Why I love fall & what’s on everyone’s mind

October 3, 2017October 3, 2017 / kstrick7 / 2 Comments

Y’all. I hope you are having a wonderful week. I know this weather has just showed out these past few days. The humidity is all but gone & there’s a crispness in the air. I can put pumpkin spice creamer in my coffee again. People are decorating their yards. I saw some of the cutest kids, you’ve EVER seen, at church Sunday with their smocked pumpkin brother/sister outfits on. (Those grands of mine really are the cutest!) We are planning a trip to a fall festival in a couple of weeks. The leaves are starting to turn. And I know the colors will just be gorgeous! I just LOVE FALL.

Now, to get to what is on everyone’s mind. I know your heart has been heavy, just like mine, with the awful shooting that happened in Las Vegas. I pray for the families of the ones hurt,and the ones that lost their lives. I pray for the ones that were helpers in their time of need. I pray for the ugly hearts of those that plan & bring about such destruction. There are just no words for how hard this hits everyone as a nation. It’s devastating.

I know so many people just ask, “Why?” And then again the same anger starts coming out of our hearts and we want to know where God was. Why did God let this happen? We just want answers & want someone to be accountable for this mess. That’s just human nature. That’s how God wired us. However, we just need to remember- no matter how dark a situation can be, good can come out of it. And that’s where God is. He is the good that comes out of tragedy. He will always triumph over evil.

I Kings 19:11-12

¹¹Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹²and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (NKJV)

When I looked at those pictures, on the internet, I saw people running crazy. I saw scared people, people who didn’t know which way to turn. People trying to get away from the gunfire. Then, I saw the police & first responders coming in to help. I saw people helping other people. And I bet you, I just BET YOU, no one was asking if they were a democrat, republican, what their views were on the national anthem, or if they ever picked cotton. You see, all this division the media is honing in on is nonsense. I just don’t believe it’s really out there in the masses, like they want you to believe. I don’t believe we live in a country with hate right around every corner. I believe in the scripture

Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (NKJV)

Because if you look around & notice, there’s a lot of good going on everywhere. It’s just a few that are trying to bully & make us afraid. But if you live in Jesus, there’s no reason to fear. Even if they go to the extreme of killing you, they are sending you home to be with the Lord. That’s what we are all working toward, anyway, right???

Matthew 10:28

²⁸And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (NKJV)

Don’t live in fear. Let the Lord shine so bright in you, that there’s no room for any kind of darkness to come in.

I hope you are having a blessed week. Please be in prayer for all of the evil that’s happening in our world right now. But, thank the Lord, too for all the goodness. Until next time I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

When you want to take your 1st grader to the homecoming game to cheer with the big girls, because they went to mini cheer camp. Then, you realize she IS one of the BIG GIRLS & this is her last middle school homecoming. (Insert lots of tears here.)

If you want to read more about where God is in time of trouble, click here, here, or here.

photo credits: http://www.thrivinghomeblog.com, http://www.villageoflohrville.com, pinterest

Confessions of the I should be washing clothes blogger & what Ebola doesn’t care about

November 3, 2014November 3, 2014 / kstrick7 / 2 Comments

I have a confession to make.

I am not as awesome as you think I am.

There. Now you know. Oh, I know it seems like I have everything in the world together (Please don’t talk to my friend Jen about this. She knows me too well.) That I have the perfect life. (Refer to the last statement in parenthesis.) I am always totally put together. (Ha. Haaa. Haaaaaa.) I never let the occasion pass that I don’t always say & do the appropriate things, at the right time. I never leave anything to the last minute & am on time for everything. (Ok. I really have to stop with it now.) And you all know what a total math whiz I am. (Ok. Seriously, that’s the last one.) Whew, glad to clarify all that. Those who know me, know I have my share of flaws. As I get older, I begin to reflect on what it is all this life stuff is about. Because c’mon. I had some things I wanted to do in life. I’ve done some of them. Other things have just fallen by the wayside. That’s just reality. Most importantly, I am a put-ter off-er. I always think there’s more time to do better, change my life, or help make other’s lives better. The bad news is there’s really not more time.

The other night, at church, Bro. Brad gave a thought provoking talk about how today is the day. We can make excuses from here to yon on why we can’t do something. He said there are many that are not in a right relationship with God, that think, “I’ve got time.” Folks that say, “When I make more money, I will give more to the Lord.” Then, they are blessed with more & it seems they take up another payment on something they could not live without. Bro. Brad brought to our attention the only reason people don’t own a pet elephant is because we have never been offered a deal for zero down & make monthly payments. ( That Bro. Brad can be pretty comical.) His point was, we shouldn’t let stuff get in the way of our relationship with the Lord. We may say, “I will work more for the Lord, when I have more time.” When the kids get older, when my job slows down, when I don’t have so many other activities going on, such as kid’s soccer practice, softball games, basketball games, being a taxi to your kids. When all of that stops, I will devote more time to the work of the church. Let me tell you. Time doesn’t stop. If you don’t make a way to do things now, the time has past. And guess what? Yep, you know. You never get that back. That’s why we must figure out a way to maintain a balance.

II Corinthians 6:2

For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (NKJV)

It’s to our ultimate advantage to be faithful to the Lord. So many times I see people not attend church services because all of their other activities have them worn to a frazzle. I heard a preacher say one time, when you start missing church, you can bet it won’t be long until more & more things hinder your spiritual life. Let me tell you, sweet friend, the ol’ devil has his ways to keep us from doing the Lord’s will. Many times, it’s not one big thing that happens. It’s more of a slow leak than a big blow out. That’s why the small things matter.

I know sometimes people search for something, in life. They are looking for a purpose. I am happy to tell you, you need not look any further. Jesus is it. There are so many things out there that tries to make you believe happiness & contentment comes from this world. If I only had a new car, a better house, more money in the bank, a bigger t.v., then things would be better.

Umm, not really.

Ebola doesn’t care how much money you have in the bank. You can still be inflicted with a dreaded disease, even if you have a 72” big screen t.v. Then, what becomes important? Relationships? People who will take care of you & help you through hard times? Many times your relationship with God takes a front seat. God should be our first choice at all times. Not our last resort. The apostle Paul talks about how matters of the heart, really matter. Especially when it comes to love.

I Corinthians 13: 4-8

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Faith, hope, & love are very important. It’s a good thing to choose to make those a part of your daily life. Don’t think you have time to make things of your heart right. The time is now.

Solomon was the wisest man & had great wealth. He had access to all the things of the world. It was unbelieveable! The Queen of Sheba was so curious of his riches & knowledge, she paid him a visit. Afterwards, she had this to say:

II Chronicles 9: 5 & 6

Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. ⁶However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard.(NKJV)

After all the glitz & glamor of having everything he could ever wanted, the wise Solomon gave the recipe of what our whole existence is about.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.(NKJV)

So, if Solomon is giving us the answer to the meaning of life, why don’t we take heed? It’s like we have found the answer, but we often times keep looking somewhere else for what life is all about. We must act now to make things in our life right & know we are not promised the next minute. At the end of your life, what will really matter? Whatever you have been putting off, take that step of faith. The Lord will be there to walk with you. It’s time.

I hope everyone has had a blessed week. With this past Friday being Halloween, I had my share of sweet trick or treaters! We trunk or treated at church Wednesday night. The kids had a great time. And then we had that thing called setting your clock back an hour on Saturday night. We really need to quit with the time changes. Just make it one way & leave it, is what I say. Oh well, another time no one consulted with me. Until they do, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo credits: love printables, behance.net,tolavishlylove, justsaynototoxicrelationships

Tired of waiting? The Lord has a remedy for that & my sewing project

October 9, 2014October 9, 2014 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

How many of you love to wait? Ok, why is no one raising their hands? Probably because you are like me & do not care very much for having to wait. We live in a society that, the quicker we can have results, the better. Our time is too precious to be wasted on waiting. However, there is a wonderful virtue to be had by learning to wait. That is the characteristic of patience or sometimes referred to as longsuffering.

Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

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

God has patience. So it must be a good thing. He doesn’t ask us to do things He wouldn’t do himself.

Psalm 86:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

The Lord is very patient with us. He wants everyone to have a home in heaven.

2 Peter 3:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,^[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

If you get tired of waiting, you should know it’s ok. It’s a work in progress. God wants us to discipline ourselves to wait. This leads to being righteous & will finally give us a home with Him in heaven.

Romans 2:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:^[a] ⁷eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

Life gets hard sometimes. You want an answer. You don’t want to have to go through a rough time. Nobody does. God’s patience even runs out.

Jeremiah 44:22 New King James Version (NKJV)

²²So the Lord could no longer bear it, because of the evil of your doings and because of the abominations which you committed. Therefore your land is a desolation, an astonishment, a curse, and without an inhabitant, as it is this day.

But we must realize if we are patient, there is a reward for it.

Galatians 6:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Matthew 25 : 46 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴⁶And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Psalms 62: 1 New King James Version (NKJV)

Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation.

Being patient, waiting & wondering if God is even listening can be disheartening. But God is good. He is right on time every time. When your patience is being tried, & you’ve prayed & prayed & waited for an answer, remember- there are 3 answers to prayer.

Yes

& wait

God’s not being mean. He’s trying to mold you into what He wants you to be. And goodness gracious who does not need some improvement in their lives? We just need to understand waiting & patience is necessary for our walk with the Lord. So, you see my friend, patience is something we must have. We have got to condition ourselves to wait on God. We have to empty ourselves of doubt, fear, & gloom & doom. Then we can fill ourselves with the things of the Lord, like faith, hope, & love.

And talk about somebody needing patience. I made this little dress for my granddaughter. I may have had to re-do some certain parts a time or two. Me & bias tape have this love/hate relationship going on. Oh well, it all worked out. She’s going to look so sweet in it!

I am so glad you stopped by today. I hope everything is going well for you. With fall in the air, I think everybody is in a little bit better mood. We will be making our annual trip to Ames Plantation this weekend. I can’t wait. You can read more about this fun festival here. As for now, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo credit: http://www.theladiesfeed.wordpress.com,www.ninapaley.com,www.art-of-inspired-living.com,www.curiositesbydickens.com