Psalm 11: Faith Over Fear, Fiber Fun, Literary Living, and Finding Joy

Hello There,

    I hope you've had a fabulous week!  Happy Mothers' Day to all who are a mom in once capacity or another.  For some, this day is bittersweet.  To you, whoever you are, hugs of comefort and understanding.  

    Our weather has been strange, to say the least.  Last month we were in the 90's and Thursday it was so crisp we needed jackets and blankets to watch our grandson's baseball game!  Our dry desert welcomed almost 24 hours of intermittent rain that Thursday and Friday.  

    My sewing room is coming along nicely.  I'm hoping to have it completely organized by next week.  Thus far, it's painted and bookshelves are installed.  You should be seeing pictures next week, God willing.  

    For now, life contines with Sit and Sew gatherings, sports and enjoying the cooler temperatures!  

    Take good care and, as Daddy used to say, 

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

HERE'S A WORD

As I prepped 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.

1In the Lord I take refuge.

How then can you say to me:

“Flee like a bird to your mountain.

2For look, the wicked bend their bows;

they set their arrows against the strings

to shoot from the shadows

at the upright in heart.

3When the foundations are being destroyed,

what can the righteous do?”

4The Lord is in his holy temple;

the Lord is on his heavenly throne.

He observes everyone on earth;

his eyes examine them.

5The Lord examines the righteous,

but the wicked, those who love violence,

he hates with a passion.

6On the wicked he will rain

fiery coals and burning sulfur;

a scorching wind will be their lot.

7For the Lord is righteous,

he loves justice;

the upright will see his face.    

• Provides refuge
• observes us
• examines the "sons of men" (us)
• examines the righteous
• hates 
• the wicked
• those who love violence
• rains down fiery coals and burning sulfer on the wicked
• loves justice
• reveals His face to upright men

I can’t help but start by saying, 'Wow! Look what the LORD does!' It is so humbling. While studying for this week’s devotional, I was struck by a so many different emotions: awe at God’s character, a healthy fear of making a mistake with His word, and a heart near tears out of love for my precious LORD and Savior.  Perhaps you feel the same?  

I love how David questions his naysayers: "I take refuge in God; how can you tell me to flee like a bird to safety?" Even with his life at risk, he trusted God as his refuge.

At the same time, David reminds his advisers that God observes and examines "the sons of men"—all of us. If some are wicked, yes, God will rain down fiery coals and burning sulfur. I wondered about this and learned that fiery coals are a symbol for purification, much like fire purifies metal. Sulfur, I learned, represents God's justice and destruction. I was reminded of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24).

So, what can the righteous do when facing difficult situations? Admittedly, there have been times when I was confused and hurt, yet still seeking Him. To be honest, my naysayers were almost successful in getting me to "run for the hills." Then I remembered who God is and He has told me the battle is His!  (2 Chronicles 20:15)

After a time studying, I realized Psalm 11 is a spiritual battle: faith vs. fear. In David’s case, he chose faith, looked at his naysayers, and essentially said, "Are you nuts? I take refuge in God! He is my protector! He will deal with the wickedness that is threatening my life!" 

In all of this, let us remember Ephesians 6:12 (my husband's favorite verse):

"For 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."

Let us follow David's example and choose faith over fear. Let us believe that God is our refuge. And then, let us also pray for the salvation of our naysayers and any lost souls in our situation. Oh, my dear reader, that last bit is hard... believe me, I know. But it is also freeing.

The next time you're facing a battle of fear vs. faith, choose faith. Choose to read God's Word to strengthen yourself. Choose to share His love with others. Choose to take refuge in your Daddy’s arms. He’s waiting for you.

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

.  Finish 

- practicing the FoF project with scraps Done!   This was definitely a learning process.  I learned that EPP using Tana Lawn is so much easier to work with, expecially with smaller shapes resulting in less strain on my hands

These small EPP shapes are much easier in Tana Lawn vs.  quilting cotton!   Even though there’s an obvious mistake in the design, I’ve chosen not to redo it because the purpose was to practice and learn, not to  create a finished project.

2.  Focus

- 200 - 300 stitches on Darth Vader using this cross-stitch design at RinaStitchesPatterns.  I'm so ready to finish this guy and move onto to more colorful projects!  

- As we all know, quilts can be the gift that keeps on giving. I had three extra blocks from the Disappearing Nine Patch and decided to shop my stash for a backing/binding farbricto make a small table runner. Next steps will be adding borders using the background fabric and then perhaps quilting it.

3.   Prepare/make a kit

- I'm betting I'll still have enough scraps to prep for a hot pad and maybe even some coasters.  I did have enough fabric for not only the hot pad and coasters, but for some bookmarks as well!  It's surprising what we can do with scraps!  

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

 

Next Week's goals

Finish

1.  I found this extra block from my Snail Quilt, so, if it doesn't have a label, I'll go ahead and make use of this block.   

2.  Focus

- 200 - 300 stitches on Darth Vader using this cross-stitch design at RinaStitchesPatterns.  

- Begin EPP process for Fof blocks

- the table topper, hot pad, coasters and bookmarks made with scraps from the Disappearing Nine Patch quilt

Prepare/make a kit

- simply to get my sewing room back in order! 

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.  I forgot to post these titles.  

Last week I reviewed  

Korie Leigh’s, PhD, highly rated ebook, What Does Grief Feel Like?

Though I rarely purchase books at full price, I did purchase this one.

I found it helpful for myself, though it is a picture book.  

I highly recommend having this book in your home library

and for anyone who supports those of us who are grieving. 

I seem to be in a bit of a reading slump and didn't finish a book this week. However, the book I am thoroughly enjoying is Charlie English's The CIA Book Club. I was pulled in immediately by both English’s skill and Michael David Axtell’s voice.

 FINDING JOY

LeeAnna's I Like on Thursdays at Not Afraid of Color helps me consistently find the joy in every life.  This week's prompt by LeeAnna is:  

Do you do spring cleaning? All over or just clear out the yard of debris for example, just do a thorough dust collection, or purging of clothing no longer wanted?  

    I haven't done spring cleaning in years!  We may do one/two deep cleanings a year and then just maintain our yyhome and yard.  I keep a bag in our closet that we fill up at least twice monthly for donations.  Again, maintainence is our selected method to keep up our home and yard.  

Have you heard of Emma Jones of Vintage Sewing Box?

She is an EPP expert, in my humble opinion.

Her quiet, peaceful nature make her educational videos a joy to watch. 

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

Stitching Stuff at Kate's Life in Pieces

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