We all have fallen and go our own way.....

I was taking pictures of stuff in my bedroom and took a picture of this cross-stitch I did many many moons ago.  We are all stunned at what took place just this last Friday.  I thought of the kids and the families over there in Connecticut and we hug close our own families at this time.  And then, as I find myself caught up in thinking "Lord, come quickly" again....I am quickly reminded there are so many not ready to meet Jesus and we know through God's Word that He truly wishes that none would perish.  Sin is sin.  All of us, our sin put Jesus up on that cross, not just this 20 year old that did this horrible thing.  Someone wrote on my facebook that he was in hell.  I don't know where he is, it isn't up to me to say.....all I know is that he needed Jesus just like we all do and Jesus is available to all of us who take that leap of faith, trust and obey.  Accept His great love for you.  He came down from Heaven as a vulnerable baby to live and to die a horrible death, but He rose and lives within those who have invited Him in.  I don't know what tomorrow will bring.  This event has truly crossed a line on American soil, but know that horrific events happen all over this world to children and those not even yet given a chance to live.  

Remembering the "Innocent" which truly comes only through Christ......

~deb

"Blustery Day" according to Winnie the Pooh!!!

Everything is white and maybe even beautiful around here....BUT it is too cold to be walking around as we are dealing with serious below zero wind chills and the visibility beyond city limits is bad.  Something that can be so beautiful can also be so deadly....reminds me of "sin".  When we are in the midst of something and having to decide whether to proceed forth knowing it is wrong but, "oh, it feels good" or " it is just a little bad"....and not take a serious look at just how deadly it is because there is no such thing as a "little sin".  

Not changing our circumstances in order to change our hearts!!!

I so appreciate this reminder.  

It helps me to get back to Him and not 

make it all about me!!!

Reading and studying Romans in my 

personal devotions....is has been an 

awesome time with the Lord!!!

I am so very thankful for the Word and 

recently looked at the history of what was 

sacrificed so that we have the Word today.  

The Book you have in your hands.....

came to be in your hands at a great price.

Only Because of Him.....

~deb

Joyous Thanksgiving!!!

I know we are quick to say "Happy Thanksgiving"....it is what we have always said.  I just started thinking though....uh, oh, the wheels are turning.  So many people do not look forward to these types of holidays that involve family gatherings.  You may have a very dysfunctional family situation, you may be dealing with a great loss at this time in some form.  It can be a tough tough time.  So, it just occurred to me, "happy" is a feeling and "joy" is a knowledge that rises above the feelings of knowing God is in control and He is in all that I am dealing with now.  He is faithful and walks beside me no matter what I do.  I cannot earn His love and He loves me regardless of how I am "feeling" at the moment.  Yes, it is a time for.......

JOYOUS THANKSGIVING,

 don't you think?

Man! Life Just Doesn't Seem Fair!!!

I came across the creator of these "wire" scenes and really appreciated this one.  As we are looking ahead to winter months, the cold, the bone-chilling feeling that only flannel pajamas, a blanket and a cup of cocoa can cure.....the perfect get away from the harshness of the world.....that even then someone or something is suffering somewhere like here....Poor Marshmallow!!!  Smiles and hugs your way.  Life is hard and so unfair at times.  It won't always be this way....it just feels like it now....

Love in Christ,
~deb

Encouraging jewelry made JUST FOR YOU!!!

Always trying to keep a balance and one of the times is getting ready for the one and only craft show I do each year.  This year, I just wanted to share with you these rings I made....a devotion to Him in and of themselves.  I took brass blank rings, 100 year old brown marbled paper and printed these little sayings on them.  They were a hit at the show and I was so glad because I want to create things that glorify God and remind people how precious they are to Him.  Thanks for letting me share.  It is always too long in between posts, I know.  Hope this finds you not doubting God's great love for you.....deb

Prayer, many times like looking through a Peep Hole...

Philip Yancey's book on Prayer...

I read a lot of Christian books, mostly non-fiction....something to encourage me, guide me, make sense of all that is going on, help me to be of use to others...you know.  Just finished Philip Yancey's book on Prayer and it was truly an amazing book.  It made clear many things, addressed my own thoughts and concerns on prayer and left me with more questions, too.  So, I don't know if I got it all figured out....still seems as though I am looking through a "peep hole" yet as I know I can always learn more about prayer!

Mosaic says so much!!! Words are so important!

Words...."watch your words", James reminds us...  Here is pictures of a large mosaic that I saw at an Arts Fair in Brookings, South Dakota.  If you click on the pictures to enlarge them, you can read all the neat sayings.  I hope it encourages you this day....  

Blessings, 

deb

He "Watches" over YOU!!!

Just having some fun here.  Posted a lot of things on ebay last night and started thinking this morning what to post as I haven't posted in awhile.  Watches....beautiful things aren't they?  Can be used to do all sorts of wonderful projects.  Sharing these pictures with you, I just wanted to remind you from Psalms 121:3, "He will not let you stumble; the one who WATCHES over you will not slumber."  Remember that!!!  He is always there!  He sees everything.  He knows your struggles and your pain, rejoices with you and cries with you.  He loves you so much, He sent His Son for YOU!!!  So, hold on today!!!!  

~deb

Knitted together...created by a loving God...

"Created" this last night....thinking today with all that is going on and trying to get things done and as I listed this on etsy, I was reminded in my spirit that we are wonderfully made...knitted

 together by a loving God....

Thanks, God!!!

~deb

Apple or Pineapple?

I was just thinking during the sermon this morning (yes, my mind was wondering) about the fruit deal with Adam and Eve.  We don't know if it was an apple, do we?  So, what if it was a pineapple?  Maybe there wouldn't have been a Fall.  How do you even eat a pineapple without having a knife to cut it up?  The aggravation alone wouldn't have been worth it.....unless, Satan himself would have provided a knife!

Yeah, I know...losing a few brain cells every day!!!

~deb

The Truth about Truth...

The Truth about the Truth...

If we're brutally honest, we'd have to admit that sometimes the truth seems inadequate to do what we need done.  We want our bosses to like us, so we flatter.  We want our friends to admire us, so we exaggerate.  We want people to respect us, so we live in houses we can't afford and charge bills we can't pay.  Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and gave a portion of the money to the church.  But they lied, claiming the land sold for the amount of money they gave (Ac. 5).  Their sin was not in holding back some money for themselves; it was in misrepresenting the truth.  And their deceit resulted in their deaths.  You say, "I'm glad God doesn't strike people dead today for lying."  Don't be so sure.  Lying results in the death of (1).  A marriage.  Falsehoods are termites in the trunk of the family tree.  (2).  A conscience.  The tragedy of the second lie is that it's always easier to tell than the first.  (3).  A career.  Just ask the employee who got fired for embezzlement.  (4).  Faith.  Think:  How can God use us if we won't tell the truth?  Every football team has a player assigned to carry the play from the coach to the huddle.  But what if the player doesn't tell the truth?  What if the coach calls for a pass but the player says the coach calls for a run?  The coach won't call on him very long.  God says if you are honest in small things He will trust you with greater things (Mt. 25:21).  So, can God trust you?

This devotion really spoke to me today.  I was dumbfounded recently to watch a show called, Pretty Little Liars on Family TV!  The shock of seeing two teenage girls start making out with each other was surprising enough and then to see that the premise of the show is just as the title, get what you want from lying.  This is being promoted so blatantly now and no one seems to raise a brow to what the long-term message is...I find this very scary.  Daily, I have to stay in check with the Truth.  We have to be on guard as Christians because the devil, the master deceiver certainly doesn't want us to live lives of integrity....be on guard and be genuine in
Christ.

Struggles bring strength....often more than we ever thought we had!!!

 "Where there is no struggle, there is no strength"

Reading in the book of Joshua in my devotions today....Joshua is close to the end of his life and sharing with the people of Israel to be strong and of good courage.  Reminding me that life is hard, it will be hard this side of heaven and I have to remember my strength comes from the Lord.  

Holding on to Psalms 121 this day......

~deb

What are you reflecting?

 What are you reflecting in your life today!!!

  

Selling this on ebay, this 1957 Chevrolet visor mirror.

  

I thought, how is this not a word picture for our spiritual lives!!!  

As I am listening to Louie Giglio on grace, I thought about these pictures that I had taken recently to list this mirror.  

Loving YOU because of HIS GREAT LOVE FOR ME!!!

Time....

Time...time to stop running.  Give Jesus your heart today!!!

"The Lord is my Shepherd. I have everything I need." Psalms 23:1 Jewelry

 Lenten services have started!  In our small town during this time, three churches get together for services on Wednesdays.  I really enjoy this time of year, the fellowship, the praise, the reflecting on the most amazing gift ever given to us!  Jesus Christ, God's Son....He was willing to honor His Father, leave heaven and live and suffer for us!!!  For you, for me!  So, Dear Ones, hold onto that, especially when times get hard.  Life is hard, doggone it!  But you have to hold on, you just have to.  This was never meant to be our home.  I love the song, "Leaving Eden."  Are we making earth our Eden....making it too comfortable to leave?  I don't want to.  I know I have and it is easy to get comfortable or even to seek comfort above all else.  Hold on and let's all look forward to a great reunion in heaven!  And while we are here, hold on to one another and to God....He love you so!!!

 Created these series of "Psalms" pendant jewelry pieces to remind us what is truly is all about!  Jesus!  They are in my etsy shop and in my physical store here in Redfield, South Dakota.  

I hope this finds you all having a super day knowing that each of you are greatly greatly loved.  Oh yeah!!!

"The Lord is my Shepherd. 

 I have everything I need"!!

The Grace Card Movie!!!

A movie everyone should see!!!

A Prayer Remix...

http://www.268generation.com/3.0/   Louie Giglio....Passion Conferences

I have been listening to Louie Giglio and the Passion Conference Videos....truly amazing!

I have been viewing the Prayer Remix....Louie sharing with us about prayer, how we pray

and what we really need to look at with saying the prayers that we do say....it was an eye-

opener for me and I was truly blessed.  As I usually end my notes, etc. extending blessings,

I was reminded how in Christ we have already been blessed beyond measure.  Please

remember that this day.  To ask for "Christ to be with us" know that He already is, He is

inside of the believer....can't get more "with it" than that!!!  And instead of asking His

blessing, how about we Praise Him and ask instead to be a blessing to Him in all that

we endeavor to do this day!!!   deb

Magnets Galore!!!  Enjoying making something through repurposing magazines, order catalogs, books, etc. using the Bage-a-Minit kit that I have had since the 1990's.  Everyone enjoys magnets.  They are useful and make great gifts.  And, it is fun to find another way to encourage one another and build one another up in the Lord!  Blessings this day!  Have lots and lots in my etsy shop!

Reeds and Wicks, the broken and burnt out...

Reeds. Few things are more fragile than a bruised reed. In Christ's day, children playing beside the river made music pipes out of them. They were hallowed out and holes bored in them. But afterwards they were bruised and discarded. Perhaps you once stood tall and strong, nourished and rooted in the riverbed. But now you are hidden in the rushes, bruised by hurtful words, a mate's betrayal, your own failure, or harsh religion. Wicks. Nothing is closer to extinction than a smoldering wick. When the oil in primitive lamps was gone and the wick burned low, it was extinguished, thrown away as worthless and replaced. Did you once burn with faith, lighting the path for others until the icy winds of criticism, unforgiveness and judgmentalism left you in the darkness? What do all these people have in common: A woman trembling before an angry mob threatening to stone her? A house surrounded by people and a paralyzed man on a stretcher begging his friends not to give up until they get him to Christ? A blind man crying out for his sight and disciplies telling him to be quiet? They are all bruised reeds and smoldering wicks that Jesus refused to give up on. The world thinks it knows what to do with you--break you off and snuff you out! But not Jesus: "He does not crush the weak, or quench the smallest hope" (TLB). No matter how far gone you may feel today, you're not beyond the reach of God's grace. Come, He will treat you gently. He will make you whole again.*

*this is taken from a devotional sharing from Matthew 12:20