Monday Musings- Life is Hard, But God

Belinda Kersey - 8/20/2006

God’s Word

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

My Thoughts

A few days before my diagnosis, I sang this song at church. As I previously stated,  I didn't know there was anything seriously wrong with me. I just believed I was a worn out working mom and wife.  The song truly spoke to where I was at the time and I felt it would minister to many more moms and others who lived a frazzled life. The song says "you turn the key and close the door behind you, drop your bags on the floor. You reach for the light but there is darkness deep inside and you can't take it anymore. Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you but sometimes living is all you can do." Have you been there-ALL you can do is live, because your body keeps going and drags your soul along with it. The chorus continues "Life is hard, the world is cold. You're barely young and then you're old. But every fallen tear is always understood. Life is hard, but God is good." 

Wow, those 3 words-God is Good-make a change in my outlook and spirit every time I repeat them. No matter what is going on in this cold, hard world, GOD IS GOOD. If we could just get that into our very fiber we would know that all the junk in our lives is just that-meaningless junk.

Unfortunately, at that point in my life, I focused on “life is hard” and forgot no matter what the circumstances-God is good!  The song does not say “life is hard AND God is good”, it says “life is hard BUT God is good.”  My Aunt Lucille always said , if you remember those two words “BUT GOD” in all circumstances, you will realize He rules over and overrules the circumstances of every child of God. You can lose a loved one BUT GOD is with you; you can be in pain BUT GOD is holding you in His arms; you can be flat broke BUT GOD will provide.

The next verse in the song says "You start to cry cause you've been strong for so long. But that's not how you feel. You try to pray but there is nothing left to say, so you just quietly kneel. And in the silence of all that you face, God will give you His mercy and grace. Jesus, never said it was an easy road to travel, He only said that He would help you see it through. When your last thread of hope begins to come unraveled-don't give up, He'll walk beside you on this journey home. And He knows-life is hard....but God is good." 

Oh, if we could just SEE He is right beside us, walking every step of this journey and this journey in its good times and bad is a journey HOME where we will forget the worries we had on this earth. One thing about the second verse really stands out to me is where it talks about being strong for so long, but not really feeling it. One thing MS caused me to do was to admit how very weak I am. I always seemed strong, organized, together, whatever-inside I was crying. All moms know you've got to keep it together, keep it looking good. God says-"stop it, you are weak, I am strong, let ME take that load for you so you can walk on." In MY weakness, HE is strong.

Remember-Life is hard....BUT GOD IS GOOD.

Your Response

Even if you feel there is nothing left to say to the Lord, you can still sit quietly in His presence.  He will meet you whenever and wherever you call on Him.  Just take a few moments to try this.  If all you can utter is the name of Jesus then,  friend, that is more than enough

The Song

“Life is Hard, God is Good” sung by Pam Thum

Beautiful Bird

Another entry for the challenge at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com.  This month's last challenge is to use an animal in a project.  I am always drawn to birds so this is my entry.  There's a LOT going on in this card.  All paper, ink and stamps are from Close To My Heart.  The bird cage is a Tim Holtz die cut, embossing folder is Sizzix and the resin flower and skittles are from my stash. 

I started with smokey plum cardstock and embossed and sanded it.  I used Pear and Gypsy inks to make background paper for the outside and inside using the Wings Workshop on the Go stamp set.  I used Smokey Plum to stamp the bird from the January Stamp of the Month Find Your Style(avail. 1 more week!).  The heart is stamped in Amethyst and is from the Soul Mates stamp set.  The inside scripture is from Everlasting Life. 

Thanks for visiting!  Leave me some love!

Simple ATC

I am in an ATC swap with a theme of sewing and/or quilting.  We were to do a group of ATCs for 12 months.  This is my 11th one!  I know it is quite simple but I just love how it turned out.  I will probably make some cards with it.  I used patterned papers from the CTMH Perfect Day pack.  The stamps are CTMH January stamp of the month-Find Your Style.  You only have 1 more week to purchase or earn this set!  I stamped the dress form in black onto the turquoise patterned paper and then cut out just the top.  I then stamped just the bottom stand portion onto the pink patterned paper and adhered the dress form over it.  The pearls and flower ribbon are from Michaels.  I used a sponge and Brown Bag ink to soften the edges of the pink paper. 

Monday Musing-A Shield Around Me

Belinda Kersey 2007 (originally posted in Feb 2011)

God’s Word

Psalm 3:1-2 says “O Lord, how many are my foes!  How many rise up against me!  Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him”.”

My Thoughts

Notice David is not asking God “how many?”, he is telling him “GOD, do you see HOW MANY?!” I didn’t notice this Psalm until our choir sang a song based on this passage.  The first time I heard these words, set to music, I was deeply touched and could feel each word pierce my soul.

The song interprets it this way:  “Many are they increased, that trouble me, many are they that rise up against me.  Many there be which say of my soul, “there is no help for him in God”.”

On my very worst days I have that very litany playing in my mind.  MANY are against me, MANY are upsetting my life, MANY say there’s no help, no cure for me. But thank God the Psalm, the song and my litany do not stop there.  The all important six letter phrase follows: BUT GOD.  The song says “BUT THOU OH LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the lifter of my head.”   

All of the ten or so versions of the scripture, I looked up, interpret the phrase this way…”But you are a shield AROUND me.”  Now, we have all learned from childhood that a shield is something you hold in front of you.  When the word “shield” is spoken, I automatically picture a Roman soldier’s shield or a royal Knight’s jousting shield.  But read the word I capitalized one more time.  It says “AROUND”.  Now, I can’t picture the Lord jumping around me holding one little shield.  If He did, then important areas would be left vulnerable.  No, it says AROUND me. 

It also says “you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”  When you see someone using a shield in a battle scene, they really aren’t holding their head up too high above that shield because then their head would be vulnerable.  But the scripture says He lifts up my head.

Now that I have seen the movie “The Incredibles”, I can replace the shield picture in my mind.  The daughter in the movie protects her family from the enemy with a clear, impenetrable bubble that encircles them.  They are protected on ALL sides by this shield.  That, my friend, is how I now see God’s shield.  He SURROUNDS me, is AROUND me, and has me ENCIRCLED in his protection.  Because I am invincible with his shield, I can lift my head high to face the accuser and the tormentor.  

I can “cry to the Lord with my voice” and He will hear me and answer me from “his holy hill”.  I can lie down to sleep and awake again because the “Lord sustains me”.  I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side”  because the Lord is a shield AROUND me.

Your Response

Picture an impenetrable, clear bubble encircling you, your family and your home.  Thank God for His protection.  Praise Him for being mightier than your enemies.  Lift your head to heaven and proclaim He is your shield and defender against every foe that comes your way. 

The Song

“Thou, Oh Lord”  words and music by Lisa Ireland

Warm Heart Card

I made a card very similar to this back in December but when I received the Sweethearts papers, I decided to spice it up a bit.  I used the Spray Pen with a solution of Vineyard Berry Re-inker, Pearl Paint and water to get the spattered background for my stamping. I used the "A Sip" stamp set.  The spoon and steam is stamped in Grey Wool.  The cup was stamped in Tulip straight onto the cardstock.  To add dimension, I inked the stamp again and stamped it on a scrap paper then without reinking the whole thing, just rolled the edges of the stamp in the ink again and stamped on another piece of cardstock  I then cut that image out without the handle and used our foam tape to adhere it to the top of the original image.  The hearts are from the "A Game" stamp set and stamped in Tulip and Blush.  I finished it off with Cranberry Waxy Flax and a silver heart button from my stash.  The sweethearts papers will be available February 1 in our new Idea Book.

Sweet Affection Card

These sweet 3x6 cards are based on one for a  Sweethearts Gathering project.  I used papers from the Sweethearts Collection.  I used stamps from the Petite Perks "Affection" stamp set.  I used the background stamp on all three 1 1/2" squares in the top card.  In the center, I used it with Tulip ink and on the 2 outer ones I used Grey Wool ink.  I stamped the flower and word with Tulip  ink.  The center heart was cut with my Cricut using paper from the Sweetheart collection.  On the bottom card I tried my first rosette flower for the center instead of the heart.  It was super easy to make with a 1x12" strip of paper that I scored every 1/2" then joined both ends.  Pushed down in the center and hot glued a paper disk to the middle of both sides to hold it in place.I topped it with a sweet button.  All supplies are from Close To My Heart.

You and Me

I made this for my hubby for Valentines.  All supplies are Close To My Heart.  The papers are from the Wings paper pack.  The outer stamp is from the Wings Workshop on the Go exclusive stamp set and the inner stamp is from Soul Mates stamp set. Ink colors are Vineyard Berry and Black.

Love

This is a simple 3x6 card that my guests will be making at a Gathering on Saturday.  All supplies are Close To My Heart.   I used the lovely papers from the Wings paper pack as well as the beautiful Bohemian Alphabet stamps.  I used my Cricut to cut out the squares and a decorative trimmer for the edge of the light paper.  To get the two tone lettering, I simply inked the top with Vineyard Berry and the bottom with Black.  With our clear stamps it is almost foolproof to do this. I inked the edges of the squares with Vineyard Berry and a sponge.

Monday Musing-For Saving My Soul

Belinda Kersey 9/19/07

My Thoughts

When I experienced my first MRI, I was quite frightened.  The doctor informed me he was pretty certain we would find multiple sclerosis lesions in my brain.  As well, the closed MRI did nothing for my claustrophobia.  As I lay as still as could be, I had to get my mind off of where I was and what the probable diagnosis would be.

In my mind, I began to sing every song of victory and hope that I knew.  But, the one song that I repeatedly returned to simply said, “Thank you Lord for saving my soul, thank you Lord for making me whole.  Thank you Lord for giving to me so great a salvation so rich and free.”

This was not a favorite song of mine nor one I considered particularly beautiful or stirring.  However, as the day unfolded with the news I had MS and as the months of weakness and decline ensued, this song continued to play in my mind.  As I pondered the reason this particular song seemed embedded in my psyche, I realized that the words conveyed the very crux of what was enabling me to deal with this hopeless diagnosis and all of the devastating changes it was causing in my body and life. 

Without God first saving me, I would have had no hope. No hope of healing and no hope of a life free from pain.  Some affected by MS suffer depression and suicide. Without Christ’s salvation, I could never hope to be whole. Without this great gift, I would never be free of the fear of my disease. 

I am so very thankful for God’s salvation of my soul.  It gives me a purpose as I awake each morning from dreams of running and am confronted by my wheelchair.  His salvation gives me hope of being healed miraculously or of a miraculous cure being discovered.  His salvation enables me to believe if I am never healed on this earth, then I can still live a life content in Him.  His salvation offers me hope in a victorious life He has planned for me both in this world and in the eternal one that follows.

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross comes to us freely offered and richly abundant for all.  With His saving grace, He offers us a life of meaning no matter the circumstances.  He offers comfort when our way becomes more than we can handle.  He gives mercy to us that is new every morning.
 

Your Response

Have you experienced Jesus’ saving grace?  Have you come before him and asked him to live and rule in your life?  If so, thank Him now for his salvation.  If not, just take a moment to do so.  You truly have nothing to lose and so very much to gain.  Simply ask him to forgive you of any sin in your life and invite Him to live within you. Let Him know you believe He is alive and waiting for you to take this step, confess that without Him you are nothing and with Him your life becomes everything He planned it to be.  Welcome Home child of God!  The angels are dancing and singing over your salvation this very moment.

The Song

“Thank You Lord” words & music by Mr. & Mrs. Seth Sykes

Simple Card-color challenge

Heart2Heart Challenges is back and better than ever at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com.  They have a new challenge to use Pear, Sky and Colonial White with a bit of Sorbet thrown in if you want.  Since I have been feeling a bit puny this week, I wanted to try my hand at just a sweet, simple card.  Then my order arrived from Close To My Heart with our soon to be released Petite Perks stamps and our new Craft Cardstock.

I made a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card from the Craft paper.  I cut a tiny hole in the bottom side of the fold of the card and threaded through a Colonial White ribbon then knotted it to the side.  At first I thought I would stamp a whole background piece for the front of the card and just let a bit of the craft paper show as a frame.  However, while stamping the deisgn, I decided I liked the idea of just a portion of the color and a large  "white space" of the Craft paper.   I started with Colonial White cardstock and stamped the background stamp in Crystal Blue Ink (I didn't have Sky), I then stamped Love in the center in Pear.  I did not like the white spaces the stamp left for this project so I used a blender pen to fill in the space with more Pear and then covered it in Liquid Glass to make it stand out more.  I stamped the hearts in Pear and the flowers in Sorbet.  I used Liquid Glass to adhere "skittles" to the center of the flowers.

The cute little heart at the top is stamped in Pear and sponged with Crystal Blue.  It was made to cover a little accident that occurred when I discovered the Craft paper really shows thumb prints if you're hands aren't COMPLETELY dry/clean.  Accident or serendipity,  I like how it finished off the card!  BTW this cute little powerhouse of a stamp set  is yours free in February-just ask me how!

Wings Canvas and Candle

I had so much fun creating these 2 items for my bathroom!  I absolutely love the way they turned out.  The candle was not my idea.  I can not remember whose video I  watched to learn how to do this technique-I apologize!  Anyway, the candle is one I picked up cheap on clearance.  I cut the CTMH cardstock from the Cricut cartridge "Cindy Loo".  I then wrapped it around the candle and started on one edge with a heat gun and shot the candle with heat for a few seconds and then pressed the paper in to the softened wax.  I went all the way around until it was secured.  I decorated it further with pearls, ribbon and pearled hat pins.  I finished it off with a butterfly stamped with the "Find Your Style" stamp set from CTMH (only available through the end of the month).  I wrapped the middle of the butterfly with embroidery floss.

The canvas started out white.  I sprayed  on a mixture of Vineyard Berry re-inker, Pearl Paint and water mixed in our Spray Pen.  I then adhered a strip of paper from CTMH's "Wings" paper pack.  I printed the quote on a piece of vellum and adhered it with our cute little button brads.  The shoe and corner butterfly were stamped and embossed in black-both from the January "Find Your Style" stamps.  I sponged various colors in the blank spots and then added sparkle with our Glitz glitter glue.  The center embellishments are from our Wings Stickease.  I finished off the canvas with our ruffled ribbon and black lace from Michael's.  Let me know whatcha think!  I have plans to make 2 more small canvases and a large one to coordinate with this one.

Monday Musings-In His Hands

Hi everyone, I am making a different post today than usual.  When I started this blog, it was always my intent to have "musings" on it-thus the name!  However, my paper obsession took over and I never seemed to find the time to post my writing.  I have written a devotional book but have not had the power (money) to publish it.   I've decided that I will put a chapter from it every Monday on my blog.  It is my sincere desire that my words will touch someone's heart out there in the blogosphere.  My book is called "When Words Fail, Music Speaks".  I am a vocalist and music is another passion of mine and Christian songs have touched me and sustained me through many struggles the last several years so songs are the starting point for each of these writings.  When available, I will post the full song for you to hear.  Please let me know what you think about my Monday Musings.

My Thoughts-  Written by Belinda Kersey 1/07/07  Writing a month-long devotional book has been in my heart for about 4 years but I believe it began on the day my doctor told me he “thought” I had multiple sclerosis.  I saw him in September 2001 with a complaint of blurry vision.  He sent me to an ophthalmologist, who couldn’t pinpoint the problem, so he sent me to a specialist who sent me to another specialist.  I really wasn’t too concerned, I just figured it was a temporary or repairable problem.  But I was about to learn the truth to this line from the song,  “Life can be so good, life can be so hard.  Never knowing what each day will bring to where you are.”  By late November 2001, my legs weakened.  I tried to ignore it until I was in our backyard trying to gather up herbs in my garden before a freeze arrived.  I walked with difficulty and actually staggered around the yard like a drunk. 

This finally caught my attention so I made an appointment for the day before Thanksgiving.  Dr. B asked me if the eye specialists had determined my eye problems.  I told him, “no and I was scheduled for a retina test the next week”.  With a look of concern, he told me I could cancel that appointment because he thought it was optic neuritis from MS.  I was shocked.  I expected him to tell me that I needed vitamins and a little rest, not I had an incurable disease.

Unfortunately, he could not schedule an MRI for me since it was the day before a holiday.  He told me to “go home, have a good Thanksgiving and try not to worry.”  Yeah, sure doc!  When I got in the car, the tears and prayers started.  As I drove home, this song came on the radio.  I completely believe God sent it to me at the very moment I needed to hear “My life is in your hands,  my heart is in your keeping.  I'm never without love not when my future is with you.  My life is in your hands And though I may not see clearly, I will lift my voice and sing”. The words I’ve repeated through the  last several years have been “Lord, I know, my life is in your hands.”

My friend, if you are going through a time where you “can't see that whatever comes (your) way.
(God will ) be with (you)”. I want you to know you can find your way, yes,  you will find your peace.  You can know He will meet your every need.  Don’t ignore the One who has your life in His hands, turn to him in your time of trouble!

At times, my journey with this disease has been difficult.  I was hospitalized within 3 months of my diagnosis unable to walk or control my bladder.  I left a job I loved and declared full disability.  I had many hospitalizations, surgeries and physical therapy in the ensuing years.  But, I can say with certainty “when I'm at my weakest (He will) carry me.  Then I become my strongest in (His) hands.”  

 Your Response

Let your heavenly Father know you believe He holds your life in His capable hands.  Tell Him your fears and ask Him to replace them with His peace.  Thank Him for turning your weakness into strength.

First Video-Wings LO

OK, so I know this isn't the greatest but it is my FIRST ever and so please be kind:-)  I will work on a "real" video soon!  Constructive criticism welcome here:-)

1st Video Sneak Peak

Hello everyone!  I am hoping to post my first video this week and wanted to give you a sneak peak of the layout I will be showing.  Stay tuned!

Wonderful Wings!

 

I really love our January sneak peak products at Close To My Heart.  These are a select group of papers, embellishments and stamps available to you in January taken from our 2011 Idea Book that will be released on February 1.  When you purchase the beautiful Wings Workshop in January, you will be eligible to purchase other items at a significant savings.  

My favorite item is the January Stamp of The Month Set featured in the artwork above. It is yours FREE when you buy the Wings Workshop on the Go and any 4 items (some under $6) in the Inspiration brochure.  Go see the beauty and savings for yourself at https://belindak.myctmh.com.