Leibster Award

 

   

Last night I learned that Laurie and Betsy, the Writing Sisters had chosen my blog, ReeknittingwordswithGod, as one of five blogs for the Liebster Award. Liebster is a German word that means dearest, beloved, or favorite. This award is from fellow bloggers and must be given to blogs that have fewer than 200 followers.  Oh yea, that would certainly be me! This is a way for the blogging community to connect and share blogs they have read, enjoyed and been inspired by and I must say that I am humbled and truly grateful! Being such a novice to the blogging world I’m still dipping my toes in here and there trying to navigate my way around as time permits. Below are five blogs that like the Writing Sisters blog, have encouraged me to continue to keep writing, knittin and letting God lead!

 Here are the requirements that come with this award:

1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them. (My humble thanks and gratitude to Laurie and Betsy, the Writing Sisters!)

2. Reveal your top 5 picks for the award and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog (see below).

3. Post the award on your blog. What comes with this award. That is, I have the privilege of sharing five of my favorite blogs with you.  Enjoy!

1. SPT2011 – Susie writes a blog filled with praise that constantly points to God and encourages others to do the same. 

2.  The MidLife Second Wife – Marci writes insightful, witty and encouraging words to those who are basking in the love as the second (mid-life wife).

3.  Peaceful Knitter  – Sonia’s blog reminds me of my own new love of knitting.  The quiet serene meditational time that makes the evenings awesome!

4. SPMC Consulting  – Evalyne’s writings about Christian leadership in the workplace inspire and encourage management to not only follow the rules of business but Christ.

5. poeticjourney251 –  A delightful blend of words and blessings, poetically offered and delivered pointing others to Christ.

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Assuming a Waiting Posture

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Acts 20:24  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (NIV)

The position has been assumed by my now almost half-century body. When it began I was crouched in the starting blocks, fingers tented, back straight, rump up, muscles trembling in anticipation ready to begin the race .  Ear tuned waiting to hear that starting pistol, the pop that will set my feet to flying to do my part to further His message. So I wait, wait and wait some more. My once lithe figure no longer svelte, strained yet waiting.  The knee that once hovered above the blocks periodically touches the track under the strain of me.  That straight back a little bowed and crackle, fingers once tented have flattened under the weight of  life, yet I wait. You see, I am waiting on God, my condition and time-table are unimportant this is not a sprint and not exactly a marathon.  No matter how long it takes the race will not be cancelled, my crossing the finish line quickly or first not at issue, my continued posture of waiting shows God that I desire to complete the tasks I have been commissioned to complete.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Staying Centered

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Don’t go to extremes on anything. Make God the center of your life and you’ll be content. Ecclesiastes 7:18 (Clear Word)

 My thumb hurts, no doubt due to the marathon, rapid-fire, repetitive knitting session I engaged in over the weekend.  I have no one to blame but myself  for my discomfort.  The people pleasing part of me, that still desires to make others happy, took a big  bite out of an ego cookie and knitted two hats in less than 24 hours.  For those more experienced crafting folks who can knock out a hat in a few hours that may seem like nothing, but for an almost minted yearling, I was pushing my envelope.   I was determined, focused, in a word –  I was a machine and now I am in pain!  I wanted to fulfill a wish for someone else to give a gift and was doggedly persistent in the desire to produce a quality product in a short period of time.   I was in such a hurry I didn’t even take a picture of the pain producing piece of work, so you will just have to believe me that they are pretty.  There might be a dropped stitch or two and some other flaws that may appear in the wash, so I wouldn’t suggest a vigorous washing!  I went to an extreme, the day began with me focusing on God, I was reading, studying the Word, writing and discussing the goodness of God and other weighty subjects and then the chapeau request.   Yet, through the pain, the seeming unfocused thoughts of my one woman knitting marathon I know this to be true, God was never far from me.  While I may not have prayed on every stitch, He was with me and though it appeared I was outside the lines, He knew my heart and mind would once again be turned firmly and securely back to Him.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

 

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Scrap Accessories

 

 

 

Image by Daffydil via Flickr

Romans 12:5  In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts. (NCV)

Looking around I see a mini mountain of leftover yarn.  Each little ball in and of itself  is not enough to make anything. Oh, I might be able to work up a coaster, part of a bookmark or some other small trinket sure to find a home in the dust bunny infested bottom of a junk drawer but not one real work of art. A patchwork of colors, weights and fibers. An odd jumble that alone might warm Barbie, but together the head or neck of someone in need.  The basket holding those scraps, remnants and leavings are like so many churches filled with the odd personalities that singularly might not stand out, however in the hands of the Master, who created man from dust all things are possible.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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My House Behavior

Be humble and teachable when you go to the house of God. It is better to come to listen than to offer the sacrifice of fools. They don’t recognize when they’re doing wrong. Ecclesiastes 5:1 (Clear Word)

I thank God for forgiving me for not coming to His house and bringing the right attitude with me. I was soooo guilty in the past! I had entered God’s house with a troubled heart, closed mind and more than once with a pocket full of opinions and critiques. To be honest, I was proud that I showed up at all, regardless of my stank attitude, I was there. Even made sure I was attired properly so as not to get tongues a waggin in my direction. I was far from humble and definitely not there to learn. It was an obligation because hell did not seem like a place I would enjoy. I was in every sense and demeanor, a fool.

The attitude change did not happen immediately, it took many years. There was pain, loss and oh the vulnerability. I am so grateful to God for the lessons. As a result I can walk into any house of God and He can teach me something. I am not tied by the anchor of a denomination but linked and connected through the blood of Christ. Lord, lead and continue teach every day in every way!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Cornbread Dressing Quest

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 I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13 (NCV)

Last Thanksgiving and Christmas I did not have one smidgen or crumb of cornbread dressing.  For many years, my Grandmother in Texas makes the most incredible secret recipe dressing and potato salad.  In truth, I was never able to watch her and learn the secret because it would be sitting ready and completed by the time we arrived at her house. So here I am in Richmond about to embark on my second Thanksgiving again facing the prospect of no cornbread dressing.   I have used the Philippians 4:13 so many times in my life and it seems that God has again reminded me, that even cornbread dressing is not out of the realm of His guidance.   So it is with prayer, Tums, humor and humility that I will attempt to make said cornbread dressing this evening.  I am nervous and a touch intimidated, but cooking with God is as familiar and comfortaing as knitting with Him has become.   I have a recipe that I will follow, at least until I am comfortable making my own tweaks and “upgrades” and I have the secret ingredient that makes all things turn out right, Love.  

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Just a splash of color

1 Peter 1:2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

My office is a shade of gray that might be called 70’s institutional chic. There is nothing exciting about it, yet when I am sitting in there, after inviting God’s presence, the light of His love within allows such a warm glow that the room color ceases to be an issue. Into our lives, almost every day, flashes and splashes of color abound dispersing drab, dull and dark corners when we invite the Lord to come in. Those open doors permit Christ to color and enrich our lives with beauty we never imagined. How truly thankful I am for the pops of color in my life!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Thankful thankful

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“[Thanksgiving] I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—” 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 NIV

What a truly wonderful day! Though the sun is not glowing and the cloud awash with gray, the day is shining brilliantly with light and promise. Can you see it? Can you see anything? The pile of clothes needing to be washed or folded. The dishes showing evidence of a meal prepared or eaten? The ache of muscles because of exercise or clearing those now falling leave? Breaths taken by rote, the flexing and tapping of fingers and across keyboard or stubbing of toe on bed frame.  Each and every one are reasons to rejoice. Thank you Father for opening my eyes to see the possibilities in this day. For providing the provisions to sustain this vessel. Thank you for a voice to sing your praise. With a truly grateful heart I greet this day!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Knot frustrated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

With the holidays season bearing down upon me sooner than believed my knitting has been kicked into high gear. With the exception of working hours, ok a few rows at lunchtime, my needles are not stilled. Completing one project last night I announced my goal of starting three projects! All in the same night, I know very ambitious. Projects one and two were cast on and begun without a hitch, but number three? I pulled yarn and it knotted. No sooner had I cleared that knot, a clump of stubborn twisted ones revealed themselves. I unravelled, untwisted, followed loops and  broke out in a sweat.  These stops and starts were slowing my progress and the fringes of frustration were creeping up. There was a part of me that wanted to just give up and go to bed, but no! I decided to create a new ball of yarn. Along the way more knots, but an instituted new strategy, I held the 

 

closed my eyes said a prayer and when I opened my eyes there was a new calm. This happened quite a few more times.  Reinforcing once again my lesson that nothing in life is unimportant to God and that time spent with Him untying knots, waiting in line or sitting quietly is wasted.  Every moment that could bring frustration when turned over to God is filled with peace.  I still have knots to unravel and look forward to knitting and spending more time with God. 

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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My Neighbors?

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³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii^[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’  Luke 10: 33-35 (NIV)

During our devotional time this morning m husband and I revisited the story of the Good Samaritan.  We discussed our  “neighbors” on our online games who send what we need, revive our withered crops, send building supplies and words of encouragement.  Most began as complete strangers cities, states or even countries away.   I am often reminded that as a society, founded upon Christian values we have gotten away from the basics of freedom to worship as we choose and community. During the holiday season we do step up, some, but coins in a bucket and a few large meals do not sufficiently cover the other hungry months.  Granted, corners peppered with men and women holding cardboard signs soliciting money year round have become so commonplace as to contribute to a level complacency and desensitization that leaves heart-strings unfazed.  Yet, I am often moved to give because that dollar or spare change in the door that I may have spent on a biscuit may be the only act of charity that person receives.  The man beaten on the road did not care or even know who helped him.  Lord help me to be more like the Samaritan, open my eyes and touch my heart to be moved in ways that allow me to point those hurting, needing souls to You!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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