...finally made it to the fabric/quilt store...

It's been a very long day, running errands. I finally made it to the fabric/quilt store to get some supplies for a banner. I do hope to start quilting again. I found a sweet new pattern, and I hope to say soon - that in spite of everything, I was able to pick out my fabric - we will see.

Psalm 6

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger

    or discipline me in your wrath.

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;

    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.

My soul is in deep anguish.

    How long, Lord, how long?

Turn, Lord, and deliver me;

    save me because of your unfailing love.

Among the dead no one proclaims your name.

    Who praises you from the grave?

I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping

    and drench my couch with tears.

My eyes grow weak with sorrow;

    they fail because of all my foes.

Away from me, all you who do evil,

    for the Lord has heard my weeping.

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;

    the Lord accepts my prayer.

All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;

    they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalm 12

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;

    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

Everyone lies to their neighbor;

    they flatter with their lips

    but harbor deception in their hearts.

May the Lord silence all flattering lips

    and every boastful tongue—

those who say,

    “By our tongues we will prevail;

    our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,

    I will now arise,” says the Lord.

    “I will protect them from those who malign them.”

And the words of the Lord are flawless,

    like silver purified in a crucible,

    like gold refined seven times.

You, Lord, will keep the needy safe

    and will protect us forever from the wicked,

who freely strut about

    when what is vile is honored by the human race.

It will be a little quieter here on earth...

A saint called home, today we heard that one of Peter's dear friends had died. Bill was a man that got Peter involved with a group of men that became his dear friends. Bill was a man who called Peter often after his stroke to encourage him to keep playing. In spite of everything,Bill was the man who got Peter out of the house and playing in front of people again. Bill was a banjo player himself, ever cheerful, ever encouraging - a great listener. He knew what music meant to Peter and helped him to keep on playing. I'm not sure how many people have friends like this, but it was special. As every phone call ended, I could hear Bill say, "I love you, brother" - he died in his chair, playing his banjo. It will be a little quieter here on earth...but, Bill "we love you, brother!"

Psalm 71

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;

    let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;

    turn your ear to me and save me.

Be my rock of refuge,

    to which I can always go;

give the command to save me,

    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,

    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,

    my confidence since my youth.

From birth I have relied on you;

    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.

    I will ever praise you.

I have become a sign to many;

    you are my strong refuge.

My mouth is filled with your praise,

    declaring your splendor all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old;

    do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

For my enemies speak against me;

    those who wait to kill me conspire together.

They say, “God has forsaken him;

    pursue him and seize him,

    for no one will rescue him.”

Do not be far from me, my God;

    come quickly, God, to help me.

May my accusers perish in shame;

    may those who want to harm me

    be covered with scorn and disgrace.

As for me, I will always have hope;

    I will praise you more and more.

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,

    of your saving acts all day long—

    though I know not how to relate them all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;

    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,

    do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,

    you who have done great things.

    Who is like you, God?

Though you have made me see troubles,

    many and bitter,

    you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth

    you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor

    and comfort me once more.

I will praise you with the harp

    for your faithfulness, my God;

I will sing praise to you with the lyre,

    Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy

    when I sing praise to you—

    I whom you have delivered.

My tongue will tell of your righteous acts

    all day long,

for those who wanted to harm me

    have been put to shame and confusion.

...adults waving palm fronds...

I wonder if people driving by our church today knew what we were doing. A group of adults waving palm fronds and processing into the church - celebrating openly Jesus Christ. I hope your Palm Sunday was great.

The beginning of Holy Week, culminating with Easter. We have a wonderful Lord and great things to celebrate! Blessings!

...so, I didn't go anywhere....

I've had a self-imposed rest day. I got up this morning, anxious to get out of the house - but really no where to go - so I didn't go anywhere. I crafted, made pizza for lunch and even took an afternoon nap.

I really wanted to get out of the house, but, in spite of everything - I had a great day. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, we are almost to Easter, examine the scripture that speaks of Holy Week - go to your "empty" church and think about Jesus...

Psalm 147

Praise the Lord.

How good it is to sing praises to our God,

    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

    he gathers the exiles of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted

    and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars

    and calls them each by name.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

    his understanding has no limit.

The Lord sustains the humble

    but casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;

    make music to our God on the harp.

He covers the sky with clouds;

    he supplies the earth with rain

    and makes grass grow on the hills.

He provides food for the cattle

    and for the young ravens when they call.

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,

    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;

 the Lord delights in those who fear him,

    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;

    praise your God, Zion.

He strengthens the bars of your gates

    and blesses your people within you.

He grants peace to your borders

    and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.

He sends his command to the earth;

    his word runs swiftly.

He spreads the snow like wool

    and scatters the frost like ashes.

He hurls down his hail like pebbles.

    Who can withstand his icy blast?

He sends his word and melts them;

    he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

 He has revealed his word to Jacob,

    his laws and decrees to Israel.

He has done this for no other nation;

    they do not know his laws.

Praise the Lord.

...without need or want.

I had a wonderful lunch with my daughter today, then we shopped around the beautiful downtown area of Franklin. Shop local - the shopkeepers are very nice. In spite of everything, I didn't find a thing I needed or wanted. It's a good thing to be without need or want!

Psalm 95

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving

    and extol him with music and song.

For the Lord is the great God,

    the great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth,

    and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The sea is his, for he made it,

    and his hands formed the dry land.

Come, let us bow down in worship,

    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

for he is our God

    and we are the people of his pasture,

    the flock under his care.

Today, if only you would hear his voice,

“Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,

    as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,

where your ancestors tested me;

    they tried me, though they had seen what I did.

 For forty years I was angry with that generation;

    I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,

    and they have not known my ways.’

So I declared on oath in my anger,

    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

Psalm 141

I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;

    hear me when I call to you.

May my prayer be set before you like incense;

    may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;

    keep watch over the door of my lips.

Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil

    so that I take part in wicked deeds

along with those who are evildoers;

    do not let me eat their delicacies.

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

I will praise the Lord all my life;

    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes,

    in human beings, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;

    on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord their God.

He is the Maker of heaven and earth,

    the sea, and everything in them—

    he remains faithful forever.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed

    and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free,

     the Lord gives sight to the blind,

the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,

    the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the foreigner

    and sustains the fatherless and the widow,

    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The Lord reigns forever,

    your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.

...unfinished time with Jesus...

The day is slow and cloudy, but, in spite of everything - I've completed all of my unfinished projects and my table is clear. Yet, I know that I have unfinished time with Jesus - I need to spend time talking with Him - because, "blessed is the people whose God is the Lord." I hope I always have unfinished business with Him, for it will mean I am still growing....

Psalm 144

Praise be to the Lord my Rock,

    who trains my hands for war,

    my fingers for battle.

He is my loving God and my fortress,

    my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield, in whom I take refuge,

    who subdues peoples under me.

Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,

    mere mortals that you think of them?

They are like a breath;

    their days are like a fleeting shadow.

Part your heavens, Lord, and come down;

    touch the mountains, so that they smoke.

Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy;

    shoot your arrows and rout them.

Reach down your hand from on high;

    deliver me and rescue me

from the mighty waters,

    from the hands of foreigners

 whose mouths are full of lies,

    whose right hands are deceitful.

I will sing a new song to you, my God;

    on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,

 to the One who gives victory to kings,

    who delivers his servant David.

From the deadly sword 

 deliver me;

    rescue me from the hands of foreigners

whose mouths are full of lies,

    whose right hands are deceitful.

Then our sons in their youth

    will be like well-nurtured plants,

and our daughters will be like pillars

    carved to adorn a palace.

Our barns will be filled

    with every kind of provision.

Our sheep will increase by thousands,

    by tens of thousands in our fields;

our oxen will draw heavy loads.

There will be no breaching of walls,

    no going into captivity,

    no cry of distress in our streets.

Blessed is the people of whom this is true;

    blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.

If we look the same...

If we look the same as we did when we were young, are we still the same person? Are our faces supposed to change as we grow into what we are today? I know that worry, laugh and frown lines can show up on our faces - and we can let disappointment and sadness continue to haunt our eyes - but can our faces show maturity in the Lord? How does kindness and gratitude map our faces? Are we recognizable to old friends in good ways or bad? How do you feel when someone tells you, you look the same? I don't know, but I'm going to ponder these thoughts for a time, trying hard not to wrinkle my brow and let you know my conclusions at a later time. Smile - it feels good!

Psalm 128

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,

    who walk in obedience to him.

You will eat the fruit of your labor;

    blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

    within your house;

your children will be like olive shoots

    around your table.

Yes, this will be the blessing

    for the man who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion;

    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

    all the days of your life.

May you live to see your children’s children—

    peace be on Israel.

Psalm 129

“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”

    let Israel say;

“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,

    but they have not gained the victory over me.

Plowmen have plowed my back

    and made their furrows long.

But the Lord is righteous;

    he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

May all who hate Zion

    be turned back in shame.

May they be like grass on the roof,

    which withers before it can grow;

a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,

    nor one who gathers fill his arms.

May those who pass by not say to them,

    “The blessing of the Lord be on you;

    we bless you in the name of the Lord.”

...we must trust in His answer for this world...

Spring has sprung in Franklin, Tennessee. The weather is beautiful, the flowers and trees are blooming and birds are singing everywhere.  Our Jewish friends are about to celebrate Passover, we Christians, Easter, our greatest Holy Day - and in other parts of the world there is such darkness. In spite of everything, we can look up to our Creator, and know He is aware and watching. We need to pray - we must pray - we must trust in His answer for this world - Jesus Christ, and His coming again.

Psalm 123

I lift up my eyes to you,

    to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,

    as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to the Lord our God,

    till he shows us his mercy.

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us,

    for we have endured no end of contempt.

We have endured no end

    of ridicule from the arrogant,

    of contempt from the proud.

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house,

    the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

    the guards stand watch in vain.

In vain you rise early

    and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat—

    for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Children are a heritage from the Lord,

    offspring a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

    are children born in one’s youth.

Blessed is the man

    whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame

    when they contend with their opponents in court.

Walking with the Word...

I went for a walk in a part of our new neighborhood that I hadn't seen before. I mean I had ridden through it in the car, but I hadn't really "seen" it. They are beautiful, grand homes, most of them on a lake, with well-taken care of yards.As I paid close attention to the architecture, I saw many patterns. I began to think of how the materials reflect the make-up of our lives. Some of the homes had rough, uneven stonework - if walked on would make you stumble. The bricks were rough and had small holes - like sponges - absorbable. The wood planks had fine grain, polished - perfect. 

How many times have I walked on uneven ground, because I had not paid attention to wear the right shoes? How many times had I absorbed wrong ideas, because I had not paid attention to where I was? How did I expect to have a fine, polished countenance when I did not spend time with my Lord? 

This Psalm answers those questions in my life and how to continue. Yet, I know, in spite of everything, God has his hand on my life! He gives me His word, to keep me from stumbling, to keep me from taking in the wrong ideas and gives me words of hope for a bright outlook on life.

Psalm 119

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,

    who walk according to the law of the Lord.

Blessed are those who keep his statutes

    and seek him with all their heart—

they do no wrong

    but follow his ways.

You have laid down precepts

    that are to be fully obeyed.

Oh, that my ways were steadfast

    in obeying your decrees!

Then I would not be put to shame

    when I consider all your commands.

I will praise you with an upright heart

    as I learn your righteous laws.

I will obey your decrees;

    do not utterly forsake me.

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

    By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;

    do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

    that I might not sin against you.

 Praise be to you, Lord;

    teach me your decrees.

With my lips I recount

    all the laws that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statutes

    as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts

    and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees;

    I will not neglect your word.

A good beginning to the week...

A new week awaits us, in spite of everything, let us look forward to what God will do.

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God,

    according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

    blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

    and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,

    and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

    and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

    and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth,

    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

 Let me hear joy and gladness;

    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins

    and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

    so that sinners will turn back to you.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

    you who are God my Savior,

    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

Open my lips, Lord,

    and my mouth will declare your praise.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

    a broken and contrite heart

    you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion,

    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,

    in burnt offerings offered whole;

    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Psalm 71

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;

    let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;

    turn your ear to me and save me.

Be my rock of refuge,

    to which I can always go;

give the command to save me,

    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,

    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,

    my confidence since my youth.

From birth I have relied on you;

    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.

    I will ever praise you.

I have become a sign to many;

    you are my strong refuge.

My mouth is filled with your praise,

    declaring your splendor all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old;

    do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

For my enemies speak against me;

    those who wait to kill me conspire together.

They say, “God has forsaken him;

    pursue him and seize him,

    for no one will rescue him.”

Do not be far from me, my God;

    come quickly, God, to help me.

May my accusers perish in shame;

    may those who want to harm me

    be covered with scorn and disgrace.

As for me, I will always have hope;

    I will praise you more and more.

 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,

    of your saving acts all day long—

    though I know not how to relate them all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;

    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,

    do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,

    you who have done great things.

    Who is like you, God?

Though you have made me see troubles,

    many and bitter,

    you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth

    you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor

    and comfort me once more.

I will praise you with the harp

    for your faithfulness, my God;

I will sing praise to you with the lyre,

    Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy

    when I sing praise to you—

    I whom you have delivered.

My tongue will tell of your righteous acts

    all day long,

for those who wanted to harm me

    have been put to shame and confusion.

Musing on the differences...

I was musing on the differences of us all, and this song came to mind.

In spite of everything - we are...

One Bread One Body (John Michael Talbot)

Refrain

One bread, one body,

one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many,
throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

Verse
Gentile or Jew,
servant or free,
woman or man, no more.

Refrain
One bread, one body,
one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many,
throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

Verse
Many the gifts,
many the works,
one in the Lord of all.

Refrain
One bread, one body,
one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many,
throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

in this one Lord.

Psalm 108:1-6

My heart, O God, is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music with all my soul.
 Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

Save us and help us with your right hand,
    that those you love may be delivered.

Psalm 112

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
    who find great delight in his commands.

Their children will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
    and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
    for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
    who conduct their affairs with justice.

Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
    their righteousness endures forever;
    their horn^[ will be lifted high in honor.

The wicked will see and be vexed,
    they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
    the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Treasures...

Mom and I went thrifting today and ended up at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It's mostly building supplies, paint, kitchen cabinets and the like - but, I found a treasure hidden in the framed artwork. It was a beautiful piece of counted cross stitch needlework, such a perfect design. I wondered to myself how anyone could give that away. As I looked around the store, I realized that many treasures had been given away, but to a place where people could find them and make a home for them again. Some one, instead of throwing away kitchen cabinets, had donated them - so they could be used by someone else. So many people today, in spite of everything they have - throw away - treasures. I was then reminded of these verses: Matthew 6:19-20. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. What treasure have I laid up in heaven?

Psalm 95

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving

    and extol him with music and song.

For the Lord is the great God,

    the great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth,

    and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The sea is his, for he made it,

    and his hands formed the dry land.

Come, let us bow down in worship,

    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

for he is our God

    and we are the people of his pasture,

    the flock under his care.

Today, if only you would hear his voice,

“Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,

    as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,

where your ancestors tested me;

    they tried me, though they had seen what I did.

For forty years I was angry with that generation;

    I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,

    and they have not known my ways.’

So I declared on oath in my anger,

    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

Psalm 102

Hear my prayer, Lord;

    let my cry for help come to you.

Do not hide your face from me

    when I am in distress.

Turn your ear to me;

    when I call, answer me quickly.

For my days vanish like smoke;

    my bones burn like glowing embers.

My heart is blighted and withered like grass;

    I forget to eat my food.

In my distress I groan aloud

    and am reduced to skin and bones.

I am like a desert owl,

    like an owl among the ruins.

I lie awake; I have become

    like a bird alone on a roof.

All day long my enemies taunt me;

    those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

For I eat ashes as my food

    and mingle my drink with tears

because of your great wrath,

    for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.

My days are like the evening shadow;

    I wither away like grass.

But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever;

    your renown endures through all generations.

You will arise and have compassion on Zion,

    for it is time to show favor to her;

    the appointed time has come.

For her stones are dear to your servants;

    her very dust moves them to pity.

The nations will fear the name of the Lord,

    all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.

 For the Lord will rebuild Zion

    and appear in his glory.

He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;

    he will not despise their plea.

Let this be written for a future generation,

    that a people not yet created may praise the Lord:

“The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high,

    from heaven he viewed the earth,

 to hear the groans of the prisoners

    and release those condemned to death.”

So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion

    and his praise in Jerusalem

when the peoples and the kingdoms

    assemble to worship the Lord.

In the course of my life[b] he broke my strength;

    he cut short my days.

So I said: “Do not take me away, my God,

in the midst of my days;

    your years go on through all generations.

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands.

They will perish, but you remain;

    they will all wear out like a garment.

Like clothing you will change them

    and they will be discarded.

But you remain the same,

    and your years will never end.

The children of your servants will live in your presence;

    their descendants will be established before you.”

Wikipedia has the answer to....

Oh my goodness, I've been sewing today and pondering the invention of the sewing machine. So, I went to one of my favorite sites "Wikipedia" to see who invented it. What an article, you need to read it - no one person is actually given complete credit. The article does have some interesting videos that show how it makes the locked stitch. I confess, I was overwhelmed! But, in spite of everything going on today, I enjoyed taking an old embroidered dresser runner and creating a small pillow. I think I am going to figure out what to do with all the tatted doilies I have - so much work went into them. I am "upcycling"....how about you?

Psalm 104

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Lord my God, you are very great;

    you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment;

    he stretches out the heavens like a tent

and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.

He makes the clouds his chariot

    and rides on the wings of the wind.

He makes winds his messengers,

    flames of fire his servants.

He set the earth on its foundations;

    it can never be moved.

You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;

    the waters stood above the mountains.

But at your rebuke the waters fled,

    at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

they flowed over the mountains,

    they went down into the valleys,

    to the place you assigned for them.

You set a boundary they cannot cross;

    never again will they cover the earth.

He makes springs pour water into the ravines;

    it flows between the mountains.

They give water to all the beasts of the field;

    the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

The birds of the sky nest by the waters;

    they sing among the branches.

He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;

    the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

He makes grass grow for the cattle,

    and plants for people to cultivate—

    bringing forth food from the earth:

wine that gladdens human hearts,

    oil to make their faces shine,

    and bread that sustains their hearts.

The trees of the Lord are well watered,

    the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

There the birds make their nests;

    the stork has its home in the junipers.

The high mountains belong to the wild goats;

    the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.

He made the moon to mark the seasons,

    and the sun knows when to go down.

You bring darkness, it becomes night,

    and all the beasts of the forest prowl.

The lions roar for their prey

    and seek their food from God.

The sun rises, and they steal away;

    they return and lie down in their dens.

Then people go out to their work,

    to their labor until evening.

How many are your works, Lord!

    In wisdom you made them all;

    the earth is full of your creatures.

There is the sea, vast and spacious,

    teeming with creatures beyond number—

    living things both large and small.

There the ships go to and fro,

    and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

All creatures look to you

    to give them their food at the proper time.

When you give it to them,

    they gather it up;

when you open your hand,

    they are satisfied with good things.

When you hide your face,

    they are terrified;

when you take away their breath,

    they die and return to the dust.

When you send your Spirit,

    they are created,

    and you renew the face of the ground.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

    may the Lord rejoice in his works—

he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,

    who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord all my life;

    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

May my meditation be pleasing to him,

    as I rejoice in the Lord.

But may sinners vanish from the earth

    and the wicked be no more.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Praise the Lord.

Nice things people do for us...

I found a website that helps you create your handwriting into a font, this is Peter's Casual Roman. Enjoy!

Psalm 94

The Lord is a God who avenges.

    O God who avenges, shine forth.

Rise up, Judge of the earth;

    pay back to the proud what they deserve.

How long, Lord, will the wicked,

    how long will the wicked be jubilant?

They pour out arrogant words;

    all the evildoers are full of boasting.

They crush your people, Lord;

    they oppress your inheritance.

They slay the widow and the foreigner;

    they murder the fatherless.

They say, “The Lord does not see;

    the God of Jacob takes no notice.”

Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;

    you fools, when will you become wise?

Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?

    Does he who formed the eye not see?

Does he who disciplines nations not punish?

    Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?

The Lord knows all human plans;

    he knows that they are futile.

Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,

    the one you teach from your law;

you grant them relief from days of trouble,

    till a pit is dug for the wicked.

For the Lord will not reject his people;

    he will never forsake his inheritance.

Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,

    and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Who will rise up for me against the wicked?

    Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

Unless the Lord had given me help,

    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

When I said, “My foot is slipping,”

    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

When anxiety was great within me,

    your consolation brought me joy.

Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—

    a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?

The wicked band together against the righteous

    and condemn the innocent to death.

But the Lord has become my fortress,

    and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

He will repay them for their sins

    and destroy them for their wickedness;

    the Lord our God will destroy them.

Places that seem like home...

I went back to the mall today and visited the store I worked in for over a year. I walked in and I was home, it felt the same. I even helped a customer out, because the sales associate was busy. I didn't stay too long, but it was good to visit. I live too far away to work there now - but, it's okay. I'm busy around the house, doing more for/with Peter and Mom. Cooking more, trying out new recipes, which I really enjoy. In spite of everything, it was good to feel at home - that means it was a good experience in my life. I'm glad for every good experience I have had! Now, I am "singing a new song."

Psalm 93

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;

    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;

    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.

Your throne was established long ago;

    you are from all eternity.

The seas have lifted up, Lord,

    the seas have lifted up their voice;

    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

    mightier than the breakers of the sea—

    the Lord on high is mighty.

Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;

    holiness adorns your house

    for endless days.

Psalm 96

Sing to the Lord a new song;

    sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

    proclaim his salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,

    but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

    strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,

    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

    bring an offering and come into his courts.

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;

    tremble before him, all the earth.

 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

    The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;

    he will judge the peoples with equity.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

    let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;

    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,

    he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Just that kind of day...

We have a contract on our condo. We are hoping all goes well to a closing on May 1st. It will be nice to be free to fully connect here in Franklin.

Today, I have been spending time on "drawers and boxes". Every once in a while I open a box hidden away somewhere and try to incorporate it into the household. Sometimes it works - sometimes not, but in spite of everything, I was able to recycle, put away, use for display - a whole box - while doing laundry and making lunch. Just one of those slow, deliberate days. A day that is good for remembering the grace of the Lord, humming an old hymn and rejoicing in the bright sunshine - even my koi are swimming around. The birds are happy too, so many songs at the same time, quite a symphony!

I pray you have enjoyed this day as well, may the favor of the Lord rest upon you.

Psalm 90

Lord, you have been our dwelling place

    throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born

    or you brought forth the whole world,

    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn people back to dust,

    saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”

A thousand years in your sight

    are like a day that has just gone by,

    or like a watch in the night.

Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—

    they are like the new grass of the morning:

In the morning it springs up new,

    but by evening it is dry and withered.

We are consumed by your anger

    and terrified by your indignation.

You have set our iniquities before you,

    our secret sins in the light of your presence.

All our days pass away under your wrath;

    we finish our years with a moan.

Our days may come to seventy years,

    or eighty, if our strength endures;

yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,

    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

If only we knew the power of your anger!

    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.

Teach us to number our days,

    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Relent, Lord! How long will it be?

    Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

    that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

    for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May your deeds be shown to your servants,

    your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

    establish the work of our hands for us—

    yes, establish the work of our hands.

Refreshment Sunday...

In our church, today is refreshment Sunday. I hope you are having a good day!

Psalm 147

Praise the Lord.

How good it is to sing praises to our God,

    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

    he gathers the exiles of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted

    and binds up their wounds.

 He determines the number of the stars

    and calls them each by name.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

    his understanding has no limit.

The Lord sustains the humble

    but casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;

    make music to our God on the harp.

He covers the sky with clouds;

    he supplies the earth with rain

    and makes grass grow on the hills.

He provides food for the cattle

    and for the young ravens when they call.

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,

    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;

the Lord delights in those who fear him,

    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;

    praise your God, Zion.

He strengthens the bars of your gates

    and blesses your people within you.

He grants peace to your borders

    and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.

He sends his command to the earth;

    his word runs swiftly.

He spreads the snow like wool

    and scatters the frost like ashes.

He hurls down his hail like pebbles.

    Who can withstand his icy blast?

He sends his word and melts them;

    he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

He has revealed his word to Jacob,

    his laws and decrees to Israel.

He has done this for no other nation;

    they do not know his laws.

Praise the Lord.