The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Jn 12:25–26). New York: Doubleday.
There are times in our walk when we find the going a slow, sluggish drudgery. It is interesting to note that we have holidays for events, people or things we wish to remember or honor. Most of the truly important ones are to honor those who had dedicated themselves to the welfare of others and paid with their lives. Others are for those that have spent their lives caring for us and guiding us in our life on earth. Our mothers and fathers, whether by birth or by some other means, are an important part of who we have become. It is only proper that they are honored. There are failings in life that we can only blame ourselves for. Honoring those we care for means becoming blind to those times in their lives where there were failures. The question that arises then is, "What about my failures?" It is much harder to confront our failures than someone else's. How do you deal with it. Periodically I pull back from everyone and everything and assess where I am and where I am going. I come before God and place everything before Him and ask "What am I here for? Am I going in the right direction and what do you have for me to do?" I know many of the things in life that have been failures but also recognize that the failures are also an opportunity to learn. Those that have gone before are lessons and we will become the lesson in turn. As fame, wealth and personal greed becomes more important than caring about others, crime and the attention to self grows and God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are abandoned. It becomes especially important that the Christian live in a heroic manner as the disciples and the apostles did. If there were heroes it has to be them. After all, they gave their lives willingly for Christ and us. They were not looking for martyrdom but they were dedicated. They are our example to follow and to learn from.
Now it is time to say thank you to a few of those that make it such a pleasure to be a blogger. Those that are following my blog and those I am following even though they are not following me. If you visit please be sure to leave a bit of love behind in the form of a comment.
Angie at I would rather be Stamping is a Christian that really would rather be stamping. Once you visit her blog you will understand why the blog name. Her cards are very well done and always a delight to drool over.
Kecia at Stamping Deets is a first grade reading teacher and a Good card artist. She has a refreshing style all her own. I thoroughly enjoy stopping by and seeing what she has created. They are always clean but not always simple. I would say that is a different style wouldn't you? stop b y her blog and have a look for yourself.
Jan at Cards by Jan a Christian who lives on a farm in Canada. It is always a pleasure to stop by her blog and see what she created. She is talented at card making and enjoys sharing her creations. Be sure to stop by and see what she has done.
These are the Copics used to color the image.
Last week we had an experience that I think is a thank the Lord in more ways than one. I was talking to a dear blogger friend in my upstairs craft and office when I heard a cracking sound and immediately knew a tree limb was about to fall somewhere. That somewhere was directly over out rear dining area skylight. I gritted my teeth and listened as the cracking got louder and the ensuing bump and thud shook the house. Jill was already coming up the stairs asking if I was alright. I excused myself from my Skype conversation and looked out the upstairs back window to see a huge tree limb had fallen. The limb was a good 8 to 10 inches in diameter and possibly 20 feet long. It not only missed the skylight but also missed the roof. Here are some pictures of it.
The limb broke off is center of the picture.
Notice the tree trunk. It is at least 4 feet in diameter.
Can't believe it missed both the roof and the skylight.
The stub is between the two leaves at bottom right. The view is straight up through the skylight in the dining room.
A magnified view directly straight up from the dining room through the skylight. The limb had to move 15 feet toward the back of the yard to totally miss the roof and the skylight. I told Jill I would liked to have seen the angel that pushed that limb that far to miss the house so completely. By the way there was no wind when this happened so the wind was not what moved the limb that far. Thank you Lord for protecting us and the house. AMEN.
