"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Today I was working on a craft project while listening to Chuck Swindol on the radio. My project is hand embroidered words of affirmation in cute little 4" hoops. I'm focusing on words that uplift and encourage. Words like...grace, forgive, laugh, love, joy, believe, adore, sing, life, praise, hope and serve. These words exemplify the character traits that we should embrace as Christians. My aim is to put these little hand-crafted encouragers up for sale in my Etsy store so that others can hang them in their houses or office to brighten their day.
While stitching away I heard Chuck say four words that caught my attention...fame, fortune, power and pleasure. He went on to explain that when our focus is on obtaining any one of these four things, our pathway is leading us into sin. How true, Chuck, how true!
I thought of other words that get us into trouble...envy, strife, greed, pride, self, hate, prejudice. Yuck!
Now, I'm even more determined to fill my home and the world with words that build up, not tear down, words that remind me who I want to be and who I want to encourage others to be. I took a short break from my embroidery to write these words to you, hoping that you would pause a moment to think about the words that describe your life.
Are they words you're proud of? Words that portray the real you? I hope so.
Now, back to my embroidery....must fill the world with good words!
Prayer:
Father, remind me to examine my life on a regular basis to see if the words that describe my life are ones that would make you smile. Help me to encourage others to reach for the highest goal...a life that pleases you. Amen
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(Copyright© 2011 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)
Today I was working on a craft project while listening to Chuck Swindol on the radio. My project is hand embroidered words of affirmation in cute little 4" hoops. I'm focusing on words that uplift and encourage. Words like...grace, forgive, laugh, love, joy, believe, adore, sing, life, praise, hope and serve. These words exemplify the character traits that we should embrace as Christians. My aim is to put these little hand-crafted encouragers up for sale in my Etsy store so that others can hang them in their houses or office to brighten their day.
While stitching away I heard Chuck say four words that caught my attention...fame, fortune, power and pleasure. He went on to explain that when our focus is on obtaining any one of these four things, our pathway is leading us into sin. How true, Chuck, how true!
I thought of other words that get us into trouble...envy, strife, greed, pride, self, hate, prejudice. Yuck!
Now, I'm even more determined to fill my home and the world with words that build up, not tear down, words that remind me who I want to be and who I want to encourage others to be. I took a short break from my embroidery to write these words to you, hoping that you would pause a moment to think about the words that describe your life.
Are they words you're proud of? Words that portray the real you? I hope so.
Now, back to my embroidery....must fill the world with good words!
Prayer:
Father, remind me to examine my life on a regular basis to see if the words that describe my life are ones that would make you smile. Help me to encourage others to reach for the highest goal...a life that pleases you. Amen
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(Copyright© 2011 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)
6 comments:
What a great way to remember to use healing words rather than those that pierce like a sword (Proverbs 12:18)! The world can always use more encouragement.
Thanks, Tresa. I'm just learning to embroider, but a long time ago I made an extensive list of words I love and words I don't like at all. Just reading the good list lifts my spirits, so I thought I would share them with others.
Thanks for dropping by.
Jan
The words that I desire to live by and follow as a portrayal of my personality are "humility, grace, and peaceful". I love what C.S Lewis has to say:
"Obedience is the road to freedom, humility the road to pleasure, unity the road to personality."
Thanks for sharing Swindoll's message; I have always admired his writing! :)
Blessings on all of your embroidery!
Denise
Thanks for dropping by, Denise. Love your words to live by. CS Lewis is one of my favorites, too.
Can't believe you posted at 2:14 AM, but then I'm answering at 3:06 AM.
What's wrong with us?
I can't believe I missed this posting somehow. I really like it! I like you little embroidered words too. Thanks for filling the days with words that fit and that folks need, like "friendship, patience, kindness, understanding, prayer, encouragement, joy, love, peace and fresh fruit!"
I love you!
Thanks, Joy - you're my best cheerleader!
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