Noisy Disciples?

"If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:40

There is a tension in most of us between giving our all to God and maintaining our dignity in the eyes of the world. We are urged by Jesus and by the written Word to love God with everything that is in us--our minds, our hearts, our souls, everything. Sometimes this love will take the form of a loud voice (Psalm 33:3, 47:1), and sometimes it will take the form of an unpopular stand. Either way, we're often out of step with the world.

The crowd of disciples in this passage (Luke 19:37-40) are praising God for all things Jesus has done. These disciples are loud. They're perhaps inappropriate in this particular social setting. ...But Jesus doesn't seem concerned with their volume, their defiance of social expectations, or their controversial theology. They are doing what human beings were created to do--praise God.

The unbelieving world will expect us to keep our beliefs to ourselves, or at the very least--if we must be Christians in public--be dignified about it. But we don't live according to the world's expectations. We live according to God's. And what are God's expectations for us? There may be many answers, but at least one-the main one- is our wholehearted worship. God WILL be praised. If we don't fulfill or purpose in worship, He'll raise up stones to do it. But He will be glorified by His creation.

From time to time, we need to ask ourselves who we're trying to please. Are we living to keep the world happy and ruffle as few feather as possible? Or is God our only audience? Jesus and His disciples ruffled feathers because they pursued God with wholehearted devotion and single-minded purpose. So must we.

Luke 19:37-40

"The great thing, and the only thing, is to adore and praise God."

Thomas Merton

well...those were part of my nightly devotions last night. it hit my heart..seemed like the reminder and encouragement i need in the world we're in. Just thought I'd share.

Have a blessed day.

He is Lord!

project...in the works!

This Mothers Day is going to be my daughters first. I was thinking about what i could do to make it special.

She had commented several days ago that the scrappy bag with the yoyo embellishment was her favorite ....so my brain started....and wouldn't stop. I made her a big diaper bag for her shower, but it always seems to be overflowing and she can never find what she is looking for. So i'm color coding pockets, making tethers for keys and her wristlet...velcroing' everything...and still working, it's HUGE. (just to give you an idea 15 1/2" x 24" and will have a give inch gusset)

Oh yeah...best part...the yellow checked fabric is an awesome weight cotton table cloth i bought at a church yard sale this weekend for two dollars! Gotta love a deal :)

What do you think so far?

Package from KIM!!

I love getting mail....and WOW did i get a wonderful package today from Kim. She has been my partner before and currently is my partner in two swaps. The swaps are selected randomly so that's really a odd occurrence that she would get my name so many times...but I'm soooo the lucky one. Below are my treasures from the pouch swap and the coaster swap. Love love love thanks KIM @ http://www.littlegreenbees.co.uk/
Below are a few goodies I made for a colleague of my daughters. I particularly like the bunny. That pattern is from the Herbst @ ETSY. I seem to like every thing that she does...she designed the bunny slippers I made for Easter baskets too.


Have a wonderful weekend!

giveaway & a birthday

Its' Jen's birthday and she is giving away a delcious apron!!!

You have to love a birthday celebration where we get the present...anyway...go over and leave her a happy birthday wish :)

By the way her blog ...love this name...Diamonds, Fur & Laundry. (i've got one out of three...how about you?)

Have a terrific Thursday!

A wonderful day!

Most gorgeous baby ever received a special gift today. I've been hosting a swap at swapbot called a bib and a burp. This lovely package came to us from Wendy in the Netherlands. She sent such a fabulous package..not only the bib and the burp but look at that adorable toy! You can check out Wendy's blog @ http://mamaencas.blogspot.com/



I wasn't unable to leave yesterdays purse ALONE....so after an evening and part of today....take a look and see what you think...a little embellishment here...a little sparkle there...a few vintage buttons and...a little embroidery...SO FUN!!!

Hope you had a fabulous day!

Another tuesday...another purse

I know...how many purses do i need?....

Well...actually, I usually carry the same purse until its too full & tooooo heavy with all my treasures :0 But I LOVE to make purses. There is something so completable about them. (is completable a word???) You know what i mean. You can start and finish within some reasonable time frame...and then when you get finished you have something you can use. That's me...miss practical...wow can I spin a new purse!

Last year I don't know how many handbags I gave as gifts...but my friends and family are probably hiding around purse giving, I'm mean, holiday time this year!

Less I digress...over the weekend i started a scrappy SWEET PEA TOTE. I also say this every week...but I think this is my favorite bag. I'm all about scrappiness (is that a word??..oh goodness) I should call this my "green" purse...vintage table cloth, vintage bedspread, re purposed cotton (great Nordstrom shirt from Hubby-shhh don't tell him) and then added some of my favorite fabrics.

For those of you looking for a great, easy pattern...ohlala this is it. There are a few steps with the machine quilting on the front of the purse...but worth it for the look! The instructions are very clear, great step by step pictures. This lady can sure write a pattern and at the end also gives you her email for any questions. There is nothing more you could ask from a pattern..style, ease, clarity and functionality (i that a word?) I rate this pattern 5 our of 5 spools of thread!

Hopefully this is helpful to both your desire for a new pattern and your need to learn new words...probably words I'm making up to suit the occasion but .."new" non the less!!! :)

Tried sewing anything new lately?

We have a winner!!!!!

It's a dark,dreary rainy Monday here in the nations Capitol, but hopefully someone's day is about to get a little brighter....

drum roll please xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

the winner is

#74 Celeste

Thanks to all you wonderful, simply fantastic, sweet ladies who signed up to play! I've enjoyed this so much...i'm working on giveaway #2. So keep checking in and maybe next time it will be YOU!

blessings Shelia ;)