Jesus Take the Wheel

"Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always , so that it might go well with them and their children forever!" Deuteronomy 5:29 (NIV)

Tell me something, does your heart ever stray from wanting to do the right thing? Mine does, for example we have a gay couple across the street. They know I don't agree with a lot of things they do. For example they have a huge dog which they walk twice a day religiously. Part of the reason they walk this dog is to keep him from pooping in their yard. On a regular basis they let that dog take a huge dump out in my front yard.

On top of all this I've told them to take him else where to do his business, but their answer to that is, "Well as long as we clean it up what does it matter?" Frankly, I don't want this dog who seems as large as Sham moo, humped over dumping in my yard. I don't want my dog exposed to his nastiness, or to think that's the place to poop. On top of everything else other dogs are now enticed to poop because of the smell.

This makes me furious especially since I've taught my dog to poop in his own backyard. I'd cringe if he pooped in someone else's yard, because that would be disrespectful. There's a part of me that would really like to dump a huge pile from every dog in the neighborhood on their front porch. Now I realize this is immature, but the thought and desire is still there. Please pray for my immature thoughts. This would be just as disrespectful as what they are doing.

God looks at our hearts. The scary part of the thought process is,that thoughts often become actions. In order to keep from sinning we have to constantly monitor thoughts and desires. Sin creeps in and persuades us away from what God sees as pleasing.

Wow what a day

Do you ever have those days that you seem to get out of the bed on the wrong side and it seems to roll super fast down hill from there?

That's what my day has been like. I'm doing taxes this week which says a mouthful for me. I hate keeping track of all that picky little stuff like miles and where you spent the majority of money. (Which these days seem to be doctors, prescriptions, office supplies and of course food!) By the end of the day my stomach is bleeding and my head is pounding. And oh yes, in less than 365 days we can start it all again.

I'll be thrilled when this stuff is finished and sent in. I'm sure the tax lady will be glad too especially after she cashes that check to do about 3 hours of paper work. I wish I only spent that much time digging all this stuff and compiling the numbers.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 7:19-21 (NIV)

Maybe it's a blessing not to make a lot of money. When God gives us what we need our hearts, minds and soul, are content to put our real treasures where they belong-in heaven. ;)

Our All Knowing God Watches and Cares for us

" I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed He who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep. The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more." Psalm 121 (NIV)

You know as I read these words I find great comfort. The very God who put this world into existence watches over me. When my children were small I remember the fear of loosing one or both of them in sickness or an accident. Fear can consume us if we let it.

As time and circumstances took our family through the trials of life I came to realize just how awesome my God really is! I can honestly say I am thankful for the fiery trials I've seen in this life, because in those times Jesus held my family and me close to His breast. Those are the times He let me know what an awesome, personal Savior I have who cares for me and my family more than any human ever could.

I'd really rather have Jesus more than anything this world could ever offer. I'd rather go through the fiery furnace of trials with Jesus; than to have never have felt His tender embrace and had a "perfect life with earthly wealth." Do you know the peace that only Jesus gives?

Tell me your thoughts, email me at : kathlenefisher@yahoo.com. Thank you and God Bless you with His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Our God is an Awesome God!

"Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is Good; his love endures forever." Jeremiah 33 : 11 (NIV)

God's love and timing are perfect. Mark took me to Atlanta to see Dr. Binderow today. On the way back we seen an accident where at least 6 cars hit each other. Had my appointment been on time with Dr. Binderow we would have been a part of that pile up on I-85.

It never ceases to amaze me how God takes care of His children. Even in the worst of times He's there to guide and direct. None of those cars were horribly damaged. In fact I doubt anyone was hurt, unless they were not wearing their seat belt. But as sore as I've been, a car wreck right now would not be good. I'm not sure if my bowel could take a big jerk from a seat belt right now.

Dr. Binderow said he had to put my bowel in a "new place" to try to keep it where it's suppose to be. Obviously, it doesn't like it's new spot and it's trying to get comfortable which is hurting me. At night it feels like the bowel is gonna pop, it hurts so bad. Dr. Binderow assures me this is normal and it will hurt for at least another month and probably 2 months.

I also need to take this part into consideration when I'm eating. I ate a delicious bowl of Chili-Con-Caren the other night with lots of Mexican cheese on top. It was so good going in! But I honestly thought I was gonna die before the night ended. I ended up drinking a glass of wine just to get it to start coming back out. And oh the stink, I caused as it made it's daub in the toilet! The poor dog even ran out of the bathroom as he came in to see what was going on. Mark said, "What did you do to him? His tail even straightened out."

I just laughed. What could I say? It's a real blessing we have windows that open in the bathroom. If we didn't I might kill Mark and myself with the stink!

Sometimes we run, sometimes we walk and then there are times we crawl. I'm crawling now-

It's been said, "Struggle is a form of education." I guess I would agree with that. It's not pleasant, but sometimes it may be necessary for growth.

I've had a little set back in my health again. I'm either experiencing a really bad infection or my bowel is being choked off again. I'm hurting a lot and it's hard to concentrate. I'd appreciate your prayers and love. Both are always what pull me through. I'll go see Dr. Binderow tomorrow.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to up root, ... Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 (NIV)

God bless and keep you always. Love you-

Kathy

We will Bend, but hopefully we won't break.

"The moon will shine like the sun,and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted." Isaiah 30:26 (NIV)

Mark and I were watching a program on the history channel, concerning the book of Revelation. (Of course this was after the electric came back on. Our little town saw a little bit of everything Sunday...sun,rain, freezing rain, hail and then snow flakes as big as big oak leaves that quickly gave us 7 or 8 inches of the white stuff in less than four hours. The power was out from 4:30 to 10:00 that night.) Ironically, scientist and Bible scholars are all warning we are in the "last days." Everything is pointing to the Lords return.

Before that happens I believe we will see, and live through some very unpleasant things. Is your faith tough enough to endure the hard times? There's never been a better time to read, study and know your Savior and His word than today. Strengthen your faith. Hang on to your Christian friends; all the signs of the times are pointing to this old world's end. Watch the Eastern Sky. Our redemption draws nigh! Never be afraid to really live, or die. Jesus promises to be with us through it all, if you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. :)

Every Believer Needs there own space...

"Each one should use the gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms."

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

"...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...." Romans 12:5&6 (NIV)

The text goes on to say use whatever God has given you use it in the best way you can cheerfully, to glorify God. In short we all have jobs to do that will build and help other parts of the body of Christ grow and function at their best.

Yesterday, I went back to my surgeon for a 2 week follow up check up. In the past two weeks I've felt better and am functioning better than I have in a long time. Since August of 2008 I lost control of my bladder. I wore a patch to keep me from wetting my pants. I was taking medicines to try to clear up abscesses on abscesses in my urinary tract and bladder. I was bleeding and hurting more than most of you can imagine.

Along with that, my only bowel was strangulated between mesh, muscle and my stoma. I was literally trying to evacuate my one and only bowel. All this made ridding in a car excruciatingly painful. The tears would flow from the vibration, just traveling down the road.

Amazingly, since surgery I can ride, and walk without too much pain. Mesh and muscles were weighing on my bladder and urinary tract. I don't have to wear the pee patch anymore! Yeah Hey!! My bowel was taken out of the muscle and stoma and Dr. Binderow reconstructed it. It still hurts, but wow what an awesome relief!

I'm telling you all this to remind you, every part of the body of Christ needs it's own space to function. We can help each other by allowing the other members to function without extra pressure. No two people will do things exactly a like, that's okay! We're different for a special season, that's enough reason! We also need to remember, it's okay to let others help us when they can. But no one can carry your load for you. Just like my bladder and bowel needed relief from other pressing, overbearing parts; other believers can't be put under pressure to the point of death.

Look around you in your family, your church, and your Christian friendships; are their stresses that may lead to pain or even death? If there are, try to help fix them. Be a helpful body member. ;)

PS... I know I've overtaxed some of you with my heavy load in the past. I'm so sorry. Be blunt-let me know if I do it again. I wouldn't hurt you for anything. I love you.