"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

^” Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  Psalm 119:105

Today, I wanted to share one of my latest embroidery projects (design by: Designs by JuJu) with you.   I can’t think of anything better for a “goal” or “resolution” for 2019 than to be in God’s Word all year!    In God’s Word, The Bible, you will find the answers to life’s questions, the encouragment you need for daily living, and guidance for life’s decisions–“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,  And He shall direct your paths.” Most importantly, you will find the Source of Salvation and Hope, Jesus Christ!   You will find how to have forgiveness of sin, and how to have a personal relationship with Jesus.   John 14:6, Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”   In God’s Word, you will find hope for today and hope for tomorrow–“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul…” Hebrews 6:19.   You will find promise after promise God has given us through His Word–“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you…John 14:27.   “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46:1.   “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:1-3.   I could go on and on sharing the promises God gives us in His Word.

Would you join me this year, and make it your “goal” to be in His Word?   Better yet, let’s make it our “passion” to be in His Word this year!

Yesterday, we had a snow like snows when I was growing up.   There is something so calming about snow.  Not to mention how beautiful a foot of snow is!  It’s been a long time since we’ve had a “good” snow, and what a blessing it was to be snowed in and do nothing for a change- just rest, and “be”.    I’ve needed a”great calm” like Mark 4:39 describes for a long time now.   See, we get so caught up in the storms of life whether they are brought on by sickness, relationships, business, financial stress, etc., that we lose any sense of calm.   This is not the kind of life God has for us.   He sent His son Jesus, so that we might have “abundant” life as John 10:10 states.   His desire for us is “peace, be still!”.   I encourage you to let Him calm your storms!   He’s willing and certainaly able!   He’s waiting for you and me to call upon Him!  Place your faith in Him today!

One of my latest embroidery projects has been Snowman Trees!   I made some for a recent craft show, and will be making  more for our annual craft sale at my church next Saturday.   I really like how they are turning out!    They are alot of fun!   The snowman design is the Large Chilly Snowman Feltie Design by Nana’s Handmade Baby.

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit a neighboring church.   They are a sweet congregation, and I enjoy visiting there when I have the chance.   Their pastor preached a message titled “All Aboard” from the story of Noah and the Ark in Genesis.  One of the points he illustrated by walking along the edge of the pulpit area, was that we are always walking the line between our lives here on Earth, and stepping out into Eternity.   It could be in a few minutes, a few days, or many years.   We don’t know when the time will come, that we will step out into Eternity.   It could be in a split second.   Last Monday night, I had a split second experience unlike any I’ve ever had before.  On the way back from dropping my “adopted” daughter off to her dad,  I was hit by a deer.   Mind you, it was not an instance where the deer was standing on the side of the road and you see it right before it runs out in front of you, or is just standing in the road and you see it ahead of you and just barely stop before hitting the deer.    I was on a four lane road with a median between the two lanes.  I was in the right lane with a car beside me, and one behind me.   The car beside me moved ahead of me about a half a car length, and just as it did a deer ran across from the median and straight into my driver side door.  It happened in a split second.   I just caught a glimpse of it before it hit me.   It was like something you would see in a movie.   Kind of hard to explain I guess- almost like it was in slow motion; only it happened in a split second.   My friends, things can happen in a split second; and yes, we could step out into eternity in a split second.   My incident could have been a whole lot worse.  I want to encourage you to make sure of where you would be if you stepped out into eternity in a split second.   Do you know Jesus, and have a personal relationship with Him?   I’m not talking about head knowledge.   I’m talking about heart knowledge of Him.    If not, I want to encourage you to know that you know, that you know, that you know, that you would spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

November is the month for gratitude.   Many people share what they are grateful for on social media during the month of November.   Many folks journal or make lists of the things for which they are grateful.   Families share the things they are grateful for as they gather around the table on Thanksgiving Day.  This past weekend, I had the opportunity to lead a group of youth from our church on a trip to Shelby Mission Camp.   After a great time of Bible study and serving, The Lord blessed us with this beautiful sunset.  My dear friend was able to take this beautiful sunset picture for me on my phone since I was driving.   Later that evening as we were traveling home, I saw a church sign that said this… “Be grateful you don’t get what you deserve!”   This really caught my attention.   I don’t think I’ve really thought of being grateful for my Salvation this way.  Yes, I would put Jesus and Salvation at the top of my gratitude list.   However, just like me, have you really ever thought that as Isaiah 53:6 says “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”?   In other words, we don’t get what we deserve because of what Jesus did for us- for you and me; dying on the cross to pay for our sin because we all have “gone astray”.   Now that is something to be grateful for!

Jesus paid it all,

all to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain, 

He washed it white as snow.

Fall 1991

October 30, 2018

We’ve had a long standing family tradition each fall of having a picture of Grandpa (my dad) with the girls in a leaf pile in Granny and Grandpa’s yard.   The first picture was taken fall of 1991.   We’ve taken many leaf pile pictures since 1991!   This week we had a fun playtime in the leaf pile with all of his great-grandaughter’s, and yes; we took the traditional leaf pile picture with Grandpa and the girls.

Many things have changed since that first picture in 1991.   Grandpa has aged some, and the little girls in the first picture are now young ladies.   Grandpa now has these sweet great-grandaughters in the picture with him.   The traditional picture this week reminded me of a verse from Hebrews 13:8  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”    I’m so thankful to have a Savior who never changes.  He is the same!  He is our Hope!  He is our strength!  He is our refuge!  He is holy and righteous!  He is loving and merciful!   He is dependable!  He gives us joy!  He is peace, and light!  He is our Good Shepherd!  He cares for me and you!