Thursday, December 29, 2011

Happy New Year!!!

Wishing everybody a Happy New Year!

I hope it's safe, beautiful, and full of joy!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Crochet: Hat With A Pom Pom




Finished just in time.
And then I added a pom pom to kind of finish it off. The pom pom wasn't perfect, but it wasn't as easy to make as it looked.
Anyway, I'm on my way to Joann's tomorrow..I got a gift card for $20. I could spend that and then some at a yarn store, but I'm thankful for what I got.
My next project is a big pink hobo bag, and a scarf to match.

Peace


An excerpt from First Light: Women's Daily Devotional& Journal:
James 3: 18
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
How can you sow peace in your life and in those around you today?
Hebrews 12: 14
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord
What efforts do do you need to make to live at peace with others in your life?
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We're learning about what it means to be a peacemaker in church. Sometimes, being a peacemaker means you have to confront some thing. Sometimes, being a peacemaker means persection will come. I used to think peace meant to just stand by and be quiet. But that's not what it means at all.
Nobody likes to be persecuted, but there are times when you have to stand up and say something. If you don't, your just as guilty as the people or persons who are causing problems.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

A Christmas Blessing


An excerpt from First Light: Women's Daily Devotional
& Journal:

It was one of those Christmases when the schools didn't dismiss until late December. Amy was teaching and the frenzy of giving finals had left her little time to enjoy the season. She planned to join her husband and three-year-old daughter who had traveled to her mother-in-law's home, where they would spend the holidays. Amy considered herself a veteran flyer, but she was releived to have one of the back seats, statistically the safest seats on the plane.






Amy was just dozing off when the captain announced that they would be going through some turbulence. No problem Amy thought as she cinched her seat belt tighter.





No one was ready for the terrible jolt that caused the plane to drop suddenly. Amy had never experienced turbulence like this. Anxiety was heightened when all the lights went out. She gripped her seat and closed her eyes, "Please, Lord, don't make my little girl spend the Christmas without her mother. Please let all of us reach our loved ones safely".





From somewhere in the front of the plane, came a giggle. With the next jolt the giggle turned into a little girl's hearty laugh that only a child can produce. Soon the child's laughter infected all the passengers. People were laughing and were almost disappointed when the captain announced they were clear of the turbulence.





When they landed safely a short while later, Amy was one of the first to get off the plane. She never did catch a glimpse of the little girl with the infectious laugh, but she was sure God had sent the child to ease their burdens and replace their fears with peace. A Christmas gift from heaven you might say.





When have you received a Christmas gift from heaven?





Luke 2: 10-11
But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord".
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When I wake up, and open my eyes each morning, that's a Christmas gift from heaven for me.





I hope that all of you will have an awesome and wonderous Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Purity


An excerpt from First Light: Women's Daily Devotional & Journal:
The boy in the plastic bubble is the story of a young man who, because of a rare disorder in his immune system, is forced to live his entire life cut off from the world. His plastic bubble, free from germs, protects him. He is protected, but he is also imprisoned.
When religous people talk about purity, they leave their listeners with the impression that the Lord's followers are The Christians In The Plastic Bubble. Wanting to be unstained and uninfluenced by the world, we cut ourselves off, fearing contact with those "on the outside". We send our kids to Christian schools. We socialize exclusively with other Christians. We play the Christian "Trivial Pursuit".
But purity, according to biblical standards, is not based on externals. Jesus claims, contrary to Jewish tradition, that it is not what goes into people that defiles them, but what comes out of them (Matthew 15: 17-19)
Why are we so afraid of contaminating ourselves? Jesus wasn't. He rubbed shoulders with the sinful masses, welcomed lepers, had dinner parties with prostitutes and tax collectors, and ate with "unclean hands".
We don't purify our minds and souls by imprisoning ourselves in a bubble of righteousness and refusing to be descrated by the world around us.
Love make us pure. Love creates in us a habit of Christlikeness and a willingness to risk. Love gives us the vision to see Jesus in those around us, and the compassion to get involved. Love frees us from the fear of spiritual infection and strengthens our soul's immune system.
Jesus is the only fortress you will ever need.
How can you reach out to those on the outside of your Christian "bubble"?
Titus 1: 5 (NIV)To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not beleive, nothing is pure.
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I can see how this can happen. Some people take that scripture "...come from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord"..., and they run with it.
But then how can your light shine? I think there has got to be a balance. Which comes with much prayer and seeking the Lord.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Thank You Robin!


Thank you, thank you, thank you Robin!
Because of one of the needles you gave me, I was able to make this. It's a hobo bag, with me using three different yarns.