Why Blog?

You know what is so great about blogging? You reach people that you would not otherwise reach! I cannot believe how many "visits" I have. And when I looked back on my blogs this morning, I had forgotten much of what happened. And although I have paper copies, called books, of all my projects, it was fun to just scroll and remember. If you have time, take a look. And guess what! I love comments!

TWAS CHRISTMAS 2015

I just finished a book in Picaboo, about our family time in CA. I am so grateful for my Scholastic Rhyming Dictionary! It seems my "story" always ends up rhyming and I know that the internet has many resources but, as you may know, I still love paper! Enjoy! And by the way, Picaboo has great specials!
Please, please, if any mistakes you see,
Keep them to yourselves--I've ordered it already!
http://www.picaboo.com/?share=17cb04f116b35026cb57c7cf039c359f&version=737085&siteID=ViaPreview 

Proverbs 31--She Must Have Been a Perfect Woman!

This morning I read Proverbs 31, as scheduled for me by Charles Swindoll. Marriage has taught him that he is neither all sufficient or totally self-sufficient. He needs his wife for support, insight, discernment, counsel, love, presence, and her efficiency. Not a crutch, but a companion and partner.

I then wondered what my Devotional Bible, Experiencing the Heart of Jesus, had to say and found these “gem” words by Linda Dillow, from Creative Counterpart. I will summarize, with additions of my own, of course!

Not much is said about make-up or aging, and as far as clothes, they were nice. But, (always watch out for the “buts” and “therefores”) her inner qualities did show in her face and stature. That goes back to my view about if you smile, no one will care about your hair.

Now the biggie: The testimony of those who knew her best—her husband and kids. Plaques on the wall for all sorts of honors can't compare with praise from my family. Back when I antiqued with my girls and I saw those framed little wall adornments for mothers, I would read them in a sing-songy way, which led to receiving them as gifts from the girls. Of course, I saved favorites from the big 2009 sale, and enjoy them yet today. I also saved all my cards since I required my kids to write a personal note in them and find immense pleasure in reading them yet today (last photo).

Linda Dillow writes that as we look at this woman in Proverbs 31, at the praise given to her, and learn about her inward character, we should be encouraged to remember that she had grown children. Her inner qualities did not appear overnight but were hammered out in the trials of life as she trusted God and obeyed Him. The writer of Proverbs 31 ends with the key to her success. “A woman who fears God is truly charming and lovely.” A relationship with God is vital!

GROW~INCREASE

This is the fourth book I have made using our photos with Scripture or song lyrics about growing and increasing in God. The other three are found in earlier posts. The first is Seeking Him, followed by Hide Me, Lord. The third is Found~Redeemed. Enjoy!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Click here to create your own Shutterfly photo book.

It's Thursday, right? Let's throw back. And forth, as in forward. When Elise was in high school, she would agonize over her hair most mornings. My response always was, “If you smile, no one will care about your hair”. Another one of my theories was that if you had enough hanging on the walls, no one would see dust. Now that I am even wiser, I have added another belief. “If you smile AND wear enough jewelry, no one will notice your hair, nor your wrinkles.” I tried it out this past Sunday. It is definitely a truth. I got quite a few comments about the jewelry and none about my wrinkles. Nor my hair. In fact, I even smiled, which added to my wrinkles! Give it a try, gals!

I finished my little domino book using the verses from Psalm 23 and photos that Lyle and I have taken over the years.

Knock, knock! Who's there?

Air conditioning became a reality for some in my youth. They were put in one's window to really cool that room and with a fan in that doorway, perhaps a little cooler in the rest of the house. Churches got AC much later, probably in my early adulthood. We photographed many weddings with fans blowing like crazy, sounding like an airplane hanger. I tell you this so I can explain this photo to you. Churches had hand-held fans with either this picture or one of Jesus praying in Gethsemane. (On the back was an ad for a funeral home which I found odd even at my young age. I will have to muse about that one sometime.)

We are learning about worship from our pastor and last Sunday, he spoke about prayer. Prayer is a personal conversation with God. Dr. Uth pointed out Revelation 3:20 as a verse that is used often for evangelism but he thinks of it as a verse about prayer. When Jesus knocks at our door, what does He want? He wants us to eat with Him. When Jesus lived on earth, the evening meal was very important. It was a time of fellowship. Relaxing together. When Jesus knocks at our door, He wants conversation with us.

On 11/23 (Desiring God) Francis Chan ended with this paragraph:

Something Has to Go

It was simple for Paul. He loved being with Jesus. “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Knowing Christ deeply consumed him (Philippians 3:8). There is no substitute for being alone with God. If you don’t have time, you need to quit something to make room. Skip a meal. Cancel a meeting. End some regular commitment. There is literally nothing more important you could do today.

God literally determines whether or not you take another breath. “He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25). Could anything be more important than meeting with the One who decides if you live through this day? Could anything be better? How can we not make time to be with the Maker of time? What plans do you have today that you think so important that you would race past the Creator to get to them?

E.M. Bounds wrote, “The devil doesn't mind people teaching on prayer, preaching on prayer, having conferences on prayer or singing songs about prayer. What he cannot stand, what he will fight against with all of his might are people who pray.”

Personally, this is so difficult many days. Everyone is busy! There will always be more needs/wants than we can do. When I was young, home décor included a photo like this. And of course, there was the Grace photo. At Huisken Designs, we sold many plaques of Bible verses. Maybe I should hang this photo in my home so I remember to not race past my Creator!