Finding a Quiet Sanctuary

Guest Artist: Dore

At: http://burlapluxe.blogspot.com


There is such a peace and delight evoked in Dore’s special, hand-painted piece! It makes me smile and I’m sure it makes you smile too...It also reminds me that the Lord’s love is a true-life sanctuary. How wonderful and comforting that concept is! It brings such peace.

In prayer and meditation, we can be in the midst of that sanctuary 24/7 and we can go there at any time. About 6 months ago, I started to think about where I wanted to have my personal sanctuary. I had to think, “Where would my special space be?” I settled on a wing-back chair in my bedroom near the fireplace.

I had picked a wonderful spot. Then, I made a decision to go there every day to pray. But, I never seemed to find a minute in my schedule to do it! Hard to believe, but true. You would think that I would have looked forward to that peaceful time. You would imagine that the wing-back chair would represent some quiet moments of solace. Then, why was it so difficult to find a minute to do something I wanted to do most? Honestly, I don’t know the answer to that. It would be akin to someone winning the lottery and not showing up to collect a prize!

What I found was that when I could go to my prayer group and pray with a small group of friends, it was more comfortable. That is when it dawned on me that not everyone has a group near them. So, I wanted to create this on-linespace to be a respite...A place for people to take a few minutes for themselves.

How do things stand with the chair and me now? I realized I picked the wrong spot! I find that my special place is in the kitchen....I don’t know why, but that’s my space.

I encourage you to find yours! And when you do, feel free to share it here. In the meantime, I am happy that I found a spiritual place--a place to pray for everyone on my prayer list--and even those who aren’t.

Wherever your sanctuary is, I wish you peace in your special place.
Hugs,
Cindy

I Have It in My Heart

Guest Artist: Barbara

Hi Everyone,

I love these precious jars created by Barbara. One incredible thing about her--she is so helpful to everyone and really finds such amazing joy in her work. Do you want to know how we met? I was busy one day searching the internet trying to find out how to learn a new art technique and there was her blog with step-by-step directions! I was so excited. Then, amazingly, our paths crossed again. And she was so kind to agree to be on this blog and share her story with us.

“I love all of Psalms 139,” said Barbara. “I have it in my heart.”

She explained how they were the inspiration for these precious jars. “Those verses in particular spoke to me. It is just amazing to me that God thinks about us more than there are grains of sand,” she said.

“I mean, He must just be continually thinking of me! Watching over me, guiding me, loving me. Holding me when I cry, rejoicing when I rejoice. He thinks of me and cares for me every second of every day!”

Isn’t that a beautiful feeling to know that we can feel that way continually? And it is particularly exciting if we have the ability to share that joy within our work as Barbara does.
 
“It is a great way to share Him with others,” said Barbara. “Even the sand in those little jars is beyond my comprehension, and counting.  And yet He thinks of all of us so much more.”

Barbara even imparted this wisdom to her grandchildren. “A little timer in a game is how I shared that with my granddaughters,” said Barbara. “It amazed them that God thought about them that much.”

God really does think of us continually without end! How astounding it is to comprehend this concept. From now on, if I ever have the feeling that He forgot about me, I will think of Barbara’s jars and realize how much He loves me. I will keep that thought forever in my heart.

You can reach Barbara at:

http://treasuresfromtheheartgifts.blogspot.com

Hugs,
Cindy
 

Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

Guest Artist: Maria

Hi Everyone,

I saw this darling card on Maria's site and thought, “Oh my gosh, I should feature other people’s art on here for inspiration.” So, Maria, your cheerfulness came through in your blog, I caught it, and you sparked a new idea!

When people go through their lives with an “attitude of gratitude,” it is amazing how many wonderful things can happen.

In Psalms 9:1 we read, “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart...”
In this instance, the psalmist is telling us how important it is to acknowledge all that we have and to be grateful to our Heavenly Father for our blessings.

Once we start being aware of them, it seems that they “magically” multiply!

So, having gratitude for all that we have--a meal on the table, precious loved ones, even canvases to paint on--is so important.

I moved to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and I was so amazed by the attitude of the people here. They are a testament to inner strength and faith. When I first got here, I met people daily who lost everything, yet each one said, “I’m grateful I’m alive and have my family.” This was after they had lost homes, jobs, furniture, vehicles--you name it--everything was gone.

That is true faith and an “attitude of gratitude” in action. That’s a story that didn’t make the 6 o’clock news. That’s why I’m writing it here, so you can be inspired and be just a little more grateful and hug your families just a little tighter.

Maria's site is:http://bubblegumandducttape.blogspot.com

You are all in my prayers.
Hugs,
Cindy
xoxoxo

Each New Day--A New Birth

Hi Everyone--

Each day is a brand-new gift--a brand-new opportunity to start (or continue) with a joyful attitude....And you know what is so great about a “joyful attitude?” It is catching--others can get it from you!

I would like to share a super-interesting story with you. Five years ago, I attended a teacher conference and there was a dynamic presenter at the event. She asked us a simple question. This is what it was. She said, “Think of all the people you know and think about who your favorite person is....Next, in your mind, think of what makes them your favorite person.”

So, now I will ask you to take a minute and do the same thing. Can you think of ONE person you know who is your favorite person? Once you have that person in mind, can you think of what qualities about them makes them so special?

Take a moment and make the list in your mind....

Please don’t move on until you have those fresh in your mind...You can even jot them down....

What is the first word that came to mind?
What is the second quality?

Only you know what your answers are...but they are valuable.

Now, I will let you in on a little secret....Most people who do this come up with words such as “kind,” “understanding,” “someone who listens to me,” etc.

Here comes the BIG part....Notice you didn’t think, “Oh, this is my favorite person because he/she is handsome/gorgeous.” You also probably didn’t think, “Oh, this is my favorite person because they’re rich or thin.”

Do you see where I’m going with this? In our world today, there is so much emphasis on outward qualities when it is really the inner qualities that make people valuable to us...Likewise, it is those same qualities that make you so valuable to others too!

So, remember our initial idea of cultivating a “joyful attitude?” Now, you can probably see why it is so important to yourself--and to others--to share your joy with them.

I am so happy that you are here. I hope that it is inspiring for you....I will keep each and every one of you in my prayers--I promise.

Hugs,
Cindy

A Sanctuary of Your Own

Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God knew who we were before we were in the womb. That means He is a personal God who cares about us. Luke 12:7 tells us that God even knows the number of hairs on our heads.

What we have is a very personal God who cares about our joys, fears, and tears.
At times, you may have even asked where God was when you went through a difficult
time. All the while, He was right there asking for you to turn to Him.

Think back for a moment to different events that happened in your life...times when a bill miraculously got paid...times when you were offered help from “out of nowhere.” That was God working through your life.

We all need a “sanctuary,” a place to call our own and receive spiritual nourishment. I have created this blog so that you would have a place to get in touch with your own spiritual journey and come along on mine.

For some time now, I have wanted to have a prayer group in my home. Then, one day it dawned on me that people everywhere could use prayer and inspiration...and little space of joy and sharing...a place to be "real," to connect to others because we really are in this together!

Each time someone I know tells me that a prayer has been answered, my heart warms and I jump for joy. I know that you must feel the same way. Someone else's happiness and answers to prayer can be contagious!

My list of "followers" for this blog are part of my prayer list. I pray for each and every one of you. Please keep in touch and let me know how things are going. If you've had an answer to prayer--no matter how small--feel free to share it here. I would love
to hear it. I want this to be a true place of caring and sharing.
Hugs,
Cindy

A Surprise Tag on my Front Door

The other day, I arrived home after running some errands and there was a tag on my front door. I thought it was a notice perhaps telling me that a package had arrived, although I was not expecting one.

Then, I looked closer and realized that people from a local church, First Baptist Church of Chalmette, had left me a message informing me that visitors had come and prayed for my home and its inhabitants. What a wonderful idea! I felt so blessed.

That special gesture made me realize that I needed to start a blog to tell people that I would join them in prayer if they needed it. Sometimes we are lucky that life seems to “glide along” as if we had an unlimited supply of spiritual gasoline. But other times, there are obstacles in our way. They can come in the form of bills, family illness, and other issues. At those times, it is comforting to know that there are others who would be happy to join us in prayer.

No, I won’t be placing a tag on your door, but I would be happy to pray for you.

If you would like to come here for inspiration, please make yourself at home often and join me in gratefulness for all that the Lord has done for us.

Grow in the Lord

A few weeks ago, there was an art challenge from Mind Wide Open that provided a "prompt" from Gail, the wonderful owner of the blog who used the word "grow." I stopped to think what that meant to me and the first thing that came to my mind was "Grow in the Lord."

Then, tonight I was blessed with a very special experience. I came in contact with a group of young people who came here on a mission to New Orleans to help with the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. They worked so hard and most importantly, they worked with such joy! I thought that was such a wonderful testament to their faith. They wanted to be beacons--and they are!

If we could all look for small ways to inspire people in our lives, we would grow also. It could be as simple as making a phone call and saying to a friend, "You know, I am thinking about you."

I have an aunt who is active in a prayer group. She has made it a point in her life to make a difference even if she is at the grocery store. If someone she talks to casually mentions a problem, she asks them if they need a prayer. She doesn't mind praying right in the grocery! You see, we can each be a beacon anywhere that we are.

There are so many people out there--people like you and me--who need a prayer and that is why I created this blog. If you need someone to pray for you, just leave me a message. I would be happy to do so. You are not alone. You have a caring Father who hears your heart.

If you would just like to leave a note to say "hi" that would mean the world to me too.

Please come back and visit often as I will have Bible verses and stories of inspiration.

Welcome to my blog

I have created this spot to be a place of inspiration, so I decided to start with one of my favorite Bible verses. I believe that it shows how God wants the best things for our lives. Just like many of you who are reading this, I have seen evidence of God working through my life. And I have also come face to face with the power of prayer.

Feel free to leave me comments as I believe we each inspire each other. If you need prayer, I would be happy to pray for you.