I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep
1 Cor. 15:20

Multi-Post: TV, Complaining, Book Review and Saturday Night in the Kitchen

 Why You Should Not Watch StampTV when in a Weakened Condition 

by The Pleasant Times' Craft Editor Miss Paste

I have been down with a "bug." I mean down-- as in in bed or on the couch for two weeks. I do not have a TV, and there would hardly be anything worth watching on one (except for craft shows on a Saturday); but it was nice to have the Internet on a laptop and instant movies to watch while trying to pass the time away. After trying many times to find a movie on netflix that is not morally bankrupt in some way, I gave up and started to look for something else to watch. That is when I discovered StampTV.

First of all, it is decent. When there might be little people who may be passing by to look over your shoulder, you want to be watching something with no swearing or immodesty.
Secondly, it is calm. When you are sick, you really do not feel like a rip-roarin' gun-shootin' western (though those aforementioned little people would be delighted if you would watch ten episodes of The Lone Ranger). I like something soothing and quiet.
Thirdly, it gets the "creative juices" flowing. Even if you cannot get out of bed and pull out all your crafting supplies out of storage, you can make things in your mind and mail them to people through your mental post office. It's the thought that counts.
Fourth, it is always nice to learn new techniques for a favorite hobby. I had no idea you could paint with bleach, or how easy it was to do resist embossing.

 There was a danger to watching someone make cards, however, that I was not aware of. Even in my weakened condition, I thought I could resist any temptation to buy new products. Sure, GinaK puts in a word for her own products, but she was using some items that she did not sell as well. It has been a long, long while since I had paid much attention to the newest stamping and paper crafting items on the market. I no longer make cards to sell, and most of my stamps went into a semi-retirement while I did other things with my time. I have resisted the hype over die-cutting machines and computerized cutters. I thought they were mostly for scrapbooking; they were too expensive anyway. Since I was not an artistic scrap-booker (I just paste things in where they fit-- the old style) I had no need of letter cutting templates or anything fancy like that, and I really thought the items were too big for cards. So I considered myself safe from buying anything new.

I watched GinaK make dozens of cards, and noticed she kept using this thing called the "Cuttlebug." It is a manual machine, compact in size, that embosses papers and cuts shapes. I had never seen it before. At first I thought it was kind of neat, and oh well. Then after more episodes where the Cuttlebug made a guest appearance, I started to think it was rather nice. Then a few more episodes made it Really nice. Then I started to think about how nice it would be to use one. Then I started to think about how nice it would be to have one.

Now I do not think GinaK was advertising the Cuttlebug, but she sure did look happy when she used it. In some episodes, she seemed to have a contented smile when she pulled it out and cranked the paper through it, as if to say "My life is so wonderful with my Cuttlebug." Her cards using the Cuttlebug elements were perfect. I did not think "maybe I would be happy if I had one, too," instead I knew I would be happy if I had one, too.

I like to think that I am not an impulse shopper. Surely, I reasoned, it would not hurt to go and look at the Cuttlebug. Also, I was curious about what other people thought of the Cuttlebug, and did some research online. It could not hurt to see what the competition had to offer, either. Using my creative thinking, I wondered whether I could just use my marble rolling pin and achieve the same effect, maybe even buying an inexpensive Cuttlebug Embossing folder to try it out.

Then I happened to see that the Cuttlebug was on sale at the craft store. I knew I also had an extra percent-off coupon for sale items at the particular store I was looking at.

After one nearly-sleepless night, in which I traced out math problems with my finger on the sheet to calculate discounts, I decided it was no use: I would break down and ask Santa Claus for the Cuttlebug for Christmas.

Would Santa understand, though, about getting to the store before the sale ended? And did he have an extra discount coupon? I have a feeling that Santa is too busy this time of year to check sale ads and use coupons. If I sent Santa to go and get the Cuttlebug, I was sure he would not even think of a coupon. Obviously, he was going to need some help.

I pulled myself up off of my sickbed to go to my local craft chain store, only to find that the Cuttlebug was not in stock! But the friendly clerk told me if I ordered it in the store, I would not have to pay postage. Not only that, but there was an extra discount on it for some reason, and I got to use my coupon. All in all, I saved $51 on the Cuttlebug, and I am sure Santa Claus appreciated it. After all that excitement, I went home and back to bed.

I continue to watch StampTV videos to see what else the Cuttlebug can do, while I wait for the store to call and tell me my Christmas Present is waiting for me, upon which call I will again arise from my sickbed to go and get it.

Of course I'm going to wrap it! It would not be a proper Christmas present if I didn't wrap it!

Do you have a feeling, though, that Christmas will come a bit early this year?

***

 From the Editor:


Check Complaints
There are many things in this life of which we are grateful for, but we still like to complain about. I was having a conversation with someone who was saying how she was grateful to see the red tail-lights of cars in the rain in town. To her, that meant that all was right with our society. There are still people that have good jobs they are driving to and from. Some people in other countries do not have cars to get around so easily with; some do not have the choices available that we do, so that we can take our cars and go and find the best prices available to us at the shops. Car lights are a little thing, to be sure, to connect to thoughts of gratefulness; and still we do want to complain about traffic, or the cars themselves.

Commercialism is a big complaint of the Holiday season, and yet isn't it nice to be able to go and buy something? Even if you make all of your own gifts for Christmas, at least you have stores to go to and buy the supplies. Those who enjoy going to a store and seeing the items in person may complain about the prevalence of Internet shopping, and yet isn't it convenient to have a choice? I hope to enjoy the season, and the colors and lights in these dark days, and not see commercialism in it, but to enjoy the excitement. Yet it has been long a goal for me to never shop in December! At least I live in a place and time where I can choose when and where I go shopping, or not.

I was looking at a picture of earth from space, at night. The electric lights all over the world can be seen from space. Someone mentioned to me how sad that was, but I do not think it is sad. It rather makes me happy to see those lights. It means that we have lights to  guide our way at night. It means that we have electricity to power those lights. I am just as keen as anyone to mourn the loss of star shine at night, thanks to the big city lights near us, but I am happy that the stars can see our lights! And when on these "earth at night" pictures, I find places like South Korea all lit up, but North Korea dark, I am grateful that we live in a free country.

As our thoughts turn towards Thanksgiving, we might check our complaints and see if we are really just complaining for the sake of talking, without seeing the good in what we are talking about.

***

Book Review: Home Birth Stories by Mrs. Graham
Reviewed By Lillibeth, Reporter

A "sweete" blog friend, Mrs. Graham, graciously sent me a free copy of her latest E-Book on Home Birth Stories to review. The booklet is easy to read, and relates the stories of Mrs. Graham's journeys through pregnancies, miscarriages, and births.  The majority of Mrs. Graham's babies were born without professional assistance, which in my opinion takes a person with a Pioneer woman's spirit to do! I have known one other lady who had a birth on her own, and it always impressed me that she was also of pioneer stock.

There are many mothers who have chosen home birth, and are discouraged by those who think only the hospital can bring a baby into the world. Those who may not be brave enough to try an unassisted birth, would certainly, after reading the book, be confident in the excellent services of midwives at home-births; for if Mrs. Graham can do it "alone" and have healthy children, than those who choose home birth with a midwife are in good hands.

Mrs. Graham has been educated on the use of herbs, and writes about what she used and why in each situation. The book is also about her journey in discovering herbs and their uses. There is a disclaimer in the book that this information is for educational purposes only; if you are curious about particular herbs and their uses you can ask your midwife or N.D.

***

Using Saturday Night to Prepare for Sunday

by The Pleasant Times' food editor, Bessie Baker Cook. 

I recently watched my mother on a Saturday evening, after she had washed up the supper dishes and cleaned the kitchen, start pulling pans out and making another meal. In the quiet of the evening, while the family was off with their own interests, she started to prepare for Sunday Dinner, doing as many steps as she could ahead to make the next day easier on her. I thought our readers may like to hear how she did it.

First of all, she had gone shopping that afternoon for all the ingredients she needed.
Then, after the kitchen was all clean, she had room to get out her equipment. She pulled out the roasting pan, arranged and seasoned a beef roast in it, put the lid on and stuck it in the refrigerator.

Then she made a salad in a nice bowl, and put plastic wrap over it before putting it in the refrigerator.

Then she made some mini bread loaves, and put a cloth over them to let the rise overnight.

Afterwards, she took some dishes, and silverware and cups, and stacked them on the dining room table, along with some oranges. These were the breakfast dishes, and a serving of fruit.

The next morning, she had the table set for breakfast, with an orange for everyone, and had the bread in the oven while she made eggs and sausage to go with it.

Then she peeled potatoes and carrots and put them in the roasting pan, and placed it in the oven to start cooking. Before going to church, she lowered the temperature.

When she got home, she only had to set the table, pull the salad out, and serve the roast up.

As the days get darker, she says we must keep cheerful. She sets out china with gold rims, and uses candles in the middle of the table to make the gold shine. She takes time out to have tea an honey, or hot spiced cider, in pretty cups, to ward off chills. The fancy china dishes are not confined to the hutch for company, but are used for family meals to make life special when the days are shorter and it is too rainy to go out.

***

Small-Scale Beauty

In the Artist's Garden, Yapton, Sussex


Thomas J. Lloyd


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I was reading an article this morning (here) on lack of beauty in modern Architecture. I thought this quote was a good one, and not just on the subject of architecture!

"I can’t build cathedrals on my own. I can’t even be a part of an organization that builds cathedrals — though perhaps I’m not trying hard enough on that count. But, as Fr. Brankin says, “beauty and ugliness flow naturally into the world from the content or emptiness of the soul.” So instead I can, we all can, focus on small-scale beauty: harmony in the home, dignity of dress, and indulgence/participation in beautiful art (hearing and playing beautiful music, reading beautiful books, etc)."


(emphasis added)








In the Rose Garden


Thomas J. Lloyd


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Luke 24:1-7

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, 

Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen: 

remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.



Image from Karen's Whimsy

Romans 6:8-10

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.


Image from Karen's Whimsy

Romans 6:3-6

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Image from Karen's Whimsy

1 Corinthians 15:55-58

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.


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1 Corinthians 15:50-54

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.



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I Corinthians 15:19-22

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Image From http://vintageholidaycrafts.com

I Corinthians 15:3-4

 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures...

Image from www.vintageholidaycrafts.com

On Walks

The Elm Walk

Giclee Print
Addison, William...

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When the church-goers. came back and dinner was over, every one read, wrote letters home, said their Sunday lessons, or talked quietly to one another, sitting here and there about the house. At three o'clock the entire family turned out to walk, for all the active young bodies must have exercise; and in these walks the active young minds were taught to see and love the providence of God in the beautiful miracles which Nature . was working before their eyes. Mr. Bhaer always went with them, and in his simple, fatherly way, found for his flock "Sermons in stones, books in the running brooks, and good in every thing." -Little Men




Out for a Walk

Giclee Print
Allingham, Helen

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Cottage Garden

Giclee Print
Walbourn, Ernest

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"If the afternoon was fair, they took a long walk together over the bridges into the country, or about the city streets full of Sabbath quietude. Most people meeting them would have seen only an awkward young man, with a boy's face atop of his tall body, and a quietly dressed, fresh faced little woman hanging on his arm; but a few people, with eyes to read romances and pleasant histories everywhere, found something very attractive in this couple, and smiled as they passed, wondering if they were young lovers, or country cousins 'looking round!' " -An Old Fashioned Girl



Walk in the Park, Copenhagen

Giclee Print
Henrichsen,...

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Garden Walk

Art Print
Birmingham, David

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"... I do envy you your good spirits, Polly," said Fanny, as the merriment subsided. "I'm so tired of everybody and everything, it seems sometimes as if I should die of ennui. Don't you ever feel so?"
"Things worry me sometimes, but I just catch up a broom and sweep, or wash hard, or walk, or go at something with all my might, and I usually find that by the time I get through the worry is gone, or I've got courage enough to bear it without grumbling," answered Polly, cutting the brown loaf energetically.  -An Old Fashioned Girl





Yorkshire Dales Spring

Photographic Print
Miller, Jody

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Walk by the River

Giclee Print
Walbourn, Ernest

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Seaside Walk

Art Print
Oxley, Vail

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Walk on the Beach

Art Print
Sorolla y...

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 "My dear Lizzy, where can you have been walking to ?'' was a question which Elizabeth received from Jane as soon as she entered the room, and from all the others when they sat down to table. She had only to say in reply, that they had wandered about, till she was beyond her own knowledge. She coloured as she spoke; but neither that, nor any thing else, awakened a suspicion of the truth.
The evening passed quietly, unmarked by any thing extraordinary. The acknowledged lovers talked and laughed, the unacknowledged were silent. Darcy was not of a disposition in which happiness overflows in mirth; and Elizabeth, agitated and confused, rather knew that she was happy, than felt herself to be so; for, besides the immediate embarrassment, there were other evils before her...

As soon as they entered, Bingley looked at her so expressively, and shook hands with such warmth, as left no doubt of his good information; and he soon afterwards said aloud, "Mr. Bennet, have you no more lanes hereabouts in which Lizzy may lose her way again to-day."
"I advise Mr. Darcy, and Lizzy, and Kitty," said Mrs. Bennet, "to walk to Oakham Mount this morning. It is a nice long walk, and Mr. Darcy has never seen the view."
"It may do very well for the others," replied Mr. Bingley; "but I am sure it will be too much for Kitty. Won't it, Kitty?"
Kitty owned that she had rather stay at home. Darcy professed a great curiosity to see the view from the Mount, and Elizabeth silently consented. As she went up stairs to get ready, Mrs. Bennet followed her, saying, "I am quite sorry, Lizzy, that you should be forced to have that disagreeable man all to yourself. But I hope you will not mind it: it is all for Jane's sake, you know; and there is no occasion for talking to him, except just now and then. So, do not put yourself to inconvenience."  -Pride and Prejudice



A Walk in the Park

Giclee Print
Swagers, Franz

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Home Team

Art Print
Elsley, Arthur...

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Lakeside Walk II

Art Print
Martin, Van

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"Miss Cornelia lived half way between the Glen and Four Winds Point, in a house whose original glaring green hue had mellowed down to an agreeable greenish gray. Marshall Elliott had planted trees about it and set out a rose garden an a spruce hedge. It was quite a different place from what it had been in years agone. The manse children and the Ingleside children liked to go there.  It was a beautiful walk down the old harbour road, and there  was always a well-filled cooky jar at the end." -Rainbow Valley



Late Summer Walk

Stretched Canvas Print
Caballero,...

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Lighthouse Walk at Biarritz, c.1906

Art Print
Sorolla y...

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"The whole country about them abounded in beautiful walks. The high downs which invited them from almost every window of the cottage to seek the exquisite enjoyment of air on their summits, were an happy alternative when the dirt of the valleys beneath shut up their superior beauties; and towards one of these hills did Marianne and Margaret one memorable morning direct their steps, attracted by the partial sunshine of a showery sky, and unable longer to bear the confinement which the settled rain of the two preceding days had occasioned. The weather was not tempting enough to draw the two others from their pencil and their book, in spite of Marianne's declaration that the day would be lastingly fair, and that every threatening cloud would be.drawn off from their hills; and the two girls set off together.
They gaily ascended the downs, rejoicing in their own penetration at every glimpse of blue sky; and when they caught in their faces the animating gales of an high south-westerly wind, they pitied the fears which had prevented their mother and Elinor from sharing such delightful sensations.
"Is there a felicity in the world," said Marianne, "superior to this?— Margaret, we will walk here at least two hours."
Margaret agreed, and they pursued their way against the wind, resisting it with laughing delight for about twenty minutes longer, when suddenly the clouds united over their heads, and and a driving rain set full in their face. Chagrined and surprised, they were obliged, though unwillingly, to turn back, for no shelter was nearer than their own house. One consolation however remained for them, to which the exigence of the moment gave more than usual propriety; it was that of running with all possible speed down the steep side of the hill which led immediately to their garden gate."  -Sense and Sensibility






A Beautiful Walk in the Fall

Giclee Print
, Weber

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A Walk in the Woods

Art Print
Bansemer, Roger

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"Marcia had been used to take long walks at home, over the smooth crust of the snow, going to her beloved woods, where she delighted to wander among the bare and creaking trees; fancying them whispering sadly to one another of the summer that was gone and the leaves they had borne now dead. But it would be a dreadful thing in the aunts' opinion for a woman, and especially a young one, to take a long walk in the woods alone, in winter too, and with no object whatever in view but a walk! What a waste of time!" -Marcia Schuyler



Morning Walk

Art Print
Trevillion,...

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words of warning- dress for walking


Kitty and Adolphus Attempt a Country Walk

Giclee Print
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Romans 6, Literally

~Pleasant Words~

You have to read this slowly and carefully, since is it slightly different than what you are used to! I find Young's Literal Translation close enough to the KJV to help me understand it, but different enough in stating things to make me pay extra attention to it. What should we not be "ignorant" of?

Romans 6
1 What, then, shall we say? shall we continue in the sin that the grace may abound?
2 let it not be! we who died to the sin--how shall we still live in it?
3 are ye ignorant that we, as many as were baptized to Christ Jesus, to his death were baptized?
4 we were buried together, then, with him through the baptism to the death, that even as Christ was raised up out of the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we in newness of life might walk.
5 For, if we have become planted together to the likeness of his death, so also we shall be of the rising again;
6 this knowing, that our old man was crucified with him , that the body of the sin may be made useless, for our no longer serving the sin;
7 for he who hath died hath been set free from the sin.
8 And if we died with Christ, we believe that we also shall live with him,
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised up out of the dead, doth no more die, death over him hath no more lordship;
10 for in that he died, to the sin he died once, and in that he liveth, he liveth to God;
11 so also ye, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to the sin, and living to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not then the sin reign in your mortal body, to obey it in its desires;
13 neither present ye your members instruments of unrighteousness to the sin, but present yourselves to God as living out of the dead, and your members instruments of righteousness to God;
14 for sin over you shall not have lordship, for ye are not under law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? let it not be!
16 have ye not known that to whom ye present yourselves servants for obedience, servants ye are to him to whom ye obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?
17 and thanks to God, that ye were servants of the sin, and--were obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which ye were delivered up;
18 and having been freed from the sin, ye became servants to the righteousness.
19 In the manner of men I speak, because of the weakness of your flesh, for even as ye did present your members servants to the uncleanness and to the lawlessness--to the lawlessness, so now present your members servants to the righteousness--to sanctification,
20 for when ye were servants of the sin, ye were free from the righteousness,
21 what fruit, therefore, were ye having then, in the things of which ye are now ashamed? for the end of those is death.
22 And now, having been freed from the sin, and having become servants to God, ye have your fruit--to sanctification, and the end life age-during;
23 for the wages of the sin is death, and the gift of God is life age-during in Christ Jesus our Lord.




Baptism

Mavruk, Hullis

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Psalm 35

White Innocence
Art Print
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Psalm 35

 1Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

 2Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

 3Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

 4Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

 5Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.

 6Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.

 7For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.

 8Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

 9And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

 10All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

 11False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

 12They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

 13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

 14I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

 15But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

 16With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

 17Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

 18I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

 19Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

 20For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

 21Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.

 22This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

 23Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

 24Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.

 25Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

 26Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

 27Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

 28And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

Pretty Postcard

This antique postcard is from Graphics Fairy. I have added a scripture to it as best as I can, so you can print it out on card stock and send it to a friend! If you want a back to it, Graphics Fairy has a nice one on this post.
I have been trying to figure out a way to make the text print out clearly, so I have uploaded this file as a pdf for download.  Here is a link to it. It prints out in the middle of the page, unfortunately, but perhaps those who understand their printer better than I do can print 2 cards to a page to use the space better.

Here is a site on the history of postcards.

Enjoy!
p.s a little bit of gold or silver glitter applied to the dark spots of the rose and leaves would be nice, as that is what I think the original postcard had.

Proverbs 3:1-4

Click to enlarge. Then save and print as you like for postcards or to frame. I've done several color backgrounds below as well. I'm told by my dressmaker that my computer has way-off colors, so I offer my apologies if that proves true when you print these out!

Graphic from Karen's Whimsy.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Here is another scripture for you, this time using a graphic of antique wallpaper that I believe came from Graphics Fairy, with text added over it. I am doing a bit of experimenting trying to find a way to save this for the web, and make the text readable at the same time. Click to enlarge and then you can save & print it out for your home. In your printer program, you can also print it out post-card size to mail, or make a fold-over card.

Scripture

Above: The many greens of the forest.

Below: A decorative Scripture card with ferns.

The above scripture card was made using vintage images from Bible story books, the Picasa photo program, and children's markers.
First, I saved the scripture I wanted, and changed it to "sepia" in Picasa.
When you print something out from the Picasa photo program, you can choose to print a border with it, in any color and width. Next, I chose a light green for the border and printed the scripture. Then I used many different green markers from the children's art box to color over the print.
This scripture is hung on a tin board from Victorian Trading Co, using a butterfly magnet. It would be equally nice framed, or even taped to a mirror or wall! 

A Gift

This soft crocheted throw was sent to me recently. It was made by a woman who decided to use her last years to bless others with colorful blankets to cheer up their stark hospital beds. This woman used her talent, even when nearly blind, to make 500 of these throws! And one found its way to me. It is a gift that "keeps on giving." And because my family knows the story behind it,  it reminds us that we can use our hands, talents, and our spare time, to cheer others.