Philippians 2;1b. Day 7, Gift 7

Philippians 2:1a (Part 4)

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

Tonight I’m focusing on

“if any comfort

from His love,

if any common sharing

in the Spirit,

if any tenderness and compassion”.

Philippians 2:1b

I just noticed the order of these words:

encouragement

comfort

common sharing

tenderness

compassion.

It’s almost the steps we go through when we first give our lives to Christ.

Many will encourage us in our new walk.

Then, as we become hurt or possibly confused by trials, we receive comfort.

Then, we learn unity.

Finally, as we mature, tenderness and compassion become definite parts of our very being. 

But first

we are in situations that require

encouragement and comfort.

That spells trials to me.

Then, as we receive encouragement and comfort, we begin to learn the value of unity because other’s united to encourage and comfort us!

Finally, we learn to show tenderness and compassion.

It’s a journey, a walk with Christ. 

APPLICATION

I can only say that I cannot imagine not having

ANY

encouragement

comfort from Jesus’ love,

or unity

in the Spirit,

or tenderness

and compassion.

Readers, today yet another dear friend –

who has survived breast cancer multiple times - told me that during a completed unrelated medical emergency, CT scans revealed a lesion on her kidney. 

As I type these words, I’m thinking, 

“Really, LORD?  Really?  How many friends diagnosed with cancer does this make in the last two months?  Six? Seven?  And two of them are terminal.”

But, then this Scripture popped into my head:

And I realized:

I’m focusing on

how very big the problem is,

and

it is huge.

No doubt about it.

BUT

I need to be focusing

on how very big my God is.

And He’s big.

Really big.

Really Really Big.

So, my dear friends, 

Hold on.

Hold tight.

And just be held.

Just. Be. Held.  

PRAYER

Father God,

You are huge.  

You are powerful.

You are wise.

Please take these big, painful, scary problems and squash them like a bug.

And, Father?  

Please encourage and comfort my friends.

Please bring unity to their families, friends, and doctors that they make work as a team to have the victory!

Please let Your love, tenderness and compassion be the rule in each of their situations.

In Your precious Son’s name I pray.

Amen.

Day 7, Gift 7

So, I’ve been doing a lot of cutting out felt and slow stitching on my grandbabies felt lunch.  It would make for boring pictures, so, I’m going to show you something I made a while ago. 

My husband and I were “shopping” in my gift tote.  Most of us have one.  It’s a tote filled with projects we’ve made throughout the year as gifts. 

My husband chose who would receive this tote. 

And I agreed. 

It’s a perfect choice.

He’s pretty smart, my man is. 

Here’s the post where I wrote about it.  It was a practice block for the $7.50 BOM held in Las Cruces, NM by Bernina Sewing and Design.  I had never made a Drunkard’s Path block before, so I made a practice block 

and then turned it into a tote.

So here you go:  Day 7, Gift 7. 

I’m linking up to

Midweek Makers atQuilt Fabrication Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!

Oh, I have some exciting news to share in my next post!  

Walking. Bible Study. Crafty Stuff.

Physical Issues
I have been battling my second cold in one month.  So, in an effort to rest, my posts may slow down for a bit....but maybe not...I so enjoy them.....but they may be more....simple....for now.

Fatigue is again my companion - 
from what I hear fatigue will be around for a while - 
maybe even years.

It's an "after chemotherapy, radiation and too many surgeries" effect.

Or so they tell me.

It's very frustrating.  
I really hate it.
And I don't hate many things - 
not even boiled okra.  
                           
I have heard that exercise helps.
So, tonight I'm gonna try 5 minutes on the elliptical again.
Tomorrow I'll walk for 10.  
There's something about the great outdoors....that's healing.

http://www.successconsciousness.com/blog/happiness-fun/things-you-can-enjoy-doing-while-walking/

Bible Study

Being that energy is in short supply around here, I'm simply sharing a couple of encouraging songs.  Be blessed!

I first heard this song when I was living in another city driving to my radiation appointment.  It's so true, especially that first line.

Just Be Held was written a year before his own cancer diagnosis.  Here's the story. 

All you 
cancer patients and survivors,
people with other illnesses,
hurting people
out there, 
we don't have to be strong - 
this is our time 
to 
just 
be 
held.  
I know it's hard.  
Let's do this together, yes?

Crafty Stuff
Isn't crafting the best?  It's so healing!

 Here's is Baby M2's baby afghan with the first border on it!

  Here's is my go to book of patterns for choosing crocheted borders!  

Here's the border I chose!

9/19/16

OMG Pink and Brown Baby Quilt:	Ray’s pjs	Baby M2’s crochet afghan
Embroider and attach label Done!	Hem Done!	Design and begin border Done!

I met all my goals for last week - even the pajama pants!  Funny thing is, when my husband tried them on for me to hem......they were already hemmed! 

To Do List for 9/26/16

1) Hand Sewing – binding ABC quilt

2) Quilting - Secret Project

3) Regular Sewing - Frankenstein sew           batting scraps

4) Crochet - Baby M2’s crochet afghan,         crochet ½ of the 42 Blue Dots for             border 

5) Quilt Labels - Michael’s Dallas Cowboy       Afghan Label

6) BOM’s & QAL’s – make squares for             Drunkards Path – Blue and Quilty 365

I'm linking up to Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River and To Do Tuesday at Stitch All Things.  


Dear Friends, this is my truth!

"Frimly Held". Just be held.

Firmly Held
This title is from a reading in Praying Through Cancer by Susan Sorenson and Laura Geist. It was recommended to me by a lady I met at our local breast cancer survivor's meeting.  I highly recommend giving it to anyone you know who is going through cancer.  Today I read "Firmly Held" by Melinda Merwin.  This quote stood out to me:

"When my hold on You is weak, 

Your grip on me is firm."

- Melinda Merwin

How true is that?  Please note, even

 - when our faith is weak, 

- when our fears are strong,

- when our hope is flickering,

- when our hold on His is weak - or we have let go of Him, 

HIS HOLD ON US IS FIRM!

Melinda Merwin's scripture reference was Isaiah 41:13.

For I am the LORD your God,

who takes hold of your right hand and 

says to you, 

"Do not fear, I will Help you."

Please see the visual in this verse - it is God who is taking hold of our right hand - not the other way around.  He takes hold of us. So, 

- when our faith is weak - He takes hold of us,

- when our fears are strong, - He takes hold of us,

- when our hops is flickering - He takes hold of us,

- When our hold is weak o or we have let go of Him - He takes hold of us!

https://www.facebook.com/castingcrowns/photos/a.432381688792.209583.48842713792/10153102063943793/

Hallelujah!  Sometimes, in the midst of a crisis, I have to simply allow myself to just be held by my loving Father.  

Which leads me to another "song lesson" I learned while in El Paso.

My dear loved one, in faith allow yourself to 
Just Be Held.

For today, this is my truth!