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.

Scripture Thursday ~ Amazing Grace

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11

Free Scripture Printable

The hymn Amazing Grace is very popular.  Sometimes popular becomes common if we’re used to hearing it all the time.  The title of this hymn is just two simple common words. 

Websters 1828 dictionary states the definition of these words as follows:

AMAZING
Confounding with fear, surprise or wonder.
Very wonderful; exciting astonishment, or perplexity.

GRACE
Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God,
the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him
And if by grace, then it is no more of works…. Romans 11:6

You can find the full definition of GRACE here – it is quite lengthy but informative

Webster's 1828 definition of GRACE

If you put the two definitions together you have:

Very wonderful, free unmerited love and favor of God.
The source of all the benefits men receive from him.

Free Hymn Printable ~ Amazing Grace

John Newton, the composer of this hymn said:
Though I am not what I ought to be,
 nor what I wish to be, nor yet what I hope to be,
 I can truly say I am not what I once was . . . .
By the grace of God I am what I am!

John Newton, Composer Amazing Grace

Composed in the 1779, this hymn is probably the most popular hymn in the English language.  John Newton was a slave trader before coming to Christ.  We are all sinners who have a choice to be saved by God’s GRACE, as Mr. Newton writes about below.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

I’m participating in a Hymn Challenge and thought I’d combine that project with Scripture Thursday.  You can read more about this hymn and its history at Triple the Scraps with Patter. Below is a digital page I made free for you, and for the hymn challenge.  Click for a larger size, right click and save to your computer.

Free for personal use or sharing

Okay my friends, your turn to show off what you've been working on this week. 
Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate all of my readers, your comments and encouragement to me.  You are my blessings. 

Happy Valentine's Day ~ Free Printables

And now abideth faith, hope, charity,
these three; but
the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 13:13 

Happy Valentine's Day my friends.  Here is a little something for you, my gift to you.  A bookmark with this scripture added to it.   I found the graphic of this beautiful woman at The Graphics Fairy and just had to use her in my Valentine to you.  Click on the image to make it larger, right click and save to your computer.  I think this would make a wonderful bookmark.

 

The next two graphics come from a very old book in my collection, the first one is plain, the other, I've added a background.  Your choice.  All the images in this post are free.  If you have any questions about terms of use for my images please visit here:  About My Images.

I'd like to tell you about a blog I recently discovered with the most beautiful photography and inspiration.  

What Joy Is Mine
with Naomi

Here is a self portrait of her which she titles Self Portrait of Joy

Naomi ~ What Joy is Mine

.  

Her blog header is made with her own photography
and the verse below is featured underneath it.

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
   that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.  

Psalm 90:14

Naomi chooses JOY despite devastating circumstances in her life, and models that JOY to her family and others.   She is having her first blog giveaway which ends on Friday.  So click on her beautiful picture above to visit her blog and enter to win a handcrafted treasure by her mother.  You won't be disappointed.

Have a wonderful day and don't forget to say "I Love You"
to that special someone in your life.  

Hymn ~ Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee;
and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
Psalm 71:23

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee
Hymn written by Henry van Dyke 1907
Sung to the music:
 Hymn to Joy from the 9^th Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

 Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.

Thank you for visiting today, I hope you’ve enjoyed this hymn.  This  was a request by one of my readers.   Both graphics in this post are free to you, just click to open larger, right click and save to your computer.  

Scripture Thursday ~ God IS Love

For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Hello my friends ~ welcome to another Scripture Thursday here at Little Birdie Blessings.    With Valentine’s Day approaching, I have been thinking about the topic of Love.  Not so much about the romantic kind of love with cards, flowers and chocolate (although that is nice), but the kind of love that God has for us.  The kind of love that is incomprehensible, and unconditional.  

There is a hymn that has been running through my mind constantly this week that sums up the only way I know how to describe the kind of love that God has for us.  The hymn is titled O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus, and was written in 1875 by Samuel Trevor Francis.   As a teenager contemplating suicide one night on a bridge, he experienced a spiritual awakening and went on to author many poems and hymns.  He compares Jesus’ love to the mighty ocean.   

winter morning view from my home, it was so cold that day,
what you see is known as "sea smoke"

I live in Maine in a small fishing community.  I know the beauty of the ocean, its vastness, might and power.  Over the years, many people right in our own community have lost their lives to the powerful force of the ocean.   In our area, it is the strongest force of nature.   

view from Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o'er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing, 'tis a haven sweet of rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, 'tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

Samuel Trevor Francis ~ 1875 

1^st John 4:8 tells us that God is Love.  God IS love, he defines love, his nature is love, his attributes are love.  God loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus to die on the cross and pay the penalty for our sin.  His love is personal, never changing, no beginning or end; he knows and loves you individually.  

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
I John 4:10

taken at Sunset, notice the lone bird flying

There may be some reading this that do not have someone to love and share their days with, or you may have someone who loves you but doesn’t express it in the way that you’d like them to.  Remember Jesus loves you with an everlasting and unconditional love.  A love that it vast, unmeasured, boundless, free and as mighty as the ocean. 

There is wisdom in the words of this hymn.  If the lyrics have spoken to you, please follow the link below to the video.  I think this rendition portrays it in such a powerful way.   As you listen to it, picture the love of Jesus wrapping you with warmth and care.  

O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus

 Thank you for all your encouraging comments.