My Shepherd

Belinda Kersey 7/9/07
God’s Word
Psalm 23

My Thoughts

Sometimes I think it is a pity that the original music to the Psalms are not included in the Bible. I would love to know how the music director interpreted the music to the words of the Psalmist. However, in God’s wisdom, He knew all music does not transcend the generations but it is His Word that will stand for all time.

One Psalm that is precious to every believer is Psalm 23. I have heard it sung in many styles but one version has become meaningful to me. Juanita Bynum speaks the words in a way that embeds them in my soul. I’ve learned to personalize the words for any situation I find myself in as she speaks and sings them. The Psalm will truly dwell in you when you do the same.

Many years ago the song became a prayer I cried out to the Lord. My husband, Jeff, was going through a particularly shaky time at work. I know the following words were heard and answered by the Lord. The Lord is Jeff’s shepherd, he shall not want-because you provide for him. He makes Jeff lie down in green pastures, He leads Jeff beside still waters, and He restores Jeff’s soul-even though there is turmoil surrounding him. He guides Jeff in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake -even though he is one of the few to stand for an ethical workplace. Even though Jeff walks in the valley of the shadow of death-of his job, Jeff will fear no evil-or firing, for you are with Jeff, your rod and your staff comfort Jeff. You prepare a table before Jeff in the presence of his enemies-his profane & corrupt boss. You anoint Jeff’s head with oil, and his cup overflows-you will restore to him his raise. Surely goodness and mercy-and your favor Lord-will follow Jeff all the days of his life and he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. AMEN!

It took many months, but God answered the cries of my heart. The corrupt boss was fired, Jeff retained his position and received a retroactive pay raise. God is faithful and just-pray this Psalm to Him with your situation in mind, whether you are faced with disease, danger or other need, He will answer the call of His children.

Your Response
Take time to write out Psalm 23 and insert your name, needs and prayer just as I did Jeff’s. Read it out loud to our wonderful Shepherd.

Butterfly Card-Brayer Technique

This sweet little card is for my mother's 84th birthday.  She absolutely loves purple so I knew that would be the prominent color.  However, I didn't have any purple paper and didn't want to buy more!  So naturally I turned to my Close To My Heart stamps, cardstock and brayer!  I started by inking the brayer with 3 shades of purple ink and then rolled it across a sheet of white daisy cardstock.  Then I used my Fill in the Blank stamp set dor the butterflies.  After cutting out the butterflies, I inked the edges for definition and added the pearls and gems in the center.

For the card base, I used a sheet of Colonial White cardstock and random stamped the flowers.  I also inked the edges.  The green center paper is from the Wings paper pack and is random stampoed with a tiny bud.  I punched out a circle and stamped the 1st sentiment and then cut out a rectangle for the 2nd. I used foam adhesive just in the center of the butterflies to give them some dimension.
Happy birthday Mom!

Close To MY Heart Supplies:
Colonial white and Daisy White cardstock
Pear paper from Wings
Pear, Amethyst, Gypsy and Hydrangea ink
Fill in the Blank Stamps

Sophia Stamps
Foam adhesive

Brayer
Circle Punch

other brand: rhinestone and pearls from my stash

Toad-ally awesome winner!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in the Toadally Frogs Blog Hop and thanks to Karel for hosting!  I sooo appreciate all the sweet comments and the new followers!  I hope you will return often.

Here's the winner of my Toadally Frogs Blog Hop candy:

jennyplace2 said...

Happy Easter to you and your family! Hope your day is filled with family and friends. Thanks for putting on such a totally fun blog hop and sharing your talent with us all. Hugs Jenny

I will email you right now to get your addy and then get your "First Class" stamp set from Close To My Heart into the mail for you.

Free to Dance

Belinda Kersey July 20, 2008

God’s Word
“Christ has liberated us into freedom. Therefore stand firm and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1


My Thoughts
As I sang this song in joy, I looked out across the congregation. Unfortunately, it appeared some did not seem to share my exuberance for God’s freedom. I know I shouldn’t judge what is in the heart of the people who sat with arms folded while the choir and worship team and most of the congregation sang with thankfulness for our freedom in Christ. But I couldn’t help but think those folks couldn’t possibly know the meaning of the words to the song.

How can you sit still when it is proclaimed “I am free to run, and I am free to dance. I am free to live for You. I am free, yes, I am free!” I want to jump from my wheelchair every time I hear this song. In the privacy of my home, when “I Am Free” comes on the radio, I will make sure my wheelchair is behind me and there’s something I can lean on in front of me, then I will stand for a few seconds at a time and sing this song at the top of my lungs. I do not have to sit in my chair and lament all that I can’t do. I can sing before God and call out to Him the things He has enabled me to do and the things He will enable me to do. In Christ I am free to run. To run in my spirit straight into His sustaining arms until the day I can run tall and on my own.

To the human eye it must be quite a sight to see me in a bent stance, with arms out to catch myself lest I fall, while I sing my head off. I hope to God’s eye it is pleasing to see me stand in faith. I pray the enemy sees my defiance in the face of disease. This wheelchair does not keep me from the greatest freedom of all. I am free to live for Christ no matter what state I am in. If I find myself bedridden and unable to move, I will still be free to pray to Him and to praise Him.
I let God know I am positive “through You the blind will see, through You the mute will sing, through You the dead will rise. Through You all hearts will praise, through You the darkness flees, through You my heart screams 'I am free'”. I add my own words, words I know will happen soon, “through You the lame will walk!”

Dear friend, we have freedom in Christ no matter what chains seem to bind our feet. I can dance in my wheelchair as I proclaim my freedom in the hands of a mighty God. In my heart I am running in the freedom of Christ. I can live every second he has given me for His glory no matter what condition I am in.
He is the God of miracles! He opens blind eyes and breathes a voice into the one who was mute. He lifts the lame to their feet and death trembles when he walks by. I’ve heard it said that Jesus had to use Lazarus’ name when he commanded him to come out of the tomb because if he hadn’t, every dead soul in that burial place would have risen! That is the kind of powerful freedom our Lord offers! His voice brings life to death and brings freedom to the bound!

Some of the most meaning filled songs are so very simple. This song consists of a handful of words but it evokes vast amounts of emotion in my soul. Although I am physically dependent on this wheelchair, I have made this a song of declaration. When I sing this song, I am speaking the things that don’t appear to be possible as though they are fact. Someday, I know they will be.

In Christ, I am free to dance. To dance in my innermost being before Him from the sheer joy of being His child. One of these days, through Him, the darkness of this disease will flee and I will stand tall and healed through His freedom. One day I will join countless others and dance before His throne.


Your Prayer
Declare your freedom today from whatever binds you. Speak in faith that you are free from________.

Toadally Frogs Blog Hop

Welcome to the Toadally Frogs Blog Hop!  We have un-frog-gettable crafters hopping along! If you came here from marvelous Michelle Petrovich at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs, then you are in the right spot!  If you just happened to find us, and want to join in the fun, hop on back to Karelj's Blog at www.kareljcreations.com to begin at the beginning.  I want to say thank you so much to Karel for allowing me to join in this fun hop!

I chose to use the fab frog from the Create-A-Critter cartridge.  This is such a fabulously fun cart!  I used papers from Close To My Heart's Miracle pack.  The musical paper for the crown was from my leftover drawer.  I had to add the googly eyes from my stash-they add the right whimsical touch. The title was stamped with CTMH Moonlight ink and our wonderful Bohemian stamps. The gorgeous flowers, butterflies and jewels are from the folks at Creative Charms.  I inked all the edges in CTMH Indian Corn Blue ink and in my journaling added  the stamp "un-frog-gettable" from My Pink Stampers "More Puny-licious" stamps.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.   Leave me some love and get in a drawing for a free CTMH stamp set.  Now, jump on over to the very talented Calie at Calie’s Creative Corner

1. Karelj at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2rbxT1d7die9aVPiTP_d94g/karelj.blogspot.com/ ME!

2. Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2nOB9emLSTPLRuvkHb1oVkw/www.touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/

3. Michelle Petrovich at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2s8gFeN6HVJiyKL-6bfqd7Q/peanutbutterandjellydesigns.blogspot.com/

4. Belinda Kersey at Queen Bee’s Musings at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2AmJcIZY1B4y84HFt5WKJJQ/www.queenbeesmusings.blogspot.com/

5. Cali Romero at Calie’s Creative Corner at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f24BfS8QuxbW-jjQCcQ_rTNQ/www.caliescreativecorner.blogspot.com/

6. Nicolette Simpson at Beyond Scrapping http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2GXmG2j9OIU1KeKbkrdLNGw/www.beyondscrapin.blogspot.com/

7. Bonnie Cantu at A Scrap Above at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2mJwhhudPlczddTcAdqCPTw/ascrapabove.blogspot.com/

8. Lisa Gorlewski at Lisa’s Paper Butterflies at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2MuxzxRK6muuCNeZJDb6EXg/lisaspaperbutterflies.blogspot.com/

9. Jamie at Glitter, Paper, Stamps, Oh My! http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2UxlWnt451pGgqqst7pVKhw/jamieisacraftymomma.blogspot.com/

10. Diane Davison at Crafting This Moment at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2oFPKxRbq6TuT1EN0BIaLvw/craftingthismoment.blogspot.com/

11. Krista at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f29tbN2EcZ-X1PDEDg7fIQLA/www.scrapaleupagus.blogspot.com/

12. Gina at Gina Thornton Stamping http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f27QoRo7dxqtu09SzedGsZxw/ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com/

13. Stephenie at SS Crafter at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2x4WRcKSyamjWUrvoh_qYIw/www.sscrafter.blogspot.com/

14. Rebecca Maddux at Creations With Becka at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2_Q90NQsS0msgI1mfTBDkLg/www.creationswithbecka.blogspot.com/

15. Kathryn at Creations By Kathryn at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2-Lu5Ou7Xu-okXPDdVIlgbw/wamfamily.blogspot.com/

16. Summer and Jennifer at The Cricut Diaries at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f24bny7VqRnSNgqeKtqeiiEA/www.cricutdiaries.blogspot.com/

17. Mistyrose at Sweet Magnolia Rose at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2dW6TH75UI0cPxvU22JYJAg/sweetmagnoliarose.blogspot.com/

18. Melissa Allore at Disney Dreamer Designs at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2WlvfJDuDoq4BEmWkK0q5DQ/www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com/

19. Patti Hurlburt at Short ‘N Scrappy at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2dYWdhlIH84Z1pcQmbNzgnw/www.shortnscrappy.com/

20. Colleen McCauley at Col’s Creative Corner at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2vwKLIFVRLKPd1zeuTpVjrA/scrappycol.blogspot.com/

21. Janice Anello at Cricut Confessions at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2FSC0Urofwe71nIh318DmhQ/www.cricutconfessions.com/

22. Leah Pagliaroli at Leah’s Card Designs at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2vq6n93HQWgPjD-qZstO9Yw/leahscarddesigns.blogspot.com/

23. Audrey Roseman at Life Is Beautiful at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2ENiuhi2oXYzSlcsnJcaRmg/audreyscardsbydesign.blogspot.com/

24. Ellen Jarvis at Card Monkey at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2RRZfcNemjGJMyKEPRieRgA/www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/

25. Mallika Kejriwal at Miss Not So Good With Words at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2kymF7lu79Zk9S_0-Sb9zGw/www.missnotsogoodwithwords.blogspot.com/

26. Inga Klaus at Momma Hobbit Creations at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2SsKpPVZjnNhKomd8X4z_zg/mommahobbit.blogspot.com/

27. Brynn Thornburgh at Flair and Frills Creativity http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2x3ehE9sMCZ-0QxBqCT2uIQ/www.flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/

28. Kristal Andrews at Getting at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2L3bM3wrIS3CXMEEECprInQ/www.gettingcricky.com/

29. Monica Edwards at Scraps To Treasures at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2naejIuDOrxPzd-Ci8VoMLQ/www.http//scraps2treasure.blogspot.com

Monkey Candy Box

 

I made this for a sweet little 8 yo boy I know who has just had surgery to remove a brain tumor.  Please say a prayer for him and his family.  Things do seem to be looking good at this point. 

I got the idea, to reuse this acetate box, from www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com. They are having a reduce, reuse, recycle challenge this month.  This box began life as packaging for a roll of vinyl.  I wrapped it with 2 strips of CTMH paper from the Sophia and Caboodle collections. I edged the paper with our awesome Kraft Color Ready borders.  They are the most versatile and cost effective items we carry!  The monkey was cut with the Create A Critter cart with my Cricut using CTMH cardstock.  The sentiment stamp is from My Pink Stamper. I wrote his name with a CTMH marker on one of our Canvas buttons.  These can be stamped on as well.  Of course, I had to add some fun googly eyes from my stash!

Hope you'll think twice before you throw away packaging again!  I just keep a bin under a table to throw all my reusable packaging in.

H2H Bunny Blog Hop

  

The ladies at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com are starting a Bunny Blog Hop today.  You should head over there and check out all the fun Easter ideas or add your own Close To My Heart Easter project.

I made these cute little treats for my fellow Scrapbook Divas for our monthly Scrapping Bee at our church yesterday.  I found these clear pails on clearance at Container Store.  They are filled with colorful candy that pairs nicely with the cute Caboodle paper (retired) from CTMH.  The scallop rounds were cut with our punch out of our current Miracle paper.  The bunny was stamped using "A Hop" stamp set in Sorbet ink. The ribbon is also retired.  The sentiment stamp, flowers and rhinestones are not from CTMH.  

Leave me some love and have a blessed Easter!