Thursday, May 4, 2017

Philippians 3:1. Scrapbooking Challenged? Part 1. Layer Cake Quilt.

Philippians 3:1
Scripture

Observation
I'll list a few quick observations.
1) The use of "brothers and sisters" is a reminder: We are family!

2) We're reminded to rejoice in the LORD! 3) Reminders can be good.

Application

1) When I first heard a member of my church call me "Sister", I was confused. Up until this time, I had only heard "sister" used in church to refer to nuns! When my trusted friend explained the concept of family of Christ to me, I was surprised. Over the years, I have come to count on and love my brothers and sisters in the LORD very deeply. What a true blessing this has been!
2) Remeber this chorus from Philippians 4:4?

As a young believer, this confused me. A Youth Pastor said something like this:

"Of course we don't praise God

for our broken arm!

But we can praise Him

for the

strength and grace to get through it,

lessons we will learn from it and

the caregivers He provides."

We can and should try to rejoice in the LORD always because His joy is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!

This can be challenging and it can certainly be a long process, but it can be done. We may need additional help to get there such as therapy, support groups or medication, but it is possible to rejoice in the LORD always - even if we rejoice through tears. I know this because I have lived it.

Let's remember to be loving and gentle with our brothers and sisters who are working on this process. Add to their joy, love them, pray for them, hug them. After all, they're family! :)

Reminders good! can be Philippians 3:1 | image tagged in notepad | made w/ Imgflip meme maker

The last part of this verse is a reminder and Paul reassures the Philippians that he doesn't mind reminding them about lessons taught earlier. He also states that this a safeguard for them. Yes, I see you there, rolling your eyes! I am, too! :)

Between "fibro fog" and "chemo brain", you can be sure I get plenty of loving reminders from my family!

Prayer

Oh, Abba Father, yesterday's post seemed so rambling to me, but I know You wrote it! Thank you for reteaching it to me this morning!

I have to remember to assume the best of others - mainly because that keep me from "stinkin' thinkin'" and the best is usually correct!

Today's verse really helps me to smile at the growth You've caused in my life! You've given me another family, have been teaching me how to rejoice always - even while weeping and to appreciate those reminders!
You are amazing! Thank You for giving me this blog, growing me and being oh so patient with me! In Your precious name, Amen.

Scrapbooking
I so admire those of you who take some bits of paper, stickers, journal cards, a few pictures and, most of all, your heart and create such lovely scrapbooks!

I don't usually make the "normal" scrapbooks I see online. My are my therapy during challenging times.

During one such time, I wanted to express my journey via scrapbooking, but everything out there was cheerful and happy - the complete opposite of what I felt.

And then I found these books!

Imperfect Lives by Tara Govemo and
Scrapbooking Your Faith by Courtney Walsh. I love the "realness" of them!

And then, joy of joys! I found Project Life Scrapbooking pages! They look like the pages to hold baseball cards! And journal cards are decorated! Yea! And they were all on sale! Double Yea with a Dance of Joy!

via GIPHY

Now that I could handle! I'll be sharing pages as I go along! I hope you enjoy the journey with me! By the way, are any of you scrapbookers? Or are you scrapbooking challenged like I am?

Layer Cake Quilt.

It all started with a trip to Lancaster, Pennsyvania and a purchase of this fabric.

I loved it so much I purchased a couple more charm packs. Then I made the Simple Scrappy Sampler by Clover and Violet!

https://faithtrustandbreastcancer.blogspot.com/2017/04/philippians-228-part-1-simple-scrappy.html

There was enough fabric left to make this baby quilt!

https://faithtrustandbreastcancer.blogspot.com/2017/04/slowing-down-to-do-tuesday-another.html

I'm happily surprised to report that I still had enough random layer cake squares to make this lap quilt!

After this one is finished, so is my Happy Tones fabric - except for a very few stray scraps!

via GIPHY

I'm linking up to:

Needle and Thread Thursday

@ My Quilt Infatuation

Wow! WIPs On Wednesdays

@ Esther's Blog

Heart Encouragement Thursday @ Chrystal Storms

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Philippians 2:30. More Dishcloths. TADA! A Finish!

Philippians 2:30
Scripture

Observation
This verse needs to be seen in context - at least to include v. 29. Paul is asking the Philippians to receive Epaphorditus back with great joy, to honor those like him and reminding them that he almost died on the missionary trip.

He also points out that Epaphroditus ministered to him in lieu of the Philippians.

Application
I used to think that v. 30 was a bit harsh - until I read it in the Amplified Version:

Philippians 2:30Amplified Bible (AMP)

30 because he came close to death

for the work of Christ,

risking his life

to complete what was lacking

in your service to me

[which distance prevented you

from rendering personally].

In fact, for literally years I cringed as I imagined the Philippians reading that sentence. Until I took the time to study The Amplified Version gives the reason for the Philippians' in ability to assist.

Which reteaches me one very important lesson:

Always assume the best of a person.

I cannot tell you how many times this has saved me. Failure to do so has robbed me far too many times of my joy - many times unnecessarily. Such as in this case.

In previous chapters, Paul's love for the Philippians is so obvious. Of course, v. 30 was written in love! It may be difficult to see the details in the "best" of some situations, but, my dear reader, we can walk in faith trusting that the words and actions of others - especially those who love us - are their "best".

When we are confused about a situation, prompt and gentle communication will usually clear up the situation.

How could the man who wrote this in a mere few verses before,

Philippians 2New International Version (NIV)

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

then be harsh in his words in v. 30? No way! :)

Prayer

Oh Father God! Help me to learn to see the big picture in Your Word! Help me to continue to follow Your leading in assuming the best.

You are amazing in how You are using this study to grow me spiritually and emotionally!

I love You so much, Abba Father! Thank you!

Amen.

More Dishcloths.
Here are the rest of the dishcloths I made for my daughter! She loved them! I used this pattern from Dedri at Look What I Made for the dishcloth below.

One can't go wrong with

a simple granny square!

TADA! A Finish!
I finished my Granny Square Cardigan! I made it a bit bigger than suggested so now I can puff it up around my neck.

I am a "voluptuous" woman (nice for full-figured) and it fit me fine. My daughter, who has four babies, has maintained her tiny frame. This looked nice on her as well! Here it is!

The front!

The back

On my bed :)

Here's another close up of the yarn: I used Yarn Bee's Diva Sequin in Deanli and an "H" hook. I used Nadia Faud's pattern from her blog at YARNutopia.

I'm linking up to:

Fiber Tuesday at

The Quilting Room with Mel

and

Oui Crochet Community

Hookin’ On Hump Day at

Petals to Picot

And

Moogly

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Becoming Press

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Philippians 2:29 RSC 2017 April. To Do Tuesday.

Philippians 2:29
Scripture

Observation
Here Paul is giving the Philippians three distinct instructions: 1) to welcome Epaphorditus in the LORD, 2) with great joy, and 3) and honor people like him.

Application
Why would Paul make such a request? To partially answer this question, we have to read onto verse 2:30. Now, there's a lot to study in v. 30, but today we are looking at verse 29. Let's look at the first of the three instructions Paul gave.

Welcome him in the LORD

What does that mean? The Amplified version says:

29 Welcome him home in the Lord with great joy,

and appreciate and honor men like him;

Philippians 2:29

I just realized that Epaphorditus was a missionary, sent by the Philippians to Paul.

So obvious, but I just realized that! Eeesh!

So, if someone, especially a missionary, came home to me after a long absence, after nearly dying to give service to my LORD, that I was unable to give at the time, yes - I would welcome him back with great joy! Furthermore, I would honor him for his godly, servant's heart. I can see that.

But, my heart questions: How do I welcome someone home "in the LORD"?

What comes to mind is my normal routine:

- Smile and give them a huge hug of welcome!

- Encourage them to come into my home and offer them refreshment.

- Show them kindness and hopefully they will feel the peace of God in the atmosphere.

- Especially if an Epaphorditus was visiting, actively listen to what they have to say and glean a life lessons from them - we can always learn something new!

- If I feel led, I would pray for them.

- I try to let people know that they are appreciated via praise or encouragement.

- Most of all, I am real with people - no masks. If we are genuine, others become so as well.

Image result for gifs welcome calvin and hobbes -pinterest

I wonder, how do you all welcome visitors? I bet I could learn some really cool lessons from you! :)

Prayer

LORD, thank You for this lesson not only in hospitality, but in welcoming missionaries back home! Let us remember to welcome all in the LORD, especially missionaries! Help me to do something to make everyone feel welcome and at peace in my home. If we are not home, help me to keep a warm heart for everyone.

Now, LORD, I am not asking to be a doormat - that is something else entirely. Besides, You and I both know I would not make a very good doormat! :)

Just please, help me to be Your servant to minister in the LORD!
I love You, My Abba Father!
Amen!

April RSC 2017
I finished my April RSC blocks and here they are swinging happily from a tree! Those seams show up in the pictures making their presence known!

For some reason I ended up with quite a few 4" extras to add to my collection!

These are all different stacks!

I have quite a few of these!

These baby squares are living with their parent blocks on this hanger:

This is how I store my BOM projects - everything all together. If I've purchased the border or background fabric, I hang it with the project as well.

To Do Tuesday

Last week's To Do Tuesday List:

1) Catch up and keep up with my Quilty 365. Done!

Work on my

- Granny Squares Cardigan Done and Finished!

- the new baby quilt Done!

- on my Fabri-Flair project Done!

This week's To Do Tuesday List:
1) Keep and keep up with my Quilty 365,
2) Make my BOM's (Drunkard's Path and RSC),
3) Charity Sewing - Dolls of Hope, (If you go to the beginning of her feed, there's contact info.)

4) Work on my Fabri-Flair project.

Linking up to:

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays @ Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday

@ Em’s Scrapbag

To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things

Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River

Sharing Sundays @The Creative Side

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Philippians 2:28 Part 2 To Do Tuesday. Drunkard's Path Continues!

Hello There!

God is teaching me to listen to His whispers of, "Rest. You've done enough." Thank you so much for your prayers and well wishes!

Philippians 2:28 Part 2

Scripture

Observation

We talked about Paul sending back Epaphorditus here. I am struck by Philippians 2:28b - "...and I may have less anxiety."

Application

Healing does come, - if not on Earth, then in Heaven. I don't say those words lightly. I've experienced healing by my LORD and now, I'm experiencing waiting for His healing – again and I weep.

I am not alone in shedding tears

in times of suffering.

I'm sure Paul did as well.

Our Savior did, too!