I knew 2 of the lottery winners!

January 18, 2016January 18, 2016 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

With all the hoopla about the lottery this past week, I wanted to let y’all know, I knew 2 of the people that won the lottery. I really didn’t think about it until I talked to my cousin. We had a good friend, who was like family to us, pass away last week. I was talking to my aunt’s granddaughter.

She said,

“On Monday I told my grandmother we need to go buy a lottery ticket. Then, we found out about her friend. I was over here worrying about winning the lottery, when he won the real lottery, He got to go home to be with Jesus.”

Tears flowed & we agreed that was the best lottery there was.

There was another sweet lady, that I had grown up knowing, that passed away, also. She was a school teacher, my school bus driver, an author, a mother, a grandmother, & wonderful Christian. As long as she could go, she was always at church. Another lottery winner.

It all made me think of this scripture:

Matthew 16:26

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

I am so proud for these “lottery winners” this week. They finally gained their home in heaven. I talked to my uncle & aunt, while at the funeral home. My uncle pointed out that he hated to see our friend go, however it was an appointment all of us were going to make. I pray all of us will be ready to make that appointment. We never know when it will be. However, as long as we hold that lottery ticket in our hand, we still have time to prepare. Every day God gives us breath, we have the chance to live for Him. So, let’s do all we can, daily, to be sure we are prepared to have that big win with the lottery one day.

I hope everyone has had a blessed weekend & are ready for a cold week ahead. It was a balmy 21 degrees in our neck of the woods this morning. Miss Neenee has started basketball. I will post some pictures on that soon. She’s already had a couple of games. I am so proud of her. Until next time, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

Yes, weekend again, please.

And these two. I can’t even begin to describe the vast amounts of sweetness in this picture.

Photo credits: http://www.10tv.com & lollywollydoodle instagram

Yesterday she would have been 69 & 5 things it’s changed about me

November 24, 2015November 24, 2015 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

I texted my brother. I called my Daddy. I told Miss Neenee & my sweetie. I went by the cemetery on the way to work. Yesterday, my Mama would have been 69 years old.

Mama, Me, & Mamaw 1990

I don’t want to get all weird with this. Other than, her being gone has changed a lot about me.

It has made me appreciate life & being with my loved ones.

Me, Mama, Mamaw, & Papaw circa 1978

2. It made me realize I am not the boss of my health & it can falter at any time.

3. It lights a fire under me to accomplish & get done what I need to & want to today. I’m not promised another minute to get those things done. Mama was always mindful of the brevity of life. She would always say before we left home,

“Get this mess up. What if something was to happen & somebody was to come in this house?”

For shame that someone saw a coaster out of place on the coffee table. But, that’s just how she was. And I’m glad. I wouldn’t have wanted her any other way.

4. Family was so important to her. She loved & looked forward to all of our get togethers. I have gotten closer to my family in the past several years, as well.

Mama’s baby brother, Mamaw, Mama, Mama’s older sister, Mama’s middle brother at Christmas circa 1984

5. She always went to church. Even when Daddy had to dress her, pick her up & put her in her wheelchair & bring her. It made me know if she could go to church, in her shape, there was NO reason for me not to be there. She was a wonderful Christian example. Because of that I have grown deeper in my faith.

Me & Mama after church circa 1995

Here are a couple more pictures of her in my “Mama Shrine” today.

On the back of this picture if had,"Taken on the day we walked all over the place." She was sitting on the door step washing her feet.

On the back of this picture it had,”Taken on the day we walked all over the country.” She was sitting on the door step washing her feet.

I won’t ~~bore~~ overly inform you with more Mama stories. For that you can go here. I am just so thankful this ol’ world had her for 55 years. Now the Lord has her for the rest.

Hope you are having a great day. You know what’s Thursday! Bring on the family & turkey. My favorite. Until next time , I should be washing clothes.

Things we tell ourselves & chickens coming home to roost

March 24, 2014March 24, 2014 / kstrick7 / 2 Comments

Back last year, we had a student from Freed Hardeman University come to preach to us. He mentioned in his lesson, that he was learning Latin. He said it had given him a new meaning to how he understood the word of God. After services, I told him if he could explain to me what the apostle Paul was talking about in Romans 7, then & only then would I be impressed. We laughed, because at that time, Romans 7 was a mystery to me. Since then, I have done more study & have read different people’s views & have formed a conclusion about it. One of the verses has actually made more sense to me as of late.

Romans 7: 19 says For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil, that I do not want.

Everybody has a struggle. Whether it’s something that comes along from time to time or a problem we carry around every day. It’s there. Sometimes we try to tell ourselves, no one will ever know. Or it won’t hurt just this one time. Or it’s not hurting anybody but me. One of my favorites, that I tell myself,

“At least it’s not as bad as, insert some other sin here.”

But you know what? It’s still sin, so really put whatever you want there. God doesn’t like it.

It’s just so hard, though. I don’t wake up every day & say, “Well, let’s get to the sinnin’.” But, I am human. There are times I have to really focus & pray about not letting myself fall into a trap of gossiping, judging, being negative, saying hurtful things, keeping my nose in my own business and other various & asundry personality traits that my Mamaw warned me against practicing. My Mamaw was a wonderful Christian woman. She cautioned us about being ugly. She always said of someone who was behaving vicariously without regard of consequences-

Actual picture of chickens roosting for those who don’t know, bless your heart.

“Their chickens will come home to roost.”

Meaning what comes around goes around. You reap what you sow. Mamaw wanted us reaping good, not bad. So she would caution us about puttin’ on the dog. She didn’t want us trying to get above our raisings. She did not want us doing things we ought not. But if we did, she didn’t want us acting like we didn’t do it. She was all about everybody owning up to what they did. She spoke quite frequently to me about how it’s important to have pretty ways.

You know what? Even though I know I shouldn’t do something, whether my Mamaw’s direction is on my mind or the voice inside me saying, “This is not right,” it just happens. All my good efforts fizzle into a pile of well-intentioned intentions. I begin to feel like the apostle Paul- just sort of in a frenzy. I don’t want to act in a way that’s unacceptable to the Lord. But if there’s anybody out there to cut their nose off to spite their face, it’s me. I just have a way, of sometimes, you know, not shuttin’ up. Thank goodness I have a Lord that forgives pitiful people, like me. He’s just awesome like that. I know if I confess my sins, He is faithful & just to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) Every. Day.

I am so glad you came by to visit with me today. It doesn’t matter what struggle you have. Take it to Jesus. He will help you. I promise! Your sins will never be too bad for him to forgive. I hope your week is starting out good. It was a sunny day in Mississippi & that’s always a plus! You take care & I will see you again soon. For now, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

Photo credit: turbokitty.wordpress.com

What kind of Christian are you?

October 28, 2013 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

Sometimes it’s necessary to step back & see what we have going on in our lives. We get so caught up in the hustle & bustle of life, that sometimes, we might lose sight of what our real purpose is. Sometimes we may just need to stop & ask,

“What kind of Christian am I?”

Do we try to follow God by doing our own thing? Do we go to church just whenever we get ready? (Hebrews 10: 25) Are we kind, whenever it strikes us, which is not very often? (I Cor. 13:4) Do we open our Bibles, anytime between Sunday & Wednesday night or Wednesday night & Sunday?(II Tim. 2:15) Are we praying….at all? (I Thess. 5:17) Are we judgmental of others?(Matt. 7:1) Listen to what Jesus has to say about doing things our own way-

John 10:1 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2. Do we do the bare minimum? Do we say, I show up for church on Sunday, that’s good enough, right? Well, what are you doing the other 6 days of the week? Do you look around & see what’s the very least you can get by with doing for the Lord & leave the rest for someone else to do? Let me ask you, did God send just anybody to die on the cross for our sins? No, He sent the very best He had. His own Son. God doesn’t hold back for us. He puts everything He has into all He gives us. He’s just awesome like that.

My Daddy has always said, “If you never learn to ~~like~~ LOVE the things of God, you will always be in a struggle. God does not hold anything from man that is not good for them. You have to learn to love what God gives us, only.”

Do we give back to God, the least we can get by with? When we learn to love the things of God, we won’t have any problem giving back to God with all our hearts. We will never be able to out give God. So, buckle down & give God your all!

3 . Do we do everything we can with excitement & knowing it is for the greater good? Or do we throw a hissy fit when somebody says something wrong or does something that just don’t sit quite right with us? Are we on fire for the Lord? Or are we just on fire with anger & resentment? You can’t express love if you are angry. When you help someone to the top of the hill, you can’t help but get closer yourself. That’s love, that’s putting others before yourself, that’s doing what God wants. The apostle Paul said in his letter to the church at Rome in

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Get excited by loving God’s will & doing what His word says, just because it’s the right thing to do.

So, I want you to not only ask yourself, “What kind of Christian am I?” but also, “What kind of Christian do I want to be?” Then, launch out in faith & be everything God wants you to be. I promise you, if you will make prayer a fierce warrior in your life & not a last resort, God will work in your life. Make sure you are praying for our leaders of this great country of ours, too. My Mama always said,

“If you can’t say anything nice about somebody, don’t say nothing.”

Don’t complain about our government leaders, be in prayer for them! Let God work in their lives, so that we can live, with God as the center of our country.

Thank you so much for coming by to visit with me today. I am so thankful and feel blessed that you want to come spend some time with me! As for me, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

**Parts of this was from a lesson I listened to taught by Bro. Brad. Thank you Bro. Brad for always being a straight shooter.

Women of Christ

August 20, 2013August 20, 2013 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

photo credit: righthandedreader.tumblr.com

God never ceases to amaze me. I mean, Lord have mercy. Just right when I think nothing good in the world is happening. That’s when He just comes right in & shows me He is still working diligently in our lives. Today I want to tell you about how I met with a group of young ladies, that has started meeting,-to support each other in their journey with Christ.
It all started out when my 18 year old daughter told me about this Christian ladies devotional at a friend’s house.

She said, “ I really want you to go with me. I think it will be fun.” Not to be the one to skip any fun, I decided to be her date.

The speaker, at this 1st meeting, was a friend of my daughter’s. She is young, married, & works as a preschool teacher. On Wednesday night, at church, I asked her about this gathering, she said, “It’s just a group of ladies that wants to study the Bible & I’m going to hold the devo!” She was so excited & nervous. She made me excited!
When we arrived at the hostess’s house, with our plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies, there were several young ladies, already there. We went in, introduced ourselves around, & had a seat in the living room to socialize. Some other young ladies were preparing spaghetti & alfredo sauce. My daughter’s friend told us she had cooked special noodles, especially for my daughter, since my daughter does not love spaghetti noodles (Even her friends spoil her, lucky girl!). A dining room table held a display of salad with lots of topping options & dressings. Desserts were plentiful, too. In the meantime, there was lots of laughter & hugging & “I am so happy to see yous” going on.
After enjoying a meal together, we all settled down in the living room, kitchen, & some down the hall way, to listen to what our friend had to talk about. She had a wonderful devotional about prayer. She talked about how we need to be praying for each other & with each other. It was so thought provoking. She let us give our insight & comments. She also shared some personal experiences with us. It was really a good time, with good company. I walked away with some new goals in my own prayer life & some much needed fellowship with a wonderful group of young, Christian ladies.
We have decided to meet every 3rd Friday of the month. For the next several months, some very dear ladies have already volunteered opening up their homes to us for this fellowship. I am so encouraged that with everything going on in these ladies’ lives, some with children, some with husbands, some working, some being stay at home mothers, that they have the desire to further their relationship with Christ. They want to make their homes stronger & become stronger Christians. What family would not benefit from a Godly, mother, wife, or daughter? I am so anxious to see what marvelous things God has in store for this group of young , sweet, Christian ladies.
I don’t know if it’s just a Southern thing, or if it’s because my Daddy is a preacher. It just means the world to me, to be able to visit with Godly people & share a meal. We did a lot of that growing up. It’s just right up my alley! Nothing is more Southern than Jesus & food. I am so glad you came by to visit with me today. Come back anytime. I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes.
On a side note***At this particular event, I expressed my concern regarding how I was the oldest one there. (From my view point the age range was 18-30 years old.) My daughter’s friend, was so kind about my apprehension. She said, “You are young! There are ladies here who are not going to all be at the same place in their lives, even if they are close to the same age. I’m glad you’re here.” Then, she added me to the group on Facebook. So, I guess I’m pretty obligated, now. (Seriously, I think they are just letting me come because the don’t want to hurt my feelings. Hey-whatever works.)

Happy Memorial Day

May 28, 2012May 28, 2012 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

There are a lot of things to be thankful for on Memorial Day, as with any day of the year. Here are a few facts that I took from the History Channel website:

Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.

I have respect for Memorial Day, in the sense, that I appreciate the freedom granted to me & my loved ones because of our military. Without them, we would be in a lot of trouble. I have had friends & family, alike, that has served our great country with pride. One that is most important to me is my grandfather.

My grandfather was not only a wonderful soldier, he was an admirable example of what a man should be. He was an upright outstanding Christian, first & foremost. As far back as I can remember, I remember Papaw loving God & teaching us about Him. He always went to church. ALWAYS. If he were not in church, it was because he was physically unable to be there. He was one of the song leaders. To this day, each time I hear “O To Be Like Thee” or “Jesus Is All The World To Me” I think for a moment I can still hear him singing them. And my mind drifts back to a man, standing in the pulpit of a little country church, keeping tempo with his hand, belting out the words with feeling. He kept his “Testament”, (as he referred to his Bible) on top of the refrigerator. It was not there many times when we went to see him & my Mamaw. The reason why? He was reading it. He worked hard. He was in the mindset every day was a day of accomplishment, to leave something a little better than you found it. Thus, days he spent in the garden hoeing, plowing the family mule Kate, & gathering the bounty are fond memories. He let us play in the branch, that ran on his property. Summers filled with trying to catch minnows & crawdads out of the sandy water were something we lived for.

He was a family man, but not always at home. He served for several years in the Army, somewhere around 1940, until later in that decade. He missed his family terribly when he was shipped overseas in World War II. He would write my Mamaw letters of how he loved her & missed her & what was going on in the war & how he loved & missed her. Once back from the war, he took a job with the TVA. He worked at Brown’s Ferry, Wilson Dam & other locations. He worked on those huge electrical towers. He would climb up on them & repair them. He left home at 4am every morning. However he never departed home without a thermos full of fresh brewed coffee & homemade biscuits with some sort of bacon, ham or sausage nestled in the middle of it. No wonder our family was one of the 1^st people in our county to have a brick home & a washing machine. He loved a Chevrolet car. He would trade ever so often & get another Chevrolet car.

He was always willing to help out a friend, to my grandma’s dismay. She did not like him being late for supper! When he was at church, he sang, prayed, waited on the Lord’s table & was a terrific Christian leader. When he was at home, he sang, prayed & was a terrific Christian leader. He loved his family to the end. Right before he passed from this life, he told my Mamaw, “I don’t want to leave y’all”. That was almost 30 years ago & I still feel the sting of loss from that day. That’s why I want to honor him today. He was outstanding in everything he did. Especially, serving his country.

God bless anyone who has ever served our country. And also, the ones who loved them.

I have enjoyed so much posting this about my grandfather today. I hope everyone has a safe & healthy Memorial Day. I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes………….