Can God use little old me to draw others to Himself?

Greetings everyone, as I near the end of the book I mentioned in my last post “Lead me, Holy Spirit”, I find myself feeling a bit sad.  I enjoy my morning devotionals and looking forward to the next chapter in this amazing book.  I will give it back to my friend Carolyn next week when we meet for coffee, since she is the one who lent this book to me to read.  I know she too will be blessed by it as much as I have been.

In the last few weeks I have noticed that the Holy Spirit is truly alive and well in me, I find myself praying more, even during the day while I am trying to get things done around the house.  I find that my attitude about housework has changed, which is very unusual because I clearly do not like or enjoy housework.  But, now I am doing it unto the Lord and believe it or not, that changes things.  I am more aware of my actions and words.  See, when the Holy Spirit comes to reside in you, your life will never be the same.  I am experiencing it first hand and I can honestly tell you that is something to sing about and give God praise!

The last part of the book talks about how God can use us all.  Even if we are not that well educated, can speak in front of a large crowd, or have great social skills.  The book says not to be afraid of what the Holy Spirit might do in and through you.  Be afraid of what your life will be like if God’s will is not done.  That is a very sobering statement which truly makes us search out motives, actions and how we view God’s will in our lives. See, the Holy Spirit will always lead us toward wholeness and spiritual maturity.  The main reason God does that is not only for our greatest good, but also to bless others.  God wants to use us to help others and point them to Christ.  But because we think we are not fit to do that, we will make all kinds of excuses like “I can’t speak that well in front of others”,  or “I am shy”, “I don’t want to offend anyone”, or the best one which I know I have used myself is “I am not comfortable talking to others about spiritual things”. Forget all that, God is going to equip you for anything that He has for you to do, did you hear me I will say it again, He’s going to equip you, isn’t that awesome!!! Can I get an Amen anyone?

If you truly want to be used by God and be led by the Holy Spirit, I want to again encourage you to keep in the word, and to possibly pick up Stormie Omartian’s book or other books out there that speak of the leading of the Holy Spirit and how to listen to God.  It will straighten your faith and encourage you to be bolder in your sharing of what He has done in your life.  If God could use the Apostle Paul, who was Saul and he was an executor of Christians, he can certainly use us – now can’t he?

Today in the craft department I want to share a very cool pattern of my adorable re-cycled Diet Coke Angel ornament.  She is made from a leftover diet coke can that you cut out and then hot glue together.  She has heart shaped wings and holds a bright star in her hands.  You will love making her so check out the hub with all the detailed instructions and make lots of these for family and friends.  Blessings and until next time – God Bless!

 

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!!! 

When God seems to be silent - He's really not!

Greetings everyone, I just got back from a trip to Missouri, where all of my sisters and I got together for a whole week.  It was to celebrate my sister Beatrices' 50th birthday, believe me she doesn't look it. My sisters Beatrice and Rosemary both live in Belton.  My two other sisters, Gloria and Irma also joined us and flew in from Corpus Christi, Texas.  It was so good to see them and spend time with them for the whole week.  While we were there my sister Rosemary became a great grandma – a title I do not wish to have yet.  But Ayden her new grand baby is adorable and I was blessed to have been able to see him and her family.

We didn’t do a lot of sight seeing, but the time that we did have together was priceless!  We played cards and watched movies and cooked meals for each other – those are the best times for sure. We visited a beautiful museum in Kansas City, it's a gorgeous city with so much history it's unbelievable.  

I spent a lot of time with my sister Beatrice, because I stayed with her in her apartment while I was there. Gloria and Irma stayed with Rosemary. Beatrice is also a very crafty lady.  She wanted me to teach her to knit, so I did.  Now she is very excited to begin new projects as she becomes more comfortable with knitting vs. crocheting.  She creates some beautiful crochet projects and I know she will be awesome as knitting too.  It was such a blessing to spend time with her and all my sisters, God is good!

Today I want to focus on the times that God is silent, or at least seems to be.  The times when we pray and nothing happens, when we need him the most and he does not seem to be there.  I want you to recall the story of Joseph from the bible.  He was sold to slavery by his older brothers remember?  All during the time that he was a slave, God was silent, Yet Joseph never lost faith.  I believe it was about 13 years before Joseph saw God’s plan unfold in front of his eyes when Pharaoh made him second in command of Egypt.  

Joseph suffered greatly in the hands of others, and none of his own doing as a matter of fact. He was thrown into prison because Pharaoh’s wife wanted to have sex with him, but he did the right thing and refused her.  Yet, Joseph did not get bitter, he just kept doing what he thought was right.  That is such an inspiration to me, even when his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites he wasn’t bitter with them when he finally saw them again and forgave them for what they did to him. This is totally awesome to me.

So it is clear that God’s silence is in no way indicative of His activity or involvement in our lives.  It is a hard pill to swallow at times, but let me assure you  He is working out His plan in our lives. It is how we respond to those trials and adversities that will determine the outcome.  Then there are times when we maybe guilty of judging God’s involvement in our lives by how favorable or unfavorable our circumstances are.  As long as things are going good, we have absolutely no doubt that God is with us, taking care of us, providing and protecting us at all times.  But as soon as something goes wrong that is not in our favor, we may think:  Lord, where are you?  Why is this happening to me, why haven’t you paid attention to my needs here?

God’s involvement is measured by two things, 1st the development of our character and 2^nd, by the fulfillment of His plan for our lives.  In Joseph’s case, he spent 13 years facing one adversity after another, trial after trial.  Yet God was involved every step of the way, it may not have appeared that way to Joseph at the time.  But it was through those adversities that God was accomplishing His will.  He will do the same for us in our lives, if we choose to do the right thing, no matter how it feels. If we never loose faith, and we keep trusting Him with all your heart!

God Bless you!! 

How to stop feeling guilty even after we know we are forgiven!

Top of the morning to you all.  It's so good to be here and share what God has been showing me in my life lately.  I have been reading a very informative book by Dr, Charles Stanley called the "Gift of Forgiveness", highly recommended I must say.  Today I want to talk about forgiving ourselves. In the book it talks about that very process and I wanted to share it with you today.  For instance, if you are still carrying guilt for something you did years ago, even after you have asked God to forgive you, this maybe the case and you have still not received that forgiveness.  I want to assure you right now that you can get rid of that guilt once and for all.  In his book Dr. Stanley explains four easy steps to take to make sure you receive God's amazing forgiveness, with the power of prayer.

If you get the chance read the entire book, it is fascinating and explains in great detail the actual act of forgiveness and how freeing it can be.  Harboring unforgiveness whether its for another person or ourselves will keep us in bondage. By forgiving ourselves we are free to live the life that God wanted us to live all along.  Then we will be at peace with God and ourselves as well as others. We will be able to share his amazing love and be a better witness for Christ and the Gospel.

So here are the 4 steps that you can take followed by a simple prayer to our Heavenly Father God to confirm and release yourself from whatever it is that has been making you feel guilty or condemned.

1.  Recognize the problem.  We must recognize and acknowledge that we have not
forgiven ourselves.  We must come to grips with the fact that we still hold ourselves
in bondage. 

2.  Repent of Sin.  We must repent of that sin for which we cannot forgive ourselves.  We must
tell God that we realize that our unwillingness to forgive ourselves is not in keeping with His
Word.  We must thank Him for His forgiveness as we confess our sin to Him. 

3.  Reaffirm trust.  We must reaffirm out trust in the testimony of Scripture:  "As far as the east
is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us". 

4.  Confess freedom and choose to RECEIVE it!  We must confess our freedom and choose to
receive it freely. 

Prayer:  Father, I realize I haven't forgiven myself and am in bondage because of it.  Now I am
reaffirming my trust and faith in Your Word, and on that basis, by an act of my will, in faith, I here
and now forgive myself because you have already forgiven me and I accept my forgiveness. 
I choose from this moment on to be freed of all which I have held against myself.  Please
confirm my freedom to me by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.   Amen!

Now onto the crafty side of me......here is a link to a cute free pattern for my crochet towel tops. It's an easy pattern and you can use one towel, cut it in half and make (2) for the kitchen.  Give them as gifts to family and friends they will love them.  Hope you enjoy!

Until next time, I am off to visit my 4 sisters in Missouri this coming weekend for my sister Bea's 50th birthday.  I am so excited and can't wait to see them...pray for no tornadoes or hurricanes to be in my path.

Blessings!

Oh, here are some of my newest cross stitch samplers to check out as well.........:) If you want to see more info on these click on the pictures and it will take you to Shop Delighted!

Happy Mothers Day all of you moms out there!

Mothers day is a sad day for my mom unfortunately.  I love her so much but every mothers day when I call her to wish her a beautiful day and tell her how much I love her, she always gets very sad.  See she lost her mom (my grandma) when she was only 2 years old.  This is so sad to me and she always begins to tear up when she talks about it. She didn't know her mom at all and grew up with a step-mom who was not always kind to her.  So today, I just want to say "Mom" I love you so much and hold you so dear in my heart.  I hope your pain of loosing your mom so many years ago will one day be replaced with joy when you see her in heaven.

Now, to all you moms out there I want to wish you the best day ever - may God's face shine upon you and warm your heart! May you be able to spend time with your children and family and be treated special as you so deserve.  I will be going to spend my weekend with my daughter Michelle in Seattle.  I am so excited because the time spent with her is so precious and I do not get to see her as often as I would like.  She is my amazing talented graphics designer who works at Amazon and I love her so much.  I also have two amazingly handsome and talented sons, both are married with awesome families that I adore and love too.  I am a blessed child of God and am so grateful to have such a beautiful and loving family.  Thank you Jesus!

Now I want to introduce some of my new "sampler" type of cross stitch patterns.  The first one in the photo is my Mom Floral Sampler which is absolutely gorgeous with the words "Mom another word for Love".  That is so true and today I pay special tribute to all you moms for being there for your kids when they needed you, for being there for your husbands when they whine, and for loving each of them even in days when they are unloveable!!!! Amen

Be sure to check these out now available at my Shop Delighted Store....where you can instantly download the patterns........happy stitching!!!

Announcing Jackie's Needle Art Mania......awesome cross stitch and needlepoint resource!

I am very excited to announce that my cross stitch patterns are now featured at Jackie's Needle Art Mania!  Do check out her website, it is filled with every kind of needle craft you can think of, including cross stitch, stamped cross stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, crewel, knitting and felting.  She sells the pattern charts and kits as well as supplies for every project on your list. She is only carrying some at the moment but I know she is adding more all the time!

Next time you are looking for a pattern for your next project, make Jackie's the first place to go. I know Jackie would also welcome and appreciate a prayer for her husband Jim, who has cancer it would be a blessing to the both of them. 

Well, until next time, hope you enjoy the website and my posts!  Definately more to come very soon.  Blessings to you all!

Here are just some of the other patterns she offers including mine of course - cheers!

La Vierge - needlepoint

Olivia Counted Cross stitch

Guardian Angel by Lavender & Lace