Transforming Leaven

7-9-17 Sermon

Summer Sewing

My two youngest are taller than my other girls so many of the dresses I had saved to use are too short so I have needed to either purchase new cloths or make some. I have been keeping my eye out at thrift stores and consignment shops, but it is truly difficult to find any that are long enough so I am better off making my own.

My sister-in-law got married a few weeks ago and since I needed to make them new dresses anyway, I went with material that matched her color theme. As with 99% of my sewing from the past few years, this was using material that was given to me. The lace was also given to me as well as the thread. The only thing I had to purchase was the elastic for the necklines which totaled about $ .35 for both dresses.

I also made dresses for them to wear on Independence Day. For the Kenna, I used a shirt I found at a thrift store (yes, it is a boy's shirt, but I thought it was cute) and then added the ruffles and lace to the bottom to make it a dress. For Bella, I used a simple peasant style pattern and some leftover material from a blanket that we had made a couple of years ago (that had been given to us then) and more lace that had been given to us.

I have plans to make a few more dresses as well.

Be Still

Psalms 46:1-11 KJV 

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 

3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 

4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 

6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 

7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 

9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 

11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Not By Chance

You aren't where you are today by chance. Sometimes God's voice is clearest when we are in circumstances we don't prefer. There's something in your current situation that God is going to use to draw you closer to Him so He can tell you something about Himself and His plan for your life. No matter what tight spot you may find yourself in, ask God to open your ears to what He is saying in your circumstances.

Are you in a job you hate? A troubled marriage? Your umpteenth year of singlehood? Believe that God has a plan and that He is going to use this season of your life as the catalyst for revealing it to you. Ask Him to give you a "God-awareness" so you can see His handiwork in every difficulty you encounter.

                                         ~Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God

Keep Doing

Matthew 7:7-8 KJV

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

One thing we need to remember after coming to faith in Christ is to continue to learn more about Him. We must be in His Word. We must seek more knowledge and wisdom. We must ask Him to draw us closer to Him. He is faithful and will answer us and we will find Him when we seek Him.

Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.

Insights Needed

Matthew 7:6 KJV

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

I have to admit, this verse isn't clear to me. I can understand that we are not to "waste" our possessions, time, etc. on undeserving opportunities, but there has to be more to it that just that.

Do you have any insights? Please share!

Happy Independence Day!

Steward

July 2, 2017 Sermon

Care of Creation

The God of Time

6-25-17 Sermon