God's Strength

At the end of our Ladies Bible Study we go around the room and pray for each other. I have a dear friend whose sister is dying…as I listened to the prayers being offered up for her sister and the family I was touched by the spirit of God. I am blessed with friends who love God and Jesus. We gather in His name as we study, learn and grow in faith. While there we support each other, laugh at our joys and cry at our sorrows. My prayer is that you are able to find friends and family members who share the love of God and the healing power of Jesus. When you have challenges or trials God sends you Angels and friends that will walk you through the tough times. Listening to the ladies pray for our dear friend and her family allowed me to see God in the faces and hearts of each lady…what a joy to be part of this group. Continue to follow the path God has laid out for you, surround yourselves with Christian fellowship and bask in God’s Grace, Peace and joy. Proverbs 18:10-11 The name of the Lord is a strong defense, the godly run to him and are safe. The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can hear a crushed spirit. I pray for God’s Wisdom and the power of Jesus as we continue on our journey through life. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Peace & Joy

What a beautiful day Sunday was. The sun was shining and the temperature was in the low 70’s…how remarkable is that? Although we are not finished with warm weather in the San Joaquin Valley yesterday was exceptional. I look at life in that way. Everyday is remarkable because it’s a gift from God. We enjoy what we are given and strive to walk with Jesus. Leaning on Jesus without doubt and negative attitudes is done with God’s wisdom. Putting our faith in God allows the wonders of his blessings…We then have occasions to extend these blessings by sharing the love of Jesus. Let’s remember to demonstrate for our children and grandchildren the ways of God all the while modeling the love of Jesus by showing kindness to those around us, helping others with a smile and giving a heart. Our lives are a living testament to our faith. Our families and friends know who we are by our patience, forgiveness and joy for life. No matter the circumstance let us find joy in the day… Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Prayer is like talking with your “best” friend! What a joy and blessing…Go forth today with the smile of God on your face… Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Resources

Yesterday I was talking to my older son after he and his family had gone to the library. I immediately thought about my childhood and what joy I received spending many hours in our library through the summer months. It was shear pleasure to walk home with an armful of books. The joy of reading brought new places and experiences to me…a way to expand my knowledge but also an opportunity to dream…to dream with endless possibilities. I was proud of my son and daughter-in-law for giving their daughters the similar experiences and future knowledge. Yeah, for those resources that are at our finger tips or right down the street. Through new and extended resources we are able to improve our lives as well as influence our thinking. Yet, on a daily basis we can turn to God, our resource, and our thinking and actions are given the information as to how we should live our lives. As Committed Christians we have an opportunity to spread the word of God and the love of Jesus Christ. I pray we stay close to God with continued prayer, Christian fellowship and Bible studies. Let us increase our knowledge. As we go about our days it is through our treatment of others, our abilities to harness our tempers and our knowledge we share that brings God’s love into everyday living. 2Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness and to godliness to brotherly love. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

212 Degrees

As I was meandering through our neighborhood I noticed our temperature had dropped several degrees. It was surprising how just a few degrees changed my attitude toward pedaling around the neighborhood. It was much cooler…as we had just experienced record tying temperatures…110 degrees…however, today I was able to ride without sipping water every few minutes and to push myself a “little” more. I was suddenly reminded of the book “212 degrees” by Sam Parker & Mac Anderson. They write about water boiling at 212 degrees. From boiling water we get steam and from steam power. They brought this analogy to our daily lives. The more energy (heat) directed in our commitment we go beyond good to excellent. Do we strive to work, play or study at our peak abilities? Do we attempt to go that extra mile towards excellence? We have a new opportunity every morning to push ourselves beyond our comfort zone…to reach the level God has planned for us…are we living His plan? I pray we go beyond our comfort (sometimes lazy) zone and strive to reach the level God has for us. As we enjoy our day, let’s pray for our challenges to decrease and to begin refreshed making the commitment to live at 212 degrees… What would it feel like to live a life focused, inspired and fulfilled in the promises of God? We have the ability to reach each goal and dream if we believe and initiate our faith hand in hand with Jesus. Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. We all have the capacity to work hard and achieve…Let’s thank God for our gift of excellence and praise our Lord. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Unequally Yoked

Through out my life I have heard the expression “do not be unequally yoked”. I understood it’s meaning when looking for that special spouse, but I never thought about it spreading beyond our boundaries into friendships or other activities. And yet, when raising my sons I was again reminded that their friends will influence them one way or the other. It was essential that they found friends who went to church, believed in God and Jesus as well as enjoyed family times. Our choices, behaviors and lifestyle will not only depend on what our values and morals are but, also if we are living the life God has laid out for us. We never out grow peer pressure as it can affect our lives and confidence, which leads to searching for the material things in life or approval from a person or group. We must remember to keep God first in our lives and listen to that inner voice…Jesus softly calling us. Allow your heart to hang onto the light…and to reach for the rock. We are blessed with scripture that keeps us walking the walk and talking the talk. Let us make friends that are God fearing and Jesus loving who are bound together by the love and grace of God. Keep His wisdom forever on the front of our brains so the darkness does not influence our behaviors or choices. I pray we continue to develop our Christian friendships, join a Bible study, pray and rejoice in Christian fellowship. 2Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Beliah (Satan)? Prepare for the harmony in our lives by being evenly yoked in family and friends. It reminds me of the song, “It’s your life” some of the words are, ” live the life you believe”… Go forth and live your life yoked with Jesus. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Being Pruned

Looking back on my life these past several years I feel pruned beyond recognition…that is a good thing! I was a complacent Christian…I did not join any Bible groups, Christian fellowships or have a strong prayer routine. Suddenly I found myself in a huge crisis… I turned to God and hung on for dear life. It was then that the Lord came along with his shears and began pruning…He trimmed a little here and snipped a lot there…before I knew it I was a strong follower of Jesus. Now it is important to point out that I have always had a strong faith and attended church regularly, however I wasn’t growing as a Christian…there was no fruit not even a bud… due to laziness…it was during this time of crisis that I began my transformation. I remember the night I truly began growing as God’s daughter and sister in Christ. From that first experience I began sharing my epiphany to all or any who would listen. And if you were in my line of vision more than once I would give you a second go around. Our Lord is astonishing and the miracles He can produce in our lives go beyond incredible and the amazing thing is all we have to do is believe and live our lives for Him. I pray we are transforming our lives to produce the fruit of Jesus and the love of God. Let us grow in God’s wisdom and reach out to those around us. In order to reach our destiny we must allow Jesus to shape our lives that produces the gifts God has for us. John 15:1-2 I am the vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful. Rejoice in the pruning as we continue to do the work God has given us to do. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Smile of God

Last night as we began our class with devotions and prayers I was touched by the ease at which each student shared their thoughts and trepidations. What a Blessing to teach in a Christian University. The environment is filled with the spirit of God and Jesus. The love and concern is shared by all and supported for each student. Love thy neighbor is very apparent. What a sad state of affairs when co-workers, teachers, or businesses feel the need to keep God out of the work place. Our lives run with direction and support when living and sharing the word of God. Throughout my years of working it has been a privilege to pray for friends and family…to ask God and Jesus to protect, heal or support for the betterment of their lives. I pray we continue to witness and share the love of God. Allow Jesus to enter our lives and to shine through us. I have a girlfriend who would say, “let us smile and keep the joy”…our friends and co-workers will wonder what we are up to. So today I continue to Smile and keep the Joy…praying God’s light is a flicker in my soul that reaches out to those I come into contact… 1 John 5:15 And if we know he hears us- what ever we ask- we know that we have what we asked of him. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Happy or Joy

When listening to people talk about their lives many times I will hear, “I just want to be happy”… what does that mean? Does it mean we don’t want to share the duties of raising children, share the money, or just share? Do we want to live a single life of not being depended upon? Yet, aren’t we responsible for those around us, don’t our co-workers expect us to show up for work and our boss expects maximum energy and production from us? I have never quite understood that statement, “I just want to be happy”. Several years ago I learned that happy is fleeting but it is inner joy that brings fulfillment and satisfaction with life. My Christian ladies Bible/Book Club recently read a true story about a woman who was raised as an atheist and who scorned Christians. One day she found herself entering a church...not understanding why, yet it was on that first chance meeting that she found God and Jesus. God is amazing and loving. He brought this woman into the family of God, which brought more meaning to her life than she could have dreamed. She is now an advocate for the poor and downtrodden by serving food with the heart and joy of a giant. Walking along the path God has laid out for us is the true joy of life. When we allow God to lead us in the direction that is best for us there will be no fear as we know He holds our hand. I pray we find the inner joy only God and Jesus can bring into our lives. It isn’t with fancy homes, expensive toys or traveling the world…it is through our Christian fellowship, prayer and Bible study that allows our faith to grow. 1John 2:5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Let us spend some quiet time with Jesus…then we can say, “I feel the Joy”… Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Message from Students

Yesterday I blogged about planting the seeds of God and Jesus in our younger generation; last night I attended an informal service with high school and college students that had returned from a mission trip. I was inspired and wishing I had given my sons this gift… The students talked about their trip to Guatemala and how it affected their lives. They lived for two weeks in a small community with out the luxuries of in door plumbing and conveniences we take for granted on a daily basis. Their lives were touched by God and Jesus in ways they would never have had by only attending church and Sunday school. They had been touched with the love and joy from the families of Guatemala. Many stated they left part of their heart in Guatemala and plan to return on the next mission trip. The parents and family members of each student beamed with pride as their child shared his/her experiences. While listening to their witness it once again brought me to the scripture of yesterday… ”Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it”. Proverbs 22:6 What a wonderful beginning each family member has given their child. The parents have planted seeds that will last a life time. Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. I pray we are planting the mustard seeds of a Christian life. We have the blessing and opportunity to enrich our children’s lives by sharing the gospel and the love of God. Let us continue with the empowerment and strength of Jesus Christ. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Song & Praise

Through out our lives we are given opportunities to model for others, especially the children in our lives. It does not matter if you are a parent, relative, neighbor or teacher. We set the stage for the younger generation. I truly love the saying, “Christianity is only one generation from extinction”. It touches my life as a reminder that it is up to us to instruct, lead and model the life of a Christian. If we don’t educate the next couple of generations about the love, grace and joy of God and Jesus Christ then we have not fulfilled our obligation as Christians. What a joy it is to talk with my granddaughters about God and Jesus all the while planting seeds that will take root and grow. I am blessed with this opportunity. Let us sing and praise the miracles of God while telling the world about the sacrifice of Jesus. Through love, patience and the wisdom of God let us plant those mustard seeds. Proverbs 20:11 Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Happy Gardening... Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

New Day

Hello My Friends and joy to you this beautiful Saturday. What is it about weekends that seem to revive us? The idea that we are not on the same schedule (for some that is) and we have a little wiggle room that brings a feeling of freedom. What a gift that is and how we look forward to it. We get energized and begin to plan the events for the day…yeah for Saturday’s. Yet, what would our lives be like if we looked forward to each day as it is Saturday or another special day. How about looking at it as it “really” is…an amazing day given by God. We have a new day to begin doing what is necessary to live the life God has planned for us. Living a life aligned with God and Jesus allows the love to flow through us, helps us put on the armor of God and to find the joy among the thorns of life. God is there to energize our souls when we think we can’t make it. Putting our faith in his love and walking hand and hand with Jesus gives us the strength, wisdom and grace to celebrate the day before us. I pray we are patient, slow to anger and choose our words carefully. When life gets tough we listen more, talk less and love unconditionally. When necessary each of us forgives a hurt that could keep us from God and learn to forgive easily. Romans 14: 5-6 One man considers one day more sacred than another, another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He, who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. Rejoice in this beautiful day energized to live God’s plan. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Honor our Parents

Hello My Friends and blessings to you this beautiful day. Every morning I begin my day by thanking our Lord for the gift of another day. But today it is bitter sweet as I remember my Mother’s anniversary of her death. I think about all she went through as a young girl. She was born with a mixed heritage (half Japanese/half Caucasian). It was tough going for her and her little sister due to World War 2… Mom raised her little sister and herself virtually alone due to the divorce of her parents. No one wanted two little ½ Japanese girls. No one but God and Jesus. Although my Mother experienced many negative and damaging hardships she had the strength and courage that was a driving force that enabled her to raise her little sister and then her own children. I now marvel at her life. She never wavered in her faith and made sure my brothers and I knew the Lord. Actually she began with her little sister as my Aunt never wavered in her faith either. God gave my Mother the strength to persevere through life with a smile on her face, the grace of an Angel and the love of Jesus. Today I thank God for the Love of parents who know God and Jesus… 2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but God gave us a spirit of power, of love and self discipline. Let us remember to tell our parents we love them and thank the Lord for the gifts we receive when we are raised with God fearing and Jesus loving parents. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Being Refreshed

Hey friends when exercising do you ever feel like you're not making progress? Well, today that is just how I felt. While riding my bike I ran out of energy and stamina three fourths around my neighborhood. I had to reach for the water bottle, slow the pedaling and coast for a minute or two. As I coasted I was wondering why I tired so easily…after all I always get tired but not so TIRED…as I was drinking my water and becoming refreshed I realized that the Lord refreshes us in just the same way. When we become too tired he lifts us up, we are able to coast and he refreshes our souls. When life becomes overwhelming with disappointments, challenges and obstacles that lead us down the path of gloom and doom God and Jesus are there. Learning to trust God & Jesus is such an easy thing to do…but like any habit we establish we must do it on a routine basis. Training ourselves in the ways of God is simply setting a time for Him and accepting His nourishment. Let us go about our days not only exercising our physical bodies but our spiritual souls…let’s become refreshed with the spiritual food that is everlasting. Psalm 116:13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, With commitment we can train and live life as God planned with joy in our hearts. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Maturity & Wisdom

Well, dear friends the good Lord gave me the energy and determination to get out of bed and to meander through the neighborhood on my bike. While enjoying the warm air and talking with God about life, kids and the world I happened to look up at the beautiful mature redwoods and other pines. I thanked the Lord for such beauty and thought how we cherish those older more mature trees and vegetation. I began to think about those neighborhoods that are new and their trees and vegetation are underdeveloped. When planting and cultivating we have great hopes and anticipation for their growth, as we will enjoy their beauty, shade, strength and longevity it eventually brings to the neighborhood. We will appreciate their endurance of surviving the elements and other calamities. I believe our spiritual growth is the same. If we are living in a personal neighborhood that is new and underdeveloped; then we are just beginning to grow as Christians. We must survive the elements and calamities of life all the while preparing for our Christian life with prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship. We must continue to sow in good soil and align our lives with those whose roots are strong, sturdy and stable in their love for God and Jesus. Having a relationship with God and Jesus allows us to make choices that will honor them and keep us from temptation and negative outcomes. What gift we are given as God continues to wait on us while we grow in our love, understanding and Christian knowledge. Let’s continue to cultivate our personal growth in order to have the heart of a child’s love and eagerness for God and Jesus while growing in knowledge as mature and wise Christian. Ephesians 4:12-13 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. I pray we are life long learners in our spiritual growth and we live the life God has for each of us. In order to follow God’s path we must learn to read the directions…God and Jesus will show the way. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Fertile Soil

This morning as I was riding my bike and talking with God I noticed the beautiful green lawns and colorful flowers. I saw the water droplets on the grass from the sprinklers, the manicured lawns and flowers in bloom. Every yard had its own care taker; some are diligent and attentive to the care of their lawns while others are sporadic and irregular. Depending on which type of caretaker you get will depend on the results of your yard. This brought my thoughts to our spiritual life and what God wants for us…He wants each of us to care for our lives both physically and spiritually with the love and devotion that He gives us. Do we do it with diligence and attention so our inner beauty will shine through? When people see us do they see the love of God and Jesus? Allowing our faith to flow into those around us is a gift that is seldom unwrapped and enjoyed. Let’s be diligent in our spiritual life, let’s water the seeds God has planted in order for them to take root in good soil. It is exceedingly easy to fall prey to that non-complacent lazy taking care of it tomorrow attitude. Let us sow our seeds on fertile ground which allows strong roots to grow and develop. Having these strong roots guards us from temptation and evil. Enjoy the opportunity to grow in faith through prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship. Matthew 13:3-9 A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering his seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no roots. Other seed fell among the thorns, which grew up and chocked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop-a hundred sixty or thirty times what was sown. Be a diligent gardener in your life so you can flourish and give thanks to God and Jesus Christ. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Life Changes

Have you ever thought of being a prayer warrior? Praying for family, friends and others can be a joy. It also reminds us how fragile and vulnerable life may be. I have a couple of gal friends that have had strokes…one gal in her mid 50’s and the other in her mid 60’s…both too young to have such major setbacks. I realized that any given moment our lives could change. When this happens we have two choices. Lean on God and Jesus or turn inward and feel sorry for ourselves. Every incident in our lives has a purpose…from the hurts we develop strength and courage, from the disappointments we develop character and wisdom and from our faith we develop loves that shines from in the inside out. Let’s begin a pray chain for the people in our lives whether they are friends, family or acquaintances. Being a Christian is the greatest gift we are given…lets us rejoice and show the world the love of Christ. Psalm 86:12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. I pray we use this day as a time for sharing the love of God and Jesus while praying for family, friends and the world. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Schedules & Prayer

Where did the week go? Here we are facing the beginning of another busy week with most of Sunday behind us...time just flies by. Yet, it is with anticipation that we go forth with work schedules, school schedules, and the fall routines that slide into place late August. I am always amazed how quickly summer ends and the new school year begins. I heard teachers’ commenting on “another” year begins...some with dread and others with eagerness. It seems that many of us look at our spiritual life the same way…some with expectations and eagerness and others with little or no interest. Living our lives with the love of God and Jesus allows us comfort, confidence and anticipation of an amazing life. Walking with God and Jesus does not exempt us from the trials of everyday life, illnesses, and lack of employment or disappointments; however it teaches us how to live through these trials. James 1: 2-4 Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish the work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I pray we go forward this week with an eagerness to listen to God’s word, pray, and develop our spiritual life that brings us closer to God and Jesus. With challenges that could get us down let us lean on God and hang on to Jesus. He will carry us through the maze of life. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Enjoyment of Friends

Spending time with friends is a wonderful gift. Before going to a friend’s home for dinner we have a certain routine. We may shower/bath, put on clean clothes and take a small gift that has a special meaning. Last night was one of those extraordinary evenings. I went to dinner with friends and we made sushi, had some wine and played a domino game called train. It was a time of making memories with lots of laughter…what a entertaining night. Today I look back on our evening and how I prepared for the nights fun and how I looked forward to the evening. It made me wonder…do we prepare and look forward to a day or evening with our Lord with as much exuberance? We are always invited to spend time with God and Jesus Christ…the invitation is long standing. It is given with love and joy. When we except the invitation how do we prepare? This hopefully is a time of quiet reflection on our days or weeks, reading the Bible and inspirational messages and staying connected to God. We have so much turmoil in our lives and the world that we must keep centered with Jesus Christ as our focal point. When knowing this invitation is the one that brings joy to our lives, enriches our destiny and completes our spiritual journey we are able to make the memories that spill over to other generations. We then have the opportunity to invite friends and family to join the party. My prayer is we go forth today accepting God’s invitation; preparing for the time together with excitement and love. Let us remember our spiritual party is with God and Jesus Christ and making memories with Them creates the miracles in our lives. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Let’s praise His name as we accept His invitation. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Be Inspired

The last couple of days I have been doing some marathon hours in front of the computer…not by choice but because I had a deadline that needed to be completed. Do you ever get behind from procrastination or to many irons in the fire? Well that was me…I was trying to do too many things at once while also sneaking in a tiny vacation with family. Although rejuvenated from my visit with granddaughters I returned home with a load and deadlines. Yet, I was inspired to keep on as I knew the Lord was going to keep me focused and positive. You see I rely on God and Jesus Christ for every part of my life…even those small things like staying positive when facing deadlines and commitments. I feel the love and it keeps me inspired. What works for you? Do you pray and talk with God about all parts of your life or is it just when things are burdensome and overwhelming. Through discipline one can learn to lean on the Lord and feel refreshed by giving our every concern to Him. The miracle of His love, compassion and grace are amazing; His waits patiently for us, His love never wavers and His blessings are continuous. I pray today that we continue in our prayers, Bible study and Christian fellowship as we walk with our Lord. Let's go forth and accomplish all things before us with a smile in our heart and the joy of God on our face. Esphesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then I urge you to live a life worth of the calling you have received. Be inspired and feel the love. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Laugh and Love

In our times of economic or personal struggles do we give enough energy to living a positive and faithful life? Every morning is a gift from God…What we do with it depends on each of us and our attitudes. Knowing that so many people are struggling with everyday life I wonder why there isn’t more prayer in our daily lives. Why is it easier to complain, to be depressed or to be angry? How does God want us to live? God wants us to live our lives with joy and tranquility. We are to lean on our Lord for all our provisions and comfort. We can do all things through Christ if we believe. As we go forth this day let us rejoice in the miracle before us…a new day. The challenges before us are small in comparison to God’s love. He is waiting for us to knock and allow Him in our lives. Pray for courage, strength and perseverance to overcome any and all negativity in order to receive the gifts our Lord has waiting for us. Let us love, laugh and live…but above all grow our faith through prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship. Jeremiah 29:11 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.” Let us praise His name rejoicing through laughter, dance and song. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Terms & Conditions

I opened my email today and was inundated with junk mail. There were ads for everything from insurance to food coupons and then I saw one ad that caught my attention. There is an ad to bid on items from cameras to laptops for just pennies; so for the fun of it I decided to check into the rules and regulations of their site. Surprisingly it stated in bold black and white that they could change the terms and conditions without notifying the users of the program. When reading this I wondered why would anyone sign up with a company that states they will change the terms and if you don’t read the rules on a routine basis too bad for you. What happened to ethics, values and morals? Now I am not saying they are doing anything illegal, however it struck me as strange. It reminded me as how our world has changed and evolved to a “got ya” and “I deserve” kind of attitude. As looking over the terms of this bidding site I thought how sad that people go into this site with an understanding of the rules but at any time they could change without the user’s knowledge. I then turned my thoughts to God and our lives. This reminded me to keep my trust in God and Jesus Christ as the terms and rules will not change. We know going in that we are loved unconditionally and all we have to is love God, follow His commands and spread the word of Jesus Christ. Doing the bidding for God is as easy as getting out of bed and praying. Learning to live a life with Christ is challenging as we are only human, however if we fail on a daily basis God is not going to change the terms and conditions. We don’t have to read the fine print; we can trust and believe that God and Jesus Christ will continue to be with us until the second coming. I find it comforting that I do not have to fret or be concerned whether God will love me tomorrow. He is here today, tomorrow and forever. His terms and conditions will not change. 1 John 2:5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. With confidence in His Love let us rejoice. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Today is a Blessing

Life is what we make it. We have heard this saying for years, yet do we make it all it can be? What personal routines do you go through that set you on the path of a good day? I have a family member who gets up early to run and exercise daily...what are you doing to make the most of what God has given you? Beginning our day with life saving routines such as daily exercise keeps the body strong and fit, but what are we doing to keep the soul healthy. It is important to give time for our spiritual well being…Do we thank the Lord for the gifts of another day? Practicing prayer and quiet time with our Lord is a daily and evening exercise that also keeps us fit. Showing our love and thankfulness to God is a gift we can give back. Being grateful for what we have is expressed through our prayers and supplications and allows us to grow closer to Jesus. As I look around my world I see the beauty God gives us through friends, family and new opportunities. Many times the opportunities may not be what I welcomed however it always turned out to be a time of growth and therefore a time of gratefulness. Life seems to fly by and in a blink we have aged, our children are grown and our grandchildren are entering into new developmental stages we were not prepared for them to begin. It is at this time we keep our humor and enjoy each stage of life. Philippians 4: 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done. Let’s dance to Glory of God and Jesus Christ. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Gifts & Talents

As I am going about my daily routines and preparing for work I was wondering if I am using the skills and talents God has given me. I began to talk with God, asking Him if I am following his path or just earning a paycheck. Are we doing what God wants from us? It is easy and effortless to continue on a path that is comfortable. I am like many people and struggle when pushed outside my box. When we are led in a direction that seems up hill and demanding do we look toward God and Jesus Christ to ease the burden or self doubt? Although it may seem like we are alone, all we have to do is reach out and God will intervene in our struggles as we continue with prayer. Our Savior understands our problems and difficulties as well as He knows our skills and talents. Our Lord will not take us to a place or predicament that He will not lovingly and gently encourage success. As we begin our week I pray that we look beyond our every day lives and question ourselves. Are we marching in place rather than going out and using the skills and talents God has given us? Allow God to keep negative thoughts, fears or self doubt at our backs. Permit yourself to soar and rejoice with the possibilities that are before you this day…if you are given an opportunity get out of the box and challenge yourself. We are blessed as Christians to show the world the miracles of God and Jesus Christ through our courage, strength and perseverance of modeling a Christian life. Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. With Love and Devotion Thank the Lord for our abilities and strengths. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sunday Blessings

What a beautiful day as it is filled with sunshine a slight breeze and warm weather. Of course warm is relative…after all I am in Phoenix and the low 100’s is a warm day to those living here and unbelievably hot for those of us who live in other parts of the country. As I prepare to travel home after the most amazing time with my Son and his family (cutest and most talented children) I thank the Lord for the blessings of travel time and opportunities to spend with my family. It is always sweet sorrow to part but taking the memories of such a fun time playing, painting and watching some movies not to mention being beaten again at Kung Fu Panda I will delight in my thoughts as I drive home. As I contemplate my visit it makes me wonder if we spend enough time with our Lord and do we do it with the exuberance and excitement of a child’s heart? We can all make excuses from busy schedules to not enough time; however we have time while getting out of bed, in the shower, or setting aside quiet time with prayer or Bible study. What memories we would be able to make being in one with God and Jesus Christ. So as we go about our day,this day of the Lord, let us give praise and prayer to our Savior. Let’s make memories that will give us courage to step out of the box and challenge ourselves. We can build a strong foundation that will allow us to go for the dream. We are blessed with the promise of love and care however it is up to us to reach out and take the hand of Jesus. Enjoy the day and remember to say “thank you” for the opportunities given. Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Be cheerful and rejoice in the Lord’s Day while you make memories with God and Jesus Christ. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Thanksgiving and Celebration

What a beautiful day! It is a day of blessings, thanksgiving and celebration. My granddaughter turns 11 years old today and she is fast becoming a young lady…where does the time go? Over the years we have played, pretended and visited late into the night. What wonderful and delightful memories. As time has passed God has entered our late night conversations. Praise the Lord! What a gift God has given me. The gift of sharing God and Jesus Christ’s love and devotion fills my soul and builds a bond that my granddaughter and I will have for a life time. Our conversations were easy and open with the expectations of a young girl curious about God. When talking with her I thought how easy and pleasant it is to talk with someone who is interested. Why is it as we become adolescents or adults we lose the curiosity and excitement? When involved in someone’s life we are given the opportunity to plant seeds, water or nourish them while others experience the blooming. The past few years as my granddaughters parents plant the seeds, I am given an opportunity to nourish the seedlings. What a gift. My prayer is we look for opportunities to share the love of God and Jesus Christ in our everyday lives by those teachable moments; being kind, patient and loving to all we come into contact with. We are the role models and it is important to remember to walk the walk and talk the talk. Take a deep breath before getting upset, choose our words carefully and follow the commands of God… “Love thy Neighbor”. 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. Spread the love and joy with a spirit of celebration Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Life rolls along

When I was young I looked forward to the summer months and enjoyed each day as it lazily rolled one day into the other. Then far too soon it would be back to school. It would be gazed upon with anxious anticipation. The exciting part was a back to school outfit and maybe new shoes but most of all you were able to get your new binders, pencils and colors. I looked forward to that as much as I dreaded that early morning wake up call. There are times our Christian life rolls lazily from day to day without preparation for our future. We are not aligning ourselves with the Lord nor are we spending that quality time needed to be in a close relationship with Jesus. What is needed to take us to the next level? As adults it would be incredible if we looked upon our Christian education with the excitement and anticipation of a school child entering into that long awaited first day accompanied by a new outfit or tools and paraphernalia. The Lord has each of us on a separate path. Whether we reach the end result that God has for us will depend on us. Are we afraid of failure or success, therefore doing little to reach our goals? If we remember that we can do all things through Jesus it will be worth a small fraction of anxiety as we learn to lean on Him and go forward. Setting time for God and Jesus Christ should be a favorite part of the day that we go into with zest and zeal. Pleasing God with a past time of prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship can only increase our awareness of his love, devotion, and joy. I pray that we enjoy the day before us with prayers, supplication and affection for God and Jesus Christ. Commit our lives to the wonders of God’s love in order to receive His compassion, forgiveness and peace. Psalm 42:5 Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God. With child like excitement we sing his praises. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Smile & Be Grateful

I awoke this morning with a pair of shining eyes looking in my direction. My granddaughter was ready to start her day with her grandmother…What a remarkable way to begin my day. As I quietly said “ thank you dear Lord for the opportunities of this day”, I stretched and smiled at such a sweet face. Our days can begin mundane or with a smiling child looking at us, and we have the options of always thanking God and Jesus Christ (which begins our day with grace) or we can trudge through the day without the hope, peace and faith that accompanies our Lord. I am sure to some it seems “Polly Anna” to consider that all we have to do is believe and our lives will be without worry or strife., however we are not promised a life without struggles we are promised a life…it is up to us what type of life we are to make. Finding the joy after each storm is the miracle God gives us. We are refreshed, rejuvenated and rewarded by walking through the storm with our Lord. Let’s rejoice in the miracles of families, friends and the gift of choice…The choice to always reach out to God and Jesus Christ and let them lead us through the difficult periods of our lives. I pray we continue to better our lives through prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship. When we have the occasion to better someone’s life by a smile, a prayer or a helping hand we are doing God’s work. Let us go forth today showing our love for God and Jesus Christ by modeling how a Christian lives…model the love…SMILE and Be GRATEFUL… Let’s keep the negative at bay and rejoice in the miracle of today, after all this is the day the Lord has made. Isaiah 26:12 Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. Faith and Strength are sent your way. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Beauty of Music

As I listen to music by Christian artist I feel refreshed. It lifts me up and fills my soul. I find it amazing how many different ways we can celebrate our Lord and Jesus Christ. When listening to certain songs I want to stand up, dance around and lift my hands in praise. What moves you? Do you have certain routines that just get you going in the morning? Do your routines involve God? When we are in prayer with the Lord whether it is through quiet time, reading the Bible, music or other forms of communication we are building the strength of faith. Through our faith we are learning how significant and powerful being in one with the Lord can be. He allows us the Grace to endure our challenges and encourages us in all our opportunities. When walking with the Lord and following His plan our lives although taxing at times will right themselves in the end. My prayer is to pursue God and Jesus Christ in all ways that fills our hearts and souls while discovering the delight God has in store for us. Proverbs 3: 5-6 “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.” Dance to the song that fills your soul. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Messy & Unorganized

Have you ever made such a mess in a room or kitchen that you don’t know where or how to begin the clean up process? I do every now and then…actually right now I am facing such a mess. In a few hours I am going to visit my older son and family so I am packing, all the while getting ready to teach a class tonight…So I not only have suitcases out but all my materials for class. In my wisdom I decided to iron in my bedroom (closer to the closet) and then pack, but I am also wrapping birthday gifts for my granddaughters so I have paper, tape, ribbons…are you seeing the scene? I think in reality this is life. Messy and Unorganized!! It is difficult to see the end product due to the process. When living life without God and Jesus Christ we have no idea where or how to begin cleaning up our messes. Our Lord is so Gracious and Loving that He continually waits on us. God waits for us to call out to him, to ask for the help we need. Through our lives we have learned that in order to tackle a problem or situation we take one task at a time in order not to be overwhelmed. God does not want us negative and stressed, but he does want us feeling confident that all will turn out God’s way and in God's time. So let's make that call to God and Jesus Christ for that helping hand. We are not supposed to clean up the mess alone…He has the answers, He has the way and He can help us organize our lives through prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship. As we walk hand in hand with our Lord we are reassured with hope and a stronger faith. Jesus knows our hearts and feelings let’s praise His name. I pray we ask our Lord for the strength to accomplish those tasks which seem insurmountable; we look toward the heavens and see the light of peace, grace and serenity. Remember we are the children of God therefore let us go worth with the confidence given to us. After all if Peter can walk on water with Jesus just think what we can do with a “little” faith. Isaiah 41:13 for I am your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Our lives can only soar from here… Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Joys and Miracles

When sitting in thought and prayer with the Lord I was wondering what to write. While in prayer I was saying, “Lord I want to tell the world what a blessing and joy we have loving You and Jesus Christ”. There was my message. God allows us the choice not only to follow but to follow with a spirit of love. Given the opportunities to learn how to pray, to know what God expects and to spread His word. Can it be any easier than that? Everyday we show our gratitude and appreciation for what we have by how we live. It is not about the stuff in our lives; however it is about the size of our heart, our sharing capabilities and our eagerness to share the love we receive from our Lord. When looking at life through God’s heart we are given a picture of gentleness, kindness and benevolence that is given to all for ever. His unconditional love is overwhelming as we are so unworthy. I begin each day before getting out of bed, saying, “Thank you Lord for your love, care and opportunities.” It is probably the best habit I have acquired. Learning to be grateful for all in my life whether it is a challenge or opportunity has been lesson of a life time. I know when leaning on God and Jesus Christ we can get through anything. Knowing that we can get through all things with God and Jesus Christ brings me back to the beginning. The Joys of Loving God and Jesus Christ is a miracle. The miracle God has given us if we choose to follow Him in our daily lives through Bible study, prayer and Christian fellowship. Let’s wear His Love in our hearts and on our faces so we advertise daily what it is like to be a Christian. Psalm 96:2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

A Day in the City

Yesterday I took a trip to San Francisco to watch the Giants play the Dodgers. I had not been to the Giants new stadium and was looking forward to the day away and a good baseball game. We left in plenty of time in order to see the first ball thrown…without stress. So we thought. I am always amazed at the traffic in the city, the delays and the constant highway construction that continues on an annual basis. We also thought since I had never ridden Bart that it would be fun and easy form of travel. Well, when planning any activity that requires a schedule I believe the devil sits in wait to have some fun at our expense. Traveling to the bay area took longer, going into the city from the San Jose area was more involved with Bart and a local transit and then the people…I did not remember the rivalry between the two cities and the Giants had a record attendance of 42,882 fans… We were elbow to elbow no matter where we walked. It is a time you want to lose it and yell “Get out of my way”…however I kept repeating “Cynthia, you are a daughter of God and you are not going to be grumpy…especially when others too are trying to get through the maze and masses. When it was finally over and done…the game was won and we had survived milling through thousands and were seated at the restaurant overlooking the bay with music softly playing in the background did I look up and say thank you God. At the end of the day, we had been blessed with sunshine bouncing off the bay and an incredible meal. As I quietly said a quick prayer of gratitude that the Lord had kept my mouth shut and a smile on my face I realized the traffic, delays and people were all part of the package. We are constantly tested…as Christians hopefully we model what we pray? It is important to allow the Lord to navigate our course…as His path can fill our lives with comfort that only he can give tranquility through prayer and delight in our everyday existence. My prayer is we allow God and Jesus Christ to plot the course and that we follow the guidelines of the Golden Rule…love thy neighbor. We all enjoy the day away whether it is a trip to the library or out of town. Let’s rejoice in the day! Psalm 86:12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors