faith, – Page 2 – Through My Eyes

Early Mornings Crafting

I love it when I wake up early. Everyone else is asleep, and it is just me and God. I talk to him like I would talk to not just a Father but a best friend. He gives me inspiration.

Guess what I am creating?

It makes you wonder how God must have felt in those early days of creation. Could he have felt the frustration of imperfection if there was any one thing that was not quite right in His eyes?

My Dad used to say to me, “You never finish anything.” I do finish most things I start with my crafts, art and in life however I am so picky because I am always trying to get that one thing just right that I forget that its sometimes okay to be a little imperfect!

I’m okay with being imperfect. One of my favorite tees bears this slogan “Under construction – a work of God” and I wear it proudly.

Break away from life and take the time to create something or just to have a little talk with God. He listens, doesn’t judge, and sometimes even gives you a little nudge!

Have a great weekend!

A Needle and a Bible

There are two things I keep within reach of my bed, a needle for cross stitch and a Bible. Why you ask, because on sleepless nights, they both come in handy. I sometimes wake up feeling nervous and reach for my needlework. The rhythm of making the stitches is calming, and I soon relax enough to fall back to sleep. The Bible I keep on my night stand for those nights when either I have had a stressful day or when I wake up and need the comfort of my Lord.

In the Bible in the book of Matthew Jesus references a needle when he says in verse 24 “And again I say to unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”. Some people have said that the needle eye referred to was a gate that camels passed through; however, I believe that it should be taken more literally.

If you look around in the chaos world we are living in, it is primarily driven by money. Most crimes are tied to money. Our society is categorized by our wealth or the lack of. The biblical reference is not something to be ignored. If a rich man places money before God, his chances are slim of ever seeing the kingdom of God. You need to serve only one master, God.

Yes, unfortunately, we need money to survive, but it is the lust of money that will lead people down the wrong path. We are at a crossroads. There is a right way and a wrong way. Which path have you chosen?

In this spiritual war, we have to be conscious of where our decisions will lead us. Have a wonderful day.

Vintage Movie Review – War Room

A few weeks ago, while in a thrift store looking for some denim for a craft project, I picked up the movie War Room. I had heard of the title but had no clue as to what the movie was about, except it was made by the creators of “Courageous” a popular Christian-based movie.

Without giving all of the movie away I can tell you it is a powerful movie about a broken marriage and how one elderly woman and God help to put the pieces of a young couple’s marriage back together.

The war room is a closet in the house of an elderly lady whose husband has passed. The closet had been emptied of all clothes and accessories and replaced with a lamp, Bible, and notebook. To find out what happens in the war room, you will want to watch it on your favorite streaming service.

The movie was made back in 2015, but the tools it teaches are badly needed today by a lot of families.

Watch War Room and see how God works his way through this family to heal it.

Good Morning God

Some of my best moments early morning. While I am still in bed, the birds are singing, and everyone else is asleep, I grab my cross stitch and start my Amazon music with some glorious praise music. It’s important to start my day with God.

While I am stitching, my body and soul are at peace. Both add balance to my life. As I age, I find my spirit becomes stronger as I draw closer to Him.

The stitching provides a rhythm in synch with the music. I guess you could equate it to a spa treatment for the soul.

Get in touch with God if only for a few moments. Those moments will accumulate. Walking and praying also work. It makes the most of those otherwise useless moments.

Have a wonderful day through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Fist Of Faith

While casually watching TV yesterday, the program we were watching was interrupted to play a video of the Pennsylvania Trump rally. I didn’t think it was unusual at first until you could hear the sound of gunfire and see President Trump grab his ear and fall to the ground. It was funny that in that moment, my mind flashed back to the Kennedy assassination.

While the events had a different outcome in that moment, it almost felt the same. I didn’t even like Kennedy, but it was the shock of what happened that paralyzed America. There was one common denominator. In both cases, the targets had very controversial political histories.

The point is, however, this should not have happened under any circumstances to any president. Regardless of your political views or affiliation, it is time to stop the violence. Regardless of the current political drama, it is time to stop being afraid, put criminals where they should be behind bars, and move forward with our lives.

In the midst of being taken off the stage with a bloody face, President Trump threw up his fisted arm to let everyone know he was okay. He felt it was important to continue on with his busy schedule despite the threat of possible further injury to himself.

We have to be strong of faith not just today but every day. When a bullet scrapes across your face and you walk away, it is no accident it is divine intervention.

It is way past time to unite all people. It is possible, and with God’s divine hand guiding us, this nation can change for the better.

Music, Guitars & God

Don’t let the title throw you off because God always comes first! While I sit in my office strumming the old guitar, it takes me back to 1994 when my husband and I set out for Nashville. We had been invited out to take part in a talent showcase. It wasn’t a contest buy a chance to sing and play on a TV show and just have some fun.

My husband was a talented singer back then but didn’t have any serious thoughts about getting into the music industry. I was playing a 12-string guitar but had some vocal damage, so I only sang backup.

We decided to accept the opportunity to go to Nashville and took it as an adventure. We were in our forties, and our kids were out of the house. With a meager income, we could only afford to stay a few days, so we were going to make the most of it.

We did the showcase, and my husband got the opportunity to sing at a local club. We talked to producers and did some sightseeing during the day and sang at night. My husband cut a CD, but we decided the music industry life was not for us.

While we could have made it work, God has reminded me over the years that we made the right decision. While talking to producers, even then, it was all about the money. It wasn’t about talent! Today, it is even more obvious.

Sometimes, the simple life is the best life. While retired, now music is still valued, but at least it doesn’t control my life. God does.

Value the important things in life, faith, and family. Have a great day.

Be Happy…Even If You Think You’re Not!

When you get up and take a breath each morning, thank Jesus and be happy. It’s easy to be happy when things are going your way, isn’t it. We’ll, I say to you, be happy on those days that aren’t so great.

When you’re running late for work and your friendly local police pulls you over, be happy your law enforcement are doing their job to keep you safe.

When you step out your door and trip over the cat, be happy you needed a new shirt anyway.

When someone close to you has passed away be happy they will soon see the Kingdom of Heaven!

We all have emotions and things that happen in our lives on a daily basis that could and should make we us less than happy. Here’s the thing, the devil wants you to be unhappy. He wants you to be as miserable as he is. Now, if you know me, you know that I love to see him angry, so I just keep on being happy! When you laugh in the face of evil, all is well because God wins!

Is it easy? No but then living a positive life is not easy but is well worth the effort. I have a friend who has battled cancer multiple times but is still grateful because she knows she could have died the first time. She is happy for the little things in life and for those days without pain.

We are all broken. We all struggle with complex issues of daily life, but it is how you handle those days that makes the difference. Turn those negatives into positives. Yes, you can moap around and feel sorry for yourself, or you pray and reach out and touch the hand of God and feel at peace. GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU THAN he that is in the world.

Begin your day today with a prayer and a smile. Come on, you can do it.

Have an awesome day.

God Moments

Some people call them God Winks, I just call them God Moments. You know what I’m talking about, those unexplained moments when just the right thing happens at the particular time that it I’s needed. It is no accident.

In this video by Conner Smith, he talks about those God Moments.

Cherish these moments, don’t question them just accept the beauty of God’s work. Don’t be mislead by evil when God is just a fingertip away.

The Heavenly Father knows when we need these little moments to uplift us, to reassure our faith. There are a number of passages in the Bible that mention things God did in just a moment.

It doesn’t take an hour or a day to honor God, just give him at least a moment out of your day to honor him.

Have a blessed day.

The Value Of Prayer

When asked by the Disciples how to pray, Jesus responded to them with the Lord’s Prayer. It was heartfelt and spiritual. He knew what to say to His Father. He didn’t hesitate or stumble with his words.

A lot of people grew up like I did and were taught to pray at bedtime and at church. I say to you, pray daily and often. I pray in bed, in the shower, on the toilet, and particularly when I am out walking.

Some people like the Disciples question what to say. He is your Heavenly Father just talk to him like a father! I often stumble if I am praying for or with someone or a group, but in private, I just spill out my heart to him.

The value in prayer is limitless! To Him All things are important. It doesn’t have to be polished. It’s a conversation. Jesus listens to every word that is spoken. He hears your cries and your joy.

My walks with Jesus are particularly fulfilling as it is an opportunity to have that conversation and enjoy the beauty of his creation.

Here’s a conversation in song…

Pray in a way that is comfortable and compassionate. Our world needs prayer now more than ever.

Have that conversation today and every day.

Don’t forget to like, share, and follow. Have a blessed day.

Keeping It In The Rows

The title is a country phrase that has been used a lot in my lifetime. I can’t say why other people use it but I picked it up growing up and working in tobacco. If you ever drove a tobacco harvester you know you had to drive it between the rows.

I guess you could say the same applies to life. In order to maintain balance we have to organize the things that are important in ours lives and not allow the garbage to overflow!

While I have been retired now for almost seven years, I don’t miss the hectic pace. I don’t miss juggling work and play when I can just.”play”.

While there are even now tasks I hate like taxes, but I am still able to do them. Certainly I try to offset that task by doing something fun afterwards.

Keeping the garbage to a minimum is key. While yes you should keep up with current events, you are not part of it so absorb what you need then throw out the rest and move on.

If you make God the driving force in your life it is easy to keep it in the rows. There won’t be as much garbage falling in your path. His light will always be available to you. You do not have to live in the dark.

Live in the light. It’s awesome.