Easter almost is Here

Did you know that Jesus loves you? This is the time of year that for most Christians is a special time. It is a time of reflection and renewal. Why renewal? Because the cross has brought new hope to us. Did you know that Jesus loves you? Christmas is important to be sure but THE most important holiday is Easter. Without Easter there would be no hope for us sinners. Our lives would end with the death of our flesh. Did you know Jesus loves you? Jesus was willing to make the sacrifice and endure the suffering because His Father in Heaven wanted Him to suffer for our redemption. He took it all on himself to redeem us from our sins. He had the heart of His Father in heaven. Did you know Jesus loves you? Look back over what was just said. Is there a past tense in Did you know Jesus loves you? There is not. Did you know Jesus LOVES you? That is a VERY positive and NOW statement. I know it is hard to wrap the mind around it but just because He died 2000 years ago does not negate it. I don't know about you but when I call on His name and the Holy Spirit I know I will be answered. It may not be what I want but it will be answered. If it were any other way we would not see miracles happen or prayer answered. Chance? Luck? Maybe for the unbeliever but not for me. I do not believe in such things as chance or luck. I for one believe that He died for me and I DO believe Jesus loves me. Many things happen in life that can rattle that belief but it does not change the fact that Jesus DOES LOVE YOU. Yes, that unlovable, cantankerous, stubborn, rebellious sinner is loved. Who do you think he died for? It wasn't for the pious or the perfect. It was for you and I. Do YOU know Jesus really does love you no matter what? Well, He does.

 23 With me in them and you in me, may they be so perfected in unity that the world will recognise that it was you who sent me and that you have loved them as you have loved me. 24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see my glory which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 Father, Upright One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. 26 I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Jn 17:23–26). New York: Doubleday.

Now comes that time give a shout out to those I am following and to thank those those who have jointed me to celebrate the journey in life and crafts. 

Cecy Medina Is very talented Latin senorita. She is a card and mixed artist. I thoroughly enjoy visiting her to see what she has made. You never really know what she will come up with so be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. While you are there Don't forget to leave behind a little love. 

Centellazul is another Latin senorita. She is from Mexico and quite talented. Her cards are a delight. They are always well done and her artistic eye is excellent. Stop by and give a look. You might find yourself pausing for a better look at her creations. Please visit her comment section and leave some love.

Kimberly is a gem of a card creator. You never really know what to expect when you visit. Her range of creativity is excellent. There are times when she hints at her humor with her cards. Stop by and try to catch the different ways this artist expresses herself. You just might be surprised. I know you will like what you see. Leave behind a bit of love while you are at it.

Today I am going to show you a bit of that Kimberly artistic talent. I commented on a card she did that I was very impressed with. She then sent it to me. I can honestly say it is even more impressive in person. It is simple but very elegantly done. Here is the card.

 The subject matter is very dear to me and it is one of my treasures.

   
(The top pearl sustained some discoloring in our wonderful U.S. Mail.) The detail is absolutely perfect on this card. My photos do not do your card justice. Impressive and it is an honor to get this card. Thank you Kimberly.

Since this is the last Post before Easter, I want to share My favorite poem I have written. (It is copyrighted and in the Library of Congress so please do not copy and claim it as your own.)

CRUCIFIED

             

                                              "Old man! From whence do you come?"

                                              "I come from 70 times 7000 yesterdays

                                               of happiness and sorrow."

                                              "Old man! Where are you going?"

                                              "I go to the memories of tomorrow’s forever

                                               where death has died and life is born."

                                              "Old man! How are you called?"

                                              "I am peace in turmoil, hope in the

                                              hopeless and love in the lost."

                                              "Old man! What do you want?"

                                              "I want to go blind and see, deaf and

                                              hear, mute and speak, die and be born,

                                              cry to laugh, but most of all to find

                                              the love lost in days past."

                                              "Old man! Have you found what you search

                                              for?"

                                              "I have found a beam and a cross beam,

                                              three nails, a hammer, a crown of thorns

                                              and a lance that await me. When I meet

                                              them my love will be there."

                                              "Old man! When will this happen?"

                                              "In the measure of a breath already

                                              forgotten as a memory that has not yet

                                              happened."

                                              And then the old man was gone.

Remember to LOVE THE DETAILS. See you after Easter. Have a wonderful Holiday and God Bless you all.




               

RENEWAL

Before the Cross: Law, Condemnation, Death. During the Cross: Pain, Suffering, Crucifixion. After the Cross: Resurrection, Hope, Renewal.

The above is how lent should be entered. With Hope and Renewal. I am Catholic so when I say I do not like the image of Jesus on the cross it comes as a surprise to many. He is not on the cross anymore. He is only there if we put him there. I have a wooden cross in my upstairs hallway with the nails and foot block but He is not there. Why? Because He has taken up residence inside of me. He reminds me I am his and that He loves me. Yes, I am imperfect and VERY human. I have heard someone say to another person that Gods spirit wants to live in a clean and perfect body. The person they were speaking to was was sick and infirmed. My heart reached out and I wanted to scream "THAT IS NOT TRUE." God will tidy up His dwelling place no matter the condition. The container matters not. The spirit of the person within does. How a person looks has nothing to do with it. I am guilty of feeling repulsed by visual appearance. Anyone who says they have not been is a lier. If you take the time to see the beauty within you will also find a renewed heart......for yourself. Any time we reject outright someone without first finding the beauty within we have put Christ back on the cross. I know, there are some pretty unlovable people out there. How unlovable are we to someone else? Have you ever asked why? Renewal has many avenues to take but few are as hard as love. You might need to go places you do not want to go. You may need to say things you do not want to say. GO! You may be surprised what you find there. Speak your words with Christ and the cross in mind and you will find renewal. I am NOT on a soap box. I am speaking about your place on that cross. When you put Him back on that cross you are there too. If he truly died for our sins then he must suffer and endure our sins again. This is a time of renewal. Use it wisely. In fact, practice it all year long. It is not just for Lent but for a lifetime.

READ John 5:24

It is time again to shine the light on a few of those that visit and are following my blog. A few are those I am following  and are not following me. I do not ask for followers because I have a hard time getting around to everyone as it is. LOL. That does not mean my followers are not special to me because you are.

Grace from Thinking of you. This is a blog that if you have not visited it before you really must. The cards she creates are a reflection of her spirit. Beautiful, personal and for the Lord. The gentle spirit she exudes will be felt right away. Be sure to leave a bit of love behind after you are touched by her work.

Desire Fourie at Doing Life. Desire is another South African sweetheart that creates cards you will not see any where else. She has a style all her own. Her cards are never a disappointment because they are unique. I don't know how you feel but I LOVE unique. Give her site a look and drop a bit love love in the box on the way out.

Wei Wei at Wei Wei's Cardmaking Garden. Wei Wei is a fairly new stamper although you would never know it from seeing her cards. She has a delightful oriental flair that often blows me away. Her cards a very artistic and have a sense of the color and flow that only the oriental art has. You are cheating yourself out of a genuine treat if you do not visit this site. It is like watching a flower bloom. Don't forget to leave a bit of love behind. Might want to join her blog too.

Today I want to share a card DW gave me. It is one of those just because cards we give each other once in awhile. She said she felt funny giving me a card with an image I colored. I don't care. She did such a fantastic job with one of my very favorite images that I am truly honored. Love you too.

The card was enhanced to bring out the wood grain color of the card. I am not including the colors used since that was done on DW's posting of this card. Her site is Ribbon Challenged.

I have one more thing to share and that is a hanging quilt a neighbor made for us. Last year one of our neighbors knew we were having trouble shoveling our walk on a regular basis. They kindly and without being asked to, used their snow blower to clear our front walk. Since she love to sew, we got her a gift card to a local sewing supply store. Two days ago I went and helped her clear some of the ice from her sidewalk until she got her sons to finish the job. I left my heavy ice chipper with her to help clear the ice away and finished my own walk. About an hour later the door bell rang and it was Janice and her black Lab, Pearl. (Pearl loves to come visit if I am outside and once drug Janice over a three foot high snow pile and across the snow covered street just to say hi and get her loving and belly rub). This is what she brought with her to give to us.

This is the front of the wall hanging quilt. I will have to get a stringer for the top to hang it. Beautiful work. I had trouble getting the back to photograph properly so, for now, it is not included. Amazing craft work. We are so honored to be given this beautiful hanging quilt.

That is it for now. Hope you liked what you found on this post. Remember. Always LOVE THE DETAILS. Love hearing from every one and I will send a personal note back to all who comment.
THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO ALL.