Open my eyes..

that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalms 119:18. I created this layout for Scrapping Everyday Miracles Sketch.
I chose this Psalm because of my journey in the Ashes To Beauty Program, the Lord has really allowed me to open my eyes and see so many wonderful things in my life and in my walk. Sometimes we don't realize that when we are going through our most difficult times the Lord is also there, our past good or bad makes us the who we are today. I've decided that I am going to remove the blinders put on my glasses so that I can see more of what God has for me. I am only my 3rd week of the program, but what an awesome journey it is. Now you all have a chance to earn this program. Nana Campana is one of the sponsors this month at Scrapping Everyday Miracles. So hop on over to the blog.

Search me, Oh God...

and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. Psalms 139:23. This is the verse I chose for my cover journal for my Ashes to Beauty course. I have to say that I am truly honored and blessed to be part of this course. It has allowed me to really dig deep into my heart, my hurts, and my struggles with forgiveness. Funny I didn't think when I first began this journey that I had a struggle with forgiveness. I thought I was past all that, but there is a hold in my heart right now I'm going to say it's a blockage to an artery that can be critical in my walk with the Lord.
For the past 2 weeks I've been thinking about my childhood, I have even questioned where was God then, but I am realizing that His was there protecting a little girl from a physically abusive father. At the age of 15 that same father was strangling me, and I remember wanting to die asking God to take me, but He had something more for me. What I love about reading the word, and in particular Psalms 139 is that He was there when I was created, in the secret place. God knows the truth, and I am comforted by that, but I am also afraid of being let down. So I am asking God to continue the work in me, give me strength. thanks for stopping by.

I am the true vine....

and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. John 15:1-3
The message this past Sunday at our church was John 15:5-8 I am the vine your are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
As he read the verse I was drawn to verse 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Wow think about this for a moment, can it be, can I be part of that branch. YES I can. I want to be able to grow and bear fruit, but there are times when I feel withered, broken down. I realized in reading this that the Lord wants us to grow, He has given us living water. If you read verse 2 it says that if every branch in Him does not bear fruit that he takes away. Since He is the gardener he removes those withered, broken branches. I know that I need to allow God to remove the withered branches in my life, he wants me to blossom. Verse 3 says that I am already clean because of the word that He has spoken.
As the Pastor reminded us on Sunday that the seed will grow regardless of what you put before it. This takes me back a little to when I{the backslidder} stopped going to church, a part of me didn't want to fellowship, didn't want to be a part of the branch but that seed was planted in me and never left me. God even then in my darkest moments wanted me to seek and be part of the living water, it took some time. He did a little weeding, and removed the brokenness, the burnt edges. The edges that were getting dark so that I can grow. He gets to the root of the problem, but we need to be remain in Him. Where are your roots? your roots are vital to your growth in God. Remember the the seed will grow regardless of what you put before it.

She knew God had a plan and a purpose...

How many times have we said everything happens for a reason. How wonderful is the word of God that we can see why sometimes things happen. 7 yrs ago I made a decision that though may not have been the right one in God's eyes I made because it was I'm going say I needed to break away. I was weak emotionally, and physically tired, so I took the easy way out. I was also pregnant and well my hormones were in full swing and I know I let that influence my decision. I have to say in those 7 yrs I was able to reflect and more recently I knew I needed God in my life He had never left my heart but I needed fellowship. It is so good to be back, praying, seeking and worshiping in God's house to have your brother's and sister's in Christ have your back in not only in prayer but really happy to see you week after week. I look forward to the fellowship with them, but more my time with God. Two weeks ago I came across the verse "for I know the plans I have for you "declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11 My only words after reading this was wow, but when I began to read a little further I found this "I will be found by you, declares the Lord and I will bring you back from captivity" first part of Jeremiah 29:14 what stays with me is that God says I will bring you back and that He did. Thank God for His guidance.
It has been awhile since I created a She-Art work, and thought this was perfect. It reads "She knew God had a plan and a purpose"
Thanks for stopping by.

How is your Glass?

Is it half full, or half empty this topic has been on my mind in the last week. Lord what are you trying to tell me? Where is this leading? So I began by looking at my life right now at my glass. I could say it's half empty, but then I thought how can it be half empty if I serve a God who quenches the thirst. Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. There are times that in the midst of the storm I am reminded to be still. So I have to say my glass is half full, my faith in Him reminds me each day that I am in His presence. John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
I took a photo of a glass half full, and today when I went to create I began cleaning my scrappy table but as I began putting my scraps from past projects this is what found on my desk. So I decided to work with what was on my desk. Thanks for stopping by.