Finding God in the Psalms: Psalm 2, Fiber Fun, Literary Living, Finding Joy

 

Hello There,

Thank you for stopping by!    I've enjoyed visiting your blogs and catching up with your lives.  

This week we've been in quarantine as a few family members have COVID.  Thankfully, by the grace of God, I'm healthy.  We've sectioned off the house and I've actually enjoyed living in my bedroom by creating a mini office, a small library and a hand sewing area. Thankfully, my family members have turned the corner and are slowly improving.  

As I shared last week, the post- holiday grief very much surprised me as I mourned my precious Daddy.  Thank you for your sweet emails.  The blessing is that my empathy has grown, as have my dependence and faith in God.  We can now share a few "Daddy" stories and laugh.   From deep brokenness comes deep healing.  Amen?    

Take good care and, as Daddy used to say,

"Make memories; it's later than you think."

HERE'S A WORD

Reading the Psalms looking for God has been quite the change for me.  I usually read the Bible to learn and share life lessons.  So, as a friend shared, I am simply writing the verbs from each Pslam and then summarizing them.  

1Why do the nations conspire ^a

and the peoples plot in vain?

2The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,

3“Let us break their chains

and throw off their shackles.”

4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;  

the Lord scoffs at them.                                    (laughs and scoffes at His enemies)

5He rebukes them in his anger                              (rebukes and terrifies His enemies)

and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6“I have installed my king                                       (has installed His King on Zion)

on Zion, my holy mountain.”

7I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have become your father.                       (He tells Jesus He is His Father)

8Ask me,                                                  

and I will make the nations your inheritance,     (answers prayer)

the ends of the earth your possession.

9You will break them with a rod of iron ^b ;

you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

10Therefore, you kings, be wise;                              (gives advice and warnings)

be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11Serve the Lord with fear

and celebrate his rule with trembling.

12Kiss his son, or he will be angry                             (angers) 

and your way will lead to your destruction,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.                   

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.                (blesses those who take refuge in                                                                                 Him)

All this tells me that God laughs and scoffs at His enemies as He deals with them.  The defeated one certainly comes to mind when I read "His enemies.)  He has already lost the war, through God, we are victorious!

He warns rulers (and us) to accept Jesus, for if they don't they will face His wrath. This is hard to read (and to write).  However, this dear Psalm ends with a promise:

Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

This is what I envision as I take refuge in God:

I also remember this sage advice from a missionary in Okinawa:

"There is no safer place to be 

than waiting on the will of God."

I pray this blesses you as I stumble through this study.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  

Please know this:  

You are loved.  You are not alone.  You are being lovingly prayed for.

FIBER FUN

I broke down my "To Dos" into three categories:  Finish, Focus, Prep/make a kit, and Be Kind = Soft Deadlines.  FoF represents the Fields of Fancy BOM, which I'm doing with Liberty of London Tana Lawn fabrics.  FBF represents the Flower Box Friends BOM

Last Week's List

1.  Finish

- Gengar cross stitch NOT DONE

I tried stitching on plastic canvas and made the rookie mistake of cutting it too small. Now, I'm experimenting with 16 ct Aida, (one of my goals) started it over. I don't remember struggling with cross stich 45 years ago.  😂

2.  Focus 

- Turn the grands' stitchery into ornaments. NOT DONE
I want to have Gengar finished, so I can work on all of them at one time.

3.   Prepare/make a kit 

-I haven't decided yet.  I think I'll clean up my sewing room and make a plan for the month...or just the next couple of weeks...or maybe just a week ahead.  I'm so scatterbrained lately!  😉DONE

While cleaning my sewing room, I found that in my scatterbrained mind, I started a ton of projects in December that I'd like to deal with.

I've been influenced by so many of you that have been stitching up such cute QAYG projects.  This UFO has been calling my name.  It will be added to my "Focus" section.  

4. Be kind = Soft Deadlines - which are good for my mental health!

This Week's goals

1.  Finish 

Remember these ornaments I started in December?  I've decided to complete the ones with beads stitched on.  

2.  Focus 

- Gengar cross stitch   

- QAYG quilt

3.   Prepare/make a kit 

- I've been away from my Fields of Fancy BOM for so long, I will be reviewing what I have prepped so that can make my "Focus List"  

4. Be kind = Soft Deadlines - which are good for my mental health!

LITERARY LIFE   

Finished 

**** The Peacock Emporium by Jojo Moyes is centered around Suzanna Peacock as she struggles to find peace with her mother and herself.  She opens a shop, The Peacock Emporium, which sounds like a delightful setting to have coffee/tea while shopping.  Jessie, her shop assistant, adds a warm tone to the shop, thus encouraging customer to return.  Yet, her life is sadly complicated.

The characters, plot, various twists and turns as well as the charming shop itself kept me interested in the novel. Recommend.  

MAILBOX MONDAY - is a gathering place for readers to share books that they

added to their shelves or eBook readers the previous week.  Some of these books were recommended by you!  Do you see your reads below?  Thank all of you for sharing!

Here's what I've picked up this week. 

ereaderiq.com

Hoopla:  NONE

Kindle Freebies: NONE  

Libby:  

NetGalley:  NONE

Purchased:  NONE  

FINDING JOY

LeeAnna's I Like on Thursdays at Not Afraid of Color helps me consistently find the joy in every life.  She also provides a prompt for us to use.  This week's prompt is: Have you ever lived anywhere else?

Oh yes, I have lived in Alamogordo as well as Clovis, NM.  I loved living in Okinawa, Japan!  During 2025, we lived part time in San Diego.  

Here's some memes you might enjoy.

Love this song:

Never Walk Alone by Hope Darst

   

Your comments are so appreciated! 

I read each one and will respond by email.

You can also expect a visit from me as well!

Here are the parties I sometimes link up with:  

Sundays

Slow Sunday Stitching @ Kathy's Quilts

Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz

Mondays

Mailbox Monday @ I'd Rather Be At the Beach

Sew and Tell at Melva Loves Scraps

What Are You Reading at The Book Date

Tuesdays

To Do Tuesday posts at Quilt Schmilt

Thursdays

I Like on Thursdays at Not Afraid of Color