Hello…

I hope you remember me.

I am so far behind in my blogging.

So many things have been happening in my life,

but I want to get back on track.

I have finally started making cards again so I will

also be sharing some of them on my blog.

Today I wanted to share a poem that I think

expresses  something that I hope

will be as helpful to you as it is to me.

Speak Out

One never knows how much

A little word may mean.

How it may heal a broken heart

Or still a qualm unseen.

Someone may be discouraged

About to turn aside,

They might be trying to be brave

And all their fears to hide.

They may fear to tell just how

Their weary spirit feels,

But just one kind, little word from you

Could be the one that heals.

Their job they may have tried to do

And yet they feel so wrong

And just a thoughtful word from you

May fill their heart with song.

So friend, speak out!

It won’t cost you a thing,

But to some sorrowing, aching heart

A ray of hope may bring.

We never know what problems 

 those around us are facing ,

 but kindness and love will make a difference.

And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

 

 

Here is the cards I made using Word Art Wednesday's scripture last week.

  

I would love for you to leave a comment!

Peace

Peace

There are many definitions for peace in the dictionary.   

Most deal with a picture of  freedom or a life without conflict or stress.

But I like this explanation:

Peace – The calm assurance that God is working regardless

 of the circumstances and no matter how it appears.

A  Picture of Peace

There once was a King who offered a prize

to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace.

Many artists tried. 

The King looked at all the pictures,

but there were only two he really liked

and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake.

The lake was a perfect mirror,

for peaceful towering mountains were all around it.

Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

 All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

 

The other picture had mountains, too.

But these were rugged and bare.

Above was an angry sky from which rain fell 

and in which lightening played.

Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall.

This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall

a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock.

In the bush a mother bird had built her nest.

There, in the midst of the rush of angry water,

sat the mother bird on her nest in perfect peace.

 Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture.

Do you know why?

'Because' explained the King, 'peace does not mean

to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.

Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and

still be calm in your heart.

That is the real meaning of peace.'

Author Unknown

 

WONDERFUL PEACE

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Refrain

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!

I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!

And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:

Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept this sweet peace so sublime!

 

In  August 1889. Cornell & Cooper wrote this song at a camp meeting near West Bend, Wisconsin:

One day while seated in the tent, Mr. Cornell, following a period of deep introspection, wrote down the thoughts with which his mind had been busied. They later proved to be parts of this hymn, “Wonderful Peace”. Sinking again into introspective rumination, he arose, unwittingly dropped the written verses on the tent floor and went out. When Mr. Cooper entered the tent an hour or two later he discovered the paper. He was fascinated by the theme and the accompanying verses. It so fitted his own thinking that he filled in and completed the poem. Then sitting down at the organ he composed the melody as it has since been sung.

Words: Warren D. Cornell

Music: William G. Cooper

The only true peace is the peace that comes from the Lord.

The only real peace that I have dear Lord is in you.
The only real peace that I have dear Lord is in you.
With all life’s frustrations I need you and I know I do
Cause the only real peace that I have dear Lord is in you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,

 give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Struggling

So sorry that because of events occurring in my life,

I have been unable to blog consistently lately.  

But as I was viewing the blogs of some of my friends,

I read the following.  

I asked for and was granted permission

to share this with my readers.  

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Struggling

I've been struggling lately.  There.  I said it.  It's out there.  My heart has been pricked and I feel I'm supposed to DO something....but I don't know what that is.  Let me start at the beginning....

A friend of mine recently started being the pastor of a local church.  He's a part time pastor and the congregation is small.  But they are certainly mighty.  Their church is involved in a couple very successful local ministries - one being a meal program where they provide a free meal once a week to the poor, lonely, and/or homeless and the other is a clothing "closet" (that is so much more than just clothing - they can get clothes, household items, etc).  They also take those plastic grocery bags that we all just throw away or use as trash can liners and weave mats for the homeless.  And they give mattresses.  He shared with me about a couple who were at one of the meals - a young, unmarried couple.  She was obviously pregnant.  And they had no vehicle.  They walked to the church.  And when they walked back "home" then went behind a store to a dumpster....a dumpster they called home.

That has chilled me to the bone.  I sit here and look at what I have - the stuff - and yet within 3 miles of me is a couple living in a dumpster.

I'm not wealthy by any means.  We don't own a home.  I drive a car that is rusting out from under me and will be 20 years old if it makes it to next year.  I don't wear designer clothes.  I don't carry a designer purse.  I have 3 pairs of shoes.  I don't own a smart phone or android but use a prepaid cell for emergencies only. We don't go on vacations because we just can't afford them.  But I do have a roof over my head.  And I do have food on the table.  Lord knows I get enough to eat - too much!  I sleep in a bed.  And 3 miles away from me is a couple living in a dumpster.

I have a craft room full of stamps and paper and markers and embellishments.  I have a couple drawers full of yarn.  I have a sewing machine.  And 3 miles away from me a couple is living in a dumpster.

How is it that we can overlook those who are in such need?  How is it that I can overlook those in such need?  How can I justify buying one more thing that I don't need when 3 miles away from me a couple is living in a dumpster.

I know I keep saying that....but it has touched a part of my soul that is aching.  It has made me realize not only how blessed I am, but how because of that blessing I should be doing something to help those around me.  But what can I do?  This is my struggle.  I don't know what to do.  I don't know where to start.  What can one person do?  But I know that God is calling me to something.  I can feel it in my soul.

It's even got me to thinking about this blog.  What is it supposed to be?  I started off thinking it was a creative outlet for cards.  But can it be more?  And if so - what is that?  I'm not sure where this is going.  I guess I just wanted to share my heart and let you know why I have been MIA lately.  I'm praying about where to go from here.  I'm asking God to show me what He wants me to do.  I'm asking Him about this blog too.  I'm praying for an answer.  Stay tuned.

http://zturley.blogspot.com/2015/07/struggling.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FoNdtUE+%28Joyful+Expressions%29

Thanks Zella for sharing your heart with us.
May it be an inspiration to all of us and 

remind us how blessed we are and 

that God does not give us these blessings

to keep to ourselves, 

but to share with others

as a way of sharing His love.