Perfect Love

Silent Testimonies But Loud Praises To God!

Our Greater Focus

Whenever God changes our traditions

during this Christmas season,

don't be dismayed or alarmed.

Perhaps He desires to do a new work

in you and your families.

Reflecting on the video that I've posted below,

"Who Is There Like You?"

Let's not allow the distractions or our agendas

keep us from worshipping

the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

(original quote by Kathy Lundberg, 12/22/09)

A Treasured Christmas Memory

Today I've been baking Christmas cookies for our Ladies' Fellowship at our church. The Lord brought to my mind a treasured Christmas memory I had back when Christine was born. Christine's original due date was July 15 but she came 12 weeks early the day after my birthday, April 24 on Thursday, April 25, 1996 at 7:29 p.m. at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Needless to say, Rob and I were pretty well spent dealing with all the facets of having a premature baby

One Sunday in November or early December, after church I went out to my car and in the backseat was a bags of baking supplies so I could bake Christmas cookies. Although I wasn't able to bake them during Christmas, several months later I did. At that particular time, I didn't know who was the person who blessed our family. By December, Christine was 8 months old chronologically but was about 5-6 months in her actual development. As you can imagine, Rob and I were first time parents and our family was in Massachusetts and my family in Texas. We had to be extra careful insofar as Christine's outings and such. Back in October we had a scare of RSV so we were extra careful.

We did manage to put up our Christmas tree and decorations. The daily routine of caring for a premature infant and early doctor's appointment. Let's say, my motivation level to put up our Christmas decorations after Christmas was zero. You know how it is when you have a "heart's cry moment," and only you know what your need is along with your Heavenly Father. God in His amazing grace had Cindy Jurewicz, a friend from Trinity Baptist Church call and asked me what my needs were. During our conversation, I shared that it was early February and that our Christmas decorations were still up. She arranged for a time and came over, lovingly packed them and put them up in our attic. Now that is love in action.

It's always good and very healthy to have moments of personal reflections during the Christmas season. The temptation to allow the frustrations and disappointments to take root in our thinking is pointless and expends unnecessary energy. With the homecoming of Mom (Rob's Mom) to Heaven back on September 25, it would be easy to allow the sadness to overtake my thoughts. Instead, I'm finding ways to honor her by keeping my focus on Christ, serving my family and ministering to others.

My Mom said, "if you need something, give it away." If I'm in need of kindness, why not focus on being kind to others and re shifting my focus.

Thankful for this particular treasured Christmas memory! What ones do you have? Let's be deliberate and make many more.

While You Were Sleeping - Casting Crowns

I dedicate this video to all our service personnel

and their families.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

You are most appreciated and not forgotten.

I can blog tonight in freedom

because of you keeping our country safe.

Merry Christmas to all!

Kathy, Rob & Christine

Thankful for my family!

Seven things we can be thankful for

November 25, 2009 | By Amanda Reinecker, The Heritage Foundation

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate our blessings at Thanksgiving, we should remember how fortunate we Americans are to live in a free and just nation.

America was founded upon sound conservative principles grounded firmly in human nature and not in radical idealism. And today, we see that these principles, though under attack from the Left, are still very much alive. As Heritage Foundation scholar Matthew Spalding explained in 2003, Thanksgiving maintains the tradition of the American Founding and affirms that "while we are committed to upholding religious liberty, we remain one nation under God."

Click here to read the rest of Amanda Reinecker's article off MyHeritage.org. I am certain you'll be encouraged.

Meanwhile, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Kathy

Heart Full of Thanks!

Psalm 56 ~ Supplication for Deliverance and Grateful Trust in God

For the choir director; according to Jonath elem rehokim. A Mikhtam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me;

Fighting all day long he oppresses me.

2 My foes have trampled upon me all day long,
For they are many who fight proudly against me.

3 When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in You.

4 In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid
What can mere man do to me?

5 All day long they distort my words;
All their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They attack, they lurk,
They watch my steps,
As they have waited to take my life.

7 Because of wickedness, cast them forth,
In anger put down the peoples, O God!

8 You have taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Your bottle
Are they not in Your book?

9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call;
This I know, that God is for me.

10 In God, whose word I praise,
In the LORD, whose word I praise,

11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

12 Your vows are binding upon me, O God;
I will render thank offerings to You.

13 For You have delivered my soul from death,
Indeed my feet from stumbling,
So that I may walk before God
In the light of the living.

Newsboys - my favorite group

pausing to REMEMBER!

I'm Important To God!

The LORD . . . the answer to rough days!

graphic courtesy:  www.heartlight.org

Blessings From Strangers!

Within one week, God has used complete strangers to bless me. Last Thursday while in line at Ukrops, the person before me gave us his free 2 liter soda. Christine was impressed by this act of kindness.

I had been struggling with some discouragement and had prayed for the Lord to encourage me. A couple of days later, I had a severe headache so I thought, perhaps a cup of coffee would help it subside. While in line to pay for my java, a gentleman behind me said, "I'm paying for her coffee." The gentleman smiled at me and said, "consider this your stimulus packet." As you can imagine, I was just elated and very thankful.

Yesterday afternoon Christine and I took a walk downtown Fredericksburg. We went into one of our favorite bookstores. We like to go down to the basement and look at the children's books and the gardening books. We both found books to look through, sat down in the two comfy chairs and just relaxed. As I thumbed through the pages, there were 6 pages without anything on them. Quickly I found a pen to write down the book's info and perhaps online I'll find a better copy. Then the thought came to mind, "why not ask if it could be discounted.?" I showed the gentleman at the cashier what I had discovered. He said, "here take the book, it's free." Christine and I left the store rejoicing in God's provisions.

The verse in Hebrews 13:2 comes to my mind, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."

For me, it's a vivid reminder of my Father's love. On the day I received the free cup of coffee, I had prayed earlier, "Lord, please encourage me." He did in a marvelous way! For that I can rejoice and be very thankful.

Bottom line, Christ's sacrifice, death, and resurrection and His free gift of salvation is sufficient for all our needs. He is our true source of encouragement. A chorus my Mom taught me speaks of this reality.

He's All I Need

1) He's all I need. He's all I need; Jesus is all I need.
He's all I need, He's all I need: Jesus is all I need.

2) He died for me. He died for me; Jesus is all I need.
He died for me, He died for me: Jesus is all I need.

3) He's real to me, He's real to me; Jesus is real to me.
He's real to me, He's real to me; Jesus is real to me.

Lord, it's my desire to keep this in perspective and not allow the enemy to rob me of the joy you give abundantly in Christ.

Gratitude for President George W. Bush!

The months during the Presidential election and the days leading up to the Inauguration,  have given me cause to ponder the state of our nation. A blessing that has come through these events is a renewed commitment to pray for our nation and those who lead our nation.

The part of the Inauguration that the media seemed to have little or any interest in was how President Bush and Laura exited their role with such dignity and humility. Since I'm a Texan, it was important for me to find coverage of President Bush's return to Texas. I was blessed by his kind remarks and I truly believe them to be sincere. There was not a hint of resentment towards the negative media and his critics. 

Which brings me to explain how today's entry was conceived. I follow a friend's blog, "Twilight Vespers." This morning, I clicked on to it and read Tuesday's entry, "3051." At first, I didn't understand the rationale for such a title until I read the complete entry.

As I read it, along with one of the comments that had been posted to this entry, my appreciation and gratitude deepened for President Bush. Rob and I had discussed been how history will view his presidency. We both agreed in time, history will be kind and we will see the good that was done. 

To read my friend's article, please click here. Do take the time to read it along with one of the comments that was posted to this entry. You will find a detail list of what was accomplished during Bush's presidency.

Ultimately, we all will have to answer to God whether we believe in or acknowledge Him. I believe the reason why President Bush can transition to private life is because he did his very best as unto the Lord. In stating this, I do not agree with everything that was done. Nonetheless, there are many things we can all appreciate and respect.

Truth will prevail and God is our defender! I believe President Bush understands that truth and lives it.

Thank You President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush!

Thank you President Bush and Mrs. Bush for your service these past eight years. You have represented the office of the President and the role of the First Lady with great dignity, grace and strength. We will continue to pray for you both.

God bless you both!

Blessings from a fellow Texan!

(graphic courtesy from www.heartlight.org)