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.

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.

…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.

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha who was always doing good and helping the poor.   Acts 9:36

  I recently completed knitting a beautiful shawl I found in a book titled "Prayer Shawl Ministry".  I enjoyed the leisurely pace of knitting which allowed time to be still and listen for God’s still voice.I find knitting to be relaxing and an escape from the busy world around me.  The pattern is attractive and I especially like the decorative edging.  I have prepared a slide show of the shawl being modeled by my teddy bears and some Knitting Bible Study friends. It is part of a contest sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn Company. You can check it out and make comments on the project as well as vote for it.

Like Tabitha, I enjoy doing things for others and can’t wait to give this to someone who would enjoy it.

For God so loved the world….. John 3:16

A teddy bear is a soft cuddly source of comfort. You can buy them for as little as a dollar or as this bear recently demonstrates, as much as $1725.00. Yes, this bear is very valuable. Someone was willing to pay a large sum of money to own it.

As precious as this bear is you are more valuable and a larger price has been paid for you. “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

When sin entered the world the relationship with God was broken. He wants a relationship with us and there was only one way this could be accomplished. God sent His Son as a sacrifice to create a bridge that would bring us together. Jesus was born of a virgin, walked on this earth and told of God’s love. He died a horrific death on the cross. Yes, He could have saved himself, but He chose to complete the process to pay for the sins of you and of me. Death could not keep him. He rose from the grave and walked again among the people. He ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God.

That is a high price to pay to you. But to God, you are worth it. The price of this salvation was paid and is now free to you. All you have to do is accept it.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.    Matt 5:12

While many look at December as a time to be extra good so that santa will visit, or a time to be extra thankful and those who serve you or even a time for joy and giving there are many who are experiencing the holiday season as a first one without a loved one. Some are sitting beside the bedside of one who is slipping away from this world into death at this very moment. 

To these Christmas is not the holly jolly fun experience.  I understand as I buried my father just 2 weeks before Christmas several years ago; I buried a husband and a grandchild and experienced those first holidays without their presence.  I know they are in the splendor of heaven and celebrating Christmas with Jesus, and for that I almost envy them.

Recently I came across this poem. I don’t know the author but the words are so encouraging I wanted to share them you.

Praying you will have a blessed Christmas.  BearyAnn

"I’m Spending Christmas With Jesus Christ This Year"

I see the countless Christmas trees,

Around the world below.

With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars,

Reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,

Please wipe away that tear

For I’m spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs

That people hold so dear,

But the sounds of music can’t compare

With the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you,

The joy their voices bring.

For it is beyond description

To hear the angels sing.

I can’t tell you of the splendor.

Or the peace here in this place.

Can you just imagine Christmas

With our Savior, face to face?

I’ll ask Him to light your spirit,

As I tell Him of your love.

So then pray one for another

As you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful,

And let your spirit sing,

For I’m spending Christmas in heaven,

And I’m walking with the King!

~ author unknown ~