So for a new little project I recovered an old stained office chair.  Looks as though it's water damage or stained.  I did not want to bother cleaning it, so I made a quick slip cover for it.

I had some fabric that has been with me for a few years that I haven't used yet.  It's a pretty dark color and adds a unique style.

 After choosing the fabric, I took the easiest and fastest way to create an easy slip cover.  I simple cut it roughly around the shape of the chair and left the bottom open.  I sewed up the sides and hemmed the bottom leaving a 3/4" seam hem in order to thread small ribbon through so I could slip it and gather and tie it to secure the fit.  I chose white thread for this in order to show how this was done.

 After this was threaded I did the same thing to the seat.  This took only about 30 minutes and the great thing is that it can be taken off and gently washed.

     Since my last post in a lot has happened.  It has been tough as a friend of ours took his own life in his families home in early June.  This was a sad experience where we processed many emotions.  Through this however I think everyone affected has learned a great deal about themselves, each other, and others in need.

     On the brighter side me and my husband both graduated college together.  We opened our business, which is a mobile hot dog trailer, and just this past week bought our first home.......a little bungalow.  

     I look forward to settling in and updating my Etsy store with many handmade items.  This takes time, but hope I can become regularly engaged. With fall now approaching it is time to get ready for winter weather.  This time is the best time to work on projects as there is not much to do in winter outdoors here.  I have not really worked on anything for months, so we will all see what I come up with over the next few weeks and months.

It's Marriage Season!

Over the next 90 days there will be hundreds of newly married couples.  There will also be divorces.  Have you noticed how fashionable divorce has become.  How fashionable selfishness has become?  How society today does not want you to seek out help....  especially faith based help to heal your broken marriage?  I have noticed that when conflict arises individuals act like children "if you don't do what I want or what I say, or hang out with the friends I want, they I'm outa here".  Hello, one needs to be very careful, especially women to NOT turn your marriage into a parental role.  Your spouse is an adult and capable, and no they are not perfect.  

Let me just say...  marriage is not a fad, it's not about the fancy dress, and how many guests you invite and the gifts you receive.  It is about a sacred promise to each other and God that you will remain together through the good and the bad.  There is no perfect marriage, or person.  We all come with our own set of baggage and expectations.  Many of those expectations are skewed as we look to the examples from our own parents, television, movies, and then put our own spin on it.  

Think of a broken marriage as a severely broken bone.  Your leg is so badly broken the doctor does not know if surgery can even repair it.  After it's repaired it may not be the same, but it could also be better than imagined.  

WORK , WORK, WORK,  it takes two to fail in a marriage and two to repair it.  You have to feed it daily, and sometimes we forget and the weeds begin to grow.  We all know what a garden looks like when the weeds take over.........  you can't see the potential or the beauty that lies beneath those weeds.  And how does one weed a garden?  By pulling one weed at a time, and continuing to weed often to keep them from popping up and taking over the good things that grow.  What is great about the garden is you can choose what to plant.  One of you may want beautiful flowers (love and comfort) where the other may want tomatoes (strength and stability).  This is fine, as without knowing these things both are things of nourishment and beauty.  As a married couple works in their garden they begin to appreciate the contributions of the other.  The garden begins to look like a green blossoming orchestra built by the two of you and prosperous through God.

In our current world it is more important than ever to "PROTECT YOUR MARRIAGE"!

So they are no longer two, but one. No human being must separate, then, what God has joined together. – Matthew 19:6

And most importantly "DON'T GIVE UP"!

Nothing is impossible for God! – Luke 1:37 

Please visit my partner blog www.happitohelp.blogspot.com 

#marriageworks, #notodivorce, #marriageweeds

NOTE: I am not saying that there are not valid reasons to divorce a toxic individual, but I am pro-marriage.

This is a writing from a friend of ours who has a wonderful way with words.  She speaks from the heart and has great insight for improving ones self through struggles of daily life, while embracing all the good that she can capture.  by: Jannah Weiler

Hello boys and girls. Today I would like to write about composting. Yes, composting. Okay, but only to bring it home with a great analogy. ;P

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection, "Composting is a technique used to accelerate the natural decay process. The technique converts organic wastes to a mulch which is used to fertilize and condition soil. Composting can take as long as a year or as little as 14 days, depending upon the amount of human control."

So why am I writing about compost? Well, this morning I was thinking about inner garbage. Each of us has garbage. We have all been hurt by people and life experiences. This has created emotional waste, which can sit and pile up for many years. This inner garbage continues to build up and some spend a great deal of time and energy trying to get rid of the garbage only to attain new garbage, or even realize the smell of the old garbage is still lingering. These thoughts are what brought me to composting.

Compost is old garbage allowed to go through a decaying process and turned into soil that helps plants grow. See where I am going with this? wink emoticon

What if we quit trying to get rid of the inner garbage and learn how to turn it into compost? Compost is put into CONTROLLED storage bins. We control this process. All the garbage is then layered strategically on top of each other and allowed to sit and decay. Once it has decayed, it becomes the very fertilizer for healthy growth. Many people go through years and years of therapy. Personal "composting" can accelerate the process depending upon the amount of human control as mentioned above.

Some blame others for their personal garbage and allow their own emotional waste to stink and it shows and smells for that matter. These types of people think the garbage of others stinks too much so they remove themselves from the situation, only the garbage is still there and without proper care, the stench becomes unbearable! smile emoticon

We have the ability to take control of our own inner garbage instead of continuously throwing it out or blaming it on others. We can use it to be our very source of living and growth and become the masters of our own beautiful and healthy garden. Corny? Yes! It's how I roll. wink emoticon We will have to continuously keep weeds out of our garden and it may even stink for a while, but we can continue to utilize new garbage to become our fertilization of growth. If we were to follow this natural and organic process, we can develop and grow into greater and better people. We will truly see the fruits of our labors in ourselves and in our relationships with others. heart emoticon

My mom!

 It is now March and so much is happening mostly good but still some struggles.  I am posting today to recognize my mom.  At 67 she has finished her Masters Degree in Apologetic's.  Of course she is now considering going for her Doctrate.  This is a woman who did not get her High School Diploma until she was in her 40s, She obtained her Associate of Arts in her 50's and her Bachelors and Masters now in her 60s.  IT IS NEVER TO LATE.

Her final paper I wanted to share as it touches on some very good points regarding our belief in God the modern practices and how we as Christians need to stay true to the bible teachings, not the politics, cliques, or glamour of a church or organization.  Please give it a read, ask any questions you may have.  She would love to interact with anyone who has questions. #apologetics #holinessvslegalism  shirleypraysalot.blogspot.com  

Holiness vs. Legalism

By

Shirley Thurman

      We want to be saved, safe, have our sins washed away by the blood of Jesus and put away.  But, do we really see a need to be holy, today?  If we are truly saved by grace with no effort on our part, with salvation having originated in the heart of God, then what possible difference can Holiness make?

     Interesting questions.  After all if we are saved by grace and not by our own efforts then what is the big deal about Holiness?  Why can’t we just go on doing our own things as before?  According to Romans 5:8;  God loved us while we we were still sinners, will he stop loving us now that we are saved if we continue in sin?  Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God's love for us.

Romans 5:8 (GW)

     Well, it states in Ephesians 2: 8-10   For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them

Eph 2:8-10 (KJV)

We are saved by grace (completely and totally) not of ourselves , so there is no way we can boast about it.  But, then it goes on to say we are saved by grace UNTO good works.  These good works don’t save us, but they are works we do to show our appreciation for His great grace.  Not to be saved, but because He saved us already. Scripture also tells us that these works were created for us from the beginning of the world.

     God calls us to be Holy as He is Holy, I Pet 1:18  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)

He wouldn’t call us to be something that was impossible for us.  We cannot be Holy without the grace offered to us in salvation or apart from the Holy Spirit at work within us.  God saved us with a purpose in mind and the purpose is to serve Him in loving obedience to His word.  So, what does it mean to be Holy in God’s eyes?

     Holiness is a beautiful thing and not burdensome.  It is something to be sought after as it is of great value to a Christian.

·        Joseph Carlyle “Perfect Holiness is the aim of the saints on earth, and it is the reward of the saints in heaven.”

·        John Whitlock; “the Christian’s way is holiness, his end happiness.”

·        Oswald Chambers:  “God has one destined end for mankind-holiness!  His one aim is the production of saints.  GOD IS NOT AN ETERNAL BLESSING MACHINE FOR MEN.  He did not come to save men out of pity.  He came to save men because He Had created them to be holy.”

     As a Christian holiness is, or should be, our goal, our destiny; our portion.  It expresses the very essence of the nature and character of God and describes the highest level of spirituality attainable by man.

     Why do so many Christians fight against Holiness?  Many claim it is a gospel of works as opposed to grace.  Why?

     Some don’t want to be challenged or shaken from their comfort zone, others don’t want to pick up their cross and follow Jesus thereby denying themselves of their own will or desires.  Maybe they don’t want to be confronted with God’s high standards, preferring to hide in their shelter of snug justification. Rather than to deal with the truth.  Just like the Israelites, Isa 30:10,11. These people are rebellious and deceitful children, children who refuse to listen to the Lord's teachings. 10 They say to the seers, ‘Don't see {the future}.' They say to those who have visions, ‘Don't have visions that tell us what is right. Tell us what we want to hear. See illusions. 11 Get out of our way! Stop blocking our path! Get the Holy One of Israel out of our sight.'”

Isaiah 30:9-11 (GW)

 To these God said Repent, vs. 12-17.

     But, for most the problem isn’t  rebellion, self-will or love of the world.  It is that they equate holiness with legalism.  They see it as a joyless, judgmentalism, producing futility instead of freedom.  They believe this message to be man-made governed by the law and not love.  Following the rules without a relationship.

     Is this Holiness?  What is holiness?  Holiness is being like Jesus in thought, word and deed.

     Samuel Lucas put it is way;  “The essence of true holiness consists in conformity to the nature and will of God.”

     Where legalism grasps part of this truth, namely that holiness requires us to put away sin and uncleanness, calling for a change of conduct and attitude.  It misses the mark by failing to understand the essence of holiness ( concentrating on outward forms and not inner realities) and the process of holiness (emphasizing human effort without the grace and power of the Holy Spirit)  Legalism kills.

     So, what it legalism?  It comes in several forms, but all have the same source, religion without relationship, emphasizing standards more than the Savior.

     For instance:  Legalist preacher might say “You’re a wicked sinner and you need to get rid of all your filthy habits if you want the Lord to accept you.”  No grace here, no exalting of the life-changing, sin cleansing power of the blood of Jesus, no mention of mercy or grace.  In fact the proof of the new birth is almost entirely in what someone no longer does.

     What does it mean to be a Christian?  Don’t smoke drink or run around with women. The story is told of two farmers and one of them became a Christian.  One day while talking one of them men asked Joe, what it was to be a Christian.  Joe  replied, Well, I don’t smoke, drink or run around with women.  The other farmer thought a moment and said hey, I have a fine mule that doesn’t smoke, drink, or chase other mules he must be a Christian too.

     There is legalism in a nutshell.

     In the church it’s easy to recognize because it judges by externals.  Condemning those who don’t conform to their particular outward norms, with particulars concerning dress or behavior making them the standard by which everything else is judged.  Rather than the word of God, which is our standard for all things.

     Bonnet churches,  King James Only churches, Apostolic churches, church of Christ, etc. Where your response to their rules are much more important than your relationship with the Lord.

     Problem with legalism is it

 1) tries to change a person from the outside in (while God deals with us from the inside out).

 2) they don’t present a balanced picture of the Lord, putting too little stress on His mercy and too much emphasis on His wrath.

 3)  They do not point the sinner to the Lord’s supernatural empowerment, making holiness a matter of human effort alone.

 4)  They add laws, standards, commandments, custom, and traditions that are not found in the Word, making them even more important than the biblical commandment’s themselves.

 Holiness vs. Legalism

     What does it mean to be holy?  Does God require Holiness?  Can we be Holy?

      Legalism:  Overlooking the major things, like love, gentleness, goodness mercy, etc for things like wearing makeup or jewelry or tatoo’s, men with long hair, etc.

     You can always count on the fact that the legalist is full of passion.  He cannot depend on God to change people; he must change them himself!

     Contrast this to Biblical holiness which begins with the heart and flows from an encounter with God and His Word.  It calls for repentance in response to the Lord’s gracious offer  of salvation and it offers a way to be holy through the blood of Jesus and the Spirit of God.  Biblical holiness is free, although it requires discipline and perseverance.  For the legalist, nothing is free.  Everything must be earned.  Legalism leads to bondage; Holiness leads to liberty.

     Legalism is loveless.  It tends to grow when the true religion grows cold, but the outward form of that religion is maintained.  It remembers what true spirituality produced in the previous generation of believers including turning from sin and embracing a holy lifestyle and then imposes those end results on those who have not had that same experience.

Christian service that once arose out of a heart ablaze for God is now a requirement performed out of habit and motivated by fear.  Acts of giving and sacrifice that once came as a natural expression of gratitude to the Lord are now forced on the believer and used as a measure of spirituality.

     There is a vast expanse between motivations behind legalism and discipline.

     Legalism says, “I will do this to gain merit with God,” while discipline will say “I will do this because I love God and want to please him.  Legalism is man centered.

     Discipline is God centered.  Legalism is not only man centered in its orientation but also in its efforts, calling us to walk in the Spirit in the power of the flesh.

     Holiness is God centered in its efforts calling us to “walk in the Spirit in the power of the Spirit.

     A bird flies  easily because the air is his domain.  A legalistic  Christian is one who is trying to live in a world that is not natural to him.  Jesus said if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.  Free from the inside, born from above, lifted into another world with no strenuous effort to live in a world that is not alien to us, but rather where we can soar continually higher and higher because we are in the natural domain of spiritual life.

     The law itself does not give us the power to live for God, it only points out that we are not doing it.  Even thought the law itself is good.  Romans 8:1-4 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh

This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom.

2 Cor 3:17 (GW)

       Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  This is not a  freedom to live as we please, rather it is a freedom to become like Jesus, freedom to fulfill the Law’s demands, freedom to be holy.  There is no room for license here.  Through this power of the new covenant we are presently being transformed into the Lord’s likeness.

One poet put it this way:

To run and work, the law commands

Yet gives un neither feet nor hands.

But better news the gospel brings;

It bids us fly and gives us wings.

I Cor 5:9-13,  tells us ( Cor 5:11, not to even eat with a brother who is immoral, crooked, slander, etc.)   In my letter to you I told you not to associate with people who continue to commit sexual sins. 10 I didn't tell you that you could not have any contact with unbelievers who commit sexual sins, are greedy, are dishonest, or worship false gods. If that were the case, you would have to leave this world. 11 Now, what I meant was that you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don't eat with such people. 12 After all, do I have any business judging those who are outside {the Christian faith}? Isn't it your business to judge those who are inside? 13 God will judge those who are outside. Remove that wicked man from among you.

1 Cor 5:9-13 (GW)

·        Externally imposed religion brings death

·        Internally birthed religion brings life.

Conclusion

     Following God’s Word means peace, joy, and blessing.  It means harmony with our maker and intimacy with our Savior.  It also is the only sane way to live.

      As Robert D. Brimstead observed, “The idea of living strictly by what the Bible says has been branded as legalism.”  It’s time, my friend, that we dispel that notion.  It’s time that we preach holiness (but not with legalistic judgments) and live holiness, but from the inside out.  It’s time we show the world the image of our Savior instead of the image of the flesh.  Time for people to see Christ not carnality, in the church.

    How do we strive for holiness

1.     Make every effort to keep your first love

2.     Live a life of thanksgiving and praise.  Be a worshipper, not a murmurer or complainer.  Keep things in focus.  A liberated believer will be overflowing with thanksgiving; a legalist primarily thanks God that he is not like you, sinful and unclean.  Luke 18:9-14).

3.     Be very conscious of your own sins and shortcomings.

4.     Give yourself to private prayer for those who are different and those you may not like.

5.     Learn to appreciate the beauty of holiness

6.     Be quick to recognize narrow judgmentalism arising.

7.     Never use the bible as weapons against other believers.

Stand firm for holiness 2 Cor 3:18 Such lofty heights of holiness are foreign to the legalist and forbidden to the libertarian.  But they are familiar to those of us who have been set free from sin and have become slaves of righteousness.

Almighty God is at work in us to make us like His Son.  That is not legalism.

References: 

God’s Word Bible

KJV Bible

Brown, Michael.  “Go & Sin No More.

Christmas 2014

I am happy to say that I am glad to have another year behind me.  2014 had some twist and turns which is normal in life, but not always pleasant.  It was a new year of learning and discovery which is never time wasted.  One thing I began doing is keeping a prayer journal.  Yes, I started this a few months ago and documented all prayers rather big or small.  I had not visited this for about 6 weeks, but the other day I went in to update it and discovered that 98% of my prayers had been answered.  Yes, ANSWERED......  one must just have faith, right?  Easier said than done, but only seems possible when one has exhausted themselves from stressing over a particular situation or problem.  In the new year I would strongly recommend trying this.

As for the NFL gifts I made this year for my brothers I came up with these wooden signs.  I saw similar signs online for $50.  Who has that kind of cash that they can just put out that kind of money, when I didn't pay a penny.  I had all the supplied already and cut the vinyl lettering with my trusty Cricut.  Every football fan loves ANYTHING to do with their favorite team.  Next year will have to find yet another creative one of a kind gift to make. #happigirlgifts# ,#diynflgifts#, #homemadenflgifts#, #seahawks#, #steelers#