Colossians Study {Week 2}

As I read through Colossians, a couple verses at a time, I can't help but close my eyes once in a while and picture my Jesus...

He is King, yet He is humble. He is Lord, yet He is the servant of all. He is Royalty, yet His presence graces my home and my heart. He is God, yet He is here. Emmanuel, God with us!
 

Learning to let God's Word dwell richly in me.

 

 
Here are this week's verses from The Message translation:
 
^{15-18 "}We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.
 
^18-20 He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.

^21-23 You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message." Colossians 1:15-23
 
 

I am PROOF that Christ's powerful blood changes lives. I am PROOF of His peace that surpasses understanding.

My life isn't prefect and without flaw, but it is vastly different than what it once was! Praise God, I am a NEW creation! You are welcome to read my testimony here.

 

 

 

 

 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

2 Cor. 5:17

 

 

I can forgive others, because I have been forgiven much.

 

I can love God and others, because He first loved me.

 

I can trust that God has a good plan for my life, He is faithful and never changes.

 

I can lead my children in peace, because of Christ's shed blood on the cross.

 

His sacrifice is enough for me!

May Christ's abundant love and grace pour over you today as well. May you know His peace and joy as you receive His forgiveness of sins and become reconciled to God.
 


In His GREAT Grace, 
 

I'm linked up with some amazing women here:

 

 

"Almost Free" Art For Your Home

Oh, how I love to reuse jars, tin cans, paper towel rolls, etc. for fun projects... especially when it's for crafts for the kids, home decor or or helping to organize my space.


Here's an up-cycle project from this summer that was fairly simple and quick to accomplish.


The possibilities are endless when it comes to reusing t.p. and paper towel rolls. I'd love to hear what you have done or made with yours!

Crafting tools ready to go!

T. P. Wall Art
Cost: $2
Time to make: 1 hour, plus dry time


To get started gather your tools:  empty cardboard rolls, a hot glue gun, scissors, a ruler and paint (I chose spray paint).


I used brown cardboard paper towel rolls for this project. They held up well to being cut, glued and painted. I have also hear that the white t.p. rolls are very sturdy.

 

I held my paper towel rolls next to a ruler and made a pen mark at every inch.

 

Just choose the size (depth) you want for your art and keep it uniform.

 

Squish the roll flat, just enough to cut it at each mark. They will bounce back a bit and that's okay.

 

 

Lay your pieces out to get an idea of the pattern you want to use.

 

Play around with it a bit, there are so many possibilities! I kept my design pretty simple.

 

I tried to do this craft from start to finish in one nap time and made it!

 

 

 

Next glue the cut roll pieces together.

 

I just used a dot of hot glue and pinched the sides together until they held fast.

 

(Didn't even burn myself this time!)

 

 

 

Your finished product will straighten itself out when you are

done gluing it together.

 

Sometimes there are little pieces of the rolls that want to stick up,

just trim them off.

 

 

 

Lastly I took the pieces outside to spray paint them.

 

I placed a couple of 2x4's under them so that I could spray at every angle.

 

After drying on one side I flipped them to paint from the other side.

 

The cardboard soaked up the paint a bit, and some evaporated on the 100+ degree day I chose to be outside painting! It took almost an entire can of spray paint to get the look I wanted.

 

Keep painting until it looks good and covered.

Ta da!

 

Display your t.p. roll art proudly... no one will ever guess what they are made of.  (unless they have seen them around Pinterest :o)
 

To display my art I hung them each on a small nail. I really like how the color of the art brings out the bird in my painting. It was just the touch of color that I was looking for this summer. And now... it's on to changing my decor for fall! I can't believe how the time is flying by this year!


Besides making these I continued my paint kick by purchasing 5 old, wooden frames for $2 at a garage sale,  which I lightly sanded and painted. I really enjoy the look of them hanging on my kitchen wall (hope to post pics soon).

 

A little sparkle goes a long way!

 

 

 

 

"I will take you home, little sample, and you will be mine!"

The pretty turquoise paint used in this frame was 50 cents, a discarded sample I found at Lowe's. I LOVE the color and I have plenty of this paint left for a couple other small projects.

And to keep the kids happy while getting my frames painted I gave them a job... making shapes from Play Doh!

 

Playing, learning, visiting and having fun!

I added a pop of color to my living room wall by spray painting a frame that I have had for a few years. I used the left over paint from the t.p. roll art projesct!

 

Does it really look that crooked on my wall?! Goodness!

 

 

 

 

Scripture art I created to remind our family to REJOICE ALWAYS!

 


I hope that you are inspired to create something lovely for your home. It doesn't have to be expensive or really even cost anything. Look for something you already have lying around and make something new out of it!


Now to change my decorations for the fall... let's see what I can come up with!


Have a blessed weekend,

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

I'm linked up with:

 

 

 

 

 

Colossians Study {Week 1}

 
I'm very excited to be co-leading another GREAT group of ladies as we study the book of Colossians this fall! Good Morning Girls makes it easy to get into God's Word each day and to apply what we are learning to our lives!

My study materials, ready to go!

 

 
So far I have been encouraged, challenged and corrected by the Word and it's only day #4!


 
Here are a few observations and applications that I have come away with this week, after reading Colossians 1:1-14.

• Paul, even in his imprisonment, prayed for the believers in Colosse. I am reminded to pray for my brothers and sisters in the Lord consistently, so matter what difficulties I face in life. (Col 1:3)

• The Word of truth, the gospel, brings forth fruit! (Col 1:5-6)

• Being fruitful in good works and increasing in our knowledge of God pleases Him! I'm reminded that fruit in our lives comes from intimacy with God, just as intimacy in the natural produces fruit of the womb. (Col 1:10)

• God's great power strengthens us to have patience and to suffer long with joy. This sounds like a contradiction, and it is - according to this world's ways. (Col 1:11)

• The Father has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints- His power, His kingdom, and eternity with Him! (Col 1:12)

• God has delivered us from the power of darkness and propelled us into His glorious light! We don't need to live in fear of spiritual darkness but live in the His light. (Col 1:13)

• And lastly, all of this in only accomplished by the power of Jesus' blood. His sacrifice has redeemed us from the power of sin. (Col 1:14)

We are not "good enough" without God's life-changing power in our lives. He is big enough and strong enough to work in and through us!

 

So many of these things I have learned before but what a blessing to be reminded of them again.
 



This momma is learning to pray and then walk it out with God's help!

Today I'm clinging to this prayer: 

"Help me to be patient and kind to all I encounter today. Bring joy to my heart, even when I have to suffer long. Remind me of your Son's sacrifice that redeemed me from sin and the power of darkness and eternal death. Thank you for qualifying me to inherit your kingdom! Amen."
 

 
God bless your week,
 



PS. Our study of Colossians is 8 weeks long. My goal is to share a little each week of what God is teaching me. May you be encouraged to know God more and dig into His Word as well!

I'm linked up with:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Homemade Salsa

Nothing beats some GOOD salsa and a bag of chips for a mid-afternoon snack (or any time of day, for that matter!)

Dive right in!

This "snack" was one of my staples food groups in college  :o)  Although back then I was afraid to try my hand at making salsa on my own and settled for Picante Sauce (which I don't buy anymore).

I've overcome my fear and have succeeded, thanks to Ree Drummond over at Pioneer Woman. Her recipe for Restaurant Style Salsa is perfect. Don't have to change a thing!

Simple ingredients turn into a delicious dip!

Here it is, all spelled out for you. For even more details and step-by-step photos, visit The Pioneer Woman's enjoyable website!


Restaurant Style Salsa

Ingredients
1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
1/4 cup Chopped Onion
1 clove Garlic, Minced
1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin
1/4 teaspoon Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/2 cup Cilantro (more To Taste!)
1/2 whole Lime Juice


Directions
This makes a pretty large batch of salsa. I can only fit the can of whole tomatoes in my blender at once. I blend all of the other ingredients together next, and finally mix them together in a bowl.

Try the salsa out with a tortilla chip before you are done, just to make sure the seasonings are right. I tend to usually add a little extra salt.

Refrigerate for an hour before serving. (although sometimes I just can't wait that long)



I really enjoy this salsa on breakfast burritos (along with homemade pinto beans), Chalupa, and nachos. YUM!

Chopped, sliced and diced. 

I LOVE my plastic cutting boards,

as it's so easy to bend them and pour!

Looks like the Mexican flag to me  :o) 

A nice big bowl of salsa (before stirring it together).

Plenty to share with friends!

Hope you enjoy this recipe. It's a keeper and oh so easy!


Have a blessed weekend,

I'm linked up with:

There's No Place Like Home!

"Only the traveling is good which reveals to me the value of home and enables me to enjoy it better."

~ Henry David Thoreau

My family and I returned from a wonderful, relaxing visit "home" this week. I say "home" because Oregon is where I was born and spent most of my childhood years. I ALWAYS love to visit family and dear friends there, but what a joy to come HOME at the end of our vacation!

Texas is truly home now. I have finished my schooling here, married here and had my babies here. This is where the Lord has us living and doing ministry. The land of big flags and big trucks is home.

Moriah and Grammy looking at Great Grandmother's special treasures.

I remember looking through the same jewelry box as a child!

My mother sent me a text today that rings true in my heart. She said it seems to her that I have more peace and joy since I have returned home, and that two weeks away did me a lot of good. I am refreshed and ready to take on new challenges! I am looking forward to the fall season and potential of growth and change it contains.

The quote at the top of the page speaks volumes... a little time away makes you thankful for what you have. And while sitting here in my chair I get to reflect on the memories made on our trip and the relationships that were strengthened - best of all the relationship between my children and my parents.

Here are a few sweet memories from our trip to Oregon and Washington.

Blueberry picking at the Starr Farm,

where I picked fresh fruits and veggies as a child with my mother.

Eating berries as we picked.

Having fun at our family reunion.

Enjoying the tall, green trees and blue sky.

So crisp and cool out... a nice break from the Texas heat!

Walking and playing on the beach as a family.

Collecting sand dollars.

Digging in the warm sand!

Jumping waves at Cape Kiwanda ~ My favorite childhood beach.

Watching Daddy and Grandpa come in from fishing with Mr. Dave.

Such a handsome group of fishermen  :o)

Visiting the animals at Aunt Holly's home.

Touring the grounds at Gethsemane Ministries and learning about

all they do to help those struggling with substance addiction.

Trying to keep clear of goat lips.

Riding the ferry for the first time as a family.

Running and playing in the sun together at Fort Casey.

Enjoying a tea party with dear friends.

Dressing up as princesses.

Visiting with cousins!

"A house is made of walls and beams;

A home is built with love and dreams."

~Anonymous

I have learned over the past 4 years to be grateful and to enjoy our humble home. We are so very blessed and in turn have the opportunity to bless others!

Have a blessed week,