…..oh we go around thinking we don’t have any talents, we can’t do anything special, nothing to help anyone……Just think about it…..if apple peelings can make donkeys bray in delight and bunnies quiver with excitement, just think what one of your beautiful smiles could do for someone having a bad day….how about the neighbor kid waiting for his parents to get home from work that needs help with his homework…..or maybe a snack.  How about the young mom juggling little ones in the grocery line….would it be a waste to let her go in front of you….then maybe helping her to her car to get loaded up?  How about the bake sale for Relay for Life, or Sunday school class without a teacher….how about the old neighbor that needs help with her yard…..or a friend that needs help with a recipe…….are you thinking these aren’t talents Kathie…..Oh yes….I think they are…..when we use our hearts, minds, and bodies to help others we are serving our Heavenly Father…..we are using the gifts He gave us for good…….No act is too small…Wouldn’t it be a shame to waste what He has given us!  Heavenly Father, thank you for equipping us with wonderful bodies and minds, fill our hearts with the desire to use all that you give us to help others.  To You be the glory.  And Father, thank you for yummy apples, friends that share and all our wonderful critters!

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  1 Corinthians 12:5.  It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere.  Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him.  Deuteronomy 13:4.  If anyone serves, He should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Crist.  1 Peter 4:11.  Each one should use whatever gift He has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  1 Peter 4:10.  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.  1 Timothy 1:12.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10. 

Love you all!