deep{er} #27: reflections

Hello, friends:)


Happy Saturday:) I hope that you were blessed this past week and that your cup was overflowing with joy, love, and peace.

Before I get started on my post, I wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who stop by my blog and read my reflections/etc. I have received lots of emails from friends, family, classmates, crafting friends, and even other believers asking questions or asking for prayers, as well as comments on several of my posts. I am encouraged by your love and support! THANK YOU! 

UPDATE:  WOW! This week went by fast. Again, I had so much going on that I honestly don't know what I did all week! 

I plan on slowing down soon... I'll keep you posted (if you know me... slowing down doesn't really happen! LOL!). 

Here's a recap of this week's happenings: 

• Discipleship- I met with J for our very first study on Tuesday. I think it went well. I absolutely love our study, Revive Our Hearts and Erin Davis' Beautiful Encounters. Quick Reflection---This week we looked at Anna and Elizabeth's encounters with Jesus. One encounter happened before he was born [when Mary visits Elizabeth Luke 1:39-45] and the other was when he was a baby being presented in the temple [Luke 2:36-38], and yet both encounters shows us Jesus' divinity. He is God and was God even before he was born--- I've never thought of his divinity during these two situations, but now I can't stop thinking about it! How amazing is it that these two women knew the Lord and Savior, and what Jesus would do for the world, before he was the age of one... BEFORE he could do anything!!! 
  
  Here's a pic from last week... Olsen likes to be a part of our class too:)
  
  
• My Notes- A couple of Savannah FACTS before I tell you my story: I don't like journaling, but I will take notes all day long for sermons and teachings that I hear on the radio/at church/etc. I just like taking notes:) I also haven't read the Bible all the way through, so my goal is to start reading books in the Bible and taking notes/etc. Ok... so I started thinking back to when I first became a Christian (2002). I knew that about a year later I started reading the Bible during my lunch break at work, and I remember taking notes in a blue journal... but where was that journal now? Well... I found it! I found all of my original notes from when I was attending church at Ball State University, The Revolution, as well as some of the notes when I started attending my former church here in Florida in 2004. LOOOOOOOOOONG story short.... I started my 3030 Challenge and needed to find a book in the Bible to start reading and taking notes. Well the funny story of this super long story is that when I started reading the Bible in 2003 (or so) I heard that I should start in the book of John. So I opened up the bible and started in 1 John. I thought that was where I should start... it was after 3 John that I realized there was a completely different book of John! LOL! So my point... I started my 3030 Challenge in 1 John just like I did in 2003 :) I am also taking notes for this new study in the same journal from 2003! LOL! LOVE it:)
  
  These are some of the sermon notes on the bulletins that I kept from 2003! The sermon topic was "Strange Love" (marriage and God's love). 

REFLECTION: So all week I've been feeling a bit strange... something has been just tugging at my heart and making my stomach hurt. 

I think it has to do with my 3030 Challenge reading in 1 John 2:15 of not loving this world but looking to God and things of eternal matter. How much do I love this world? Does my flesh win over my spirit? How often? What makes me fall into the lies of this world--- esp since I know that this world passes away and that nothing in this world is from God [1 John 2:16]?!?!?!   

Something has to change... I have to start living more for God. I need to stop falling into the desires of my flesh or wanting a different material item (this week... it's a sweeper but most weeks it's new clothes or shoes or a new purse... possibly even wanting to buy something for Trav, but mostly for myself).... I have to start thinking that as soon as I buy something it will start decaying. 

I'm sick to my stomach for what I've been doing. It hurts my heart that there are so many people in need (real need) and yet I'm worried about getting a new purse! And NOTE: I'm a giver...I love to bless others when I see a need. I just need to give more. Stop falling to the desire of my flesh and being selfish. 

My goals for this week:

1. Continue my 3030 Challenge in 1 John and hopefully move on to 2 John :) I still think it's funny that I am reading these books before John just like I did before- LOL! 
2. Continue with Today in the Word Acts Bible study. 
3. FINALLY start chapter 5 of the Dr. David Jeremiah Agents of Apocalypse *This is the chapter where Trav and I can be seen on the TV program Turning Point--- The Dragon! Check out my original post HERE.

I pray that God has been speaking to you--- and that you are blessed beyond what you have asked or wanted ❤️. I also am praying that God would open our eyes and heart to His Will, love, and Word. May you go deep{er} with God this week! 

Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}

Paper Smooches SPARKS: February Designer Drafts challenge

Hello, friends:}

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! This week we are sharing a DESIGNER DRAFT challenge. 

This week we are inspired by the following sketch:

**Sentiments can be placed anywhere on the sketch.

So... I thought I was doing well at following sketches... but this one I might have went off track a bit! LOL! I used an animal image for the flower, moved the sentiment (which is allowed! LOL!), flipped the sketch, and layered some papers. Thoughts??? I guess I really didn't change too much for this sketch... well, maybe I did:)

I created a simple birthday card for just about anyone (but the pink makes me think I will give this to a girl!). I used the Paper Smooches Cardbooking and Quotables dies- LOVE! And I used stamps from the PS Nine Lives and Digits sets. EASY! I love that the speech bubble is hanging off the edges and the sentiment is two different colors (both IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko inks! LOVE!). This is a simple card but with lots of detail in the papers and design! ***And I kind of followed the sketch:)

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs, get inspired, and leave them some love. 

Alice

Lisa

Erin

Jenny

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details!!!! This challenge ends February 28th. I cannot wait to see what you make!!! 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

deep{er} #26: reflections

Hello, friends:)


It's time to celebrate--- yesterday was Poppie's 89th birthday-- happy happy birthday, Poppie:)

I hope that you are doing well and that the Lord has been speaking to you all week!  

UPDATE: SOOOOOOOOO much has been going on since we last chatted!

• Turning Point- Trav and I were informed on Sunday that we were in the audience of last week's Turning Point Spiritual Warfare series (week 5: Shoes of the Gospel of Peace)! So funny since we didn't even get to hear this sermon, and they used the exact same image as last time but just flipped it! Check us out on THIS post-- you will see the similarities. 
  
• Discipleship- I started discipling a young girl this week. Her name is J. I'm super excited but also nervous at the same time.... I'm not sure I know how to disciple! I did pick out an amazing series for our bible study, Revive Our Hearts and Erin Davis' Beautiful Encounters. I plan on doing the study with J at the beginning of our time, and then using the second half for fun stuff like crafting, cooking, and hanging out. Pray for me as I mentor this young woman!
• Radio- AGAIN! I was on the radio show Open Line Radio (air date 2.14.15). I asked a question on Twitter, and they answer it at about 39 minutes in the show! Be sure to check it out HERE to find out what I asked and what the answer was:)  

REFLECTION: So... it's been 26 or so weeks, and I'm thinking it's time to reflect on my deep{er} goal and idea. I need to evaluate and critique how I'm doing--- just to make sure I'm on the correct path and continuing to learn/live for God/etc.

The whole reason I started writing these posts was because I felt lead to share what I've been studying. I thought that my blog would be a good way for me to spread the word of God's love and Truth. And I think I've been doing that- I've completed several studies, reflected on multiple topics and thoughts/beliefs during these 26 weeks.

And then there's my OLW (One Little Word) and goal of going deep{er}. I am still feeling as if I'm in the shallow end. I've dug deep{er} into topics and some scripture of trials... but I'm not going as deep as the Lord wants me. So this past week, I decided to really find out what "going deep{er}" means. 

I mentioned last week that my 3030 Challenge book arrived- I'm super excited because this is the study that I think might kick me off into this deep{er} water. 

For about 13 years, I've only been "reading" my Bible. I mean... I do Bible studies, read scriptures for topics like fear, trials, etc...and I've always prayed. I was doing what I was taught. 

But I need to go deep{er} in my relationship with God and get closer to Him. I complain that I don't hear Him or feel Him around me. Why is this? Because I'm not close to Him. I am unsatisfied. Why? Because I'm not intimate with God. And you know what? The level of my intimacy with God is exactly as close as I want to be at this moment! It's a casual intimacy because I'm not digging deep and not surrendering all of my life and time to Him. 

Often I find myself seeking what God can do for me. GASP! I know! That's horrible! I'm ashamed because I need to be seeking the Kingdom of God FIRST... all the rest will be added when I seek His face [Matt 6:33]. Joyce Meyer said, "if we seek His face first, His hand will always be open". SOOOOOOOO true! And another thing I need to do is go beyond what I think and feel- take God at His Word! 

Joyce also compared "snacks" and a "full course". Snacks are going to church or reading a scripture or two. A full course is making God first (a God Habit), spending time with God daily, memorizing scripture, and knowing that I can't make it without Him. With my weight-loss and training, I'm ALWAYS hungry! I want a "full course"!!! LOL! 

I know the reasons I don't go deep{er}: I get distracted, work, watching TV instead of reading the Bible, etc. I need to get my pruning sheers out, cutting off and out anything that draws me away from time with God. I need to ask myself, "Is it bearing fruit?" If not, cut it off/out!

To go deep{er}, I'm going to continue doing what I normally do, as well as add in a couple of new things:

• Continue to pray prayers for Travis from Power of a Praying Wife and doing my prayer journal, reading my Acts study, and now my discipleship study. 
• But I'm also going to spend 30 minutes in the Word--- reading and asking God bring revelation to me as I seek Him. I have lots of concordances and word study bibles... and I will continue to use these to go deep{er} for topics/words/etc.
• I am going to start journaling (sigh! I hate journaling! But I'm going to do it- I want to keep track of what I read and what God tells me.). 
• I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to start listening, opening my ears to what God is saying! He is talking, but I just haven't been listening.
• And finally, I will pick up my "Book of Remembrance" [Malachi 3:16] again. This is a little journal notebook that I was writing blessings and thanksgiving in for the past year. I stopped doing it because I was writing answered prayers in my prayer journal. But I'm going to pick it back up and start using it again so that I will have a specific area where all my "remembrances" can be found. 

I don't want to waste any more time! Actually, all I'm going to do is study the Word in a deep{er} way. And "study" isn't even in the Greek dictionary! It says "see DILIGENCE part B", which is defined as laboring and endeavoring, exerting oneself, being zealous, continuous, and earnestness. That's what I need to do! 

I'm on the right track, but I'm going to run faster and go deep{er}--- well, that's my goal for the next 6 months:)

My goals for this week:

1. Pray pray pray (this is still on my list of things to-do) *I'm doing good... hopefully I will share a video of my prayer journal sometime in the future! LOL! 
2. Begin 3030 Challenge with Joyce Meyer- I'm starting this challenge probably on Sunday or Monday-- I like to start new studies at the beginning of the week...and I had to watch a week's worth of DVDs/TV programs to get an idea of what the study was about. Hope you can join me--- click HERE if you want to sign up for this 3030 challenge:)
3. Continue with Today in the Word Acts Bible study. *I'm still on chapter 14 or 15- I didn't get a chance to do one Acts study this week :( 
4. Continue with chapter 5 of the Dr. David Jeremiah Agents of Apocalypse *This is the chapter where Trav and I can be seen on the TV program Turning Point--- The Dragon! Check out my original post HERE.

I pray that God has been speaking to you--- and that you are blessed beyond what you have asked or wanted ❤️. I also am praying that God would open our eyes and heart to His Will, love, and Word. May you go deep{er} with God this week! 

Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}

IMAGINE Crafts: Studio Glaze Gems RECAP

Hello, friends:)

Today I'm sharing a recap of my project over on the Imagine Crafts blog. Click HERE or HERE to check it out:) Click HERE for the video on Vimeo! 

****Be sure to change your settings to HD before watching this video! THANKS:)

I used a Tsukineko Studio Glaze inks to create some super fun, custom gems for jewelry and even a rearview mirror decoration for my new car, Fitz! 

You can even create some fresh and modern jewelry! 

I hope that you will stop over on the Imagine Crafts blog HERE to check out my video or leave some love! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

IMAGINE Crafts: Studio Glaze Gems

Hello, friends:)

I'm super excited today to share another Imagine Crafts video! Click HERE to check it out:) 

I used the NEW Tsukineko Studio Glaze inks to create some custom colored gems for jewelry and even a rearview mirror decoration :) ***Be sure to change your settings to HD before watching! THANKS:)

I hope that you will stop over on the Imagine Crafts blog to check out my video and leave some love!!! Or click HERE to watch the video on YouTube or HERE on Vimeo.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches SPARKS February Anything Goes (wk3) challenge

Hello, friends:} ***extra photos and card at the end:) Created by Poppie! 

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! Another Anything Goes challenge starts today!   

That's right--you get to create ANYTHING you want (as long as you use Paper Smooches stamps)!! This is the BEST challenge ever!!!

I've created a super simple CAS card that can be included in the "Sav Challenges"- actually, all three of my challenges [CAS, masculine, using stash]!! LOVE it! I'm really doing awesome at my own challenges:)

I created this card after seeing THIS masculine card on Pinterest. I totally love when I get inspired and can recreate it (almost exactly) using my PS stamps! LOVE LOVE LOVE! I wanted a simple card for Poppie's birthday which is later this week. The papers are perfect and from my Project Life Becky Higgins Jade edition. I used my FAV ink {Imagine Crafts Memento Luxe Espresso Truffle} along with stamps from the PS Buckaroo, Birthday Sampler, and Incognito sets. EASY! LOVE! 

Happy birthday, Poppie!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs and leave them some love. 

Katie

Larissa

Lori

Lynn

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details. This challenge ends February 21st. Hope you join in the fun--- this is the EASIEST challenge ever!!!!!!!!

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

ps... Poppie stopped by yesterday and created his very own card for this challenge:) He needed a birthday card for his son-- which also fits into my "Sav Challenges" of masculine cards! LOVE it! Poppie used the PS Bosom Buddy, Happy Birthday, Birthday Sampler, and Incognito stamp sets, as well as the PS Cardbooking and Kudos Words dies! He's such a good crafter:) 

 

Here's Poppie making the card...

Here's Poppie with the finished card--- ok... I helped a bit:)

deep{er} #25: reflections

Hello, friends:)


❤️❤️❤️Happy Valentine's Day!!! I hope that this day is full of love!!! ❤️❤️❤️

UPDATE: I've got a couple of updates for you--- THANK YOU for all of your prayers for healing!!!  

• Tooth Update- so I went to the specialist on Monday... and it turned out that he agreed that this #13 tooth needed a root canal but he refused to do it because it was a perfect tooth. So he checked me out (3 different tests on my tooth-- one that was the WORST! Cold air on a q-tip... hurt so bad!) and sent me home. My tooth continued to hurt for the rest of the week, but not as bad. So I'm wondering if it was a sinus infection (even though I've never heard of that causing this much pain... but who knows!?! Obviously the dentist/specialist didn't know! LOL!). Praise the Lord for a doctor who didn't just do a root canal for money but cared about my health/teeth/etc! THANK YOU, Jesus!
   
  Before and afters of a test... I took pics to show Trav last time how many q-tips I had in my mouth... the after looks bad because I couldn't feel my mouth! LOL! Also notice that my hair is a bit disheveled... how did that happen? All from one test?! LOL! 
  
  
• Ankle Update- so my ankle hurts on the left side, and my doctor said that I've damaged more tendons than we thought. He took more x-rays and then gave me a brace to wear when I'm not wearing my boot. He wants me to continue wearing my boot for at least a month....he said that I will probably need at least 2 or 3 more months of healing before I feel completely better. I definitely think I will be wearing this brace when I workout again! LOL! I don't want any more injuries:) So this is 50% bad news (more healing) and 50% good news (only a couple more months of healing). 
• Radio- so there's a show on Saturday that I absolutely LOOOOOOOOVE! I listen to Open Line Radio with Dr. Rydelnik from 10am to 12pm on Moody Radio. Dr. Rydelnik was out and Dr. Lutzer was answering questions about the bible. I've got a stack of about 50 questions...and I finally tweeted one of them! They answered it in Hour 2!!! Listen to it HERE to find out what I asked and the answer Dr. Lutzer gave me:) 

REFLECTION: So between fifteen doctor's appointments (ok, only 2) and running around trying to get my work completed/dinners made, and hosting some friends yesterday... I didn't get to complete much of my studies. Actually, I didn't get any study time this week. 

That doesn't mean I didn't learn anything. LOL! I still listen to SEVERAL sermons on the radio. 

While I might have learned lots this week, one thought keeps coming to mind, and Trav and I have been talking about it for 2 weeks now! This thought---- KIDS! More specifically, my fear of kids! 

FEAR- this thought comes from my marriage study (You and Me Forever by Francis/Lisa Chan) and a couple of sermons on the radio. I mentioned LAST week that I have a fear of having kids. This fear is greater than my fear of God. And that really is NOT how it should be. My fear of the Lord should be greater than anything (and I have lots of fears--- fear of kids, fear of failure, fear of getting old, fear of not doing a good job or spreading God's love to all, fear of being a horrible wife, fear of my family not finding Jesus and going to hell, fear of misspelling words or mispronouncing words, etc! My fear for God should outweigh all of these fears! Perfect love cast out fear [1 John 4:18]).

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. I did a study recently on fearing the Lord--- and it doesn't mean being scared of him (like all my other fears). I found out that the fear of the Lord includes honoring and respecting God, living in awe of His power, and obeying His word. Why don't I fear the Lord more? Why don't I allow His love to take over my fears? I want to have knowledge... not despise instruction! Maybe my fears are holding me back... how do I fear the Lord in an appropriate way? I guess I need to get back into my studies and time with God! 

***NOTE: this DOES NOT mean I will be having kids any time soon! I just need to work on my fear of the Lord and making it greater than my other fears. Here's a funny from last night--- we had some friends over who also go to our marriage group. We talked a lot about kids (since this week's chapter was all about parenting). I went through several emotions during our conversation, "I think we can do it- maybe we should have kids." 5 seconds later... "NOOOOOOOOOOO! I can't do it!" 1 minute later... "Maybe I shouldn't be so afraid." 1 second later... "I can't! I just can't do it!" 30 seconds later... "Yup! No kids!" So for all of you asking when I will be having kids... not anytime soon. I'm just working on my fear of the Lord:) 

My goals for this week:

1. Pray pray pray (this is still on my list of things to-do) *I'm doing good... hopefully I will share a video of my prayer journal next week sometime in the future! LOL! 
2. Begin 3030 Challenge with Joyce Meyer- my book came!! HOORAY!  
3. Continue with Today in the Word Acts Bible study. *I'm on chapter 14 or 15. 
4. Continue with chapter 5 of the Dr. David Jeremiah Agents of Apocalypse *This is the chapter where Trav and I can be seen on the TV program Turning Point--- The Dragon! Check out my original post HERE.
5. Start working on my 2015 Spiritual Goals. *Honestly, I usually don't get to my "New Year's Goals" before March! LOL! So I've got time to get them sorted out:) I've started working on my goals, and actually have completed part of some... I'll share more in a video soon! 
6. Find time to complete another video for you-- this is mandatory! I've got SO much I want to share;) 

I pray that God has been speaking to you--- and that you are blessed beyond what you have asked or wanted ❤️. I also am praying that God would open our eyes and heart to His Will, love, and Word. Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}