Good Morning from Alabama where we have Spring time temperatures and blooming plants today 🌸🌷 and a threat of snow flurries ❄️☃️ in the morning! Alabama weather is kind of like life … things can be moving along beautifully then all of a sudden we have a change that upsets everything! 😳😫

Both the hubby and I have had some of those unexpected changes recently. Learning to live with new health issues is a challenge in itself. I recently developed very unexpected heart issues and have had quite a time adjusting to the new meds, odd pains, interrupted sleep (actually that happens a lot but anyway) and little energy. And along with all of that, I have found that my daily time in The Word and in prayer has been lacking.

Then I get grumpy. 😣

I’m impatient, not always loving and kind … basically, I’m not living with the fruit of the Spirit because I’m not walking close enough to The Spirit to have the fruit! It “gets my goat” which is an old saying meaning I Am Aggravated! And yes I get aggravated at myself, especially when I realize that yet again, I have lapsed. 😠

I can not live as Christ wants me to live if I don’t spend time with Him daily. I have to intentionally choose to spend time with Him and live as He desires, or in other words “do His will”. And I am learning that I have to apologize to The Lord for my lapses (apologize to my hubby too and sometimes even Bama kitty and Abby pup 😉). Then it’s time to get back in the Word and spend time in prayer everyday and throughout the day. Sometimes this is not easy even in the best of situations. But like many of you, I am learning …

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4: 13

Dear friends, let’s all remember this verse. And let’s remember that He will strengthen us to face the hard things and Do the right things!

God be praised for loving us, teaching us, strengthening us and helping us!!! 🙌🙌🙌

Kim 😊💕

Pain just stinks. Period. Health (physical) pain, heart (emotional) pain, head (mental) pain … they all just stink. I’ve been thinking about how we cope, or don’t cope with pain. Severe pain can be mind and body consuming to the point that it is difficult to focus on anything beyond ourselves. The needs of others can seem to be just a shadow in the mind. And then the question arises, “Where is God in all of the pain?”

Dear friends, I have to remind myself, for that matter I must remind myself, that God is still right here with me even when I can’t feel His presence or recognize His intervention. Our lives, our world overflows with turmoil and seems full of pain. So today, I feel an urgency to remind you too that Jesus is with you.

As Jesus ascended to Heaven He gave the disciples His great commission and He reassured with these final words,

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28: 20b NIV.

My friends, those words comfort me even as they have comforted other believers through the ages. Jesus is with us. He knows our needs. He is with us to help us. He may not always give us what we want and He never promised such. But He did promise to be with us.

Surely, we all have hard times. We have head, health and/or heart pains that sometimes seem more than we can bear. But always remember that He is with you even when you can’t feel Him. Seek Him. Get into the Scripture either by listening or reading it and hear what He promises. Listen to His music. Persevere in your walk with Him. Remind yourself of His promises. Let Him help you and heal your wounds. Remember and claim verses like these:

“Come near to God and He will come near to you. …. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.” James 4: 8a & 10 NIV

I’m reminded of the Spiritual “There is a Balm in Gilead”. I love that song and I’ve always been soothed by the very word balm. There’s just something about that word that takes me back to childhood with skinned knees and Mama easing the pain with good ‘ole Vaseline (aka petroleum jelly) and tender loving care. Maybe these words will soothe your soul too …

There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again.

If you can’t preach like Peter,
if you can’t pray like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus
and say, “He died for all.”

There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul

Public Domain

Dear friends, Jesus is our balm. Praise His Holy Name!

Kim 💕

It has been a while since my last post but I had some unexpected health issues to arise. Thank the Lord for His goodness and I am feeling better. On this lovely Lord’s Day, the little buddies made me laugh and I just had to share these photos with you.

The Good Lord has blessed us big time with Bama-Kitty and Abby-Pup! I hope that sharing their sweetness brightens your day too. 🐶😻❤️

These two make life more joyful. Both are true gifts from the Lord 🥰. I like to live in thankfulness to the Lord. The following verse just seems to be appropriate today for the blessings of humor and His good things (like pets! 😊) …

“But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.”

Psalm 34: 10b NASB

I hope to be posting regularly again soon. Keep seeking the Lord. And have a lovely day,

Kim 🐶😻💕💕💕

Just a little background…My husband calls him “Dr” Bama when the little buddy knows we are not well. This particular photo looks more like Bama Kitty is a snob (although he’s not😉) and the expression made us laugh during a recent illness. Our good friend said the photo would make a great meme and added this statement from a commercial in the USA years ago. I just had to share it with you all.

I’ve always liked the King James Version of this verse …

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance”

Proverbs 15: 13a KJV

I hope this brings a smile, and maybe even a laugh, to your day 😊

Have a blessed week!

Kim💕😻

I was scrolling through my photos and saw this recent quick snapshot of Abby-Pup and Bama-Kitty. They are such good buddies and really love each other. Bama likes to go out on the front porch and it worries Abby half to death until he’s back inside safe and sound.

The thought that came to my mind first and foremost was how traditionally dogs and cats are enemies…. Not so here or at my Mom’s house! Now our first dog did hate cats and sadly attacked one. (That hurts me still.) Now you may think I was a little nutty but I started praying about her cat hatred when we rescued a tiny kitten and brought her home. God answered my prayer and Dixie-dog’s heart really was changed toward little Tinker-Kitty. They became the best of friends. I was a young adult then and truly, that answered prayer increased my faith in God. That change also helped me learn to pray more … big issues and small. And God grows my faith with His answered prayers, and His delays too … we shall chat about that another time.

Dear Friends, I asked in faith and saw God change a little dog’s heart. I mean really! He made them. He can change them and He can change our hearts too! So here’s the thing, I just don’t believe The Lord would have told us to love our enemies if He couldn’t help us do that.

I’ve asked in faith many times for help with a relationship issue. God has always been faithful! Sometimes there was a quick change. Sometimes it took years (those required persistence and often a change in my own heart 😉) but God has always been and is faithful in His help.

If you don’t struggle with relationship issues or have any enemies, then praise the Lord! But if you are like the majority of folks and struggle with relationships or have true enemies, ask The Lord to change not only their heart, but change your heart too. He is faithful and He will grant you what you need to do what He wants you to do! I’ve seen him change hearts and lives … even a little dog’s heart 🥰❤️🐶😻

So this little event may not seem theologically sound and you may roll your eyes at such a comparison. That really doesn’t bother me. I’m just sharing what I’ve experienced and I’m sharing it because The Lord put this on my heart. And just maybe we can learn a little from some of God’s other creatures. ❤️

Jesus said …

Love your enemies.

Love one another.

He will help you! I know from experience! 😊

Have a blessed day!

Kim 💕🐶😻❤️🥰