Free Valentine Vintage Images

Be completely humble and gentle;
 be patient,
bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2

 

Hello my friends.  Thanks for all the encouraging comments you’ve been leaving.  They are what keep me keepin’ on here at Little Birdie Blessings. 

The vintage Valentine graphics included in this post are free to you.  I hope you enjoy them.

If you didn’t read the previous post – every Thursday there is a Linky party right here with any project you’ve been working on that has scripture from the Bible.  This week’s linky party will close Wednesday morning.  I’ll be giving away a book of poems about Love, by Helen Steiner Rice to one of the participants.  You can read the previous post here if you’re interested.  SCRIPTURE THURSDAY

I’m going to be adding more hymn freebies.  If you have particular ones you’re looking for, let me know in the comment section and I’ll try and accommodate.  The same goes for vintage images or scripture.  Let me know what some of your favorite types of images and favorite scriptures.  I’m looking forward to your comments.

I wanted to add that I've had trouble commenting on some blogs.  I normally use Firefox as my browser and discovered that by switching to Internet Explorer, I didn't have the issues.  I kept both browsers open, and if I can't comment when in firefox, I copy/paste the URL into Internet Explorer.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Scripture Thursday ~ The Greatest of These

And now abide faith, hope, love,

these three;

but the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 13:13

Free Heart Graphic from Vintage Quilt

 

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner.  I thought I’d revive this scripture from a previous post.  I Corinthians 13 is known as the LOVE chapter in the Bible. 

My daughter and her husband have two little boys aged 2 and 3 years old.  Being blessed with grandchildren, I have the privilege of a first-hand experience watching them interact.  I’m fascinated by the fact that love seems to be a natural instinct which starts from infancy.  

my sweet grandsons

 Although the boys have their “moments”, usually about sharing..... for the most part they have genuine love and concern for each other.   The older boy teaching his younger brother how to wash his hands the right way, comforting him when he cries, hugging him when they haven’t seen each other for a period of time, speaking for him if necessary.   The same goes for my youngest grandson who comforts his older brother if he’s crying, and shows he cares in many different ways.  

In I John 3:18, we’re told:  

My little children, let us not love in word,

neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Just this past week the boys woke up to find it had rained overnight and melted the snow.   Their conversation went like this as they looked out the window.

Little one:  “Where Snow?”

Older brother:  “It melted”

Little one:  “Get it!”

Older Brother:  "We can't get it. It's in the sky and we can't reach it. Only God can reach it. He'll throw some more down to us soon."

 

If you have little ones, nurture them to love one another, and nurture them to love God.  What they learn when they are young will carry with them to their teenage years and on to adulthood.  The simplest childhood song which you all probably remember, Jesus Loves Me was written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1827 - 1915).  

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me–
The Bible tells me so.

Free Victorian Calling Card

As Valentine’s day approaches, and we think about LOVE, try to have the faith of a child and realize that Jesus loves YOU unconditionally.   

Free Vintage Valentine Postcard

He knows the number of hairs on your head
(see Luke 12:7)

He knows every tear you shed and stores them in a bottle
(see Psalm 56:8)

His thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand
(see Psalm 139:17-18)

That’s LOVE!!

Here’s a poem titled Someone Cares, by my favorite poet, Helen Steiner Rice

Someone cares and always will,
The world forgets but God loves you still,
You cannot go beyond His love
No matter what you're guilty of
For God forgives until the end,
He is your faithful, loyal friend,
And though you try to hide your face
There is no shelter any place
That can escape His watchful eye,
For on the earth and in the sky
He's ever present and always there
To take you in His tender care
And bind the wounds and mend the breaks
When all the world around forsakes...
Someone cares and loves you still
And God is the Someone who always will!
~Helen Steiner Rice~

 

I have made a digital freebie for your personal use.  The scripture WORDart is by Karen at Papercraft Memories.  

Free for personal use

 

  Love the comments, keep them coming. 

E-Books and Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
 whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Philippians 4:8

I was blessed this Christmas with the gift of a Kindle Fire and have had fun loading it up with music and books.  This verse came to mind today as one of the teenagers in my Sunday School class started talking about her Kindle Fire.  

Since I got mine, I've realized there are thousands of free e-books that are available to us.  Some are really great books while others are not even fit for a library.  We discussed that just because a book or song is FREE, doesn’t mean we should download it. We live in a modern world; and technology is advancing at a rapid rate.  

Image courtesy of The Feathered Nest

The information we store and read on our e-devices
affects how we think.

Our thoughts affect the way we feel.

Negative thoughts, untrue thoughts,

all lead to stress and anxiety.

I know……..I’ve been there!  

 You’ve been there!

Information is readily available to us with a tap of our finger, or a click of a mouse.  You no longer have to go to the video store or bookstore to purchase materials you wouldn’t be proud to show someone.  You can fill your mind with this material without even leaving the house. 

 

In this society we have become desensitized to information our grandparents would have been appalled to hear or see.  Unclean and impure thoughts can creep into our home without us even realizing we’ve invited them in.   

The verse I’m featuring today, Philippians 4:8 is a scripture we all need, to clear our minds and focus on the wonderful blessings God has given us.  Training your minds to go in this direction will relieve us of unnecessary stress and give us more peace in everything we do.

I spoke on this topic at a women’s retreat last fall.  One of the young women there shared the following: 

Shore up the foundation of my mind,
sealing every crack, supporting every stone,
Until nothing comes in that isn’t from you.

Image Courtesy of The Feathered Nest

I’m really excited to share with you today a digital graphic I designed using this verse, and images from The Graphics Fairy and Free Pretty Things for You.  I love the way it came out.  Yours free to use.  Please don’t sell the actual image or use in collage sheets for sale.  I'd appreciate a link back if used on your blog.

Speaking of Kindle Fires, I have a few sites to tell you about with some free book information.

A Cherished Keeper has a list of free educational books 

From her blog, I found a link to this homeschooling blog
Ben and Me which has a long list of free Kindle books for kids

Christian Book Distributors now offers free e-books. They also offer a free reader which can be downloaded to your computer, so it’s not necessary to own an e-reader to get the free book.  

Books that are not in MOBI format (Kindle) can be converted using a free program called Calibre.  

Another site that has thousands of free books is
Project Gutenburg 

There's still time to participate in this week's 

  Scripture Thursday Linky Party

 Every THURSDAY there is a new opportunity 

to link up your scripture projects. 

Drop me a comment with your thoughts on this post.  I'd love to hear from you.  Thanks for stopping by today. 

More About Hymns

On dark days when the only song

we feel like singing is a dirge, we can pray,

"Let the music of thy promises be on my tongue"
(Psalm 119:172).  

 

The promises of God will lift me right out of sad sentimentality

and put music in my mouth if I will think steadily on them. 

Let the promise be the song you sing. 

 He will hear it and make it true for you. 

-- Elisabeth Elliot

Free Printable Hymn

Sunshine in the Soul 

Hello my friends.  I guess you've figured out by now that I have a thing for the old hymns.  With good reason!!  I have a few more to share with you today and want to also share a couple of sites with you about hymns.  

Have you ever heard of cyberhymnal?  This is a fantastic site that has thousands of hymns listed and searchable in various forms.  You can find a little history on the hymn, read the lyrics, and hear the tune if you choose. 

Click below to view

CYBERHYMNAL

I am gathering free pintable hymns on one of my pinterest boards.   There does not seem to be a lot available.   So.... I'll try to regularly add some from my collection of old hymnbooks.  

Click here to view my 

Pinterest Board of Hymns

Here's another free printable hymn for you:

What a Friend we have in Jesus

Patter from TRIPLE THE SCRAPS has an excellent hymn challenge which she offers every other Sunday throughout this year.  You can click on the link below to find out more about this.  Even if you don't participate in the challenge you can read her posts and learn the history of many of the old hymns.  Thanks Patter for offering this on your blog. 

Here's one more freebie hymn for you today. 
A Shelter in the Time of Storm

THANK YOU so much for visiting here today.  Your comments warm my heart and are a great encouragement to me to keep persevering. 

So Thankful for my Friends

You show that you are a letter from Christ,
the result of our ministry,
written not with ink
but with the Spirit of the living God,
not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV)

I came across this scripture recently, and I just love it. 

It reminds me that I'm richly blessed with friends.

Friends that God has given me

Friends that are written on the tablet of my heart

In order to have friends.......

                      one need to be a friend.

That means giving of your time when necessary,

sharing, caring, offering encouraging words
and praying for your friends.  

Philippians 2:3 says,  

Do nothing out of selfish ambition 

or vain conceit, but in humility

consider others better than yourselves.

Place more value on your friend's needs than your own.  

 

My heart is full this week,

full of JOY that I've received from my friends. 
The JOY arrived from various friends in various forms
and is written on the tablet of my heart.

Thanks for stopping by.  I've included some free vintage images in this post for you.   Enjoy!

 

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #11 ~ DISCIPLINE

Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control. 
Proverbs 25:28

This new year brings a new attitude in me.  I’m tired of feeling like my “walls are broken down” and I want to do something about it.  This is somewhat of a long post, but I feel it’s necessary, so please bear with me.  It is my hope and prayer that you will benefit from my short-comings.

In one of the women’s groups I attend, we were asked to come prepared with a word that we would focus on this coming year.  It took me about 30 seconds for the word DISCIPLINE to pop into my head.

There are a number of definitions, and the one that speaks to me is defined as follows:

•  control gained by enforcing obedience or order

•  orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior

• self-control

I told someone recently that I was a very disorganized person.  She looked at me in stunned disbelief.  Evidently I have given her the appearance that I have it all together (NOT).  

I am WEAK and unable to have the discipline I need in my own accord.  

Self-control is a work of the Holy Spirit,
not a work of the individual.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but a spirit of power,
of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

Without self-discipline, our comforts and laziness can easily become our master and hinder our spiritual walk. 

If the spiritual does not control the physical, it’s easier to fall into sin because of our lack of self-discipline or self-control.  Self-control is needed to win the race that is before us and to live the life that is pleasing to God.

WHAT DO I NEED DISCIPLINE IN?

Prayer and Time in the WORD

Developing daily spiritual disciplines transforms how we think, act, and believe.

Making room for time with God requires us to reorder our priorities.

Spending time with God WILL change you and cause everything else to fall into place

• Determine a time

• Determine a place

• Determine a plan
  

But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness;
and ALL these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

Food ~ Exercise ~ Health

As adults we have a choice as to the foods we consume.  Make changes if you need to, start small, little changes can lead to big results.  Ask for help, educate yourself on nutrition.

I am overweight!  My medical records say “OBESE”.  I have met numerous times with a dietitian and am keeping a food log of everything that goes into my mouth.  With God's help, I am going to try and overcome this.

Everything is permissible”
—but not everything is beneficial.
I Corinthians 10:23

…..let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1

…… offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world…..
Romans 12:1-2

Are you sedentary?  Get up…MOVE…something is better than nothing, so…

do something!  Start slow, and add a little more each day.

I have started an exercise class that meets once/week for support and weigh-ins.  I am committed to exercising ½ hour to 1 hour each day.  

….. forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 Organization
 

• Put it where it goes!!! 

• Clean out the clutter

• Give away what you don’t use or need

• Clean up when you’re done with a task

For God is not a God of disorder

but of peace.
I Corinthians 14:33a

But everything should be done 

in a fitting and orderly way.
I Corinthians 14:40

Time Management

• Prioritize, do first things first

• Close the cover on your laptop, or shut your computer off

• shut off the television

• finish a task before starting another one

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:37

=================

Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control. 
Proverbs 25:28 

Regain control, build up your walls. 

Victory is the fruit of 
dedication and discipline.

But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness;
and ALL these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

The vintage images included in this post are free for you.  Please do not sell the actual image or sell them in collage sheets. 

This post is a linky party for your scripture projects.  You may link up any project that has scripture from the Bible.  I reserve the right to remove any link I feel is not beneficial to this blog, or does not have scripture on it.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  ~ ABBY

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #10

Because you are my help,
   I sing in the shadow of your wings.   
My soul clings to you;
   your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:7-8

Courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Welcome to our 10^th Scripture Thursday here at Little Birdie Blessings.  This is a linky party where you may link up projects that have scripture from the Bible.    

My friend Loretta doesn’t have a blog, but likes to participate.  When she emailed me earlier in the week with her latest scripture project, I knew I'd found this week’s verse.  I think her card is stunning and wanted to feature it today.  Thank you Loretta for making this week's project.  

Scripture Card by Loretta

This verse from Psalm really spoke to me as I have had numerous people in my circle of friends that are really struggling with some serious issues, either themselves or through their loved ones.  

I myself had a serious health scare this week and took an unexpected trip to the hospital in the ambulance.  I am okay, but there were certainly a few tense hours praying, waiting and wondering.  I know that nothing happens to me that isn’t in God’s control, and I know he will use this incident for good.  

Psalm 63 was written by David when he was in the wilderness running from Absalom who was trying to kill him.   Preacher Charles Spurgeon (1892) called Psalm 63, a Wilderness Hymn.  He describes the first 8 verses as David's   longing after God and his confidence in Him.  

David was praising the Lord despite his circumstances, he didn’t wait to praise until he got out of the “wilderness”, he praised in the midst of it. 

• I see my friends singing in the shadow of God’s wings despite their fears
  
  
• I see them clinging to Him through prayer because they know He is the only way they can get through it
  
  
• I see them depending more on God and less on self or the world.

Are you in a “wilderness” in the middle of a calamity?  Seek God’s help to deliver you, sing praises to Him now, your soul will be soothed.  

Here are some verses from a hymn written in 1698 by Nahum Tate.  It’s interesting to me that the words to this hymn and so many others, are timeless.

 The Psalms of David by Brady & Tate

Through All The Changing Scenes of Life

Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.

Of His deliverance I will boast,
Till all that are distressed
From my example courage take
And soothe their griefs to rest.

O magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt His Name;
When in distress to Him I called,
He to my rescue came.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Your turn to link a scripture project you’ve been working on.  Please be sure the image you link has scripture from the Bible on it. 

The format may be in any form; digital, altered art, paper crafts, etc.  I reserve the right to remove any link I feel is inappropriate for this blog.  Thanks for participating.  I can't wait to see what you have to share.   ~ ABBY