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Archives for September 2016

The Lifeline

September 27, 2016 By 4 Comments

5433549942_a8c4cea1fd_zWhat do our Bibles say about us? Are they placed in handy spots or put away on bookshelves? Are they worn with use or are the pages still in pristine condition? Have we made personal notes in them or could they belong to anyone?

The poem below, which I wrote well over a decade ago, describes what I hope my daughters will one day think about me and my Bible. Does it express your heart’s desire as well?

The Lifeline

Who would have guessed that a mundane chore
Could lead to such precious discovery,
A familiar book seen in new light
Became a gem, a treasure to me.
Lifting the Bible to dust all around
I noticed its cover, worn with use,
And automatically thought of my mother.
This was her Bible—
Her Lifeline, she lovingly called it,
It told of God’s love and sustaining grace
On which she daily relied.
And as I glanced through its well-marked pages
Another lifeline came into view,
The life of my mother scattered throughout
In handwritten notes and underlined verses,
In special dates to remember.
Her spiritual journey could also be traced
Through verses of praise and anguish,
Her walk with God stamped o’er its pages,
A remembrance of what she lived.
What a gift God gave me that day—
Mom’s life, tucked inside her Lifeline.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

*Is there a particular verse from the Bible that has served as a lifeline for you during a difficult time?

*Flickr photo by Lel4nd, Creative Commons License

4 Comments Filed Under: faith, faithfulness, family, Gift, life, memories, strength, unfailing, wisdom, Word of God Tagged With: , , ,

Bridal Shower Gift Idea: A Wedding Towel Cake!

September 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment

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Mother of the Bride, are you looking for a cute bridal shower gift idea that will also be useful to the new Mr. and Mrs.-to-Be? Well look no further. A wedding towel cake might be just what you’re looking for!

A wedding towel cake as a shower gift has several things going for it. Not only is it a clever and cute idea, but the finished product holds all the visual appeal you need. No gift wrap needed! The towel cake can also be used as a centerpiece if you so desire, and you can go with a variety of colors. You could use the bride’s colors, the colors you’re using at the shower, or the colors the couple has chosen for rooms in their home.

The towel cake above has a bath and body theme, but towel cakes can also feature other themes. Among them might be kitchen, rustic, bride and groom, beach, coffee lovers, or a replica of an elegant wedding cake. You might think of another idea especially fitting for your sweet girl and the new home or region where she’ll be living.

What do you think, MOB? Is this something you could do to make your darling daughter’s shower more memorable? If so, have fun with it—and don’t forget to take photos!

 *You might also like to check out this Wedding Towel Cakes Pinterest board and this YouTube video how-to demonstration. You might also enjoy Bridal Shower Cake: A Cupcake Wedding Dress!

*Flickr photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Leave a Comment Filed Under: bride, cake, decorate, Gift, Mother of the Bride, shower Tagged With: , , , ,

One Perfect Way to Pray for Those in Crisis

September 20, 2016 By 6 Comments

img_7208“‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Luke 22:42-43

When Jesus came face to face with the greatest crisis of his earthly life—his impending crucifixion—God showed him his love.  The scripture above allows us to be witness to that tender display.

As Jesus plead with the Father to take his cup of suffering away, yet submitted to God’s will at the same time, we see the Father reach out to Jesus in love by sending one of the very angels of heaven to minister to him. And when God did this, when God showed Jesus his love, it strengthened him.

So when we watch others go through times of great difficulty or crisis—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—one perfect way we can pray for them is by asking God to show them his love. And as God tenderly finds personally tailored ways to do just that, those hurting and struggling will experience God’s loving touch. Those in crisis will be strengthened.

Do you long to help loved ones and others in crisis today? Get down on your knees in prayer and cry out, “Lord, show them your love!”

“When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’” Luke 7:13

*How has God shown you his love in a time of crisis?

*My photo

6 Comments Filed Under: comfort, disaster, help, love, prayer, strength, stress, trial, Word of God Tagged With: , , , ,

Quick Tip to Dress Up Flower Girl’s Socks

September 20, 2016 By Leave a Comment

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Mother of the Bride, has your little girl turned bride given any thought yet to her flower girl’s attire? Flower girl dresses are always so sweet, but adding the right accessories can take her attire up to a whole new level of adorable.

For example, why not dress up the flower girl’s socks with darling bows in the color of her dress? The bows can be made from any kind of ribbon from your favorite craft or fabric store, but notice how in the photo above the bow is made with sheer ribbon to match the fabric style of the dress. They are then further dressed up with tiny rhinestones. That attention to detail makes for perfection, doesn’t it?

If you’re not talented at making bows (I’m not), ask around. I bet one of your friends or the bride’s friends is a whiz at it and will be happy to help. In fact, she might even offer—or be persuaded—to make other bows you may need as décor. You never know unless you ask, right?!

So check with the bride, MOB, and see what she thinks about adding this extra touch of preciousness to her flower girl’s attire. I bet she—and the flower girl—will love it!

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*You might also like to read Wedding Photo Idea: Flower Girl with the Bride’s Shoes, Wedding Décor Tip: Adorn the Church with Pew Bows, and Attention to Detail.

*Flickr photos by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Leave a Comment Filed Under: accessories, appearance, bride, decorate, flower girl, Mother of the Bride Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Beauty and Blessings on the Way to a Goal Achieved

September 13, 2016 By 2 Comments

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When we’re trying to achieve a challenging goal, we may find the climb especially difficult. We may grow weary and wonder if we can hold out to see the view from the top, from the vantage point of a goal achieved. We may feel sorely tempted to give up.

But I’ve got good news. Good news that can help keep us pushing onward.

We don’t have to wait until we achieve the goal to experience the joy of the journey. If we take time to look, we can find beauty and blessings along the way.

This summer on our trip to Colorado, my sisters and I got a reminder of this truth when we decided to take the hike to the top of the mountain at Hoosier Pass on the Continental Divide. The information we had about the hike made it sound fairly easy, but we got more than we bargained for. The altitude along with the steady and sometimes steep climb had us huffing and puffing and wondering if we’d be able to achieve our goal after all.

I’m happy to report we did indeed reach the top, but we also stopped frequently along the way to catch our breath and soak in the beauty of the natural wonders around us. The mountainside dotted with the reds, yellows, purples, whites, and blues of happy little wildflowers. The majestic snow-covered peaks in the distance. The winding river and reservoir in the valley below. Each one a blessing along the difficult way to our goal achieved.

If any of us find ourselves on a difficult or painful journey today, let’s keep our eyes open for the joys that can be ours when we stop and look for them. Let’s take frequent breathers when we need them. Let’s allow the wonders we see to recharge us for the rest of the journey. Let’s enjoy the beauty and blessings along the way.

“. . . the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trust in him.” Psalm 32:10b

*What beauty or blessings have been yours on a difficult road?

*My photo

2 Comments Filed Under: beauty, blessing, challenge, goal, joy, nature, perseverance, refresh, victory Tagged With: , , , ,
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