I will write as soon as I can

I'll be going to the hospital for some surgery in a little while. I may be there a few days I'll write as soon as I can when I get home. Kathy

You are an awesome art work!

I'm sure some of you wonder why I am so fascinated by rocks, streams and water falls. I know my own family get tired of the"nature walks and talks." But I am continually amazed by the way God parallels life in His artwork in Nature.

I often go to a place called Hurricane Shoals that's only about 20 minutes from my house. I am always amazed to see what God has changed in the shoals. Every time I go there are subtle changes. I can almost imagine God the Father swirling His finger in the pools of water to make the changes.

He never stops working on us either. Lovingly He adds or subtracts little things in our lives to change who we are. His Love, like the water constantly flows over our souls. As believers it's important to remember to love as He loves. Love and the word of God will not return void if it's constantly present.

When I think about how the water constantly rushes over the rocks, over a period of time the rocks crack, or erode into a whole new shape. That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it, you will change over time, and some things instantly!

God's word and love will make your life's canvas change. Keep reading, loving and moving on. So many are watching your transformation. Some will come to know Christ because of your life. You're an awesome workmanship created in Christ Jesus.

"I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands, I have hidden your words in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:10 and 11 (NIV)

"Now to you who believe, this stone is precious, But to them who do not believe,

"The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall."

They stumble because they disobey the message-which is also what they were destined for." 1 Peter 2: 7 and 8 (NIV)

"Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:10 (NIV)

Yeah though I walk through the valley...I will fear No evil for thou art with me.

Around three o'clock on Monday afternoon they'll put me to sleep again for another surgery. As the anthologist puts me to sleep they always ask me to count to ten backwards. I smile and shake my head, but I always start reciting the 23rd Psalm instead. Counting backwards never reassures me like God's Word does. :)

If you think of me, I'd appreciate your prayers. Pray that Dr. Binderow will once again have the patience to untangle the mesh messes and hernias that he'll skillfully untangle, repair and recreate where he needs too. Isn't it amazing the wisdom and skill God gives doctors to fix these temporary bodies?

I am thankful that I've been with you all so long because of medical wisdom, guidance and patients with me. I often feel like Humpty Dumpty. I lift to much, and bust my gut, and the Dr. Binderow puts me back together again. ;)

I really appreciate all of you loving and putting up with me as well. I'm not very nice when I'm really hurting or hungry. Some of you have endured so much with me, I love you dearly. Thank you for your prayers. I know that without your love, prayers and encouragement I would have quit a long time ago. God Bless and keep all of you.

Most of all I'm thankful to my wonderful Savior and God. As I say the 23rd Psalm, I'll be climbing up on His lap. Where I'll escape this body and pain. Again His open arms will hold me until the physical pain subsides. What a sweet and perfect place to be! Have you ever heard that song: "Sometimes He calms the storm, and other times He hold his child?" Personally I'd rather be held, because when He holds me that's when I know How much He loves me. Does that make since?

Never fear what life holds for you, simply reach up and take your Fathers hand!

Life and Love are Awesome, but knowing God is the best! So with that I'll gladly let Him put me through the test!

But the Gift of God is Eternal Life!

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NIV)

How true that is, thinking back on my life it is so amazing that God has allowed and given me breath this long. I have had the pleasure of fast cars and some crazy adventures in them. My dad clocked me going over 110 mph one day on my way to work on route M-66, in Michigan. Frankly, the speed and lack of real skill, at 17 wasn't as terrifying as my father catching me.

Needless to say that day quickly revoked my driving privileges. But I loved racing, and it's fair to say I didn't have enough common sense to fear death at the time. Through the years God's mercy and grace have revealed major flaws in my character and habits. And then, I was blessed with a son and daughter who really put the fear of God in me about radical driving, dare devil stunts, and lack of common sense around dangerous people.

I am rarely afraid of anyone I may encounter, or what I will say to them. Unfortunately, my daughter is even less intimidated by any person. I ask God every day to watch over my children. Michael loves a fast car even more than Mark, or I do. Heidi has a beautiful smile and a pretty face, she fears no one. She's a missionary over seas. She travels and meets all kinds of people.

The fear of something happening to one or both of my children is some times overwhelming. Yet, they both like me know Jesus as their personal Savior. Because He lives and holds all our futures I can face tomorrow. With confidence, I know that one by one we shall all die in these temporary bodies. But because Jesus lives, we too shall live in permanent bodies in heaven, with Him. Eventually we will all meet up again in heaven.

The best gift I ever gave my children as a parent was introducing them to Jesus. Once they asked Him for forgiveness of their sin and ask Him to be their Savior they were His. I can never out love, or out give my Lord. My family is in the best of hands. God holds their hearts, bodies and souls! That's an Awesome blessing As a Mom!

Carry on my Wayward Son....There will be peace when you are done!

As those words run through my head I can still hear one or both of my parents screaming, "Turn it down, or turn it off right now, Kathlene!" I still love that song. If you listen to the words it is so true for Christians.

We are all God's wayward sons or daughters. We try to stay on the straight and narrow and please God. But before we know it, we've slipped into sin again. Sometimes we get so discouraged, and even depressed. It's so important to encourage one another. As we help each other on the journey, this life can be productive and even fun. It's so good to meet in God's house, the church. We all have different sins, but we can encourage growth and happiness in Christ.

Should you encounter the lofty believer who thinks they have no sin, remember God loves you. He's here for you and so are other believers. Remember the woman who had several different husbands? Jesus, the only person without sin confronted those pompous people in such a tactful way.

"When they kept questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any of you is without sin let him be the first to throw the first stone at her."

John 8:7 (NIV)

One by one they all walked away. After they all were gone, Jesus said to her, "go and sin no more." God does not expect perfection. He just wants you to try to walk in the light. As you grow in love and grace through His word, it will become easier to do what's right.

Never forget you have a Savior who loves you more than anyone ever could on earth. He holds his arms out to hug you. Let Him pick you up when you fall. We all fall down; the real issue is do you try again or just give up?

Put your Faith where it Belongs!

" for God's gifts and his calling are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." Romans 11:29-32 (NIV)

Do you see what Paul is saying here? Believers in God have a calling, it is irrevocable, but the only difference between a sinner saved by grace and an unsaved sinner, is that believers in God, have accepted God's grace through Christ's death, burial and resurrection. But even after we accept God's grace, from our sin, we all still fall into disobedience again, but God again extends mercy and grace. When we fall down He picks us up.

You can not put your complete faith in any person who has walked the face of this earth,except Jesus Christ. Because we are all bound to fail, and fall from grace. You can put any human life under a microscope, and I promise you will find short comings, failure and fault. In my life, you would not even have to look beyond any given day; I promise you will find several human flaws. Stop putting your faith and hope in mere men. You will only find contentment, peace and security in Jesus Christ.

"Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up." James 4:10 (NIV)

Stop searching for what only God can give in and of Himself. You were created to serve and worship God Almighty, not any person or thing. If you've accepted God's mercy and grace, extend love and forgiveness to others, so they can see Christ in you. We all fall down, it's the common bond that binds us together. Only Christ can pick us up, but forgiveness and love cover a multitude of sins.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV)

The Ultimate Price

I was recently asked what my favorite toys were as a child. I might have been a little different than most girls. I loved my favorite baby doll, but I equally loved playing with Army Jeeps.

I grew up during the Vietnam War. I watched the news with my parents. I remember my mom crying, and my dad shaking his head in disgust about all our soldiers dying for another countries cause. I'd go outside and become the Super Nurse who saved everyone. I jumped in my jeep, and arrived just in time to save every soldier! I never tired, and was invincible from bombs or gunfire!

Ironically, I'd still like to be the super hero who saves everyone, but I can't. People make choices and they have to live with the consequences. Sometimes I have no idea how to help, other times my advice is slung like dung to the closest flusher.

Imagine how Jesus felt as He faced Calvary for you and me. The perfect lamb, who knew no sin, yet He was about to die for our sins. He was the perfect solution; His perfect life crucified, to pay for our eternal life. Yet there would be those who would reject His ultimate love and sacrifice.

"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father glorify your name!" John 12:27 & 28 (NIV)

"Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." John 12: 44-46