Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 2Cor 1:3
I suffer chronic back pain that on occasion makes it difficult to move. As this condition has continued I have learned more and more that no one on earth can truly comfort me. I can cry in my husband’s arms when the pain is extremely high but the comfort he can give me is very limited. Others who see me during these times try to say the right words but those words are often more discouraging.
One day I was in extreme pain. As I lay in bed and cried into my pillow holding tight to my favorite teddy bear, I prayed for comfort. I could the hands of Jesus on my back, offering the comfort that only He can give.
Today I found a wonderful post at "Windows to My Soul", a blogspot entry, that was very encouraging. She reminds us that true comfort can only come from our Lord and Savior. Click here to view her post.
I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the earth. Gen 9:13
Minneapolis is certainly not the first place I would volunteer to go to in February, but I am certainly glad that I did. After spending two days at the Mall of America sharing in the many demonstrations, activities, and fun shared with the people of Knit-Out 2008, we headed back to Kansas City.
Driving back to Kansas City was slow as snow blew across the road and there were icy patches, but Reed is an excellent driver. I was intrigued by the rainbow that was off to the right and visible each time the snow cleared. I believe it was a sign from God guiding us safely home. It was a beautiful site emerging from the stark white of snow blowing until we could barely see. The rainbow continued to follow us until we passed through the storm. A reminder God is with us always.
We arrived, tired yet energized. Here are some Iowa sky pictures of the trip home.
There was a disciple named Dorcas who was always doing good Acts 9:13
Tara Lacher learned how to knit and her caring heart took over. She picked up some pink yarn, knitted a scarf and sent it anonymously to a cancer friend. From there she sent pink scarves to people she read of in her local newspaper or heard about through friends and others. Each one was sent without her name mentioned, given completely out of love.
One day a friend learned of her friendly actions and word made it to the local newspaper. An article was run about her and others joined in the scarf making. All scarves are pink and go to cancer patients. Word spread of her selfless act. One patient at the local hospital was receiving her chemo therapy when she asked the nurse about her scarf." I know I should be getting one, do you have any idea when it will be ", she asked.
Tara later found out she had cancer. A pink scarf was needed by the scarf lady. Following treatment Tara is now cancer free and has has formed a non-profit corporation "Hands to Heart" as she continues making scarves. She has received many notes of thanks for her pink scarf, including one from Elizabeth Edwards, wife of John Edwards.
I found Tara’s enthusiasm for life to be infectious. She was such a pleasure to be around. It was interesting she only knew the knit stitch, but by the time Georgia took her under wing during a night of knitting following the Knit-Out sessions she could do a stockinette stitch with great ease.
Hand knitted or crocheted bears using a pattern offered at their site, motherbearproject.org, are made and embellished by caring crafters and then shipped to children. According to their website over 25,000 bears have already been distributed worldwide.
As an added feature, notecards are available with pictures of children holding the bears they received. On the back of the card is a picture of the person who made the bear holding it.
Mother Bear Project holds no religious affiliation as it is reaching the arms of children all over the world, some of which hold their own affiliation. This is an act of loving kindness with no strings or other message included. Only the message of love.
Judy (pictured above with two project bears and also holding my friendly bear Purl) was an exciting woman with an obvious passion for the children these bears touch.
If you would like to obtain the pattern to knit or crochet one of these precious bears you can order one from their website. Unable to knit or crochet but you want to help? Funds are needed as is beary expensive to ship to the receiving countries. You can be a Bearnabas by supporting this worthwhile cause.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen 1:1
My husband and I have been traveling the past couple of days. We headed out of Kansas City toward Minneapolis and the Mall of America where I am participating in Knit-Out 2008.
Driving along we were witnesses to some of the God’s most beautiful creative work. The snow laid on the ground and the sun shone bright. It was a wondrous sight to view despite the cold. God blessed us with a safe journey and kept us warm.
For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Thank you Lord for the beauty painting you laid before us and your gracious love abounding.
If you’d like more details on the Knit-Out event, check out my blog at www.bearyann.com .
the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. Deut 30:14
I have been enjoying a study at church with speaker Fawn Brents. She makes the study of theology in her Blueprints of Truth very interesting and understandable.
Before the days of internet access, before the printing press was invented, before the Bible was so easily obtainable and available in so many languages the word was told by reading from scrolls and by memorization. Spoken repeatedly until the exact words were printed on a persons heart and mind, scripture was spread by reading and speaking. People would gather in large groups and listen as God’s Word was read aloud for all to hear.
Thy Word I have hidden in my heart (Ps 119:11) and in my life and on my electronic device.Today we can pick up a Bible at almost any store, read the Word online, and even carry a Bible on our pocket pcs, palm pilots and phones. No matter where I go my Bible is with me. Carrying a Bible, however, is not enough. His Word on my phone doesn’t write it on my heart. I must read it. I must study it. I must apply it to my life. Technology has made scripture so easily accessible we don’t spend time learning and memorizing. We simply log on and word search for the verse desired. Long ago people would travel for days to hear the Word of God. How many times do we complain about 10 or 20 minute drive to the local church?
I heard someone recently comment "standing in the garage does not make me a car; sitting in a pew does not make me christian". I’ll take it one step further. "Having a Bible does not mean I know the Word." Perhaps it is time to slow down and delve into the Word, memorize it, and apply it.
I finally have reformatted and completed the Knit Bible Study Book 1. Here you will find 7 lessons including scripture and word pictures. Links to free patterns to correspond to each lesson and ideas for thought and prayer throughout the week.
The digital format is in PDF format. You will need a PDF Reader to view the text.
The cost of the study is $5.00. Purchase of the PDF study gives you permission to make up to 15 copies for use with your study group. Please purchase additional downloads for further duplication.
Click on the BUY NOW button to pay via paypal. The PDF study will be sent via email, usually within 24 hours.
Watch for Book 2 and further knit studies to be released soon.
…he now showed them the full extent of His love. John 13:1
Valentine’s Day is a national celebration of love featuring flowers, candles, jewelry and other gifts. Not everyone feels that love. Today you may know someone in need of a special expression of love in a "Valentine from Jesus". Bearnabas Bear comes with a special red ribbon, a box a chocolates and a scroll letter of love sent from Jesus.
What greater love than this, that Christ died on the cross, bearing all our sins, conquered death and rose from the grave. He lives eternally. He is preparing a place for you. He has not forsaken you.
An excellent idea for a single mom, a widow, or someone just in need of a reminder that no matter where they are in life and what valleys they may be walking through, they are not traveling alone. A "Valentine from Jesus" is a great way to express your love and encouragement to another.
You can purchase "A Valentine from Jesus" by clicking here.
