On Felting and Life

I knit Megan a Sunday Sweater two years ago this fall.

She loved the color, I loved the pattern.

She lost the sweater, I found the sweater.

She rolled in leaves in the sweater, I picked bits out of the wool.

She learned to wash and dry her own laundry. I breathed a sigh of relief at having a couple less loads to do.

She washed and dried the sweater. We both cried.

A summer went by. And a fall.

Now, on the cusp of our 'winter' I decided to try wet blocking it to see if it would 'un-felt' a bit and return to at least a little of it's former beauty and fit.

I soaked it in cool water. I squeezed the excess out. I rolled it in a towel and stood on it to press out the last of the water. Normal procedure. Nothing new.

I unwrapped the soggy towel, I looked at the sweater--same size as before all the soaking and squeezing.

So I took a sleeve and stretched and stretched again. Then stretched the other direction, all the way to the cuff. Then the other sleeve. Then the back and the fronts. Slowly, her sweater--the one I'd spent hours knitting and caring for--began to show itself out of the felted fibers. The lace panels once again opened up and the stitches showed definition.

As I was pinning it to the blocking mats, I began to think about how I often 'felt' things in my life. How I take over a job I'm ill-equipped to perform because someone has to do it. How I oh-so-often do things without really giving them my full attention. How, when I 'felt' things in my life, God has to reach down and make things uncomfortable in order to stretch me back into shape. How, if I would simply keep my eyes on Him, focus on the tasks He sets before me, and give thanks in all things (even the laundry piles of life) I wouldn't need so much 're-shaping' in this life.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

A Different Viewpoint

Barbara at Mommy Life has posted three guest posts from members of a family who were medical missionaries for years in Haiti.

Their insight into the people of Haiti has broadened my perspective when viewing the earthquake and the devastation it caused. This post in particular opened my eyes to seeing the people in Haiti for who they are, not just a group of people living in poverty when disaster struck.

Read it, it might just change your mind about giving to an organization that has proven themselves to use the monies they receive to help people directly. (Personal opinion: Do NOT give to any government. There is no guarantee or record that your money will go where you intend!)

We're giving here.

If you are unable to give monetarily, please, pray for these people. Pray that through this disaster, countless numbers of Haitians will come to know Jesus.

Haiti Earthquake

Perspective and a Preview

I did my first-ever newborn photo session this morning and gained a little perspective on the way.

When my sweet friend agreed for me to come photograph her beautiful baby girl, I was overjoyed.

Then the doubts and questions started trickling in.

Will the photos turn out? Am I good enough to do this? Am I crazy for thinking I can really do this? Will my backdrop stand fall over on the baby? Why would anyone trust me to take photos of their baby?

Basically, me, me, me.

I went from overjoyed to overanxious.

Humanity. It fits like a glove.

***

I arranged to have our niece come over yesterday to stay with Pickle this morning. I got all my props loaded in the truck last night. I charged up my batteries. I got my camera bag packed. I set my alarm. I went to bed.

As the fear and questions were running amok in my head last night, it hit me: "Hey, I should turn this over to God." Yes, I know, I'm brilliant that way.

I lay my anxiety at the foot of the throne and had a great night's sleep.

When I woke up this morning, however, I decided that maybe God was busy and I should just snatch my little package of anxiety back before He could open it.

***

I was a bundle of nerves driving out to my friend's house this morning, so I flipped the iPod to Kathryn Scott and was listening to the song Thank You For the Cross. I sent J a text telling him I was on my way and to please pray for me.

I sent the text and turned onto the highway that takes me to the freeway. No sooner had I made that right hand turn did I look to the east and see this:


It hit me like a ton of bricks.

Why, oh why am I even remotely concerned about my abilities when I know that before the foundation of the world God knew my name, where I would be born, the choices I'd make and most importantly, he knew the plan he had to save me. Me. The sinful girl who often can't see past the end of her own lens.

I love how He cares about the details--that song, that sunrise at that exact moment of self-indulgent, self-centered anxiety all coming together to remind me how minuscule are the things that I often fret over the most.

So, I stopped on that semi-truck laden highway, hit the flasher button, ran to the back of my truck, whipped out my camera and snapped a few photos of those amazing Jesus Clouds.

I think I'll print this one out to give me a bit of perspective when I get overcome with self. I need daily reminders to live for Him with each moment he has graced me with. You?

***

Now, for a preview.

This is just a taste of what's to come--when I finish editing these, I'll post a link here to my photo site.

Sweet newness . . .


Mother love . . .

To serve or not to serve?

That is the question.

Not that I don't serve. I do. I'm one of (now, thankfully!) two Children's Church teachers. I taught November through March, took April off and am now teaching every other month. I love it. My core group of kids is wonderful and there are always a few new kids to keep things interesting and fun.

So why the question, right?

Our Children's Ministries Director approached me about possibly taking on a different position. I'm not sure if this is where God is leading, so I am asking that you pray over our decision. Yes, our decision. This one may have more effect on our family than just teaching during second service every other month.

Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer, even without knowing the details.

~Amber

At the Foot of the Cross

Have you ever heard a song that you just don't tire of? This is one of those songs for me. Such a beautiful melody; such profound lyrics.



Now I can trade these ashes in for beauty and wear forgiveness like a crown. Oh, to live these words!

Ashes--they can be anything from unresolved guilt to harboring un-forgiveness. From speaking ill of someone to feeling unworthy and unloved. Fear of the unknown. To trade them in for beauty--God's beauty--by simply kneeling at the foot of the cross. It takes my breath away.

Do you wear your forgiveness like a crown?

Do you lay your burdens down?

This weekend, it is my prayer that you will join me in falling at the foot of the cross to lay down our burdens and bask in the glory of undeserved forgiveness.

~Amber

Some of my favorite scriptures on forgiveness:

Romans 5:6-8

Romans 6:23

Ephesians 2:8

Romans 10:9-10

Revelation

So, I've been doing some reading. Unusual? No.

I love the written word and what it offers. I love that when writing, as opposed to speaking, we often have a sense of freedom and openness that is sometimes hindered by fear when speaking one on one. I love that the written word lasts and that because it lasts, more effort is (often, but not always) made when composing the words that will not fade and fly away as words spoken on the wind.

Revelation.

Some things have been revealed to me by the Holy Spirit through my reading these past couple of weeks. Some things on fear and leaving and cleaving, in particular. On love and life and the struggles we go through here on earth being but a blip on the eternal screen of our lives.

Fear. Oh, it can be consuming. Letting go can be overwhelmingly frightening. Completing the cycle--making it so hard to break free.

All those 'ifs' in life can be more than any one person is able to bear. In our language, 'if' is often followed by 'then'. If ____, then _____. Beth in all her wisdom broke this horribly complex cycle of fear down into a rather simple statement: If _____, then GOD. It's that simple. If anything, then GOD! God is King, he is all-powerful, he never leaves the throne! He is intimately involved in your life--he cares for every concern and fear.

I've started making a list of my 'ifs'. Those little fears that nag me throughout the day. I've also ended each of those 'ifs' with, 'then God . . .' Maybe it's that if _____ happens, then God will reveal Himself in a new way; or, then God will lift me up; or, then God will use me in a way I didn't think possible; or, then God will simply hold my hand as I walk through the valley. If _____, then God.

Revelation.

On leaving and cleaving. This sweet blogger has (in her archives) some wonderful posts and links regarding leaving and cleaving. Now, this is something I thought I really understood, and in one sense I do.

I understand God's plan for children to leave their parents and cleave to their spouse second only to God himself. I get that. I do that. I love my husband so much more than I know how to express.

What the Holy Spirit has seen fit to reveal to me on this topic is the flip-side, the parent's side of God's plan for children to leave & cleave. That, as a parent, I need to be cautious not to fall into the trap of setting myself up as the ultimate authority. I need to prayerfully seek each day, not only to teach grace and love, but to teach our girl to always seek the Lord first.

Not me.

Not J.

We are ultimately not the ones in charge, in control. That control belongs to God alone.

After Him, J and I were chosen by God to be earthly leaders and teachers for Pickle--to teach her how to submit to the authority of God through Godly discipline.

To teach her that when God reveals to her the man he's chosen for her, that her responsibility will be to him, second only to God himself. As her parents, it will be our responsibility to step back and allow her to create her own family, her own life.

Does this mean I believe that parents don't have a role in their adult children's lives? No. Not at all. It does mean that I believe when our children are grown, our responsibilities change. We are no longer meant to be the authority figure, the one who makes the decisions for our children's lives. Should we offer counsel? When counsel is sought, yes. What about the honor and respect we are commanded to give our parents? There is a line that must be drawn between respect for our parents and cleaving to our spouse. In my research/reading, I came across this Biblical explanation.

Whew. I certainly don't have all the answers on this and am still wallowing around in this one--it seems so far away, yet I know it will be here in the blink of an eye.

I want to do this parenting thing right. I want to honor that God trusted us with this precious life. I want to be an example of faith and submission--to my God and my husband. I want to grow with our girl in faith. I want this to be a journey, with Heaven as our final destination.

I firmly believe our girl is simply on loan to us from our Heavenly Father. She's not ours to keep, just ours for a season. To lead and to guide.

Hey, Wednesday-What Did You Do With Monday and Tuesday?

I believe that Monday and Tuesday were abducted. I have no physical evidence to prove this theory, but it has to be true. Days just don't disappear. Do they?

Moving on.

Happy Veteran's Day yesterday. I'm so thankful to live in a country where I enjoy so many freedoms. This past week, between some posts/articles I've read and my Bible Study, I've been quite convicted of how often I take these freedoms for granted. Most specifically, my freedom to worship as I choose. In the open. With no real fear of persecution. I got to thinking about the number of years people have worked so diligently to provide this security yesterday . . . I can't wrap my brain around the number of men and women who have given their time, their lives even, so that I can stand up and proudly proclaim the name of Jesus whenever and wherever I please. The words thank you don't even begin to express the joy that singular freedom brings.

Pickle and I went to see my Aunt M and Cousin J at Grams' and Gramps' house on Monday. They're visiting from Colorado where it snowed five inches at their house that morning. They were very happy to be here in our mid-seventy degree weather. My Aunt B brought her great-granddaughter A over to play with Pickle. A is about 8 months younger than Pickle. They had a lot of fun playing blocks and eating Great (or Great, Great for A) Grams' butterscotch chip cookies!

My Man purchased a new point and shoot camera for his deer hunt. (Pickle has misplaced his other one. I'm sure it will turn up in a few months. You know, like her Crocks turned up in a camo bag that houses the Coyote Call. I really don't know why we didn't look there first.) We went with a Canon PowerShot A1000. It takes some nice photos. I've even managed some good flare (sun spots):

and some excellent macro shots (excuse the flash, please):

I can't let you go without sharing this:

Hope your Wednesday is all you dream it will be!

P.S. If I can figure out how to edit a short video today, you'll be blessed with a little Spiritual Ditty on Rainbow Sins later this week. Look forward to it.

Where Do We Go From Here?

We just finished the seventh week of the Study Jesus the One and Only at Bible Study last night. This was a good week. Not that I've ever experienced a 'bad week' in one of Beth's studies, but this week just really hit home with me in a lot of ways.

As we were watching the video leading into Week 8 last night, my friend's husband sent her a text message to say the election had been called. It seemed so early in the night for it to have been called.

We didn't stop to talk about it, in fact she didn't even announce it to the group. Just mouthed it across the table. I have to say, it was a bit hard to concentrate on Beth's message from that point forward, but I did. And I'm so glad.

Beth highlighted three portraits of our Passionate Christ. The first being that He is passionate about His people's praise (see Luke 19:28-40). Second, He is passionate about His people's peace (see Luke 19:41-44). Finally, He is passionate about His Father's House (see Luke 19:45-48). Each of these really hit home to me in what we, as a nation need to focus on in the coming years.

*Christ is passionate about our praise. Even in the uncertain times that we are facing as a nation, we need to come together as a nation of Christians to praise Him.

*Christ is passionate about our peace. Earlier in the week, on Day 4, Beth talked about the peace that comes from living under God's umbrella of authority. That when we choose "to seek and obey his commands, the enemy may oppose us and even oppress us, but he cannot thwart the fulfillment of God's plan for our lives." (p. 162)

In Luke 13:34, Christ longs to draw the children of Jerusalem together under his wings. I believe that He also longs to bring our nation under His wings. It seems, though, the majority of our nation has chosen not to follow. Does this mean that He will turn His back on our nation? I don't believe for a second that it does. We cause Christ deep grief when we refuse to accept what He offers us--His peace. Do I think, that because our nation has chosen to step out from under God's umbrella of authority that we have lost all connection with Him, His love, His power, His peace? Not for a moment. Just like He did with the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), God will stand searching the horizon for us to return to Him, to His umbrella of authority. He will embrace us and smother us with kisses, give us His best robe, put a ring on our finger and sandals on our feet. He will bring up the fattened calf and kill it. He will hold a feast in our honor and celebrate us.

*Christ is passionate about His Father's House. In Revelation 1:12-13, 20 we see the picture of Christ walking among the seven lamp stands (churches). He is here. Now. Walking among our churches. Among us. Oh, what a picture!

Even now, as our country is headed down a difficult path, to know that we as individuals, as churches within the Body of Christ have Him walking among us, that we as individuals and churches can remain under His umbrella of authority, that we can choose to accept what He offers us, that we can stand together to PRAISE Him during this time of trial is a blessing that many others around the world would give their lives to experience.

Back to my original question.

Where do we go from here? I believe the answer is as straightforward as any has ever been.

To our knees in prayer.

Luke 12:25-26 tells us, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"

On Day 2 last week, Beth touched on worry. She said, " All our worry in the name of love can accomplish absolutely nothing. But all our praying in the name of Jesus could entreat God to accomplish anything. . .The prescription for worry is trust." (p. 156)

Kingdom Coming

Shaun Groves shares his amazing talent and generosity with us all today by offering his latest song to everyone. For free.

The song is titled Kingdom Coming and is, in a word, AMAZING.

Click on the widget in my sidebar to download the song, lyrics and his reasons for releasing the download today, Election Day.

All you have to do is click. No survey questions to answer, no email address to give out. Just click. Please do. You'll be blessed.

Oh, and please, go vote!

From the Mouth of Babes

When I sing to Pickle, I often change the words to personalize songs or even make up new words to old tunes. For example, I simply changed the 'me' to 'you' in Jesus Loves Me, which I sing to her at bedtime after talkin' to Jesus. You know, 'Jesus loves you this I know, for the Bible tells me so . . . '

Pickle is just learning to sing on her own and tries very hard to remember the words.

This morning as I was fixing her some breakfast, she started singing while doing a puzzle at the kitchen table.

This is what I heard: 'Jesus loves you, open the door.' Huh. She's right, people. Jesus loves you. Just open the door. He'll walk right in and help you do the rest.

New Friends & Prayer Journals

Last night was the final night of our Bible Study , but as Beth says, it was the first night of stepping out to live a life Believing God.

It's hard to believe nine weeks have already come and gone. When I committed to doing this study, nine weeks seemed so long. I have to say that I got so involved in the study and doing the homework, that the weeks just flew by.

I can't even begin to explain all the amazing things that I learned through this study, but two of the most precious things I will take with me are my Prayer Journal and a new friend.



Beth is a self-proclaimed index card junkie--a girl after my own heart. She taught me to pray scriptures over special situations in my life and the lives of those I love. One of her examples is to pray Romans 5:5 when she is struggling to love someone, particularly someone who has wronged her.

Romans 5:5 (NIV) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he gas given us.

To pray this scripture, I 'rewrote' it to be prayerful and from my heart to God:

Romans 5:5 (Prayer) Father, I know that hope will not disappoint me, because you have poured out your love into my heart by the Holy Spirit, whom You have given me. Please help me to love _______ with your love, enabled by your spirit.

I'm also taking away several new relationships, but one relationship has developed more than the others that I've made within our group. For now, I'll call her J. It is such a blessing to get to know someone with similar interests and strong beliefs here in the Valley. I've struggled with making strong Christian friendships in the almost 12 years I've lived here. God is faithful.

For those of you who've done this study:

1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's word is alive and active in me.

I'm believing God!

Having a soft heart. And a tough skin.

I’ve always had a really ‘tough’ time having a tough skin. I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve. I’ve always gotten hurt really easily.

As a side note to his sermon on Sunday, Pastor Jon mentioned a quote by Charles Swindoll. My hastily written paraphrase follows: Others cannot do to us other than what we allow. If you don’t have a tough skin, you’ll have a hard heart. If you do have a hard skin, you’ll have a soft heart.

Wow. That really hit home. I’ve found myself in so many situations over the years where my thin skin has caused my heart to harden toward the people who have hurt me. The thing is, if I had a tougher skin, I’m sure I wouldn’t have been hurt and I'd have a softer heart . . .

I guess this is my wake-up call. Some people work on strengthening their muscles; I’m going to work on strengthening my skin.

How tough is your skin? How soft is your heart?