The blessings of being refined

 Read the words to the song below and absorb them.  Today has been a day of more reality then fantasy for me and my family.  It has been a good day, even though there has been more reality.  I was touched today when hearing this song and shared it with my friends on facebook, but also thought I would share it on my blog. We become diamonds through the "roughing" process.  May you be blessed through the words and the music.  -Tina 

There burns a fire with sacred heat

White hot with holy flame

And all who dare pass through its blaze

Will not emerge the same

Some as bronze, and some as silver

Some as gold, then with great skill

All are hammered by their sufferings

On the anvil of His will

Chorus:

The Refiner's fire

Has now become my souls desire

Purged and cleansed and purified

That the Lord be glorified

He is consuming my soul

Refining me, making me whole

No matter what I may lose

I choose the Refiner's fire

I'm learning now to trust His touch

To crave the fire's embrace

For though my past with sin was etched

His mercies did erase

Each time His purging cleanses deeper

I'm not sure that I'll survive

Yet the strength in growing weaker

Keeps my hungry soul alive

Chorus

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idA6fCAHVzs
 
James 1: 2-5 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

It's finished

Above is a picture of my first super-large quilting project.  I think it turned out nicely.  The idea was created about 2 1/2 years ago, when I took my first 12-hour (3 sessions) how to make a quilt class.  I was hooked!!  Since I "graduated" from the course, I have made several baby quilts, hanging quilts, placemats, lapquilts, but I never thought I would attempt a project like the one above the week after I finished the course.  I started cutting and making the pillows with a dear friend, thanks Debbi.  The finished products of the pillows as good and I thought, "if I can do pillows with different designs, I can easily do a quilt with the same pattern for our bed."  That was the beginning of my journey!  After measuring and cutting and places the squares together and sewing and doing the process all over again, I was able to create the top of the quilt.  I was going to start the hand-quilting process and my husband surprised me with a wonderful quilting stand that will hold all sizes of projects; from baby size quilt to king-size quilt.  The quilt above is a king-size quilt.  It WAS a huge undertaking.  I thought I could get this done in "no time".  I forgot about how "life" would enter in to my quilting world.  My goal was to work on the quilt about 1-2 hours a day.  That happened for only a short time. Last night I placed the last stitch in the binding of the quilt.  It is now "on display" on our bed bringing all the colors and decor together.  It was well worth the wait and the time and effort.

Through the hand quilting of the binding, I began to see how this quilt has been an example of my life.  I have many great opportuntities, though I am not always able to concentrate on one aspect of those opportuntities, if I continue to do my best, and give it my best when I'm able to, the end result will be a sense of accomplishment as well as a satisfaction of completion.  I have struggled with dong the right thing most of my life.  Trying to find out what the definition of the right thing is for myself and those involved in my life as well as how my choices will allow others to see that Christ is the center of my life.  The quilting project showed me that the choice is always there, I just need to keep the focus and with patience, effort, and yes some sacrifice all the great opportunitites that I want to do and choose to do can be achieved, and with in turn I will see that the choices I made were the right choices for me.

"...you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." Col 1:10

Philippians 1:6...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Have a great week!

Long time no hear?

It's been a little while since I last posted.  My daily activities have been somewhat modified due to getting over this on-going sickness.  As of today, I'm much improved, thanks to the prayers, and the wisdom of my doctor prescribing the right medication.  I'm feeling almost back to myself. 

I've also had unexpected happenings....you will see below what we've been doing, most of the eastern coast has been doing the same thing.  My wonderful husband has been doing the work, I've been taking care of having him here 24/7 for several days in a row now.  The beauty of this time of year is Spectacular....but I'm soooo ready for Spring and all that it offers.  I received this scripture from a friend and thought it was so appropriate to share.

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow… (Isaiah 1:18)

Though Winter is not my favorite season, I love all the seasons and what they bring. I found this scripture to be a cleansing, much like the snow that we all are experiencing here on the Eastcoast.  The new fallen snow is so pure, clean, untouch, and bright!  When Jesus touches us through our true confession of our sin; we become so pure, clean, bright, and guilt-free.  Though I'm not a snow-lover, I love the reminder that a snow like this gives me. The reminder that my life is one of grace and totally forgiveness through Jesus.  Thank you Jesus for your mercy, and making me whiter than snow.

This last picture is 2.10.10 mid-afternoon.  We had been without electric power since 10:00 a.m. and I decided to "make" a late lunch early dinner (thinking we would be trying to find something to eat in the dark).  We ended up having beef stew with cornbread and while the grill was on I heated a large pot of water for hot drinks.  Our dinner was very good!  The water was a bonus to rinse the dishes and allow for hot water for us through the evening hours.  We made a good decision...our electric did not come back on until 11:00 p.m.  Though it was 13-hours of no heat, or electric, we know how blessed we were to have propane for heat, blankets, layers of clothing.  Many others have far less without the cause of a power outage.