WORSHIP SERVICE

Hebrews 10:23-25  " Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)  and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.  

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another,  and so much more as ye see the day approaching."  

When we read this scripture the first thing that comes to mind is 
"not forsaking the assembly of  ourselves together."  To me, not only it is a privilege to go to the House of God, but it also, is a necessity.  I cannot do without  that encouragement that I get to help me during the week. 

I know that some think one service a week is enough.  Churches are getting away from Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting.  Sunday night services have become almost  eating and  games for the youth.  Nothing wrong with eating and having games for youth ~ but not on church night.  I know the excuse is that is youth need something.  True, but if they get in with entertainment, they will always have to be entertained and they won't last long.  They need to be in a church service where the anointing is.  They need to hear the Word to learn how to grow in the Christian life.  Anyway, I guess you see how important I think church services are.

But there is more in this verse alone with going to church.    Did you notice the "consider one another." in this verse?


We should not go with "what's in it for me,"    You might be surprised what is in it for you if you go in the right spirit.   Our attitude should be, " how  can I be a blessing to others!"  Someone needs our presence, our prayers, our influence, our singing and praising.  Someone may be disappointed if we are not there. 

Also notice, "to  provoke unto love and good works."  What can we do in a service that promotes love? Our actions are very important. We could come in and say little things that may ruin the service for someone else. If we want to carry the service unto love  and good works there are a few things we can do.  
First of all, we can come in with a positive attitude, we can sing and praise from the heart. If the Holy spirit moves on you to testify or even to say "Amen," don't grieve the Spirit.  It will not only affect you but it will affect others.  I have been in services where one person minding the Lord set the spirit for the service.  Others followed.

"But exhorting one another."  Everyone comes to church with some kind of a burden.  They need assurance, encouragement, a cheery word from someone.  Let that someone be you!  We have services where we get each other and go to the altar and pray.  Not all churches have that freedom, but our pastor lets us know that the altar is always open.  I thank God for that.  Just be an encourager..  You can make a difference in the worship service.
You can make a difference in someone's week. 

Do you want to be that person that makes a difference?  I do! Give it a try when you go to church again.  You might be surprised how you come away bless

MORE PILLOWS

 This is another pillow top that I have quilted. 

My daughter wanted a fluer de les.  Her son cut the pattern out and I tried to put it together.  It was a lulu.  I finally got the wunder under and ironed it on and then I was able to get all the curves with a wide zig-zag stitch.   That was my second try.  I could not use the first one.  Guess you learn as you go along.  Stephanie is not really into ball but this is the  New Orleans Saints emblem.    I have more but need to take more pictures.  

Monday we went to a couple thrift stores.  I found some fairly new  window shams that I bought.  I brought them home and ripped the seams out and a nice  quilt jumped out at me.


I also found a pillow sham that was new.  I ripped the seams and a nice apron jumped out at me.  Both cost me a little over 1.00 dollar.  I look at the sheets when I go.  I have found several that will make good backings on quilts.  Can't buy material for a backing for 2.00 dollars.  I even look at the evening dresses to see what I might like.  So far on that line.


I did not have scraps since it has been a long time since I sewed.  So I am trying to get some cheap.  Have any of you quilters done any thrift shopping for quilts or crafts?
Write about it.

        Always,  Aliene

I MISSED OUT

                                                             I MISSED OUT

I need to get these thoughts out while they are fresh on my mine. Yesterday at church a song was sung that caught my attention.  It talked about the things I missed out on in life.  You all know the story of the Prodigal Son.  He went out and wasted all his living  in a life of sin.  Then when he returned  home his father welcomed him with loving arms and a feast.   He had left his brother at home to take care of the family business.  As his brother comes home, the elder brother feels slighted.  

When I was a young person I could relate to the elder son.  Why did it seem that those that went out from the church into an awful life of sin ~ when they came back there was so much made over them.  Yet, we that had stayed true to the Lord and tried to live a consistent Christian life were taken for granted.  But as I matured and grew a little wiser I realized how selfish that was of me to think those thoughts.  Really, how carnal!

Oh sure, I was glad they came back, but deep down inside I guess I wanted a little praise for staying by the stuff and serving the Lord.  

Really, how carnal can  a person get?  Wanting self praise?  But remember I said that was when I was a young person. 

I have learned a lot through the years.  Let me tell you a few things I have learned and a few things I missed out on.

First, I missed out on a lot of heartaches.  I know in the Christian life we have heartaches.  But we have the Lord to turn to.  He is always there and always helps us through.

Second, I missed out on a lot of sorrow.  Again, in the Christian life we have sorrows, but we have a Comforter to lean on.  I think of some of the young people that  went out in sin and are still there. 

They have reap heartaches and sorrow untold with no one to help them through.  Some of them have never gotten over all that befell them. My heart aches for them.

Third, I missed out on a lot of regrets.  The regrets of a sinful life.  It is so good to be able to lay your head on your pillow at night and not have to think of the pass things that a sinful life brings.  I know, even in our Christian life there are a lot of things we would have changed if we could go back, but at the time we thought we were doing the right thing.  It has been in those mistakes that we have learned and grown as a child of  God. I have no regrets for the things I have missed.  

Fourth, I know we are probably called socially misfits, but so what? We don't need  society  as our road model. The things that children and young people have as road models these days alarm me.  The music, (if it can be called music)  the fashions etc. that we see as we look around us are shameful.  I  don't mind being called a social misfit.  I don't fit, so why should I mind?

I know there are many more things that I'd have missed out on, but I'd rather be called  a social misfit or too old fashion than to have all the so called pleasures out there in the world.  I have no regrets for giving my life to the Lord at an early age.  

I can't imagine facing the world without the Lord to help me.  Every day that I live I'll thank the Lord for what I missed.  

PSALM 121

A  PSALM FOR THE WEEK

PSALM 121

 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

(Aren't you glad we know where our help comes from?)

My help cometh from the lord, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved;

He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

(Our God never sleeps. He watches over us while we sleep.)

Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper,

(aren't you glad?)

The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day,

Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil;

He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out

And thy coming in from this day forth,

And even forever more.  

I memorized this Psalm as a youth and it has never left me.

Quilted Pillows

This is one of the safari pillows
finished.  Every  little detail is quilted.  It really brought everything to life.  

I backed them with black and cut the backing 2 inches larger all the way around.  I then folded it over so I could follow the bamboo line
on the edge of the pillow. 

 This one is quilted, ready to be put together the same way.  That will make a pair.  My daughter and two grand daughters all want them.  So I guess I will have to draw straws.  


The quilting took a lot of time because I did it all by hand.  But I did all the little details.  Don't know what I was thinking, spending so much time on two pillows.
I think that was before I started another quilted throw.  


Have several more that I will show you later. 



                             

Magnify the Lord with me!

 MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD!

Did you to church yesterday with your cup right side up?  Did you bring your saucer?  Can I tell you both of mine were full and running over!   God has been blessing and blessing and keeps blessing.  Yesterday morning we had a very unusual service.  He is stirring the waters!  Souls are being saved.  Church members are realizing that they were never truly saved.  One man with a family, faithful in church all his life, doing what he thought the Lord wanted him to do ~ realized through the dealings of the Holy Spirit that he had never been saved.  Sobbing, he went forward, prayed and came back rejoicing.  A teenager, brought up in the church had accepted Christ as her Savior , she thought.  But God  dealt with her in Sunday School and during the main service she came forward. And elderly gentleman  wanting assurance of his salvation. God is sending new people and a young married man went forward for salvation.  We thank God for what He is doing. At least three were saved yesterday and one baptized. 

  

Last Sunday we had 347 in the service. We are going to start a building program in the near future.  Our Sanctuary  is full.   Also, we have several Junior Churches going on in the back.  They are having service at the same time.  So you can imagine what it is on Sunday Nights when all the children are in there!  

 I just had to share what God is doing.  My heart is full and over flowing.  We serve a faithful God whose mercies are new every day. 

UNWORTHY?

I thought I would bring this over from the KJVBlog where I posted this for  Friday.


Micah 7:7  "I will look to the Lord,  will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."
 
I read a story of a king who prepared a city for some of his poor subjects.  Not far from them were large store houses, where everything they  could need was supplied if they but sent their request.  How-ever there was one condition ~ they should be on the look out for the answer, so that when the king's messengers  came with the answer of their petitions, they would always be found waiting and ready to receive  them. 
The sad story is told of one despondent person who never expected to get what he asked, because he was too unworthy.   One day he was taken to the kings store houses, and, there to his amazement, he saw, with his address on them,  all the packages that had been made up for him, and sent.There was a garment of praise. the oil of joy and so much more.  They had been to his door and found it closed.  He was not on the out look.
From that time on he learned the lesson from Micah 7:7.


A lot of times it is our lack of faith that keeps us from many blessings that were sent our way.  Faith, in the face of opposition holds fast  to that which it knows.  I find that when I have a lack of faith in my Christian life ~ it comes from within.  How many times have we felt unworthy, yet the the Mercy and Love of  the Sacrificial Lamb, made us worthy.  We sometimes receive a blessing and don't recognize it as a blessing.  Yet, further down the road it was one of the biggest blessings we received.  At the time it was hard.  But when our eyes are opened and we look and wait for the God of our salvation,  we want to fall down and worship Him for sending just what we needed.  Don't be like the man that felt unworthy ~ the storehouse is full and overflowing.  It is at our disposal.  Open the door and let it in.  You will be blessed!

Tomorrow

Just playing around with my blog look.  I really did  not like the other one.  It was too bold, I guess would be the word.  I'll know when I get the one I really like.  I have to look at them a few days.


Here it is Saturday.  If I had a word for you today it ~ Well, let's just make it a word for Saturday.

Get ready  to go to the House of God tomorrow and worship God.  Go and fellowship with the saints.

It will not only uplift you tomorrow, but all next week.   If you go with your cup lifted up you will come home with it full ~ maybe you better bring a saucer, also.  Never know what the Lord has planned.

FIVE GENERATIONS

This is Five Generations taken about 4 years ago.

From left to right: My son, Rick, Me, Mama, Bridget, (Rick's daughter) and Andrea, Bridget's daughter.

We just happen to all be together that day and snapped a picture.   Further down is another Five Generation Picture

This is one of those days when no one was dressed up but Mama.  But it sure is a cute picture of  Mama and the baby.
Aliene,  Rhonda, (my oldest daughter) Leslie, (Rhonda's daughter).  Leslie is holding Jessica, (her little girl that did not want her picture taken).  Mama is holding Little Chad Joseph, Leslie's new born son.  He is four now.

I wish I had thought to take more pictures of all the children with Mama.  But you don't realize this until after they are gone.  So go take pictures, and take pictures.  That's all the memories you will have when your loved one is gone.  I don't like to have my picture taken and sure don't like to pose.  I want to at least be dressed up half way.  But better these than none.

MY LATEST QUILTING

 

This is my latest quilt throw for my great grandaughter for Christmas.

I decided to quilt it by machine.  I don't have or know all the fancy stitching or names for quilting.  I used a double needle that I have not used since my daughters were little girls.  It was a lot of fun and came out cute.  I used a purple thread on one side and white on the other side.  (The two needles)

I have another one made for her brother.  Now I need to get started on one that will be a Fluer de Le design.  All these are just home made patterns.  I am going to do a real pattern after these are done.

I think quilting is addicted.  I never thought I swould like it.

If you have always wanted to try and it looked like too much work, but it is really fun.  Give it a try.  What do you have to lose?

Always, Aliene

Are any of you not getting the pictures or graphics on blogs at Mozilla Firefox?  If there is not a picture of the quilt please let me know.  Thanks!

No Need To Fear

Here it is the week end again!  Where does the time go?   I have been  quilting this week and finished another project.  I never start a project on the week end.  Guess I got that from Grandma.  I don't know where she got the saying but she always told us that every stitch you sew on Sunday you would have to take out with your nose.  I'm not sure I know what that means, haven't figured it out to this day.  How do you take out a stitch with your nose?  Impossible!    When she got aggravated at us as children ~ she would say "get out of there you little Dickens."   No offense if your name is Dickens ~ but I figured the ones she knew must have been some pretty bad kids.

Can't wait to get back to church tomorrow to see what the Lord is going to do. I know the family that was saved last week will be baptized.  Then, no telling.  We never know how the Spirit is going to move and I like it that way.  The Men's Retreat was last night and this morning at church. 

Scripture for this week end: Therefore I Say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, nor what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.  Is no the life more than meat and the body than raiment?  Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap,  nor gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father  feedeth them.  Are ye not much more better than they?"  Matthew 6: 25-26

"For as the lilies, so shall He array me,

(I believe what He hath said;)

In the land shall be my dwelling, 

And verily I shall be fed."

The Lord is my habitation, I shall not fear: 

For plaque shall not come nigh my dwelling,~~

(In His Word, thus hath He spoken;)

Through long life, shall angels keep me,

Not one bone, shall e'er be broken."

The Lord is my Deliverer, I shall not fear:

"For should I falter, and He slay me,

Still shall I trust and never fear;

For with angels that would keep me,

One to deliver encampeth near."

The Lord is My God, I shall not fear:

"For He shall lift my load and burden,

As I ask Him, in His Name;

Give me grace and 'all-sufficiency,'

That I labour not in vain."

The Lord is my Savior, I shall not fear:

"Yea though I walk through Death's dark valley

And it's shadow I shall see~~

I shall lie down as in green pastures,

"Thy rod and staff, they comfort me'."

New Friends

As I have been going through Fall into Fall Quilt blog give a way I have meet some new friends.  It ends on the 15th but there were close to 150 different blogs to go to and sign up on anything that interest you.  Next year I might enter.  It's always nice to meet new friends.  I haven't gotten them all on my blog roll yet.  But I do have
then book marked so I can go back  and look at them again before I add them. 


I have been quilting  throws.  I have one that I need to put together now.  I have it all pieced, reading to lay out the lining and filling.   Need my husband to help me with that.  It is so much easier with two people.  


Just a verse or two to leave with you today.

Psalm 63: 1-4
"Oh God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, to where no water is.
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Because thy loving kindness is better than life,  my lips shall praise thee.
Thus will I bless thee while I live; I will lift up my hands in thy name.

FORGIVENESS

I have been following the  "Fall into Fall give a ways."    I get so involved that I have not posted in a couple days.  So I thought I better do that first this morning.

I have been thinking about forgiveness.  Our Heavenly Father forgave us, but how are we on forgiving those that have wronged us?  In the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:14-15  "For if ye forgive men their trespasses,  your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will you Father forgive your trespasses."


What actually makes up this great Christian spirit of forgiveness?

I found an acoustic that about says it all.

 F orget the offense

 O bliterate the debt

 R estore the fellowship 

 G ladden the hear

 I dentify with the offender

 V indicate the indictment

 E ncourage the nobler life

Jesus practiced forgiveness when He was physically abused.

Also when he was on trial before Pilate.  When He was on the cross he cried out "Father,  forgive them, for they know not what they do."   When His disciples forsook Him and fled ~ He forgave.

So many times we see Jesus practicing forgiveness.  Isn't He our example?    

Has someone  wronged you?  Did you forgive? I have found out one thing in this Christian life. Never expect someone to ask your forgiveness.  Forgive them in your heart.  They may never ask.

If we wait for and wait for the "I'm sorry, I  have wronged you."

It may never come.  Keep a forgiving spirit!  Practice forgiveness!

The Lord Was Among Us

It is a beautiful fall morning here in Louisiana.  I love this time of year.  The heat is mostly over and the rains have not settled in.  Yesterday was a wonderful blessed day.  The Lord was very near in our services.  last night I would have hated to have been on the outside looking in.   The Lord was all over the place.  God is blessing our church tremendously.  We have a revival spirit although we are not in revival.  I wish some of you could have been there.  A mother, father and son was saved yesterday morning.  The mother's first time was last Sunday and  yesterday she brought her husband and son.  The Lord is going where we cannot go.  He is leading our Pastor who will not take credit for anything.  We are going to enlarge or build a new building to be able to sit the people.

I think I  know the reason God is blessing. First of all, because we have a Faithful God.  Also,  we have faithful leadership and a faithful people who are willing to sacrifice for one soul.  Last night was so special that I still feel the over flow today.

My husband built me a little steeping stool for my Sunday School Class.  He brought it in and said, "If you look pass the flaws you will see a lot of love."   So many of us have flaws.  We will never be perfect.  But I'm glad the Lord looked beyond my flaws and mistakes and loved me anyway.  If we as Christians will look beyond the flaws and mistakes of others and dwell on their love and the good things about them we will be so much better off.   We will see love.  That's what we were doing last night at church.  There was a lot of tears of joy and hugs and "I love you's".   I appreciate my Lord and I appreciate the people of God who have a mind to work.

May you have a good and blessed day.

JOY AND SORROW

I posted this on kjvblog today and thought I would bring it on over here.



I read this devotion in Streams in the Desert a long time ago,  but as I have grown  older it has taken on new meaning.  Streams in the desert is a devotional book by Mrs Charles E. Cowman, in case you are not familiar with it.  I don't depend upon a devotional book for my devotions.  But I sometimes will pick it up and find encouragement for that day.   I think you will find this devotion real to a Christian's life.  I did.

" As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." (2 Corinthians 6:10)

Sorrow was beautiful,but her beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the wood, and making little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss below.

When Sorrow sang, her notes were like the low sweet call of a nightingale, and in her eyes was the unexpected gaze of one who has ceased to look for coming gladness.  She  could weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to her.

Joy was beautiful too, but his was the radiant beauty of the summer morning.  His eyes still held the glad laughter of childhood, and his hair had the glint of the sunshine's kiss.  When Joy sang his voice soared upward as the lark's and his step was the step of a conqueror who has never known defeat.  He could rejoice with all who rejoice, but to weep was unknown to him.  "But we can never be united," said Sorrow wistfully.

"No, never."  And Joy's eyes shadowed as he spoke.  "My path lies through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses blooms to my gathering, and the blackbirds and the thrushes await my coming to pour forth their most joyous lays."

"My path," said Sorrow, turning slowly away, "leads through the darkening woods, with moon flowers only shall my hands be filled.  Yet the sweetest of all the earth-songs the love song of the night- shall be mine; farewell, Joy, farewell."

Even as she spoke they became conscious of a form standing beside them; dimly seen, but of a King Presence, and a great and holy awe stole over them as they sank on their knees before Him.

"I see Him as the King of Joy," whispered Sorrow., "for on His Head are many crowns, and the nail prints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great victory.  Before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness, and I give myself to Him forever."

"Nay, Sorrow," said Joy softly, "but i see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nail prints in His hands and feet are the scars of great agony.  "I, too, give myself  to Him forever, for sorrow with Him must be sweeter than any joy that I have known."

"Then we are one in Him, they cried in gladness, "for none but He could unite Joy and Sorrow."

Hand in hand they passed out into the world to follow Him through storm and sunshine, in the bleakness of winter cold and the warmth of summer gladness,"  as sorrowful yet always rejoicing.

"Should Sorrow lay her hand upon thy shoulder,

And walk with thee in silence on life's way,

While Joy, thy bright companion once, grown colder,

Becomes to thee the more distant day by day?

Shrink not from the companionship of Sorrow,

She is the messenger of God to thee;

And thou wilt thank Him in His great tomorrow -

For what thou knowest not now, thou then shalt see;

She is God's angel, clad in weeds of night,

With 'whom we walk by faith and not by sight."