We've Moved!

It's taken awhile to convince myself to make the move from Blogger to WordPress, but an article I read yesterday made the decision for me.

So, there's a new address and -- new name, new look, new home.  One reason I made the change was because I felt the nudging to make my blog stand out for the message I want to convey -- that God's love and grace is for everyone.

And each of us here, who believe, need to be sowers of the seed which grows into that love, grace and belief.

I hope you'll continue to visit and chat with me.  Be patient -- we're still learning what WordPress is all about and how to get what we want to happen to happen!

Here's where to find us now:

New Address

Hoping to see you there soon!

Handmade

Credit

What does the word "handmade" conjure up in your memory bank?

For me, there are many things.  Some made by other hands, some made by my hands.

Doilies remind me of my mother-in-law. Many were found among her belongings when she died.  I brought some home with me -- the work of her hands still present in our lives.

Other reminders are from my mother's hands:  my first recital dress.  Mother hated sewing but was determined to make this dress.

Made of pink organdy, puffed sleeves, a beautiful sash and lace trims -- not an easy project.  My daddy took this photo -- a visual reminder of her hands making that dress.

My sister-in-law helped me to learn to make handmade items.  She taught me to knit when I was 12.  I still knit some every day.  Each project reminds me of those times with her -- our hands working together. 

Hands that were once busy, are still busy -- working at a beloved craft. 

Now, reflect on the words in Psalm 139:13-14 (TNIV):

Credit

How much more love can we know than the love of our Father who created us?  Fashioned us.  Uniquely made us who we are.

He "knit [us] together" ensuring that each tiny part would hold together for as long as we live.

And as a result "your works are wonderful."  And each of us should be able to say, "I know that full well."

How amazing it is that we are handmade, crafted by the loving hands of the Father!

* * *

I'd love to hear your thoughts on "handmade" today.  Feel free to share below in a comment.


Linking up today with:

and tomorrow with Joan at Reflections of His Grace:

Heart Filled with Gratitude

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly
as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom
through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 3:16 (TNIV)

What an incredible mapping Colossians 3:16 provides for us as we begin our week:

Allow the message of our Christ to live among each of us richly.  What a wondrous thought -- each of us walking around with Christ's message living richly in each one of us because we allow the Word to dwell in and with us.

And then we are to go about teaching and admonishing each other not just with wisdom but through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit.  Not only are we to be walking about with Christ's message living in us, but we are to share that Word through psalms, hymns and songs.

And all this singing is to be lifted up to God with gratitude in our hearts.  If your heart is filled with gratitude, there will be nothing to keep you from living up to these words from Colossians.

Today is Monday and that means time to link up with Ann Voskamp and the multitude of friends counting 1000 gifts at A Holy Experience.  So, I'm ready to open my heart and share some

Credit

* * *

586.  For the gift of love shared by so many for our family.
587.  For the news that I have had a writing piece accepted for publication.
588.  Finally for the sight of tiny tomatoes on our vines.
589.  The bounty of the berries we've picked from our own bushes.
590.  Healing of inflammation in a really sore bursa.
591.  Joys of videos of our great-grandson.
592.  Time with an older sister and her husband.
593.  And time with an older brother.
594.  Relief from pain from a broken toe (not my week!).
595.  The community at A Holy Experience.
596.  Ann's gifts so willingly shared with us all.

If you want to give thanks and then share your post with the community at A Holy Experience, please come on over.

 

Simply Sunday: Psalm 23:3

Psalm 23:3 (ESVUK)

Visiting this peaceful Sunday with

and with Barbie at Fresh Brewed Sundays

 

Five Minute Friday: Beyond

It's Friday morning and time to meet up with Lisa-Jo Baker -- Tales of a Gypsy Mama, who spreads a feast before us consisting of a challenge:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Today's word is BEYOND, and here's my best five minutes . . . .

READY, SET, GO!

Beyond can be so many things:

Beyond the horizon. 

Beyond mile marker 267.

Beyond the here and now.

And on and on.

But today, for me, beyond is about my own expectations.

Yes, I set my expectations so high they are often beyond my own grasp, my own reach.  And why would you do that to yourself?

As I ponder it, I know God's expectations are many for each of us, but beyond my grasp, my reach -- NEVER!  He sees me as His child and believes that I can be expected to perform beyond His expectations.

God's love for me, and His joy in me, make me His very own, if I am willing.  And that willingness brings me to a level of attempting to go beyond His expectations for me.

Often His are no easier to reach than the ones I set for myself, but God's intention in setting His expectations sometimes beyond my grasp, my reach are to insert me into a new experience of discipleship, mission, ministry.

How about you?  Has God ever set His expectations beyond your grasp or reach?

Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.

Psalm 26:2 (NIV)

(Scripture added after 5 minutes.)