God's Power is Perfect in Our Weakness!

Please Read Acts Chapter 27, either before or after reading this.

Imagine being on a trip you dread, you are already sick, but now you have to sail in the midst of cold turbulent water. As a prisoner you are being taken to appear before Cesar on trial, so you have no choice. You board a stinky cold ship, feeling horrible, you try to stay positive. The ship sets sail in the worst of conditions.

A few days out, things only get worse, the waves grow stronger, all hands on deck are scurrying doing everything they can just to keep the small boat in a vast sea floating. Food is scarce, and because the stars were hidden by clouds, the captain has sailed off course

With little food, and sunken hopes of living through this, Paul stands up and tries to encourage his jailer and the deck hands. "Yet I urge you to keep your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Cesar; and behold God has granted you all those who are sailing with you. Therefore keep up your courage, men, for I believe that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." Acts 27:22-25 (NASB)

If I were one of those deck hands my thoughts might have been, "Great-even if I survive the icy water, will I have the strength to swim to shore? Even if I do, how will I ever get back home to my family and friends?"

Paul goes on to encourage them to eat because he knows they're going to need energy to finish this journey either by working harder than they've ever had to, or swimming like an awesome fish. Finally after literally working their hinnies off, they see an island.

Then, the soldiers plan to kill the prisoners. Typically a jailer's head would have rolled if his prisoner got away. Poor Paul, he doesn't seem to be able to win for loosing, but wait...God is on his side!

"but the centurion, wanting to keep Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump over board first and get to land, and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they were all brought safely to land." Acts 27:43&44 (NASB)

I love this example of life in Christ! Do you understand? Even though God loves you as He did Paul, YOU are going to experience the pits of life, love and adventures, but like Paul, God will see you through! In the storms of life embrace and seek the grace of Christ.

Keep Growing and Going You are not Home yet!

"And He said to me,

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfect in weakness."

Second Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)

...But a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised

"While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed."

But He said,"On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

Luke 11: 27 and 28 (NASB)

Do these words shock you? They shouldn't. Who is worthy of Glory, Honor and praise?

"saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

And every created thing which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,

To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."

Revelation 5:12-13 (NASB)

God entrusted each of us to the best mother according to our needs. Mary was the best mother for Jesus, just as you were given to your mother because of your personality, physical, and spiritual being. Although we love our mothers dearly, we must love, the author and perfecter of our faith-God even more.

If you were blessed with a Godly mother who taught you about your Heavenly Father, praise God for her. Thank Him for entrusting your life to her.

If your Momma wasn't a believer, there is still a reason God put you in her care. If she is alive share Jesus with her. You may have been born to lead her to Christ.

If you've been blessed with children, spend your life as a mother showing them love for God by example. Your children's salvation should be your greatest joy. God forbid any family member would be lost because of our lack of example, or lack of love.

"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.

Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when the Lord said to me, "Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear my words so they may learn to fear Me all the days of their life on earth, and that they may teach their children."

Deuteronomy 3:9 & 10 (NASB)

God hasn't changed- He still requires the same heartfelt devotion from His people. We have responsibilities as parents, grandparents and to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember your Momma on Mother's Day! But give glory to God your Heavenly Father.

Finally, my favorite verses about a Godly woman are found in Proverbs chapter 31:10-31. I hope God can find all these qualities in me at the end of my days on this earth! Happy Mother's Day! May God help you be the mother and grandmother he asks you to be.

Green Bean Casserole may give you cramps and even make you dance!

How many of you have ever had "recipe surprises" that tickle your toes?

Well as usual, I was "experimenting" with a new one I've ate, but never made myself on Easter. Green Bean Casserole- every one's favorite right? :D Well, maybe not in our house. My mother in law was here and I asked her if she liked it. She said, "Oh yes, and I haven't had it since my mother was alive."

So of course that spurred me on. I got the recipe out, while Mark and his father were outside. (I have to be sneaky about some of my cooking. Mark thinks he hates onions, mushrooms and lots of other good ingredients, so I slip them in when he's not looking. Most of the time, he doesn't have a clue, and life goes on merrily.) I mixed all the ingredients and added the french fried onions on top, before we knew it it was time to eat.

The guys came in. Mark says, "Um, what smells so good?"

"I don't know? It might be the homemade macaroni and cheese or the green bean casserole, you're smelling."

We prayed, then began fixing our plates. Marky takes a little ham, sweet potatoes, corn, macaroni & cheese and even tries the green bean casserole, yeah hey! He eats all that, and by golly he goes back for more sweet potatoes and and another huge helping of green bean casserole. He finishes that, and scoops on an even larger helping of the green bean casserole. My eyes must have bugged out a little, my mother in law leans over and says, "Look at that, I thought you said he hates onions and mushrooms!"

"Rats!" Of course he heard. The fork action stops. You guessed it- I got "the glare." Mark didn't finish that last little bit.

A few hours latter after coconut cake and coffee Mark and I decided to take a shower. We're getting undressed and talking as usual. He tells me what a good supper it was and how he appreciates all the hard work. I smile, adjust the water and we step into the water.

All of the sudden, in the midst of soaping up, Mark grabs his hinnie and hollers, "Oh no!"

I have shampoo in my eyes, but I manage to see Mark sharting. (For those of you who may not know what that is, well it's when you think you have gas- but there's an eruption!) Needless to say green bean casserole decorated the shower wall.

All I could do was laugh. I laughed so hard, yellow water ran down my legs. :D Mark was extremely upset. He screamed, "I'm gonna tell you something right now, from now on there better not be anything in my green beans, except a little bit of butter. Do you understand me?"

Giggling even harder, I managed to grab him and just move his hinnie in front of the water. (There's no better place to shart, than in the shower! It just washes right down the drain!) I reminded him that probably wouldn't have happened if he wouldn't have made such a little piggy of himself.

"Kathy, I mean it-Nothing but butter in my green beans from now on."

Ha- little does he know the sausage casserole I made today for lunch had two small onions minced up and a can of mushroom soup in that too. ;D Don't worry he only ate one big bowl of that before he left for work today.

"A time to weep and a time to laugh,

A time to mourn and a time to Dance." Psalms 3:4 (NASB)

Read Psalms 3 there's a time for Everything!

Live your Life with Zeal!

"Do Not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both the soul and the body in hell." Matthew 10:28

I watched a movie last night called, "Lady Jane." I selected it because I had a close family member who had nicknamed me "Lady Jane," when I was young. I use to ask, "Why do you call me that?" With a smile she'd reply, "When you get older you'll have to read the story-then you'll know why."

Latter, I found myself often calling Heidi, "Lady Jane" when she showed her stubborn or zealous passions for life and God. At times she seems so much like her Momma in both her body and soul. Yet she truly is a unique person in Christ . :)

"Lady Jane" was one of the best movies I think I've ever seen. It starts out extremely dry, in fact, I almost turned it off. After the first fifteen minutes the whole plot sped up and I was totally enchanted for the rest of the movie. I will not tell you about the story. I'd rather you just watch it for yourself-I think you'll agree it is a wonderful true story about zeal, passion and devotion to God at all costs.

Ignorance about life, love and the true values of life are NOT bliss. You will only make the most out of anything you do in life by researching the facts, finding a zeal in your commitments and whatever you do-do it for the glory of God.

"He who has found his life will loose it, and he who has lost his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39 (NASB)

"The one who endures until the end, he will be saved." Matthew 23:13 (NASB)

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you." John 14:16 & 17 (NASB)

And this is why you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you!

God Bless You, today and always for seeking and serving Him.

Who will you cling to on your last day?

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

Colossians 3:17 (NASB)

So many of you have called, or wrote today wondering if we survived the storms that riped across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee yesterday. Thank you for your prayers and concerns. Our family which is spread all over the nation has been kept by God so far. But I have absolutely No doubt He will take each of us as our time on earth ends. Please pray for the families who have lost their homes, jobs and even loved ones during these trying times.

We serve a Living Awesome God. He is not dead, but in fact rides on every storm we face in life. Think about all the major earth changes we have seen in the past couple of years, consuming earth quakes, tsunamis that have swallowed thousands of lives in vast walls of water, lightening strikes that ignite fires, and now tornadoes that reach ten miles into the atmosphere and are a mile across that blow lives completely apart.

There has never been so many Warning Signs from heaven.

God seems to be pleading, "I Am Coming Back For You Soon; Are You Ready?

I Love You, But I'm tired of your unfaithfulness to me. I want to be the center of your life, but you continue to ignore me. What will it take to get your attention?"

169 devastating tornadoes riped through the South yesterday. Many were labeled F4, which meant they were over 169 mph. some were even F5 which means they were over a mile wide and rotated over 200 mph. There are still people missing, at least their bodily forms are missing. The creator-our sustainer, knows where their souls are, either in heaven or hell.

As I sat looking into a baby blue calm sky today, I wondered, how many people I know really are prepared to enter eternity? How many of my neighbors would be in heaven if God the Father had decided last night Shepherds Crossing would be wiped off the earth? God rides all our storms in life. But He never forces His presence. People accept or reject Him.

Would you cling to Him as a giant wave took the breath from your lungs? Could you praise God if a tornado swept your helpless body into a tunnel of wind? Will you call Him your Savior and Friend if a disease like cancer slowly whittles the life out of you?

Lord Jesus, help us all to understand we are like blades of grass. We may be here today and gone tomorrow. You Lord, are the giver and keeper of life. Our bodies are not our own, but yours. Remind us and keep us close while we are in these bodies teach us to love and serve you, our Almighty Sovereign Lord. Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings flow.

"For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."

Colossians 2: 5 & 6 (NASB)

If you have been blessed to have accepted the Son of God-Jesus Christ as your personal savior, share Him with others. You are the light in a dark world, those you love, or care about need our savior too. Would any of us want our loved ones to spend eternity separated from God?

(The picture above is some orange blossoms and roses I picked from my back yard. Imagine towns around you being wiped off the earth, but most of the roses in my back yard were still in tact this morning. How can anyone doubt God's power or love?)

Adjust your sails and press on!: Stay Young at Heart

Adjust your sails and press on!: Stay Young at Heart: "Mark started a different shift yesterday, which allowed me to work in the yard until almost 9:30 last night. It was so nice to get out the..."

Stay Young at Heart

Mark started a different shift yesterday, which allowed me to work in the yard until almost 9:30 last night. It was so nice to get out there and dig in the dirt, transplant roses to new areas and enjoy the company of so many wonderful neighbors. I love it when people just stop to visit. I especially enjoy the little children.

Children just give you a refreshing out look on the simplest pleasures of life! Do you remember picking dandelions as a child? Emily, one of my little neighbors reminded me of that joy. She carefully walked around my yard selecting the fuzzy "perfect ones" as she called them. She'd gently pick each one inspect it for perfection and carry it around until the wind caught it and disfigured it, then she'd go find another one to pick.

As a child I loved picking the "dead heads" as I called them and blowing the fuzz off. I made chains, necklaces and rings out of their hollow stems. Steph and I could spend all afternoon decorating life with our special treasures from dandelion stems. One time we even made "lace curtains" from a bunch of those stems for our play house, which was really nothing more than a sunken living room in the middle of our woods.

I'm so thankful for the presence of little children in my life. Their honesty, gentleness and out look on simplicity should be brought back to life in adults. We need to live and love with sincere passion, like we did as children. Actually, being around people of all ages is what I really enjoy. Older people have gleaned so much knowledge, who can't learn from one who has lived longer? People my age share many of the same triumphs and trials. But a child can simply put life back into it's proper perspective. God has put so many details into life. I hope we can always learn and grow from the beginning, until the day or evening we exit this life, don't you?

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And He called a little child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:1-6 (NASB)

"Wisdom is with aged men, With long life is understanding."

Job 12:12 (NASB)

"A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 17:17 (NASB)