1/31/2012 - The Prince Of Peace

Years ago I came to know a young man who rode with a motorcycle gang. He had grown up on a mission field where his parents served. When his family returned to the US, he seemed unable to adjust to life. He lived a troubled existence and was killed in a street fight with a rival gang.

I’ve helped at many funeral services, but this was by far the most memorable. It was held in a park where there is a natural grassy bowl surrounding a small lake. His friends parked their bikes in a circle and sat on the grass around a friend and me while we conducted the service. We spoke simply and briefly about peace among warring factions and the inner peace that Jesus’ love can bring.

Afterward, a motorcycle gang member thanked us, started to walk away, but then turned back. I’ve never forgotten his words. He said that he had “a putt, a pad, and an old lady” (a bike, apartment, and girlfriend), and then added, “But I ain’t got no peace.” So we talked about Jesus who is our peace.

Whether we’ve got a chopper or a Cadillac, a mansion or a tiny apartment, a loved one or no one—it makes no difference. Without Jesus, there is no peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). This gift is for all who trust in Him. Have you asked for His peace?

Lord, I want to have peace in my life.
To be at peace with You, with others, and with myself.
Your Word says that comes from You.
Please give me Your gift of peace. Amen.

Jesus died in our place to give us His peace.

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

When The Wind Blows Jan 30th, 2012

Harold and Cathy and their two sons were in a wooded area in Minnesota when a tornado touched down. Cathy described her experience to me several years later:
“My husband and older son were some distance away, but my younger son and I took cover in a cabin. We heard a sound like a hundred railroad cars and instinctively dropped to the floor in a tucked position. The cabin began to break apart, and I shut my eyes because of all the flying debris. It felt like I was going up in an elevator and then was shot into the air. I landed in a lake and clung to debris to stay afloat.”
Tragically, however, their younger son did not survive. Harold said of their loss: “We cried every day for 6 weeks. But we believe that God’s loving sovereignty allowed that tornado to come down where we were. And we also took comfort in the fact that our son knew the Lord.”
When a loved one is taken and we are left behind, it can create all kinds of questions. In times like these, Romans 8:28 can be of great encouragement: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” This couple’s trust in God’s loving sovereignty brought them comfort in the midst of their grief (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

When we sustain a heartbreaking loss,
When grief overwhelms our soul,
The Savior who gave Himself on the cross
Reminds us that He’s in control. —D. De Haan

Our greatest comfort in sorrow is to know that God is in control.

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

{HSCRC12} Hymn #3, How Great Thou Art

Happy Sunday
It's time for Week #3 of the HSCRC!@ hosted by Patter Cross. Here is the awesome blog entries for HSCRC12 - week #3. How Great thou Art - is another one of my old time favorite Hymns, I  have a selection of this song on my Ipod which was sang at my Church in NYC, {Convent Ave Baptist Church in Harlem}.

Check out Patter Cross blog for her complete blog entire, it's awesome what you can find out about these Hymns. Thank you Patter for your dedication to once another awesome challenge. I'm so excited to be taking a part in this Awesome challenge. Patter Cross blog link -  http://triplethescraps.blogspot.com/.

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

Genuine Friends 1-29-1012

WOW! Can you believe were already at the end of January......Come on SPRING!
Experts who track the changing vocabulary of the English language chose unfriend as the New Oxford American Dictionary Word of the Year for 2009. They defined it as a verb, “to remove someone as a friend on a social networking Web site,” such as Facebook. On that site, friends allow each other to access the personal information on their Facebook pages. They may never meet face to face or even exchange greetings online. In our world of fleeting cyber acquaintances, we are beginning to realize that having a true friend means more now than ever before.
When Jesus called His disciples “friends” (John 15:15), He spoke of a unique relationship involving mutual commitment. He was only hours from laying down His life (v.13), and He asked them to show their friendship by keeping His commands (v.14). Most astonishing, perhaps, is Jesus’ statement: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (v.15).
In a genuine friendship, one’s faithfulness can shore up the other’s in times of discouragement or fear. That is what Jesus is to us—our always faithful, forever Friend.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end. —Chapman

The dearest friend on earth
is but a mere shadow compared to Jesus.

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

Feeding Frenzy 1/28/2012

Have  a Great Saturday !

People who study sharks tell us that they are most likely to attack when they sense blood in the water. The blood acts as a trigger to their feeding mechanism and they attack, often in a group, creating a deadly feeding frenzy. Blood in the water marks the vulnerability of the target.

Sadly, this is sometimes how people in the church respond to those who are hurting. Instead of being a community where people are loved, cared for, and nurtured, it can become a dangerous environment where predators are looking for the “blood in the water” of someone’s failings or faults. And then the feeding frenzy is on.

Instead of kicking people when they are down, we should be offering the encouragement of Christ by helping to restore the fallen. Of course, we’re not to condone sinful behavior, but our Lord calls us to display mercy. He said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7). Mercy has been described as not getting what we deserve, and we all deserve eternal judgment. The same God who shows us mercy in Christ calls us to show mercy to one another.

So when we see “blood in the water,” let’s seek to show mercy. The day may come when we will want someone to show mercy to us!

Lord, help us to be merciful
To those who fall in sin,
Remembering You rescued us
And cleansed us from within. —Sper

We can stop showing mercy to others
when Christ stops showing mercy to us.

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

Hidden In The Rock - Jan 27th, 2012

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The story is told of a young preacher named Augustus Toplady, who was taking a walk through the English countryside when a sudden storm swept across the landscape. Toplady spotted a wide rock formation with an opening—a cleft—where he sought shelter until the storm passed. As he sat out the deluge, he contemplated the connection between his shelter and God’s help in life’s storms.

He had no paper to write on but found a playing card on the floor of the cavelike structure and began to write the words to the beloved hymn “Rock of Ages.”

Written on that stormy day in 1775, this hymn has been a source of strength for Christians ever since.

Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Think of your struggles. Do you need a place to hide? Do you need Someone to shelter you from life’s assaults? Do you need the assurance that you’ve been forgiven? As Toplady experienced, we can find shelter and assurance in God.

Don’t stand out in life’s storms alone. Seek God’s shelter. Ask Him to protect you. Make sure you have received His forgiveness. Get close to the Rock of Ages. It’s life’s safest spot.

When the world around you is crumbling,
God is the rock on which you can stand.

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

Soon and very soon - It's Valentines Day - I'm working on two mini albums.

Sneak peek at the mini album almost done: Y'all know I  love mini albums

 Above 6x6 mini {inside Brown Lunch Bag}

 Above & Below - TP Roll - My Minds Eyes - Jadore

 Below - Maya road Heart Chipboard

 Below - My Minds Eyes TP Roll

I will be posting complete album when done...

Also working on:

Wall Art

Spiritual Layouts

Bible Verse layouts: 6x6 to total a 12x12 layout page

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

~Love Barbara~

Girlfriends in God

I love reading Girlfriends in God everyday . I'm adding this link so that you can go take a sneak peek, maybe it will bless you like it has blessed me.. Stay prayed up..... Girlfriends in God

Here is a Sneak peek of the Prayers -
Let’s Pray Lord, I want to please You and obey You. So many times, I make the wrong choice and give in to the sin that constantly draws me. Today, I choose against that sin and give myself to You. Thank You for the power of Your Word and for the precious gift of prayer, through which I find the strength to stand firm. In Jesus’ name,Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn - Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the sin in your life that you have refused to face. Write that sin down, confess it and ask God to forgive you. Now destroy the paper on which you wrote the sin and thank God for His forgiving power. Consider the following questions and
write your responses in your journal. What is the most powerful sin in my life?How does this sin influence my relationships, behavior, attitudes, etc?What is the first step I need to take to rid my life of this sin?What specific actions can I take to strengthen the choice I have made to turn from this sin?
Read, memorize and record the following verses in your journal.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and
protect you from the evil one” (NIV).
Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am
with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will
help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (NLT).
*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)(¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!~Love Barbara~

Jan 26th 2012 - The Land Of And

In a TV commercial I saw recently, the kids argued in the back seat of the car about where to stop for dinner. One wanted pizza; another chicken. Mom, in the front passenger seat, said, “No, we’ll stop for a hamburger.”
Dad quickly solved the family disagreement with this idea: “We’ll stop at the buffet restaurant, and you can each have what you want and all you want.” The commercial closes with the words, “Take care of family squabbles about what’s for dinner. Go to _____ Buffet, the ‘Land of And.’”
When I saw that commercial, I thought of another “Land of And”: heaven. It is a place that will have all we need. Foremost, we will be in the very presence of Almighty God. In describing heaven, the apostle John said, “The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it” (Rev. 22:3). Our thirsty souls will be completely satisfied from the “pure river of water of life” that proceeds from His throne (22:1), for He says to His people, “I will give . . . freely to him who thirsts” (21:6). Another “and” in this land will be the tree of life for “the healing of the nations” (22:2). What we won’t find in this Land of And are the curse (22:3), death, sorrow, and tears (21:4).
We’ll be completely satisfied in that Land of And. Are you ready to go?

There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign;
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain. —Watts

Earth—the land of trials; heaven—the land of joys.

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

Worth The Effort? Jan 25th, 2012

I once resolved to read all 38 of Shakespeare’s plays in one year. To my surprise, fulfilling the task seemed far more like entertainment than work. I expected to learn about Shakespeare’s world and the people who inhabited it, but I found that Shakespeare mainly taught me about my world.

I went through precisely that same process in encountering the Old Testament. Why does it spend so much time on temples, priests, and rules about sacrifices that no longer exist? How can we make sense of the Old Testament, and how does it apply to our lives today?

As I worked past some of the barriers, I came to feel a need to read because of what it was teaching me. Eventually I found myself wanting to read those 39 books. They were satisfying a hunger in me that nothing else had. They taught me about life with God.

The Old Testament speaks to our hunger. It gives an advanced course of “Life With God,” expressed in a style both personal and passionate.

The rewards offered do not come easily. All achievements require a similar process of hard work; we persevere because the rewards will come.

A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic like the sun;
It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none. —Cowper

The Bible gives us a picture of who we really are.

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

~Love Barbara~

I love playing with Glitter.

Yesterday at Achiever's I found a new item that works , oh so well with Glitter.... Oh so Easy to do....
No glue needed, and very little clean up.....Easy Peazy.....

1 - Design Adhesive by Clear snap...
http://www.clearsnap.com/products.cfm/85/Design-Adhesives

This style is the Feuilles Hojas - and you get 6 sheets (18 images)

Cut out the image your going to use from the other images, possion on cardstock and, press down before removing the top plastic sheet.. 

 This image below is of the sticky... top of the image, sprinkle the glitter on to the sticky image, press down don't rub, I let my image sit for 5 minutes.. and tapped off the extra glitter and below is what I came out with...

 The completed Cards.. I love it....Love the look on the Kraft Cardstock...

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

Toilet Paper Roll Gifts Cards Assorted

Here are some of my Gifts cards that I have made with TP Rolls....

• Birthday
• Christmas
• Baby Shower
• Graduation 2012

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

Thank God For Music 1-21-2012

Music plays a big part in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God enlists musicians to work on His behalf. He uses music to call people to worship and to send them to war, to soothe ragged emotions and to ignite spiritual passion, to celebrate victories and to mourn losses. Music is an all-occasion, all-inclusive art form. There are followers and leaders, simple songs and complex songs, easy instruments and difficult instruments, melodies and harmonies, fast rhythms and slow rhythms, high notes and low notes.
Marvin Sapp - He Has His Hands On You


Music is a wonderful metaphor for the church because everyone participates by doing what he or she does best. We all sing or play different notes at different times, but we all perform the same song. The better we know our parts, and the better we follow the conductor, the more beautiful the music.
One of the best uses for music is praise. When Solomon’s temple was completed, the musicians praised and thanked God. As they did, “the glory of the Lord filled the house of God” (2 Chron. 5:14).
We thank God for beautiful music, for it’s like a preview of heaven, where the glory of God will dwell forever and where praise for Him will never cease.

Bless the Lord and sing His praises,
Bless the Lord now, O my soul;
Join the song all heaven raises,
Let the anthem loudly roll! —Peterson

Those who praise God on earth will feel at home in heaven

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

Purge Out The Old 1/21/12

Sorry i've missed ya'll all week.....

Several days before their New Year celebration, many Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning. There’s a Cantonese saying that goes: “Wash away the dirt on ninyabaat” (28th day of month 12). They practice this tradition because it is believed the cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and makes their homes ready for good luck.

When the apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Corinth, he asked them to give their lives a thorough cleansing—not for good luck but to please God. He told them to “purge out the old leaven” (1 Cor. 5:7).

Paul used the Jewish feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread (Ex. 12:1-28) as a backdrop for this statement. Leaven (yeast) was a symbol of sin and corruption and was to be removed from Jewish homes to celebrate these festivals (Deut. 16:3-4). Because Jesus is the Passover Lamb who cleanses us from sin, the Corinthians were to scour their hearts and remove the leaven of sexual immorality, malice, and wickedness from their lives and their assembly (1 Cor. 5:9-13).

Out of gratitude to Jesus for His sacrifice, let us purge out the sin in our lives and celebrate the holiness that only He can bring.

The holiness of God demands
A heart that’s pure within,
Yet grace unites with holiness
To purge the heart from sin. —D. De Haan

Sin’s contamination requires the Savior’s cleansing.

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

I'm taking some time today !

This is something that I should do everyday, I'm didn't do it as much as I should have in  2011, but I'm getting better in 2012.. Taking my private time to read my Bible, so I pulled out my KJV Bible and also my Sanctuary Devotional Bible for Women....
I enjoy reading different version of the Bible saying the same things but sometime other version are easier for me to understand. Today I started in Psalm, {did I mention that's one of my favorite book of the Bible}....And as I continue to read other themes/prompt/ideas hit me.... check out some listed below...

Journaling prompt for some scripture layouts this weekend..

• O Give Thanks - Psalm 135, 136

• Praise ye the LORD - Praise him - Psalm 117, 150

• Praise ye the Lord - Be Blessed - Psalm 111, 112

{I will be posted the rest of the Layout as they are completd}

• Where would I be? - Psalm 124 ( Thank you Jesus)
• Living a Purposed filled Life! - Romans 8:28, Ecclesiastes 3:17
• Judgement day - Ecclesiastes 3:17
• Sermon Theme from 11/20/2011 " I'm a Thankful Follower" - Luke 17:11-19
• Just have Faith - Hebrews 11:1, Luke 17:19, Psalm 103:1-3{healing}, Hebrews 11:6
• Building Up Faith {life pressures} Hebrews 10:35-36

Thanks for taking the time to view my blog, I'll be working on these layout this weekend....I'll post the layouts as they come completed.....

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

HSCRC12- Hymn Challenge #2: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Happy Sunday all, below is my entry for the HSCRC12 - Challenge hosted once again by Patter Cross, check out here blog at - http://triplethescraps.blogspot.com/
for the complete entry.....
added to the mini album:

Have a Great Sunday !

Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

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

Unhook The Chain 1/13/2012

I pray today daily word helped you it really Blessed me.. Have a GREAT DAY! Be BLESSED,,,

Jesus made it clear to His disciples that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He is the only way to the Father, and our belief and commitment to Him results in love and obedience—and leads to an eternal home in heaven.
Christina, a Bible student in Minsk, Belarus, wrote this testimony: “Jesus died for everyone, even the most desperate sinner. The worst criminal who comes to Him in faith, the Lord will accept.
“For a very long time, Jesus had been knocking at my door. Figuratively speaking, the door to my heart was open. I was a believer. But I kept the safety chain in place. I would not turn my life over to Him.”
Christina knew this was not right, and she felt that God was compelling her to make a change. “I knelt before Him and opened the door as wide as I could.” She took off the chain.
Committed followers of Jesus will do what He commands—without safety chains or back doors. No reserving little corners of our lives all for ourselves. No secret sins.
If, like Christina, you’ve been holding back from surrendering to God, it’s time to unhook that safety chain. Let go of those reservations. Throw open the doors of your life, and experience the joy of obedient discipleship.

Less of self and more of Jesus,
More and more each day like Thee;
Just to live in full surrender
For my Lord who ransomed me. —Wonder

No life is more secure than a life surrendered to God.

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

Attracting The Lost 1/12/2012

My friend Anna often has people stop her on the street and ask for directions. This has happened to her even in countries where she is a foreigner. She wonders if it’s because she has an honest face and looks trustworthy. I suggested that perhaps it’s because she looks as if she knows where she’s going. Another friend said that maybe she attracts the lost.

All of those attributes should be true of God’s people in the spiritual sense. As believers, we have purpose and direction, we know where we’re going, and we know how to get there. This gives us confidence as we go about fulfilling God’s call in our lives. When this kind of confidence is evident to others, the lost will look to us for direction.

God has always maintained a presence on earth so that people could find Him. His first light for the world was the nation of Israel (Isa. 42:6). Then Solomon prayed that God’s great name would draw people to Himself (1 Kings 8:41-43). The light of the Jewish nation culminated in Jesus, “the light of the world” (John 9:5). And now, followers of Jesus are to be the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). As such, it is our responsibility to show people the way to be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18).

You are called with a holy calling
The light of the world to be;
To lift up the lamp of the Savior
That others His light may see. —Anon.

To lead others out of the darkness of sin, let them see your light.

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

A Perfect Fit 1/11/2012

I had to check on The Daily word, for my message on today. Just got a call to accept a position at the company that everyone in Raleigh know is a HOT mess to work for .. never heard anything nice about this work location......But this is about the 12th call I've gotten from different agency about this job... So I'm guessing there is a message behind this madness. I'm going to Step out on faith and truss in GOD and knock there sock off come Monday if the accept me to start.....

Today daily word....
“What kind of skill set do you bring?” That question, posed in a job interview, was intended to determine if my friend would be a good fit for a position. My friend quickly did a mental review of his skills and talents, hoping to emphasize the unique characteristics he possessed that would contribute to the success of the company.
What if we already had the perfect set of skills required to accomplish what God wants us to do? Well—as a matter of fact—we do! The spiritual gifts we possess, along with our experiences, training, natural talents, and a submissive heart make up a unique individual who has the skills needed for the “good works” that God has “prepared beforehand” (Eph. 2:10). If God has something He wants to accomplish and that you feel He is calling you to do, He will provide what you need to complete the task. Or, as one paraphrase emphasizes, God wants us “to join Him in the work He does, the good work He has gotten ready for us to do” (Eph. 2:10 The Message). The one thing He requires of us is that we “be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).
Have you found a place in God’s service where you can be used of Him? Let’s “do good” and “be rich in good works” (1 Tim. 6:18).

Think not that you are limited
Because of what you cannot do,
But think instead of all you have—
The talents God has given you. —D. De Haan

Spiritual gifts are meant to be used, not admired.

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

Surprised By God 1-10-2011

If Naomi had dreamed about returning to her former home prosperous and successful, entering Bethlehem would have been a nightmare. While living in a foreign land, she had lost her husband and two sons and returned with only her daughter-in-law Ruth and a heart full of sorrow. “Do not call me Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter],” she told her former neighbors, “for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20).

But this wasn’t the end of the story. When the discouraged Naomi saw God’s hand in Ruth’s life, she said, “The Lord . . . has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” (2:20). What appeared to be a dead-end had become a doorway for these two women who had lost so much.
The Old Testament book of Ruth is a wonderful story. The brief narrative is infused with an amazing sweetness and grace as “the Lord” is mentioned time after time.
Through Naomi and Ruth, we are reminded that God works in surprising ways to make His love known and to accomplish His purposes—even during difficult times.
God’s surprises continue so we can take heart. He has not stopped showing His kindness to you and me.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest. —Berg

What we see of God’s provisions teaches us to trust Him for what we cannot see of His purposes.

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

Another Awesome Paper Pack - Year-O-Graphy

Another Awesome Paper Pack from - Simple Stories

I love this company for there paper pack.

I did my vacation Album with the  Destination pack,

and now here is the Year-O-Graphy.... I'm so loving this paper pack.

Other Paper Pack I have and love:

Destination, Fun day of summer, Life Documented.

I have a couple of pages from the year-o-graphy collection picked them up at Archivers ...

This is the collection I'm going to use for my "EMBRACE LIFE" 2012 Album...

Yes out of paper bag - prefect color match...

Some random ideas: {Brain Storming}

Chipboard letters

Glimmer mist

Inked edges (Vintage Photo- TH)

Prima Flowers-glimmer mist

Inked Edges of paper bags

Distress Ink - Vintage Photo

Ribbon and Threads

Washi tapes

Tags

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

~Love Barbara~

Collision Course 1-7-2012

Have a Great Day - Live Love laugh

My wife and I were driving on an expressway when we saw a driver turn left into a median turnaround that was intended for emergency vehicles only. He was planning to make a U-turn and head back the other way.

Looking to his right, the driver waited for an opening in oncoming traffic, so he failed to notice that a police car was backing up toward him on his left. Finally seeing an opening in traffic, the U-turn driver pulled out and rammed into the back of the police car.

It’s not unusual for us to think we can get away with doing something wrong. After King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he too was focused on “getting away with it.” But he was on a collision course with Nathan. His adultery, deceit, and murder “displeased the Lord” (2 Sam. 11:27), so when Nathan exposed David’s grievous sin, the king was deeply remorseful. He confessed, repented, and received God’s forgiveness. But the consequences of his sin never departed from his household (12:10).

If you’ve been trying to get away with something, remember that “your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23). Turn yourself in to God. Don’t hide. Instead, seek His gracious forgiveness.

God knows all you’ve thought or done—
From Him you cannot hide;
Confess to Him and He’ll forgive
Through Christ the crucified. —Hess

We have to face our sins before we can put them behind us.

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

~Love Barbara~

Facing The Future Jan 5th, 2012

While going through some old files, I came across a 1992 special issue of TIME magazine titled “Beyond the Year 2000: What To Expect in the New Millennium.” It was fascinating to read the predictions made 2 decades ago about what the future would hold. Some general observations were on target, but no one foresaw many of the events and innovations that have radically changed our lives. The most telling statement to me was, “The first rule of forecasting should be that the unforeseen keeps making the future unforeseeable.”

James reminds us that any view of the future that omits God is foolish and proud. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. . . . Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (James 4:13-15).

Many people used to begin their statement of plans with, “Lord willing.” The phrase may have become trite, but the acknowledgment of God’s overruling hand is not.

As we look ahead with God firmly in view, we can face the future with confidence in His loving plan.

God holds the future in His hands
With grace sufficient day by day,
Through good or ill He gently leads,
If we but let Him have His way. —Rohrs

Those who know Christ as Savior can face the future with joy.

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

~Love Barbara~

Thank You Ursula's for the Paper bag tutorial....I've gotta do it...

Good Afternoon - Let's call this Paper Bag Mini Album Wednesday....
<><><><><>Have not decided on a theme yet, might just be something completed just in case I need a quick Gift. But I'm loving how it's coming out, have not decide if I'll bind it or use rings to hold it all together....

Good Afternoon friends, My Scrapping Buddy on 2peas posted an awesome entry on her blog, (link is below)....So I'm going to take it on myself to complete yet another kind of Paper bag Album....Check out Ursula's Blog link Under Scarlet Bird's Wing From Ursula's Blog (copied and pasted)- I'm up with a tutorial for making a paper bag album. Hope you check it out. Paper Bag Album Tutorial. I love mini album and this is my first {1st} Mini Album for 2012....I'm excited.... I'm going to start picking out some paper and start my Paper bag album, {HOORAY} I'm going to be using the lunch bag size 6 1/8 x 12 3/8, cut in half.... here is a sneak peek of some of the pages in the mini paper bag album.... Thanks for viewing...Thanks you Ursula.

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

An Exercise In Godliness

Jan 4th, 2012
The New Year is often the time when we resolve to take better care of ourselves—to exercise, eat right, and perhaps shed some of the pounds we gained over the holidays. Paul says, “Exercise profits a little” (1 Tim. 4:8), so I struggle to be as fit as I can be. I try to eat right, more or less, though I do love fried chicken. I lift weights and walk, but I know that my body is not long for this world. Its strength is fading.
It’s better to concentrate on godliness, because it holds promise for this life and the life to come (v.8). Contrary to the old adage, we can take something with us after all.

{Photo Taken by me in Summer 2010 @ The SAAM - Butterfly Garden Exhibit  in Durham}

Godliness may sound dull, scary, and unattainable, but the essence of godliness is simply self-giving love—caring more for others than we care for ourselves. This kind of love is hard to come by, but it’s one that grows in the presence of love. We grow loving and more lovely by sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him, talking things over—gaining in likeness to the One who is love (1 John 4:8).
Life is a journey into love, it seems to me, and there’s nothing so beautiful as a godly soul. Physical exercise is good, no doubt, but there is something far, far better: It is to love.

That I may love Him is my soul’s ambition—
Love Him with all my mind and strength and heart,
Seek out His will and choose it, in submission,
And with the joy He only can impart. —Anon.

Love is godliness in action

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

The Pursuit 1/3/2012

When my husband, Carl, pursued a relationship with me while we were dating, he was serious about it. He called. He wrote notes. He asked thoughtful questions. He bought me flowers, candy, books, dinner, and other gifts. He spent a lot of time and effort in his pursuit of me.

Way back in the 10th century bc, Solomon recommended that kind of serious commitment when pursuing something else—wisdom. A dictionary definition of wisdom, “understanding what is true, right, or lasting,” sounds crucial if we want a life that glorifies our holy God.

Maybe that’s why Solomon used so many active verbs in Proverbs 2 to describe our needed efforts to gain wisdom. He said, “incline your ear,” “apply your heart,” “cry out,” “lift up your voice,” “seek her,” “search for her” (vv.2-4).

Seeking wisdom takes effort, and Scripture tells us where it can be found: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” He isn’t storing up wisdom for Himself; “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright” (vv.6-7).

Seek God with all your heart. He is the source of all wisdom for your life.

What will it profit when life here is o’er,
Though great worldly wisdom I gain,
If seeking knowledge I utterly fail
The wisdom of God to obtain? —Nelson

You can acquire much knowledge,
but true wisdom comes only from God.

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

~Love Barbara~

{HSCRC12} Hymn #1 Amazing Grace 1/1/2012

Happy New Year everyone, This year one of the many Challenges that I have decided to take part in is one hosted by Patter cross, she is awesome. you can read the Entire article on her blog, http://triplethescraps.blogspot.com/ come one come all bookmark her blog and work along even if your not a scrapbooker, your can just journal the entire year and have a great time in Dec reading thru you entries.

Copied and pasted from Patter Blog: Questions, what is your answer ?

So, do you know God's amazing grace for yourself? If not, why not? Will you not only accept the gift of His Son but unwrap it and live fully for Him? If you do know His amazing grace, how about your family members and friends? How might God have you share the gift with them this year? And how are you extending grace to others through kind gestures, forgiveness, a pleasant surprise, a smile and loving words when least expected, etc.? How can you bless someone this week by extending God's grace to them? God meets us where we are, and He wants us to meet others where they are with compassion. Pray about ways you can do that.

My Journaling - I remember going to church as a very young girl with my great auntie, and almost every Sunday they would sing Amazing Grace, it grew to be one of my all time favorite hymns. Even the newest version of today sang by CeCe Winans "Amazing Grace what would I do without Grace" that also an awesome song.

When I think about God's Grace.What would I do ? what would I be? without his Grace. God gives me new Graces everyday, And I thank Him so much, I stay faithful because I truly know it could have been much different without his Grace. Spreading God word is the work of all of us, I love to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ either thru the Sermon Notes ( from my awesome Pastor Dr. T.L.Carmichael Sr.), thru the daily word, or on  my  facebook page or even in my scrapbooking layouts. I often find myself scrapbooking and journaling more and more about Christ and Spiritual related theme, to God be the glory for working thur me to spread the word.

Blessing People thru Encouraging words! - I try my best to encourage people everyday. I feel so much better when I can encourage someone and they feeling better than before, I truly think God uses me to bless other, Not always finical lybut Thur an encouraging word. Blessing come in all shape and sizes, so when some in the body of Christ tell you your going to be RICH, don't think Money..... In God kingdom RICHES could be RICH in Health, Blessing, Spiritual Riches these are some thing money can't buy. When I tell my testimony to some people and they feel better, It's touches my heart, and my heart goes into an instant Praise Dance.  It's not about me, I know without God's Grace on my Life I would not be able to spread his word. It's not easy spreading the word there are always people that wanna challenge you but, I tell them try him, try GOD and he can make a difference in your life if you stay Faithful and truss in him.

I thank God for all my spiritual gifts (highest 3) Craftsmanship, Faith, Service, I'm not surprise by them at all. That's what spells Barbara.....

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—-not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 1:6-7 "To the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Front cover -

I'm using a Paper Bag mini album.. bind by me (bind it all) and made with red Lunch bags.

Hoping I'll have enough space on the pages to journal.

 Inside front cover

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

Let’s Be Ready 1/1/2012

Happy New Year! Looking forward to what this new year might bring, I can’t help but wonder if 2012 will be the year when Jesus comes back. But then I also wonder if I’m ready.
All of my life I’ve had to “be ready.” As a child, I had to be ready for dinner by washing my hands. As an adult, being ready for important responsibilities continues to be an ongoing reality. But I’ve come to realize that nothing is more important than being ready for our reunion with Jesus.
Speaking of Christ’s return, John tells us that “everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself” (1 John 3:3). Looking forward to Jesus’ return fills us with hope—not a wish-list kind of hope, but a solid expectation that motivates us to keep our hearts from sinful distractions and rivets our attention on becoming more like Him. If we really believe that this might be the year of His return, we will be more ready to forgive, to seek forgiveness, and to share God’s unconditional love with others.
As we consider the possibility that Jesus could return this year, let’s be sure that we are ready. Let’s strive to be pure as He is pure, anticipating the day when tears and sorrow, pain and death will all be replaced with the everlasting joy of His presence.

Expecting Jesus’ soon return
Will help us live a life that’s pure;
For if we’re ready when He comes,
We will not be ashamed but sure. —Sper

Wanting to be ready for Christ’s return will make a difference in the way we live.

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