Just Around the Corner

Belinda Kersey  9/22/09

God’s Word


“I press on I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14



The Song

Press On by Selah

My Thoughts

I’ve often wondered how the Israelites felt when they finally realized that their promised land, their destination was “just around the corner” all the time they were wandering in the desert.  Instead of focusing on the goal and believing beyond all doubt that God’s promise was true, they chose to bicker, complain, and do their own thing.  Many of them never got to see the glory just around the corner.  All God asked of them was obedience and trust and to press on in His name.  



The Message interprets 1 Peter 4:12-13 this way:  “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”  


How exciting is that?  If we don’t give up and we press on then glory is just around the corner! Whose glory?  God’s glory!  My friend, we must push on, we can’t give up, the victory is just over the hill!  I can say with James in James 1:2-3 “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” We can say with confidence  “When the valley is deep, when the spirit is weak, when  the body is weary, when we stumble and fall...In Jesus name, we press on.”



Perseverance is only developed when we are pushing through a wall or struggling against difficulty.  Do you remember your biology lessons regarding butterflies?  If someone opens the butterfly’s cocoon for them so that it does not have to struggle to get out then it will quickly die after emerging.  Their struggling to break out of the cocoon that binds them, strengthens their wings and allows them to emerge majestic and beautiful, glorious and ready to fly.



God is so good to give us examples like that in nature to show us the end result of perseverance.  We have many other reminders around us; the runner never wins a race if they do not persevere.  The mountain climber never reaches the peak without perseverance.  Parents must persevere through the teen years to see their child become a mature adult. They can all say “dear Lord, with the prize, clear before our eyes, we find the strength, to press on”.



When you persevere through your struggle, you will emerge on the other side in glorious victory.  I don’t know how long it will be before God heals my body but I do know that Jeff and I can say “when we’ve given our all, in Jesus name  we press on!”


Your Response 

If you physically can, raise your hands to heaven and declare that God’s glorious victory is just around the corner.  Thank God that He has already intervened in your situation and that He is on the job in your behalf.

Inspired Stamps Giveaways

Go check out the awesome Scripture stamps at Inspired Stamps.  She is having lots of giveaways and new releases this week.  The giveaways are on her blog at:
http://inspiredstamps.blogspot.com/2011/05/sneak-peek-3-big-copicstampsetextras.html

When you comment, please tell her I sent you!!

Magnifique Scrapbook Frame

 

This project started as a kit I purchased from The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie (an AMAZING store). The original design was by one of their teachers- Annette Prudhomme.  Once I got it home though, I decided I really didn't like the paper and some of the embellies that came with it so I turned to my stash and decided the Close To My Heart Level 1 Magnifique papers I have been hoarding would be perfect.  I really love how it turned out with my changes and it is a great addition to my dining room.  Since I added buttons, I am submitting this project to the Button challenge at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com.

I loved her technique for the denim and cream felt flower.  You simply take a 1 1/2 x 12 strip of the fabric.  Fold it in half lengthwise and sew or glue the open edge closed. Once dry, cut the folded side at short intervals and then roll and glue the fabric on itself until you are happy with your flower.  The booklet is just 2 pieces of cardstock cut to fit the opening of the frame, I used waxy flax tied around the center to hold them together and then adhered the back cover to the glass with a tape runner.  For the Peacock, I used a resist technique by stamping it in Versamark and embossing it with white emb. powder.  I then used the 3 shades of ink and sponged it over the cardstock and embossed image.

Close To My Heart products used
Level 1 Magnifique paper
Colonial White and Pacifica Cardstock
Buttons
Circle of Love Stamp Set
Crystal Blue, Heavenly Blue and Pacifica Inks
Prisma Glitter
Liquid Glass
spray pen using pearl paint, water and dutch blue reinker
Colonial White Waxy Flax
White embossing powder and Versamark

Products from kit
denim for flower
felt for flower
organza flowers
velvet flowers
pins
chipboard
stamped wings
frame
hanging beads

From my stash: Brown ribbon and mod podge

Miracle Paper-Dreams Card

I considered submitting this to a magazine because I like it so much but then they announced it was "Miracle" month at www.bigredscraps.ning.com so I changed my mind and I'll share it over there.  If you've never visited Big Red Scraps, take a moment to check out all the gorgeous Close To My Heart creations.

 There's a lot going on with this card but it still gives me a serene feeling.  The main stamp set I used was the Sophia WOTG set.  LOVE these birds and related stamps.  The music stamp is from the Universal Background stamp set.  To make the bird cage stand out, I stamped it directly over the background in Black
Archival ink, then I used clear glass all over the cage to give it dimension.  The main bird was stamped with 3 ink colors and cut out then popped up with foam adhesive. 

Close To My Heart products:
Cardstock: Colonial and White Daisy
Ink: Chocolate, Moonlight, Crystal Blue, Heavenly Blue
Buttons
Stamp Sets: Sophia WOTG, Universal Backgrounds
Foam Adhesive

Other Supplies:
Blue rhinestones
White gel pen

Monday Musing-Run To Him!

Belinda Kersey  9/22/09

  

God’s Word
Psalm 121:1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?    No, my strength comes from God,  who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

The Song
Lord I Run to You by Tommy Walker

My Thoughts

Who do you immediately call when trouble comes your way?  When I was told it was likely I had MS, I immediately called my husband, then my mother, then my sisters.  When distressing news assails me, that is my normal pattern.  But lately I have thought of the words to this song “Lord I run to you.  No one else will do. Lord in troubled times I will run straight to you”.  My friend, that is exactly what we should do.  Our friends and family can offer us words, prayer or hugs when we face trials, but our heavenly Father offers us an “ever-present-help and a tower of strength.” 

Yes, a human support system is very important to have, but our help comes from “the maker of earth and heaven and there is nothing that’s too hard for Him”.  The scripture says he “guards your very life.”  I know my husband wants to guard me, but he can not guard my very life.  My mother can not “guard me from every evil.”  My sisters can not guard me when I “leave and when I return for now and always.” 

When I face trouble, pain and fear as the Lord said I would, my first response should be to cry out to Him, to ask for His help in my need.  Yes, I can then call my loved ones but after crying out to God, I can come to my family with more peace about the situation because I know  God has overcome the world. 

So often we put too much of a burden on our family and friends to lift us out of our despair.  We want them to make it all better.  We forget they are as frail as we are.  Our Lord stands at the ready, he never sleeps!  When I would call my poor husband or son in the wee hours of the morning from my hospital bed, they were not ready to comfort me.  They were deep in slumber.  They loved me but they were not happy to be awakened and they weren’t able to help me.

My Jesus is alert and ready to shield, comfort and guard me at every hour of the day or night.  I just need to remember to run to him first.

 Your Response
Read Psalm 121 (from The Message) out loud.  Make it your prayer and declaration. ^1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?    No, my strength comes from God,  who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.  ^3-4 He won't let me stumble,   my Guardian God won't fall asleep.  Not on your life! Israel's  Guardian will never doze or sleep.  ^5-6 God's my Guardian,   right at my side to protect me—   Shielding me from sunstroke,  sheltering me from moon stroke.  ^7-8 God guards me from every evil,   he guards my very life.   He guards me when I leave and when I return,   he guards me now, he guards me always.”

Tea for Mom

This week at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com, it is all about Moms.  This card is one that will remind my Mom of her recent 84 bday celebration at a local tea room.  I am so thankful to God that both of my parents are still living and on their own.  They are relatively healthy for their ages and such a blessing to our family.

Products used:
CTMH cardstock
CTMH Hollyhock, Grey Wool and Pear inks
CTMH pink crochet ribbon
CTMH Sophia journaling tag
CTMH Tea Time Stamp Set
From my stash: flower, pearl and doily

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.