Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Psalm 23 block 9...

 


This month we're stitching the final block of Psalm 23 which will also complete the last internal page of the book. 

Truly, what a beautiful promise Psalm 23 gives us as it draws to an end - "and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever". David knew this and did not doubt for his eternal assurance was birthed in the truths God had given him through the course of his life and that same promise of an eternal home is ours if we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour and walk mindfully in His ways. 



It occurred to me this morning as I sat outside around dawn watching the moon dip lower in the sky and the sun rise out of a dark horizon that there are many, many dear women (and men) who once accepted God as Father and Creator and lover of their souls but something happened in life which caused them to doubt or reject Him. 

One of the very first lessons the Holy Spirit taught me as a new believer almost thirty years ago was not to look at God through the eyes of man; not to judge Him by the way others in the church treat me; not to confuse the church with GOD Himself. 

For the church is man made, filled with believers (and even non-believers who attend out of habit or tradition rather than belief) who are just as broken and sinful and prone to unpleasant attitudes and responses as we are. The church overflows with the struggles of broken humanity and from that many dear people have been hurt and turn away from God because they mistakenly see what happens within the church as coming from Him, as a reflection of His character...and that's simply not so.



God wants to nurture the best in us, He wants to see us flourish in the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control - because by this we begin to show others Who He is and the substance of His divine character. 

None of us are perfect. But He is.

We are all broken in some way, but He is not. He is the Healer, the Restorer, the Eternal Hope we must cling to. If you've fallen away from the Lord, or have lost confidence in Him for any reason, turn back toward HIM, run into His arms. Seek the healing of heart and understanding of a situation that He offers.

I want to see all of you on those heavenly shores when Jesus returns. I want to meet you, hug you, hear your stories, rejoice with you and praise our Saviour together. 

NEXT MONTH

In case you've missed any of the previous blocks the download links are HERE where you can also see photos of the completed book. All patterns will remain free until the end of 2020. Go HERE to watch the page construction tutorial.

Next month I'll be sharing the steps to sew the book cover as well as the title embroidery.

THE COMPLETE PSALM 23 Book Pattern is now available HERE in my EtsyShop.

On Friday I'll be back with a short tutorial and some photos of a few projects I recently completed. In the meantime, be blessed in all you do and say, be generous in all you have to offer, and be kind to your own sweet self because Jesus loves you.

Loving hugs


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10 comments:

Donna F said...

Jenny, thank you for sharing your sweet patterns with us and for your words of encouragement.
I love reading your gentle words of God's work in your life. I am a believer as well and have found such sweet peace in my quiet, gentle life...God is so gracious to us! Someday...in the sweet by and by, we will meet!!

gail said...

Thank you sweet Jenny. Lovely words.💁💕

Sharon Aurora said...

Oh, Jenny, thank you! Your words are just what I needed to hear right now. I look forward to meeting you as well when Jesus returns for us, and I really believe we won't have long to wait for that blessed day. Oh, and thank you for the pattern too. It is lovely.

Joanne said...

Good Morning Jenny,
8 C this morning! September! Signs of Autumn !
Wishing you good health and emergy to meet what comes this Spring to you all.
hugs,
Joanne

Farm Quilter said...

What a blessing you are to all your readers. Thank you for this beautiful book...a good reminder of God and how He is always the same God we first found. May you have a blessed week.

Winifred said...

Thank you for your lovely pattern and your inspirational words. Hope your migraines have reduced. God bless.

Dots said...

Oh Jenny, So well said. I learned this exact thing through the years. It has taken time for me to sort out a lot of experience vs God being not like people in their ways or behavior. Once I could see God in the way you have written about, I was much better off for it. You have a unique way of explaining the complex people situations. I appreciate what you said here. I so wish I had read this when I was young. It would have been so helpful to me then. It would have cleared up a lot of confusion back then.
Fact is, ministers, people, fail. Often falling from the pedestals that people tend to put them on. But failure is a common thing when people are involved. Church is full of people who need Jesus everyday. The world is full of people that need Jesus and don't realize their need. We all need Jesus all the time.
God bless and be well! Jenny.

Allie said...

Oh girl I love this so much. I can't wait to start stitching. I have everything I need in a tote, ready to start, just have to pick my floss colors - and won't that be fun!!!! Thank you dear one for this amazing and beautiful project. Praying always for you and yours!

Janka said...

Krásné, moc krásné!! Obdivuji!!!

Susan said...

Thank you so much for your text today, Jenny. I have seen over and over how people have become offended by something someone said or did in the church and left the fellowship. I decided early on that I would not be offended. If we look at the way the word is used we say, someone "takes offense" at something, or someone is "offended". To me, that means it is a choice. A huge percentage of the time, no offense is intended, or even realized. I have found it easier and easier not be offended, to remember that everyone else is walking this same path back to God, and we are all at different points along the way, we are all learning a little here and a little there, we are all moving slowly, stumbling, falling back, then moving forward again. And we WILL dwell in the house of the Lord forever if we just endure cheerfully to the end. I love you and I am grateful for your presence in my life, and for your great generous talents!