Scripture Thursday ~ In HIS Time

Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19

According to Webster's 1828 Dictionary;
the word DELIVER has the following definition:

To free; to release, as from restraint; to set at liberty;
as, to deliver one from captivity.
To rescue, or save.

free scripture graphic for you

God promises us in this particular verse that he will DELVER his people from their afflictions.  My husband William, knows about this verse.  He has had a medical affliction for many years, even before I knew him.  There were never any answers despite lots of tests and doctors. 

We always prayed for healing…….for better days…….for relief from the pain.

My husband, reflecting on God's beautiful creation

After a recent flare-up that had lasted two weeks and was not improving, I took him to the ER.  As we waited to be seen, I prayed for the appropriate treatment that would provide some kind of relief from his distress.

An efficient and kind provider saw him, suspected she knew the cause, ordered some blood tests and found the reason behind YEARS of distress and pain.

What was the treatment?  Surgery? 
NO… a course of high powered antibiotics to wipe out an awful bacteria that had been living in his stomach for decades called H Pylori.  

pinterest image

The answer to this problem was simple,
but William was in the hands of the 

GREAT PHYSICIAN

who allowed the healing to be revealed only

IN HIS TIME.   

He is halfway through his treatment and already feeling so much better.   We may not know why God allowed this to continue for so long, but we placed our trust in him. 

William’s coping mechanism can be summed up in the in the chorus of one of his favorite hymns Because He Lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

He’s a little reserved about his story being shared as he’s kind of the “quiet type” when it comes to himself.  I assured him that others will benefit from his story being told.    I also want to add, if you are afflicted with chronic stomach distress, you may want to consider asking your doctor about testing for H Pylori.

Thanks so much for visiting here and all the kind comments you leave.  They are all read, and each one appreciated.  

Winners Announced

This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Happy Monday to you all.   I have some winners to announce from my 200 follower blog giveaway.  First I’d like to tell you that I was asked to be a guest today at sweet Naomi’s blog What Joy is Mine

I made the graphic below to go along with my guest post.  Each Monday, Naomi hosts Monday Musings which is a link get together.  You can click here to visit What Joy is Mine, read my guest post and find out more about Monday Musings.

Made with a combination of graphics from
The Feathered Nest
Starsunflower Studio
and my own personal images

Thank you for all who left comments.  I appreciated reading each and every one of them.  You are all very dear to me.  Here are the winners:

Pauline from My Paper Playground

 Pauline has won scripture cards, vintage lace and buttons.
Congratulations Pauline

Dawn from The Feathered Nest

 

 Dawn has won the book Sewing with Fabulous Vintage Fabrics.  Congratulations Dawn.

 Becky Green

Becky has won a set of 8 notecards of children from the Victorian Era.
Congratulations Becky.   

Pam from An Artful Mom

Pam has won a Bible Study book by Elizabeth George
Congratulations Pam

If you are one of the winners, please email me your mailing address so I can get your prizes sent out to you.  CLICK HERE TO EMAIL ME

I have one other little surprise for all of you if you stuck with me to the end of this post.  If you were not one of the four winners above and left a comment in this giveaway, you can email me your mailing address and I'll send you one of my scripture cards as a way of thanking you.  CLICK HERE TO EMAIL ME

There is still time to link your scripture project to this week's
SCRIPTURE THURSDAY.

Have a delightful day.

Scripture Thursday ~ A Help Meet

And the LORD God said,
It is not good that the man should be alone;
 I will make him an help meet for him.
 Genesis 2:18 (KJV)

Free Scripture Graphic

Twenty one years ago today, I became a “help meet” to my husband.  We’re told in Titus, that the older women should teach the younger women to love their husbands and children. 

The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—  that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,  to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.  Titus 2:3-5 (NKJV)

I think one of the most important roles that we have as women, is to teach by example.  Who are these younger women we are to teach?  For me, it’s my daughter and the other young women in my family, the teenage girls in my Sunday School class, young women I know in my community or church, or other women that God places in my path. 

Am I the same kind of “help meet” that I was in our first years of marriage?  By the grace of God, I am not.   There was a time my husband shared this verse with me:

It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 25:24 (NKJV)

You might imagine that I wasn’t making it easy for him. 

 
I’d like to share below what I have personally learned over the years about my role as a wife.

Seek the Lord first in all things.  Share a time of prayer and devotions together. 
Pray FOR him, pray WITH him.

Respect him, don’t talk down to him, and don’t talk to others about him in a negative way.

Don’t take him for granted.  Be appreciative of him and the things he does.  Tell him so.

It’s not all about ME.  Take time to hear his concerns, stories, hear about his day.

Is your husband your best friend?    If not, try treating him with the same respect you’d give a friend.

Don’t be a nag, don’t hold grudges, don’t bring up past mistakes

Let him enjoy his hobbies without badgering him about it.

Control your temper, watch your words, use your words to build him up, not tear him down.

Spend time together, eat your meals together, laugh together

Never give your husband a reason not to trust you.
If you have...work at re-building that trust.

Ask God to show you how to be the wife he wants you to be

As the years have passed and our spiritual walk with the Lord has grown, our marriage has matured and grown stronger and the bond between us is deeper.  The foundation of our marriage is a commitment not only to each other, but first and foremost to love and honor the Lord. 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

 Linking this post to

Think on These Things

Word Filled Wednesday

Hearts 4 Home Thursdays
Word Art Wednesday

Domestically Divine Tuesdays

Good Morning Girls

Proverbs 31 Thursdays

Scripture Thursday ~ A Dim Reflection

For now we see in a mirror, dimly,
but then face to face.  Now I know in part,
but then I shall know just as I also am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV)

The scripture I chose this week is found in 1 Corinthians 13:12, and talks of looking into a glass/mirror.  Mirrors were not always crystal clear like they are today.  In Bible times, they were made from polished metals, creating a vague image when looked into.  Paul, the author of 1 Corinthians compares this verse to our spiritual vision, which is dim, we don’t completely understand it.

Free scripture digital graphic

My eyesight is a source of frustration for me.  I’m extremely nearsighted and my vision fluctuates at different times.  I know when I get to heaven and see Jesus face to face, I’ll be able to see crystal clear.  Not only will my eyesight be clear, but my spiritual vision will be clear, the eyes of my heart. 

Paul’s confidence in this glorious future gave him the strength he needed to face his earthly trials.  He wrote in Romans 8:18:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  

Blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby had NO earthly vision.  I know from studying her life and her hymns, what she lacked in actual vision with her eyes, she made up for it with the eyes of her heart.  She wrote thousands of hymns that touched people deeply, still today.

Frances Jane Crosby

 
One particular hymn she held back and didn’t publish right away.   During a meeting at which she was asked to give her testimony, she shared this: 

There is one hymn I have writ­ten which has never been pub­lished.
I call it my soul’s po­em. Somet­imes when I am trou­bled,
I re­peat it to my­self, for it brings comfort to my heart. 

That hymn was titled
Saved by Grace (1891)
the lyrics are below.

Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!

Chorus
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace.

Some day my earthly house will fall.
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be;
But this I know—my All in All
Has now a place in Heav’n for me.

Some day, when fades the golden sun
Beneath the rosy tinted west,
My blessèd Lord will say, Well done!
And I shall enter into rest.

Some day: till then I’ll watch and wait,
My lamp all trimmed and burning bright,
That when my Savior opens the gate,
My soul to Him may take its flight.

Free hymn printable Saved by Grace

One of my favorite quotes by Fanny Crosby is:  

  When I get to heaven,
the first face that shall ever gladden my sight
will be that of my Savior! 

 

Another Sweet Image for You

God shields us from most of the things we fear,
but when He chooses not to shield us,
He unfailingly allots grace in the measure needed.
It is for us to choose to receive or refuse it. 
Our joy or our misery will depend on that choice.

Elisabeth Elliot

Free Victorian Advertising Card

Here's another sweet Victorian advertising card for you.  The quote above is by Elisabeth Elliot, a fascinating, Godly woman.  Click on her name to find out more about her.  

Click here for this week's Scripture Thursday Linky Party.  

I'm working on my 200 follower giveaway, stay tuned.  I hope you have a delightful day.

 

Free Images ~ Friends ~ and a Verse to Remember

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Colossians 3:23

Okay... is this Victorian trade card not the most adorable thing you've seen in a long time.  When I saw it, the verse at the top of this post came to mind immediately.   This little girl may not be very happy about her chores, but we're reminded in Colossians 3:23 that WHATEVER we do, do it  HEARTILY for the Lord.

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines the word HEARTILY as:

from the heart
with all the heart
with sincerity

with zeal
actively

vigorously
eagerly
freely

Are you getting the picture?  I am, and certainly this post is as much for me as any of my readers.  To help me visually remember this verse, I've added it to this sweet Victorian card as a reminder that whatever I do, is for the Lord.  

My friend Pat who faithfully attends a Bible study I have in my home, is an avid reader of my blog and always has an encouraging word.  She knows that vintage images are near and dear to me and surprised me not long ago with a stack of THE sweetest Victorian cards.   When she gave them to me, she said I can't wait to see what you do with them.  The sweet graphic above comes from Pat's gift to me.   

My friend Pat ~  a woman after God's own Heart

Pat knows what it's like to heartily work for the Lord.  She graciously, tenderly, compassionately, and unselfishly cares every day and night for her husband who suffers from dementia.   She is a very giving person and opens her home once a week to a sewing group.  She knits socks (I have 2 pairs) and gives them away, makes jam, cans veggies from her garden, tends flowers, is a prayer warrior and loves the Lord with all her heart.   I am thankful that she is part of my life, one of God's blessings to me.  

Have a wonderful weekend my friends.  I'm delighted that you've stopped by to visit.   

An Overwhelmed Heart

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
when my heart is overwhelmed:
 lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever:
 I will trust in the covert of thy wings.
Psalm 61:2,4

Hello my friends, and welcome to another Scripture Thursday.  The verse I chose this week, Psalm 61:2,4 happens to be a passage of scripture my sweet friend Darlene clings to.  You may remember that I’ve asked for prayer before for Luke who has a malignant brain tumor.  I dedicate this Scripture Thursday to Darlene, Luke’s mom.   Here is a picture of them together at the beach.

My friend Darlene, and her son Luke

  

In her own words, Darlene says:  

Psalm 61:2,4 kept me sane over the last 8 months while Luke was so sick.  When I would dwell on the cancer and found it difficult to think about anything else, the Lord would bring me back to Him with this verse.  Luke is doing much better.  The tumor is mostly gone.  This type of tumor, they tell me does not disappear – but I choose to trust in the Lord and also believe in miracles.  He has drawn me so much closer to Him during these very difficult times and I know that I can conquer anything with Him in my life.  Yesterday, I prayed, Lord, I find it difficult to be thankful for Luke’s cancer, but I can thank you for the reason behind it. 

Her life hymn is
Living for Jesus. 
Here is the first verse and chorus of that hymn written in 1917.

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Darlene is an example to me and so many others with her strong faith and strength.  She knows what it is like to have a heart that is overwhelmed.  Just recently her mother had a stroke and underwent surgery on her brain to save her life.   Despite all of Darlene’s circumstances I have never seen her faith waver, and in fact have seen it grow stronger. 

She was visiting the other day and we were talking about her favorite verse which is featured today.  I decided to make her a digital graphic and let her pick the elements.  So here it is below, we made it together.

Free Digital Scripture Graphic
click for larger size, click again
right click and save to your computer

She is a very gifted artist in various mediums and surprised me the other day with a beautiful handmade collage.  Using images of birds, scripture, sheet music, vintage lace, poems by Helen Steiner Rice, leaves and ferns and a gold cross – all things she know I would love.   I was so touched that she would think of me and make me a gift while her own heart was overwhelmed.   She loves to paint the things in nature such as birds and often paints them on rocks and leaves.  

My beautiful collage handmade by Darlene

One of the poems in the collage goes like this:

Through all of creation with symphonic splendor
the Lord speaks with a voice that is gentle and tender
and the birds in the trees and the flowers of spring
all join in proclaiming this heavenly king.
Helen Steiner Rice

Darlene is very touched by those who have prayed for her son, and now her mother.  What a good feeling, that people who don’t even know each other can pray for one another.   I hope you’ve been encouraged by her courageous journey through her son’s cancer and how she has coped by clinging to her savior through the words of Psalm 61:2,4.

Freebies for You

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8

Free Scripture Vintage Postcard

Isn't this postcard a beauty?  I did no alterations other than adding a border.  Nothing makes me happier than to see an old postcard with God's word on it.  Just look at the pink petals of the roses, it's as if you could touch them.  Just click on the image for a larger size, right click and save to your computer.  

One more day to add your scripture project to Scripture Thursday.  A new linky party is posted each Thursday.  A place to link any project you've made in any medium that has scripture from the Bible.  A prize is now offered each week to one of the participants.     Scripture Thursday 

The image below is an old postage stamp quilt that I scanned.  The entire quilt was made by hand with the tiniest little stitches.  The images in this post are free to you from my collection.  I only ask that you don't sell the image itself or sell it in a digital collage sheet.  Click here for more info about my images  

Free Postage Stamp Quilt Graphic

Here's the same graphic below in sepia-tone.

Free Postage Stamp Quilt Graphic

I am nearing 200 "followers" and over 125 that follow via email.  I am grateful to all of you, your kind comments, encouragement and your delightful blogs that inspire me. 

I'm planning a giveaway, which I'll announce by the end of the week.   If you are inspired by this blog, or don't want to miss a freebie, you can sign up to receive an email when I post.  Look on my sidebar not far under the sea of happy faces, "Blog Post Notifications" an you'll see where you can sign up.  


Have a delightful day my friends.  Don't forget to stop back here on Thursday for another Scripture Thursday.  I have something a little different planned for that day and I'm really excited to share it with you.  


Be sure to email me a link if you've made something with one of my graphics so I can add it to my pinterest board.

Free Scripture Art ~ Greater Love

Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

 

This scripture graphic was made using my own antique image
and a graphic from Lilac & Lavender

Here is the scripture image without the border.  Free for you. 

There's still time to add your project to this week's Scripture Thursday Linky Party.  Click below to see the post.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #16 ~ Amazing Grace

Thank you for stopping by today.