Anyone want to be led by the Holy Spirit?

Good day everyone! It's Saturday and I really meant to post this yesterday but it just didn't happen. Oh well, better late than never I suppose.  I am very excited about a few projects that I have been working on and a few of these are now for sale on Etsy, thanks to Angie who created this adorable crochet bag dispenser.  I got the idea from that and created a cute crochet wine tote!  They are nice and are a great way to take your favorite beverage over to any Holiday festivity or summer party.  So thank you Angie for that, I have consulted with her about my idea and she is cool with it.  Here is the link to her website which has the "free crochet bag dispenser pattern".  Her pattern is featured on a very cool website called "Desperate Houselife", you also should check that one out as well. We are grateful for her contribution to us crafty people.  You can also find some of my crochet "wine totes" on Etsy for sale at very reasonable prices.  So do check them out when you get the chance. I've included some photos of  some of these cuties for your pleasure below!

Now, today I want to ask that question - anyone want to be led by the Holy Spirit?  You may think it's a silly question but I do not believe everyone believes in the Holy Spirit.  I certainly do and  I am presently enjoying a book my friend Carolyn lent me the other day called "Lead me, Holy Spirit" by Stormie Omartian.  This book is from the Billy Graham Library and comes very highly recommended, at least so far it is.  I am only on the first chapter and I cannot put it down.  I read it in the morning right after I get my coffee and begin to spend time with God.  I usually go into my guest bedroom to read which has a huge window where I can enjoy the scenery.  I get to watch the wildlife outside, it's great therapy and I highly recommend that to anyone who needs to find more peace in their lives.  It's awesome!

There is a prayer in this first chapter that I wanted to share with you if you are interested in becoming closer to God, and want to experience more His Holy Spirit in your life.  She states that when you clearly recognize God's voice speaking to your heart, your life will never be the same.  The Holy Spirit is an amazing gift from God who was sent to comfort, guide, bless and protect us in our every day life.

Here is the prayer:  Lord, I ask You for a great outpouring of Your Holy Spirit in me.  Enable me "to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge" so that I "maybe filled with all the fullness" of You. I don't ever want to take lightly the fact that You have sent Your Spirit to dwell in me, to guide and help me live the life You have for me. Teach me the deep things You want me to know from Your Word.  Help me to hear the leading of Your Spirit telling me the way to walk.  Give me understanding about all You want to do in and through me.

Thank You, God, that You are always with me.  I long to know You better every day, so I ask for a fresh and ever increasing flow of Your Spirit.  I pray that You, Holy Spirit, will be at home in my heart.  Keep me from allowing anything into it that would quench or grieve You.  I don't ever want to hinder Your work in my life.  I invite You to move powerfully through me, for I know that Your Spirit in me is how You touch the world around me.  Keep me ever mindful of that as I go about my day and I am around other people.  I want to always be sensitive to Your leading.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

Many blessings to you and enjoy your summer!!!!

Mauve crochet wine tote with sunflower!

Navy blue crochet wine tote with small flowers!

Angie's adorable bag dispenser!

Do you have a void feeling in your spirit?......look to Jesus!

Greetings to you all.  What a wonderful summer day we are experiencing here on Whidbey Island.  The sun is shining and it’s going to be in the high seventies possibly eighties today.  When summer arrives on Whidbey it’s such a great time to be outdoors and just enjoying nature.  I am posting a photo of some little visitors we had in our backyard this morning, what an awesome way to wake up in the morning to find these adorable fawn grazing in the yard.  We are so blessed to live here because we see God's beauty each and every day. 

So today I also wanted to share something with you that I personally have experienced and wondered if perhaps you had as well.  It’s an empty feeling, a sense of void in your spirit, that I have felt from time to time and not known what exactly it was.  This happened to be before I encountered Jesus and now I realize just exactly what it was. But back then I sure didn’t, and felt such an unsatisfying empty feeling it’s very hard to describe.

It's like standing standing in front of the refrigerator and you take a peak inside and you are trying to find out what you would like to eat.  Ever had that happen? Sure you have, we all have.  You are not looking for anything specific but you know that you are hungry and want something that will fill the longing in your stomach.  Seems that whatever you choose, it won’t take that feeling away, because it’s not the emptiness in your stomach that’s really bothering you,  it’s the emptiness in your soul.

Whether you are looking for satisfaction of food, career, possessions, even relationships, our souls are constantly trying to get satisfaction.  But the bible says that nothing in this world can fill that void.  God created us to love Him and to have a relationship with Him. He also placed a deep yearning within us for Himself.  We may not understand what it is when we are feeling dissatisfied in our inner souls.   That is why we sometimes seek fulfillment with worldly substitutes, but disappointments and disillusionment are sure to follow.

We have two choices of menus here, one is Satan’s menu and the other is God’s.  Satan’s menu of course is long, filled with lovely enticing things that seem to promise gratification and pleasure.  Included in these things are instant gratification, riches, prominence, relationships, acceptance and recognition.  It certainly looks like the good life but do not be deceived, it’s a deception.  On the other hand God’s menu is simple and short, with only one item on the menu “Jesus”.  He is the only one that can fill that void. 

If you have not found that satisfaction yet, and are still seeking something to fill that void, turn to Jesus! Make Him your highest priority and spend time getting to know Him.  He is the only one that will satisfy – believe me I know first hand!

Blessings to you and enjoy your summer!!!