Excellent Student

Since we married, 36 years ago, I have forbade my husband to use my Singer sewing machine. I, after all, was the seamstress. Didn't matter that I could run most of his woodworking tools quite well. If it was to be sewn, I would do it. But...things change, like a wheelchair and a new sewing machine. (Purchased, lovingly, by the dear husband.) This sewing machine has lots of super features, like push button start and stop, locking stitchings at the beginning and ending of the seam, and auto thread cutter. Thus, when Dear Dwight asked me to show him how to sew a seam I jumped at it:

I put the machine on it's slowest speed so he could keep all his fingers and sanity.

Ta-da...the first seam. Do I see a look of wonderment?


And then, the true carpenter. It is straight? Now, mind you, this is his first ever, ever seam. And, according to him it is NOT straight. I only saw one small wobble, one--his first seam. I told him that with his skill and perfectionism he could piece all my quilt tops...I haven't convinced him yet.

More Truths

8. The blood of Christ is sufficient to cover all my sin. (2 John 1:7)

9. The cross of Christ is sufficient to conquer my sinful flesh. (Romans 6:67 --I don't have to sin--Romans 6:14

10. My past does not have to plaque me. (1 Cor 6:9-11)
**My past failures can become stepping stones to greater victory and fruitfulness.
**If I will let Him, God will cause everything that has happened to me to work together for
my good and for His glory.

11. God's Word is sufficient to lead me, teach me, and heal me. (Psalms 19:7; 107: 20; 119:105)

12. Through the power of His Holy Spirit, God will enable me to do anything that He commands
me to do. (1Thess. 5:24)
**There is no one that I cannot forgive. Mark 11:25
** There is no one that I cannot love. Matthew 5:44
**I can give thanks in all things. 1 Thess 5:18
** I can be content. Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:11

13. I am responsible before God for my behavior, responses, and choices. (Ez 18:19-22)

14. I will reap whatever I sow. (Galatians 6:7-8)

15. The pathway to true joy is to relinquish control. (Luke 1:38; 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 16:25)
**of my life
** of my husband
** of my children
** of my circumstances

16. The greatest freedom I can experience is found through submission to God-ordained
authority. (Ephesians 5:23)
** The husband is the head of the wife Ephesians 5:23
**The wife is to reverence and submit to her husband Ephesians 5:22, 23
**The heart of the king is in the Lord's hand....Proverbs 21:1

17. In the will of God, there is no higher, holier calling than to be a wife and mother.
Titus 2:4-5

18. Personal holiness is more important that temporal happiness. Ephesians 5:26-27
**Happiness is not a right.

19. God is more concerned about changing me and glorifying Himself, than about solving my
problems. Romans 8:29.

20. It is impossible to be godly without suffering.
**Suffering is a tool in the hand of God to conform me to the image of Jesus. 1 Peter 5:10

21. My suffering will not last forever. 2 Cor. 4:17-18, Psalms 30:5

22. "It's not about me. It's all about Him. Colossians 1:16-18

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." John 8:31, 32

From Revive Our Hearts. www.ReviveOurHearts.com

I must say, I did not expect to feel the conviction that I have felt in writing this to share with you. I have been a Christian I long time, and I know (and have taught) that it is a continual, growing process. But I didn't realize how I have drifted and have not been listening to God's voice. I now must spend some time in confession, reading all these scriptures, prayer and allowing God to help me get back on His path. I look forward to any of your comments and sharing's.

Freeing Truths

Nancy Leigh DeMoss is the author of the following:

The Truth That Sets Us Free

1. God is good. (Ps 119:68; 136:1)
2. God loves me and wants me to have His best. (Rom 8:32; 38-39)
3. I am complete and accepted in Christ. ( Eph 1:6)
4. God is enough. (Ps. 23:1)
5. God can be trusted. (Isa. 28:16)
6. God doesn't make any mistakes (Isa. 46:10) Everything that comes into my life has been 'filtered through His fingers of love.'
7. God's grace is sufficient for me. (2Cor. 12:9)

I will share the rest later. Susie

Full Bore Spring

My violets, deep purple, light purple, freckles, cream and white are in full bloom. And the lily of the valley proudly stand over them in perfumed pride. My favorite flower marriage.

The bleeding hearts gently sway in the corner of the flower bed, several other plants are slowing adding their promise of later flowers behind them. One lone pansy, a beautiful snow white peeks out, letting me know she survived the winter. In the opposite corner the miniature yellow lilies bloom amidst a bed of white ground cover flowers a great neighbor shared with me two years ago. The clematis have rapidly climbed the arbor, only one the other gave in to winter.
One of the three transplanted ferns made it. And only dare devil dandy lion attempted to join the chorus of flowers, it no longer is among the living.

In a backyard flower bed of violets the jack in the pulpit has finally started unfurling its gentle leaves under the protected of more violets. Standing guard at the corners of the house are two stately lilacs, gifts from my Dad and sister Karen the first summer we lived in Columbus.

And behind the garage, for myself, the lady across the alley and anyone who drives slowly down the alley--three columbines are showing their beauty to all. Four poppies are in a sprint to see who will be the biggest (hope the flowers are as great). The hollyhocks are showing great promise also, so much beauty and so much promise of more to follow. What a great time of year.