Sunday, November 6, 2011

A Great Leader

We live in a society that needs leadership, guidance and strategies to reach our goals or accomplish deadlines. The strength and quality of the leader will determine the outcome of the finished product and one’s attitude.

I had the privilege of attending a leadership conference; I listened to the speaker and observed others as he spoke about being humble, caring and fair. It was quite apparent that he was a Christian without any comment from him about his faith.

It brought to my mind our greatest leader, Jesus Christ. He led with compassion, understanding and love and two thousand years later we are still following his commands and directions.

It gives great testimony to the power of a great, loving and caring leader. We lead and direct people daily and it is up to us to be a leader that is aligned with God’s mercy and grace. That encompasses listening to others, allowing others to grow and to trust.

No matter the circumstance we have an opportunity to lead by how we behave through a difficult situation or our attitude as we struggle with life challenges. Let’s lead our families, friends and co-workers with the leadership of Jesus.

Let’s emulate God’s kindness, be gracious in our words and show empathy to those in need. We have a responsibility to everyone within our circle of life as well as society…Let’s walk God’s walk and be a beacon to others.

Romans 15:1-2 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

As we continue to live and work with family, friends and co-workers let’s encourage support and inspire so each person reaches the goals God has set in place. Continue to follow His path and praise His name.

Smiles & Blessings
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Set the Example

When we are more than busy we have a tendency to move away from God. Our prayer time is shortened, our relationship becomes distant and our connection can become hazy. This is the time to recognize how vulnerable we might be to the negative and evil ways of the world

I have experienced firsthand those moments of concentrating on what I want to accomplish or what I want to do. I lose the focus…we must remember that we have a purpose and that purpose is to serve the Lord.

As we begin each day let’s keep the focus toward the light of God, follow His commands and walk the path He has forged for us. When cultivating that close personal relationship with our Lord our lives change.

We will never be the same as long as we keep our eyes on Him. Let’s set the example for our children, families and friends as we grow closer to His word, trust Him completely and love Him.

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. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

What a joy we receive when praising His name.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sunday, October 2, 2011

So Many Pathways

I have some friends who have stepped out in faith, have become missionaries and will rely totally on God. This means they will receive their financial and prayer support from those who are willing to follow God’s heart and share their wealth.

Now by wealth I do not mean only people who are above and beyond financial stability but by the wealth we share in our faith. Knowing and trusting God with our health, careers, family and friends is being wealthy in Christ’s Kingdom.

It is a privilege to help those in need, support our missionaries in foreign countries and to serve God. There are so many pathways to our Lord’s heart. It is not by attending church every Sunday although that is very good, but it is to strive toward that God like attitude.

As Christians we are wealthy in His love, mercy and grace. We are given a new day to make amends for our sins and a new opportunity to live within His commands and rejoice in His forgiveness.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Faith is our belief in God and trusting Jesus.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Saturday, October 1, 2011

With Gratitude We Wait

It has always been a wonder to me as how some get through the day with all their challenges without the love and guidance of God. I have watched many try to hang tight to themselves and then make sense of their dilemma, however they struggle so much more than need be.

If only they were hanging onto God and would allow our Lord to intervene for them. We are given so much through God’s love and mercy that it seems inconceivable that anyone would try doing it alone.

Our lives become a treasure as God reveals His plan for each of us. It isn’t always the easiest task waiting for our Lord to divulge or enlighten us as to His plan. Yet, if we are following God’s commands and walking in faith with total trust we eventually understand what is waiting for us.

What joys we receive when we are able to see a small stretch of the road that God has laid. It is through our diligence and constancy in prayer and faithfulness that allows us the tiniest vision of our future.

Psalm 27 4-5 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may in dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Let’s accept God, our Father into a personal relationship as we praise His name and rejoice.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Resilient, Flexible & Patient

As we go through life and experience the ups and downs of relationships, careers, finances or health issues we strive for that perfect ending; that happy ending of gal gets guy, the dream job, financial stability or doctor tells the patient they have a clean bill of health.

Many times over we share that sentimental thought of everything going just as we had planned. Yet, what we forget is that our purpose is to allow God to lead us to His plan and we need to be resilient, flexible and patient.

Living our lives with God’s guidance allows us to be of service, to hear His call and follow His commandments. We all struggle with our day to day commitments however we have a loving God who understands our weaknesses and His mercy and grace are continual.

Let’s remember that happy is fleeting but joy is ever after. Joy fills our souls with His love and forgiveness as we truly then appreciate all our Lord has done for us. We are able to recognize the gift of eternity and that happy ending.

Psalm 139:2-4 Search me (thoroughly), O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Our faith is strong as we trust in God. Go forth following the path God has planned and let’s put our selfish ways behind us.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Not Lucky but Blessed

Loving the Lord is one of the most pleasing and heartwarming relationships we will ever have. He is kind, understanding and slow to anger. His forgiveness is continual and He does not seek revenge or wish us ill.

Doesn’t this make you wonder why more don’t praise His name and give thanks for all they have in their lives? Are we so self-centered that we ignore the everyday miracles and bounty in our lives.

When I say bounty I do not necessarily mean great financial means or large homes. I am not talking about tangible things but heavenly gifts. We are given the gift of friendships, talents and skills and our faith that guides our lives.

We are not “lucky” but blessed. God is with it us throughout the day…do you seek Him? Whether we are enjoying the fruits of our labors or enduring the obstacles and potholes God continues to be with us. All we need to do is reach out…begin that conversation.

It is the most satisfyng and rewarding relationship we will ever cultivate. As we begin this week let’s remember to thank our Lord for all we have…all we strive for... and all that is waiting for us. As we walk hand in hand with our Lord we are lifted up with strength, resilience and the spirit of God.

Psalm 16:8 I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Stay constant with God; keep your faith alive; be humble always.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Saturday, September 17, 2011

His Way Always

While praying and talking with the Lord have you asked to serve Him and then when the opportunity arises you say to Him… “I didn’t mean in this way.” Many times we pray we want to walk along God’s path, but forget it may be bumpy or difficult.

When we are facing challenges or hurdles let’s remember to count on God for strength and courage to complete the tasks He has forged. It isn’t always easy to remember, but we can accomplish all He has put on our plate with humility and success. It is with His love and the talents and skills He instilled in each of us that allow us the victory.

Keep our focus on serving rather than the hurdles or obstacles will keep us from defeat and negative thoughts. It is our way to achieve what God has planned. As we stay true to our faith while trusting God in each endeavor we encounter His comfort, inner strength and love will inspire us.

Let’s coin the phrase “His Way Always”….and then trust.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.

What promises we have been given as we follow His path and commands. Let’s rejoice in His name forever as we praise our Lord.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

New Doors Will Open

How does God fulfill our hopes and dreams if we are too busy for him…It is impossible to hear Him when we overload our days with the business of schedules, agendas and responsibilities.

Let’s remember to thank our Lord for the day ahead of us and be grateful for all we have. Many times we are so busy doing our “job” that we forget to seek Him…we must put Him first and then let God help us with all the little things that incorporate our daily life.

Allowing ourselves to be dependent upon God is living our faith and totally trusting Him throughout our day. Being filled with His goodness and seeking His love brings our faith alive and keeps us walking the path of commitment as our devotion shines through our everyday behavior.

As we go about our days reflect on His love, seek His favor and invite Him into our lives. New doors will open to us as we follow the path He has selected for us and we will be renewed.

Psalm 136: 3-4 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, his love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, his love endures forever.

May the Holy Spirit be alive in us as we rejoice in each miracle of each day.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Observe the Laughter

We are able to observe many relationships throughout our life; today I had an opportunity to observe my son and his daughter. They were singing and moving to the beat as the music sang out while I drove the car.

The expression on my granddaughters face was pure joy and awe as she tried to imitate her Daddy…the laughter and giggles from the back seat made me want to stop the car and get the movie camera out in order to capture a sweet moment.

My son and his daughter have built this wonderful and blossoming relationship that is built on a firm foundation. They spend quality time together swimming, reading, coloring and playing ball. They have established a routine and formed some traditions all in a short span of three years.

While listening and watching them in the car I was flooded with emotions; it was the unadulterated pride that can only come from a parent and grandmother. I had a momentary glance into God’s world. How He must feel when we spend loving and joyful time in His presence.

God patiently waits for us to invite Him to our party…to sing, dance and rejoice in our relationship with Him. As children of God He must swell with love and devotion for His children as we build our foundation planted with His commands and grace.

When we begin our day let’s praise His name; when we drive to work or eat lunch let’s rejoice in our blessings; when we arrive home safely after a busy day let’s bow our heads with gratitude and faith.

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…

As we make memories with our children and grandchildren let’s celebrate the blessings God has bestowed on us.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Our Strengths


The other day our staff was given an assessment to find our strengths…we were to answer questions and through this assessment we would see how we might handle a situation or resolve a challenge.
What I found interesting was I had taken a similar assessment several years ago and the results were extremely different. I was shocked at the outcome yet realized the results mirror who I am now.

My personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ is the deciding factor. When answering the questions I realized it is no longer about me, but it is making sure I am helping, encouraging and mentoring others to succeed. And I now know that our success is through our faith and trust in God with the talents and skills we possess.

A few of the results were: Harmony (treating others with respect), Connectedness (accept people as they are not what I want them to be) and Belief (not being deterred by others or peer pressure, but stay true to my values).

I received my strengths from God…wanting to please Him and to live a God-like life is my goal; however I fail miserably many times over but our Lord forgives us and with His mercy we are blessed with renewed peace.

Let’s remember to stay connected to God, stay strong in our prayer life and Bible studies and enjoy Christian fellowship. He guides each of us on a path especially designed for success and all we have to do is trust.

Jeremiah 17: 7-8 But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Praise His name with thanksgiving and joy.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Monday, August 22, 2011

Prayer is a Gift

As this day comes to an end…did we thank God for all the opportunities? Were we able to find the strength to jump the hurdles and maneuver through the obstacles? Whatever our day was… it is most important to remember "this is the day the Lord has made and be glad in it”.

I spoke with a friend the other day who has some health issues…she carried her oxygen and walked ever so slow, but what was most extraordinary was the joy in her spirit and conversation.

She is maneuvering through her obstacles with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. She knows that God is walking with her and she has nothing to fear. She does what she can with what she has at this moment and allows our Lord to do the rest.

We are blessed with friends like this who shine for God no matter what the circumstance. Let’s remember to pray for those who are struggling with their health, finances or careers. The power of prayer is a gift we give to our friends and family.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 May our Lord Jesus Christ Him-self and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Continue to be a blessing to those around you, be assiduous in your prayer life, be steadfast in your Bible studies and praise God with your love.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Monday, August 15, 2011

Sing with Joy

In our everyday lives we have prayers, requests and hopes. When we are down we lean on our family or friends and when we are feeling happy we again turn to our family and friends. Yet, it is through our Lord that we receive the gifts of answered prayers and blessings

Let’s remember to continue with our prayers as we wait for God’s support, because as we live through the struggles and the joys He alone clears our paths and supports our dreams and prayers.

As we begin our day… worship Him with your prayers, quiet conversations or even through the songs you sing whether in church, the car or possibly the shower. Rejoice in His name and share the delight in living with Him.

Today is a blessing let’s make the most of it and show our gratitude in serving God with a heart filled with love and our attitude of graciousness extending to those around us. Let’s be blessings to others as God shows us His mercy and grace.

Psalm 33:2-4 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song’ play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true, He is faithful in all He does.

Go forth today with joy and hope in your heart as we do the work God has prepared for us to do.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Thursday, August 11, 2011

It's All About You...Not

While commuting to work the other day I saw a billboard that stated, “It is all about you”…I do not know what the advertisement was for, however it made me think. Is it always about us… Individually? For many this could be a very dangerous trap as we would truly believe we are the ones that are most important.

Living with this thought in mind our selfishness, self-centered and egotistical behavior could run rampant. The thought it is all about you has no room for anyone else… especially our Lord. God wants us to have a servant’s heart yet if we put ourselves first then we have no room for others.

Let’s go about our day with a heart filled with gratitude and warmth as we enjoy sharing our work place, family space and community environment with the pleasure of being one of God’s own. He alone will give us the attention needed, the health prayed for and blessings of His miracles.

Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always.

Being in relationship with our Lord keeps us grounded in God’s commands, opens our hearts to others and allows us to follow His plan. Let’s stay in prayer and conversation with our Lord, appreciate all we have and serve God.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

New Insight &Faith

I have always wondered why some people have this amazing and strong faith while others do not. What touched that person…what brought them the knowledge that many others have to find after years of struggle or disappointment?

When talking with a friend we shared that our families did not talk much about God or Jesus Christ but we were expected to attend church regularly and be good. My friend and I then began to think about our own families and how we raised our children.

We realized that if one is not raised with a personal relationship to God and Jesus Christ it is not impossible to learn and pass it on to the children, even adult children. It is like giving a new branch to the family tree, as we are grafting the branch of God and Jesus Christ onto it.

It is a time to reflect as to what is most important and to share the word of God and begin developing or continue building a personal relationship with Jesus. This is easily accomplished simply by reading scripture with your children and other family members, praying together, joining Bible studies and enjoying Christian fellowship.

As we achieve our goal by modeling the behavior we want our children to learn we also obtain the ultimate gift from God…a relationship from our Lord that brings us understanding and compassion while living closely with Him.

Although we may have struggles or challenges our load is lightened by walking with God; we have new insight and faith all the while trusting God.

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.”

We can have no greater delight than knowing our God…Give thanks for His mercy and peace.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Monday, August 8, 2011

Season's of Your Life


Years ago I was asked to be a guest speaker at a Woman’s Retreat and the theme of the event was the “Seasons of our Lives.” It did not take me more than a minute to say yes, “I would love to do it” and to talk about the spring of my life.

Interestingly enough I do not think of a person’s season as the chronological age of a person, but the season God has given us in our spiritual walk. As I follow God and Jesus Christ I am in the spring, because I am one of the “farmers”. I truly enjoy planting seeds, watering and nurturing someone’s faith.

As we pray and learn about ourselves our personal relationship with God develops as we begin to understand what our Lord expects from us. We all have a purpose and God has the plan, however without a loving and growing relationship we will not understand what God has intended.

We do not need all the facts, information or a blueprint…all that is needed is the closeness with God and trust. God implanted on my heart to teach (plant), to give information (water) and to encourage (nurture) about faith and the love of Jesus Christ.

It is a heartwarming and gratifying feeling to know that I am doing what God wants from me. At a very young age I knew I was going to be a teacher, what I did not know was I would be teaching from my heart about our loving and gracious God.

John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemmed; he has crossed over from death to life.”

What joy we receive when we walk the path God has forged; what satisfaction is felt when receiving God’s blessings; what a rewarding life we live when knowing the love of Jesus.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Follow Your Dreams

Moving forward through self-doubt, challenges or overwhelming hurdles is as small as an ant hill or as gigantic as Mt. Everest. It is all about perspective and personal attitude. If we constantly beat ourselves up with negative thoughts and feelings we will not realize our abilities or assets.

When remembering that we are children of God and we are made in His image; then there is nothing that will keep us from accomplishing what our Lord has put on our hearts. Our dreams, aspirations and creativity are gifts from God.

He endows us with strengths and talents and through our constant faith and trust we walk toward all that God has waiting for us. It is not with arrogance we achieve our dreams but it is with God’s love that instills our confidence of success.

What joy our Lord must feel when we undertake the challenges of new ideas or opportunities with gratitude and delight for our God given skills and talents. As we carry out our mission with total certainty and conviction nothing will stand in our way of moving forward.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

Follow through with your dreams; know that God has sanctioned your work and He waits for you to navigate around the hurdles and glide past the negative thoughts as you take pride in your triumphs all the while praising his name.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Saturday, August 6, 2011

In Times of Sorrow

Some days are tougher than others; last week I heard about a family losing their son to a skateboard accident. How do we muster the strength to move forward, how do we make sense of such a freak accident or how do we survive our grief?

I do believe losing a child is the worst possible l0ss…yet, with the strength we receive from God He carries us through the mindless days of anguish and sorrow. He knows our heartache and misery as He too lost a son. During these difficult times keep the family in prayer as they search for the answers and are given God’s peace.

The ache in their heart is beyond comprehension and all we can do is let them know we are thinking of them through prayers, cards and possibly just sitting with them. Don’t be afraid to ask, “What can I do “or “what do you need” and then be their earthly Angels.

Psalm 147:3-6 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

In times of trial and sheer desperation it is essential we hang tight to Jesus as He will help us through the ordeal. Praise His name as He understands our sorrow with support and compassion.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Friday, August 5, 2011

Meeting Our Goals.

What joys we have in each new day as we prepare for new opportunities or just cleaning a closet. When our thoughts and feelings are aligned with the Lord we are walking in His light. It is through His love we are lifted up with spiritual energy as we go about our day

We are instilled with a get-up-and-go that drives us to new levels; our Lord wants us to succeed in every aspect of our lives and to shine for God. We do this by being honorable in our decision making, meeting goals with a compassionate heart and being humble as we accomplish the smallest of chores.

We also raise our level of devotion to God through daily prayers and conversation, continued Bible studies and the enjoyment of Christian fellowship. Let’s show the world how a lifestyle of living within God’s commands can sustain us through struggles, rejoices with us on our successes and fills our soul with His love. 

Life is not always easy or comfortable; however we find solace in His care as we grow in our Christian maturity. So whether we are cleaning closets or embarking on new adventures let’s go forth with a heart filled with His compassion and grace as we take up the challenge of this day.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, 23 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love...The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

Allow God to be ever present in your life; allow your heart to overflow with His peace; allow the Holy Spirit to seal you with His love.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sunday, July 31, 2011

No Obstacles or Hurdles

When God asks us to step out of our comfort zone and go forward…how do we react? Do we hide beneath the covers with insecurity, allow the negative to seep into our thoughts or ignore the inner thoughts and words all together?

When God spoke to Jeremiah…Jeremiah responded with I am too young, but God insisted he go forth and do what is demanded…We too are given messages from God as He instills wondrous and exciting new avenues for us to bridge.

Do not allow fear or lack of self-worth keep you from going through those open doors? We are not too young, too old or unqualified as our Lord has already prepared the way…He has cleared the obstacles and hurdles that may have impacted our success.

It is through our faith and trust that we venture beyond our discomfort and uneasiness with the strength and confidence that only comes from God. We are blessed with His mercy and grace as we approach our new explorations with jubilance and joy.

We are able to walk with boldness and self-assurance that only God can give; and the bravado fills our souls as we are surrounded by Angels and Majesty…Let’s continue to serve our Lord Jesus and honor God with our commitment to a growing relationship as we continue to study His Word, pray daily and align our lives in Christian fellowship.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations”.

Allow God’s power to guide you in the life He has planned, overflow in hope as the Holy Spirit fills your soul with His love and glorify his name through praises and song.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Friday, July 29, 2011

Family Strengths

One of the pleasures of belonging to a family is learning who we are. We share the joys and triumphs and never experience hard or difficult times alone. We grow in love with each other, learn to discern and understand our differences and comfort our family in times of need.

As a member of God’s family He assures that we will never walk alone, as our Lord knows our hurts and feels our pain. We are each on a journey and our road leads to Him with gratitude and thankfulness as we acknowledge His grace, mercy and forgiveness.

Being a child of God is precious as He wants nothing but the best for each of us. He continues to watch over us and loves us through our challenges with the comfort of the Holy Spirit. He draws us near through our prayers and personal conversations, He shows us our strengths through our Bible studies and He demonstrates His love with our earthly family members.

Our Lord has given us many reasons to be praising His name and thanking Him daily for our lives and Salvation. Being grateful for all that encompasses our lives shows our respect, love and devotion to our Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received for God.

Stay connected to your earthly family; enjoy their love and companionship as we continue to grow strong in Christ.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Encouraged & United

Tonight I had the joy of sharing in a college celebration of a Cohort that completed their 18 months of exhausting assignments, loss of family time and building life-long friends. We began with devotions, had a wonderful meal and shared experiences of the past 18 months.

It was a time of tears, laughter and joy. God blessed the students with spiritual stamina to go the distance with their educational commitment and Christian instructors that encouraged, supported and prayed for their success.

What sweet days when our Lord allows us the privilege to promote and nurture those around us with His love and Godly words. Only through scripture are we able to see what God wants for us. We are able to treasure that personal relationship with Jesus we develop through our constant conversations and prayers.

Our cup overflows with God’s love and wonder as we follow the path He has laid out for us. Let’s honor our Lord through our successes and humble hearts as we strive toward our Christian walk. When we help others to succeed we then are successful.

Colossians 2: 2-3 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

We are truly loved by God, praise His name and give thanks.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Monday, July 25, 2011

The Mustard Seed

When I was young I was given a necklace with a mustard seed in the pendent with the facts about the mustard seed. It is the tiniest of seeds yet when nurtured correctly it grows to an enormous size. I was also told its meaning as it relates to our faith. I treasured my necklace and wore it continually for several years and then along the way I lost it, out grew it or received a new piece of jewelry. But I never forgot the meaning of that special seed.


Our faith is very much like the mustard seed…it has great potential however if we do not nurture and water our faith it will remain quite small without much meaning. We require instruction (Bible Studies), prayers (personal communication with God and Jesus) and contact with others (Christian fellowship).


As soon as we begin to follow God’s plan we are able to grow in our faith which leads to strength and spiritual energy to overcome our trials and tribulations. We are that tiny mustard seed sprouting new branches or leaves…faith and trust in God…What joy to know that we have been given the ability to shine for God and light the way for others.


Matthew 13:31-32 The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.


Each of us has been planted with the seeds of God’s mercy and grace, the love of Jesus Christ, and the miracles of the Holy Spirit…let’s rejoice as our faith grows and we become tall and strong as the mustard tree.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Abound in Grace

We serve the Lord and find our way
It is with scripture and prayers we feel Him say
Today is the day that I will draw you near
We enjoy His presence and it becomes so clear
He led the walk and paved the way
So we could share in His love day after day
Go forth with love and abound in grace
Let it shine to others through our smiling face.

Psalm 147:1, 5 How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! ...Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

Continue to praise His name through thanksgiving and prayers; as we shine for God.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Friday, July 22, 2011

Propensity to Overcome

The pitfalls of our lives can be debilitating or a time of growing and learning. I know a person who struggles with addiction and for years attended support groups nearly every day but continued with the addiction. In the end this person ended up losing a place to live, family and most all possessions due to the addiction.

As I watched a moving truck take all but a few personal possessions from this person I began to wander what happened? What is lacking in one’s life that leads to a lifestyle where a person may lose everything? We are the children of God and He makes each one of us perfect. We are given strengths and skills that allow us to be successful; yet some choose a path that hinders success.

It isn’t enough to be a Sunday Christian God expects so much more. We are able to achieve and accomplishment all God has planned when we establish a strong personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

We all want to binge or over in indulge at times whether it be food, gambling, shopping or any other vice we may need to control, but with the love of Jesus walking with us we are able to achieve our goal of self-control. I pray for those dealing with any affliction that needs the Lord’s intervention and strength as He will supply the resistances needed.

Let’s remember to do the best we can, with what we have and trust God for strength and power to overcome that which hinders success. As we live our lives let’s keep it on the straight and narrow, disregard a lifestyle that is not aligned with God and remain firm in your faith.

1 Corinthians 10: 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

What a joy to know we have the propensity to overcome all that is negative; rejoice with the Angels all the while praising and thanking our Lord for vitality and a strong spirit that is filled with God’s mercy.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Contentment is Knowing

We are blessed with the ability to be strong and sure of who we are and whose we are…It is through our faith we are able to accomplish and achieve all that God has planned for us. When our thoughts remain positive, fruitful and effective we will thrive in all we do.

Our Lord prepares the way and when living in the spirit we hear that inner voice that directs us on the pathway of success. The road that leads to achievements and satisfaction brings joy to the soul and peace to one’s heart.

Our contentment is knowing we are following the journey God has inspired for us and we strive to stay true to His commands. Living within the bounds of God’s laws assures us of a solid foundation and strength to overcome any barriers as we attain our Lord’s bounty.

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.

Join together in praise and prayer as we worship our Lord and redeemer; follow God’s commands, love him always and receive His mercy and grace.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Bridge the Gap

When facing a dilemma what do you do? Pull the covers over your head…become a bull dog and aggressively attack the problem or take a deep breath and trust God? Many times we will do either of the first two, but it is the third choice that brings peace to our soul.

There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t have some type of interruption that tries to rob our peace…be it work, family, health or finances…When faced with this we have two choices, one to have faith or two be consumed with anxiety.

I have watched people crumble after receiving terrible news even though they believe in God and Jesus Christ. I have heard the frantic emotions in their voices and the lack of faith in their conversation. How do we bridge the gap between fear and our belief in God?

It is through constant prayer, learning and studying the Bible and sharing our life with like-minded Christians. When trauma attacks we must gather together in order to reinforce God’s love and mercy, as it is easy for the enemy to infiltrate our thinking and subdue our positive thoughts and belief.

We become vulnerable and scared like children, yet it is at this time we lean on our Lord for safety and security. He will bring us out of the situation and it is with peace in our hearts that we accept whatever God has planned for us. He loves us and wants nothing but the best for us; however the results we want may not be the results our Lord has planned for us.

Psalm 121: 7-8 The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

As we encounter situations that cause anxiety trust in the Lord and know that He is with us through each obstacle that obstructs our path. We have the joy and delight of living in the grace of God and receiving His love as the Holy Spirit fills our souls with peace.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Monday, July 18, 2011

Let's Sparkle

Have you had those days where you ignored a project that needed your attention? Well, I certainly have done it on more than one occasion; and it will eat at me until I muster up the energy to complete the obligatory task.

The beauty of it is we feel so much better and our energy heightens as we become rejuvenated to continue on with our work. Our spiritual life is much the same way…our much needed prayers and Bible studies are waiting for us…yet it is the enemy who saps our ambition or motivation.

Our aim is to please the Lord, complete our obligations of the day and acknowledge our purpose for living. We are here to serve and please God each in our own ways. We are on a particular path which directs us toward God.

Let’s rekindle our spiritual energy with a get up and go attitude. We are blessed with health, vitality and determination that will strengthen our personal relationship with the Lord. Enjoy the day as you clear the cobwebs from your mind, dust off the sluggish attitude and jump start you’re lively prayer life.

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Rejoice in the power of God; praise His name with exuberance and sparkle as we finish our daily prayers and shine for God. He is waiting for our handiwork and faithfulness so He may bless us with His mercy, grace and peace.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Alike or Different

While playing with my granddaughter the other day we decided to have some apple slices; we were able to choose either the red or the green. She chose the red and I chose the green never thinking anymore about it.

Then her daddy was going to get an apple and she said, “Daddy get a red one so we can be friends.” I asked, “Aren’t I your friend?” She said, “No, as I did not have a red apple.” It struck me that at three years-old she was are able to notice who is alike and who is not and if you are different then you are not able to be friends.

Unfortunately this is the way of the world…if you don’t think or act like the majority then a bias is set against you. This is sad and unfortunate. Think of all we miss when we have a bias against someone simply because they live differently than us. God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves and we cannot do this if we dislike them for being different.

This does not mean we are to live beyond God’s commandments however we are to treat everyone with kindness and understanding. Living aligned with our Lord and following His guidelines honors God.

Being respectful and caring is one way to shine for our Lord…let’s continue to be a light for God as we extend courtesy, compassion and friendship to those around us. It is ok to be different…to be a child of God and to live with the joy only He can give. Continue praising His name and glorifying our Lord through prayers, Bible studies and enjoying Christian fellowship.

Acts 11:24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

Remain diligent in your prayer life; display your faith through your actions and behaviors, because as Christians we are the role models for God.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Treasure His Name

Walking in faith requires only trust and some days it is easier than others; but it is on those tough days that open our eyes to the knowledge that we cannot reach our destiny with little or no faith. Our power and strength comes from God…it is through His love and guidance that we accomplish all He has for us.

We must believe that we can and do survive the arduous and challenging times as we are not tackling the struggles alone. We must open our heart to our Lord Jesus as we share our thoughts and disappointments with Him. Let’s trust that He hears our voice and then prepare for the His help and miracles.

God blesses each of us as we grow in spiritual strength, flourish in unwavering trust and spread the gospel through our behavior, actions and voice. We do not have to fear the future as God has already planned it out and our only job is to trust Him and follow His commands as we live a Godly life.

Our Lord Jesus wants us to achieve and live a life of spiritual joy as we praise His name and give thanks for all that is before us. We are blessed and favored each day through God’s mercy and grace as He comforts us through the demanding times and lifts us up with delight in times of happiness.

Psalm 40:5 Many O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare.

Thank you Dear Lord for all the blessings sent our way; we shall treasure them and lift your name above all names as we praise your glory…

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Friday, July 15, 2011

Gifts & Favors

When it is God inspired there is very little effort involved. During our lives we are going to experience wonderful opportunities and occasions that were initiated without incredible effort or energy. These gifts are straight from our Lord and I am sure they are delivered with a smile and a grin.

This just happened in my life and it is thrilling. Without any prior knowledge I was given a promotion that was beyond my dreams…this is God inspired. He has blessed me with His love in ways of new beginnings and adventure.

How do we say thank-you…My heart is full of love, devotion and delight. It is one of those things that you just want to go around and pinch yourself to make sure it is all very real…

Through my prayers and praise as I thanked the Lord I also asked for humility and grace as I do not want to think this opportunity came from anyone but our loving God. For many years I have been living in faith knowing God does supply all our needs and when the time is right…when we are God ready…our Lord showers us with His blessings.

God has a purpose and plan that only He knows about…and when we follow His path we are guided in the direction that not only helps us but serves others in His name. Be ready to serve, be faithful and trust as you too will be blessed with His favor.

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.

Give thanks and praises each day for our blessings, build and develop a strong personal relationship with our Lord and treasure the wonders of God.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Angels & Miracles

Life is a challenge, a joy and constantly changing. We are forever growing and developing. It is through our experiences that we strive toward our goals. We become educated formally and informally, we increase our awareness to other’s needs and we display our Christian love.

Last night I heard a group of men and women talk about what God has done in their lives, the miracles and the Angels who have talked to them or helped them out of a situation. It was pure pleasure to listen and praise God as we exchanged experiences.

As Christians we need to spend more time conversing with others and sharing our experiences of God’s miracles. Our room filled with love and praise as each individual shared their encounter with their Angels and our Lord.

It was exciting to hear all the ways God intervenes in our lives; and it was even more wonderful to listen to believers express their faith and trust in God. As they shared their stories and expressed their love for God it was profound and meaningful for each person.

They were able to hear and respond to the experiences and the multi-layered levels of faith. During the conversation it was found that some were new Christians while others had been life-long believers, yet God intervened in their lives through Angels with miracles.

1 Samuel 12:24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

God continues to protect and guide us with His Angels and miracles; therefore through continued prayers and praise thank our Lord for His mercy, grace and peace.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Enjoy the Process

For most of us at one time or another have decided to lose weight, get into better shape or improve our looks with exercise and wholesome foods. We begin with endurance and enthusiasm that cannot be wavered until we get impatient for the results. We want the effects to be immediate.

Our spiritual life may be on the same rollercoaster…we want immediate results…We want God to answer our prayers in our timeline…we need help now…Yet it is will patience and understanding that our faith grows.

We must be diligent in our prayers, trust always and live with love in our hearts. God knows our needs and is never further than a prayer and quiet conversation. Actually our conversation does not need to be quiet…speak out and talk with God.

Know the joy of having that personal relationship with our Lord…feel the love of the Holy Spirit as we grow close to God. Being prayerful as we develop a closeness with Jesus gives us strength to endure stresses and challenges.

Improving our spiritual life is feeding our souls with the living food of God just as exercising is good for the body. We need both…let’s delight in the life God has given us…honor Him in our lifestyle and devotions.

Psalm 6:8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Having the gift of God’s love and mercy we are able to accomplish our goals and develop our relationship with Him. Let’s keep our connection to Jesus strong as we grow in faith and trust our Lord in all things. Be patient and enjoy the process.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Monday, July 11, 2011

Encourage One Another

Living our lives in obedience to God is an honor and privilege, however many times over we choose that which is not God-like. We want to be famous, rich or respected at any or all costs. We must be very careful not to choose the way of evil and selfishness.

God tells us throughout the Bible what happens to those who hear the scripture and turn from our Lord’s way; after all Moses and his followers did not enter the Promised Land becuase of disobedience. We too have heard the gospel and must be prepared to follow through and do the right thing.

We should be honoring God not ourselves…we do this by following the commands of God and walking in love with others. Helping others become successful, reach their destiny or achieve that dream is our way of walking in love.

This does not mean we ignore our dreams but we make sure we are not stepping on others to fulfill our desires. God will open the doors to our success if we are traveling on the road that was laid out for us. When praying about our life works, contributing to others and participating as a follower of Jesus promotes our destiny.

Sharing the love of God, walking in the footsteps of Jesus (loving our neighbor) and being constant and committed in our faith allows the Holy Spirit to fill our soul with His grace.

Hebrews 3:12-13 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Let’s feel the peace given by God as we continue to develop our spiritual life through Bible studies and personal time in prayer. Honoring God is doing what God has planned for us to do. Be joyful and jubilant in our relationship and praise His name.

Smiles & Blessings
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Adjust our Attitude

It is all about forgiveness and love…what do we do and how do we react to anger, disappointment or frustration?  Again it is all about forgiveness and love. We are going to be challenged many times in a week, month or years with several of these emotions.

The key is how we respond or react. At times we want to set the record straight so the other person understands what they did or did not do…pout to get their attention or manipulate their feelings by making them feel guilty.

It is important to remember that we too have let people down, made them angry or increased their frustration; therefore it only takes a quick look in the mirror to realize we are far from perfect and need to adjust our attitude.

Walking in love with Jesus allows our temperament to remain cool and our mouths closed even when we think we have the right to say something. It is at this moment we say a prayer or two asking for patience and positive thinking.

Pray for the person creating your havoc and then pray for yourself. God will fill our soul and hearts with peace as we become patient and positive. Thank our Lord for the blessings before you…a place to live, food to eat and people that love you. Let’s keep the enemy away from our thoughts and respond only with the love of God.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Allowing for imperfect behavior in others grants us the right to ask God for forgiveness when we fall short of His standards.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Friday, July 8, 2011

View of Success

When listening to people talk about their personal or career lives I find it interesting to hear their point of view of the term “success.” Many times it is an overabundance of money, big houses and fancy cars. We must be workaholics to be in the successful category...but how does God want us to define success?  

I believe when raising our children it is important to instill God’s point of view. How God defines success... His thoughts are not of money, houses and cars but loving each other, being honorable and having a constant faith in our Lord.

It seems simple enough, yet if we do not encourage values and ethics our children will grow up believing success is more than faith. Now I am not saying working toward a career that increases our wealth or allows for fancy cars and homes is wrong, but what I am saying is that it should not be the overwhelming factor that produces a wealthy outcome.

God will supply our abundance and open doors that He has planned for us. He does not want us in need, struggling daily for a roof over our heads and food on the table; however He does want us to trust Him with the details, therefore continue to faithfully and persistently pray for God’s mercy and grace…all the while enjoying the blessings He has bestowed on each of us.

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

Let's be thankful and praise God with our hearts and let the world see our inner glow that we receive when walking with our Lord. Continue to honor God and live by His standards; as our children observe our choices and follow our paths.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Hope is Eternal

Some days it is easy to get down…it seems if anything could go wrong it does…however we have God’s love to help us endure whatever the situation may be. We are able to give praises for His mercy and be thankful for all we have.


When the enemy takes hold of our thoughts and increases the stress or challenges our view becomes clouded with negativity and hopelessness. Let’s keep problematic feelings to a minimum as we pray for strength and inspiration as He walks us through the setbacks or struggles.


There is not a predicament or obstacle that our Lord cannot help us conquer. We must remember to give the self-talk as we pray for guidance. Our Lord hears all and knows our anguish or distress. God never leaves us alone nor ignores our plea for assistance.


Our blessings are many and our hope is eternal. When you’re feeling down reach out to Jesus and share your thoughts and concerns with Him. He provides our comfort and relief as our load becomes lighter.


Psalm 121:1-2 I lift my eyes up to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.


Stay constant in your faith, build your spiritual strength and conviction to God and know that all will be right with the world once again, as He is our answer. Re-establish your commitment with dedication and love to honor our Lord.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Visions of New Beginnings

What’s your dream? Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with what you think is an extraordinary idea? As you lay there thinking about your inspiration you begin to brainstorm about a new company, a gadget that will increase production or subject matter for a best seller…the question is…what do you do with those thoughts the next morning?


Many times we ignore our creative thoughts thinking we cannot do that or we don’t have the income to create a new company, but what we forget is that God is our creator and He gives us the ideas for new companies, gadgets or exciting new story lines for that best seller.


It is time to step out beyond the box…believe in yourself as God believes in you. He has given each of us talents and skills which enable us to accomplish all that we may envision or create. It is all through the grace of God that we design or conceive new concepts.


Our Lord loves us so much that His vision of our lives is so much more than we can imagine, so when given those creative ideas during the night (or day) do not be afraid to picture yourself reaching for the brass ring. Become successful with a God inspired dream.


Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…But his delight is in the law of the lord… He is like a tree planted by the streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.


This is the time to fill your mind with visions of new beginnings, exciting new careers or increased revenue as we trust our God given talents and skills. Know that God has given us all we need to succeed and it is our trust and belief in Him that delivers the results. Be thankful and follow God’s plan.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Listen for Angels

Beginning the day with praises and smiles is creating the standards that will follow you through the day…it does not mean you are without challenges or struggles, however it does mean you are deciding at the beginning of the day just how you will respond to everyday life.

God has planned out your life and waits for us to open our hearts, ears and mind to His words. Many have heard the voices of Angels that curtail accidents, prepare you for upcoming struggles or give directions as to how you should be living.

When living your life for God and serving Him as He has directed your life the miracles whether small or life changing bless us. As we serve our Lord we receive the joy within our souls and know that we are living the life God has planned.

Continue to be prayerful and constant in you love for God as the enemy just waits to infiltrate your thoughts with negative rhetoric that can impair your destiny. Knowing and believing that our strength comes from Jesus is the power that hinders any negative thoughts.

Let’s improve our personal relationship with our Lord, let’s cultivate spiritual habits and grow into strong Christians. There can be no better practice in our daily lives than spending time with God and learning all that He has planned for us.

Psalm 126 2-3 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

God is our joy…He is our Father…He is our way. Plan your day with a smile and prayer and know the Angels of God are with us.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Monday, July 4, 2011

Patriotism and Faith

We in the United States are blessed with wonderful independence and pursuit of happiness…Our forefathers graciously and thoughtfully created our country with reverence and respect for God and His mercy. While it is a privilege to worship in our traditions and faith it is also a privilege to be patriotic.

Our forefather fought for the freedoms we now have and our ancestors instilled the love of God and country that have blessed the United States for over two hundred years, let’s display not only our patriotism but also our faith and devotion to our creator.

God continues to bless our country and fellow Americans…let’s not forget to thank God for our opportunities that await each of us. Our trust in Him reminds us that we are not in control but we follow the commands and receive the mercy, grace and peace that can only come from God.

2 Chronicles 20:20 Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm.

What a joy to celebrate our freedoms and to worship as we so choose. Give thanks this day and every day for God’s love, peace and grace.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Activate God's Powers

Living with a joyous heart and expectancy allows God to work in your life. Ignore the negative…Our Lord is planning amazing and wonderful happenings for our lives. How do we acquire all that goodness God has in store for us? It is living with faith…believing that God will change the negative…

It does not matter where we are, what is or is not happening in our lives or the amount of distress we are confronting God has it well in hand. It is our faith that will bring us through each and every situation and prepare us for the future…God’s future.


Walking in faith, living with expectancy and not wavering in the Holy outcome of our lives allows God to take us to places we had never imagined. Let’s activate God’s powers and love as He prepares us for His blessings.


Let’s stay faithful, allow the goodness of our Lord to clear the path as He arranges our lives with His miracles. What pleasures await us…When the door of opportunity opens let’s not hesitate to run through it.

Psalm 27:14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring.


Continue to focus on God and all the goodness He will bring…and our lives will shine with His love and kindness.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Ethics and Guidelines

As I was listening to the radio today I heard a news story regarding “old fashion values” and my thought was when did values become old fashion? Who decided that being moral with high values and standards is not an everyday occurrence?

We must walk with the Lord not society or others who view values as being “old fashion”. It is so important to be role models for our children and grandchildren. Set the bar high so our children are proud of our choices.

We are given opportunities to build a solid foundation for our families as we follow God’s commands. It is not from out dated ideals or lack of principles that opens our world for success but the ethics and guidelines that our Lord has laid out.

It is absolutely essential that we keep our attitudes and beliefs God Centered and we do not detour from our faith. Let’s keep society and peer pressure from dictating our way of life as we have all the answers when following Jesus.

Galatians 1:10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ.

Remember it is God we want to follow and He has given us the instructions on how to live…Do not fall prey to the values of anyone who is not following our Lord Jesus Christ.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Friday, July 1, 2011

Do You Apologize?

When talking with God and praising Him for all the joys and opportunities we have in our lives…I began to wonder if we show our sorrow or pray as exuberantly when we apologize for our misdeeds and behaviors. Do we ignore it, pretend we aren’t aware of it or do we truly feel badly and ask for forgiveness?


More than that…do we say I am sorry? When was the last time you apologized to God and said, “I am so sorry…please forgive me?” I have often heard people say they ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness, yet I rarely hear people state that they said the words, “I am sorry”.


For many of us it should come natural as our Mother’s expected us to apologize when we hurt the feelings of friends or siblings, broke something or talked back to our parents. Atoning for our rude behavior or poor attitude brought peace and comfort back into the home.


As we grow into mature Christians we realize when talking with our Lord that we must cleanse our souls with heartfelt and sincere remorse. Our repentance is only accepted when we have turned from the misdeed or corrected our behavior, which in turn produces God’s favor and approval.


Let’s remember to not only praise God for the opportunities and adventures in our lives but to truly be sorry for the misdeeds, negative attitude and poor choices. Let’s fill our lives with God’s wisdom and grace, think before we speak or respond with bad behavior.


Psalm 103:8-9 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever.


Our lives are to be joyful and shining for God…Let’s keep our light bright no matter the circumstance as we have the strength of God’s mighty Angels and the love of Jesus.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Enlarged Territories

Years ago I prayed daily for God to increase my territories…when asking this I really had no idea what I was asking…I just knew I was not doing all that I could. So day after day I prayed to God for enlarged territories.

After a couple of years of this particular prayer my life took a definitive change. After years of marriage I became single…struggling with grief and loss I learned to live alone, cultivate girlfriends, but most importantly I learned to grow as a Christian.

I joined a women’s Bible study, began journaling to God and Jesus Christ on a daily basis and turned my life to our Lord in a personal and up close relationship. I never thought about my life expanding, yet that is what God was doing…enlarging my territories.

It is a joy to live my life for our Lord and nothing but great things have happened along the way. Now that does not mean I have not had many challenging times too, but my trust is totally in our Lord and I do not go crazy with worry or stress.

I thank God daily for enlarging my territories; what I didn’t realize at first…when beginning with this prayer…you must be pruned in order to be enlarged…and you must be prepared for the pruning as it will be difficult at times, however the end product is a life lived with God.

Isaiah 40:31 Those who wait for the Lord shall change and renew their strength…they shall lift their wings and mount up as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

What a joyful life we are given when opening our heart, as we allow God to change and use us. Pray for enlarged territories, a personal life with Jesus and be prepared for the greatest experience of your life.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Monday, June 27, 2011

We Grow in Strength

We live in a world of stress, which can be a “natural killer”…giving our stress and worries to the Lord will eliminate that which burdens our souls. Allowing God to ease the encumbrances and dilemmas that may keep you up at night or hinder your daily life with joy is a gift we receive from God.


Our worries cease as we grow in wisdom, just as our anxieties diminish as we hand them over to God. Living and loving the Lord as we lean on Jesus through our daily lives brings peace which allows our faith to shine brightly.


Worshiping our Lord, praising His name and continually thanking Him for all we have brings harmony into our lives. We no longer worry or live in disorder. It is this discord that brings on those “natural killers”, therefore live with cheerfulness and contentment as we know all will be well.


Psalm 145:20 “The Lord watches over all who love Him…”


Reach out to our Savior, Jesus, as He holds our hand through our trials and challenges. We feel the difference, we grow in strength and hope abounds in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

A Piece of Faith

There are just some people that shine with the love of God and bring joy to those around them. You see the positive attitude, optimistic mindset and confident self-worth. God is clearly leading their lives and adjusting their paths.


I have a friend who says they have “a piece of faith”…as they bring sunshine into the lives of everyone…Being a Christian that demonstrates love and compassion is walking the walk with God.


We all have lofty goals; yet being one that “shines for God” is definitive as we are then living the life God has prepared for us. At times we forget that it is God who is in control and it is God who has given us a goal...Having that personal relationship allow us the knowledge needed to complete our lives that sparkle with His love.


Loving our Lord and cherishing God’s commands directs our path to success. He will continually guide our footsteps as we allow Him to influence our choices. Through discipline and self-restraint we gain purpose in our lives as our Father oversees our future.


Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.


What delight we have when enjoying the life God has provided and to redirect our pleasure to those around us. Let’s remember to treasure all that God has bestowed on us and to be thankful as we praise His name.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Role Model

Lead by example…we have heard this and many were raised with the idea. For decades it was a natural assumption that our leaders whether politicians, movie & rock stars or professional athletes were the role models for the young.


As children grew up they wanted to be just like them. Now days we are appalled at the behavior of many in the “lime light”, as they believe they are above anyone else and are entitled to special treatment and do not need to follow the law or rules.


When did this monstrosity to our society begin? It is such a shame that we have lost the humility and replaced it with arrogance and even sadder that the media highlights the behavior for all to read or see on the news.


Our Lord must continue to shake His head as we humans just don’t get it. When reading the Bible especially in the Old Testament we see the anger of God and how it acts of rebellion against God’s commands were settled by Him.


I heard a statement a few years ago “Christianity is one generation from extinction” (author unknown) and it stuck with me. If we do not raise our children with the grace of God and the love of Jesus Christ our future generations will continue to fall into corruption and arrogance.


God tells us how we must live and Jesus came to earth proclaiming God’s goodness and to treat others as we want to be treated. “Love thy neighbor as yourself”. It seems the enemy has taken control of many as their beliefs are “Do whatever makes you feel good or do whatever you can to be successful”.


Living a life with God is beyond any worldly success as He will guide our pathways to fulfill our purpose. To reach our goals with humility and to be thankful daily for all God has given us. Let’s remember to be reverent, a person of service and to walk in God’s light.


1 Peter 5:5 All of you, clothes yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Raising our children, changing our lives and walking with humility allows our light to shine for all to see. We live by example and train our children to love God and make choices that please our Lord.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Friday, June 24, 2011

Shake Off the Negative

As we begin each day with prayers and thanksgiving we are preparing for all opportunities and challenges. We are putting on the armor of God and holding His shield against all the negative influences.


We must remember that God wants so much more for us than to just get by…to survive the situation…or to muddle through. His plan is larger than all our dreams…He made us and gave us the skills and talents that will bring success and joy into our lives.


With our prayers of thanksgiving we are opening our hearts to His word and receiving the blessings that await us today. There is no greater joy than receiving His love. Let’s keep our thoughts aligned with God’s commands and follow His path.


When we are aligned with God nothing can keep us down or destroy what has been planned for our lives. When we have that negative thought that tells us all will go wrong, we will never be successful or just live with disappointment; shake it off and ignore the enemy as we remember we are only as strong as our faith.


And our faith grows daily…hourly and minute by minute through our prayers and supplications God will take care of our needs, our dreams and ambitions as we rely on Him for all our daily opportunities and joys.


Proverbs 16: 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your path will succeed.


Let’s rejoice in the Lord and praise His name with our love.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cynthia Collins Kaitfors