It's just a Rainy Day

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me-put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8 & 9 (NIV)

So often, I need this verse to remind me God is in control and I need to let Him have His way. Today has just been one of those days. If I start crying, I'll probably cry for at least two days, and probably more.

So many things are out of my control. It's best just best to let go, and let God do whatever He sees fit. Sorry I'm not very happy or inspiring today. Hope your day is going a lot better than mine.

Christ The Lord is Risen Today Halelujah!

That first Resurrection Morning gave us a permanent security to God the Father, through Jesus the Son. Though these earthly bodies will die, unless Jesus comes back first, as believers our soul will not taste death. That's Awesome! When I am absent from my body I will go directly home to heaven to be with Jesus.

Easter is awesome because it represents new life in Christ. Some people think the bunnies, chocolate and big meal are a disgrace. Personally, it reminds me we have a reason to celebrate. I love to eat; if you don't well then just push away from the table. I'll be glad to eat your ham and deviled eggs latter.

The bunnies represent new life. Rabbits multiply fast, may we as Christians spread the word and multiply just as fast!

As for the chocolate, well I love that too. If you don't want yours, I'll eat that too! Hope you went to church today. It's an awesome place to celebrate what Christ did, and will continue to do in and through us.

"So it shall be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor and raised in glory; it is sown in weakness and raised in power; it is sown in a natural body and it is raised a spiritual body."

1 Corinthians 15 : 42-44 (NIV)

Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Hoppy Easter!

One Day or Living He loved me

When I was eleven I was "saved." That was the coolest day of my life, in so many ways. Those first few steps up the church isle, my feet felt like lead, but the closer I came to the pastor, I was almost running. I remember Pastor Shepherd's arms opening wide, as he scooped me up. (I had been a regular visitor at his house for over a year before. Often interrupting his Sunday afternoon naps, dew to joking and giggling with his girls.) So many of my New Beginnings in Christ were at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Ionia Michigan.

I remember asking Jesus to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart. I sobbed because I knew my sin caused His death. But after I was forgiven and asked Him to come into my heart; I remember feeling like hot bubbles were filling my insides. I smiled a lot after that, and Mr. Reinhart nick named me Son Shine. Some of those same people still call me that today. Although many of them have gone "Home," as the years quickly passed.

One of the most memorable ladies in the church was Sophie Ranger. She intimidated me, but I respected her. She was the pianist, who loved to play. She loved this song called, "One Day." I'm sure some of you know it. I remember Sophie bouncing around pumping those pedals with her feet, and her hands wildly pounding, as we sang along. She'd often glance back with a big smile. As teenagers, some of us got a big kick out of watching her.

Sophie passed away two Sundays ago, sometime just before Sunday School usually starts. I couldn't help, but think what a wonderful day that must have been for her. Sophie had a nine year old daughter who loved Jesus. Janet was riding her bike, not a block from where she lived on M-44 in Belding Michigan, one day after school. She was probably singing and smiling she went along. A driver coming home from work was temporarily blinded by the sun. That lady never seen Janet; and Janet probably didn't see her. The car hit Janet and she died.

As Sophie was absent from the body and present with the Lord, I'm sure Janet was one of the first to hug her, Momma. I'm sure that was the best Sunday morning worship service they enjoyed together! There's a peace that surpasses all understanding in knowing Jesus. I hope you have it!

I was singing that song outside today. In the chorus it talks about all the basics of Salvation. So many verses flood my head again today. They're so good print this off and look them up God will bless you with them, I promise!

The following in orange are the words in the chorus. Go ahead sing it if you want to! I still love that old song, and sing it sometimes in the shower! Aren't you glad you don't live with me? ;)

Living He loved me (Read Mark 12: 29-33)

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV) How true!

Dying He saved me. "For the wages of sin death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23 (See Psalms 68: 20 too)

Buried He carried my sins far away As you asked Jesus to forgive your sins those sins were buried with Him, if you were baptized, as you went under the water that represented death to sin. They're no longer part of you. Live and act pleasing to Christ Jesus. (See Romans 6:4)

Rising He Justified Freely Forever Just as Christ died, was buried and rose again so you too shall do, unless he returns before you die. You must be born again though, accept Christ as your Savior if you want to go to heaven. You will go to either Heaven or Hell depending on your relationship with Christ, forgiveness and allowing the holy ghost to guide and direct your life.

(See 1 Corinthians 15: 35-42)

One day He's coming, Oh Glorious Day! The books of Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation all talk about His Return. I think were living in the "last days." Are you ready? I'll be glad to pray with you if you're not. Email me, and I'll call you.

Happy Easter!! kathlenefisher@yahoo.com

Here are a few more verses if you'd like to look them up: Forgiveness Matthew 26:28 Luke 24:47 Faithfulness to God: 1 Corinthians 4:2

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12 The same Lord who began a good work in you will complete it!

Awesome Friday!

I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about what Christ had to go through for us. You know there had to be a tremendous amount of love and longing for intimacy with us. Not only did He stretch out His arms and say I love you this much to die, the betrayal of all twelve disciples had to mentally crush His heart. (They denied they knew him, and scurried like scarred dogs.)

I've lived through some difficult physical circumstances, but I can endure physical pain with love and emotional support. Do you need love and support through trying times? Often love and emotional bonds with God, and others are my only sustenance for survival.

So many passages are flipping through my head this morning, there's no way I'll be allowed to write them all out, so please print this and take the time to go over them when you're alone, or with your family and God. I know He'll appreciate and bless you for taking the time to appreciate His love and sacrifice for you.

Think about the night before the crucifixion. (Mark 14:17-51) Jesus asks His closest friends to go with him to the garden of Gethsemane. His feet must have felt physically weak and weighed down, but his heart felt the the betrayal he knew was coming from his dearest friends. He asked them to keep watch and pray while he spent time alone with God the Father; they fell asleep. Imagine sweating drops of blood fromemotional and mental pain. As you return your closest friends are snoring, and at peace as you face your final physical hours on earth.

Once again, Jesus wakes them, and asks them to pray for their own spiritual welfare, but again he returns to slumbering weak followers. (Remember, Jesus is also God, part of the trinity, so He knew all that was coming.) Peter was one of his closest friends.

"Peter declared, Even if all fall away I will not."

"I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, today-yes tonight-before the rooster crows twice you will deny me three times." Mark 14:29-30 (NIV)

And sure enough, as the cock crowed the second time, Peter had denied he knew who Christ was. Can you feel the pain? Imagine Peter's guilt and shame as he caught Christ's eyes.

Until, Jesus stretched out his arms and endured death on that cross, you and I had no way to God the Father. The blood of spotless animals was used for a sin offering. Believers had to go to a high priest with a sin offering, and confession to the priest. If the priest, who took the offerings of sacrifice into the holy temple was unclean, he died. Mere men always have the sin factor. There isn't one of us who can even come close to God's measure of righteousness without Christ's shedding of blood. These priest went into the holy temple with a rope around their leg. If they had any sin in their life, the Spirit of God killed them for entering. Needless to say a lot of dead priests.

(Read Matthew chapters 26-28) Jesus Christ endured and over came so much for us. He was the only sinless perfect sacrifice that would be the final payment once and for all for our sins, if we want a relationship with God the father.

"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split." Matthew 27:50 & 51 (NIV)

That curtain was torn for a reason, you and I can go directly to God the Father for forgiveness. We are all equal and accountable to God. He wants your love, devotion and soul. He literally spilt his blood, and broke His body for you. Jesus Christ is the only way to God the Father and an eternal life in heaven after you die. Like Jesus, your spirit will leave your body when you die.

Open arms, and an ultimate sacrifice are awesome, but most of us need even more. As Jesus was dying Luke recorded a very emotional side of Jesus. "Jesus called out with a loud voice, Father into your hands I commit my spirit. when he had said this, he breathed his last." Luke 23:46 (NIV)

When you're physically, mentally or spiritually beat what do you do?

I am reminded of an incident a few years ago. I had been betrayed by a friend at work. I was talking to my boss about the incident and I began crying. She felt my pain. She said she'd just like to give me a hug before we parted.

As her warm arms wrapped around my shoulders I remember hugging her so tight. It felt so good to feel love and understanding. I felt like a melting snow cone on a hot day. As she began to release me I begged her, "Could you just hold me, just for a minute?"

She graciously did. I knew she knew how much I needed her love and friendship; I still do. We all need certain people and love in life, God designed us, it's healthy to want to give and be loved. Stop fighting it, love is the best blessing in life!

As Jesus spirit went into His Fathers arms how long do you think they embraced? More importantly, it gave Jesus the courage and strength to go down and stomp Satan's head in hell. Hard enough he bruised his heel.

It's always so good when the hard things in life are over. No more, it's finished, I'll never have to do that again. Jesus felt it too.

"This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. he told them, This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all the nations beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses to these things." Luke 24: 44-48 (NIV)

After that God sent the holy spirit to guide and direct us. :) And soon Jesus will be coming back to take us Home, but that's for another day!

It's hard to understand why Good Friday is rarely observed. No other name under heaven was given that we might be saved. Thank you for spending time with me thinking about the ultimate sacrifice. God bless and keep you and may He make His face Shine upon you! Kathy

My special place

Everyone should have a favorite place to go; this is one of mine. I could spend hours here. The rush of the water, the warm southern breeze blowing up through the trees and through my hair. The warm sunshine gently streams down. Any day I have the privilege of going here is a wonderful day!

It's amazing, yesterday it was only 48 degrees, but today it made it all the way up to 63. I love GA. this is really where my heart is. When I think about different places I've been, there are a lot of neat places to visit. None of them feel quite like GA. There are people and places here that have simply stole my heart. I am so glad God transplanted me here.

Do you have a place in your heart on this earth that you can really say this feels like home? I sure hope you do.

"After David had finished talking to Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." 1 Samuel 18:1 (NIV)

It's awesome to love someone so much that you'd do anything for their good.

Michael and Neva married 8 years next week!

This past weekend we spent a few days with Michael and Neva, at their home in Edgemore South Carolina. We had a blast. They sold their new home and purchased a fixer upper just a few miles away.

This home they're living in is coming along with lots of their personal touches. It tickles me at all the pride and self they're putting into this "project" together. Neva is cleaning up and fixing old flower beds in the yard. I think she's the best drywall mudder I've ever met!

Mike is busy with all kinds of carpentry, plumbing and is still repairing all three of their vehicles. He's installed a shower, pipes and pretty cherry bathroom cabinet with a travertine top. He's a whiz kid at inside and exterior doors and crown molding.

Michael really loves his yard! He couldn't wait to start a "Friday night bomb fire."We all laughed and joked around the fire just like we did when he was so young. It amazes me how much your children take with them after they leave the "nest." Values, love and so many good things accompany them in their "new lives"in their own nests.

I'm so proud of the home they've made, not the "things," but the qualities of life they choose to carry with them. Maybe, Mark and I didn't mess our kids up too bad, after all. But the best thing both Michael, Heidi and Neva took with them was the importance of keeping Jesus in the center of home! That fact alone is worth volumes of knowledge, love and understanding. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

"Unless the Lord builds the house, it's builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are son's born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with there enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127 (NIV)

Heidi Is Fine

Some of you probably know that my daughter Heidi is working in Rome Italy. You probably know that there was a horrible earth quake early this morning there. That earth quake was about 45 miles north of where Heidi and Taylor are living.

My father called this morning before I seen the massive damage. I called Heid, but she was over at a friends house watching her children. Taylor told me, Heidi slept through the rumble and shaking. I'm not surprised, that's my Heid. :)

The alternator on my car went out on an express way in Louisiana. I literally, coasted into a Sears automotive shop. After 3 hours it was finally back together and running again. While I sat there with the kids I talked to the nicest older black lady. It was almost 9:00 at night when my car was finished. The repairmen told her an hour earlier that she'd have to find a way home, because they weren't even close to finishing the repairs on her car.

I offered to take her home. She said, "Oh No child, you can't take me home. A pretty little white girl like you would end up dead going down in that part of town after dark."

I felt like I was suppose to take her home. So I waited while she called several family members who all refused to go in that part of town at night. Bless her heart she began to cry. I hugged her and told her, "I'm suppose to take you home." I knew God would see us all safely through.

She was so scared for us. She fretted all the way there and sure enough when we arrived, her windows were all bored up and there was lots of "activity in the neighborhood." (Prostitution, drugs and even some shooting.) She quickly got out, but gave me her number. She wanted me to call her as soon as I got home.

As we left her house and drove down the street we ran into people shooting at each other on both sides of the street. I screamed, "Lay flat on the floor and don't get up until I tell you to!" I floored the car and went right through the shooting as fast as I could. I'm still not sure how we missed being hit.

Michael laid on the floor crying. He yelled out, "My daddy is gonna be so mad you took us down here."

Then up popped that little blond toe head Heidi. With a great big smile she said, "That was so cool, can we do it again?"

"No, get your hindy back down on that floor, right now!" She always has been my little thrill seeker. I've always loved the spice and adventure in life too. I Know as God brings me to things; He always sees me through. Fear is rarely a factor in my life. That being said, I am always concerned for my family and friends.

Please pray for Heidi as her sense of adventure does sometimes lead her to narrow escapes. God will take care of her though, I have no doubt about that. He is an awesome sovereign God!

Read Hebrews chapters 11, 12 and 13 they're Awesome! :)

"So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)

"May the God of peace, who through the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" Hebrews 13:20 & 21 (NIV)

This life is not about our bodies, or our emotional needs. It's about bringing Glory and Honor to Jesus! If he asks us to do something, we need to do it. Life and Love are never boring with Jesus! :)

The picture above is: Heidi Fisher, Taylor Emonds and another friend of theirs Amber who will be in Milan shortly. Taylor and Heidi share a 2 bedroom apartment and work together. Please pray for all believers here and through out the world that God would work through and use them to bring Him glory and honor.