Thoughtful Tuesdays You will love this post, "Tell Shame You Have a Savior" from Lyli at Fuel for a Wildfire Faith! (Don't you just love that name?) How many times does the defeated one attack us with shame by reminding us of past failures, hurts and mistakes? Well, Lyli has an answer to that in an easy to read post filled with verses that we can memorize and have victory over shame! I so encourage you to visit and strengthen your faith - and "Tell Shame You Have a Savior!" Can I get an "Amen"?
Wedding Quilt Finish I couldn't believe I forgot to post the pictures for my sister's finished wedding quilt - the Pretzel Twist by Fons and Porter!
I love how the sun rays are shining on it - as if God Himself is smiling. Stephanie, my LAQ, did an amazing job!
She always works magic
with my quilts!
This was a fun quilt to make -
and the pattern was suggested by
Stephanie herself!
It was a perfect blend of the colors my sister asked for, her style and the curvy quilting complimented the angles perfectly! I never fail to be amazed at how beautiful Stephanie makes my quilts look! To Do Tuesday Last week's list 1) Press fabric for another Tumbling Blocks prototype. Done and even cut out the fabric! 2) Finish the first 10 squares of Maria's Blue Crayon Spring Granny Afghan Crochet Along! Done! 3) Make more CIL blocks. Done! You can see them here! 4) Make progress on Prayer Shawl #7. Done! Again, you can see the progress here! 5) Pray my prayer and memorize Genesis 50:20a
This Week's List is pretty much the same as last
week's: basically a cut and paste job!
So many times, when I face trials, I lose my focus!
This is our real battle!
This helps us to remember,
people aren't the problem,
it's a spiritual battle.
Once we REALLY realize that,
we should
And while we are standing,
let's stand in hope,
because the anchor holds - it really does! Jesus is an anchor we can count on!
A Twisty Finish! The Pretzel Twist is now a flimsy and has been delivered to Stephanie, my long arm quilter!
So exciting! I added borders to make it bigger for the newlyweds to cuddle under! Patrick's Strength Progress continues on this special afghan. I've paused all slow stitching projects to work on this afghan. I want to give it to Patrick as soon as possible. Today he and his parents are still in Houston and meeting with the doctors to get test results and to form a treatment plan.
Observation Paul is saying that his view is correct. He is trusting God to make clear this point of view to those who think differently about this (Philippians 3:1-4). Application Wow! Now THAT is confidence! Paul is so sure he is correct - and I agree with him. To those who don't agree he is saying: 1) they are immature in the LORD and 2) he is trusting God to show them the Truth. Very interesting. How many do we know that are faltering in their faith? in their lives? And it worries us. And it concernes us. And try as we might to not let it, it affects our lives as well. What wisdom is in this verse for us!
15All of us, then,
who are mature
should take such a view of things.
And if
on some point
you think differently,
that too God will make clear to you.
Philippians 3:1
I can share a bit of my story - but only a bit because the majority of the story isn't mine to tell. We see someone going through growing pains, hurting, trying to make the right decisions and live out those wise decisions in spite of the pain they may cause. We love them. We want the best for them. And all we can do is pray for them as they, together with God, make their way. But, pray is not just ALL we can do. It's a ton. It's powerful. May you - and I - find comfort in this as we pray for ourselves and then our loved ones:
Let us also remember this:
Prayer
Abba, You know my heart today. My prayer is simple. I pray this for myself and for my loved ones today:
9 And this is my prayer:
that your love
may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
10 so that you may be able to discern what
is best
and may be pure and blameless
for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ—
to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11
Abba,
I also know that this verse and song are true! I claim them for myself and my loved ones today - and always. Amen!
Twisting Away! I'm continuing to enjoy progress on my Pretzel Twist! Four more blocks have been completed
and I've laid out
the last three blocks
on my cutting table!
I'm hoping to get this one
to Stephanie this Saturday
so that she can work
her long arm magic!!
New Feature! Once upon a time, a very long time ago, this quilter took inventory of her fabric stash.....and promised herself never, ever, ever to do that again! However, I do need some kind of accountability if I'm truly going to meet my goal of sewing through my stash. Maggie @ Making a Lather keeps a very simple stash report. I've decided to follow her format for both (gulp!) my fabric and yarn stash beginning June 11, 2016 and ending December 31, 2016. Then I'll begin a new year in January. Thus far, it has really helped me to NOT buy fabric - except for this 2 cuts - both 1/3 yards! :) So, just so you'll see, Here is my stash report thus far. Instead of posting it once a month, I'll post it every time I buy fabric/yarn. Otherwise, I may "forget"!
Fabric Stash report
Fabric used this week:
Fabric used since June 11, 2017 (date I started this):
Fabric Added this week: 2/3 yard
Fabric Added since June 11, 2017 (date I started this): 2/3
yard
Net Fabric since June 11, 2017 (date I started this): 2/3 yard
Yarn Stash report
Yarn used this week: 15 oz
Yarn used since June 11, 2017 (date I started this): 15 oz
Yarn Added this week:
Yarn Added since June 11, 2017 (date I started this): 0 oz
Net
Yarn since June 11, 2017 (date I started this): Used 15 0 oz
I Like Again, check out LeAnn's I Like linky party! It'll make you smile! Here are my "I Likes"!
Philippians 3:13-14 Part 2 Continued from here Application con't. We can all heal. It's possible. Paul certainly gave us the tools we need to heal. I write from experience. My life has been hard - very hard. As a young Christian, these verses stuck with me over time, gently soaking into my soul. Over time - years in fact - I've discovered these these tools work. Healing comes in God's timing. WE MUST BE GENTLE WITH OURSELVES. 1. Forget what is behind. This is tough, but possible. We can never really forget, but we can attempt. Some things are tough to forget. I know. I've much to forget. But I've been given much via my Savior. I can focus on that instead of pains of the past. I heard this on a podcast: "The reason the rear view mirror is so small and our windshield is so big is so that we get a peek at our past and a great view of our future!"
To Be Continued in My Next Post
Pretzel Twist Progress!! My organizational method for sewing these blocks together is working! I've had some seam ripping, but not too much!
Yea! I have five "big blocks" finished! Almost 1/2 way done!
The 6th block is laid out and ready to be sewn together!
Like Paul, I certainly attempt to love, to serve and to know Christ, but know my efforts are imperfect. Sometimes my list seems -and is - overwhelming resulting in inaccurate negative thoughts: "I fall short!" or "I can never be good enough."
Then these lies are forced back by knowing that every day, He works in us - every day is a learning opportunity in Him. So, I'll relax with my Big Brother - Jesus - knowing that He has already taken hold of these - and us - on the cross.
Prayer
LORD, thank You for reminding me that when I'm hard on myself,
You are gentle,
when I'm expecting too much of myself,
You are accepting of my sincere efforts,
when I'm discouraged,
You encourage me,
when I'm happy,
You dance with me!
Father, teach me to dance even more!
Let's dance together!
Amen.
Pretzel Quilt Process So, after communicating with Janice and reading her post about the Pretzel Quilt, here's my process!
First, I laid out all my supplies:
the pattern, the project board and sewn pieces like this.
The wood piece is my future
DIY portable ironing board.
I'm going to use this as a
large project board
Then, I realized I needed the pieces laid out like this instead.
I blocked off each part of the pattern
so I could focus better.
I laid out my pieces in groups of four
so that I could make
a full block.
I carried my board to my sewing table and placed my project board
on my rolling storage cart.
And, wala!
My first "big block" was finished!
It's funny, I did try to sew and talk on the phone with subsequent blogs. Not a good idea. Janice said, "Don't get distracted." She was right. My seam ripper and I spent some quality time together..... :)
Observation Previous to this verse, Paul had listed several magnanimous goals which are as follows: 1) to gain Christ, 2) be found in Him, 3) to know Him, 4) to know the power of His Resurrection, 5) to participate in his suffering, 6) to become like Him in His death and 7) to attain resurrection from the dead. Further, he wanted to attain these goals based not on his flesh and what HE could accomplish, but through faith. This list can seem overwhelming. Until verse 12: He humbly and clearly states that he has not achieved these goals - yet. Then he proceeds to teach us his method for achieving them:
"...I press on
to take hold
of that for which Christ Jesus
took hold of me."
Philippians 3:12b
Sounds good.....but what does it mean? I've read this Scripture so many times, but what does it really mean?
"...I press on..."- Ok. Paul continues to work towards his goal - he's tenacious.
"...to take hold..."- He wants to grab something. What is it?
"...of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." - What did Christ Jesus take hold of? He called Paul to love, serve and know Him!
(As you may have noticed I use the S.O.A.P. Bible Study Method - Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. We'll get to the Application and Prayer in my next post.)
Pretzel Quilt Progress! This quilt isn't a fully scrappy quilt, but I just had to share it with you! I think it would be so pretty with scrappy 2.5" strips, don't you? Remember how I mentioned that Steph, my long arm quilter, said to be careful as I laid out this quilt? To stay focused? Well, Janice Holton from Color, Creating and Quilting started this quilt and emailed me about it! What a small world! She shared her progress, tips and pics - which I greatly appreciated. I looked for a posting about it on her blog - it was so helpful! Thank you, Janice! I've started putting my quilt together and here's the progress thus far:
In my next post, I'll show you my process. :) Happy Mail - Yarnivore Rainbow Yarn!
Philippians 3:10-11 Part 2/2 Part 1 is here. Scripture
Perhaps it's time to apply the lesson I read in Chapter 2 of Bruce Wilkinson's The Prayer of Jabez. He writes that for us to imagine that we are on a spiritual retreat to deepen our walk, as are many others. Each participant is matched with a mentor - your's is in his 70's and has been touching people for God for years. Early in the morning, as you walk past his room, the door is ajar and he is praying out loud. Curious, you listen only to discover that his prayer begins with a fervent request:
First and foremost,
for the LORD TO BLESS HIM.
Could this "selfish prayer" be the reason this man so effectively works for the LORD? Food for thought. So, how do we really know Christ? And what does the above have to do with all this anyway? Well, if we pray this Scripture, as well as Philippians 1:9-11 (as well as other Scriptures)
FOR OURSELVES FIRST
it will happen! We will know Christ even more deeply! We are not being selfish in putting ourselves first in prayer, we are being wise.
Prayer
LORD, I realize that, in spite of my terrible memory, this part of Mr. Wilkinson's book has stayed with me....now I see why. I rarely, if ever, pray for myself - except on this blog. (Perhaps that's one reason You have me writing?) One thing I've learned in life, we are never alone in our experiences. LORD, someone reading this is relating. So, I pray, first and foremost, that You will bless ME. Fill me daily with your Holy Spirit, let me know You more deeply and strengthen me to move for you! Then, my Abba, bless those reading this - especially the ones who relate. Help them to pray for themselves FIRST, that they, too, may be filled with Your Holy Spirit, know You more deeply and be strengthened to move for You. Thank you for this revelation! Abba, I bet You know what book I'll be re-reading! :) Amen. Pretzel Twist Progress! The Pretzel Twist requires 96 Unit 1 pieces and a ton of Unit 2 pieces. Each of those pieces require 2 seams each. But they're short, straight seams. I finished all of Unit 1 last night. I'm hoping to finish Unit 2 today! A Drunkard's Path We only have two more squares to make for our $7.50 ClubDrunkard's Path BOM! I just had to lay out my blocks thus far!
I'm getting so excited about finishing this project! There are definitely some compensating borders in my future, but that's fine! I randomly cut my pieces for the first two blocks. After that, I started fussy cutting them. The ladies at Bernina were right, as long as I separate them, it's barely noticeable! This month's color is a dark tourquoise/teal. I wonder what next month's color will be?
You will love this post, "Tell Shame You Have a Savior" from Lyli at Fuel for a Wildfire Faith! (Don't you just love that name?) 
