Spiritual Fire

In recent days it has become harder to put into words the things that are going through my mind and the lessons in them. Spiritual awakening is not something easily explained. It is a process of allowing yourself to experience it and remaining present in it. It does no good to try to fight it or to pass it off. It will only return until it runs its course. The spirit that dwells in the heart and soul have lessons to teach us and to reveal all that we are. I have often tried to tell someone of the things revealed. It is a process of knowing ones self in order to experience God. Sounds crazy doesn't it? Knowing God is impossible. He is as far above us as we are from a bacteria, even more so. We experience God in our lives but we never really know Him. Science struggles to understand His creation on all levels. From the universe we can and can't see down to the smallest of the small we understand little to nothing of who God is. We struggle to understand Him in ourselves and daily lives. Scripture tells us He loves us and we can do nothing to earn that love. It is a struggle to remain still enough to hear His whispers, to feel the touch of His loving embrace. That can only happen on a very personal level for each of us. It cannot be taught. Everyone is different. Everyone will experience Him in a unique way. That makes it near impossible to put into words what it is like. The only way I can describe what it is like is to say it is Spiritual Fire. A warmth within that permeates every corner, nook and cranny of your being. Struggle as we may, we cannot cause that experience to happen, it just happens. Enough of my ramblings for now. 

Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the LORD had descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while the whole mountain shook violently. 

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (Washington, DC: National Council of Churches of Christ, 1993), Ex 19:18.

  

In the mid 70's I had found this image in Better Homes and Gardens of a needle work kit that I fell in love with. It was titled "The Prophet." I had tried for some time to find this kit but to no avail. I finally gave up because I was told it was not being offered any more. I was really bummed out. I REALLY wanted this kit.

My DW, Jill, and her close friend at the time went to Allentown, Pa to a shop her friend knew about that had all sorts of craft stuff. It was a birthday present to Jill. Jill said when she saw the shop it was wall to wall to ceiling with everything crafty you could imagine. They were greeted at the door by a lady that said, "Welcome! Looking for something special? You name it! We have it!" Jill immediately thought of the kit I wanted and thought "we'll see about that and described it to the lady. She went somewhere in the back and came out with a kit but it wasn't the one she knew I wanted. The Lady then went to an area where clearance items were piled high and dug out another item and handed it to Jill. Jill said it stunned her. In her hands was "The Prophet." The last one, discontinued and on sale for a fraction of the original cost. She purchase it brought it home and gave it to me. To say I was excited would be an understatement. Remember, she did this on HER birthday with some of HER birthday money. I went right to work on it. The gold thread gave me fits and had to purchase more to finish it. We had it framed and it has hung on a wall somewhere in the house since that time. It is a prized gift From God and my dear wife that will always be displayed as long as I am around. Blessings come in small and large portions. What may seem insignificant is not. In fact, ALL blessings are significant. Be thankful for them. They are free. You can't earn them.

It is my favorite of all of the projects done over the years. It took weeks to finish. It is Spiritual fire on display.

Remember to "Alwasys Love The Details"

Renewal (from 2015 post)

(I am struggling to write posts right now so this is a post from 2015. Thank you for visiting) 

RENEWAL

Before the Cross: Law, Condemnation, Death. During the Cross: Pain, Suffering, Crucifixion. After the Cross: Resurrection, Hope, Renewal.

The above is how lent should be entered. With Hope and Renewal. I am Catholic so when I say I do not like the image of Jesus on the cross it comes as a surprise to many. He is not on the cross anymore. He is only there if we put him there. I have a wooden cross in my upstairs hallway with the nails and foot block but He is not there. Why? Because He has taken up residence inside of me. He reminds me I am his and that He loves me. Yes, I am imperfect and VERY human. I have heard someone say to another person that Gods spirit wants to live in a clean and perfect body. The person they were speaking to was was sick and infirmed. My heart reached out and I wanted to scream "THAT IS NOT TRUE." God will tidy up His dwelling place no matter the condition. The container matters not. The spirit of the person within does. How a person looks has nothing to do with it. I am guilty of feeling repulsed by visual appearance. Anyone who says they have not been is a lier. If you take the time to see the beauty within you will also find a renewed heart......for yourself. Any time we reject outright someone without first finding the beauty within we have put Christ back on the cross. I know, there are some pretty unlovable people out there. How unlovable are we to someone else? Have you ever asked why? Renewal has many avenues to take but few are as hard as love. You might need to go places you do not want to go. You may need to say things you do not want to say. GO! You may be surprised what you find there. Speak your words with Christ and the cross in mind and you will find renewal. I am NOT on a soap box. I am speaking about your place on that cross. When you put Him back on that cross you are there too. If he truly died for our sins then he must suffer and endure our sins again. This is a time of renewal. Use it wisely. In fact, practice it all year long. It is not just for Lent but for a lifetime.

READ John 5:24

Today I want to share a card DW gave me. It is one of those just because cards we give each other once in awhile. She said she felt funny giving me a card with an image I colored. I don't care. She did such a fantastic job with one of my very favorite images that I am truly honored. Love you too.

The card was enhanced to bring out the wood grain color of the card. I am not including the colors used since that was done on DW's posting of this card. Her site is Ribbon Challenged.

I have one more thing to share and that is a hanging quilt a neighbor made for us. Last year one of our neighbors knew we were having trouble shoveling our walk on a regular basis. They kindly and without being asked to, used their snow blower to clear our front walk. Since she love to sew, we got her a gift card to a local sewing supply store. Two days ago I went and helped her clear some of the ice from her sidewalk until she got her sons to finish the job. I left my heavy ice chipper with her to help clear the ice away and finished my own walk. About an hour later the door bell rang and it was Janice and her black Lab, Pearl. (Pearl loves to come visit if I am outside and once drug Janice over a three foot high snow pile and across the snow covered street just to say hi and get her loving and belly rub). This is what she brought with her to give to us.

This is the front of the wall hanging quilt. I will have to get a stringer for the top to hang it. Beautiful work. I had trouble getting the back to photograph properly so, for now, it is not included. Amazing craft work. We are so honored to be given this beautiful hanging quilt.

That is it for now. Hope you liked what you found on this post. Remember. Always LOVE THE DETAILS. Love hearing from every one and I will send a personal note back to all who comment.
THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO ALL.

June 5, 2014 Proclaimed

I have been visiting some old posts that I thought you might enjoy. 

June 5, 2014 Proclaimed

“I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight. And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going to. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you're going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.”
― C. JoyBell C.

No comment per se today. Instead I offer Psalm 34. The blue underlined words are the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.



PSALM 34

In Praise of God’s Justice

Of David, when he had feigned insanity before Abimelech, and Abimelech sent him away
Aleph
1. I will bless Yahweh at all times, his praise continually on my lips.
Bet
2. I will praise Yahweh from my heart; let the humble hear and rejoice.
Gimel
3. Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh, let us acclaim his name together.
Dalet
4. I seek Yahweh and he answers me, frees me from all my fears.
He
5. Fix your gaze on Yahweh and your face will grow bright, you will never hang your head in shame.
Zain
6. A pauper calls out and Yahweh hears, saves him from all his troubles.
Het
7. The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them.
Tet
8. Taste and see that Yahweh is good. How blessed are those who take refuge in him.
Yod
9. Fear Yahweh, you his holy ones; those who fear him lack for nothing.
Kaph
10. Young lions may go needy and hungry, but those who seek Yahweh lack nothing good.
Lamed
11. Come, my children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
Mem
12. Who among you delights in life, longs for time to enjoy prosperity?
Nun
13. Guard your tongue from evil, your lips from any breath of deceit.
Samek
14. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
Ain
15. The eyes of Yahweh are on the upright, his ear turned to their cry.
Pe
16. But Yahweh’s face is set against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
Zade
17. They cry in anguish and Yahweh hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
Qoph
18. Yahweh is near to the broken-hearted, he helps those whose spirit is crushed.
Resh
19. Though hardships without number beset the upright, Yahweh brings rescue from them all.
Shin
20. Yahweh takes care of all their bones, not one of them will be broken.
Taw
21. But to the wicked evil brings death, those who hate the upright will pay the penalty. 
22. Yahweh ransoms the lives of those who serve him, and there will be no penalty for those who take refuge in him.


The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ps 34). New York: Doubleday.

This will be a short post today. I have created a note card today. The image is from Our Daily Bread called "The Grunge Cross". The image itself is deceptively difficult if you decide to color it completely. If you like a challenge, and I do, this will be fun.

Copic colors: R27, E41, BV13, BV11

Vision Elite Gold Gel Impact Pen

The gold was not very impressive when done with the Copics so it was colored over with the gel impact gold pen. Still unimpressive I know but it will serve as a background for an overlay. I stamped the image again and fussy cut the gold cross part to use as a stencil. I laid it over top of the image to be sure it would cover the parts I wanted and then I flipped it face down on the back of a sheet of AC Cardtock Gold glitter Paper, temporarily taped it down and fussy cut it out. I laid the new cross over the image to make sure it would work.

I took a piece of gray card stock and cut it to 3 3/16" X 4 13/16" and folded it in half. (I know it is precise but that is just the way it turned out) I cut white card stock 3.25" X 4.625" And folded it. I used Scor-Tape to fasten the gray cardstock to the white card stock. The same tape was used to fasten the image to the gray card stock. The glitter cross was glued to the image with Tombow Liquid glue. This is the result.

It just did not seem finished so I took a die cut from Memory Box and and used it to embellish the back of the card.

There you have it. A little note card from me to you. Except for the coloring it took about 2.5 to 3 hours to do. For me that is FAST. hope you like it. For now I will say thank you for visiting and please leave a comment. Remember to AWAYS LOVE THE DETAILS. 

Another step back into the past

 

June 10, 2014 Special Edition

Friends are a special gift with a place of honor in the heart of those who receive them.



There have been many definitions for friendship but living up to any of them is something few are able to do. They come in many different flavors but they are always there in time of need and, at times, even give their lives for us. I would not expect the sacrifice of a life for me but it is comforting to know that some are willing to give up time and put forth effort to solve a problem even when not asked to do so. They are there in good and bad times to offer support and to comfort. There is no judgment or finger pointing but advice or a shoulder if needed. All of these things and more are what a friend is.

1792 Best Definition

An English publication offered a prize for the best definition of a friend, and among the thousands of answers received were the following:
“One who multiplies joys, divides grief.”
“One who understands our silence.”
“A volume of sympathy bound in cloth.”
“A watch which beats true for all time and never runs down.”
But here is the definition that won the prize: “A friend—the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
—Selected

1793 Tribute To Friendship

    I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you;
    I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me;
    I love you not for closing your ears to the discords in me, but for adding to the music in me by worshipful listening;
    You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it just by being yourself.
    Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.
—Author Unknown

Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (pp. 463–464). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

Now we come down to brass tacks. The post. This a very unusual card for me. No image(s). I recently saw several posts that were dedicated to a parent who had passed and thought it to a be a good idea for a card. So here is the front of the card.

I have often wondered what we are paying for when we buy a card and the back is bare and what did my $8 or more buy? The back of my card.

Nice idea card companies. Now I got my monies worth. Front and back together.

The left side was not done to match the front edge. After all the front is the focal point. The inside is finished this time as well.

Jill asked me, "who the card was for since I am sitting right here." Now you have your answer. In remembrance of those who have gone before us.

My list of supplies:
Stampendous peel and stick gold leaves
Unknown peel and stick hearts
Sizzix Vitaj embossing folder (Never Used)
Spellbinders - Heartfelt Creations "Decorative Lace Border" (trimmed to my needs)(Never Used)
Spellbinders - Shapeabilities "Nested Hearts" (Never Used)
DCWV Inc. - Glitzy Glitter Card Stack
 Sentiments were computer generated in WORD.

I will not be entering in any challenges unless they are for very special reasons. Darnell at http://www.djkardkreations.com/ is celebrating her 500+ follower. I can't think of  a more special reason. This one is for you Darnell. No one will be happier if you hit 1000 followers than me. 

May the good Lord bless and keep you safe.

Remember to "Always Love the Details."

Back to the past

Solitude is not isolating but an opportunity to talk with Jesus.

Quote for Today:  Were I to wander with no purpose to the thoughts of my mind, the eternal force of God's hand would ever guide me on my way. (From my book that6 never was) Copyrighted

Today is a new beginning. It contains lessons of yesterday and the promises of tomorrow. The journey is only guaranteed for the moment we are in, not for what is yet to be. We often find ourselves facing obstacles to our faith. Everyone faces them. Sometimes we find ourselves in a place of personal let down, a vacuum. Any number of things can cause this. How do you treat this and where do you go with it? Who do you blame? Should you blame God? His purpose is far above ours and not within our understanding. This is a form of solitude and an opportunity to talk with Jesus. Some will close themselves off because the result was not what they wanted. My answer will be a question. Where do you want me to go from here Lord? The answer might not be fourth coming but you will be answered. I have waited years for an answer and am still waiting for some answers. Luke 11:9 “ So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Remember, it took multiple tries for the door to be opened. Answers are provided at the proper time, his time not ours. Don’t turn your back on Him because the answer was not immediate. It WILL come in HIS time.

I thought maybe it is time for some spring thoughts. It is obvious that just about all of us northern latitude dwellers need some warm sunshine. With yet another snow storm looming we need some HOPE that SPRING is on the way. First let me say that where I live the promise of spring is when the male Northern Cardinals begin to sing their territorial song. I have such a cardinal doing just that. That brings a coast to coast smile every time I hear it. This does not mean spring is just going to happen tomorrow but it gives a spot of hope that it will be beginning soon. Sunshine amidst a foot of snow and ice is reason to celebrate. I love photography of our feathered friends. I recently shared some of them privately and they were well received. So! Guess what? Right! Today is yippee, the birds are coming.

Since my favorite winter bird is the cardinal and he is singing the song of spring, he will be first. 

I was filling the feeder when I stopped to take this picture. Decked out in his finest he was singing his territorial song. Beautiful bird any time of the year.

Here he is on the feeder. This is what he was waiting for.

  

His mate is always there when he shows up. Difficult shot. She is first to take off with any sudden moves or noises.

The next series is of a bluebird that was kind enough to pose for me. She was not afraid of me so I was able to get fairly close to take her pictures. That was my explanation to the inn keeper where we were staying at the time. She had tried and couldn’t get this kind of picture. Enjoy.

Next is a fun picture and a VERY hard one to get. This is by, the way, our smallest falcon at 9” long (the American Kestrel). As a teen I was privileged to hold one of these little beauties on my hand. It had flown into a window of a friend and been dazed. It was released when it recovered.

This was a shot taken from 50 or so feet. He was at the top of a pine tree on the neighbor’s property. This is a favored spot for birds of prey. I have a bunch of pictures using this spot.. Note the very distinct facial markings.

Next and finally a woodpecker. This is not just any woodpecker. This is the largest woodpecker in North America. The Pileated Woodpecker is 16” long with a wing span of 29” this is one large bird. The photograph and the one of the Bluebird was taken at the Feathered Nest Inn in Woodstock, Virginia.

  

I hope you liked the spring/summer detour. I very much enjoyed bringing it to you. I may share some more thoughts of spring in the near future. As always, remember to "Always Love The Details."

Starvation

 Death by starvation is slow.

Mary Hunter Austin

There are many forms of starvation none of which are pleasant. For anyone who has witnessed starvation of anything in this world, animal, vegetable or human, the memory of it is near impossible to erase. The Lord said to feed his sheep. ((Jn 21:15–17) He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.") The first two times (bosko) referred to physical feeding of the flock.  The third time (“shepherd,” poimaino) referred to the spiritual feeding of the flock. The physical feeding of the flock is important for the physical health of the individual. It is the lack of food that causes the depravity we experience in a starved entity. Plants wither, animals and people grow weak and the skeleton become visually pronounced. These are easy to recognize and remedy compared to spiritual depravity. Consider what it is like to be deprived of food for the body. The pain of starvation can be severe enough to influence behaviors not normal for anyone. The need to feed the hunger can be overwhelming. Theft and even harming others to get what the body needs to survive.

Now consider what starvation of spirituality is like. There are few if any outward signs of spiritual depravity. The signs are there but few of us are able to see the underlying pain and emptiness or hunger. It is hard to imagine someone who is deprived of the word of God in the world but the reality is that there are many souls living in a vacuum devoid of the knowledge Christ or the graces of God's spirit. When someone is in such a state it is hard for them to acknowledge the possibility of what God and Christ are offering. It is like living in total darkness and suddenly light illuminates everything. Things never known to exist are visible, touchable, accessible. It is much the same as physical hunger yet different. It was not visible to the outside world but very much felt in the heart and soul of the person experiencing it. We are the light of this world, called and commissioned to be the example to others that the promise of Christ's forgiveness of sins through God's grace is real. We are to be the image of God on this earth. If you become the visible light for others, If you spark the spirit to see the light of grace outside the vacuum, a soul will be given hope where there was none. It may not be known to you but the life given to the hopeless is of no small consequence. Christ said "feed my children." It is as relevant today as it was back then.

May the good Lord bless and keep you safe.

Remember to "Always Love The details."

reaching out and being personal

 

For quite some time and in many posts I have relied on the quotes and sayings of others to save time in preparing my posts. The problem with that is it is not truly personal. It gets the message across but falls flat when it comes to life in this day and age. Today's Brainy Quote says it all. Just because life speeds up does not mean our hearts and brains stop working in favor of non-communication of the heart. In recent years there has been a huge increase of views with few increases in comments. It is a blessing to be visited by so many readers. In no way am I complaining. The blessing is in reaching so many wonderful souls. It is beyond my understanding how that is possible. Our Lord works His wonders in many ways. When it is you whom he works through, we are often humbled and amazed at His work and the results. In so many ways it shows us what it must have been like for the disciples when He called them and they left everything to follow Jesus. How wonderful it must have been to see all of the works and miracles in their presence. Today the calling to follow is one of faith and belief in the grace of the Lord. The physical presence may not be there but in time you can feel His touch and hear His voice and you know He is really there with you, guiding you and teaching you the way you should go. I often find the words used are not my words but those chosen for me to say or write. On reading them myself it is a teaching experience for me as well as a humbling experience. All of the things mentioned in the quote above are of the Lord. The Lord is kind. The Lord is profound love experienced through His grace whenever we humble ourselves in His presence. 

May the good Lord bless and keep you safe.

Remember to "Always Love The Details."

Saints

It is not a man’s condition, but virtue, that can make him truly great or truly happy. How mean soever a person’s station or circumstances may be, the road to both is open to him; and there is not a servant or slave who ought not to be enkindled with a laudable ambition of arriving at this greatness, which will set him on the same level with the rich and the most powerful

John Gilmary Shea, Pictorial Lives of the Saints (New York; Cincinnati; Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1887), 502.

Consider this: Had it not been for the eternal love of God, Christ would not have been born as pure gift for the forgiveness of a sinful humanity. Humanity has not stopped sinning in the 2000 years since that sacrifice. The forgiveness has covered it forevermore. Be joyful and repent of our sinful short comings. His love has conquered our sinful ways for all time.

May the good Lord bless and keep you save.

Remember to "Always Love The Details."

A higher law

 

Few are called to serve God by great actions, but all are bound to strive after perfection in the ordinary actions of their daily life.

John Gilmary Shea, Pictorial Lives of the Saints (New York; Cincinnati; Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1887), 495.

It is in the heart of a dreamer to be famous in the eyes of those around us. Fame is not without its cost or consequences. For the Christian it is not what we do but what Christ deems is needed to produce the results He desires. If fame is gained in following His word, then it is to the glory of God that fame is obtained. It is far sweeter to know Christ has blessed us with His grace than to bask in the fame the world would place on our shoulders. It would be far better to bask in the love of our father in heaven than to be held on a high pedestal in this world.

May the good Lord bless and keep you safe.

Remember to "Always Love The Details."

Eternal Love

 

4 See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (Washington, DC: National Council of Churches of Christ, 1993), Mal 4:1–3.

The birth of the Lord has passed and we live in the day of the Lord's presence. Rejoice in the loving presence of His grace. Lowly though we may be, He keeps us safe no matter what the day brings. Do you not know you are precious to Him? Do you not know it is as though no one else exists, that you are the only one in His presence? Do you not know there is nothing He does not know about you? We are blessed to be able to be in His presence in the Holy of Holies. His death on the cross tore the curtain that separates us from the Holy of Holies and moved it into our bodies. When we believe we become Holy ground. We are now the home of his presence through the Holy spirit of God. That is how special we are to Him. That is how much He loves each and every one of us. We do not deserve his love. We cannot earn His love nor is it for sale. It is free gift. It is the beginning of eternity in His grace. 

May the good Lord bless and keep you safe.

Remember to "Always Love The Details."