6 January 2012

A new year. A new slate. A fresh start.
Really?

As I pondered these things, I skimmed over my “growing journal” which contains prayers, Scripture, thoughts, questions, quotes, words on character, etc. that I had recorded over the past year.

Nearly every sentence I read surprised me. For example:

“How often do we lose heart, fear man, worry about the outcome of the current/upcoming circumstances? God is sovereign. We must not fear, but stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord. He will fight for us. We need not rattle on, but instead be silent and wait on the Lord — fearing Him all the while. [Inspired by Exodus 14]“

Humorously, it seems strange that I would be surprised since I did write them all. So, what surprised me? It was the realization that a new year does not mean “a new slate.”

The calendar year has changed, but we still have a foundation to work from.

Every area where we grew, reformed, changed, learned, etc. are still there for our benefit. They don’t get thrown out and forgotten when we flip to a new page on the calendar, each lesson needing to be learned over again. But rather we are able to take higher steps from that groundwork that has been done in the past twelve-plus months.

Isn’t the Lord gracious to give us that groundwork? To learn from the past, be sanctified in the present, and reform in the future?

Let us not forget from where we came or where we’re going.

Hello, 2012! (And thank You, Lord, for foundations to work from!)

[24] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Family, Inspirations, Life

27 December 2011

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19 December 2011

JOY, noun: The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits. Mirth; festivity; happiness; felicity.

“Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present
or assured approaching possession of a good.” —Locke

—Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

“You make known to me the path of life;
in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
—Psalm 16:11 (emphasis added)

If you find the fresh smell of pine pleasureful, you’re welcome to write with your own twigs and needles! (And if you take a picture, please share a link in the comment section – I’d enjoy seeing what you come up with!)

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[13] Comments » | Categories: A Homemade Christmas, Handmade, Inspirations, Life, The Home

9 December 2011

“Then I [Wisdom] was with Him, like a master workman,
and I was daily His delight,
rejoicing before Him always,
rejoicing in His inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.”
(Proverbs 8:30-31)

Striving, with the strength of Christ to daily:

• Work diligently in excellence with willing hands
• Delight in the Lord (at all times)
• Rejoice before and in the Lord
• Rejoice in God’s creation
• Delight in those made in the image of God

Oh, how I desire wisdom! These verses are inspiring instruction to be diligently working and evermore delighting in the Lord, rejoicing in the Lord, and loving the Lord and the work of His hands.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
(Proverbs 9:10)

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
(Proverbs 31:30)

[10] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, God's Creation, Inspirations

29 November 2011

With the first “big” snowfall arriving today, it’s beginning to look and feel like winter. The temperature has dropped to below freezing, the snow is falling in large, wet lumps from the sky and piling up, layer upon layer, on the chilly ground.

Snow sprinkles.

Boots to keep feet warm in the winter months.

Perhaps before long, our home will be tucked in for winter, just like this:

“Joy to the World” Embroidery Pattern by our Clementine Pattern Co.

.
“God thunders wondrously with His voice;
He does great things that we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
likewise to the downpour, His mighty downpour.”
—Job 37:5-6

[26] Comments » | Categories: Family, God's Creation, Handmade, Inspirations, Life

24 November 2011

“Give Thanks” embroidery pattern by the Clementine Pattern Co.

Enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends, rejoicing in the greatness of our God and giving thanks to Him…

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be glory forever. Amen.”
—Romans 11:36

[14] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Family, Handmade, Inspirations, Life, The Home

18 November 2011

Your rights as a parent are fading fast.

This docudrama briefs you on what has happened, how the government believes it can treat parents, and what you can do to help keep the UNCRC from tearing down our nation…

ParentalRights.org’s goal is to pass the following amendment to the U.S. Constitution to protect the fundamental rights of parents in raising their children:

“SECTION ONE: The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right.

“SECTION TWO: Neither the United States nor any State shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served.

“SECTION THREE: No treaty may adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this article.”

Get involved: Sign the petition, follow them on Facebook here and here, spread
the word to your friends and family, write your newspaper, call your Congressmen.
Donate to ParentalRights.org.

Protect your Children by Protecting Your Parental Rights.

[11] Comments » | Categories: Life

31 October 2011

We rose last Thursday morning to find this beautiful landscape in the mountains of North Carolina. A chilly morning, a foggy haze, and a warm cup of coffee made for a peaceful beginning to a weekend filled with delightful fellowship, encouraging and challenging messages, and rejoicing with many about the great work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel-Centered Marriages for a Glorious Church conference was a grand adventure! Photos and notes from the conference are coming soon… stay updated here.

“Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”
—Ephesians 5:24-27

[11] Comments » | Categories: Conferences, Encouragement, Family, God's Creation

27 October 2011

We were able to pick up several old apple crates from the orchard. They each will come in most handy, whether for storing fruits and vegetables, posing as a bookshelf, equipment holder for photography outings, or simply a beautifully textured prop for a photo-shoot!

See the favorite shot from this shoot here.

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[7] Comments » | Categories: Food, Inspirations, Life, The Home, Vintage