A few days ago I felt like I received a revelation in my Bible reading. Would you follow along with me as I unpack my meanderings? As Jesus walked the countryside teaching people about the Kingdom of God, he often used parables. One day on the way to Jerusalem, he told those gathered around him a story, or parable, about an unjust judge and a persistent widow seeking justice. You may be familiar with this parable. I really like how the text comes to life in this translation of the Bible called, The Voice. He told them a parable, urging them to keep praying and never grow … [Read more...]
Written in the 1700s by Charles Wesley, Christ the Lord is Risen Today is my absolute favorite Easter hymn. So much so that if the church I attend on Easter does not sing it, it doesn't feel like Easter. Here are a few stanzas of my favorite Easter hymn. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia! Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened … [Read more...]
Raise your hand if you're just now getting started on figuring out your Easter table and menu. It's okay. Today I have a few last minute ideas for your Easter table. Generally in the blogging world these things are done in advance simply because we need time to process and post our projects. This week I've been helping my friend put together a lovely Easter table. We finished it on Friday. Because my friend will be working over Easter weekend, it needed to be done ahead. And it worked out great for me, because that meant I was able to do a photo shoot yesterday. But, it also means … [Read more...]
The One who spoke this world we know into existence.... He humbled Himself, obedient to death— a merciless death on the cross! Philippians 2:8 The Voice ...for you...and me. This perfect One... took that which was ours....every ugly sin and wrong thing we have ever done. So we wouldn't have to experience the punishment we deserve. It's Friday.... Jesus' followers did not know, as they watched him die this cruel death on the cross at the hands of the Roman soldiers, that this was not the end. Sure...he told them they would see him again. But that just didn't make any sense. … [Read more...]
Love. Those four letters make a really BIG word. Seriously...when we're dating love seems easy. Later when we get married...sometimes love isn't so easy. And then there's that co-worker. You know the one. Seriously...who could love someone with that attitude? Or what about the neighbor whose dog leaves presents in your front yard, for you to step in, every day. We're supposed to love those people. “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:34-35 … [Read more...]
You might remember this Easter subway art printable from last year. This was the first time I had never created something like this and was amazed at the wonderful reception it received. So....I thought that I would feature it again, just in time for Easter. Though certainly it would be lovely all spring or even longer. Click here to download your 8x10 Subway Art Easter Printable. For personal use only. It's that time we've all been waiting for.... Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday Stephanie Chan … [Read more...]
What do you do when you are going through a rough patch? Do you go to bed and curl up in the fetal position? Or...do you carry on praising God as if you're having the best of days? If you would like to download this encouraging 8x10 image click here. It's free! For personal use only. Okay...I confess... I might not do the first. But, this week has been extremely difficult and I surely haven't done the second, either. I'm not suggesting that you must do the second. But, it seems that Paul thought that we needed to have joy-filled hearts. All. The. Time. Except for the … [Read more...]
This week I was prodded to change my outlook on life. Somewhere in this great big invisible world we call the internet I read a phrase that stuck with me. Forget talking about your troubles. If we don't talk about our troubles...what do we do? Celebrate our joys! I have a good friend that I chat with irregularly via email. At this time in our lives it's the best form of communication. It's efficient. When we get the chance to talk on the phone....it's a looooong talk. And we usually don't have time to do that very often. Today I did something I don't usually do. I … [Read more...]
How many times has a good friend asked you how you were and you found yourself telling her some of your troubles? It's something we all do...especially when that friend is someone whom we trust. I don't think letting someone know that you're struggling with your child, or your job, or your health is a bad thing. Not at all. In fact, unless I know that you're dealing with something that needs prayer....I can't pray specifically about it for you. Do you think it would make any difference if instead of talking about our troubles, we would tell people about our joys? You're at … [Read more...]
Okay...I'm going to admit it. I had a very shaky week. [sigh] More times than I can count, I had to dig down, pray, and proceed in faith. Even going for my walk (I try to get in four miles weather permitting) was difficult. Who put lead in my legs?? For lent I've been getting up earlier than normal. During this time I read a few Lenten devotionals and spend extra time in the word. In that darkness before dawn, I'm reading through the book of Romans. Slowly. I don't know how you do your reading, but when certain passages jump out at me from my old red … [Read more...]
Happiness. It's something we all want. In the midst of our busyness and running.... Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open. ~ John Barrymore How much better would we be if we consciously left the door to happiness open, everyday? It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. Consumed with work, projects, tasks, errands, appointments, and running here and there, we often leave no margin or open door for happiness to present itself. Chasing after happiness for happiness' sake is inward focused rather than outward focused and … [Read more...]
Earlier this week I was sharing my life story. I concluded my monologue with the words, I have hope and HOPE does not disappoint us. Do you have hope? This week we hit a few new challenges in our journey in the "in between." Frankly, aside from trusting God, I could throw up my hands in despair. In sharing my story I realized that I am living in hope. My hope is not the kind you can conjure up. It's not hope based on positive thinking....though I do believe we need to choose a positive outlook. It's simply based on knowing God and believing that he is my … [Read more...]
Need true peace? Actually, most days it's amazing that I am not completely overwhelmed and stressed to the max. The only thing that keeps me from a full-blown panic attack is trusting God. The only thing. I'm a doer. A fixer. And right now I can't do or fix anything. Everything is out of my control. Except for one thing. I can choose to trust God. My mind can invent every scenario imaginable. My mind can be paralyzed so that it's impossible to accomplish anything. Or... I can choose to focus instead on God … [Read more...]
It's not what you think. No. It's much worse. The "s" word you're thinking of pales in comparison to the "s" word I have on my mind. The "s" word on my mind....is deplorable...appalling....despicable Especially in 2014. Yet....there are more than at any other time in history. Unimaginable. Why should there be even one? What am I talking about? Slaves. Human trafficking is modern day slave trade. There are lots of words that people use to make it sound more palatable. But that doesn't change the reality. And one more thing. It isn't over … [Read more...]
How was your week? Sometimes, we arrive at Sunday, the fresh squeaky first day of the week, all used up and worn out. We look ahead and sigh, already worn down with not-so-positive anticipation. Sometimes, we cannot wait to greet the new week and joyfully zoom off at full speed. Where are you on the continuum? Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. - Isaiah 25:1 NIV This week as I came across this verse I had a big … [Read more...]
With St. Patrick's Day coming soon... I put together this old Irish Blessing Printable for you. Download this FREE 8x10 St. Patrick's Day PRINTABLE for personal use ONLY I love using graphics and pictures in vignettes. Maybe you would like to frame this FREE Irish Blessing printable and use it in a St. Patrick's Day vignette. And now, on to our Extraordinary Link Party.... Thank you so much for coming by and sharing your extraordinary creativity and ideas and tips each week. I truly appreciate you! And...I can't wait to see what you've … [Read more...]
This week we had a tough decision to make. If we decided one way....people would applaud us and cheer. If we decided another way....people would think we were being foolish. We were pretty certain in our hearts what the decision should be. And then we read this verse.... 15 Listen! The Lord, the Eternal, the Holy One of Israel says, Eternal One: In returning and rest, you will be saved. In quietness and trust you will find strength. But you refused. 16 You couldn’t sit still; instead, you said, “No! We will ride out of here on horseback. Fast horses … [Read more...]
