Thursday Sketch Challenge -

Happy Friday Y'all excited about this weekend, Neighborhood Fall Festive party, and Millie's annual Halloween party.... Might be posting picture not sure yet.... But stay tuned and check back for pictures....

• I'll be working on this sketch this weekend.
• And I'll be working with some of my washi tape as well....check out what i got.....Thanks to my scrapbook buddies that posted all the great prices on Washi tape is, it is Japenese masking tape, I've got some great deals...

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Daily word on Faith

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Faith

I ask in faith and know that it is given.

There is no spiritual test I need to pass to receive what I desire. I do not need to beg or plead to God. I need only look inside myself, connect with Spirit and know with faith and gratitude that my needs are being met.
Through prayer I connect to Spirit within. I have faith that the wisest answer, the right and perfect situation and abundant blessings are forthcoming. I prepare the way and do any work that my inner guidance leads me to do. I then let go and allow everything to unfold. My life is unfolding just as it should, and I am exactly where I need to be.
My faith is strengthened as I pray and give thanks. I connect in faith to Spirit within and know that all is well.

Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.--Mark 5:34

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

Just released - Oct 15th - Praying for a Cure!

Because Breast Cancer has touched so many, me personally.....I love to help in my part of the cure, I usually try my best to do the Breast cancer walk fora cure and on NOV. 19 here in NC I'll be walking for a cure for childhood cancer for St. Jude's...I saw this set on Patter Cross blog, http://triplethescraps.blogspot.com/, she had an awesome blog......

If you can take some time and stop by here blog or stop by http://www.ourdailybreaddesigns.com/PrayingforaCure.html, and join in on the Hope for a cure challenge.....
Have a great Day..
Happy Crafting....
*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Poetic Justice 10-25-2011

For nearly a year, a former publishing colleague lived under a cloud of fear that he would be fired. A new boss in the department, for reasons unknown, began filling his personnel file with negative comments. Then, on the day my friend expected to lose his job, the new boss was fired instead.
When the Israelites were taken as captives to Babylon, a Jew named Mordecai found himself in this kind of situation. Haman, the highest noble of King Xerxes, expected every royal official to kneel down and honor him, but Mordecai refused to bow to anyone but God (Est. 3:1-2). This outraged Haman and he set out to destroy not only Mordecai but every Jew in the whole Persian empire (vv.5-6). Haman convinced Xerxes to sign a decree authorizing the destruction of all Jews and started building a gallows for the execution of Mordecai (5:14). But, in a startling turn of events, Haman was executed on the gallows he had built for Mordecai, and the Jewish people were spared (7:9-10; 8).
In literature, this is called poetic justice. Not everyone gets justice in such dramatic fashion, but Scripture promises that God will one day avenge all injustice (Rom. 12:19). While we wait, we are to do what we can to work for justice and leave the results in God’s hands.

The call for justice must be strong
To show what’s right, to thwart what’s wrong,
But let’s reject the smallest part
Of vengeance harbored in the heart. —D. De Haan

The scales of Divine justice always balance—
if not here, then hereafter.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Stay Tuned for Monday -- 2 Launches Approaching....

Monday I'm expecting to Launch my new www.esty.com store as well as my website to take donation for my St. Jude's walk here in Raleigh, NC....As many of you might know Cancer is near and dear to me, so near I try to forget, But without Gods' Grace and Mercy I would've never been Delivered from what a dangerous Illness.. That why many of you always see me praising him in Advance....

And now for today Daily word......WHY! cause I love My Daily Word!

Quaker John Woolman was an itinerant preacher who waged his own personal campaign to end slavery in colonial America. Woolman met with slave-holders to speak of the injustice of holding other human beings as property. Although Woolman did not eradicate slavery completely, he did persuade many masters to free their slaves. His success was due to individual, personal persuasion.

The book of Philemon contains a similar one-on-one appeal. Onesimus was a runaway slave who had escaped from his Christian master Philemon. Onesimus had come to faith through Paul’s ministry, and now Paul was sending him back to Philemon with these words: “Perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother” (vv.15-16). Although we don’t know if Onesimus was set free from slavery, his new faith in Jesus had changed his relationship with his Christian master. He was now also a brother in Christ. Paul was influencing his world one heart at a time.

By the transforming power of the gospel, people and situations can change. Like Woolman and like Paul, let’s seek to influence our world one heart at a time.

If I can help some wounded heart,
If I can by my love impart
Some blessing that will help more now—
Lord, just show me how. —Brandt

The kindest thing you can do for another is to show him the truth.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

My Fingernails Or His Hand? 10-20-2011

Tough times can cause us to get our perspective turned around. I was reminded of this recently as I talked to a fellow-griever—another parent who, like Sue and me, lost a teenage daughter to death suddenly and without warning.

She told me she had been missing her daughter terribly, and she told God she felt as if she were hanging on by her fingernails. Then she felt as if God reminded her that His hand of protection was there to hold her up—that she could let go, and He would catch her.

That’s a better perspective, isn’t it? This picture reminds us that when troubles come and we feel least able to hold on to our faith, it’s not up to us. It’s up to God to support us with His mighty hand.

Psalm 37:23-24 says: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord . . . . Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” And Psalm 63:8 tells us: “My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.”

In tough times, we can become so preoccupied with our role in “clinging to God” that we forget about His promised protection. It’s not our fingernails that sustain us—it’s His loving, upholding hand.

God’s hand that holds the ocean’s depths
Can hold my small affairs;
His hand that guides the universe,
Can carry all my cares. —Anon.

No one is more secure than the one who is held in God’s hand.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

Investing in the Future {10-19-2011}

Jason Bohn was a college student when he made a hole-in-one golf shot that won him a million dollars. While others may have squandered that money, Bohn had a plan. Wanting to be a pro golfer, he used the money as a living-and-training fund to improve his golf skills. The cash became an investment in his future—an investment that paid off when Bohn won the PGA Tour’s 2005 B.C. Open. Bohn’s decision to invest in the future instead of living for the moment was a wise one indeed.

In a sense, that is what Jesus calls us to do. We have been entrusted with resources—time, ability, opportunity— and we decide how to use them. Our challenge is to see those resources as an opportunity to invest long-term. “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” is how Jesus put it in Matthew 6:20. Those protected treasures cannot be destroyed nor taken away, Jesus assures us.

Think of your resources: talent, time, knowledge. These are temporal and limited. But if you invest them with an eye toward eternity, these temporary things can have enduring impact. What is your focus? Now or forever? Invest in the future. It will not only have an eternal impact, but it will also change the way you view life each day.

Whatever is done in love for Christ
Will one day have heaven’s reward;
Today let’s do what we can for Him,
Our loving Savior and Lord. —Hess

The richest people on earth
are those who invest their lives in heaven

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

 ~Love Barbara~

Character At Play 10-17-2011

I'm always looking for an encouraging word from the LORD! I need thee Oh I need thee...

A college football coach in the Bronx (New York) built his team around good character qualities. Instead of displaying their names on the back of their jerseys, the Maritime College players displayed words like family, respect, accountability, and character. Before each game, coach Clayton Kendrick-Holmes reminded his team to play by those principles on the field.

The apostle Peter had his own list of Christian qualities (2 Peter 1:5-7) that he encouraged believers to add to their life of faith:
Virtue. Fulfilling God’s design for a life with moral excellence.
Knowledge. Studying God’s Word to gain wisdom to combat falsehood.
Self-control. Revering God so much that we choose godly behavior.
Perseverance. Having a hopeful attitude even in difficulties because we’re confident in God’s character.
Godliness. Honoring the Lord in every relationship in life.
Brotherly kindness. Displaying a warmhearted affection for fellow believers.
Love. Sacrificing for the good of others.
Let’s develop these qualities in increasing measure and integrate them into every part of our life.

Just as the body grows in strength
With exercise each day,
Our spirit grows in godliness
By living life God’s way. —D. De Haan

Godly exercise is the key to godly character.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Font Quiz Try it out!

I took the Font Quiz on http://minted.com/quiz/font-quiz .... this is what I scored..Pretty much sums me up!

You are...

For the perfectionist who is always in style. Bold yet classic, Helveticas are balanced, confident, and strong - they can always be counted on in a pinch.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

The Way We Walk 10-14-2011

Happy Friday everyone... Have a Blessed Day!
A television program that I enjoy watching has a segment called Ambush Makeover. Two women are chosen to undergo 3 hours of pampering to update their hair, makeup, and wardrobe. The change is often dramatic. When the women step from behind a curtain, the audience gasps. Friends and family members sometimes start to cry. After all of this, the person with the new look finally gets to see herself. Some are so shocked that they keep looking in the mirror as if to find proof that it’s really them.

As the women walk across the set to join their companions, the former self becomes evident. Most do not know how to walk in their new shoes. Although they look chic, their clumsy walk gives them away. Their transformation is incomplete.
This is true in our Christian lives as well. God does the work in us to give us a new start, but to walk in the way of the Lord (Deut. 11:22) requires time, effort, and lots of practice. If we just stand still and smile, we can pass as being transformed. But the way we walk tells how far along we are in living out that transformation. Being changed means giving up our previous way of life and learning a new way to walk (Rom. 6:4).

The new life in Christ has begun—
The past with its darkness is gone;
Look closer to see what the Savior has done,
For change is beginning to dawn. —Hess

A change in behavior begins with a change in the heart.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Too Busy To Know God? October 13th, 2011

One day when I was waiting to board a plane, a stranger who had overheard me mention that I was a chaplain began to describe to me his life before he met Christ. He said it was marked by “sin and self-absorption. Then I met Jesus.”I listened with interest to a list of changes he had made to his life and good deeds he had done. But because everything he told me was about his busyness for God and not his fellowship with God, I wasn’t surprised when he added, “Frankly, chaplain, I thought I’d feel better about myself by now.”
I think the New Testament character Martha would have understood that stranger’s observation. Having invited Jesus to be a guest at her home, she set about doing what she thought were the important things. But this meant she couldn’t focus on Jesus. Because Mary wasn’t helping, Martha felt justified asking Jesus to chide her. It’s a mistake many of us make: We’re so busy doing good that we don’t spend time getting to know God better.
My advice to my new airplane friend came from the core of Jesus’ words to Martha in Luke 10:41-42. I said to him: “Slow down and invest yourself in knowing God; let His Word reveal Himself to you.” If we’re too busy to spend time with God, we’re simply too busy.

Savior, let me walk beside Thee,
Let me feel my hand in Thine;
Let me know the joy of walking
In Thy strength and not in mine. —Sidebotham

Our heavenly Father longs to spend time with His children.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

Drained Of All Strength - Wednesday

When I was a teenager, my dad and I went on many hunting and fishing trips together. Most became happy memories, but one fishing expedition was nearly a disaster. We drove up into a high mountain range and set up camp in a remote area. Then Dad and I trudged a long way down the mountain to get to a stream to fish. After a long day fishing in the hot sun, it was time to return to camp. But as we began to head back, Dad’s face grew pale. He was dizzy and nauseated, and he had almost no strength.Trying not to panic, I had him sit down and drink liquids. Then I prayed aloud to God for help. Bolstered by prayer, rest, and nourishment, Dad improved, and we began to go slowly back up the mountain. He held on to my loosened belt as I crawled upward—leading the way back to camp.
Sometimes we find ourselves in what feels like a hopeless valley without the strength to go on. When this happens, it’s important to recall God’s promise: “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isa. 40:29).
Do you feel drained? Exhausted? Ask God for help. Depend on Him for the power to go on and the strength to make it through the valley.

When circumstances overwhelm
And seem too much to bear,
Depend upon the Lord for strength
And trust His tender care. —Sper

When we have nothing left but God,
we discover that God is enough.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

Thanksgiving Sneal peek !

You would sign your name on the panel below..

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

Sneak Peek - Halloween Candy bag !

 Label for two other bags...

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

Halloween cards for 3 of my Favorite Kids!

This is the making on the Easel Cards.

( Gift bags willbe posted later)

Cardstock needed for one card:

1 pcs - 5 1/2 x 8, scored at 2in then 4 in.( leaving a side that 4in wide)

1pc - 2x5 1/4 the under mat section

1pc 1 3/4x 5in. (top layer of Mat) -

Note: picture below that white section that said Halloween with

the webs.

Cards section: 4 x 5 1/2 (That's the pc you glue to Easel)

matted 1st pc 3 3/4 x 5 1/4

Top matted pc 3 1/2 x 5 ( in picture below High Spirits saying)

Once cards it put together it will stand like the easel.

 Because only Ladybug Count...LMAO...

 These are the cards laying Flat for mailing...

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

The Forgotten God 10-11-11 { Have a great Day}

The Forgotten God

When we quote The Apostles’ Creed, we say, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” Author J. B. Phillips said, “Every time we say [this] we mean that we believe that [the Spirit] is a living God able and willing to enter human personality and change it.”

Sometimes we forget that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. The Bible describes Him as God. He possesses the attributes of God: He is present everywhere (Ps. 139:7-8), He knows all things (1 Cor. 2:10-11), and He has infinite power (Luke 1:35). He also does things that only God can do: create (Gen. 1:2) and give life (Rom. 8:2). He is equal in every way with the other Persons of the Trinity—the Father and the Son.

The Holy Spirit is a Person who engages in personal ways with us. He grieves when we sin (Eph. 4:30). He teaches us (1 Cor. 2:13), prays for us (Rom. 8:26), guides us (John 16:13), gives us spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:11), and assures us of salvation (Rom. 8:16).

The Holy Spirit indwells us if we have received forgiveness of sin through Jesus. He desires to transform us so that we become more and more like Jesus. Let’s cooperate with the Spirit by reading God’s Word and relying on His power to obey what we learn.

God’s guidance and help that we need day to day
Is given to all who believe;
The Spirit has sealed us—He’s God’s guarantee
Of power that we can receive. —Branon

The Christian who neglects the Holy Spirit
is like a lamp that’s not plugged in.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

Crafters - I need your help!

Hello Crafter I need your help!
Can anyone tell me what I should do if my Crackle accent and/or Diamond glaze/Liquid Glass start to get thick.....is there anything that I can use to loosing it up so that it not so thick ... It's really flowing thicker thank usual.

Thanks in Advance for all the comments...of help...

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

Recipe cards - COMPLETED...

 Here are some Recipe cards I've been working on for a secret swap on 2peas....

Above: Are the completed cards.

Below: I'm showing one on the cards on the Easel stand that I came up with after watching the video on you tube about Easel Card  ...

 Completed cards upclose.

 Found the recipe crads in Micheals in the 1.00 section 20 cards,

heaveweight cardstock.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

The Joy Of Remembering {10-10-11}

A long-time friend described the days surrounding his 90th birthday as “a time . . . to do a little reflecting, looking in the rearview mirror of my life, and spending many hours in what I call ‘The Grace of Remembrance.’ It’s so easy to forget all the ways that the Lord has led! ‘Forget not all His benefits’”
(Ps. 103:2).

This was typical of the person I’ve known and admired for more than 50 years. Rather than reviewing disappointments, his letter was filled with thankfulness and praise to God.

First, he recalled the Lord’s temporal mercies—his good health, the enjoyment of his wife and children, the joy and success of work, his enriching friendships, and the opportunities he’d had to serve God. He considered them all gifts—none deserved, but all gratefully received.

Next, he reviewed God’s spiritual mercies—the influence of Christian parents and the experience of God’s forgiveness when he accepted Christ as a teenager. He concluded with the encouragement he’d received from churches, schools, and Christian men who cared and prayed for each other.

It’s a model we should follow on a regular basis—the joy of remembering. “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” (v.1).

*****

He knoweth best! His will for me
Is better than my plans.
Do not all good and perfect gifts
Come from my Father’s hand? —Doonan

Give loving thanks for the Lord’s lavish gifts.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

Back on You Tube again.....EASEL CARD

I was back surfing You tube again last night..... well I mean in the weeeeeeeeeeeee hours of this morning.. I found this cards....
Thanks you Splitcoaststampers for another awesome video...

The EASEL card awesome, so after watching some videos.. this is what I came up with .. then I incorporated it into the 5 Recipe cards that I have to do for a swap and made a standing EASEL for the recipe cards... I really seem to out do myself sometimes..

Check it out below....

 Above - Easel card front.

 Easel cards side to show easel.

 above easel show card flat for mailing.

 This will be a Christmas cards no yet finished.

 This is pictures of the easel  that I'm making to hold Recipe cards, I'm not making the recipe cards will post them when there done.

 Thinking about placing a mini cloths pink or a mini clip to hold card the board

while cooking in the kitchen...

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

Providence 365, Week 41: Wisdom from Above {10-9-2011}

Most of us would like to be wise, wouldn't we? Perhaps not older and wiser, though, just wiser! But, what exactly is wisdom? Where does it come from? And, most importantly, how do we acquire it?
{will be posting my layout soon}I have a giant, (really, it's over 6 inches thick) Webster's Unabridged Dictionary from 1947. The definition of wisdom from it reads, in part:

"...the faculty of making the best use of knowledge...In Scripture, right judgment,

concerning religious and moral truth...the knowledge and fear of God,

and sincere and uniform obedience to his commands."

Wisdom isn't just knowledge; like Webster said, it's making the best use of that knowledge. There's an old quip that's appropiate: "A smart man knows that a tomato is a fruit; a wise man knows not to put it in a fruit salad."

I chose Job 38: 36 for this week's verse:

"Who has put wisdom in the innermost being, or given understanding to the mind?"

 

This is obviously a rhetorical question, as God asked this of Job to bring Job to point of complete and utter submission to God's rule and reign in his life, to a place of wisdom. Are you in that place? Do you know and fear (have deep respect for) God, having sincere and uniform obedience to His commands? Most of us would fall short, if we are honest with ourselves.

So, if we are lacking, what are we to do? Again, Scripture has the answer! Proverbs 8 tells us that wisdom:

"lifts up her vioce, on top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet,...

beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance to the doors."

Today's equilivent would be, "in the mall, at Target, on your street, all over the internet." Wisdom is there, waiting for us to seek and find her, Providentially placed in our path. IF we would only have eyes to see!

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
 ~Love Barbara~

ABC Scripture Challenge {Word #21}, Useful {10-9-2011}

Challenge Word #21: Useful

Useful: being of use or service; serving some purpose; helpful.
{copied and pasted from http://triplethescraps.blogspot.com/ will post my layout later today}Has anyone ever told you that you are helpful or useful to them? How are you useful to your family? Your employer? Do you think God sees you as useful in those place and elsewhere? Do you want to be used for His purpose? We see in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Each of us that believe in the Lord Jesus Christ has been called by Him for a special purpose. Do you know what that is? Maybe you are thinking that you are not good enough to be useful to God, that you don’t have a talent or skill, or that you don’t know how to serve Him. Well you were created by Him. He has a special plan, purpose, and ministry just for you.

Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

He has created you. He has prepared something for you to do. But there are two important things to remember. First, our usefulness to Him is not of most importance to Him. He is all-powerful and does not need our help to accomplish His work. He is most concerned about our hearts. He doesn’t want to use us so we can boast. The glory only belongs to Him.

Proverbs 21:2-3 “A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”

Psalm 62:11-12 “One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: ‘Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love.’”

He desires for us to serve Him and be useful to Him because we love Him. Can you say that you love Him so much that you can’t help but want to be useful to Him?

Second, being useful or used by God does not get us into Heaven. Works gain us nothing. You are already loved tremendously by your Creator God. Jesus Christ already paid the price for you and for me. He loves us so much that He died to pay for my sins and for your sins so that we might spend eternity with Him. Our reward is in heaven, not here on earth.

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Are you making yourself available to be useful to God because you love Him or are you too busy with your own plans?*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Free To Choose 10-8-2011

Good morning everyone Just a little inspiartion this morning.. Have a great Day!

When it was learned that the biggest football game of the 2011 season was scheduled to be played on Yom Kippur, the student government at the University of Texas petitioned school officials to change the date. They said it was unfair to make Jewish students choose between the classic football rivalry with Oklahoma and observing their most important and sacred holy day of the year. But the date was not changed. Even in societies where people have religious freedom, difficult choices are still required of every person of faith.

Daniel demonstrated the courage to obey God no matter what the consequences. When his political rivals set a trap to eliminate him from their path to power (Dan. 6:1-9), he didn’t challenge the law or complain that he had been wronged. “When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (v.10).

Daniel didn’t know if God would save him from the lions’ den, but it didn’t matter. He chose to honor God in his life whatever the outcome. Like Daniel, we are free to choose to follow the Lord.

What freedom lies with all who choose
To live for God each day!
But chains of bondage shackle those
Who choose some other way. —D. De Haan

You can never go wrong when you choose to follow Christ.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! 

~Love Barbara~

A No-Smiling Policy 10-7-2011

Usually we’re told to smile before someone takes our picture. But in some parts of the US, a no-smiling policy is enforced when getting your photo taken for a driver’s license. Because of identity theft, these motor vehicle departments carefully check new photos that are taken to be sure they don’t match photos already in the system. If someone gets a picture taken under a false name, an alarm is sent to the operator. From 1999 to 2009, one state stopped 6,000 people from getting fraudulent licenses. But why no smiling? The technology recognizes a face more easily if the person has a neutral facial expression.

Jesus prescribed a good way to recognize a Christian. He told His disciples, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). The ways to show love to fellow believers are as endless as there are people with needs: a note of encouragement, a visit, a meal, a gentle rebuke, a prayer, a Bible verse, a listening ear, even just a friendly smile.

The apostle John wrote, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14). Can others recognize, by our care for fellow Christians, that we know and love the Lord?

For Christians to be recognized
As people who follow the Lord,
Their love for one another is
A virtue that can’t be ignored. —Sper

One measure of our love for God
is how much we show love to His children.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! 

~Love Barbara~

I call this Quick Card THURSDAY! LOL

 Here are some cards i just finished...Going to some very special people....Check your mail...

 Happy Birthday Dani - Much love to a wonderful young lady that has blessed my life...

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! 

~Love Barbara~

Thursday Sketch 10-6-2011

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*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

Shine On! - October 6th, 2011

I was frustrated that despite my repeated calls, the streetlight in front of my house was still out. Because we don’t have sidewalks and there is such a large distance between the streetlights, it’s important that each light is functional to illuminate the darkness. I worried that I might hit one of the school kids as I pulled out of my driveway in the early morning hours.

The idea of light is used frequently in the Bible. Jesus said that He is the Light of the world (John 9:5). We are told to “put on the armor of light” by clothing ourselves with the Lord (Rom. 13:12-14). AndMatthew 5:16 instructs that we should “let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works and glorify [our] Father in heaven.”

A light that doesn’t shine has lost its usefulness. Jesus said that no one hides a light under a basket but puts it on a lampstand to illuminate everything around it (Matt. 5:15). Our light (our actions) should point people to the One who is the Light. We don’t have any light in ourselves, but we shine with the reflection of Christ (Eph. 5:8).

God has placed each of us in a specific environment that will best allow us to shine with His light. Don’t be like a burned-out streetlight. Shine on!

Lord, help us always put You first
In everything we say and do
So that Your light will shine through us
And show the world their need of You. —Sper

Whether you’re a candle in a corner
or a beacon on a hill, let your light shine

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! 

~Love Barbara~

TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2011

Luke 21:19. In Your patience possess ye your souls.

Thought for the Day: Stay Calm The Lord Is With You

Reflection for the Day: In The End You Shall Be Victorious

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

 ~Love Barbara~