Psalm 9: Part 1, Fiber Fun, Literary Living, Finding Joy

     Thank you for stopping in for a visit!  I hope you enjoyed last week's Parade of Behind-the Scene-Projects!  Every so often, I'll take a break from "our regularly scheduled programming" to bring you updates on those projects.  For now, I'll be sharing on Psalm 9 and a finished flimsy!  You'll also find a book review and some joy.  

     I'd love to hear about your Easter plans and your own reading and stitching projects in the comments sections.  As for us, we will have a family gathering, an Easter Egg hunt and plenty of giggles (I hope).  We will also be celebrating my 64th birthday!

Take good care and, as Daddy used to say, 

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

HERE'S A WORD

As I prep for this study, I simply highlight all the words that describe what God does for us in my Bible.  Then I make a list of them.  I'll follow the same format here.

There is so much to uncover in Psalm 9 that and I'll take it piece by piece so we can spend time reflecting on each section individually.  For this week, we'll focus on verses 1-6.  

Psalm 9 ^a, b

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.

1I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

2I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

3My enemies turn back;

they stumble and perish before you.

4For you have upheld my right and my cause,

sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.

5You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;

you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

6Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,

you have uprooted their cities;

even the memory of them has perished.

7The Lord reigns forever;

he has established his throne for judgment.

8He rules the world in righteousness

and judges the peoples with equity.

9The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,

a stronghold in times of trouble.

10Those who know your name trust in you,

for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

11Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion;

proclaim among the nations what he has done.

12For he who avenges blood remembers;

he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.

13Lord, see how my enemies persecute me!

Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,

14that I may declare your praises

in the gates of Daughter Zion,

and there rejoice in your salvation.

15The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;

their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.

16The Lord is known by his acts of justice;

the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. ^c

17The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,

all the nations that forget God.

18But God will never forget the needy;

the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

19Arise, Lord, do not let mortals triumph;

let the nations be judged in your presence.

20Strike them with terror, Lord;

let the nations know they are only mortal.

Wow!  The entire psalm is filled with so much of what God does for us and to our enemies.  Here's our list from verses 1-6.  

• He causes our enemies to turn back
• He causes our enemies to stumble and perish
• He uphold our right and cause
• He is a judges righteously
• He rebukes the nations
• He destroys the wicked
• He blots out their name for ever
• He causes endless ruin to overtake our enemies
• He uprootes their cities
• He even blots out the very memory of them

     Imagine David's joy, praise and thanksgiving as he realized all God had done for him! I realized one very important detail: David wasn't saying he himself committed any of these acts.  He clearly pointed to God committing these acts of judging our enemies.  (At least that's how I understood these verses.)

     Then I had to ask myself, "Who are my enemies?"  Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  

     Now, when I when I find myself in discord with another person, I'm learning to turn to God and ask Him to show me the spiritual battle that is happening.  What do the evil forces want to achieve?  Once God reveals the spiritual battle, I can stop trying to prove how "right" I am, but work with that person to find a solution instead of being trapped in the "I'm right, you're wrong" mentality.

     This change of mindset is new to me, but I'm finding it extrememly helpful as I ask myself, "Am I trying to win this debate or trying to find a Christ-like solution?"  Definitely food for thought.

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 - My orange pen/sewing supplies holder  Done!  I've made three of these little pen/sewing organizers and am actually using all three of them!  One is in my Bible Study basket, another on my desk and the third in my bedroom in a cozy reading, crochet, meditaion corner.  

I followed Rhonda Buss' tutorial.  The only change I would make is to cut the width of the fabrics about 1/2" wider to accommodate a variety of tools.  

 

2.  Focus 

- FoF BOM:  finish binding at least one hexie Done!

This poor little guy is turned around...  :)

- Complete 10% more of the Darth Vader ornament  I finished a bit less than 10%.  

- Disappearing Nine-Patch:  Get the rows sewn together as a flimsy Done!  I  even finished the borders, the backing and have dropped it off to my longarm quilter for the frosting on the cake! 

  

3.   Prepare/make a kit - Prepping kits are finished for now.    

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

This Week's goals 

1.  Finish -  This one is simple:  frame this cute embroidery project.

2.  Focus 

- FoF BOM:  Appliqué and bind this hexie 

- make the binding for the Dissapperaring Nine Patch Quilt  

- Complete 200 - 300 stithces on Darth Vader

3.   Prepare/make a kit 

- Do you remember my Bee Humble project?  Here's what is should look like.  (photo from Bits and Pieces Quilt shop)  I'll be pulling it out to refresh my memory and set up the next steps for next Saturday's Sit and Sew at Be Sew Creative.  

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

LITERARY LIFE   

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 I'm starting to post these titles on Instagram on the day I acquire them as the deals are short-term.

**** The Seven Husbands of Evely Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid was one I couldn't put down. The pace is super fast, and the behind-the-scenes look at what actors had to do back in the day (and honestly, probably still do now) just to make it big in Hollywood.  Heartbreaking.  

The plot is full of twists that kept me eager to read the next chapters!  However, I spent most of the book feeling totally conflicted about the characters, and the ending? I did not see it coming. It definitely left me sitting there in my feelings for a while.  Recommend.

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:  What was your favorite breakfast cereal as a kid. Would you eat it now?  I loved the original Cap'n Crunch!  And yes!  I would most definitely enjoy a bowl today!  

My precious granddaughter sent me the Charlie Brown and Snoopy meme.  

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