Strength

Strength is something I never thought much about before multiple sclerosis.  In fact, I was pretty proud of the fact that most people saw me as a strong woman. I was seldom ill and rarely at the doctor outside of routine check ups.   I didn't usually have to wait around for hubby to arrive home to move furniture.  I worked full time and took care of 3 young sons.  Rest was not something I found time for in my daily routine.

And no one would have called me quiet.  Quiet?  Are  you kidding me?  In a house of 3 rambunctious boys?  Never!  In fact, there was a day when I yelled to my boys, "I just want a little peace and quiet!", and without missing a beat my 3 year old yelled back, "No!  I want a piece of loud!".  Oh my!  I had to be strong to deal with that! 

But then came the days when my foot began to drag, my legs became weak and my body wanted to rest all the time.  My physical strength was gone, my spirit was weary and I had to admit that I was weak.  There was no hiding the cane, the walker and then the wheelchair.  My strong image was gone. 

But, thank God, I knew that God promised in His Word that if I waited on Him, I would soar with eagle's wings.  He promised that in my weakness, He would be made strong.  Then there is Isaiah 30:15 that says when I repent and sit in quietness and trust in Him, I will find strength.  Maybe not physical strength but I will find the strength that really matters.  The strength to persevere.  The strength to live each day.  The strength to place an uncertain future into the hands of a God who is certain..  The strength to say I am at peace and all is well in my soul.

52 Weeks of Gratitude Week 13-Happy Resurrection Day!

Hallelujah!  He is Risen!  This day is by far the most joyful of the year for me. Because my Christ was crucified, buried and risen from the dead, I can have eternal life through the repentance of my sin. 

Today's Inspired Stamps Gratitude card celebrates the beauty of the cross and the power of Christ over death, Hell and the grave.  The stamp is one of the $3.99 Single Scripture stamp:  Isaiah 30:15.  It is one that makes me think and tomorrow I will share my thoughts on it here. 

other supplies: CTMH paper, cardstock and ink. Recollections gemstone flourish, Cricut cuts (cross and journaling spot), resin flower and bird charm from stash

In Everything!

What is up with God's Word and these words that don't leave any room for wavering?  Last week we talked about God working ALL things for good.  Not good things for good or some things for good or even most things for good.  Our Heavenly Father works out ALL.EVERY. good. bad.ugly thing for...good!  Then there is this week's scripture, "In EVERYTHING give thanks..."  Why??  Because..."this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". 

Indisputable words again..."EVERY.ALL.good.bad.ugly thing...give thanks.  This means good times-thank Him, bad times-thank Him, health-thank Him, sickness-Thank Him.  Why?  Because He will work it ALL out for the good of those who love Him.  He will, He promises.  I have seen Him do it, ALWAYS and EVERY time.

God loves you my friend, thank Him in everything and someday it will all be worked out for good by your Father God.

52 Weeks of Gratitude Week 12

I must apologize for not having this posted 1st thing Sunday morning!  I don't know what happened to my brain but it obviously had a glitch:)

This is week 12 of our Gratitude journey at Inspired Stamps and we hope you are enjoying these Sundays together.  The real prize is the spiritual experience each of you will have as you continue giving thanks to your Creator!  However, we do have a prize drawing for those who post their gratitude artwork on the Inspired Stamps blog. If you haven't started, why not start this week?(you do not have to use our stamps to post)  Just upload your creation to the Inspired Stamps FACEBOOK WALL or to the Mr Linky link each week at Inspired Stamps.

We will be choosing someone who posts in March randomly to win a Spellbinders Die set and an Inspired Stamp set!  Please come back to my blog as i share my thoughts on this scripture.


supplies: Inspired Stamps $3.99 stamp, Heidi Swapp Color Magic Large Tag, Heidi Swapp  Color Magic Butterfly, HS Color Shine Tropicana Teal and Primrose, CTMH Paper, Card Base, Ink and Color Ready Ribbon

Monday Musing, Good in ALL Things?

Do you believe that God's Word is Truth?  Do you trust that God loves you and only wants His best for you?  Then this scripture should be a piece of cake to believe!  Not!  

These words are often shared with those who are in the midst of pain and grief with all the best intentions.  However, it is hard to understand or even want to believe these words when your heart is torn in two and your world is turned upside down.  It would be better to have these words ingrained in your spirit from childhood and then to recall and stand on them when those bad days come. 

I am one of those blessed ones whose parents did make sure I had His Word in my heart from a young age.  They also lived out those words in front of me and showed true faith in a God who promised to work ALL things for my GOOD.  Now, this scripture does have a disclaimer that states He will do this for "those who love Him and are called by Him".  That means I must be a sinner saved by grace and walking with Him in order for Him to carry out this promise.

Do I understand how God will turn losing a child into good?  No, I absolutely do not.  Can I comprehend the good in disease?  I can not understand with my own wisdom. What I do know is God sees FAR more than I do.  My mind is finite and His is infinite!  I view things in the present and He sees the beginning FROM the end.   I know God is love and truth and He will not harm His children. 

I can make these statements not only because of my parent's faith and experiences but because of my faith in the God who has shown me the truth in this scripture over the course of my 50 years of living. Just in my own life,  I have seen him  work the experiences of our rebellious teenager to good now that he is a youth pastor, I have seen him cause the mourning at losing the chance to adopt a child into joy of a miracle pregnancy.  He has given me peace and so much good in my disability. 

There are so many more examples I could share but I want you to remember what God has done for you. He loves you my friend and will work ALL things out for your good when you return that love!

52 Weeks of Gratitude Week 11

Here's another beautiful scripture stamp from Inspired Stamps for our 52 Weeks of Gratitude. If you joined in at the beginning of the year and made your own journal or other project and have found yourself  not keeping up, don't worry about it!  Just jump in again and join us this week.  We'd love for you to post your projects on the Inspired Stamps blog and you'll have a chance to win prizes!

I made this card using the Romans 8:28 stamp. These clear, polymer stamps make such a beautiful, crisp image with little effort.  I know this scripture is one that can be difficult to understand so I will share my perspective on it tomorrow on my Monday Musing.

Fun Products I'm Playing With!

Recently, I began working as an instructor at my local Michaels.  One of the fun things I get to do and am PAID for(!) is to demonstrate our scrapbooking products.  This Sunday  I will be showing customers the awesome Color Shine and Color Magic projects from Heidi Swapp!

These are 2 of the samples I made to show what can be done with the products.

 The card was made using a Color Magic Jumbo Tag sprayed with Color Shine Amethyst, Color Magic Ribbon sprayed with Amethyst and Chartreuse, file tab stickers and a rub-on.  The 3d stickers are by Recollections.

 

 The layout was based on one of the 101 Ideas from Heidi Swapp for Michaels.

For this, I used a a tiny bit of CM Ribbon, a sliver of a Color Magic File and Paper Butterflies all sprayed with Tropicana Teal and Primrose.  I also added a Polaroid Style Frame, a Pennant and a few bits of banner.  I'm loving the Scallop Fabric Border and spritzed Tropicana Teal on it.

If you are local, please stop in to see Heidi Swapp's Color Shine and me on Sunday from 1-3!