Hey You!
You haven't finished your Christmas list, right? 
C'mon admit it. 
Don't you feel better now? I have wonderful news! I have gathered a few items that should suit every wonderful (or possibly plain picky) person on your list! Go ahead and take a peek! If you see something you like, jump on it! Shipping for Christmas usually ends a few days from now!

How about some super comfy Christian tees?


Or help a hard-working loved one pamper themselves with body products!

It's entirely possible that all this time you've just been looking for something that your guy will geek out over! Whether you want a cool tie for him or whether he prefers to take over the kitchen, this last shop has you covered!

Well that's all for now, but never fear! Come back in a couple days for the next installment! If you'd like, leave a comment with what you're really searching for and I'll do the legwork--er seatwork for you! 

by Regina of reginatherrienstock





"Graham Lemon Bars"

INGREDIENTS:

1) 1 3/4 C graham cracker crumbs
2) 7 TBSP butter, softened
3) 2 TBSP white sugar
4) 5 eggs
5) 3 C white sugar
6) 6 TBSP all-purpose flour
7) 1/2 C lemon juice
8) 1/3 C confectioners' sugar for decorating

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°
Combine graham cracker crumbs, softened butter and 2 TBSP white sugar. Press mixture onto bottom of a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake for 20 min.

Beat eggs, white sugar, flour and lemon juice. (If mixure is too thick, water may be added to thin it.) Pour the mixture over the hot graham cracker crust. Bake for 25 min or until golden brown. Dust the top with confectioners' sugar. After cooling, cut into squares. Can be served with either french vanilla ice cream or an orange creamsickle sherbert. Yummy! 




Psalms 27: 3-4
When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool.  I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at His feet. The Message Bible

I can only imagine what it will be like in heaven to sit at the feet of God the almighty.  No more sin, no more tears, no more strife, no more problems.  What a glorious time that will be.

We don't have to wait for heaven to sit at the feet of God.  He is asking us to do that now.  When all hell breaks loose in our life we can be as calm as a baby, if we sit at His feet.

Or we can look at our troubles, be worried and anxious. This is our choice.

 
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Biblecalligraphy?ref=shopinfo_shophome_leftnav
I was talking to a lady in our church who was lonely. She wanted to invite ladies over for lunch.  She loves to cook.  As soon as she told me this she said, "But the ladies are too busy and they have husbands. They won't want to come."  Was this the truth or her fear and insecurity?

A pastor once told me if you want to have a friend you need to be a friend.  In other words if you have a problem than do something about it, don't complain about it.  This lady is lonely because she is afraid to make friends. She is not sitting at the feet of God soaking up God's truth and strength like Paul did.

Philippians 4:11 And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. Paul who had been beaten, tossed into prison, whipped, shipwrecked had learned to be content.  He went from persecuting the church to sitting at the feet of God.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/songmountainfineart
Fear of our circumstance keeps us from living our whole lives in the house of the Lord as calm as a baby, no matter what happens in our lives.

Fear is nothing more than False Expectations Appearing Real.

Do you have a fear that is keeping that is preventing you from sitting at God's feet?


In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!
Phillipians 2:5-8 (NIV)







It is interesting to see how we go through phases and stages of life.
It is quite evident when talking to our ladies at church about
what would be most helpful and supportive to them.

Some are looking for lighthearted relationship building fellowship
in which talk of the Lord just comes as a natural part 
of the experience and growth of relationships.

Others need regular and structured Bible study.

Over the days, weeks, months and years of our lives
I think we can all relate to both approaches.

I am going to get to participate in both groups.

So on Friday afternoon four of us met to begin the study of 
The Psalms.

Our hostess and leader began with a study of Psalm 145.
It was so special.
It is a poem filled with praise and so much more!



It speaks of our Heavenly Father's attributes of 
graciousness, compassion, righteousness, goodness and mercy.
Of His provision for our needs.

One generation will share with the  next the wonderful
things we know about the Lord.

It reminds us to praise daily.

We will sing His praise.
Oooh...as a musician I love this.
In my world there is no better way to tuck amazing truth
into my memory than to put them to music.

The riches of a single Psalm merely scratch the surface of the encouragement 
and knowledge available to us in the Word of God.
I look forward to sharing this journey with these friends over the next year.

If you are in this stage of life and are feeling the need to 
share scripture with friends that you would seek out those
who are feeling as you do.
It is very worthwhile and allows us to see things through
other's eyes that can be very, very helpful to us.
Your input will be helpful to your friends as well.

Fellowship.
It is a very important part of our Christian walk.

Allow me to share my favorite portions from this Psalm.

v.8,9
The Lord is gracious,
 and full of compassion; 
slow to anger, 
and of great mercy.
 The Lord is good to all: 
and his tender mercies 
are over all his works.

v.14
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, 
and raiseth up all those 
that be bowed down.

v.18-21
The Lord is nigh unto 
all them that call upon him, 
to all that call upon him in truth.
 He will fulfill the desire of them 
that fear him: 
he also will hear their cry, 
and will save them.
The Lord preserveth all them that love him: 
but all the wicked will he destroy.
My mouth shall speak 
the praise of the Lord
and let all flesh bless his 
holy name for ever and ever.

I hope these words are sweet to your heart.










“After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:7-8 (ESV)








For years I've written a journal of my thoughts, prays and concerns.  One day as I was writing in my journal I noticed how relaxing it was for me. Since no one would read it I wasn't concerned about my spelling, punctuation or if it was legible.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ELOUISEUK?ref=l2-shopheader-nameIt is quite different when I write a blog or this devotion.  I reread it several times before I push the publish button. I want it to flow smoothly, with proper grammar and correct spelling, because others will be reading it.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ELOUISEUK?ref=l2-shopheader-name

This can be  a lot like our lives.  When we are alone or with people we are comfortable with, do we care what we say, how we act or if our language is appropriate. Yet when when we are in the public our language and behavior might be different. In church we might behave especially good. 


If we don't think some of our behavior is appropriate for church, why do we think it is appropriate to for our family, close friends or when we are alone. 

God isn't a god who just sees us in church.  He sees us all the time.  One day I was in the shower and realized he even sees me there.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/TheCharmingMagnolia 

Psalm 139:1-   God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm and open book to you: even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your site. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too-- your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is to much, too wonderful -- I can't take it all in! (The Message Bible)

God created us and knew all about us before we were conceived. He didn't bring us into the earth to leave us alone.  He is always watching over us, his pride and joy.  

Our goal is not to please people, but to please God who sees us all the time.

"Careful little tongue what you say.  For the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little tongue what you say. Careful little feet where you go...."  A popular Sunday school song with a lot of meaning to it
.