More Creations

I have made this bag for someone for Christmas so I can't say for who or much about it but I couldn't wait to post a picture because, honestly, I'm a tad proud of myself. I don't sew but am trying to teach myself and well, this is my first bag and it turned out great! It is quilted with handles and an elastic and button closure.

I also have been seeing these cute mug cozies and I couldn't resist making one for myself. My coffee cools off way too fast. Not sure yet if they work but they are still cute and match my purple mugs!

Stories

I’m so thankful for God’s word. Not only for encouragement and direction but for the stories God had written down for us.  You know he chose carefully those that he would want his children to read and learn from. Stories of other’s mistakes and decisions and their consequences. Stories we can read and learn from so we do not make the same mistakes. As Beth Moore (sorry, still studying one of her great studies) said “we want to learn from the classroom and not on a field trip.” 1 Corinthians 6:10 states “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” What is so interesting is that many (maybe all) that had make bad choices were always given a second chance and some many chances. Yet, for certain ones these moments of opportunity to make it right still did not matter. Daniel 5:22 you “have not humbled yourself though you knew all of this.” I have cried over those who I know that they know and yet still choose not to serve Him. The bible states it will be worse for those who know and still do not acknowledge Him. Today is the day of salvation. We are not promised tomorrow or even our next breath. My hearts cry is for those who are lost to seize the opportunity, the second chance and fall into the arms of Jesus.

Security

These next two posts are ones I have written exactly a week apart.  I am still working through the Daniel study by Beth Moore and throughout the study some things stick with me or give me ah-ha moments more than others. So here goes…

As I sit down for my devotions this morning (the day after election day), I knew that no matter what I read in God’s word, it would relate to the past couple of days. I know that not every ear hears and not every eye sees (regarding spiritual matters) or this would be a Garden of Eden. My thought was, God your word is so clear, it seems so simple. Page after page, your truth cries out so loud and clear.

In my study, I began to read about the word security. King Neb (so much easier to write over and over than Nebuchadnezzar) started out in chapter 4 “I Neb was at home in my palace, contented…” The word contented in Aramaic means “at rest or at ease.” I thought what a day to feel the need to be secure! Beth stated, “The human need for security is deeper and wider than anything the oceans of this earth can fill. Until our world’s quake and things start to shatter, we have no idea what lasts.” She references Psalms 62:1-2. Where do I find my rest today? Yes, in my Lord. It’s as if I have my very own castle surrounded by impenetrable stone. I typed this out and realized that is what it translates in the Message too.  God is my fortress. He is also my peace. In a world that can make our hearts so overwhelmed and restless, we can depend on God who turns it into peace and security. May we not try to look for it anywhere else but in God alone. I have peace and security, not the worlds but God’s.  My heart then turns toward those who do not have this peace. So many lost, and deceived by the one that is here only to “steal, kill, and destroy.”  How their hearts must be so anxious and fearful.  I pray today (as I often do) for an open door, a divine appointment to share His peace today.

 If you do not know the Lord, I pray He is revealed to you. All you need to do is believe in your heart that Jesus is God’s son and he came to this earth, died on a cross for our sins and rose again. He now sits at the right hand of God in Heaven awaiting the moment to return to this earth and take us home for eternity. May you know that hope and peace today. God loves you and desires more than anything that He become your peace.

He is the calm in the chaos, a shelter in the storm and a fortress in the fury.

Psalms 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”