Philippians 2:12b Part 2 of 4 Quilt Block Book

Philippians 2:12b Part 2
Scripture 
Observation
We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, but not be fearful.
No one can do the hard work of deepening 

our faith, 
our relationship with Christ
our maturity -
both emotional and spiritual.

Application
Tonight I'm going to share how I used to see the verse.  In the next post, I'm going to share what I've learned via study of this verse - it's amazing what God is showing me. Amazing.
I wrote here and here that I am working on boundaries right now.  Naturally, this is how I'm approaching my Bible study time.



As a young mother, I believed I could save my kids....
if I was a good enough example,
if I pushed them hard enough,
if we were in church every time the doors were open,
if we did family devotions.......
you see where I'm going with this?

Now, I've realized that everyone has to work out their own salvation - 
for I am not their Savior!

I'm learning to detach with love.  
I'm learning to pray for my loved ones
instead of 
pushing them.
I'm learning to share my 
experience, strength and hope,
but to give advice sparingly.

I'm learning to get out of God's way 
so that He can have His way.

I'm learning.

Prayer
LORD, we have gone back over my live and I'm so grateful for all You have taught me over the years.  Moreover, You continue to teach me to get out of Your way so that You can have Your way
in my life and in the lives of the ones I love.

You are teaching me the power of prayer is never a 
"All I can do is pray for you," situation.  

Instead it's a powerfully victorious situation in which I say,  


Amen and amen!
Dear Friend,
this is my truth!

Block Holder Books
Would you be interested in learning about a tool that increased my productivity by at least a zillion percent!  
Perhaps a tiny exaggeration.  
I made both books 
and 
finished the last ten blocks of 
my Simple Scrappy Sampler 
in less than two days!
How did this happen?
1) I spent one evening making the books.
2) Then I cut up blocks for the rest of my blocks for the Sampler and placed them in the book.
3) Then, I sat down and sewed them together.  It was the smoothest sewing time I'd ever had!  

Before I knew it, the blocks were finished! I was so surprised when I turned the page in my book and there wasn't another block to sew!

This pattern came from Fresh Fabric Treats: 16 Yummy Projects to Sew from Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes & More with Your Favorite Moda Bake Shop Designers.  The Block Holder Books I made were designed by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts.

Julie gives very clear instructions for making two sizes of quilt block holder books.  The small book holds blocks up to 10".  The large book holds blocks up to 18".

The closed Block Holder Book.

Here is the book's front cover! 

So pretty!

Here's the inside front cover!

Don't you love the fabric?

It's "Sew Be It" by Debie Hron.

Here's one of my blocks from the

Simple Scrappy Sampler.

I'm using Happy Tones

with a variety of 

white on white fabrics.

I highly encourage you to make these books!  

They are a great project because:

1)  They're pretty!

2)  They're easy!

3) They are a stash busting project!

I only spent $3 or so on flannel!

4) They truly add to productivity!  

5) They make sewing even more fun!

I'm linking up to 

Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop!

at Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

Finished or Not Friday at 

Busy Hands Quilts

Philippians 1:27a. Leaders and Enders

Philippians 1:27

SCRIPTURE:

OBSERVATION:

As I began writing today's post, I honestly believed that I would go onto the second sentence of this verse.  

By now, though, you know me...a phrase in the first sentence caught my eye.  

What does this look like?  Well, if you ask this in a room filled with 100 people, I’d wager we’d get 100 different answers.

  

Here, in the face of great opposition from those preaching the Gospel out of selfish ambition (v.17) and those who arrested Paul and placed his life in danger, Paul is clearly asking for a united front.

He is giving clear direction:

1)    Stand firmly united in one Spirit

2)    Strive together

3)    Strive as one

In fact, he, in one way or another,

refers to unity three times in one sentence!

Why?

for the faith of the Gospel.

Philippians 1:27b

APPLICATION:

I recently found this little book in a church library and I really love it!  In it, the author comments, “Would the Christians today, amid their denominational differences, could see the wisdom of presenting a united front to the foes who face them!”

So many times, in the light of our various differences, we lose the “Light” – Jesus Christ!  I must confess, I’m just as guilty of the next person!

I see this so many times in so many various walks of life!  In the church, in families, in our educational system, in our jobs,…need I go on?

For 

lack of unity,

lack of compromise,

lack of communication,

and so many other reasons

we fail.

I’m writing to myself here as well.  

Oh!  How I wish I had learned this slogan before!

Ouch!

Again, we are going to go to Part 2 of this verse's study!  See you next time!

LEADERS AND ENDERS

I had been reading online about leader/ender projects and was really uncertain what all the fuss was about – until I tried it and shared here.  Since then, I’ve shared this concept with a few of my friends and they had so many questions, I thought I’d write a quick series about them. 

Please understand that 

IN NO WAY 

am I 

the original creator 

of this technique.  

As far I I can tell, 

Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville 

came up with it 

and even wrote a book about it! 

Here is how I am working with my leader/ender project!  I first started out with these squares on my side sewing table.  

I had already sewn two squares together, so here I am adding the third square.  Being that this is in front of my "real" project, it's my "leader".  I then sewed my "real" block's seam.    

After which I left the "ender" in my machine, right after the "real" block's seam.  

Then I quickly ended up with a stack of rows ready to be pressed.  

After a week of sewing, I have these blocks done!  They were finished while completed a quilt top!  Not bad:  a completed quilt top and six squares!  Plus, no more inches of thread thrown away! 

 Here are a few links you may want to check out if you’re still on the fence about them.  I purposely chose a couple that were unsure about the whole technique as well!  J

Quilts by Jen

Jo’s Country Junction

Melissa @ Happy Quilting 
My tutorial was pretty basic - hardly a tutorial.  But, please check out these blogs!  You'll be glad you did!  

I'm linking up to Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop! at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts, and OhScrap!  at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework!

Neuropathy. Steppin' Along. Proverb of the Day.

Neuropathy.

  

http://powerhealthreno.com/uncategorized/peripheral-neuropathy-the-challenge.htm

So, I thought that after chemotherapy I would have neuropathy for a few months.  My last chemo was in August 2015.  Here we are, seven months later and neuropathy still plagues me.  My doctor told me to be patient - and she quickly added that she understood it was easier said than done.  She prescribed Metanx, which can be costly if not covered by insurance.  I checked and, thank God, I believe it's covered by my insurance.  I'm going to give it a go and keep you posted.  

A fellow cancer survivor told me she still has neuropathy pain almost 2 years post-treatment!  Eeesh!  Not very encouraging.  I have to admit it feels weird complaining about post-treament complications.  But, it's real and it happens.  It's my reality and truth, so I share.  

Do you have any suggestions for neuropathy pain?  

Steppin' Along.

http://theycallmegomer.tumblr.com/post/32866197658

I am part of a 12 Step Program - it doesn't matter which one.  The point is I'm finishing up Step 3 and moving to Step 4 - a big jump - believe me.  There are 12 Steps in the Program. Steps 1-3 are the foundation to the rest of the Steps.  Step 4 is not easy, or so I've heard. 

I had actually stopped working on passing the Steps when I was diagnosed. This means I wasn't doing the work my Sponsor and I agreed upon to pass to the next Step.  She understood and I gave myself a pass. I was gentle with myself. 

Now that treatments are over, I want to continue the "Step Work" (follow the plan set up by my sponsor). My sponsor suggested I review my old journal entries from Step 3 before our "graduation meeting."  

As a refresher I did reread my old entries which dated back up to 2 years.  I was truly shocked at the woman I saw.   And I was able to praise God for the miraculous work He has done in my life over the last two years!  It's amazing!

Do you journal?  I highly recommend you read over your journals and see how far you have come as well!  It's enlightening!

Proverb of the Day.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20050314

As soon as I read this verse, my heart started pounding!  Immediately, I thought of the young faith-filled young ladies I know!  They are strong and bold in their faith and in their lives!  I am blessed to know them!  

Dear Friend, this is my truth!