A Masterpiece In His Hands

Hey Ladies,

I’m over at the Cafe today!

God spoke to me recently, I’d love to share some things with you.

Thanks so much for stopping by, see you over there!

Happy 50th Barbie!

 

 

It’s about time this happened to her…

 

Well, there is hope for us, after all!

For more more Friday Funnies join us over at the Homesteaders Heart!

A Living Hope

Jesus conquered death for you!

Mount Auburn, America’s first cemetery, was so beautiful it became the number one tourist attraction in Boston.

When they created Central Park in New York they modeled it after Mount Auburn. The rallying cry was, “Why not have it all, but without the graves?” We keep trying to have it all, but without the graves! But we can’t. We live only a heartbeat from eternity. So here are two truths you must keep in mind:

(1) God put you on this earth for a specific purpose. Have you found yours yet? Are you pouring your life into it and making every moment count? Paul did, and he ended up writing:

“The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2Ti 4:6-8 NKJV).

(2) When you know Christ as your Savior, the best is yet to be. It is said that on his deathbed, D.L. Moody suddenly sat upright, opened his arms as though embracing something wonderful, declared that earth was receding, heaven was near, and that it was his coronation day.

What a way to go!

You don’t need to fear death because Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.(Jn 11:25-26 NKJV). (by Rick Godwin)

Do you believe this?”  Believe it, it’s true!

 

Join us over at Amy’s 160 Acre Woods for more Word Filled Posts!

A Work in Progress

 

I don't know about you, but the older I get the more I’m finding that many of the things I start are not getting completed.  I have all the best of intentions and I'm great at making lists, but sticking with them until they are finished is another story. Many times I'm left feeling a little frustrated and the last thing I want is for this to become a cycle in my life.

I turn to the only one I know that can really help. My prayers are sometimes desperate as I cry out to God for His amazing grace to once again bring the change I need to get back on track.

It's in times like these that I feel so grateful I serve a loving God who is so longsuffering and full of mercy.

One of the first verses I clung to as a young Christian, and was also a scripture chorus we used to sing in church, is found in the book of Philippians chapter 1.

Paul said it this way:

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6)

I think Michael Youssef had it right when he said:

“God’s promises are never affected by our failures. He can use us at any age. ”

So don’t get down on yourself when you feel like you have fallen short, rather get down on your knees and ask God for His grace to get back in the race.

 

Just knowing God's work in us is a continuing process gives me such hope and confidence.  We are all “A work in progress”! Like clay we are being shaped and molded in the Master’s hands.

 

Lord, I praise you and give thanks for the countless times you have picked me up when I have failed.  You are so faithful and your promises are true.  Teach me to trust you more each day, and rely on you to help me to complete all you have called me to do in my life.  Thank you for the hope I have because of you. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Please Join us over at Karen’s blog, In Love W.I.T.H Jesus for more thoughts on this quote.

Sharing some special memories!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

(please remember to mute my music first!!)

Clothed By His Love

 

The Bible doesn’t say much about what Jesus wore – with a notable exception.

John tells us that at Calvary “They…took his robe…it was seamless, woven in one piece from the top” (Jn 19:23 NLT).

It was traditional for Jewish mothers to make these garments as gifts for their sons who were leaving home. So while we don’t know if Mary actually made Jesus’ robe, it was likely a cherished possession.

It’s also significant because throughout the Bible clothes symbolize behavior and character. Peter writes about being “clothed with humility” (1Pe 5:5 NKJV); Paul says, “Put on [Christ likeness] like…new clothes” (Gal 3:27 NLT).

Like His robe, Jesus’ character was seamless, integrated and perfect. The words “woven from [the] top down” indicate that He was always directed by the mind of God. In fact He said, “The Son can do nothing…only what he sees the Father doing” (Jn 5:19 NRS).

But when Jesus was crucified He set aside His seamless robe, “changed places with us” (Gal 3:13 NCV), and put on robes of sin that had our names on them.

He died like a common criminal for sins He didn’t commit, so that we could wear the garments of His righteousness. So that sinners like us, coming to the cross, could leave wearing the “coat of His…love” (Is 59:17 NCV), the belt of “goodness and fairness” (Is 11:5 NCV), and the “garments of salvation” (Is 61:10 NIV).

( By Rick Godwin)

Just think:

Not only did Jesus prepare a place in heaven for us, He made sure we’d be properly dressed for the occasion.

 

Please join us over at the 160 Acre Woods for more Word-Filled –Posts!

Best Friends!

(My best friend and I in Williamsburg, VA  recently!)

I must admit I was not prepared to do a post for Marriage Monday today.  Last night I had just returned from a company trip I took with my husband to Williamsburg, VA.  There is a pile of laundry waiting and luggage that still needs unpacking, but when I saw the theme I thought, ‘I can't pass up this opportunity to join in and share my thoughts on this topic.’

For those of you who may be reading Marriage Monday for the first time, "E-Mom" over at Chrysalis  started this awesome meme.  Each Monday, once a month a different topic about marriage is chosen for us to write about, discuss, and glean from each other's experiences.

Today's topic is, "Friendship In Marriage". 

We were encouraged to share about things you do together that foster good feelings, and how we celebrate our friendship.  Thanks once again E-mom for a great topic and being such a gracious hostess. 

When I think about spending time with my friends, I get really excited.  After all, these are the ladies you know "intimately" and share many things in common.  They are the ones you trust with your craziest dreams and thoughts, and share your deepest secrets and fears.   True friends are the ones you just enjoy being with, because they bring encouragement, support, and laughter into your life.

All of these are the same ingredients needed for a marriage that will endure the tests and tides of time.

I like to think of marriage as a friendship more then any other kind of relationship. Yes, romance is sweet, and being parents together is probably the most self-less thing you can do, but true friendship in marriage is in a class of its own!

A few of the things that have fostered our friendship in marriage over the last 30 years has been:

♥ Writing notes and sending cards to each other

♥ Taking evening walks together to talk and catch up on our day’s activities

♥ Surprise or an unplanned lunch together

♥ Date nights

♥ Anniversary get-a-way weekends

♥ Just calling each other just to say hi and say I love you

Building a strong friendship in marriage takes time and effort.  It's all about preferring one another above your own self.  It's loving and bearing each other's burdens.  It's dreaming each other's dreams, rejoicing in accomplishments, and being a support when things go wrong. 

I could go on and on, but I think you are getting the picture. 

My very best friend in the whole world is the same man I made a covenant with at an altar 30 years ago.  The same man who gave me five wonderful sons, a beautiful home and security.  A man that loves Jesus, and has been such an example of what sacrificial love really looks like. 

Someone I love being with no matter where we are or what we are doing (except sports sometimes).

I'm so grateful God answered the very first prayer I prayed as a young Christian when I said,

"Lord send me a friend who knows and loves you the same way I do."

And Jesus answered that prayer the very next day when he led me to my precious husband!  I love you Rick!

Please join us today over at Chrysalis for more Marriage Monday stories.