Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

I am not exactly sure when I became obsessed with cooking shows. My mother tried to teach me to cook when I was younger and I did not have an interest at all. However, within the last five to ten years now, cooking has become a new adventure for me, and cooking shows are more entertaining than ‘normal’ shows. Last night, as I was about to go to bed, it hit me … the challenges that the competitors face, are a mimic of our challenges every day.

One of my favorite shows is Tournament of Champions. This is a competition with the highest quality of chefs. Like all the chefs are ALL STARS competing against each other. They have a champion winners’ bracket like you would in a basketball tournament and it is a one and done … win or go home. Very simple right. HAHA…that is where the fun comes in. To ‘challenge’ these chefs, they implemented instrument called the Randomizer. This is a barrel with five different spinning options…Protein, Produce, Equipment, Style, and a Wild Card. Because they are all professional and well respected in their field, they are expected to make an elegant dish out of random items; with a 30-to-45-minute time limit. I have learned there are a lot of veggies and meats that I did not know existed. Anyway, watching these professional pull an eloquent dish out of random-mandatory ingredients … it’s cool to see.

Last night as I watched the show, I watched unknown but accomplished chefs take out established icon chefs whose names are synonymous with cooking excellence. I believe that is what led me to this analogy for our walk comparison. Most of us would not consider ourselves icons or established and well-regarded Christians. I think we mor look at ourselves as the underdogs with a solid backing.

The world randomly chooses our path for their good, but God specifically chooses us to take those random and unlikely ingredients to cook up something delicious for the world. With distress, turmoil, chaos, lack of common decency and love, and trust, to take all that and compose a dish of forgiveness in times where the world is screaming unforgiveness. In a world where hate is the common construct, show basic decency and unconditional love. The world may give you a French press coffee maker to make a pasta dish so delicious and fulfilling that they come back for more and with God’s guidance, you provide the dish worth serving to kings. Our walk is very much like this show … we are the champions because we have chosen to follow Him. The world is the Randomizer. The trinity is the culinary education that creates a five-star dish.

Today while you are in this worldly kitchen, look at all the random things that have been placed before you. Dip into the heavenly culinary experience that you have. Make today a dish worthy of serving to our King.

Be blessed.

** “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Today is a day of computer work. Research for a project that I am working on with a friend. Polishing off the novel. Writing the competition piece and … working on my office. It is really a train wreck. OH….and trying to figure out why the scanner part of my printer is being a turd. My new printer prints divine; however, my laptop says I don’t have a scanner. Not cool.

This morning, I was blessed with a phone call from my daughter. I should have drank my first cup of coffee in its entirety to take that call because her ADHD brain sounded like it was hyped up on Monster and wake up shots. Know when you get a really good rhythm going on a pin ball machine and the ball does not want to stop….that was her. A Lot. HaHa.

In the last two weeks, my bedtime has been extended to nearly 11pm and I still wake up around 6; however, I wake up rested and refreshed. Coffee is still very much a necessity though. Very much.

Storms are supposed to blow through here this morning for a bit, giving one more good saturation to the fields before planting. Or a good first drink for those who have planted already.

Today I encourage you to breath. Put one foot in front of the other. You are going to have those people and those situations that feel like they are too much, however, that does not mean that you are not enough…it simply means that you must put one foot in front of the other and breath. You have but one task to work on. You have but one conversation to have. You have but one situation to deal with. You have what is directly in front of you. That is it. Today my list of tasks is mighty, and I may not get through them all as resolved, however, I will take one task on a time and focus on that task. If something happens and I have to pivot, then I will focus on that situation before returning to original task. The one thing I will not allow is for the enemy to derail my peace. One step at a time, one situation at a time, one breath at a time. The enemy has room in this equation.

Take today and focus on the task before you, then move on. Keep the enemy’s thoughts at bay by keeping your eye on the prize. The minions will try … but YOU can kick them to the curb by simply following Him who guides you.

Be blessed.

**The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Wow, my home-row finger placement is struggling this morning. My fingers seem to be all over the place. It could be that I am just waking up, or it could be that I opened a reel yesterday and now part of my screen is covered in stupid warnings trying to sell me their product. It is kind of distracting.

Last night, as I was about to depart for my pillow, I checked my email on my phone (computer being a dork, ya know) and saw one from Writing Battle. Thinking it might be something of importance from my last entry … nope … it was giving me a ten-minute countdown for the competition that started last night … and I forgot. Haha. When the time came for my prompts to appear, I looked at them and wondered how I would ever make that work. (I do that a lot at first glance.) However, after texting a competitor friend, she was excited for hers, and as we chatted, a story came to mind. Probably a whopping 10 minutes passed, and I had a thought for a story.

While we were talking about the contest, I realized that I have four projects I am working on, the novel that needs a final edit. The low investment/high payout story, a new (last week) challenge that started last week from the same people who do the novel challenge, AND now this Writing Battle competition. Oh, and my brain is not crowded enough, so it is already starting the next novel in the series ideas.

The morning is beautiful. After my post, I will probably go sit in His presence for a bit, enjoy my coffee, and wake up the rest of my brain so that I can focus. Time spent in the She Shed produced the final chapter of the novel. I will probably spend time out there again today. It was the best investment I have made.

I encourage you to look at your day in the manner in which He has blessed you with your job. He has blessed you with opportunities. He has blessed you in many ways, and the enemy wants to take those blessings of peace and flip them. Tell the enemy to depart and enjoy your day with the Father.

Be blessed.

**I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. – Psalm 34:1

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

What a beautiful day today is starting out to be. I woke up around 7. My coffee is hot. My aura is uber calm. It is a wonderful day. I have a couple of visits on my calendar and will work on my story some more. I was having the computer read it to me yesterday afternoon after I finished the first rounds of edits for spelling and grammar. As I was listening, and knowing how the story plays out, some ideas came to mind to possibly include. Things that I think would enhance the story. Funny thing is, I only got to like chapter 5, I think, and I rewrote some of that already once. Haha.

At the craft fair yesterday, God blessed me with sales over what I have ever sold there, contacts for new events, seeding opportunities, and the most humbling of all, two very special people…one who was excited to meet me because they had read a couple of my books, and another who recognized me from a church I used to attend. A very Light-filled day, indeed.

I thought I would be hindered in promoting my books at libraries only because I had no contacts, however, social media led me to one, then this event led me to four more. When God wants something to sprout … he tills the soil, plants the seed, waters it, and shines his Son all over it. Yesterday was just another confirmation that I took the right path when I retired. I am eager to find out how His plan comes full circle with me. A little scared too…who knows what the future holds.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is the first scary step of any new adventure. When you have worked your whole life to get where you are, and now you are being directed to change course…without a definite foundation … other than faith. It is now that you need faith like Noah. Faith like Daniel. Faith like the three brothers. Faith. It is a little odd to step out like this, but … exciting as well.

What is keeping you from stepping out in faith for the new path that He wants you on? It may not be a financial step, maybe it is just a step to friend the one person you have mixed feelings about, someone whom you cannot decide is real or not. Maybe it is simply taking a walk when you feel like staying inside. Who knows, the possibilities are endless.

Be blessed.

**He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. –Proverbs 19:;17

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Today I am out at the BC Craft Fair. Come out and see me. There will be lots of different things for you to look at and maybe even something you just cannot live without….or don’t want to. Haha.

My printer was on its last leg and becoming more annoying than beneficial. We had discussed getting a new one a while back, but when I showed my husband the kind that I wanted (much like the one I have at work) and the price tag, we agreed that it was not a good time and to make do. Yesterday, on our trip home, he told me about a refurbish place that does commercial printers … we checked them out, and now I have a new baby sitting beside me. As soon as she decides to talk to my computer, I will be a very happy person…haha.

Over the last few days, I was able to finish my story I was working on, so today I will start the editing process. Since I do not like to read, editing is a thorn in my side; however, the alternative is to pay someone in excess of $500 to read and correct my errors. I was cheap before I retired, but I am becoming an even bigger prude. Haha. In overcoming this lack of desire to read, I have found in my own writing that my mind expands to different ideas and concepts. Yes, I know that is the point, but in editing my own work, I see why a story must grab a finicky reader like me, thus creating a stronger appeal to make a better story.

Many times God will lead us down roads we are not to keen on because He knows that the outcome will be huge. I am not a fan of reading. It bores me. I lose my train of thought. I fall asleep. I hardly ever remember what I have read … with the exception of the Bible…it intrigues me. I am not sure if it is because I most likely have ADD or another reading disability…but I know that if a book does not grab me in the first two pages, I probably will not finish it. Regardless of how good the rest of the story is. The fact that I like to write is funny considering my lack of interest in reading, but I think that is why He gave me this desire…to help others like me who want to see a story in a different arena..

Is God leading you to do something that is out of your wheelhouse? Is he telling you to walk this way instead of that? Is it in an area that you have prominently displayed a distaste for? You may be surprised at the outcome at the end of that path. Trust in His plan and overcome your inclination to be a rebel. Look at me…a writer of books who does not like to read. Cannot get much more opposite than that.

Be blessed.

**The man with two talents also came, ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ – Matthew 25:22

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

A very productive trip up north. Our son got the help he needed from his dad. I finished the rough draft of the next book. We both got a decent night’s sleep. I am packing up the room now. The sun has not come out yet. We have rain, but that is okay. Rain is soothing. Tomorrow I will be at the BC craft fair, feel free to stop by and say hello.

In the completion of the rough draft, well, throughout the process, I use a writing tool to help show me the gaps and flow issues. Where I can see some of their highlights, last night I was just shaking my head. The two major points of (incompleteness) were designed that way to play with the story plot. Mind you, it is a computer reading it and giving an evaluation, but … I am thinking if you were programmed to evaluate, then why can't you see the purpose of those open areas? By the time I finished reading the third evaluation, I decided it was time to go to bed.

I do like this program because it shows me where I need to reword things for a smoother transition. Or where I am using words to fill in instead of a smoother flow. Also, if I spell a name two different ways, I can search for them with it and correct them. There are props for this program; however, understanding spiritual warfare is not one of them … haha.

When I heard about the evaluation portion of the program, I was stoked. I have used it before and had some success with what it was suggesting. However, last night was a shaking my head moment. I sat and thought, whose story is this … the bot that just read 45K words in 2 minutes or God’s? I think you know what my answer was.

In any process or program that we are involved in, there will always be those who have a different vision. It is us to us to discern what is God’s vision and what is the world’s vision … then lean into the God side, no matter how difficult it is to stand alone. However, the blessing at the end of that standoff is far better than anything you could imagine.
Today, I encourage you to evaluate the circumstances you are in and lean into the purpose God has placed on your heart to be there. If it is work, what message of Light are you sharing? If it is caring for a loved one, what Compassion are you demonstrating? Are you simply in the park enjoying His artwork, who are you engaging with someone to change their perspective? How are you working to build a bigger Kingdom?

Today is your day to make a difference. How are you going to succeed?

Be blessed.

** I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ –Matthew 25:36

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

We drove up to our son’s yesterday and are staying for a couple of days. We chose a hotel closer to his place and even got first-floor housing; however, I did not expect the beds to be near floor level. I mean, seriously, they are low. We are only 10 minutes from our son, instead of 30, the rooms are cheaper, and the staff is friendly. So, all in all, if I have to call for housekeeping to bring the cherry-picker to get me out of bed … I can handle that. It is a smaller community, so hotels are as available. If we can figure out how not to roast or freeze…it would not be so bad. Haha.

Took the hubby out to the boy’s home so the two men can work together on a project the boy has been working on for a while now. With dad’s help, both last week and this, should be able to help get caught up a little bit. Meanwhile, back at the hotel, I get solitude and writing time.

On the way up here, I stopped at a Christian bookstore and met with the owner/manager. He was excited to have me come do a signing. We talked for a bit about expectations, and now all I have to do is coordinate my calendar and send him a message. This makes the fifth activity I have set up since retiring. I will be making a flyer soon with upcoming locations and dates.

Joined another writing challenge yesterday as well. This one, they give you the mandatory first and last lines and a twist or two in the middle. I like this challenge. I have done it before and enjoyed adapting and reworking the story. For me, it is a growth exercise.

Though retirement was inevitable and yet came a might earlier than expected and planned, the blessings that He has laid before me have been very clear. My husband and I normally argue on long drives because we are both old; however, yesterday we were kids having fun. This morning, he was promoting book sales to staff here at the hotel.

The sun is shining high. I might see if the hotel has a picnic table out back and sit outside for a touch. I would hate to miss this beautiful weather. As you go about your day-to-day, stop and think about the blessings that you were not looking for. The ones that just appeared. Then, once you are done looking at yourself, stop and think about how much of a blessing you have been to others. Did you greet someone who was not expecting it? Did you tell someone they did a good job, who may never hear that? Did you complement someone on their hat, their scarf, their shoes…their smile? These are the sorts of blessings that will be the cornerstone of change—acknowledging those around us.

Be blessed.

**For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, --Matthew 25:35

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Let me tell you the fastest way to make my daughter shake her head off her shoulders is to ask her a question about how to set up a social platform that was designed, as I understand it, for a more sinful crowd. I am pretty sure that when I sent that request to her, her eyes rolled like a slot machine wheel, and she may have had a mini-heart attack. Like, “Mother …. Nooooooooooooooooooo.” Oh, if I could have seen the reaction to that text message … that would have been hilarious.

A little backstory, from one of the competition sites, I received an email from an ‘artist’ who wanted to create a cartoon from the story. They expressed their desire to work with me and gave me their contact information through this social platform. It was really cool that they reached out, though the story they chose I was trying to envision it as a cartoon or comic design. I was intrigued. I also reached out to an author friend at the same time I texted my daughter. She let me know that she had received similar messages and that it appeared to be a scam. We laughed, and I told them what I had sent my daughter and what her reaction would be. I was right. When I opened up my messages from my daughter I got a very extended ‘Why’.

In my search to be better at promoting His books, which He has blessed me with the stories of His love, I am open to trying new sites. This particular one had never crossed my mind. I figured I would try to figure out the ones that I already kinda knew first. As I am sitting here today, writing of my daughter’s reaction, I am mindful of Jonah’s reaction to God’s instruction to go to Nineveh, and Moses’ reaction to return to Egypt and face Pharaoh. Both were like, “Uh, Lord? Um … no thank you.” Yet, look at the outcome.

When we are placed in a circumstance that we are unfamiliar with or unsure of, we tend to shy away and speak of all the reasons that it is a bad idea. Then try to debate the validity of the request. We try to un-hear and forget the direction. HOWEVER, Jesus did not hang out in the synagogues to teach the teachers and persuade them; he hung out in the streets of the lower parts of town and found those who were willing to listen.

Will I open an account on this particular social page? I don’t know. I am not opposed to it. Could I reach someone? Of course. Isn’t that the point? Absolutely. Is this the time? I am unsure. However, I do recognize the signs when He gives them, so…who knows. My point is this: just because it was or is promoted in one way, it does not mean that it cannot be an avenue for another way. Heaven knows that Satan has done that with most, if not all, social platforms. Why not reverse the playing field?

Be blessed today.

**And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Boy, am I late today. I slept in. I ate breakfast. I started writing on my novel and realized I had not done my morning writing. I should totally be put in Time Out. Haha.

Yesterday served as another step towards my retirement. I closed out my drawer, turned in the rest of my keys, and gathered my personal belongings that I had left. Got some hugs, made some laughs, then left. Afterwards, I went to town to spend the day with my mother. No curfews of how long … just time with her. By the time I got home, it was almost as if I had worked my shift. Haha. It was fantastic.

Today is kind of like last Tuesday, a little odd, but I have one Tuesday under my belt, so it is not as odd. I am just slow today. I am thinking that I may even go for a walk today. The sun is high in the sky, and the temperature is not too bad either. Fresh air and sunshine, with no commitment… sounds pretty inviting.

How do you determine where your peace level is? I always thought I needed to be super productive and always busy. Weird, right? But in the community where I grew up, I was not expected to succeed. The times in which I lived, and the perception of my family, automatically set me in a failure category. Maybe the community did not mean for that to be the atmosphere, but it definitely was. I have always been one who felt I needed to ‘prove’ myself. Over the course of time, which dwindled a little. Becoming more of the like me or don’t. Agree or don’t. But still over the top, hard on myself when I failed. One thing my family was good at was setting an example. My parents were prime examples of hard work, good ethics, and taking care of what was important. In my interpretation of that, I took that to mean … taking care of everyone. Setting the example high, but not so high that it could not be reached. I had great examples throughout my life, and I always strove to gain their approval.

The one area in my life that I fail at every day, but I know that I have my example's approval, is my walk. I do not say that arrogantly, but humbly. I do not sin daily because I know I am forgiven, but because I am human. Daily, I have to go to Him and confess my errors. Apologize for my language. And give Him the glory for teaching me something new each time. Going to him does not get easier because I know that He will forgive me, as if it is not a big deal; going to Him gets easier because each time I do, I can feel His love even more. Just as we trust our parents to keep us on the straight and narrow, even though we mess up, I lean heavily on my Father to help me each day. The peace umbrella that I live under is Him. He bounces all the wrongs into oblivion, and I am left with His peace.

If you have not found this peace, I pray that you will seek it with all your might. It is a peace that no one fully understands. It is a peace that settles even the hardest times. You may not have the answer…but you will have the peace that the answer will come…in time.

My prayer for you today is that you will be able to manifest the courage to seek Him, sit with Him, lean on Him, and embrace His Peace.

Be blessed.

**Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in hearts. – Psalm 97:11

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Today I go and close out my drawer. The last commitment that I have with my office. It will be the confirmation of sorts that I really did this. Haha. Yesterday’s service was so uplifting. It was such a praise session for the One who has made this all possible. I teared up on multiple occasions…it was just that good. To add to that, we were nearly a full house. The worship service was so loud with heavenly praise that I recorded the audio on my phone. I am going to listen to it today and share with my mom. I have never done that before.

In the message, the pastor issued a series of questions. As he was listing these different ‘What nows’, I placed myself in the ‘what now’ category. You have worked your whole life, you have made it to retirement, ‘now what?’ I have worked since I was twelve somewhere, somehow, so this is very odd for me. However, in the service, as the pastor spoke of way more horrific ‘what now’ scenarios, I felt His peace come over me, which provided a complete calm. The fear is still rattling around in the back of my head, but after service, while giving my mandatory hugs, I received several confirmations in different ways that I listened and I obeyed.

Change in life is inevitable. Nothing is exactly the same every day. How we deal with these changes, how we acknowledge Him in and through these changes; well, that is the story we tell. My prayer is that I display a positive light on change and set the stage and example for others to follow. Following blindly is scary, but I am at peace. My plan was to set the date and stay to the date. His plan was ‘Do you love Me?” Then trust Me.’

As you walk your walk today, search and see if there is an area that you do not have a plan for, but He is urging you to move forward in that direction … with only Him. Go to Him in prayer and listen. If it is to be, there will be a complete peace within the chaos of the unknown. That peace … that is Him.

Be blessed.

**Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.—Psalm 100:4

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Today is Easter. Today we go to His house and give thanks upon thanks for what He did for us. I was going to see if my poetry brain would wake up and write something for today, however, that part of my brain said, why don’t you use the one you already wrote. So last night, I flipped through my binders of stuff loads of poetry I wrote a long time ago, to include titled Easter.

Enjoy.

Easter
(2010)

Let us take a little trip in time
When all hope seemed to be lost
A day when the revelation was made
That our Savior paid the ultimate cost

One minute we are praising Him
Shouting his name in powerful glee
Then within the smallest of times
We are shouting “CRUCIFY HIM” … HE IS NOT OUR KING

As we watched him die on the cross
The guards tormented and gambled with no shame
An aching mother’s heart for her son
Is finding it hard not to cast blame

The attitude turned somber
Confusion instead of celebration
As the soldier pierced his slumping side
A death test deliberation

The shock she must have felt
When she reached the empty tomb
Not only had she lost her lord to death
But now she is looking at an empty room

What else could be done to her
Her heart could bear no more
Dumfounded, confused, and perplexed
As she gazed upon the open door

As Mary sat in the garden
Tears of sorrow fell to the ground
Sobbing for the loss twice over
Her heart aching with each and every pound

Then a voice inquired
To her powerfully sobbing sorrows
She tried to explain her circumstance
That she did not like her tomorrows

But when the lighting changed
What a feeling she must have felt
When she realized the voice was Jesus
Standing before where she knelt

Her Lord was alive!
But how could that be?
She saw for herself
As He died up on that tree

The reasons did not matter
The hows and the whys fade past
All she cared for at the present
Was her Lord was back and at last

Joyfully obedient to spread the good word
Of his wonderful and glorious return
Busting through the doors to the disciples
Exasperating to tell what she had learned

What does this tell you
Way down deep in your soul
About when you feel you’ve lost your Lord
Only later to be found in His fold

The multitudes had witnessed
This most horrific death
As he shouted out, “IT IS FINISHED”
With His last and final breath

But now the selected chosen
The ones He wanted to see
Have seen that the chains of death
Could not keep Him from being free

Will you come and walk with me
Be a part of the chosen few
To hear and spread the word of Christ
To create a world anew.

Karalee Ratliff
3/30/2010

Be blessed.

**Then Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. – Matthew 28:18

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Good Morning. Good Morning. I do apologize for not posting yesterday. We had a late-night Thursday night, an early morning Friday, and then lots of driving. So much so that when we got home, I literally went to the bathroom, then my chair, and did not move. I sank into my recliner, all stretched out. It felt so comfortable. I stayed there almost until bedtime, at which time I do not remember anything.

This morning’s storm sends my thoughts to the possibility of the thoughts for the disciples the day after they laid Him in the tomb.

Let's look at this as if you were there. You just spent three years with the most feared man on the planet, but also the most loving and compassionate. He was feared because of his love and compassion. A teacher who made you get outside of the world view of righteousness and into the godly view of righteousness. An educator of what the scripture truly means. A fisherman who never fished but knew where the fish were. A man, just like you, but so much NOT like you. A man who showed you pieces of yourself that you did not know existed. A man who foretold his own death and resurrection. A man who did not fear the religious leaders or the Romans but tried to invite them to the Kingdom. A man who saw through the traps and reflected the truth that even they could not deny. A man that you wanted to follow forever … a man you left your family for … a man that showed love to everyone…even the one who was to betray him. In all notable displays, the best friend that we all desire…the family…but oh so much more.

This man was just nailed to a cross for loving too much. Educating too much. Bringing Light to a darkened world. This man who loved is not dead. He is gone. Your thoughts … scattered at best, but more likely a tornado/hurricane windstorm mixed with a typhoon of emotions, doubt, confusion, and mostly fear. Where do I go? What do I do? How am I going to go on without Him? What is going to happen to me? What if the Romans find me? What about the religious leaders? I cannot go home, those who don’t believe will turn me in. What am I supposed to do now? I turned my life upside down, and now my leader is dead.

I am fairly certain that is a close proximity of what was going on in their heads. Then Mary…his mother. My son has been murdered for loving too much. My son, who is God, allowed himself to be murdered for the sake of all these people, but he was still my son. My heart aches. I was supposed to protect him. He was my son.

Think that might be a fair assessment. As one who has lost a child, those thoughts are mild.

Watching the Spring wind outside with sprinkles of rain, I envision this to be the thought of all the disciples in the Upper Room and Mary. Replaying each element of the last few days. From songs of Hosanna to Crucify Him to watching him die before your eyes. Where did it all go wrong … or was this right? Then, the “make it make sense” thoughts.

However, with all that confusion, all that fear, that lostness, you do not lose your faith that something good has to come of this. Something bigger. Something that you just cannot see yet. You have faith that, through the wind and storm, the flowers will bloom. That the birds will sing. That it will all make sense…somehow.

As you are processing it all, Mary busts in the door and shouts the impossible … HE IS ALIVE. The flood of confusion and relief, and more confusion about what you saw and what she is saying. Then He appears, and it is true. I know that I would weep like a baby.

This is Easter Weekend. Take a true moment and place yourself in field with the disciples and Mary. Embrace the reality of what one Man did for you. Put yourself in the place of a disciple and adopt their perspective. This weekend is so much more … This weekend is the reason that we believe. This weekend is why we can survive the storms of the world. This weekend is the true reason we follow. Because death cannot hold us … because He saved us. There is nothing to fear when you believe.

Be blessed.

(As I finish this post, the winds have stopped. I think He likes what I wrote.)

**The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. – Psalm 9:10-11

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

As we approach this wonderful weekend of sorrow and blessing, have you ever considered the position that the Romans took? We know what the disciples and other followers did, but what about the Romans? I am pretty sure that they did not just go, “Welp, sucks to be them.” Or “Oh darn, what happened?” Scripture really doesn’t tell us much, that I have found, except that the guards were frightened and ran off to hide because they fell asleep at their post.

Last night I watched a movie with an interesting perspective of the Romans. It is a plausible viewpoint. Not sure any of it can really be verified as factual, however, the story was quite compelling. The movie is called Risen. It takes the side of Pilot and an officer in the Roman detail. I highly recommend watching.

The movie replayed through my head on the possibility or plausibility of accuracy that it could have been, to me it was a little mild, based on how I perceive what the Romans would have been like, but still pretty close. If you were Pilot, and the Caiaphas had already pressured you into this punishment, then came back to you for the Roman Seal, would you not see a tension build between them once He rose from the tomb? The ‘investigation’ that would ensue. It really did bring on some interesting points to consider.

As we come closer to this miraculous weekend, keep in mind that those who do not know Him, have no idea what this weekend really means. What power was displayed this weekend so many years ago. This weekend will be a great time to show His love. A great weekend to show random acts of kindness. A great weekend to reconcile out of the blue with someone you have issues with. A great weekend to display Love in accordance with how He showed love…by surrendering your pride, ego, and arrogance then willfully stepping out of you and into Him. Something to think about.

Be blessed.

**Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. –John 16:24

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Today is day two. Yesterday was quite weird. I have been working since I was twelve. I have had moments of unemployment, but those were stressful times. My experience was peaceful but bewildering. I am not sure if it is because my plan was to work until April 30th, and I stopped working a month earlier. So, maybe the plan being altered was the catalyst for the weirdness. However, there is a beautiful lining to yesterday…I woke up at my normal time, I had coffee with my husband, I made him a hot breakfast, spent time with God and my computer, took a nap in the She Shed listening to the wind and wondering how sturdy the shed truly was. (quite sturdy, it never even hinted at moving) About two or so, I decided I probably should do something old and grown up … so I paid our property taxes and did our income taxes. Not sure you can get much more old and grown up than that.

Today is what has become normal for us…Doctor appointment. Only one today, and it should go rather smoothly. After I bring him home, I think I might return to town and sit with my mommy for a while. I have a kind of plan of attack for today. Haha.

Most big changes in my life come with strife built in somewhere, somehow. Moving from Georgia to Indiana, then having to go back. Not being able to find work because I was overqualified to show up and do the job. Moving from the city to the country. Something was stressful, almost overpowerful about them … however, this is not. This is peaceful.

Change is inevitable. It is always going to exist. Sometimes it is self-motivated, sometimes it is out of the blue; however, it is going to happen. How we adapt to that change is totally up to us. Yesterday I chose to be confused… it was kind of funny to me as I walked through the house and saw all that needed to be done, but chose not to… until 2, when I decided to be very old and grown-up. Haha. That being said, how we decided to address the change is completely up to us. We can fight it and lose ourselves or we can surrender to it and lose ourselves ….OR … the one we should be more inclined to do … take the good and the bad of the change and find the Light in the change…then follow the Light. Our emotions run high when change comes, especially abruptly, but … there is always Light. Don’t let the enemy cast storm clouds around you so thick that you cannot see the good in the change. You will lose your peace for sure.

Be blessed.

**Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future. – Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

The last few days or so, I have been talking about choices and faith. I thought it odd, kind of, that He would have me repeat the same message in different variations. I get it now. Those concepts came into full circle yesterday, for me.

In the midst of a plethora of doctor appointments, work requirements, prepping and planning for retirement, responsibilities for my mother, and let’s not forget my host of commitments to tell God’s story in my books … we will just say that a few things did not go well or as well as they could have.

Since my announcement of retirement, and my last day in my office being April 30th, the enemy has tried all kinds of financial worries, potential better life carrots, and loads of other items to keep me right where I am. The enemy has swung from the positive to retirement to the overwhelming (What If) scenarios in various ways. He has made work fun again and, in an instant, reminds me why I am retiring. When I say there has been a circle of emotions and thoughts this last month alone, I am talking three-ring with ALL the attractions you can imagine.

Yesterday’s events … well, let me back up a piece … the events over the last week have leaned heavily on calling it good … for good. I have been resistant because I felt that God set my April 30 date, and I needed to stick to the plan. As this last week unfolded, He politely showed me that April 30 was MY plan. Hence, the repeated messages about trusting and having faith.

I know that He is in control. I know that He has a plan. I know that I am covered by His mission in my life. I also know that I am a control freak and like to know details. Haha. But then don’t want to know the details at the same time. I am a complex mess with simple intentions.

Yesterday, I notified my boss … face to face … that it was my last day. I took my office key and laid it on her desk. I apologized for the short notice but explained that I can no longer juggle three major components in my life. That the job was the one thing I had control over to reduce commitment. We hugged. She understood. I think she was expecting it personally. When I left the office, I told my husband on the way home, ‘This feels weird.’ In my head, I was like, “What have I done?”

Like clockwork, I woke up early. Debated on getting up, but as you can see, I decided to follow my routine. So, I am officially on leave until my retirement date in May. I trust that He will keep me covered. I have faith that His plan is coming to fruition. And I am confident that I will try to mess that up somehow. Ahahahahahaha
However, I now have one less thing on my plate and can now seek out the new mission field.

Are you hovering or clinging on to a plan that you set up for yourself that you were sure was from God? Are things getting bumpy? Go to him today and talk over this plan. Ask Him to reveal the path that He wants you on and be willing to listen if it is not the plan you thought it was supposed to be.

Be blessed.

**Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Yesterday’s message was of pure Spirit, and we stayed for Sunday school. The last question in Sunday School was quite profound.

In summary, the question was ‘What can the faith of one man do?’.

The study class was on King Hezekiah, but I want you to think about a couple more. I have spoken of Noah’s faith many times. What about the faith of David to NOT destroy Saul but respect him. Faith of Daniel to hold to his desire to praise God and not fall in line with the world. Three very prominent men of the Old Testament out of countless to choose from.

Conditions for each of these men were not that much different than those in practice today. The difference is really the radius in which they had personal contact. Today’s outreach is so much vaster thanks to the internet. The faith of one follower today could change countless lives…just by being obedient to His call.

We may never know all of those that we have touched. We may never see the fruit of our harvest. But, on those occasions where you are thanked or acknowledged, those are priceless commodities to hang onto. A simple yet profoundly humbling act of obedience can change a life. When doing so, the ripple effect begins.

Today, in your walk through the chaos of this crazy world, purpose to change someone’s life. Purpose to give someone joy. Purpose to be a blessing. Purpose to be that one person of faith to change the world one person at a time.

Be blessed.

**Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. – Psalm 95:2-3

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

My morning started way too early for a day off. 0430. No reason. No need. Just decided to wake up and look at the darkness of my room. I was able to drift off a few times, but by 0630, I was done … I needed coffee.

The last time that I was woken up this early for no reason was when there were words to be put to paper; however, no words or thoughts came to mind. Perhaps it has to do with the last-minute story thought that I had last night. I do not know, but I am very slow-moving this morning. Wonder if I can rig an IV and place it in the coffee pot for direct infusion?

Today is His day. Today, we give thanks for all the blessings and the obstacles. Yes, the obstacles. Without the obstacles and the trials, how would we know and truly appreciate the good? No one wants to go through the hard times, but in reality, the hard times and how we navigate through them are what help others believe and follow. We are a society that needs physical affirmation that things are legit. What better way to show how legit Jesus is than to have someone follow how you navigate trials and tribulations?

I will confess, my turbulent times are rough. I am not always the most ‘Christian’ looking person from the world's view; however, it is not the world’s view of me I am worried about. It is the deciding factor that I decided to trust and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. Making the choice to not throw in the towel. Making the choice to believe that He has it under control. Making the choice to stand firm in His love, regardless of what the world is showing me. Making a choice to believe in Him.

Today, wherever you find Him, give thanks for all your situations. Give your anxiety to Him and trust that He will provide. Quit seeing the physical and start seeing Him. The physical is the storm; He is the Lifeguard.

Be blessed.

**Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. – Proverbs 29:18

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Last night was another round of Would You Rather with the kids. We laughed and even got my hubby to answer a few questions. I think some of his answers were the best. We don’t actually play the game; we just select our target, pull a card, and then read each of the questions with the full intent of just enjoying the responses. Last night, I opted to just read the cards and alternate targets, including myself. Again, we laughed incredibly hard, to the point that my granddaughter made a video for future giggles. We have one more full day and then a half day tomorrow with them. It has been a blast. I just forgot that we made a cake three days ago…haha. Wonder if anyone else forgot it, too? Haha.

Looking ahead at the weather forecast, looks like April wants to bring in the month with rain. Not a terrible idea, to give the fields one more big drink to prepare the soil for planting, not a favorite idea for most of us either. Rain tends to bring on a sadness or darkness since we don’t exactly play in the rain anymore. However, I propose a new look at the rain. What is rain? It is water. What is water? Water is Life.

Many of us are going through or about to go through a change in season. My question to you is this: What are you doing to prepare your fields? Are you making way for the change, or are you staring at an empty field? Are you making way for the new change, or are you stuck in what has always been?

Change is never easy; however, it is necessary. When we get stuck in too much of a routine, we place that routine on a pedestal and miss life. I am not saying to change with the sin of the world; however, I am saying that each season in our lives is going to be different than the last, and we need to be willing to adapt and move forward.

To be honest, where I am excited for my new season, it also terrifies me. I have worked a long time to attain the grown-up status that I now enjoy … I am terrified that I will mess it up. As terrified as I am for that aspect, I trust that God will Gibbs-slap me hard if I stray off on the wrong path. Change is just that … change. Embrace it. Prepare for it. Do not let the enemy push you out of it. You got this.

Be blessed.

**Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid, --John 14:27

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Thank you Jesus for the beautiful day that you provided for us yesterday. Windows down, wind in out hair…beautiful. Good outcome from the doctors, good visit with my mom, good games in arcade with the littles … great weather coming home … finished with childhood favorite supper.

Thank you for the cooling temperatures to sleep by. Thank you for waking me up when my window slipped open allowing my room to become a Frigidaire. Thank you for the covers and bodily insulation that you provided. Thank you.

Every night and every morning I give thanks for many blessings that He has provided. From the simplicity of my weight and blankets to keep me warm to the weather of the day for fun with the littles. I end each prayer event with reciting the Lord’s Prayer. I have been doing my prayer life like this for well over a year and I can say with absolute confidence … it works. My peace has returned. My joy has returned. My zeal has returned. To be fair, not all my days are sunshine and rainbows. Some days I get in the way of His plan for me. My brain takes off like a shot and will not shut off; however, I continue to pray with thanks … thanks for even those days. I do that to remind myself how much I need Him and how much He does for me.

I offer this method of prayer for you if your prayer life is all but non-existent. I offer this method if you are seeking and missing the boat. I offer this concept of prayer to get your feet wet and a routine of simple thank you and gratitude. The other prayer life of needs seems to grow smaller and less important as you realize how much you have to be thankful for and as you give thanks, He takes care of the rest. Something to consider.

Be blessed.

**Give thanks to the Lord , call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. – 1 Chronicles 16:8

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus tells us to come to him as a child? What would be the significance of coming to him as a child?

Yesterday was a prime example of that request.

My grandkids are here for the week. Though I still have to work, I worked a deal with my boss to take half a day yesterday, and today is my day off. Yesterday, after lunch, the kids and I made a cake. While the cake was baking, we played our version of ‘Would You Rather’. (A board game that asks you questions of choices…very odd choices.) Our version is simply taking turns reading the cards and watching the expressions and responses to each of the questions. Such as: Would you rather run 20 miles in wooden shoes or ride a bicycle 100 miles without a seat and the seat post sticking up? What would you choose?

While playing this game, I was sure that I was going to need oxygen because I was laughing so hard. After the cake finished, we took it out to check, and stupid me tried to catch a hot glass baking dish with my bare hands … thankfully by granddaughter had on the oven mitts and caught it. We laughed about that as well. While the cake was cooling, it was time to go to the she shed and the creek. Another trip of complete and total laughter. On the way back to the house, they each thought that they (had) me on several occasions …walking wrestling matches ensued.

I believe that Jesus wants us to come to him as a child because their love for life is pure and simple. Baking a cake. Asking odd questions and making a choice. Throwing rocks into a creek. Tickles. Walking wrestling. Pure Joy.

Today, do your best to do just that … Go to the Father as a child and embrace his presence.

Be blessed.

**And he said, “ I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. –Matthew 18:3

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Over the course of the years, there have been many movies about the life of Jesus. A plethora of actors portraying the greatest man to ever walk this earth. Seriously. A role that almost seems impossible to properly portray.

There is a show that has been going on for the last few years called The Chosen. If you have not engaged in it, I would encourage you to do so. Of all the shows that I have watched regarding biblical times, this one comes very close, in my opinion.

There is a scene where Matthew is having a conversation with a Roman soldier who is struggling with his sin. Matthew expresses that every morning, all his fears and doubts overwhelm him, but then he settles himself to the fact that all he has to do is Follow Him…the rest takes care of itself.

A very simple concept. A very easy task. Yet, we complicate it every day by trying to do God’s job for him. To help the guy out. To take a burden off of him. We try to reverse the roles. Why? I am not quite sure … to be honest. Seems kind of silly if you ask me. But still we do.

What if today, we choose this very simplistic thought? What if we take today as a ‘trial’ run, as it were? What if we choose today to strictly Follow Him? No take-backs. No helping Him. No, thinking we have it all figured out. Just Follow Him. What if today … we get out of His way?

I have found in my own life that if I just get out of His way, things work out in the manner that they are designed. Additionally, they are much better. Make today a NO TAKE BACKS day and just follow Him.

Be blessed.

**Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. – Matthew 16:24

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

I cannot believe the rock-solid night’s sleep I got last night. It is amazing how well I feel. My room was a little warmer than I prefer when I got home, so I cracked the window until bed. It was a much nicer sleeping environment by bedtime. Closed the window and snuggled into my cozy spot. I slept so soundly that when my alarm went off, I came up swinging. Funny thing is, I didn’t close the window properly, and it slid open again. So my room was beautifully cool.

Today is primed to be another fantastic day at work. I anticipate getting even more caught up on stuff that had to sit last week. I even looked at the weather AP, and it appears that the wind is taking a vacation, making the temperature of 53 of a high be a great reason to enjoy the season.

I saw a video the other day of a preacher with a glass of milk and a bottle of chocolate syrup. The milk is us. The syrup is the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the syrup only covered us. (He demonstrated this by laying the bottle over the top of the glass.) However, in the New Testament, (he opens the bottle and squeezes some wonderfulness into the glass), the Holy Spirit comes into us. He further explained that the way we activate the Holy Spirit is by reading the Word, prayer, and service (as he is speaking, he is stirring the glass of chocolate milk, transforming it). Completing his demonstration, he expressed that when we have an active Holy Spirit in our lives, we are transformed.

My question to you this morning is this … are you operating in the Old Testament covering or are you renovated in the New Testament transformation?

Be blessed.

**I love you, O Lord, my strength.—Psalm 18:1

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

This week, I am blessed to have my littles with us. It has been a bit since we have spent any time together other than a quick pass through here or there. By week’s end, I am sure that I am going to need a vacation, but it is only because I am old and they forget that…and to be honest … I do too when they are here—already got some baking on the calendar.

Last week was a bit of a chaotic mess that seemed to have worked itself out. This week is catch-up week for paperwork that I missed getting done because of the week we had. I should be extremely busy for at least 10 minutes … HAHA.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Started a little on the cool side, but not terrible, worked its way up to gorgeous, and with a blink of an eye, typical Indiana weather appeared…drop in the temperature and rain. I half expected to wake up to snow … just saying. Shoot, we have an hour before I leave for work, there is still time.

Today I have declared this day to be the day of all days. We are fully staffed today. Even with a broken night’s sleep thanks to the dog, I am well rested and have my first coffee in me. My littles are here to hang out and bring life back into the house. The high today is going to be 45 with some wind, so it sounds like a great day to peek outside, then go back in. Just checked out the forecast, yep, it is a peek day for sure.

What do you plan to do today? Grumble because it is Monday, or praise because the sun is out. Complain that you were not born rich or won the lottery this weekend, or be happy that you are vertical and can be someone’s light? Today’s outcome is truly up to you, and your perspective this morning is. Dark and gloomy or bright and shiny, which do you choose? Bets on which one I choose.

Be blessed today.

**God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.—John 4:24

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Good morning from my She Shed. Yep, that’s right. I got up, grabbed my coffee, packed up my puter, put on shoes and hoodie, and headed for the She Shed. It is so quiet and beautiful out here. The other night I did some time out here in the sunset, and this morning I was blessed with His presence in the earlier hours. Not super early, after all, it is my day off. Haha.

A couple of years ago, friends asked me why I didn’t do videos. Honestly, I did not feel it was my gig. However, I did start making some here and there. Then I got a TikTok and still no posts, but I enjoyed the platform. As I close in on my retirement date, I have started making more videos. Mostly about peace. I have plugged in my books, my dog, and yesterday I posted my last ride with the post office (I carried a route for the last time…I think…haha). This morning I made a video of me reading from the Word, Ecclesiastes 3:1-14…A Time for Everything.

While reading this morning, the birds were singing, and the peace of the Lord fell upon me. There is a weed right out my window that is dancing in the light breeze. While I was reading, I would look up at the weed, and it reminded me of me. This time in my life is new and a bit unsettling. Most any change in today’s age is unsettling. However, I know that He has it. He is directing it. He is in control of it. And all I have to do is dance in His breeze,

Several of my friends are going through some unrelenting times and questioning everything. The fact that God brought this word to me today … A Time for Everything…well, it is just a short reminder that we are not alone. We are His children. He is our Father. And regardless of the bully’s antics and pressures to give up, He will not allow the bully to win. When we choose to not surrender … the bully turns up the heat, but our Father shows us where thermostat is.

How connected to the Father are you? Do you talk to Him every day? Are you seeking His face? Will the daily blessings that He provides catch your eye?
Take a moment today, read Ecc 3:1-14. Slowly embrace the words and the context. Submerge yourself in His confidence and peace. Plunge into his presence and hug Him close to your heart. We do not have to understand the immediate (why), we need only understand that there is a purpose and that He is in control.

Be blessed.

**Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. –Proverbs 3:5-7

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Knock on wood, today will be my last day to carry mail. Circumstances, whatever they are, I am the last available body. Fortunately for me, it is a rural route, and it's going to be a beautiful day. What better way to spend my Saturday than driving through the countryside with God watching over me AND getting paid to do it while spending someone else’s gas? That works for me.

This week is Spring Break for my littles. Both mom and dad are working, so they are going to come spend time with us. What they don’t know is that it is not a complete holiday for them, we are going out to a friend’s house to help them. Tonight after work, I will go purchase the appropriate (I hope) amount of groceries for the week and get us all prepared for the two bottomless pits coming.

Spring is definitely looming. My allergies have kicked it up a notch this morning. Note to self … 2 rolls of paper towels and 6 boxes of tissue will be needed for a drive through the countryside. (haha)

With today being a solidly beautiful day in both show and temperature, make sure that you take time to get outside and enjoy His creation. The enemy would have you hide or only see the items that need to be done/repaired from the past storms. Look past the chores, see His face. Watch the birds as they play through the wisps of air. Count the rabbits who have come out to see if it is really spring. Watch a creek or a brook run free. Enjoy Him today, it is a present.

Be blessed.

**The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. –Proverbs 10:28