Philippians 4:18 Part 2. More CIL String Blocks. Book Date.

Philippians 4:18 Part 2
Scripture

Observation
Wow:  "fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God."  Imagine, having your gift described as such?
Application
When we give, not only to our churches, but when we give anything, what makes it a "fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God"?  


It wasn't the amount the Philippians sent to Paul as much as it was their hearts.This Scripture is often quoted, instructing that giving is a matter of the heart.




Look at the next verse. Most of us give cheerfully, not expecting God to bless us, but because we love and care for others - which is an attitude of the heart.  Therefore our gifts are indeed "fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God." 

When I first started reading  blogs, I was surprised and inspired by everyone who lovingly and compassionately create for various charities. You inspired me so much that I prayed, "God, help me find the time to create for charity,"  and He answered my prayer.  (Funny, I never prayed for my skills to increase so that my gifts would be "good enough", just for the time to create.)

Each of you were my blessing, my inspiration and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Perhaps (grinning) that is why God blesses us abundantly in all things (our stashes) so that we may abound in good works.  :)

Prayer
My LORD, thank You for Your faithfulness and guiding my heart and hands as I wrote this post.  I'm so grateful to all the generous bloggers who humbly shared their giving, for their generous hearts, and for working through them to inspire me to also become a cheerful giver of fiber love.  

I pray your blessing on all the givers of the world:  that they may be blessed abundantly so that they may abound in every good work!
Thank You, Abba!
Amen.

More CIL String Blocks.
I was able to make more string blocks for CIL (Covered in Love)!  

I so look forward to making these - they're my favorite CIL block!

Book Date

https://www.amazon.com/
More-Than-Hobby-Americas-
Superstore/dp/1595559833

I'm still enjoying More Than A Hobby by David Green with Dean Merrill.  I'm not a business person, but the conversational tone of this book captivates me.  

https://www.amazon.com/
NIV-Story-Audio-CD-Continuing/
dp/0310421772

The Story The Bible As One Continuing Story of God continues to bless me on so many different levels.  The study outlines my church, Heart for the World, provides work organically to help me delve deeper into God's Word.  

Check out these fun link ups!

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays @ Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? @ Book Date

You make my day with your comments!  

I love reading and responding to them!

Philippians 4:14. Tutorial: Making a Fabric Stash Notebook. To Do Tuesday.

Philippians 4:14
Scripture

Observation
Let's look at this verse in context.  Paul softens the words in Philippians 4:10.  Don't you think?  

Application
It reminds me of our current world where email and text messages are such a major part of our communication.  I have started to believe that we are best served by these tools by always - yes always - assuming the best in the tone of these communications.  I also am trying to learn not to take statements personally - but to try and receive them in love.  When this seems difficult, I go to a loved one and ask them to help me find the "best" in a message.  Life is becoming more serene as I am slowly learning to do this.

Another point I love in this verse it the entire verse - it was good for you to share in my troubles.  I get the sense Paul isn't saying this in the attitude of "misery loves company", but with joy and relief that he had prayer support, love and other support during his trials.  

I know that recently I have indeed rested behind the shield of faith of many loved ones.  I've needed to do that - 
AND IT'S OK.
Sometimes we all need to lean into His everlasting arms and into the arms of trusted loved ones.  

Thank God they are available to us!  

As I write this, I think of a precious little girl named Hazel.  She has leukemia - she's very ill.  Would you consider praying for her?  Following her mom on Instagram @veecrow?  Precious Hazel has taken my heart and I pray for her every day.  

Oh my dear readers, let's share in each other's troubles!  Let's build each other up with prayer!  Let's...love...love...love!

Prayer
Abba, You know my situation. You know Hazel's situation.  You know each person's situation who is reading this.  
You
know.
You hear our cries.
You hear our praises.
You know.
You hear.
You respond.
Thank you, Abba, for sharing in our troubles.
Hugs to You, My LORD and King.
Amen.

Tutorial:  Making a Fabric Stash Notebook
My local quilt shop, Bernina Sewing and Design, always has a fabulous year end fabric sale.  My daughter gave me the great idea of purchasing the backing fabrics I would need for the foreseeable future.  Which I did as you can see here.  

I also wanted to fill in some "holes" in my stash as well.  Hence, my fabric notebook.  In all honesty, it's not pretty at all.  But, it's oh so functional.  Here's how it came together:

Materials
manila folders
fabric scissors
2 1/2" square ruler
double sided sticky tape
book tape

I have my fabric organized by sets, color and projects.  Yes, this is my entire stash.....except for precuts, fat quarters and backings!  :)

Every evening while on the phone with my Dad (we talk every night), I would pull a stack of fabric and cut a 2 - 2.5" square from each "bolt".  

Then I would arrange them in a pleasing order. 

After that, I placed a piece of double sided sticky tape along the top of my manila folder end to end.  Then I simply placed my 2" squares on the tape!  Wala!

I continued making rows of mini squares of fabric, 

using the next page as necessary!

When I came to a new section, I simply started a new folder. 

After all my fabric was cataloged, I used the book tape to tape two folders together.  Then I added the next folder and so on.  The book tape provided a strong "spine".

I suddenly had a visual library of all my fabric.  The "holes" in my stash were quite obvious, so it was easy to make a list and stay focused during my biggest shopping spree of the year!

The entire process took about 3 hours spread over a couple of evenings - a great investment of my time.  When I add fabric, I simply add it to that section.  

Now, if you wanted to, you could add the yardage of each fabric, but that wasn't my goal.  I know that most of my fabrics are 1-3 yard cuts.  I do have some exceptions, but very few.  

Now, when I'm prepared when I go on the hunt for fabric!

To Do Tuesday
Wow!  It's been so long since I've linked up to To Do Tuesday!  I've missed you so much!  

Here is my first To Do Tuesday of 2018!  It's great to be back!
1) Finish the Tumbling Blocks prototype.
2) Finish the first 10 squares of Maria's Blue Crayon Spring Granny Afghan Crochet Along!
3) Pray my prayer and memorize Proverbs 19:23.  

Linking up to:

To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things.

Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Becoming Press 

Prayer for the week: