Five Minute Friday – Settle

Many new and experienced writers,
mostly women, join this write-a-long.
If you want to read what others have written
or join in the fun, click here

Settle – to make a final decision about (something)

go

‘Settle’
the word brings to mind this scripture.

1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace,
who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect,
stablish,
strengthen,
settle you.

This scripture is my heart’s desire:
to be complete in God’s eyes
to be consistent and reliable
to be strong by confessing my weakness
and allowing God’s strength support me
to be firmly founded upon the Rock.

As Christ instructs, a wise man builds his house upon a rock.

stop

Settle you –
Cause all to rest so evenly
and firmly upon the best and surest foundation,
that ye may grow together to a holy temple in the Lord:
in a word,
that ye may be complete in all the mind that was in Christ;
supported in all your trials and difficulties;
strengthened to resist and overcome all your enemies;
and after all abide,
firmly founded,
in the truth of grace.
Clark’s Commentary

Parts cut and pasted, italics mine,

 

Published in: on March 31, 2018 at 4:15 am  Comments (6)  
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Three on Thursday (or Friday) – Three Wicks

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
I get to house/dog sit for my Son and his wife.

So for 4 days I get enjoy 3 things.

I live in a 27 ft Recreational Vehicle.

Space
A treat.

Solitude
A quiet bigger treat.

A real Toilet
The biggest treat of all.


Joker, who is quiet,
most of the time.

Linking with Carole’s Three Things

Published in: on March 30, 2018 at 3:20 pm  Comments (4)  
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Maker’s Monday – Madness

Jeannie Gray said
” It’s Makers’ Monday. Tell me all about what you’re making.”

Moods of Change is waiting under the table,
looking resentful as I am playing with Mandela Madness
instead of working on Red and Grey.

I found Mandela Madness by wandering around
the lovely crocheted projects
I keep seeing on Facebook.
(Aren’t you glad it’s spelled with 8 letters instead of 2 sets of 4)

I searched through my tub of dishcloth cotton
to see what I could use in my play.
I like to try new patterns with dishcloth cotton because
I can see the stitches
I love the soft colors
It is a firm yarn
It is cheap.
The biggest negative is it does not give/have stretch.

Helen at Crystals and Crochet designed this Mandela Madness.
Look here
It’s All in a Nutshell made incredible videos of the crocheting round by round.
Look here
I fell, hook, yarn and pattern.

Part 2, row 22


Isn’t she pretty

My box with colors waiting.
I don’t know how far I’ll go,
as I don’t have enough yarn to do the whole beautiful thing
but some day I would love to complete the ‘Madness”

Look!
See what finally arrived in the mail.

A new book filled with lovely crocheted and knitted items.
Socks and shawls and cowls and afghans
and a baby sweater and
the reason I bought the book:
A Bear in a Bunny Suit

I bought the grey and spring greens and blues on Saturday
from Rumpelstiltskin, my second favorite yarn shop in Sacramento.

Moods of Change in Red and Grey
is in the basket under the table in tears.

Joining with Jeannie here.

Published in: on March 26, 2018 at 3:41 pm  Comments (2)  
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Sunday Bible Reading

Romans 6:20-23
For when ye were the servants of sin,
ye were free from righteousness.
What fruit had ye then in those things
whereof ye are now ashamed?
for the end of those things is death.
But now being made free from sin,
and become servants to God,
ye have your fruit unto holiness,
and the end everlasting life.
For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

‘A man may Merit hell, but he cannot Merit heaven.
The apostle does not say that
the wages of righteousness is eternal life:
no, but that this eternal life,
even to the righteous,
is The gracious Gift of God.
And even this gracious gift
comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He alone has procured it;
and it is given to all those
who find redemption in his blood.
A sinner goes to hell because he deserves it;
a righteous man goes to heaven
because Christ has died for him,
and communicated that grace
by which his sin is pardoned
and his soul made holy.’ Clarke’s Commentary

Published in: on March 25, 2018 at 4:15 am  Leave a Comment  
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Five Minute Friday – Routine

Many new and experienced writers,
mostly women, join this write-a-long.
If you want to read what others have written
or join in the fun, click here

Routine –
commonplace tasks, chores, or duties as must be done regularly
regular, unvarying, habitual, unimaginative,
performed as a regular procedure rather than for a special reason

Go

When I try to meet with routine
instead of greeting with open arms.
I lay down and die.

No one knows how hard it is for me to have
a getup – dress-wash-make bed routine,
a weekly to do it list, or
time to stop and get ready for bed stuff.
I still have to think about doing all the little things;

I’ve thought:
“it is rebellion”
but I’m not a rebellious person
“when I feel like it, I will”
but some things just don’t come with feelings
“I’ll do it later”
I’ve been crowned duchess of procrastination.
“I’m not worth the effort”.
What kind of lie is that!

But as I read the definitions
I realize I was looking at the
regular… commonplace… ordinary…
as having little worth or benefit

What if I did none of the routine chores?
My life and I would look like chaos.

Big things,
Important things,
I see as being for the Lord.
I ask for His special help and grace
but for the little things
that need/should be done daily
“they are of little consequence”
“no one will know if I don’t”
“no one comes over so why bother to”

What does God’s word have to say?

Luke 16:10
He that is faithful in that which is least
is faithful also in much:
and he that is unjust in the least
is unjust also in much.

SELF!
Stand up
Dust off your clothes
Take a deep breath
Begin to routinely live for God’s glory today.

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do [whatever your task may be],
work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort],
as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,
knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men]
that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward.
It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
Amplified Bible

Remind me, Lord.

stop

Scriptures and Picture added

Published in: on March 24, 2018 at 3:13 pm  Comments (12)  
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Three on Thursday – Favorite Scriptures

For over 50 years,
God’s Word has been a light upon my path,
a comfort in the dark night,
a towel in the raging storm,
a restorer of my soul,
and a rock on which to build.
I would not be the person I am today
without the influence of the Word of God.
So today I chose my three favorite scriptures.
Each one became part of me
just when I needed another proof of God’s Love.

I love this picture of stacked Bibles,
the New Testament on has ridden in my purse since 2002,
the red one is 20 years old,
given to me by my children; and goes with me to church.
The black Bible supporting all the rest,
belongs to the Farmer,
a birthday present, May, 1979.

1.
Psalm 91:14-16
Because he (she) hath set his (her) love upon me (God),
therefore will I (God) deliver him (her):
I (God) will set him (her) on high,
because he (she) hath known my name.
He (She) shall call upon me (God),
and I (God) will answer him (her):
I (God) will be with him (her) in trouble;
I (God) will deliver him (her), and honour him (her).
With long life will I (God) satisfy him (her),
and shew him (her) my salvation.

This is how I read these verses.
I own them, they are mine.

1968
I was 19 year old.
I celebrated my first wedding anniversary 3 months earlier.
I had 12 days before given birth to our first daughter,
3 pounds 6 ounces, 9 weeks premature.
I was very ill.
The Doctors gave me a week to live.

I had set my heart on the Lord.
I knew His name, He is my Father.
I needed God’s Deliverance.
I needed God’s Answer.
I needed God’s Presence.
I needed Life from God.

God gave me everything I needed.

2.
Psalm 18:30-32
As for God,
his way is perfect:
the word of the LORD is tried (or sure):
he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
For who is God save the LORD?
or who is a rock save our God?
It is God that girdeth me with strength,
and maketh my way perfect.

1987-88?
I am home from the hospital.
I have endured my 6th miscarriage.
I am lying on the couch,
again in tears,
again asking ‘Why?’
again watching my dreams
‘fall through my fingers as grains of sand’.
again holding my Bible.

And once more God gave me everything I needed.
God’s comfort.
God’s strength.
God’s way and plan perfect in my life.

3.
Malachi 3:6
For I am the LORD,
I change not;
therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

1996
Our second daughter leaves her home.
Times were troubled.
I did not think she was ready.
I knew I was not ready.

Along with this verse, I was given a song.

Yesterday by Ernie Haase
[Chorus]
Yesterday things were different
Today they’re different again
Jesus will never change
Jesus is always the same

The sparrow will find a new dwelling
The eagle will change its nest
But I’m holding on the changeless One
And I’m leaning on His breast

The river will change, change its course
The mountains may crumble and fall
Time will leave its mark, they say
Upon us one and all
[Chorus]

My relationship with my daughter has been restored.
God’s Comfort.
God’s Presence.
God’s Reliability
God’s Strength.
God’s Way and Plan perfect in my life has not changed.

Open your Bible, today.
Oh, the treasures you will find.

Linking with Carole’s Three Things

Link to Yesterday     Goosebumps

Published in: on March 22, 2018 at 12:19 pm  Comments (2)  
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Maker’s Monday – on Wednesday

Jeannie Gray said
” It’s Makers’ Monday. Tell me all about what you’re making.”

March 14
All ordered yarn is here.
4 skeins of grey
6 skeins of variegated reds, grey, black

Back to Moods of Change,
designer Frank o’Randle

Starting with row 50
after ripping out the grey
to use the variegated as per the pattern.

By Monday 19
rows 50-54 with variegated
rows 55-57 with red
(row 57 consisted of 594 double crochets)
rows 58-part of 62 grey
(row 59 boasted 648 single crochets and
108 single crochet 2 together)
were completed.

Let me tell you this afghan is getting heavy
and there is no room for a dozing cat on my lap.
The cats cannot understand this.
The lap just looks cozier
with all that lovely yarn as a cushion.

Linking with Jeannie Gray and other Makers.
Ravelry link Red & Grey

Published in: on March 21, 2018 at 6:42 pm  Comments (1)  
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Three on Thursday – Three Trips


Trip of Reunion
Last weekend my daughter-in-law and I traveled to San Diego area.
She had lost contact with her special needs brother.
So after about 20 years, they were able to reconnect,
Special sweet moments.
Complete relief finding him safe and happy and cared for.
Thankful for a safe round trip from Sacramento,
God’s unseen care and protection
and being able to attend a worship service with God’s people.


A Yarn’s Journey
Colorful Yarn for Life of Spice afghan
didn’t reach its greatest potential
by my uneven tension.
Re-balled for another trip.
I tried 2 different star patterns,
nothing would shine.
Today the yarn waits in its pretty white mesh bag
while I try to find directions for . . .


Red and Grey Continues its Trip
Due to a yarn shortage Red and Grey
had to wait for US Mail to deliver.
All the yarn had arrived.
Red and Grey breathed a sigh of relief,
waiting was over.
With hook in hand and row to-be-done found
chains, single crochets, half double crochets,
extended half double crochets, double crochets,
extended double crochets and treble crochets
mixed themselves together smoothly with ease.

No new pictures relating to blog,
so will add pictures of current flowers.

Linking with Carole’s Three on Thursday here.

Published in: on March 16, 2018 at 4:41 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Makers’ Monday – A Couple Day’s Late

Jeannie Gray said
” It’s Makers’ Monday. Tell me all about what you’re making.”

A couple days late . . .

I worked very diligently to get this afghan
finished for gifting by Saturday.
I finished the rows,
crocheted the edge,
and wove in all the ends.
I spread it out on the bed
and saw this wobbly mess.

The double crochet rows were nice and even,
but when I worked the pattern rows
my tension was tighter.
No way could I block out that problem.

Nothing to do but rip it all out.

Isn’t this box of little yarn balls cute?

I’m trying a five point star pattern,
and having to tie little balls of yarn together
to make it all the way around a row.


This Afghan, Spice of Life 2,
went to the shower with me on Saturday.

The waiting is over,
the red variegated yarn for Galaxy of Change
was picked up from the post office this morning.

Tomorrow is another day to crochet.

Linking with Jeannie Gray and other Makers.
Ravelry notes for Spice of Life 2.

Published in: on March 7, 2018 at 1:40 am  Leave a Comment  
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Five Minute Friday – Regret

Many new and experienced writers,
mostly women, join this write-a-long.
If you want to read what others have written
or join in the fun, click here

 

Regret – feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over
(something that has happened or been done,
specially a loss or missed opportunity)

GO

Spice of Life afghan

I bought the special yarn,
for the first time and
started September 26, 2015.

Got side tracked . . .
Oh look a new pattern!

February 21, 2018 started again

part 4 done
part 5 started started 2/23

finished March 1, 2018 laid it out on the bed.

Whamo! It was so wonky.

Both ends have ten rows of dc,
the middle has many rows of patterns,
tension was not the same.
Easy rows were loose and
need to be learned rows tight.
To say the least,
I did not end up with a nice neat rectangle.

My regret – not reading the pattern more closely.
The designer warned about this happening.

I love the yarn.
I love the stitch definition.
So now I will rip it back to nice yarn cakes
and find a pattern that better fits my crocheting style.

I’ve never regretted a nap,
maybe I’ll join my friend.

stop

pictures added after time.

Published in: on March 2, 2018 at 2:43 pm  Comments (4)  
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Three on Thursday – Three Circles

 

Three Circles

Welcome
I made the counted-x stitched ‘Welcome’
for my mom in 1983.
Welcome hung in her dining room
until she had to downsize
and move in with her brother.
It is not perfect.
How I agonized when I saw a mistake in the counting;
but I did not want to take out the x’s.
So I just left it alone.
Today I don’t even know where the mistake is;
I just enjoy the finished work.

Clock
Time is like that, isn’t it.
Time goes on.
Moment by moment,
day by day
until after years have past:
mistakes don’t seem so important
flaws fade into nothing
and we are left with the beauty.

Cups
Ice cream cooled cocoa
Hazelnut cinnamon coffee
Soothing peppermint tea
Healthy hot water with fresh lemon juice
Cinnamon stick stirred Apple cider

“Do you want cream or sweetener?
How about a cookie?”

All of these have been circled by my cups
without any time constraints
as I’ve welcomed my family and friends.

Linking with Carole’s Three on Thursday here.

Published in: on March 1, 2018 at 5:26 am  Comments (1)  
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