Some time ago I wrote an alphabetical list of my wishes. As I read through them I realized my thoughts on what I’d wish for are much the same as they used to be. Enjoy!
I’m joining an awesome group of bloggers today in a new Link Up. 100 Happy Days.
Author Archives: Marie
The Green-eyed Monster
Recently a friend purchased a new winter coat. It was a beautiful purple wool with a silver fox collar. I knew how good I would look in the coat and also knew I simply could not afford it. So what happened…my eyes turned green with envy and I couldn’t even make myself tell her how nice she looked in it. (BTW I’m not proud of my reaction!)
Whenever you envy another”s things, looks, or skills it causes problems for everyone involved.
When I got home I decided to search the Word for what God has to say about this issue.
James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy (jealousy) and contention in your hearts, do not brag, and do not lie against the truth. (New Testament Breakthrough V ersion)
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (New International Version)
The Message translates envy as the opposite of wisdom.
James 3:17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
End of 5 minutes…but continuing on.
So what is envy? Envy is the desire for some object, character trait or skill that another already possesses. Why is it not a good thing? Easy answer…because it takes our focus off of God.
God has told us clearly that He can and will supply everything we need. All we have to do is ask. Check out Philippians 4:19 and Matthew 7:7. No one has more than God and His desire is to give it to us.
So then why do we envy? Why do we desire what belongs to someone else? Because satan knows, just like he did in Eden, that if he can get us to take our eyes off God and focus them on something else (the Green-eyed Monster) he wins.
Do not let this happen. Do not let evil win. Keep your focus on Jesus! Here are some verses to memorize and keep in your arsenal to defeat the enemy.
I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. Proverbs 8:17 NKJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV
Click on the picture to hear these beautiful words set to music.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
I’m joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. This week’s prompt is ‘green’.
Thursday Threads
Stitches and Needles and Threads, oh, my! It made me smile when I thought of it and I could see Dorothy with her basket of projects skipping on the Yellow Brick Road. Yep, I’m still smiling.
I was recently watching a You Tube video on gridding and the stitcher who made it commented that her reason for gridding is it makes the finished project more achievable with fewer mistakes and less frogging. After thinking about that for a while, I thought perhaps she’s on to something. How many times have I put down a project because it was becoming overwhelming to get the counting right? So, I’ve done a bit of research into gridding and I hope it’s as helpful to you as it was to me.
Gridding your cross stitch fabric is simply dividing your cloth into 10 x 10 count squares and stitching lines into the fabric to make them visible as you are stitching. This video is really short and sweet and shows what you need to know. Just click on the picture to watch it.
Of course, the next question would be, what type of ‘thread’ should I be using to make the grid lines. Although you can use regular dressmaker’s thread in any color you want it can be difficult to remove when you finish the project. I recommend Easy Count Guideline Thread. It’s not cotton so your stitches are far less likely to get caught in it. (If you click on the picture it will take you to Amazon. Really great price!)
I’ve been busy working on another of the Designer Stitch Along smalls. Obviously, it’s not finished. These Designer pieces have been so much fun to work on. I’m loving it.
This next picture is the finished portion of the Sampler Round Robin. I’m ready to mail it to the next stitcher and get busy on the piece I get next. WooHoo!
Blessings to you and yours!
Keep On Stitching!
Marie
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
And the King will answer them, I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me. Matthew 25:40
What are you doing with the resources God has given? Who do you know that needs a loaf of bread or a dozen eggs? Do your words and actions model the example of Jesus?
These kinds of questions are so convicting for me that I already feel the need to get on my knees.
Are we giving a cup of water (or food, or clothing, or help) when one who does not have it shows the need? Or are we sending them away with a hug and the thought that we have problems and needs too? They may not ask, but when we see the need we must act upon it. We really do show our commitment to our LORD through our actions. Can we even imagine the surge of New Believers if our relationship with Jesus is evident in all our thoughts, words, and actions?
Applying ourselves to a way of life that shares our faith and our resources regularly with those around us is one way to reach the non-Believer. Caring about others goes a long way toward saying and showing that we really are who God says we are.
There is an additional page on this blog called Lifestyle Evangelism where there are suggestions for caring, sharing, and reaching out to everyone around us. We are commanded to reach and teach the lost but we must also remember those who are found. Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes. Be the one to give it!
Take the time – TODAY!
Edited and reposted from a previous article.
Forest Gump
I saw this on Facebook this morning and knew you would like it. It’s really important to think outside of the box sometimes. (I have been unable to determine the writer.)
When Forest Gump died, he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter said, “Welcome, Forest. We’ve heard a lot about you.” He continued, “Unfortunately, it’s getting pretty crowded up here and we find that we now have to give people an entrance examination before we let them in.”
“Okay,” said Forest. “I hope it’s not too hard. I’ve already been through a test. My momma used to say, ‘Life is like a final exam. It’s hard.’ ”
“Yes, Forest, I know. But this test is only three questions. Here they are.”
1) Which two days of the week begin with the letter ‘T’?”
2) How many seconds are in a year?
3) What is God’s first name?
“Well, sir,” said Forest, “The first one is easy. Which two days of the week begin with the letter ‘T’? Today and Tomorrow.”
St. Peter looked surprised and said, “Well, that wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but you have a point. I give you credit for that answer.”
“The next question,” said Forest, “How many seconds are in a year? Twelve.”
“Twelve?” said St. Peter, surprised and confused.
“Yes, sir. January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd …”
St. Peter interrupted him. “I see what you mean. I’ll have to give you credit for that one, too.”
“And the last question,” said Forest, “What is God’s first name? It’s Andy.”
“Andy?” said St. Peter, in shock. “How did you come up with ‘Andy’?”
“I learned it in church. We used to sing about it.” Forest broke into song, “Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am His own.”
St. Peter opened the gate to heaven and said, “Run, Forest, Run!”
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
A Satisfied Spirit 
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