Author Archives: Matthew, Karen, and God

A Kind Answer!

If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.

Count to ten before you speak.

Bite your tongue.

Walk away, don’t say a word.

You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.

Don’t add fuel to the fire.

These are all statements to remind us not to say things out of anger that we may regret. During this pandemic, families are spending more time at home together. Parents may be working from home and students learning virtually. It can be very stressful and cause us to be short with each other.

It is easy to snap, flare-up, even explode when things are not going our way. The situation has truly changed our lives from how we have known it in the past. The verse today sounds so simple and it shows us just how powerful our words truly are. They can build someone up or break someone down. I pray that every day you invite Jesus into your home. Ask him to help you and your family to speak kindly, respectful, and loving to each other throughout the day. God bless you🙏

And remember…..

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://www.bible.com/116/pro.15.1.nlt

Losing a child

For most of us losing a child is the most painful and worrisome event that could ever happen. For others, the thought never crossed their minds that it could ever happen to their kid. I came walking out of work on my break to go to my doctor’s appointment and just as I stepped into my truck I heard a woman yell out a name. I turned to look where the yelling came from and just then a car pulled up quickly to my still opened door. There were two women in the car who had the most worried and frantic looks on their faces! They quickly asked if I had seen a long blonde haired little boy, 9 years old. I almost started tearing up for them and a sense of worry came over me as well. I told them that I hadn’t however, that I would keep my eyes open for him. They raced ahead of me and turned down the street as I pulled up going the opposite direction I could see that they had found him at the library. For some reason, however, those feelings and fears were still in me. Being a parent losing a child is very difficult and hurts your heart to its core. We wonder if we will ever find them, if they are hurt, or scared. Just think how much God hurts when one of his children gets lost, how much his heart aches for us to come back. But he waits and waits for us, his arms opened wide not caring what we did but that we are safe in his arms. Praise God for his unfailing love.

Action Speak Louder Than Words!

“If someone claims, “I know him well!” but doesn’t keep his commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words. But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:4-6‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/1jn.2.4-6.msg

God’s Grace Is Enough!

“The LORD your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/zep.3.17.amp

The first words of the above verse are very powerful, The Lord your God is in your midst. He is in our midst day in and day out. No, matter where we’re at or what we are doing God is with us. Call out in need of help, He will fight your battles for you. Call out in repentance, He will save your soul. Call out in praise and Thanksgiving, and he will give you an abundance of joy and peace. God never condemns us for our past sins. He wipes the slate clean never to be mentioned again. He lifts the shame, guilt, and embarrassment off your shoulder that weight you down.

Stand up straight, lift your head up high, and your hands up to praise the Lord. Glory be to God for transforming your life. Only through Jesus, you can come to the Father. Go and tell everyone how God changed your life. Remember, what he did for you he will do for them. Amen 🙏

Using Me For His Glory!

A month ago I was reading Isaiah chapter 6. It touched my heart to read The Lord asking, ”Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? ” Then Isaiah replied,” Here am I. Send me.” I began to pray and ask God to use me any way he wanted. I am willing to do anything you ask of me. Send me, Lord. Not knowing it may be something #1 I do not enjoy. #2 It may be something I’m not good at doing.

A few weeks later I received a phone call from the pastor asking me if I would preach on August 8th. As you know the churches have been closed so I told pastor David if we are open no problem but I can’t do a youtube video. Well as it was nearing the first of August I knew the church was not going to be open. As I pleaded with God too take this away. I knew the answer was NO. It’s not about you Karen. It’s all about me and sharing me with others.

I’m sharing this video with you today so you can see the transformation of me focusing on how I looked, continually touching my hair to fixing my eyes and mind completely on Jesus. Glory be to God our loving savior for pouring me out and using me for his glory.

Thank you, Lord, for sending me. 🙏

YouTube. Oakdale SDA Church -Feasting on God by Karen Guthrie

That Peace Which. . . .

“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/php.4.4-7.amp

An Original Design

“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:25-26‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/gal.5.25-26.msg

Our Friends, have laying hens which we love, since they keep us supplied with eggs. Matthew & Ginger have several varieties of chickens which produce several colors of eggs, white, brown but also green, blue and a pretty tan . It’s like having Easter everyday without having to dye the eggs myself.

God, the great designer and creator of this universe is the same designer that made you and me. He also made the chickens. God made each one unique and special. Just like all of us. God loves beauty and color. That is why all of us standing up for Jesus is a beautiful picture, it is full of different colors, sizes, and shapes. Just like God planned.

Do you remember singing this when you were a child? The song is still true today.

🎵Jesus loves the little children. 🎶All the children in the world. 🎵Red and Yellow, black and white they are precious in his sight. 🎶Jesus loves the little children of the world. 🎶. AMEN!

Bless Others, That’s Your Job!

“Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you’re worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he’s asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:8-12‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/1pe.3.8-12.msg