I found this in my draft folder – not sure why it didn’t get sent, but thought you might like to see how it was back in April 2014; But first a few comments from this morning:   Art :-)

3 13 2015  In a LOT of pain, taking different meds to alleviate it.  Rarely do I consider a pain level above 4 or so – I figure people go through a lot more than I ever have and to liken my pain to theirs is not right – however, right now I would list it as a 5-6, hopefully it will subsist.  I do appreciate the prayers and e-mails of support.

I was witnessing to one of the nurses, only to find out she share a love of Christ.  Her attitude was great and it was nice to know that I was once again being cared for by a Christian – AND a State Police Officer’s wife!  Nice to have ‘family’ caring for me.

Yesterday I commented on how Police Officers are targets – Wendy sent this reminder – Carla and our kids can verify that also – as well as just about every Police Officer and family member in the USA.

“Don’t forget the families themselves become targets.  I have met more than 1 of Ken’s “clients.”  I do not go on ER calls alone anymore.  He will not go to certain stores with us and sometimes leaves us to shop alone so that we are not associated with him. He hates movie theaters because he does not know who is sitting behind him in a dark room.  He never relaxes when in town. His head is always on a swivel looking for threats.”

Now that April e-mail:

Windy today, lots of ‘stuff’ in the air.  This morning there was a couple drops up here, but not many – dark clouds all around us though, expect some not too distant neighbors received some good showers.

Steven and CeeCee arrived yesterday afternoon; it is good to see them every weekend.  Not looking forward to that coming to an end in a couple weeks.  After Easter there will be less reason to come down – and they will not have to spend all that money for gas.  Even with their little fuel efficient car it is still well over $60 per week to come down.  It will also allow them to be more active in their local church up there.

Right now, Carla is at work, Steven is at play practice, CeeCee is asleep and the animals are also bedded down.  I have the dishes washing and am trying to figure out how to work this camera.  Fortunately I have Teresa to help guide me through the process.  Our assignment this week was to take a one color picture – no shades, just one color.  It is not as easy as it sounds.  I also found out after hours of frustration that I have to make sure the focus is not on automatic – but on manual.  Because of the one color it can’t find a focal point, Teresa explained that to me.  I am learning more than I really wanted to know.  But it may be beneficial – we shall see.  Art :-)

Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Our mother cat, Ozzie, is the Queen of the house.  All other animals give homage to her.  They make way as she passes, they cringe if she growls, they come when she calls, she is by all rights of birth and attitude the accepted majesty.

If I am sitting down in my chair she insists on being on my lap, she loves to be petted.  She will purr contentedly and look up in a loving manner.  Many times during the night I will find her next to me, nudging my hand so she can be petted.  The caress of my hand gives her enjoyment and comfort, she knows she doesn’t need to be afraid, she knows that she can relax.  She hungers for that loving touch of my (and others) hands.

The other day I watched as Steven walked up the driveway with CeeCee by his side, her hand in his.  He was going her speed, he was watching out for her, she knew that Daddy was there for her and felt secure in his hands.

There is something about being touched with hands.  It is a personal thing and while not always appreciated (or for that matter appropriate) when done in love and care, it can bring a calmness to a person, reassuring them that everything is or will be okay.  They are not alone.

God uses His hands in a number of ways.  For a Christian we can look at the above verse and know that it doesn’t apply to us, we have accepted His Son and we are safe and secure in His hands.  But for those outside that cover of Christ it is going to be a very difficult time when they come face to face with God.  It is a reminder to us to never give up on loved ones or friends, we don’t want them in the hands of an angry God.

As Christians we look at the hands of God as Ozzie does mine, or CeeCee does Steven’s, they are comforting caring hands; hands that provide security and comfort.  There is peace in those hands.

Isaiah 49:15-16     Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

¹⁶ Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

He cares for us, He wants to keep us in His hands.  How wonderful and encouraging it is to know that our names are written on the palms of His hands so He will never forget us.

Ecclesiastes 9:1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God:

Every breath we take, every word we speak and everything we do – if done for Him - are in His hands.  We often think that we must carry the burden, we must be the one to insure success, but that is not true.  God is willing to carry the load for us, He is willing to bless our works - we have to learn that the task is ours, but the accomplishment is God’s.  We may not see the victory, but all that we do are in His hands, and they are safe secure hands.

1 Timothy 4:14  Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

While Paul was instructing Timothy, it is good for us to take this same information to heart.  We find there are two kinds of laying on of hands in the Bible.  I have done both.  I have laid hands on the criminal for incarceration (although it was said of how the scribes and Pharisees tried to do the same with Jesus for crimes He was not guilty of) and I have laid hands on those in need of prayer.

The hand used to make an arrest is heavy - it is the symbol of the state’s authority to take away freedom; it is a hand of power to incarcerate – it is feared.  The hand of a Christian which is laid on the hand of another person in prayer is of love and is gentle; it conveys care and is honored by the power of God to lift the spirit, to relieve, to connect and to let the person know that God is there for them.  It is a hand of comfort.

There is electricity that flows through the touching of another person while praying for them.  You can feel God’s Holy Spirit working between the two of you.  It is different than the hand that wields captivity and it has far more impact on both people.

We need to do far more laying on of hands on behalf of God’s love, to help people make the connection that they are safe in His hands and can turn to Him, to depend on Him to hold their hands through any situation.  Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again