Prayer & the Corona

May 7, 2020May 7, 2020 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

The other day, one of my co-workers asked me,

“Have you been praying more here lately?”

It took me a minute to think of what they meant.

HELLO! The Corona virus, Covid-19, the 2020 Pandemic, the only thing you hear anything about these days…. I answered them with, “Not really. I pray a lot anyways.” Then, I got to thinking, I wonder why I’m not praying more than usual? Because, here are the facts:

We have a disease that’s hit our country, that there is no cure.
It has no partiality, when it comes to who gets it.
Some people are dying.
We are encouraged to stay home & not be around anyone.
The governor, of our blessed state of Mississippi, is slowly but surely opening back up our state. (not that it really matters, because people haven’t stayed out of the local Walmarts AT. ALL.)

So, I guess there’s some things, needing our attention, when talking to God. It’s not that I’m not concerned about where our communities & nation are going. Because here are some facts, as well:

We have a mighty, mighty God.

God is faithful

God will provide a way.

God will take care of us. He always has.

At the end of the day, God is in control.

Since we aren’t having church services at our church building, me and my house have Bible study at home. Here are some verses that we have found very comforting.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (NKJV)

Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJV)

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.(NKJV)

John 14:1-6
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)

Anyone that was ever in my Daddy’s Bible class, was required to memorize John 14:1-6. I am so glad he had us do that. It is so comforting to be able to lay in bed at night, in the moments before I go to sleep, and have those words go through my head. Just one of the umpteen things my Daddy did right in this ‘ol world. He instilled the Word of God in our minds and hearts. I am so thankful for a preaching Daddy & a praying Mama. He knew committing scripture to mind was just one of the ways to find peace in this uncertain world.

I hope you are having a blessed week. Even through the nonsense, sickness, & crazy, the Lord is still there for us. The weather is finally warming up & low & behold, we have even turned the air conditioner on. Then, we had to turn it back off because it was 41 degrees. (Help us, O Lord) We are going through phases, in opening up our state, but, I can’t say I will ever step foot back in a grocery store again. Grocery delivery has found me & I just may not let it go. Because, well, it makes me feel delighted. And couldn’t we all use a little more delightfulness in our lives? Until next time, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo credits: Pinterest, www.challies.com

Helpful hints for a good spiritual spring cleaning

April 6, 2017April 5, 2017 / kstrick7 / 1 Comment

Well, it’s that time again. Time for a good spring cleaning! When I think about spring cleaning, I think about my house. My windows need washing, the rugs need cleaning, the ceiling fans need dusting, & the air conditioner filters need replacing. Y’all, I am just getting tired thinking about all of it!

Just think about it though.

Does our inner man need a spring cleaning, too?

What if we made a conscience effort to get the cob webs out of our hearts? What if we swept jealousy & comparing ourselves to others straight out the door? What would our God given houses be like if we just flat out wiped out hate and filled it back up with love? Like the love I have for chocolate gravy & biscuits.

James, the brother of Jesus, talks about this in

James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (NKJV)

Peter mentions it, as well, in

I Peter 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

And I can’t go without including the fruit of the Spirit (notice this says “fruit” as in singular, as in one-which means all of these beautiful qualities go together. As in you need to have all of these, not just pick which one you want to do & leave the rest out.)

Galatians 5: 22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)

Let’s take a look at ourselves (me included, because I need it more than anybody!). Let’s make sure we have the most important aspect in our lives first, LOVE. Then, I really believe the rest will fall into place.

Matthew teaches in Matthew 12, that if we get rid of something bad in our lives, we need to immediately fill it back up with something good. If we don’t we chance more bad coming back into our hearts.

⁴³“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. ⁴⁴Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”(NKJV)

Whew! Spring cleaning is hard! Especially when you have to get rid of things like being unforgiving & having bitterness in your heart. Things like this is like old baggage you have tucked back in the corner of a closet & forgotten about. It’s been around so long, that you hardly notice it’s holding you up in your walk with God.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ³¹Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³²And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (NKJV)

How about we all get to work on spring cleaning? I know I sure need it. I’m so glad you stopped by today. I presented the good news to Miss Neenee last night that school would be out next month. As in NEXT MONTH. She was just pleased as punch to know she would have a break before long. Come on summer!! I hope you have a blessed week. As for me, I have got to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo credits: quotesgram.com, whatchristianswanttoknow.com, newhealthom.com

The time I thought God was missing

February 2, 2017February 2, 2017 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

January is just a fleeting thought. And Lord have mercy the weather has been crazy. 70 degrees one day then, not too many days later in the 30s. No wonder we’ve had tornadoes all around us. January is also one of the most depressing months of the year. It’s no wonder we get to questioning all kinds of things in our lives. Which brings me to this:

Do you sometime wonder where God is? I’m not talking about where His spiritual being is. I’m talking about why am I going through such a hard time? Why is God letting this happen to me? Me, of all people? Dog gone it, haven’t I sat in the same spot, at church, for years, visited my elderly neighbors, gave my grandkids money to put in the plate every Sunday, and sung more Sunday school songs with the 1^st and 2^nd graders until they roll their eyes & say,

“Can we do something else?”

No. You can sing “Jesus Loves Me” until it’s so deep down in your heart nobody could snatch it out. Because that’s what a God fearing person does. So, where is God, when I need Him? Did He take a break? Did He say He needed a day off from my issues? Should I put out the word that “God is missing”? I bet the apostle Peter had some of the same exact feelings in Acts 12.

Peter certainly was in a predicament. One of his very best friends had just been killed (v. 2) And now the king was coming after him. He was thrown in prison & things looked pretty hopeless. The Bible doesn’t say what Peter was thinking, but I betcha he was wondering where God was. But you know what the good news is? God was right there. Working behind the scenes to help Peter and deliver him out of death. Things weren’t looking too great for Peter, since not only did Herod put one set of soldiers to guard him. He put 4. Peter was basically just sitting in jail, waiting to die. However, that’s not where Peter stayed. The Lord sent an angel to rescue him.

If you search the scriptures, no where will you find the Lord promising an easy passage. He does not offer a life free of problems or pain. We live in the world, y’all. As long as we are in the world, we are not exempt from sufferings & heartache. The good news is that we have an awesome God to turn to. He is the great comforter. He is the One that is going to take care of us. And just like He did for Peter, He delivers us in our times of trouble.

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NKJV)

Matthew 5: 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. (NKJV)

Thank heavens the Lord will not give us more than we can handle. Many times we get more than we WANT to handle. But the Lord is faithful to his promises.

I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (NKJV)

So just know & remember how great our God is & how much He really does care for you. No matter the situation, He will provide all we need. God’s never missing. He’s just not always where I think He should be. I have to remember to just pray. Relentlessly, sometimes. And be still & know He is God & will take care of everything, In. His.Time. These are the times I have to go back to my one word for the year, “Trust”. God is always there. Always working for our good.

I’m so happy you came by to visit with me today. I have been enjoying the cooler weather. I’ve also been trying to eat a little better. Which I am using “trying” loosely, because LORD HAVE MERCY I do love to eat. I hope you have are having a wonderful week. Until next time I will be going because I should be washing clothes.

When you want service station fried chicken & jojo potatoes, but your jeans say, “For the love of Pete, lady, have a salad.” I hate those jeans.

When you want to bring juice boxes and cookies for snack after the 6 year olds get finished playing ball. But then realize you can't because SHE'S IN JUNIOR HIGH ALREADY.

When you want to bring juice boxes and cookies for snack after the 2nd graders get finished playing basketball. But then realize you can’t because SHE’S IN JUNIOR HIGH ALREADY.

photo creds: http://www.crosscards.com, Calvin & Hobbes

The end is nearer than you think & buffalo

September 22, 2016September 22, 2016 / kstrick7 / 3 Comments

I read some disturbing news today, y’all. We have 100 days left in this year. Lord have mercy, where in the world did 2016 go? If you had anything you wanted to do in 2016, you’d better hurry. Time is not waiting for anyone.

That got me to thinking. What do I need to accomplish in the rest of my time in 2016? My thoughts went from DIY projects at home that I need to do, to family get togethers I need to plan, to work goals I need to get together. But when I think more seriously about this, I think, What does God want me to accomplish in the remaining time of 2016? Here is a list of things I believe are noteworthy-

Surrender to Jesus. What I mean by this is if we humble ourselves to do more listening & obeying, then so much of our lives will just fall into place. It’s so hard sometimes to take a step back & just give it all to the Lord -all the worries, uncertainties, stress, & problems in life, that we face. I truly believe, we just need to lay it all at the feet of Jesus. Then & only then will we be at peace. (Phil. 4:7)and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(NKJV)
Forgive. Forgive others. Forgive ourselves. Just forgive. Instant load lightened right there. (Matt. 6:15) But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (NKJV)
Love so much it hurts. If you have never totally put yourself completely out there, to love others, boy you are missing out. From someone who has been divorced, lost a parent, lost close family members, & have had some strained relationships- I can say I am still glad that I love people. (John 15:13) Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (NKJV)
Walk in the Spirit. How’s your prayer life? How’s your daily Bible study time, going? If you can’t answer “Amazing!” or “Remarkable!” to either of these, then before 2016 is out, make a change. How can we expect to walk in the Spirit, if we don’t give the Spirit any of our time? If we are walking in the Spirit, then we have less opportunity to let matters of the flesh in. I know when I have my mind on Jesus, I have less time to give other things any part of my time. (Acts 9:31) Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. (NKJV)
Be faithful. You can tell so much about a person by what they are faithful in. Let’s make sure we are faithful in the Word. God has so much to offer us. Faithfulness is going all in for the long haul. Look at everything the Lord has done for us. We can show our love and appreciation by our obedience & faithfulness to Him. (Rev. 2:10) …Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (NKJV)

I’m so glad you stopped by to visit with me today. I heard on the radio, this morning, that today is the 1st day of fall. I’m ready for the weather to be showing out. We need some cooler temps, that’s for sure! Hope you are having a blessed week. Until next time, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

We went to see Mr. Sweetie Pants in his Grandparent’s Day program at his school. Cutest thing ever!

Tacky Tourist Spirit Day at school this week. It was homecoming & we were ready in costume.

Mr. Sweetie Pants feeding the goats at the Buffalo Park. From the time he woke up, until the time we arrived at the Buffalo Park, I had heard the word, “Buffalo” 9,873,185 times. Not that I was counting.