The Cycle of Comfort Part 3. Reading, Stitching, and Gratitude!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Hello There, 

Thank you so much for visiting my weekly blog!  We are reflecting on Matthew West's song, "Truth Be Told", books I'm reading and going on my weekly Gratitude Journey.  I hope you enjoy your visit!  

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The Cycle of Comfort Part 3:  Come as you are

 

Lie #3:

"There's a sign on the door, says, "Come as you are" but I doubt it
'Cause if we lived like it was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded
But didn't you say the church should look more like a hospital
A safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred and the prodigals
Like me"

Oh, my heart is full and hurting when I listen to and even read these lyrics.  How can we help to set a feeling of welcoming for ALL in our churches?  How can we let EVERYONE know that they don't have to wear the "right" clothes, speak "properly" and other such foolishness to come to church to praise God and hear His Word?  

Can we bless and pray for the sick without judgement of why God hasn't healed them on Earth yet?  

Can we look past the scarred saints and just apply a balm of love to their pain?  

Can we let go of judgement of the sinners and prodigals and simply welcome them with open hearts when they show up?  

Can we see our churches as hospitals filled with patients who need our tender loving care and the truth of their Father's love?  

Can we realize that we ourselves may fall into one of the above mentioned categories and are hoping that someone in our church family will look past our, "I'm fine, thank you.  How are you?", response and really see us?

Yes, we can!  Perhaps if we remember how God first spoke to us as we began our walk with Him, we indeed can have renewed compassion and love for everyone who enters our church!

As a baby Christian, the following verse wowed me and won me to Christ's ever loving arms.  God loved me so much that He sent his Son to DIE for me while I was still a sinner.  Wow.....unbelievable, but so very true, for me - and for you.  

In the last four years, I've been so brokenhearted and even indignant to hear judgmental statements.  This verse comes to mind as well.  

Yes, beloved, let us love one another and all who enter our churches!  

BOOK DATE

Currently Reading

I have enjoyed In a Book Club Far Away by Tif Marselo so very much that little else was accomplished this week! A extra benefit was the large print! Mary Alice finished her copy and I'm about 70 pages from the end.  You're sure to enjoy this one!

My granddaughter and I waiting for our respective copies of Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell to arrive so we can begin our "Book Club for Two".  They are coming via paperbackswap - a service I highly recommend for anyone who loves to read!  I am reading ahead via Libby and really enjoying myself!  The jury is still out as to whether we will read the second book in the series, Zia.  I didn't even know there was a second book!  :)

I started listening to Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros this week.  Admittedly, at first, the narrator drove me nuts!  Then I realized she reading from a child's perspective (in my opinion).  I then began enjoying this read so thoroughly that I've even laughed out loud as I've listened to it!  It's filled with so many dichos (sayings) and depicts my culture so well that one can't help but laugh!  If you enjoyed The House on Mango Street, you're sure to enjoy Caramelo.  

Finished:

Home on the Range was a sweet book that, similar to My Beloved World, had some nuggets of gold to add to my reading journal.  Here's a few - just to wet your lips! 😉

"If man was created in God's image, why do humans have such a hard time choosing good over evil?" - Ruth Logan Herne

"A good work ethic is a wonderful thing, but worker bees need to examine their loves with greater are than most others.  Are they pushing forward so much that they forget to relax and enjoy the sun?...The skill is in learning to appreciate what  you have and tether the constant desire for more."  - Ruth Logan Herne

"We cannot blame God for the evils of people...We are inclined to sin, but if each of us makes her corner of the world as sweet and good as she can, she blesses many unseen." - Ruth Logan Herne

"Don't apply a rational thought to irrational people."  - Ruth Logan Herne

"Trying to justify the expense meant it had now justification."  - Ruth Logan Herne

These quotes truly added to my reading experience.  

Next Up:  

 

STASH REPORT

Yarny numbers

No changes this week!

Fabric numbers

Nothing in/out this week!  

Productivity Stats

It may be a while before these numbers change as the projects I'm currently working on are going to take a bit to finish.    

TO DO TUESDAY

Last Week's List

1.  Prepped Projects:  Kit the next 10 Qube Crush blocks.  😉  I actually cut and kit the last 20 blocks!  

2.  Make progress on my hexagon quilt afghan.  😉  Yes!  This is coming along!  

3.  Prepped Projects:  Stitch up the prepped 5 blocks for Melva's Santa Fe SAL!   I did stitch up these two! 

4.  I'm linking this project to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching where we take time to slow down with our hand stitching projects!  The Noel mitten is finished and I'm hoping I can finish the tree is today's project!  Hardly any progress was made...maybe this week.  

This Week's List

1.  Prepped Projects:  Stitch up 10 Qube Crush blocks.  

2.  Continue to progress on my hexagon afghan.  

3.  Prepped Projects:  Stitch up the remaining prepped blocks for Melva's Santa Fe SAL!   

4.  Slow Stitching:  Progress on my Christmas Tree.  

GRATITUDE FOR THE SMALL THINGS

I hope you enjoy this week's Gratitude Journey.  

We had our Father's Day celebration on Saturday and I really liked this napkin holder at Thyme Matters in El Paso, Texas. The message is important: We make our bourbon carefully, please enjoy it that way.

Their corn and poblano soup was as delicious as it was pretty!

I was so grateful to peruse Barnes and Noble at my leisure!  I strolled through the Social Sciences department and found Barrio America by A.K. Sandoval-Strausz. 

 Threads of Life by Clare Hunter spoke to my heart as it sat in the Crafts and Hobbies section.  It was by studying the history of quilting, specifically the Underground Railroad, that inspired me to try and make a quilt.  This historical book is calling my name.  

Who was the precious blogger who mentioned the magazine, Oh Reader?  My heart beat a bit faster when I found it and decided to purchase it.  Along with my Slow Sunday Stitching, this will be part of Sunday's activities!  

As I strolled through the Biography section, I found A Dream Called Home and The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande.  I actually purchased both of them on the spot!  It has literally been years since I've paid full price for a book!  

I joyfully welcome them into my newly organized home library!

Oh, that basket on the bottom?  It has Chico's toys in it.  He actually pulls it out and chooses a toy to play with!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Linking up to:

Sunday Scripture Blessings @

Peabea's Photos and Scribbles

Slow Sunday Stitching @ Kathy's Quilts 

Sunday Stash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 

@ Book Date 

To Do Tuesday @ Chris Knits

HoT Handmade on Tuesday 

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)

I Like @ Not Afraid of Color (Thursday)

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Friday)

Your comments are so appreciated! 

I read each one and will respond by email to you! :)