Sunday, August 22, 2010

Being Attractive...

I had a fun Stampin' Up party on Thursday... I think it went great! My parents are here visiting with us for a long weekend... it is good to have them here.

This is a birthday card I made for a lovely friend of mine that loves butterflies!
Philippians 1:9 says, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,” or in the KJV the word is “judgment”… is this talking about discernment of how we choose to live our life… to know what is righteous… to know what is pleasing to God??? I like to look up verses in other translations, in verse 11 of this same chapter I read in the Message translation in verse 11 they used these words, “making Jesus Christ attractive to all”… that hits the nail on the head! I am to live my life in a way that makes being a Christ follower attractive!!! I shouldn’t be a whiny or bitter or complaining or Sunday-only Christian… I need to seek God out daily to give me what I need in my spirit to live a life that is attractive to others and draws people to Christ, not drives them away from Christ. That should be my focus always… not always how it turns out but that is to be my focus. I pray for the Word to be soaked up in me until I have enough to pour it out on those around me… let me be a "full sponge" for the Lord… let me be filled and rung out for God each day that I am blessed to walk this earth. This is the desire of my heart... to make Christ attractive by the actions of my life… I want to be a representative that draws all men to Him… He deserves the glory and praise of all creatures of the world.

Better get ready for church... have a blessed Sunday! with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

True Love...

Sorry it has been so long again... summer has been fun-filled and busy... which is a good thing. My hubby and I went away for a few days last week to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  We had such a nice relaxing time.  Here is the card I made for my sweet hubby:
I am so blessed with such a loving man of God... God is so good that He gave me a hubby that compliments my personality perfectly... and let me tell you that has to be an act of God. *Ü*

I also had the opportunity of created a card for a 70th anniversary... yes, 70 years! That is almost not heard of anymore.  A friend from church asked me to make this card for her in-laws.
I had bought this shiny metallic 12x12 paper not knowing what I would use it for and then this was perfect for it.  The words on the front say, "True Love Stories Never Have Endings."  I hope this couple has many more years to celebrate... maybe I will be asked to make their 75th???

I have lots to do today... I have family coming to stay for a few days, so I have a little cleaning to do. My sister, Renee, the SU demo, is coming to do a party for me and my friends on Thursday... so excited. If you are in the area... you are welcomed to come!

Thanks for sharing a little part of your day with me! with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

God is Greater...

Some days I just feel like I am really hearing the voice of God in my life and then other days I am deafened by the silence… I know God stays the same, so I know it is me. Do any of you have that problem?… I would think any human being does. I know that some days I seek after God more than other days… I let myself get off track by circumstances and distractions around me... people just going on about stuff that is not important in the scheme of eternity.  I am not saying that in a condemning way, just speaking real life. The great thing is God knows my heart… He knows me way better than I know myself.

I love these verses in I John 3:17-21 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” I have TRUTH living in me… that does not waiver from feeling to feeling… that does not change as my emotions change. I am a fairly emotional person, so I am so amazed God gave me all these emotions as a very important part of me, but He also gave me His Truth to be able to control my emotions and not act or react based on my emotions. I don’t always find that very easy to do, so on the days when I “feel” off track I just need to hang on to the Truth I have living in me.

I have a journal to share with you today... I made this for my hubby. I used embossing folders with the Cuttlebug, heat embossing, and I cut the Fleur De Li's out on my Cricut.  He seemed to really like it.
Well, that is it for today... with a grateFUL HEART, carin