Thoughts of Grace

Yarn Along – Taking Turns

On Wednesday’s knitters go to Ginny’s to share all the wonderful projects being worked on, finished, frogged, cried over, and learned from. They also tell what they are reading and a little of the storyline or provoking thoughts. I think it is great. So many books, knitting ideas and hints on how to make knitting more enjoyable

This past month I organized my WIPs, those presently I’m most interested in knitting, in a topless box right by my chair. I began to knit rotating from one project to another, making some progress, ripping some because stitch count was off and I couldn’t figure out where, enjoying the variety and actually finishing one (it’s a Christmas gift, don’t tell my girls they would be shocked).

The finished – Emily’s cowl – it’s not blocked so the edges are curling. I really like the way the Zauberball, blue/black shading and the Cascade Heritage silk, lime green, contrasted, yet worked together.

I’ve spent the most knitting time on Moss Garden Shawl. I’ve started the second skein of yarn and am on the 6th repeat of eight. Looking closely today before taking a picture I found this second skein is generally lighter than the first. sigh. My quandary do I rip back and re-knit using two skeins to blend in the lighter one or just leave it? I already know the answer, I can’t leave it this way. I wanted a coffee look for a coffee loving friend and the colors will be perfect if blended.

I think a round knitted afghan is one of the best baby gifts. I started this one in April and ‘little boy’ was a year old on June 28. My needles put up a hue and cry – that boy needs his afghan! What my needles don’t understand is that it has 104-109 for the past 5 days. I got busy on the afghan anyway and now have 7 of the 12 sections done. I take about one and a half to two hours per section, so it will be done this week, I hope.

Squint. . . Can’t you see the waves?

WendyKnits Summer Mystery Shawl 2013 is delightful to knit. Since I’m sharing my knitting time with others, this shawl is not as far along as I would like. Peeking at the ‘spoiler’ pictures, I’m going to love my finished shawl.

Apothecary’s Daughter by Julie Klassen is the ‘paper’ book I’m reading. I saw this book on some one’s blog (sorry don’t remember whose), now it’s my turn to read it. I’m listening to Die Trying, a Jack Reacher story by Lee Child. Jack Reacher is all the storybook heros rolled into one.

Many knitters/readers can be found here.

Links are to my Ravelry notes.

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on July 3, 2013 at 7:45 pm Comments (2)

July 3, Today’s thought – Suitcases of Guilt

Sticky notes on the cross list sins
the Blood of Christ cleansed from our hearts.
The pile of bags represents the burdens we carry, good and bad;
Christ says “Come unto me . . .”

Good Morning

Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV

Do you carry a load of guilt?
So many do.
If our spiritual baggage were visible, you know what you’d see?
Suitcases of guilt,
bulging with binges,
blowups, and compromises.
The kid with the baggy jeans and nose ring?
He’d give anything to retract the words he said to his mother.
But he can’t.
So he tows them along.
The woman in the business suit that looks like
she could run for Senator?
She can’t run at all.
Not hauling that carpet bag wherever she goes.
So what do we do?

In Psalm 23:3 David said it like this, “He leads me in the paths of righteousness.” The path of righteousness is a narrow, winding trail up a steep hill. At the top is a cross. At the base of the cross are bags, countless bags full of innumerable sins. Calvary is the compost pile for guilt. Would you like to leave yours there as well? Max Lucado

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. Amplified Bible

Casting the whole of your care
[all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all]
on Him,
for He cares for you affectionately
and cares about you watchfully. Amplified Bible
1Peter 5:7

What is weighing you down. . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on July 3, 2013 at 11:22 am Leave a Comment
Tags: 1 Peter 5:7, Baggage, Come unto Me, Matthew 11:28-30

Ten on Tuesday – Hamburger Toppings

On Tuesday’s Carole hosts ‘Ten on Tuesdays’.
She chooses a topic – we list ten items.

10 Favorite Burger Toppings.

Grilled Hamburger on a Toasted bun

Miracle Whip

Mustard

Ketchup

Lite Lettuce

Always tomatoes

Dill Pickles

Grilled red onions or onion rings

Bacon

Avocado or Guacamole

Grilled mushrooms

Swiss Cheese

LOTS of Napkins

My favorite fast food burger is at ‘In and Out.’
They don’t have all the toppings, but it is good and fresh.

To get more topping ideas click here.

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on July 2, 2013 at 9:11 am Comments (2)

July 2 – Today’s thought – Strength for Thee

Cucumbers, just picked!

Good Morning

Psalms 68:35
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places:
the God of Israel
is he that giveth strength and power unto his people.
Blessed be God.

The Lord imparts unto us the primary strength of character which makes everything in life work with intensity and decision. We are “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). And the strength is continuous; reserves of power come to us which we cannot exhaust.
“As they days, so shall they strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25)—
Strength of will,
Strength of affection,
Strength of judgment
Strength of ideals and achievement.

“The Lord is my strength” to go on.
He gives us power to tread the dead level, to walk the long lane that seems never to have a turning, to go through those long reaches of life which afford no pleasant surprise, and which depress the spirits in the sameness of a terrible drudgery.

“The Lord is my strength” to go up.
He is to me the power by which I can climb the Hill Difficulty and not be afraid.

“The Lord is my strength” to go down.
It is when we leave the bracing heights, where the wind and the sun have been about us, and when we begin to come down the hill into the closer and more sultry spheres, that the heart is apt to grow faint.

“The Lord is my strength” to sit still.
And how difficult is the attainment. Do we not often say to one another, in seasons when we are compelled to be quiet, “If only I could do something!”

When the child is will, and the mother stands by in comparative impotence, how severe is the test!
But to do nothing, just to sit still and wait, requires tremendous strength.

“The Lord is my strength”
“Our sufficiency is of God.”

~~The Silver Lining

Exodus 15:2, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 118:14

Lean on His strength. . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on July 2, 2013 at 4:28 am Comments (2)

July 1 – Today’s thought – Recognizing Jesus

This section of the garden has spaghetti squash,
butternut squash, cantaloupe, Krenshaw melons
and watermelons with sunflowers standing guard.
This picture was taken by the Farmer from on top of the trailer.

Good Afternoon

Matthew 14:21-32

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Keep Recognizing Jesus

The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, bu Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and ‘walked on the water.’ then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.

We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding your are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “. . .why did you doubt?” Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance on Him. . . .
from My Utmost for His Highest~~~Oswald Chambers

Recognize – Identify (someone or something) from having encountered them before; know again: Identify from knowledge of appearance or character:

Can you recognize Jesus . . . Today?
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on July 1, 2013 at 2:22 pm Leave a Comment

Sunday Bible Reading – Matthew 13:44-46

Two plantings of Corn

Good Morning

Matthew 13:44-46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Buy it . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in:

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on June 30, 2013 at 9:32 am Comments (4)
Tags: pearl of great price

June 15, Today’s thought – Yielding

View at the table on the deck.

Good Morning

John 15:1,4,7
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Fruit comes from living in God.
It is the result of His life flowing in us,
of our yielding to His power;
not of our trying and struggling to be good.
In the Waldensian Valleys in Italy some of the vines are grown on huge wooden crosses–and in September they are a beautiful sight laden, with grapes. The branches are stretched out on the cross, and so get every drop of rain, every ray of sun. I do not suppose these branches are conscious of he cross, as such as they are of the warmth and life, and joy of fruit-bearing, and is not that a parable of the Christian life?
It explains the joy and peace of the early church, even in persecution. They had utterly given themselves to Another; self was crucified with Christ, and joy and fruitfulness were the result, as it will be with us today, if our lives are hid with Christ in God. ~~S. T. Fraser

Unconditional yielding to the Lord brings us into full unity with Christ to abide in Him, and He in us, and causes us to walk humbly with Him among our fellow men. It places us in sweet fellowship with Him and His. While waiting for His glorious return we are privileged to live on His Life, nourished, fed, strengthened, and constantly filled with His Spirit and presence. Our part is just to give ourselves to Him, fully recognizing our own worthlessness, and ever abide in Him. ~~Selected.

Yield to God. . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on June 15, 2013 at 10:23 am Leave a Comment

June 13, Today’s thought – Gentleness

Good Morning

Recently a good brother in Christ went to his reward; at his memorial service ‘gentle’ was one of the adjectives used to describe him and his life. I found this devotion in Streams in the Desert, telling what it takes to become gentle.

The servant of the Lord must be gentle. 2Timothy 2:24

When God conquers us and takes all the flint out of our nature, and we get deep visions into the Spirit of Jesus, we then see as never before the great rarity of gentleness of spirit in this dark and unheavenly world.

The graces of the Spirit do not settle themselves down upon us by chance, and if we do not discern certain states of grace, and choose them , and in our thoughts nourish them, they never become fastened in our nature or behavior.

Every advance step in grace must be preceded by first apprehending it, and then a prayerful resolve to have it.

So few are willing to undergo the suffering out of which thorough gentleness comes. We must die before we are turned into gentleness, and crucifixion involves suffering; it is a real breaking and crushing of self, which wrings the heart and conquers the mind.

There is a good deal of mere mental and logical sanctification nowadays, which is only a religious fiction. It consists of mentally putting one’s self on the altar, and then mentally saying the altar sanctifies the gift, and then logically concluding therefore one is sanctified; and such an one goes forth with a gay, flippant, theological prattle about the deep things of God.

But the natural heartstrings have not been snapped, and the Adamic flint has not been ground to powder, and the bosom has not throbbed with the lonely, surging sighs of Gethsemane; and not having the real death marks of Calvary, there cannot be that soft, sweet, gentle, floating, victorious, overflowing, triumphant life that flows like a spring morning from an empty tomb. ~~G.D.W.

Choose gentleness . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in:

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on June 13, 2013 at 9:55 am Comments (2)
Tags: gentleness

Chatting on the Deck

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

How many times a week do you have a green or veggie salad?

a couple times a week, I don’t take the time to cutting up veggies
Beginnings of this seasons harvest

Do you pray? (You may skip this if you do not wish to answer.)

yes, daily

What season is your birthday? You do not need to give us the date.

Summer – August, my favorite season is fall.

Do you have dinner guests often, every now and then or not at all? Wendell says he can be there for dinner as quick as a wink!

not as often as we use to due to space issues

Could you describe yourself as a DIY- Do It Yourselfer?

I am a do it myself knitter.

Join us by clicking here

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on June 12, 2013 at 11:19 am Comments (2)

June 12, Today’s thought – Everything

No wants

Good Morning

When one of the wealthiest men in history, John D. Rockefeller, died, his accountant was asked, “How much did John D. leave?” His reply? “All of it!” No one takes anything with him. Think about the things you own—all your stuff. Then let me remind you—your stuff isn’t yours. And you know what else? Your stuff isn’t you.

Jesus explained in Luke 12:15 that life isn’t defined by what you have, even when you have a lot. Contentment comes when we can honestly say with the Apostle Paul, “I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have. I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty.” (Philippians 4:11-12).

You have so much! You have a God who hears you, the power of His love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. You have everything you need!

Max Lucado ~~~ Traveling Light

Remember He supplies all our needs . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in:

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on June 12, 2013 at 10:44 am Leave a Comment
Tags: apostle paul, Max Ludaco, Traveling Light

Ten on Tuesday – Blessings

On Tuesday’s Carole hosts ‘Ten on Tuesdays’.
She chooses a topic – we list ten items.

10 Times You Felt Grateful Last Week.

My ten ‘thankfuls’ as our family calls them are not in any order of importance.

1. My home and my stash shed on Cozy Acres,
why I call it Cozy Acres.

2. I strolled around our yard last week — I’m thankful for the Farmer’s hard work and the reward of flowers.

June 4 030 Coneflowers
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas
Coneflowers
My picture of red roses only wanted to load sideways,
boo wordpress.

3. the Farmer’s Garden
Corn
Squash with Sunflowers

Cucumbers
June 4 013 a Variety of Peppers
Tomatoes

4.Grapes and Berries

5. A Mother’s day gift that enabled me to get needed clothes (underwear) and yarn I desired for me.

6. The Bible

7. Questions that caused me to search and answers that drew me nearer to God.

8. Grandsons rushing in asking for caramel apple suckers.

9. My dear Friend

10. Sunflowers

More things come to mind, my family, my cats, cooler weather, homemade meatloaf, and an air-conditioned car.
I am so blest.

To enjoy others blessings, click here.

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on June 11, 2013 at 10:56 am Comments (16)
Tags: grandsons, meatloaf, nearer to god

June 11, Today’s thought – Jesus Only

Berries

Good Morning

Matthew 17:1-8
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, here appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

The world, I thought beonged to me–
Goods, gold and people, land and sea–
Where’er I walked beneath God’s sky
In those old days my word was “I”.

Years passed; there flashed my pathway near
The fragment of a vision dear;
My former word no more sufficed,
And what I said was –“I and Christ”.

But, O, the more I looked on Him,
His glory grew, while mine grew dim,
I shrank so small, He towered so high,
All I dared say was –“Christ and I”.

Years more the vision held its place
And looked me steadily in the face;
I speak now in a humbler tone,
And what I say is –“Christ alone”.
~~~Unknown

My heart’s cry…Today…Jesus only
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in:

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on June 11, 2013 at 9:59 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Berries Jesus Only

June 7, Today’d thought – Your Middle C

The hydrangeas are beautiful again this year.

Good Morning

For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow,
he’s always totally himself. Hebrews 13:8, the Message

When author Lloyd Douglas attended college, he lived in a boardinghouse with a retired music professor who lived on the first floor. Douglas would stick his head in the door and ask, “Well, what’s the good news?” The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his chair and say, “That’s middle C. It was middle C yesterday; it will be middle C tomorrow; it will be middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat. The piano across the hall is out of tune, but, my friend, that is middle C!”

You and I need a middle C. A still point in a turning world. An unchanging Shepherd. A God who can still the storm. A Lord who can declare the meaning of life. And according to David in Psalm 23—you have one. The Lord is your shepherd! He is your middle C!

From Traveling Light, Max Lucado

Jesus Christ the same yesterday,
and to day,
and for ever.
Hebrews 13:8 KJV

Look to the unchanging Shepherd . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

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on June 7, 2013 at 4:54 am Leave a Comment

Yarn Along – Thoughtful Impulsiveness

Have you ever seen so many knitted items that say WOW!
Have there ever been so many KAL’s that tempt before resistance?
Raise your hand.

Emily’s Cowl is on its third repeat, one more to go. No new picture
2 KALs are stalled, one I should have added a life line, now I have to rip back the hard way; the other is waiting patiently for me to settle down and work on projects in an orderly fashion.

Wendy Knits Summer Mystery Shawl is swatched.

NEW – Moss Garden in Coffee colored Misti Alpaca

Another friend is having another baby = another Fuss Free Blanket
I love the square center
and then just knit like I’d like around and around and around.

I recently finishd listening to the third in the series. I never figure out who did it.

For more projects and books click here.

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on June 5, 2013 at 9:56 am Comments (6)
Tags: Preston & Child, Yarn Along

Chatting on the Porch

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

When it comes to vegetables, which do you use more often- canned frozen, or fresh?

We use a lot of fresh vegetables, think Wholefoods. In summertime, the Farmer’s garden, Love the fresh tomatoes! There are certain brands of canned veggies I buy, I don’t buy the cheapest canned, ugh.

Do you sew?

Yes, I’ve been sewing since high school. I’ve made clothes for the whole family and quilts for just about everyone.. All the children, boys and girls, could use a sewing machine. The Girls are using their skills for income these days.You can see Emily’s site here and Margaret’s here . Mary is more into spinning and knitting than sewing, her blog reflects those talents. Nope, not proud at all.

Do you have a common fear, such as the fear of heights, spiders, snakes, small spaces, flying, etc?

Just riding with someone else driving, I talked about this before.

Is there anything you recommend for cutting the grocery bill?

Shop the perimeter of the store, cheaper and healthier.

Tell me about something that made you happy over the past week.

Seeing a picture our 7 year old grandson, Anthony, painted with water colors, I couldn’t believe he had done it. It is beautiful.His mother was asked, ” Are you sure that his teacher did not paint this?” She answered “That was my first thought (chuckle) but it was him. His teacher had a picture on the board and told the class to do “such and such stroke” with “such and such color”. The rest was Anthony”

Do you want to easedrop? click here

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on June 4, 2013 at 4:23 pm Comments (7)

Thoughts of Grace

My thoughts as I walk this path…

Yarn Along – Taking Turns

July 3, Today’s thought – Suitcases of Guilt

Ten on Tuesday – Hamburger Toppings

July 2 – Today’s thought – Strength for Thee

July 1 – Today’s thought – Recognizing Jesus

Sunday Bible Reading – Matthew 13:44-46

June 15, Today’s thought – Yielding

June 13, Today’s thought – Gentleness

Chatting on the Deck

June 12, Today’s thought – Everything

Ten on Tuesday – Blessings

June 11, Today’s thought – Jesus Only

June 7, Today’d thought – Your Middle C

Yarn Along – Thoughtful Impulsiveness

Chatting on the Porch

Leslie

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