Philippians 1:9 (Part 3). Have you tried Sewing Stations?

Philippians 1:9 (Part 3)

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.

So, on my last post regarding these scriptures, I ended by saying Paul prayed for the Philippians' obvious love to abound more and more in depth and insight.  

But, what is insight?  Again, according to Webster's online dictionary, it's 

·     : the ability to understand people and situations in a very clear way

·     : an understanding of the true nature of something

So, if I'm understanding this, he wanted their love to be based on understanding the true nature of Christ.  So that their love would be more Christ like.  

What do you think?  Am I getting this? 

Application:

As I have matured – and keep maturing in Christ – I find my love for others more gentle, more accepting, more…..Christ like.

But it has taken a lot of work, and, as I am beginning to see, a lot of faith, trust and courage.

I have chosen to walk down memory lane on many painful experiences in my life with a different perspective – 
viewing them through the eyes of Christ.
That has been tough – 
grueling in fact.

However, I am beginning to understand
how these painful experiences 
have led me 
to love with an abounding love 
based on knowledge and insight, 
rather than simply emotion.  

The result was amazing:
I learned to forgive – 
those who hurt me – 
but more importantly to forgive myself
for the times I inflicted pain on others.
The street runs both ways.

Remember:

http://quotesgram.com/people-hurting-others-quotes/

Prayer:

So, my dear reader, here is my prayer for you – and me:  

Sewing Stations

Melanie from 1000 Needles shared this method on her blog:  Sewing stations!  Naturally it called to my teacher's heart because of the centers I used in class so it made perfect sense!  Maybe it will work for you as well!

She has a cutting station, a sewing station, and a pressing station.  She rotates between all of these as she sews.  

https://1000needles.com/2015/09/21/monday-madness-09212015/#comments

I really liked this idea!  I'm sure many of us have stations of some sort, but for myself, I've simply set up an area as I need it and pretty soon I have an extremely messy work environment.  Now, I'm managing to stay a bit neater!

I also liked her Project Rotation sidebar.  It's a clear visual on current WIPs.  

Nice job, Melanie!  Thank you for sharing!  

Coasters and Basket. Proverb of the Day. Happy Song.

Coasters and Basket.

Aren’t these coasters so pretty?  I love the fabric!  Sometimes I take a break from quilt making to whip up (yea, right, it took me all day to make these!) a fun, fast project.  Admittedly, I’m a slow sewist, but I have so much fun at each step.  Thank God we have access to  such wonderful bloggers who write wonderful tutorials!

I’m not sure where I got the idea for the self-binding coasters, but there are tons of tutorials out there!  These were fun to make with vintage fabric from my local Bernina Quilt Shop!  

And I used this tutorial for what was supposed to be the coaster holder.  For some reason, mine came out too big, so I now have beautiful napkin holder!  So light and summery!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 4:12.

Scripture:

Observation:

So, this is what I see as the context of the verse, or taking the verse in context: 

As I write out my thoughts, I find my clarity as well as the ability to communicate what is in my heart, in my spirit……

As I said before, I hadn’t been spending a lot of time in God’s Word, though I had been seeking Him through prayer and song.  Just the same, it felt as if I was running from Him. 

Therefore, verse 12b:  when you run, you will not stumble made an impact on me. 

As we

1:  accept what God has to say,

2:  listen to His instruction in the way of wisdom and

3:  follow His leading on straight paths,

we will not stumble when we run.

Application:

As stated once before, I’m clarifying my thoughts as I write.  This seems to be the way I can find meaning and healing in God’s Word.

As I read Proverbs 4:12, I immediately thought of the last few weeks of running from God, of not being physically, emotionally or spiritually able to spend time in His Word.  
I sensed God knew exactly what I needed and He provided it with comfort from a few dear friends, family, music - both secular and worship - and His presence.  I didn’t feel like my steps were hampered, or as if I had stumbled because He held me up with His right hand.  He knew I needed time to heal in a different way.  And He gave it to me.  Because that is how He works with His hurting children – with love, wisdom, and patience. 

http://thedaugthersofzion.blogspot.com/2012/02/god-will-heal-all-broken-hearted.html

And, just maybe,

I wasn’t running from Him at all, but

running to Him,

running to Him to hear what He had to say,

running to Him to listen to His instruction in the way of wisdom and 
running to Him to follow His leading on straight paths. 

Yup.  I was running to Him.  Yup.

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for your never ending patience with me.  Thank you for Your healing touch.  

Thank you for helping me to trust that Your hand has been there all my life - even as I suffered at the hands of others.  

Thank you for helping me to see I wasn’t running from You, but to you.  

Help me to continue to lean on You.  

Bring healing to my heart, my emotions, my spirit.  Help my heart to comprehend the why of these painful experiences.  Though my head understands, my heart struggles.  As I’m sure Yours did as well.  Help my readers to heal and understand as well.  In Jesus’ precious name I ask.  Amen.

Happy Songs

These last weeks have been heavy – really heavy.  I needed to keep from despair, so I made a playlist of my happy songs and played them! Most are worship songs, but this one is from England from the disco era.  

While listening, I make of fool of myself in front of the dogs as I sing along and dance.  My voice is so “wonderful” they can’t help but howl!  I play them full blast in my car and sing my heart out.  I even danced with my grandbabies and taught them a few disco moves!  It’s easy to be joyful listening to this song.  I first heard in on a Netflix series called River. 

Go ahead….sing along…dance!

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Proverb of the Day. Pain, Frustation, Frustration

Proverb of the Day

Oh, I can only pray and hope my ways are righteous in the sight of the LORD! I know that I let Him - and myself - down at times, don't we all?  However, I also know His grace is huge - magnanimous! I hope I can keep this verse in mind throughout my day!  

Pain, Frustration, Frustration
The pain continues.
The frustration continues.
The trust in God continues.
The cancelled plans continue.......what can I say?  I turn to my favorite songs.....

https://wizzley.com/hang-in-there-cat-poster/

Dear Friends, This is my truth.

                             

Sin. Condemnation. Forgiveness. Grace. Lessons Learned.

Sin
Sin.  A controversial word.  Many would call them a "wrong", a mistake, a lapse in judgement.  But sin is sin.  We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Every day.  Right?  I know I do.  

In fact I did sin this week for sure.  (Wow, that was hard to write!)  It was a sin that the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks afterwards and said, "Say what?"  I was convicted of my sin - and I felt so repentant!  After asking my loving God for forgiveness, He forgave me.  But - did I forgive myself? Condemnation then moved into my very being and had me in it's tenacious grips.  

I wept alone.
I prayed alone.  
I read His love letter to me - the Bible - alone.  
Condemnation was still winning the battle.

Then, I reached out to my loving husband and my loving daughter.
They encouraged me.  
I was no longer alone.  
They were praying for me.
Condemnation was worried.

But, their wise words of encouragement seemingly didn't help.  
I felt so sad at what I had done.  
I spent time with my Lord and Savior the next morning - but I remained saddened and shamed.  
But remember - baby steps.
Condemnation was very still and losing hope of defeating me.

My spiritual mom/sister "just happened" to call.
She ministered to me.
As we talked, I remembered scriptures to encourage myself.  
I wrote them in my slam book/journal.
One was "There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  Romans 8:1
I was able to sing this verse to myself throughout the day, but was still so sad.
But yet another person was praying for me.
I began sensing a light, the Holy Spirit, finally able to reach me via my praise.
Condemnation began wringing his hands.

I reached out to my son.  
He ministered to me through my tears.  
I wept, still defeated.
Another person praying for me.  
Condemnation stomped his foot in frustration!

I began praying and pondering 
my daughter's words.
my husband's words.
My LORD's words:  
"There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  Romans 8:1
my spiritual mom/sister's words, 
my son's words.
I told the LORD I was too broken to spend time with Him, but I could still praise Him, so I brought up my Itunes praise and worship list and hit shuffle.  
Condemnation cringed.

Here's the song that came up.  

If you're struggling with forgiving yourself,
if you're a prodigal,
if you think you can never be forgiven, 
if you think you can never forgive yourself, 
take a listen and enjoy condemnation's defeat.
By the way,
Condemnation evaporated!


If you believe someone can be blessed by this song - take a step of courage and send it to them!

Forgiveness.
The hardest action for me to take is to forgive myself.  I bet you struggle with that as well.  I find I can forgive and show others grace because, after all, we're all human, right?  We all make mistakes. 

But, whoa!  Me?  Of course not!  Eeesh.  How prideful.  Of course I'm included in the "we" of "We all make mistakes".    However, when I let myself or others down, I tend to tie myself to the whipping post and have at it. Do you?



When I listened to this song, I felt like God was telling me that I needed to realize
* how unloveable and unreachable I felt for doing what I did.  This is not how my loving Father sees me -  or you!
* I became my own prisoner, Are you?
* I needed to free myself from condemnation,  Do you?
* I needed to forgive myself and accept my own forgiveness, Can you do this?
* I needed to set myself free - because God has already forgiven me.  Because we are free in Him.  Are you free?
God loves us beyond measure - He honestly does!  Do you believe this?
He wants the best for me - and you!  

Now, I'm learning 
to be gentle with myself, 
to forgive myself.  

to show myself grace, 

to be free. 

Grace.

1. 
   
   
2. http://janellekeith.blogspot.com/2012/06/five-minute-friday-grace.html

I've been praying to learn to see others through God's eyes, through His grace.  I never dreamed He would begin teaching me this lesson so quickly after I prayed this prayer.  I certainly never dreamed He would begin by teaching me to view myself with more grace, but I'm glad He has.  I'm learning to show myself love, kindness, mercy,  Whew!  It's a hard journey.  

Would you like to join me on this journey of learning to be gentle with ourselves, of learning to forgive ourselves, of living free by the power of our Savior?  Please share in the comments!  Or email me!  (miaismine22@gmail.com)

http://sermonquotes.tumblr.com/post/133007288487/my-past-reminds-me-of-grace-it-doesnt-define-me

Lessons Learned.
* Even when we're broken - Praise!  It's during those times, we have even more reason to praise!
* BE gentle with myself, forgive myself, show myself grace.
* Forgiveness.  Grace.  Such big topics.  But, as I've learned in my own struggle, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.  So, why should I condemn myself?   He forgives me, why shouldn't I forgive myself?

I am definitely writing to myself as to you.  I will probably come back myself and read this post again and again.   But for now, I rejoice in freedom, forgiveness and victory!   Please join me in this walk!

https://givegodtheglory.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/victory/

And this is my truth!