There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  John 1:6

In a corner of my bedroom, where I can see him when waking or resting, is a Helzberg Diamonds Teddy Bear.  On his sweater are the words “You Are Loved”. Over his shoulder is a messenger bag. This messenger is bringing me good news that someone loves me.

He reminds me of another messenger, 200 years ago. His name was John the Baptist.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a messenger to bear witness of the Light that all might believe.”  (John 1:6.7)

John was not the Light, He was not the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. He was the messenger. When asked John told them he was “the voice crying in the wilderness to make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23).

John went before Jesus and prepared others for Christ’s appearance. He told the people of God becoming man and how much God loves us.

He was the messenger.  My bear reminds me  that I am loved, not by the diamond company, but by God. And this particular messenger just happens to be a teddy bear.

I have had the pleasure of spending a few day in the San Francisco area.  There is so much to see. I don’t know if my pictures and descriptions can do it justice but I plan to give it a try over several postings.

To start out the trip my knitted teddy bear “Purl” helped pack my bags and jumped into my carry on so she wouldn’t be left behind.  She was excited when over the past 2 days we visited not 1, not 2, but 3, yes 3 Build A Bear Workshops.   In each she was able to purchase another accessory for herself and view the latest fashions. I know she will go back to the bears at home and brag about her visits.

Because I am unable to walk any distance comfortably hubby bear pushed me and Purl across the Golden Gate Bridge in a wheelchair. We went 1/2 way then turned around and headed back. It was windy, and cold (remember I left Kansas City at 100 degrees the previous day) but we completed the walk. It was a great adventure.

Purl posed at several stops along the way. 

A recent news report commented on the number of suicides by jumping from this great bridge.  We saw several of these Crisis Counseling phones along the path.  Sometimes it is easy to dwell on hopelessness when it appears everything in your life is failing.  It is important to remember there IS hope. His name is Jesus Christ.  “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotton Son, that whoever believes will have everlasting life.”   John 3:16.

There is much more to see. 

Until next posting,

Each should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s faith in its various forms. 1 Pet 4:10 NIV

As knitters we have a gift that can be used to serve God by serving others.  In an effort to share in that gift, Bear Witness is hosting a Baby Shower to provide knitted baby hats, blankets, booties and teddy bears for Sanyati Baptist Hospital in Zimbabwe.  A local couple serve as missionaries there and are currently back in the States for a few months.

The “shower” will be held at the Lee’s Summit Community Church on May 3.  You and your projects are invited. Knit along as Angie Byler tells about life in Zimbabwe and their work at the hospital. Cake and punch will be served to keep with the fun. If you don’t knit there are other ways to participate.

For more details, click here.   Contact Bear Witness via email  bearyann @ bearwitness dot org (use appropriate no spaces and a period for the word dot) if you have items to contribute.  Funds are also being request due the high cost of shipping even these small items to Africa. Click here for more information. Be sure to note AFRICA in the notes section.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.  Ephesians 5:8

I have never been one to like darkness. I don’t like to drive in the dark, I don’t like dark rooms. As a child I always had my teddy bear and a night light.  Today I have teddy bears all around my room and I still have a night light of sorts. There is the light illuminating from the digital clock. There is light flowing in the through the doorway from the kitchen. There is even a small glow of light from coming from the Wii, the cable box, my electric toothbrush in the adjoining bathroom and from my cell phone.

  In the world there is much darkness; the darkness of sin. Jesus said ,”I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12.  We have a responsibility to this Light. We are commanded to “Bear witness of the Light that all may believe.” Jon 1:7.

A light cannot be overtaken by darkness, but darkness can be overtaken by light.  Walk into a room of absolute darkness. Light a candle in one corner of the room. That light can be seen throughout the room. As christians it is our duty to be “the light of the world” in Matthew 5:14.  Now with that candle burning, try to make the darkness distinguish it.  You cannot do it.

Your good deeds done in the name of God will make others praise Him according to Matthew 5:16. It is not our job to save people, that is Christ’s responsibility. It is our duty to bear witness of Him that is the way, the truth and the life (Matthew 14:6).

Take your teddy bear and your candle and be reminded that we are not trapped in darkness.

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.

be rich in good works, be generous, ready to share with others.  I Tim 6:18

While strolling the Mall of America this weekend during Knit-Out 2008 I had the pleasure of meeting Judy Johnson of the Mother Bear Project.

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.

For more details, check out the website at  www.motherbearproject.org .

Check out my other weblog at www.bearyann.com for more pictures and details about the Knit-Out 2008 weekend.

…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.

Bearnabas Bear and his friends are joining Katie Steward as she participates in this years’ First Down for Down Syndrome, that teams up with the Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Line to raise awareness of Down Syndrome and to help create a more positive image of those with Down Syndrome.

The 12th annual Kansas City Buddy Walk Family Festival takes place this Saturday at the Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium.

Each member of Katie’s Krew will receive and carry a personal Bearnabas Bear. Bearnabas wishes to offer comfort and support to the team members. 

Watch for pictures of Bearnabas and Katie’s Krew after the weekend.

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you….  Isaiah 66:13

 I was blessed this month with the arrival of my new granddaughter.  So sweet and innocent, I enjoyed holding her close as I prayed for God’s love to blanket her throughout her life.  I knitted her a teddy bear and looked over at her mother, my daughter. I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I grew up I put childish ways behind me.” 

No, I am no longer a child but I do try to remain “like a child”. Though I have taken on grown up ways and responsibilities I must remember to “become like a little child that I may enter the gates of heaven” (see Matthew 18).   I will  be humble and seek God’s will and guidance in all I do.   I will seek God for my comfort just as my grandchild seeks comfort from her mother.  Like a child I will be  trusting of God, I will believe His teaching and follow His instruction.

My teddy bear reminds me to be “like a child”. As a child I held tight to my teddy bear; I took it with me wherever I went and I confided my deepest hurts and secrets to him. I may still hold onto a teddy bear now but my confidences are placed in God.

What about you? Whether you are 6, 60 or 106 you are still a child of God. Are you leaning on Him or upon your own way?  I can hold my grandchild and play and love but then I return her to her mother. I am not the one with the full responsibility of her growing up. God has no grandchildren!! We are all His children, brother of Jesus Christ, direct heirs to Him. John 3:16 tells us “For God so loved the world He gave His only Son, that whosoever believe in Him shall have everlasting life.”

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up  I Thes 5:11

An ENCOURAGING Idea:   Do you need a teddy bear to serve as reminder to you that you are a child of God and in that manner you are to be like a child? While we are to encourage others, sometimes we need encouragement ourselves.

Check out the new Bear Witness store.