Below are some of the Inspirational Messages featured in our Monthly Newsletters

~ Love ... what is it really? A feeling or a strong emotion or an act or good deed? Who do you love? Your children, your spouse, your family, your friends, your pets...? What do you love? Your job, your home, your hobbies, your possessions, your talents...?

We often use the word "love" lightly - as in "I love pizza" or "I love to shop!" True love is more than just a feeling - it is an action - of sacrifice and commitment and devotion. When we truly put God first and strive to love Him with "all our heart and all our soul and all our strength and all our mind" (Luke 10:27)... then all our "loves" are put into proper perspective and we can truly love others the way we were meant to.

What kind of love is in your home and life? ~

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18)

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (1 John 2:15-16)

"Jesus said, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23)

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165)

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." (Psalm 5: 11-12)

~ Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? Have you made the commitment to live your life for Him and according to His way only? We are living in the end times - according to Scripture, this is the time that a great many people will be deceived and even those who think they are saved (by trusting in anything other than Jesus) will be led astray and end up in Hell. It is not popular to speak this way, but it is the truth, according to God's Word.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 4:6).

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16).

There is no substitute for Jesus - you either chose Him and obey Him, or you chose to live for this world and obey Satan, who is "the god of this world" who "hath blinded the minds of them which believe not" (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus warns, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24).

It is not always easy or popular to serve Jesus. He warns us, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:19).

Each of us has to ultimately decide: "choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15).

It is not popular, it is not the way of this world, it is not easy, but it is the ONLY way to life. Don't be fooled! "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12). Instead, heed Jesus's words and "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

Are you one of the FEW sheep? If not, please don't wait another minute to follow the one and only Shepherd!

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I came across this verse from 1 Peter 5:7: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
The Amplified Bible renders this verse: "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."
And the New Living Translation says: "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you."

How wonderful it is to know that God loves us affectionately as He cares for us and watches over us so diligently. Many times our view of God is that He watches us only to judge us, to be critical of what we have done or haven't done. While it is true that He is a Holy God who is grieved by sinfulness, He is also our loving Father who wants us to realize that His love for us as His children is compassionate and unending and deeper than any love we have ever received from even those who love us best here on earth. Do you know how much God loves you? Look at Jesus Who is God Himself and yet because of His love for us, He chose to be born on earth and became man and died for us, in our place, to take our punishment...learn from Him how much He loves you. I encourage you to read the gospel of John as a good place to learn more about who Jesus is.
May you be blessed in your search for the One who made you and loves you and delights in you!

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"By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast...Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance...Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield...For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee." (Psalm 33: 6-9, 12, 20-22)

Our God is a mighty God! Praise Him Who made all things! Let us never forget to worship and stand in awe of Him...He gives us life with His own breath and His Holy Spirit.

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7 and "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)

With Him, we can accomplish all the good things He has planned for us since the beginning of time...without Him, our lives and work are futile.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

So let us cling to the One Who loves us the most and knows us the best - for He made us as surely as He made the earth and the heavens and everything we see!

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"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:1-5)

Jesus IS THE WORD! Do you realize what this means? The Bible is not simply a book of good advice or history, but it is part of JESUS HIMSELF!! Do you want to spend more time with Jesus? Read HIS WORD. Do you want to know what God thinks about anything? Read HIS WORD. Do you want to do God's will? Read HIS WORD. The Bible is more than words written by men - it is itself alive and powerful - and it is the WORD that will judge everyone in the time to come.

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) and "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12:48)

All things were created and called into being by His WORD and so shall all things be judged by His WORD. Isn't it time to get to know Him better!

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"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work...Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:6-8;11)

Let us cheerfully give from our own gifts that which God, in His loving kindness, has provided for us. God's bounty is truly boundless; we can never "out-give" Him. When we share our time and talents and money; He blesses us in return. Even the little that we have can be used by our Lord, which He will increase in ways we cannot begin to imagine. Remember the young boy with the 2 small fish and 5 loaves of bread? He gave what he had and Jesus used it to feed over 5000 people. (John 6) Let us always be willing to serve others. And never underestimate the impact of your contribution...with God ALL THINGS are possible! (Matthew 19:26)

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"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." (Psalm 5:11)

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

What brings us joy? The Bible tells us that when we put our trust and faith in Jesus, our joy and peace abound. Why? Because the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with gladness and helps us to rest in the peace and comfort of knowing that our Heavenly Father will defend us and protect us and keep us forever in His love. Do you know such joy and peace? If not, there is Someone waiting for you to turn your life over to Him....there is no better life worth living!

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There is nothing like the pristine beauty of snow - especially at nighttime - everything seems quieter as the snow sparkles like glittery diamonds in the moonlight and all you hear is the puff of your breath and the crunch of snow beneath your feet. I love the way the snow makes everything look so clean and white - hiding any imperfections and the dull gray landscape of winter. Even the birds seem to rejoice in the snow - their songs carry farther in the air. God sends us many lessons in nature for us to learn about Him. Did you know that He promises us that if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, that our sins will be made as white as snow?

"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:16-18)

"He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;" (Psalm 103:10-17)

Let's rejoice in His mercy and love for us!

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The Virtuous Woman: "Her worth is far above jewels. She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. She makes linen garments and sells them... Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." (Proverbs 31:10, 13, 19-22, 24-25, 31)

Isn't it wonderful that the Lord tells us that the virtuous woman is one who is also talented in needlework! What an inspiration for all of us crafters! Let's remember to use the talents the Lord has given us to help others - especially those in need.

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The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy regarding how people would behave in the "last days" which is the time before the great Tribulation. So many things prophesied in the Bible are now occurring that indicate that we are living in the end times! What does that mean to us? If you have committed yourself to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and the only way to Heaven, then Jesus promises that He will save us from these terrible 7 years of Tribulation (by bringing us to Heaven with Him, called the rapture). If you haven't accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are headed for times that are worse than any the world has ever known. Think about that - that means worse than in the days of Noah, when the whole earth was flooded and only those on the Ark survived. That means worse than any wars, famines, earthquakes and any natural or man-made disasters that we have already gone through. The Tribulation is God pouring His wrath and judgment out upon the earth. Don't wait until it is too late to turn to the Only One Who can save you!!

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these." (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NASB) (Does this sound like our society today?)

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NASB) (Could this be referring to things we see on TV and the Internet? Just think of all the talk shows and news stories that keep teaching "new theories" about health, emotional well-being, spirituality, prosperity and more - so much "knowledge" that really leads nowhere, or worse, leads away from God's truth!)

"But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:13-17 NASB)

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." (2 Timothy 4:1-2 NASB)

We are truly in the End Times - Let us make the most of each day by reaching out to others in love and showing them the way to salvation.

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"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17)

Imagine how amazing life could be if every Christian truly said and did all things in Jesus's name and according to His will! Add to that, an attitude of thankfulness - and imagine the result! WWJD (what would Jesus do) has been a popular concept - but how do we really do EVERYTHING in a way that is acceptable and worthy of Jesus? First, we need to know God's will for us - and the best place to start is by reading the Bible. How will we know what God wants us to do, unless we listen to what He's told us? The world has so many messages of self-fulfillment: "me, me, me". Absorbing God's Word can help you gain the right perspective - the eternal one where everything we do is important in God's eyes. We also need to grow closer to God by praying and talking with Him - our relationship with Him is like other relationships - it can only grow stronger with time and attention. Let's make 2006 a wonderful year of living for the Lord!!

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"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16)

In today's world, it is politically incorrect to even mention the name of Jesus. How then, as Christians, can we do what is so important and necessary?

WHY do we need to do it?
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
and Jesus warned us:
"For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:26)

WHAT do we need to do?
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
The way that we live our lives can speak as loudly as our words...we need to tell people about Jesus, and we need to live for Him as well.

HOW can we do it?
"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." (1 John 2:28)
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5)

When we read the Bible, pray, and learn more about Jesus, we are able to "abide in Him" and He will do His work through us. The more we understand how much He loves us and the hope that this brings us, His love will grow inside us to empower us through His Holy Spirit to be bold in our witness for Him. May the Lord strengthen you to speak out for Him in our world that so desperately needs to hear of His love!

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"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12: 27-32)

Do you rely upon the Lord to provide EVERYTHING you need? Sometimes this can be a hard concept to believe in. But Jesus clearly tells us that He will provide us with all that we need. The condition? First, you need to be His child - that is, you have accepted Jesus as your only Saviour and only way to Heaven and trust in Him only to have paid the price for all of your sins. Second, Jesus tells us that we need to "seek first the kingdom of God" which means that we need to be more concerned with doing God's will in our lives, to surrender to the guidance of His Holy Spirit, and the result will be that He WILL provide us with all that we need. Have you done this in your own life? I can tell you from personal experience, that it is a wonderful relief to give yourself into the care of our Heavenly Father Who provides all things for His children!

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

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"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High." (Psalm 92:1)

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57)

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17)

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Why do we give thanks to God? Is it possible to thank Him even during the hard times in our lives? I believe it is! When we give thanks to God, it calls to mind all the blessings He has given us and all the ways He provides for us. When our mind is focused on the love and goodness of our Lord, this can help us even in our darkest moments. Our circumstances may be bleak, but we can throw our cares and worries and tears upon our Heavenly Father Who loves us and cares about us. He will see us through each trial. And we have His promise that He will work everything out to good: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
May you be uplifted as you give thanks and praise to our LORD and Saviour!

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As we deal with the tragedy of September 11th, we find that we are all faced with loss. Death is a real part of life. When we reel from a loss and try to deal with the pain and the question, "Why?" we often can't find any answers that make sense or help us much. There is one thing I do know, and that is that God is still the same as always - He always loves us, always wants the best for us, and is always there for us. How do you face the losses in your life? Do you turn to your Heavenly Father Who so longs to comfort you with His unending support and love? Or do you turn away in your pain and confusion and reject the only One Who can truly comfort you? Jesus proved that He loves us "more than life itself". Please, please, turn to the One Who created you and loves you and will provide you with all that you need, now and forever more.

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

"Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul;
and have not set thee before them.
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast helped me, and comforted me." (Psalm 86)

May our Lord bless you and keep you and bring His comfort and strength to all those who have suffered pain and loss.

If you are dealing with the loss of someone due to 9-11, or in through war, please visit our page with Free Memorial patterns. We also have a page of comforting words from crafter's around the world.

If you are separated from someone you love due to war times, please visit our free patterns page for "Support our Troups" patterns.

If you are dealing with the loss of a child or baby through death or miscarriage, please visit our page with Free Memorial patterns

We also carry Memorial Sampler Patterns to commemorate 9-11 and someone you love.

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~ FREE SCREENSAVER and WALLPAPER ~

If you would like beautiful desktop wallpaper and a Free Screensaver with Bible Verses and stunning Photos for your computer, that we have made, visit our desktop wallpaper page.

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We have a more extensive page on the Holidays - Please Click Here

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