I’m praying for you & astounding & unknown facts about tigers

October 21, 2016October 21, 2016 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

Doesn’t it feel wonderful when someone tells you they are praying for you? I know personally, it just makes me feel all happy inside. Kinda like I just ate a big plate of chocolate gravy & biscuits. Other folks caring about us is essential in life. Going to the Lord, on our behalf, is a terrific way to show us how much we are thought of. When someone prays for another, it’s like a whole other avenue is opened up. Not only are our own prayers being laid at the Lord’s feet, He is hearing from others about us, too. What a blessing to have others to pray for us.

But what if you have a struggle no one else knows about? Do you know we have Someone else praying for us, too?

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us^[^a^] with groanings which cannot be uttered. (NKJV)

Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (NKJV)

Dictonary.com defines interceding as an interposing or pleading on behalf of another person.

Jesus is pleading to God for us, also. He knows what it’s like to feel alone. But we don’t ever have to feel like we are alone in this ol’ world. As long as you are willing to pray, the Lord hears the prayer of Jesus & the prayer of the Holy Spirit. Ain’t that some good news in a world full of heartache, suffering, & pain? So let’s pray for each other, for our families, for our friends, & for the people who don’t want to be our friends. Everyone can benefit in some prayer, ya know? I would believe a good moral to this story is God’s looking out for us, always. We just have to reach out to Him.

Tiger facts to wow & amaze you:

Tigers are rambunctious creatures. However, there are times tigers are still & quiet. Especially for other people.

Tigers have big muscles. Which they need because they are very busy creatures.

Tigers eat ice cream. Really. A lot of homemade vanilla ice cream. Surprising, huh?

Amazingly, tigers do very well at picking pumpkins. At festivals no less. No one was injured or anything with a tiger running around loose. Imagine that.

And last but not least, some tigers even wear glasses. Did you know there was a way to check a tiger's vision. Astonishing, I tell you.

And last but not least, some tigers even wear glasses. Did you know there was even a way to check a tiger’s vision? Astonishing, I tell you.

May I also say that transforming Mr. Sweetie Pants into a tiger was the best $12 I have EVER spent. E.V.E.R. He was so excited that the lady painting his face said kids like him were the reason she painted faces. He was so excited. SO. EXCITED.

Happy fall y’all! Well, so they say it’s fall. Here in northeast Mississippi, the only time you can really feel the difference is in the mornings & later at night. We have had a little break in the weather today. It’s nice, cool, & crisp out. So thankful for the changing seasons!! Hope you have had a blessed week. As for me, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo credits: Pinterest, & http://www.iampoopsie.com

Don’t tell me to smile & what to do when it sunshines

January 21, 2015January 21, 2015 / kstrick7 / Leave a comment

In life, I have found this to be true- you just never know what someone else is going through. The other day, I was at the pharmacy picking up my medicine. There was a man ahead of me. I was practicing waiting patiently. I say practicing, because there are times I get sorta disgruntled, when I have to wait. These days, I am so busy, that having to wait on someone else can put me out a tad. This previous statement comes from the same lady that is the biggest time waster that ever was, which also has a love hate relationship with time management. So, I know, I need to clean off my own door step before I even consider making mention of anyone else. There, since that elephant is out of the room, I was standing in line at the pharmacy when I noticed the lady behind the counter looking sort of perturbed. The man, in front of me left, & I stepped up to the counter. I told the pharmacy tech what I was after & she got my bag. As she was ringing it up, she said,

“Do you know what that man said to me? He told me to smile.”

Then she shared with me how her daughter had run away from home at 18 years old. She said she had not seen her in several years. She said she had heard her daughter had gotten married & actually only lived a few miles from her house. She said some days it was all she did- was to think of her daughter.

She then said, “You know with that on my mind, sometimes it’s just hard to smile.”

At that point I felt I needed to share with her the 5 cent version of the situation with my son. I told her my 23 year old son left home several years ago. That he’d had 2 car wrecks (while under the influence) & chose to do drugs & drink, still. Now. BUT, that God was good & he took care of things in His own way & time. I told her I would be praying for her & she said she would be thinking of me, too.

Nahum 1:7 says

⁷The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. (NKJV)

Lord have mercy! Who in the world would have known that innocent little drug store visit would have been a chance to encourage somebody? You just never know what other people are going through. That’s why I HATE it when some well-meaning person tells me to smile.

If I look that disheartened, just ignore me, or say“Bless your heart,” or how about “Have a good day”?

Those kinds of things would be much better than,

“Smile, it can’t be that bad.”

Really? Because you don’t know if my heart has just been ripped out & stomped flat by somebody I love or if I am doing ALL I can to put one foot in front of the other or if I’m just sour person. Why take the chance? Just be nice. That’s all we need anyway. A little kindness.

The apostle Paul gave this commandment to the church at Ephesus:

Ephesians 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (NKJV)

That means I need to be kind & you need to be kind, because God was kind to us. He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins. Do you think God was smiling when He did that? Probably not. And I bet nobody was saying to God that day:

“Smile, it’s not that bad.”

Because you know what? Sometimes it just is that bad & we need to be kind & tenderhearted toward each other. Many times people need compassion. Not somebody barking at them to get over it. What if they don’t know how? We need to be ever mindful of others. It’s just considerate. Be prepared to help & encourage whenever you go. Kind words will melt a broken heart quicker than anything.

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me today. Sunshine! Finally, coming through these windows. Loving this 60 degree January weather. What exactly do you do when it sunshines? You get out & enjoy it. Just like we did.

Playing with rocks, no less.

Always a good time with a rock.

And this cute puppy dog.

I hope you have a blessed week. Until next time, I should be going because I should be washing clothes.

photo credits: k.love.com,www.dianalamb.com

One Word for 2015

January 5, 2015January 5, 2015 / kstrick7 / 2 Comments

I had been thinking about my One Word for 2015. In 2014 it was Pray. With that, I focused my year on prayer. With prayer always being in the forefront of my mind, I saw things in my life start to change. I am so glad I took the time to focus on prayer. It has made the world of difference. So, it goes without saying, while I was doing all this praying, I began to feel more thankful. It has truly been a humbling time. I gave it some thought (with some help from my friend Falen) & have declared Gratitude as my One Word for 2015. I want to keep this thankful vibe going. It sure does make things more peaceful in my life. When I am thankful, I become richer. I become happier. I become more humbled. I become mindful of the fact, I don’t “do” all of this myself. I have Someone greater, wiser, & more concerned about me than anybody else, watching out for me. That’s where the peace of mind comes in. Realizing the Lord cares for me. Little ol’ me! That makes me feel good. Like chocolate gravy & biscuits good.

I saw where Falen had announced her One Word on Facebook. I immediately commented as to where she snagged her beautiful button. She made it. And because she is AWESOME on a daily basis, she offered to make me one. Here it is:

From this One Word, I will focus on being thankful & grateful this year. I can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for us! God’s blessings were all over the place last year. I know He will bless us in 2015. And p.s. THANK YOU Falen for taking your time to create this gorgeous new addition to my side bar!

Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (NKJV)

I hope you have made some goals for 2015. I have my list & want to do my best to put them into action. I am even doing a Bible study with Melanie over at Only a Breath . I know it will bless my heart. Go on over & get your daily dose of blessings, too. Until then, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

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.)