Ignoring Grace - 1/31/2010 Our Daily Word

In the hectic downtown of one of Asia’s great cities, I marveled at the busy sidewalks filled with people. There seemed to be no room to move in the crush of humanity, yet it also seemed that everyone was moving at top speed.

My attention was drawn to the soft, almost mournful sound of a single trumpeter playing “Amazing Grace.” The crowds appeared oblivious to both the musician and the music. Still, he played—sending a musical message of the love of God out to whoever knew the song and would think about the words as he played.

I thought of this experience as a parable. The music seemed to be an invitation to the masses to follow Christ. As with the gospel message, some believe in God’s amazing grace and choose the narrow way. Others ignore His grace, which is the broad way that leads to everlasting destruction. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).

Jesus died so that “whoever calls” on His name (Rom. 10:13) can find forgiveness in His grace.

Read: Matthew 7:13-23

Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. —Matthew 7:14

Bible in a year: Exodus 25-26; Matthew 20:17-34

Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind but now I see. —Newton

Christ believed is salvation received.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Earthquake City - Our Daily Word - 1/28/2011

**Be Encouraged**

In his book A Crack in the Edge of the World, Simon Winchester writes of the small earthquake-prone town of Parkfield, California. Seeking to attract tourists, a hotel sign reads: “Sleep Here When It Happens.” A local restaurant menu features a large steak called “The Big One,” and desserts are called “Aftershocks.” But all humor aside, a real earthquake can be a terrifying experience. I know. I’ve lived through California earthquakes.

In the book of Acts, we read how God used an earthquake to open someone’s heart to the gospel. Having been falsely accused, Paul and Silas found themselves in jail at Philippi. Around midnight, an earthquake rumbled through the prison, opening the doors and loosing the prisoners’ chains. When the jailer learned that Paul and Silas had not tried to escape, he asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (16:30). Paul responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (v.31). That night the jailer and his family believed and were baptized. And it all started with an earthquake.

Sometimes life’s upsets can make people more open to the gospel. Do you know anyone who is going through a crisis? Prayerfully stay in contact with them, and be ready to share a sensitive word of witness.

Lord, use us as Your instruments

Of truth and love and care,

And may we bring encouragement

As Your good news we share. —Sper

Many are brought to faith by trouble.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Friday Night Scrappin.....

Friday Night scrappin - this will be the first Sketch layout that I work on... taken from a wonderful blog that i love to read daily... http://siehledwithakiss.blogspot.com/ .... check back for my sketch later.


Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Upside Down - Our Daily Word - 1/27/2011

If you were to ask me who I am, I’d tell you that I’m a follower of Jesus. But I have to admit, at times following Him is a real challenge. He tells me to do things like rejoice when I’m persecuted (Matt. 5:11-12); to turn the other cheek (vv.38-39); to give to someone who wants to take from me (vv.40-42); to love my enemies, bless those who curse me, and do good to those who hate me (vv.43-44). This kind of lifestyle seems very upside down to me.

But I’ve come to realize that He’s not upside down—I am. We have all been born fallen and broken. Being twisted by sin, our first instincts are often wrong, which inevitably leaves a big mess.
We’re like toast slathered with jelly that has fallen upside down on the kitchen floor. Left to ourselves, we can make a pretty big mess of things. Then Jesus comes along, like a divine spatula, scrapes us off the floor of our sinful ways, and turns us right side up. And as we follow His right-side-up ways, we discover that turning the other cheek keeps us from getting caught in a brawl, that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and that dying to self is life at its best.

After all, His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8), and I’ve come to realize that His ways are always best!

When we’re transformed and made brand-new

We see things differently;

What once seemed right we now abhor,

And wrong we clearly see. —Sper

What may seem upside down to us is right side up to God.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Like A Hypocrite - 1/26/2011 - What a Powerful word on Today ..

Ray Stedman told about a young man who had stopped attending the church Ray was pastoring. The young man said that when he was at work he would sometimes lose his temper and treat co-workers poorly. Then, when Sunday rolled around, he didn’t want to go to church because he felt like a hypocrite.

Stedman told his young friend, “A hypocrite is someone who acts like something he isn’t. When you come to church, you are acting like a Christian. You are not a hypocrite at church.” Suddenly, the young man realized where he was being a hypocrite. He recognized that the answer was not in avoiding church but in changing the way he was at work.
The term hypocrite is from a Greek word that means “play-actor.” It means we pretend to be something we aren’t. Sometimes we forget our true identity as believers in Jesus. We forget that we are accountable to God. When we do that, we live the way we “once walked” (Eph. 2:2) and thus are hypocrites.
Let’s not let our old ways make us act like someone we’re not. Instead, through God’s grace, let’s live in a way that shows we are “alive together with Christ” (v.5). That’s a sure cure for hypocrisy.

Consistency! How much we need

To walk a measured pace,

To live the life of which we speak,

Until we see Christ’s face. —Anon.

It is the inconsistent Christian who helps the devil the most.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Another new creation - Wind Chime Scarf

Made with Loops and Threads - Impeccable

Worsted - Pop art Ombre #02010

and Pumpkin #01630 

Model Tameka Shipman-Cash

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

I'm really in Love with this creation - My Burgundy and Grey effect.

 This was made with Thick and quick yarns .. a size 13 needle and it took me about 30 minute, what a Quick and very nice project .. used leftover Yarns to make tassel.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Some Crochet Projects finished..

 This is Monica's scarf - Cami effect....love it...

 Trying really hard to make these flowers... I'm gonna get it... watch.. I'm not going to give up....more to come....

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Biblegate way verse of the day! Monday 1/17/2011

Verse of the day

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” - Philippians 2:14-16

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

2011 Providence 365 * One Year * My Journey * His Blessings

Providence 365 defined:

Providence \ˈprä-və-dən(t)s, -ˌden(t)s\
1 : a often capitalized : divine guidance or care b capitalized : God conceived as the POWER sustaining and guiding human destiny
2: the quality or state of being provident
365 = Days in a year
2011= A Full Year of His Blessings
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Providence 365:
We are excited to introduce Providence 365 for the 2011 Calendar Year. Providence 365 is the opportunity to journey through the year, growing in your individual faith walk and discovering His blessings that surround you. Each Sunday, we will provide a Bible Verse – His Word - as your weekly prompt. From there, we encourage you to use that verse as your guide for the week. Reflect on the verse, open your eyes and use all of your senses to find how that verse is truly applicable in your own life. Grab your camera and capture a picture or two and create a layout as a tangible reminder of His Love and Providence.
Your layouts:
The options are unlimited. Simple & Clean, Shabby Chic, Grunge, the choice is yours. Each week’s layout may be unique or you may choose a single template to use throughout the year. Let this journey reflect your personal style. (If you digi-scrap, while certainly not required, we encourage you to use the wonderful papers and elements that Faith Sisters offers in our store)
Your photographs:
Take at least one picture a week on this journey and use it on your layout. Some of you may choose to take a picture each day. Let the bible verse lead you throughout the week. Open your eyes to all of His blessings. His Hand is everywhere. We pray that our Bible Verse and prompt will guide you and allow you to see even the smallest of blessings in your life. My journaling Book (Below)

Your journaling:
Your layouts should again be reflective of you. Maybe you are gifted at the written word. Write away. Let the focus of your journey be in print with only one or two pictures. Perhaps you are a gifted photographer that has the eye to capture those perfect images that tell the ‘whole story’. In that case, you may choose to keep your journaling to a minimum.
A few Journaling Prompts to get you started:
• I saw God’s hand of Providence this week in:
• I was blessed this week by:
• Today, God blessed me with:
• We will share more ideas for journaling throughout the year.


There is no right or wrong. Providence 365 is your journey. Allow us to provide a starting point each week for personal reflection and the opportunity for you to open your eyes and see His Hand – His Providence in your life.

We encourage you to subscribe to the Providence 365 Forum for weekly updates. (forum and gallery will be available shortly) If you are an email subscriber to the Faith Sister Blog, you will receive an email update with the current week’s Bible Verse and Focus.

Throughout the year we will share a freebie or two with participants to use on your layouts. But even more than a freebie, our hope and prayer is that through Providence 365 you will grow in your walk and your faith while creating a legacy to pass on to others.

Your first Bible Verse prompt will be provided on Sunday, January 2nd . So the obvious question is, what about January 1st. Your layout for January 1st will be your cover page. Take a picture (or use a favorite photo) that shares a glimpse of where or how you see God’s hand in your life. Have fun with this layout.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit.