Procrastination

Today has been a day of catch up. I have been taking care of obligations that were on the back burner this week…it is such a good feeling to know your responsibilities are being met. On the other hand it is a moment of validation that procrastination may have had a play in the week. No matter the good intentions procrastination seems to sneak into my life and the notion I can always do it tomorrow is the main thought. For everyday chores that may be the truth as we may another time to do the chores, however is procrastination slipping into our daily spiritual life? When contemplating reading the Bible or attending a Bible study, attending church services or interacting in Christian fellowship do we say, “I will do it another day”? Our lives are blessed daily and God’s love is there no matter what our intentions are for the day. As we go about our day let us not forget to give thanks for the gift of Jesus and the strength we receive when walking with Him. Let’s keep the devil at our backs so procrastination doesn’t have a chance… Life is an endowment that God gives each of us. How we choose to treat this gift is a choice. I pray we open this gift of faith and enjoy the blessings that are intermingled with God’s Grace. Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly, to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. So today, with eagerness let us praise God and Jesus for Their love, wisdom and peace… Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Today is a Gift

I love this life…riding my bike is pure joy…admiring the scenery and environment is a blessing. Today I noticed one of the houses is all dressed for Halloween and one has a beautiful Angel statue near the curb. Every house has its own unique personality as each home owner has displayed what is important to them. It made me think about each of us and how we show what is important to us. The way we dress, how we act, talk and treat others. I talked with a girlfriend the other day and we talked about choices. When we are not in the best of moods how do we treat the world? We could hide out and not associate with anyone, however that isn’t too practical or we could make the choice to smile, enjoy what we can and make the best of a uncomfortable moment or day. Through God’s love He shows us what is expected and how we should live. It is important that we remember that everyday is a gift. What we do with that gift is our choice. Do we squander it or treat it as a valuable present? How we go about our days, the choices we make show the world what is central to us. Living our lives with joy no matter the struggles allows the world to see the love of God. Being a Christian does not make us exempt from challenges but it does help us cope, become strong and develop into the person God has planned for us. I pray we are smiling with the love of God in our hearts and the strength of Jesus in our souls. We have the answers to a life that is filled with hope, peace and joy. Let the light of God shine through us with smiles, kindness and gratitude toward each other. Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Rejoice in the day and make it your gift to others. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Living for God

When we wake in the morning is our first thought of coffee and work or is it a blessing to the Lord for bringing us to another day? As we raise our families, prepare for work and take care of daily chores; sometimes God maybe over looked. Our lives become entangled with obligations, schedules and responsibilities. We rush out of the house to keep all these commitments and hurry through the day. We become so involved in our daily agendas that we forget whose purpose we are living for. Living for God and praising Jesus gives us an opportunity to say thank you for the blessings we receive through our daily lives. I often hear people commenting on the economic struggles and the possibility of losing their jobs… They are beginning to panic however they pray, but with little conviction. When we are praying it is imperative that we believe God will take care of us. He knows our hearts and our prayers therefore in our trust He will provide. At the end of the day we do not want to hear God say, “Ye of little faith.” Let us trust God in all his promises and rely on Jesus to intercede in our struggles. Our convictions and love is all we need at the end of the day. Let us begin each day with a prayer of thankfulness and the joy of God’s Grace. 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! Blessed are the pure of heart…be thankful and rejoice. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Clutter

As I was biking this morning and talking with our Lord there were no wow moments. I simply enjoyed the ride…the weather is beautiful (even though it is going to hit 100’s again), the ride was not strenuous or difficult and it was a time of peace and serenity. All the while I am riding my thoughts return to my journal and the topic of today; nothing came to mind…that is until I arrived home and sat at my computer. While praying before beginning this daily blog…I looked at my desk and then the table with my typewriter (yes, I still have one) and my printer. It has clutter around it with several days work from my students, text books; candy (have to have some M&M”s handy) not to mention my Bible and dictionary. Oh, my goodness…clutter keeps us from our focus…God. We feel unorganized, pressed to get things done in a timely manner and stress as our surroundings are not peaceful or serene. So today I am praying we clear out the debris and make an environment that is God Like. You remember the saying that goes something like: “cleanliness is next to Godliness”….let us remember to be God like today as we clear a path to God and Jesus. If we don’t focus on the environment that allows our faith to grow, our faith will be bogged down with the mess of an ungodly life. What joy we feel when we turn to scripture, continue in Christian fellowship and build a strong prayer life. Proverbs 24:14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Go forth and enjoy the day as we enrich our lives with the Wisdom of God and the Love of Jesus. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Choices

As I was preparing for church this morning a song by Frank Sinatra began playing, “Love makes you whatever you want to be”…it was a great melody and catchy rhythm, but the words caught my attention. Is it that easy…all we need is Love? Well, I agree, however whose love is it that we need? Of course my answer is God and Jesus Christ. With Their love we become who we are supposed to be. It is important we listen for the direction and assistance, because without Their guidance we are at the mercy of the devil and the secular world. We can assure ourselves success if we follow the path God has for us. I do not believe we become what we want to be but what God has planned for us. He shows us through our experiences and education the gifts and skills which take us on individual roads. The joy we receive when walking with God is fulfilling and gratifying. It is like being at the right place at the right time. Some how we just know we are doing what we were born to do. Now I am not saying that we all have the inside track on careers, helping those in need or making the correct choice at each given moment. Heaven knows we all struggle from time to time; yet when we allow God to work in us and we follow the commands He dictates we are given a glimpse of his love and wisdom. Romans 8:28 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. I pray we are following the plan God has for us and that we believe Jesus is the answer. He is our Salvation and the way to life eternal. We are blessed by their Grace, Peace and Joy. Follow, Believe and let the Holy Spirit fill your soul. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

What Shape?

When we care for God’s house we make sure the windows are washed, carpets vacuumed and alter cared for. We make sure the pews are dusted, candelabras are shining and the candles are just the right size. Yet, God does not only dwell in our place of worship but he dwells in our hearts…how do we care for our bodies? Are we exercising, eating correctly and allowing God to handle the stress? Through out my childhood I was told that God lives in our heart…however I never associated this information to… honor my body I honor God. So as I continue to grow in faith I am also growing in wisdom…small increments but never the less I am growing… Our bodies are mirrors to our lifestyles…when we forget to exercise and step away from the table we will feel the extra stress when trying to hurry through the everyday chores. I always feel so much better when I bike around the neighborhood and my energy level is ready to tackle life… I pray we remember to honor God with our lifestyles and keep the devil at our backs…After all the devil smiles when our health is vulnerable. Let us go forth with exercise that gets you smiling…dance, jog, walk, bike, swim and so much more. Do you enjoy sports? Go join a team or a partner to play opposite on the tennis court. We are blessed with so much and I pray we do not sit on our brains but get the blood moving and find what moves you. Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. Let us keep our good health or continue to build up your health to enjoy what God has in store for you. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Growing or Stagnant

I am always interested to hear how others meet their challenges. I marvel when someone complains nothing will ever be the “same”. I want to shout, "it is not supposed to be the same." We are to be growing and learning. Why do we think our lives are to be stagnant and constant? I can not even imagine how boring life would be. We would have nothing to look forward to or rejoice when a miraculous occasion comes along; like a new born baby, a marriage or the completion of school. God enjoys giving us a sample of heaven when we celebrate the joyous occasions in our lives. We are filled with the Holy Spirit and can feel His love. If we live in a world that is constant and never changing how forlorn our world would be. I praise God for allowing the trials, challenges and tests that come along as we grow as Christians. We discover the strength God gives us and the power of Jesus when we align our lives with His. Let us rely on God when we are feeling overwhelmed and stressed. He will lift our spirits and allow the joy to refresh our souls. What blessings He gives us as we persevere through our struggles. Psalm 142:3 I cry out to the Lord; I pour out my complaints before Him. When I am overwhelmed, You alone know the way I should turn. Let us go forth as strong Christians that follow the path of Jesus while studying our Bibles, enjoying Christian fellowship and praying to God, our Creator all the while thanking Him for His Blessings. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

"Works"

From the beginning of today until this evening I was unable to sit down and write my daily devotion. It seemed other obligations would get in the way and I was frustrated for putting things before my blog. Then early this evening I went to my Bible study and realized why I waited all day to write. We are studying the book of John. He has so much to say but John makes it quite clear that we are to believe in Jesus. While we discussed the chapters I had one of those ah ha moments. Jesus states that we are to believe and trust. He says, in Chapter 5 that it is our “works” that will get us to heaven. Our “works” will be our Salvation. Our discussion then focused on the word “works”. Does that mean if we work in the church we are saved? Does it mean if we help the needy we are saved? No, Jesus states… Johns 5: 24 I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. This is what we strive toward daily, Believing in Jesus. This is our “works”. We continue our “works” by our education through Bible studies, Christian Fellowship and prayers to Jesus our Savior for the wisdom to discern the truth. What a joy it is to know that we are loved and blessed with the knowledge of God our Creator, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit which fills our souls. Let us remember to praise God and rejoice in the love of Jesus. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Temptation to Quit

As I continued my biking this morning, I found myself unprepared for the cooler weather. It was 61 degrees with a slight breeze and I was in shorts and light long sleeve top…very chilly from what we have had. My first thought was to cut this ride short and go home. And then I heard the voice in my head say, “why do you give up so easily…when an activity is a little uncomfortable why do you think you have an option of quitting.” So I continued riding. I made a conscience choice to ignore the negative voice and to listen to the positive. I rode hard in order to build up some body heat…and then found the positive in that…I thanked God for the ability to ride after all I am not 20…or 30 or 40…I could keep going but you get it…and I found the positive in my agility to ride (no matter what the temperature is). During my ride, I realized that many times we do the same with our “God time”…when we have the time or it is convenient and comfortable we spend time praying, studying or just being in one with the Lord. However, we do not stand firm when our schedules get hectic or we become overwhelmed with challenges and life issues. Yet, that is when we need to focus on God and Jesus. We can accomplish our goals with the help of our Lord. When being tested in our life challenges it is imperative that we continue trusting God and leaning on Jesus. So today I pray we do not give in to the challenge or quit when an activity is uncomfortable; but that we work hard, embrace the challenge and enjoy the prospect of over coming difficult roadblocks. Remember that “satan” is smiling when we allow the negative to have more power than God’s plan. Deuteronomy 31:67 Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. What Blessings we receive as we live our lives as Christians who have the power of Jesus. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Invitation

Well, I have to tell you riding my bike with tires full of air was so enjoyable. I could not believe the difference it made…therefore, I have decided I am not so out of shape. :) As I rode through the neighborhood I am once again admiring the yards and homes. What caught my attention was how inviting many houses looked. They were manicured with flowered bushed and beautiful trees that adorned the driveways and beckoned you to visit. Then I would see others with over grown bushes that hid the windows and it was forlorn looking, neglected and uninviting. It made me wonder if our spiritual home is welcoming. When we begin our day are we inviting God to be part of it or are we keeping our doors closed to him. God tells us He will not enter unless invited; He will also not be part of our lives if we choose to neglect our spiritual obligations. We must follow the commands of God and to love one another as Jesus loves us. I pray we are giving the praises to God and thanking Jesus for our Salvation. When living life with Jesus I pray those around us will see the light that shines within. Let us shine as Christians with the light of God in our hearts and souls. Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Let us walk with the Lord and show the joy we have being a Christian. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Hard Work

As I was riding my bike I realized my tires needed some air. They weren’t real low, however just low enough to make biking somewhat more work than usual. Now I realize it is also more difficult if I only ride a couple of times a week… :) What came to my mind however is our personal life can also be more challenging if our spiritual life is low on devotion to prayer and study. When people are stressed and they want to control their lives…it is important to remember that we are not in control and it is our faith in God that gives us strength and courage to allow God to handle the situation. Just as I need to fill my tires with more air; we as Christians need to fill our souls with prayers, supplications and anticipation of God’s promises. He hears our concerns and knows our challenges…with trust and confidence we are able to live the life God has planned for us. With our hearts full of God’s Grace we can accomplish what is before us and more. Let us remember we are given amazing gifts and skills. They do us no good however it we allow the evil to steal our joy. Knowing we can do all things through Christ allows us to achieve our goals. Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. I pray we soar like the eagles in our faith, devotion and prayer life. It is with God’s Grace and Jesus’ sacrifice that we are given the gifts of Love, Peace and Joy. Let us spread the love. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Different Stages

When doing our Bible studies we found the followers of Jesus in different stages of faith. Some were total believers and some were not sure. It isn’t too difficult to understand this as they did not have the “hind sight” that we in the 21st century have. Yet, even family and friends are in different stages of their faith. Now don’t misunderstand we all believe. It is just we are in different stages of our total commitment to studying the Bible, prayers and total trust in Jesus. Many times we put our lives before our trust, our prayers and our commitment. We must remember to allow God to guide our days…If we are not on a one to one with the Lord the evil of this world can slip in the back door and influence our thoughts and actions. Knowing the Bible is like having a road map to a healthy spiritual life. We learn what God expects and how to live our lives. We don’t take the easy way unless it has been cleared of evil entrapments and lined with the Angels of righteousness. As each of us grow in our faith, become stronger in our commitments to prayer and Bible study we become true followers of Jesus. What a blessing it is when we can say our faith is lived out in our daily lives. We do what is expected and valued by God and not what the world may value. God Blesses our actions through the miracles of each day given and He Blesses our spirit by giving us His Grace, Peace and Joy. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. I pray we continue as true followers of God and Jesus as we recommit our life to prayers, Christian fellowship and Bible study. It is through our works of study that we will enjoy that personal relationship with Jesus. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Biblical Sayings

Are you a trivia bug? Do you love finding the meanings of phrases or sayings? Well, I do and it is always amazing to me when I find the origin of some saying or phrase. I have found over a hundred Biblical sayings that we now use on a day to day basis. So, tonight as I “burn the midnight oil” and just for the fun of it I thought I would write with some of those phrases and you will probably be saying, “seeing is believing”. And although “I am not my brother’s keeper” I will do my best not to be a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”, but show you several. I certainly hope this won’t be the “blind leading the blind” or that you finally say “this is the pits.” When I am finished I trust you won’t be saying “Whatever became of ___?” God give us so much and without really paying attention to our speech he has even given us wonderful phrases. As I was preparing to write tonight “I hit the nail on the head”, because it is not “just an old wives tale” and besides “a little bird told me”, this would be a good idea. Although I am “at my wits end”, I will not “give up the ghost”, but I am working hard and will “not bite the dust” until “my cup runneth over”. Now I am sure one of will wonder if it is time I am “put out to pasture” or if I am “as old as Methuselah”, however “I don’t wanna hear a peep out of you”, just because we are not “seeing eye to eye”. After all “I heard it straight from the horses’ mouth” that we should “stop being Doubting Thomases” and “let the chips fall where they may”. I pray you work “by the sweat of your brow, you don’t eat the “forbidden fruit” because that could be a “stumbling block” toward “the truth shall set you free.” So “stop raising Cain”, remember “money is the root of all evil” and “it is better to give than to receive” even if you “won’t lift a finger” to help. “Well…more or less” I am finished and you may be saying “Good riddance” and “I’ve never seen anything like it”…but what’s special is God has a sense of humor and we are blessed with the ability to laugh at our lives and appreciate being silly once in a while. Psalm 145:13The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. May God Bless You and Keep You! Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

3 Words

I have three small tiles that say “live, laugh and love”. I have them in front of my computer to remind me how each day should be spent. They are colorful and decorated with hearts, which make them look joyful. They are only three simple words but when put together they have such meaning and it shows how God would like us to live. God has such promises for us. He wants so much for us. Do we experience all that await us? I wonder. Do we live with the promises of God in our hearts? Do we Laugh with pure joy and do we Love unconditionally? Our lives can be filled beyond our expectations if we allow God and Jesus to direct our paths. Loving, Trusting and Believing are also three simple words yet when we put them with Jesus the meaning is powerful. Jesus loved us beyond any endurance we could survive; all he expects from us is to trust and to believe. Developing a strong faith through prayer, Christian fellowship and Bible study allows us to love, trust and believe. My heart fills with joy when I think of Jesus and His love. We are blessed, protected and changed through our relationship with Him. I pray we remember to Live life with God’s wisdom, Laugh with supreme joy and Love as Jesus loves us. 1 John 4:16 We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Who ever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. Let us live, laugh and love all the while loving, trusting and believing. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Complacency

Well I must confess today is my first day back on the bike…oh, my…how can a person get out of shape so fast? I must tell you that after the first few minutes I was ready to turn around and put the bike away… However, as I continued my ride, which was more work that pleasure I realized our Christian walk can be the same way…it can be work…we may want to become complacent…as it can be uncomfortable. God wants us to grow in our personal walk with the Lord…this is not always easy as life can get in the way. We have challenges that stretch our endurance. Many years ago I repeated the Prayer of Jabez daily…I remember saying, “Please enlarge my territories”. It is important to understand when I was referring to territories I expected my life to stay the same…so when I was smacked with the greatest challenge of my life I was shocked. Now when praying this prayer I had no idea what was coming and yes, God did enlarge my territories. I felt unprepared. The challenge was insurmountable (I thought); however my life, my faith and my territories grew beyond my wildest dreams… Here I am several years later loving my life, my God and Savior Jesus Christ and the opportunities that have opened to me. Yes, my territories were expanded but more importantly my relationship with Jesus grew into a very personal relationship. Jesus is the “territory.” I believe when praying this prayer I was asking (without knowing it) for God to bring me closer to Jesus and in order to do this I must be prepared and pruned to be open to the new me. John 16:23-24 I tell you the truth, you will ask the father directly, and He will grant your request because you use my name. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. As you rejoice in the day pray for enlarged territories and then be prepared for God to change you, your life and your relationship with Jesus. Alleluia! Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Heartache / Forgiveness

The other day I was talking with a group of ladies about their childhoods. I was astounded by the number of women who had frightfully scary and sad lives. I noticed the body language as they talked it was evident as to whom had a strong faith and who didn’t. When walking with the Lord we are able to take our hurts and exchange them for the love and comfort of Jesus. The women discussed their abuse: abandonment, unloved, neglected or worse. While the Christian women spoke of abuse or neglect their facial expressions were tranquil and their voices were soft and pleasant. The women who are struggling with their faith spoke with harshness and looked very angry. They are unable to move forward with joy or love. They are unable to forgive. My heart goes out to these women as they are truly struggling with life. God shows us how to live, how to forgive and to share the life He has given us. I pray we embrace each day to follow the commands of God and to reach out to Jesus for the strength, wisdom and grace that awaits us. Only through Jesus are we fully able to forgive and find the joy in the day. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Let us go forward as the children of God and trust that He will heal our hurts and heartaches. Smiles & Blessing, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Salad Bar Faith

Tonight at our Ladies Bible Study and “salad bar” dinner I heard someone mention cutting back on her carbs (bread) and to stay away from the sweets. We agreed that we need to be conscience of our food intake and to stay fit and healthy. Since we are all past our forty’s and looking at the “senior” citizen age group we laugh when our conversations go to health issues and lifestyles. It boggles my mind that our wisdom finally shows up when our children our grown, grandchildren enter our lives and having a health problem or two is not uncommon. I feel our lives as Christians may have some health issues if we use a “salad bar” approach. We may get that wake up call that states your spiritual life has some serious "health" issues. Your faith is not growing, you are not in fellowship with like minded friends or you are making choices that are leading you away from God. As Christians we have the freedom to choose going to church, educate our children in God’s laws and Jesus’ love, while modeling a Christian way of life. How blessed are we? God continually gives us Grace by His forgiveness and guiding us on the right path. Our only challenge is to trust and to allow the Holy Spirit to fill our souls while we listen to His word. I pray we remain receptive to the Word of God in order to live a healthy faith growing life. Hebrews 5:14 Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Let us praise Jesus as we practice our faith. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sunday Joys

To me Sunday has an atmosphere all its own. It is special and unique. They are generally low key as we attend church, fix breakfast or lunch and then prepare for the up coming week. I love the warm feelings I have as I began my week singing, praying and sharing the Eucharist with family and friends. It brightens my soul and rejuvenates my spirit. God continues to bless our lives as we worship and pray. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we lived that celebration all week long? I pray we look into our hearts and rejoice in the Lord each day, each hour and each moment we are able. If living the life Jesus commands…We would love our neighbors, we would forgive easily and we would grow closer to Jesus. Let us begin this week with the love of Jesus in our hearts and show our Christian love by being kind to one another, going out of our way for someone or smiling while looking in their eyes to wish them a good day. 1 Samuel 26:23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. Life’s lessons are learned through the love of Jesus. Smile & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Soul Food

All through my life we have had food to celebrate our joys and food to comfort us in time of sorrow. Still to this day I feed the body when stressed or joyful. As a young girl my family and I would go to the drive in for ice cream to enjoy that special time with family. I grew up with simple desserts following dinner, however during the holidays we would serve several desserts so everyone could choose their favorite or on those special days we would over indulge and have more than one. We always said a short dinner prayer before enjoying our meals, but there never seemed to be a personal connection to God or Jesus. It was just something we did…Prayers before a meal. Up until a few years ago I was following in those same footsteps of my family and making sure we said a prayer before our meals, but I didn’t feel that personal connection to God or Jesus. Finally my eyes were opened…it is more than just a prayer before a meal. When praying we are given an opportunity to begin or continue our relationship with Jesus. We are thanking God for our needs being met as well as being thankful when we are given more than enough. We accomplish this through Bible studies, Christian fellowship and continued prayers. God’s tells us what he expects and how He wants us to live. I pray that when we are reaching for the desserts to complete a wonderful meal or celebration that we also reach for the food that will feed our souls. Jesus came to earth for us and we are able to feed our souls through the Great Eucharist.…We are blessed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Healing & Love

When I begin each day with “thank you Lord” I truly mean it…yet, at times like now words don’t seem to be enough. As we pray for new beginnings, new career paths or clean bill of health from an illness “thank you” seem like empty words. There was a time when I struggled with grief and loss. It was God to whom I turned and it was God who brought me out of the depths of grief. He would bring an Angel into my life just when I needed them. It would be a phone call, an invitation to lunch or a prayer sent my way. God is so amazing that in His time we are healed physically, emotionally and spiritually. We are shown through our faith God’s love and compassion. He expects trust and faithfulness from us as we go through the process of living… God then blesses us. I pray we continue to put our trust in the Lord. God will bless our continued faith as we rejoice in His Peace, Grace and Joy. James1:12Blessed is the man that perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Walk in love with God and Jesus knowing we have the wisdom and knowledge as the children of God. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Bible Promises

Today the San Joaquin Valley was bathed in sunshine that was very comfortable with a slight breeze. Fall is on its way and after a hot summer we look forward to cooler weather. We don’t doubt for it minute that the summer blooms will fade and disappear and the leaves on the trees will turn gold and red. Before we know it the leaves will also disappear and winter will be upon us. However, this is not true of God. We need never worry as God will always be with us. The seasons will roll one into the other and yet, God will continually help us through the tough times as He comforts and consoles our spirits. Our trials may not be resolved immediately but we will be blessed by his radiance and His love will fill our souls. While we live our lives with faith, trust and patience God will continue to prepare our paths. As He says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.” Let us go forth with continued faith that God is always with us and preparing for the future. He sent Jesus to us that we may be forgiven and blessed. As we thank Jesus for His love and Graciousness we have the opportunities to build a personal relationship with Him while enriching our lives with prayer, Christian fellowship and Bible studies that confirm God’s love. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I pray we rejoice in the season of life that God has given us. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Live Life

I so enjoy living life… what I mean by that is I love sharing my life with my family, friends and the Lord. Knowing that what ever happens we can rely on the Lord for God’s wisdom, while getting support from friends & family. The other day I had a surprise phone call from a family member I had not visited with for several months…what a delight. It is totally comforting to know we can go months without any communication and then when we do talk we pick up right where we left off… We don’t have to be concerned that our family won’t want to hear from us or that we have to explain why it has been weeks since we last talked. We are always there for them and overjoyed to once again catch up with their lives. Our God is the same way. We may go weeks or longer without any communication with Him but when we do He will shower us with love, comfort and joy. We can feel his presence and the bliss of his peace. As we go forth each day I pray we spend time with our Lord and receive his grace and gifts of love and peace. Jesus is waiting for the door to open in order to be part of our lives. Sharing his love that is boundless allows us to reap the harvest of a personal relationship with Him. Jeremiah 29:12-13 “You will call upon Me and come to pray to Me, I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Enjoy the presence of our Lord as you open the door to your heart and let Jesus enter. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Power of Prayer

What an amazing day we have been given. I am totally solar powered. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. We are so blessed! Does this mean my life is running smoothly with no worries or concerns? Absolutely not, yet I am always calmed and uplifted with prayer. When I have more on my plate than I would like and my stomach can do that lurch as it has done on many occasions…I turn to God. I pray for the strength to continue going forward and I ask for the armor of God to comfort me. My prayers remind me that it is God who is in control I must give my concerns to God and lean back with trust in my heart. As our week begins after a long weekend I take a deep breath and exhale knowing I have nothing to dread. As we keep our lives off the fast track of worry, concerns and anxiousness we exercise our faith knowing Jesus is there. He holds us tight and leads us through the maze of agendas, schedules or financial concerns. Psalm 138: 3 When I called to you, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. Prepare your days and weeks with the strength of prayer and the love of faith. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Parks & Play

Today my son and I took his two and half old daughter to the neighborhood park. What a joy and blessing. I watched other families interact with their children and grandchildren and I observed the love displayed through the care and conversations. There was a pond with ducks and geese that the children delighted in when throwing their bread. They giggled and crowded closer to watch them scurry after each handful. Not only did the children enjoy feeding the ducks and geese but the parents and grandparents had great pleasure watching the children. It’s the simple joys of life that fill our hearts and remind us what is important. The opportunities to spend quality time with each other; whether taking a walk, reading a book or playing together is all special and invaluable. With God’s love, guidance and wisdom we are given the same opportunities to spend quality time with Him. He takes great pleasure in our joys and wants to be included in our lives. We are His children and He waits to be invited into our lives. I pray we keep God the center of our families and love each other with the heart of Jesus. Psalm 20: 4-5 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when your are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Music & Prayers

After I wake in the morning and take that much needed shower I turn on the music. It begins my day with up lifting melodies and inspiring words. It reminds how blessed we are… God gives amazing creativity to some in the way of melodies and lyrics, while others are gifted in sports or math. How exceptional are the people of God. As I prepared for church this morning the music had me swinging and swaying as I applied my make-up and did my hair. I was filled with joy as I hummed along. I am reminded that God will inspire, uplift or encourage us through the many gifts, but one of my favorites is music. My memories flood back of my parents dancing in the living room or my Mom and her sister singing in the kitchen while doing dishes. I pray we pursue the activities that bring us inspiration and awareness of our faith. Choose prayer, Christian fellowship and Bible studies that increase our knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. 2 Chronicles 29:30 So they sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshipped. Find the song that gets you dancing and praise God and the blessings of life. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Child's Heart

Today I had the sheer pleasure of spending a couple of hours with my youngest granddaughter. We went swimming, looked at books, played tag and threw the beach ball around the room. As I watched her joy at each new activity and her exuberance with the attention of one on one it struck me that we are able to take pleasure in the attention we receive from God our father. We can experience that same love a child has for its parent simply by trusting God. What a blessing we receive when we turn our life over to God. He knows our wants and needs…He will supply our life with joy, peace, grace and the wisdom of His love. Hebrews 11:1 Faith is sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don't see. Let us “fully rely on God” Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Wonders of God

God’s wonders are everywhere, but when one travels into the mountains it is an inspirational trip. I had the pleasure of spending the day in Yosemite National Park yesterday and was surrounded by God’s presence as we took in the sites. How can anyone ever be in disbelief or doubt that there is a God after taking in the beauty and wonder of the park? We spent some time walking through Yosemite Falls, enjoying the fresh air and the light scent of pines. We had front row seats as we watched the squirrels scamper to and fro, watched beautiful blue birds darting through the branches and admired the massive granite boulders. God was everywhere. We visited with people from England, Australia and New Zealand…watched people from Japan taking movie pictures of the squirrels as they ate their nuts… There was peace, neighborly conversations among strangers and courtesy for those needing help in directions and other information. God walked with us as we took pleasure in his creation, we marveled at the breath taking views in all directions and felt the disappointment when it was time to leave. I can not wait for the next day trip as it fills my soul and rejuvenates my spirit. God’s love is displayed through out our world…let us go forth finding God moments and praising his name. Genesis 1:31, 2:1 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. I pray we acknowledge the beauty, creativity and wonders of this world as we cherish what God has given us. Let us remember to share the blessings of his love by taking care of each other and our environment. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Father's Love

Growing up with a father in the house can be a blessing and comfort as they have the ability to show strength all the while displaying gentleness. Today’s world has evolved from father’s going to work, earning a paycheck and having little input raising their children to engaged and enthusiastic daddy’s. As we advanced technologically we also advanced in the knowledge of child development and the importance of an active father. A “hands on Daddy” is now seen everywhere. When I have the opportunities to watch my sons with their children I feel proud and blessed. They have the tenderness and love that is displayed through their expectations and participation. Whether they are reading, swimming or playing games they model fair play, temper control and humor. They are able to laugh at themselves or situations while showing their children the joys of life. I view God’s love the same way. He gives us the comfort and gentleness as well as the expectations and standards for our lives. We have been given the “book” on family rules, do’s and don’ts and consequences if we choose to do our own thing. The love of God has also given us the rewards of following him and Jesus. If we have strayed he waits with open arms and a celebration…the prodigal son shows the love of a father. As parents I pray we love our children with the family rules, consequences and rewards of the "book” that allow our children to grow into God fearing and Jesus loving adults. 1Samuel 12:23-24 …And I will teach you the way that is good and right, But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for your. Rejoice in the rewards of God’s Grace and Jesus’ Love! Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Trust God

I was talking to a friend recently and the topic of worry became the center of our conversation. It is always amazing to hear how people become consumed with the worries of the world. Several years ago I was exactly like that. I would try to control my entire world not to mention everyone else’s. I vision God looking down and shaking his head all the while we are wringing our hands, stressing out and at times making ourselves sick with concerns that God can easily handle. I remember one of our first Bible Studies we used a Beth Moore booklet…the first questions was: Do you believe in God? The very next question was: Do you Believe God? It was at that moment I realized it was simple to answer of course I believe in God…but then to put my trust and Believe that God will do what He says, I shamefully had not thought of. Probably because I was too busy worrying… :) I lived my life as a believer but I was not living my life as “A Believer". Knowing that God will do what he says he will do. I now joyfully know and believe God will take care of our worries, concerns or needs; and yet when I decide to take charge of my life, the stress can be overwhelming. It is at that point I would ask for forgiveness and give my life back to God. Our ladies group has just begun studying the Book of John. It is an incredible accounting of Jesus and all that he accomplished. Knowing what power Jesus has through His father, I wonder why we worry. Would Jesus look at our lives and say, “Ye of little faith”? I pray not… So, that being said, my prayer today is we allow God and Jesus to care for us in all areas of our lives and be prepared for the miracles he has waiting for us. Knowing that everything is in God’s time we have nothing to fear…but the fear of negativity entering our lives. Let’s keep the devil at our backs and bask in God’s Glory. 1Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Rejoice in God’s love as we continue to “Believe” that God will do what He says He will do. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors