Robert Allen Funkhouser 8/23/1960 ~ 6/10/2010

You would be 61 like the rest of us today, my dear friend…I wrote about the summer when our numbers were flipped, and we all were turning 16!!! I thought of you that day and your beautiful turquoise and white 55 Chevy and how in a little Eastern Oregon town, you with your blonde hair, summer tan from the fields, and blue eyes looked like the proverbial California boy! Funny, that’s where your life path eventually led you! Paradise, CA

Our parents became friends when my family moved to a little country town in 1968, and as fate would have it, we were the same age, and in the same second grade class in school; an instant friendship began and spanned fifty years or better said it lasted until the Lord took you home leaving so many of us behind to miss you!

I still want to be mad at you for leaving me; it’s been eleven years since you’ve gone, and I still miss you all the time; I still hear your laugh, I still remember birthday parties as kids, high school, adulthood, becoming parents, marriages, divorces, aging and life in general.

I miss our twice a year birthday phone calls, I always knew I’d hear from you, and you always knew a call from me would follow a couple of weeks later. The conversation would continue where it left off. Every year since you’ve left, a tear falls because I miss your call, and every year on this day, many tears fall. After all, I miss you.

As the year’s pass, the ache is duller, but the hurt never leaves. You are gone but certainly not forgotten … I shall carry you with me in my heart until one day I can look at you again in heaven.

You were a best friend; you were a brother of my heart and life. I miss you so much, and I love you still. 😔

May you be blessed today; I am sorry for the sadness, but thank you for joining me. 🥰

Dear Lord Our Father in Heaven,

I bow before you this morning, it’s early, and the world still feels like it’s sleeping, still covered in its blanket of night. It’s so peaceful this time of day. The noise hasn’t started, the bustle hasn’t begun, the coffee is hot and silent.

I come before you, Lord, asking for your peace today! Send a wave of peace over our world, if even for a day! Let our minds and hearts be quiet. Let our bodies and spirits rest within you, calm and still.

May your words and teachings fill our ears and minds today, teaching us the glorious freedom of walking in your ways, your guidance, protection, and provision.

I pray, Lord, we take a moment to breathe in your fresh air, all the while letting our eyes gaze on the beauty you have given us. Would you please help us get away from the news, social media, propaganda, the agenda, the wars, the demonstrations, the violence, and the blindness?

The last book in your Bible is being played out every day, oh but more prophecy is being lived out right before our very eyes, yet as your word predicts, people will keep on eating and drinking with merriment while it’s all crashing down around them.

I pray, Lord, for a mighty awakening and revival of you and your word. I ask that you give us, your warriors the strength we need to go out and battle the darkness, fill us with your light Lord Jesus that we shine like beacons before we even speak. Give us boldness, Lord, as we’ve never had before.

But for today, your day, this Sunday I ask for peace and rest! In your beautiful name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen 🙏

May you be blessed today, May quiet peace fill your mind and spirit! Once again, thank you for joining me. 🥰

Good morning, my husband was just called to assist with a derailment and I need to help him ready for a weeks departure…

Be blessed today, be a blessing and I will see you tomorrow. 🥰

Dear Lord Our Father in Heaven,

I sit with you this morning as I read your word, devotions of teachings, thoughts, and directions of growth; I am filled with so much thankfulness.

I had a fun new experience this week with the Canby Rainbow Girls. I left my comfort zone and got to know new people within an organization that I strongly believe in, got to know some young gals much better, and had a blast putting my professional customer service skills to work as I served sweet yellow ears of corn dripping in golden butter.

I attend a memorial tomorrow of the husband of one of my Eastern Star sisters. I did not know the gentleman, but I will sit in support of my dear friend.

Lord, I am feeling incredibly blessed to be a part of these organizations. The love and service these adults pour into these young girls; the same love poured out 50 years ago when I was a Rainbow Girl. The love, support, and friendship within the Eastern Star gals. I am proud to fit into and be a part of both.

I thank you for the open doors and the opportunity. I pray, Lord, that with your assistance, I can be of some value also. I pray, Lord, for those who are lonely; please show them an avenue and then give them the boldness to take that first step through the unknown door of their next adventure.

In today’s world, our society is becoming less and less social. We hide at home, behind masks, the false guise we present. Our government is working every day on isolation being the new norm, and in fear of a virus that has infected our world, it’s working.

Lord Jesus, I pray for the strength within your people, a peace that surpasses all understanding, a boldness to get up, go out, and try something new. The initiative to invite a neighbor who is alone also to meet for hamburgers and milkshakes at your favorite drive-in. Lord, we can grumble and complain all day about our situations and the lack thereof…help us to make the changes we need to make. Help us to get out of the house, help us to raise our hand and get involved. Help Us…and with this, I pray Lord Jesus in your glorious name with Thanksgiving. Amen

I had so much fun this week stepping out of my yard, comfort zone and entering an unknown arena of lots and lots of fun! I am so glad I gave it a try, is there a group, club, organization, a hobby you would love to share with like minds? Look for them; they are out there, from coloring on Saturday mornings at the local library to motorcycle clubs who ride all over the state.

The Lord gave us desires, likes, and interests for a reason, to use them and enjoy life through them…So, this weekend, try something new, something different, walk into the library, make the call to join! Get Out There!!!

I hope you have a blessed day! Thank you for sharing a bit of your time with me. 🥰

Crackling or hissing noises on a telephone, radio, other telecommunication systems…our brain!!! (Oxford Languages)

Our brain is a complex wiring system that controls the entire body. I was not interested in health class, so this blessedly isn’t a lesson on neurons and atoms.

However, I woke up this morning with a head full of static! I almost called in sick today because I couldn’t get my head to work, find scripture that felt right or come up with a title that often is a jumpstart.

But the Holy Spirit reminded me that it was still early, so possibly another thought pattern and a new scroll. Thank you, Holy Spirit for this, verse this morning.

Psalm 46:10a NLT, NIV, ESV, KJV, NKJV, ASV, ERV, … “Be Still and Know that I Am God!!!

And with this, I conclude! As there is nothing more to say today as this says it all. So whatever your prayer, your situation, your emotions, you’re static…Rest and know God got this, you and me!

Be blessed today; may this verse bring peace to your spirit and put a smile on your face as I know it did mine. Thank you for joining me. 🥰

Good morning Papa God,

I feel the need to pray this morning.

Lord, there are so many of yours out here waiting. Waiting on you, your word, your direction, your movement, your choice, your calling, your healing, your voice.

Lord, I lift your chosen ones to you this morning. I stand in intercession for them, asking that you give them your strength amid their wait, their trial, their frustration, their loneliness, their pain.

I ask Lord that you would wash them from head to toe in your peace and the unexplainable quiet that tells them it’s all going to be ok, the wait is going to be worth it, your day will arrive.

Faith and belief are what puts our prayers into action; whether we believe it or not, our steadfast faith in you, Lord, is what makes the wheels turn, the ball starts to roll, and movement starts to happen.

I ask Lord, let those reading these words, who are in a season of wait, feel the excitement I am feeling right now! Lord breakthroughs are about to happen, and I pray for those on the teetering edge to hold on a little tighter, just a little longer. Your victory is on your horizon…don’t give up now!

I know from experience, Lord, that it is darkest just before dawn, as Satan will try every trick he knows to discourage and throw off track, hoping to askew your blessings. I ask you, Lord Jesus, to help us stay on track, stay diligent and strong. I pray these words for those out there reading, praying, listening, hoping, and waiting…for you are about to rock their world. In your glorious name, I pray this prayer into motion. Amen 🙏

There’s a stirring within God’s children, and I pray that you hold tight to him, his ways, and his word! Be blessed today, and thank you for joining me. 🥰

I am sad but excited at the same time this morning. I am helping the Canby Rainbow girls this week at the Canby fair in their corn cob booth; this is where the excitement comes into play. The sadness is my eleven-year-old granddaughter was supposed to be my sidekick, but she is in quarantine due to Covid.

As I was pondering this morning, thinking of the day, I was blessed with the inspiration of sharing the importance of our children, grandchildren, and the youth who could use a parent or grandparent!

Proverbs 17:6 ESV “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

In the New Testament, Jesus has plenty to say about children. We are to raise our children in the ways of the Lord; we are asked to lend a hand of help to nurture children!

Proverbs 22:6 ESV “Train your children in the way they should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Colossians 3:21 ESV “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit down in your house, and when you lie down and when you rise.”

We as parents and grandparents are responsible for teaching, by words and by our examples; what is in your heart that you are showing your children? To teach them diligently is to walk and talk and show!

You shall talk of them when you sit in your house. I’m not saying that you non stop preach to your kids! Pray together at mealtime. Do the lessons you are teaching your children to line up with God’s word? Do you include God’s words in your teachings? We don’t need to be Bible scholars, but I used to ask my kids when they did the fundamental wrongs, how do you think God feels about that? As they got older, the question became more specific, and they were expected to answer. Do you make sure and share the Lord’s miracles and blessings with your children? Do they see or hear you praying or stating we will pray about this? Do they listen to you turn to God for your needs? What is your speech peppered with?

When you lie down and when you rise…prayers before bed, asking for sound and peaceful rest! That he watches over, guard, and protect as we sleep. Giving thanks upon waking the next morning, saying good morning, and starting your day!

Starting and spending the day with the Lord is doing just that! I have a non-stop conversation with him all day…ha ha, this doesn’t mean I am speaking non stop but if I stumble across a new flower that has just bloomed I share my delight with him. I have a cranky or negative thought, I turn it over to him. I have a decision to make and I am unsure, I discuss it with him…simply put, I share my day, I share my life! It’s a great and comforting place to be; trust me on this one!

So, talk to your children or grandchildren, spend time with them and their friends, get involved with the youth. There are so many in need of a grandma or grandpa, an aunt or an uncle. Get up, get out, get involved. It brings some of our youth back 😉

Thank you for joining me today! Be blessed 🥰

Romans 12:17-21 NLT “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord. Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

These verses remind me of the age-long saga of The Hatfields and The McCoys. Their hatred consumed, spread, contaminated, engulfed, perused and destroyed. I have read about these families, and the anger, bitterness, and fighting were the legacies passed down through the generations.

I’m not going to break this scripture down as it reads pretty straightforward. We as children of the Lord are asked to turn the other cheek, to set and be the example. We are asked to do things and to be seen doing the honorable. Again, we are Christ’s examples.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I quote, “vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord!” I have learned to let God fight my battles! If someone hurts me, attacks me, is against me I turn it over to God! Please don’t misunderstand; I handle my business, but I don’t allow people to disrespect me, but I also don’t want spiritual law to come back around and bite me…so, I just let God handle it.

Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them…it’s the same thing as not adding fuel to the fire. If someone is mean to you and you continue to treat them kindly pretty soon, you start to see a different person evolve, possibly someone who has been hurt so often in life they have layers of protection around them. It’s pretty hard to continue being mean to someone who is just always nice to you!

I will be honest; this is one of the Lord’s commands I struggle with…I have some people in my life who have hurt me, and I have walked away; I’ve grown enough to not have ugly thoughts towards these few, and I wish no harm upon them, but I have left those hurts to God, and he is in time healing me! They, on the other hand, still sit and spew within their anger! But do I want to feed them? Not really! Not yet anyway!

These instructions are among his most challenging as our natural response is an eye for an eye; however, we can get much farther with kindness! I hope today resonates somewhere within because when you can learn to let go and let God, you will find it’s much more peaceful inside ☺️

Thank you for joining me, and may you have a most blessed day! 🥰

Dear Lord Our Father In Heaven,

I come before you this morning asking for fun and laughter today! I don’t believe there is enough laughter these days. We need a mighty storm of your joy to rain from heaven flooding our parched and tired land.

All we hear on the news is death, destruction, doom, and gloom! The media and marketing have us scared to breathe, fearful of gathering, or at the very least nervous about even going outside.

Lord, I respect the invasion Covid has brought to our world, and I don’t scoff at its mighty destruction, but I walk with you, Lord, and your strong hand of protection, leading, and security. Show me the way.

There were more earthquakes this week, Lord, more cracks placed within the layers of our earth, tropical storms and violent hurricanes pound the Caribbean islands oh but again! Those people can’t seem to catch a break.

The war on our streets after darkness falls makes it seem like we live in an apocalyptic movie. Yet, more and more scream to defund our police departments the one thing that represents enforces, and symbolizes law and order. They are trying to take guns away from law-abiding citizens as though that’s the answer to gun violence…No, then we’d be even more unable to defend ourselves from home invasions. Disarming the good enables the bad!

You tell us in many ways; chapters, verses, sentences, and words the warnings we need to heed the signs we are seeing and what is still yet to come. The headlines on most Christian media scream for your return and the signs that are becoming more apparent every day.

We, your children, are ready as of yesterday for your return but until that day, gird us with your mighty armor! Walk before us, preparing our way! Please give us the wisdom and boldness to share you and your word with those who do not know you. Would you help us to be your shining light within the darkness?

Peace, joy, and happiness is my prayer and wishes for the day! I say a special prayer for a family in a little Texas town who just lost their 23-year-old son. Lord, place your hand of solace upon them, there is no way they can understand what just happened or why! When the young go before the elder the balance is off! Comfort them in their grief!

Hold us tightly to you, dear Lord; it’s scary down here!

In your name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen 😌

Be blessed this Sunday, our Lord’s day!!! Thank you for sharing your time with me 🥰

Romans 12:14-16 NLT “Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all.”

Hmm, see, I told you it gets a bit tricky here!

Bless those who persecute you! To persecute is to treat someone with hostility, and ill treatment due to race, politics or religious beliefs…bless them, pray for them and ask God to bless them! Why???

Because one the Lord instructs us too , and by following his instructions, our lives are blessed and more peaceful, but I also feel that we are Christ’s examples. I can behave as my persecutor, and I have and do; however, as I grow in Jesus and he grows in me, I find I want to work hard at showing his example. This choice of behavior doesn’t make me weak or afraid of confrontation; it offers a calmer, more thoughtful, more controlled me! If I react and behave as the non-believer, what sets me apart as His light?

Be happy with those who are happy and weep with those who weep! Sounds easy enough, right! Are you truly happy for your friend who just got a brand new car while yours is coughing and on its last leg? Are you happy for your girlfriend who just received a sparkly engagement ring while you’ve been patiently waiting, and longer than her to be exact! Are you happy for your co-worker who just got the promotion you wanted? Probably not; we are human! Try on this thought, show true happiness for the blessings of others and then watch the Lord rain blessings upon you! Sometimes it boils down to an attitude and an adjustment needed, but those actual adjustments are what usher in our gifts.

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. I thrive on balance and seek it at all times possible, but we all know those people in our lives or world that seem to thrive on mayhem, and if there isn’t any, they will produce some. We are advised to be the water on the flames of antagonism, not the gasoline to fuel.

Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. You know the ones and most of us are highly ashamedly guilty. You know the ones who don’t dress like us, smell like us, look like us! The invisible and the forgotten. Everyone has a personality, everyone has a story and we all carry within a bit of learned wisdom we can share. We need to take the time to look beyond ourselves to learn to care and share!

And Don’t Think You Know It All! You may know quite a bit, but no one knows everything. When we think we know it all and have it all figured out we stop learning. Life is one big lesson every day; if we stop learning, we stop growing, and if we stop growing, we wither.

As we study the ways of our Lord, anything he ever asks us to do, there is always great that comes from within and above. When we try as hard as we can to walk in his ways it’s amazing how much smoother our paths become. Join me on my walk, it isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it!

Be blessed today and thank you for joining me. 🥰