Knit and Crochet Bible Study

Month: December 2009

  • A Christmas Story

    I love the festivity around Christmas, with the lights, decorations, the songs and the many family gatherings. 

    I am very fortunate when it comes to family. I am part of 5 living generations: I have the privilege of having my grandparents as well as my own grandchildren.

    This year was the first year in many decades that extended family did not meet at my grandparents’ home to share Christmas Eve. It wasn’t because of their health, it was because a winter storm hit that kept everyone in their homes. As the storm continued Christmas day was spent home with immediate family instead of with my mother and siblings.. It is reported to be the first time it has snowed on Christmas day in the Kansas City area in 37 years.

    This made Christmas much more restful than previous years.  I was able to relax and focus on Luke 2 which  tells the story of the glorious birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  My heart went out to the young woman, alone in a town so crowded there was no room to offer a bed that she and her fiance were offered a place in a barn where they could rest. During the night, alone and far away from home, she gave birth to a child that would give his life that she and all mankind could have life.

    My family and I were able to stay in touch during though we were snowbound, thanks to telephones and the internet.  Mary had no such technology and could not contact her mother. With no internet or cell phones, word of this miraculous birth spread through angels. Shepherds in a nearby field heard the angels and went to welcome the newborn baby.

    Christmas is now over, the wrappings are thrown away, gifts are placed in closets or strewn across the floor. The tree is coming down and furniture put back in its place. Everyone is back to work.

    But the reason for Christmas remains.  Christ did not remain a child, laying in a manger. For unto you is born this day, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord  Luke 2:11.  He was born to bring you new life.  He lived,grew in stature and in wisdom, proclaimed God’s love, suffered, died, and conquered death. He is working, preparing a place for you in heaven.

    As Christ came to offer new life, we prepare for the beginning of new year. If you are like me, you have a stash of yarn and a stack of patterns waiting to be put to use; probably several unfinished projects as well.  In Christ you are a project, being perfected each day, another stitch here, a complete row there, even a little ripping back.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.. Eph 2:10NASB.

    As you look at your next project, I hope you will be reminded that you, too, are a project; you are a masterpiece created by the Lord God. He knows your heart; He shares your hurts, sorrows and pain; He rejoices with you in each victory of your life and joy you experience. May you grow closer to Him with each passing day.

    Wishing you bountiful blessings of love from God in 2010.

    TerryAnn

  • Salvation Colors Afghan – WHITE

    How is your afghan coming along?  Have you found a pattern you really like and want to incorporate it into other projects?

    I am sitting here watching the snow fall. The world around me is transformed as I watch the flurries fall from the sky’; as I see the white blanket the covers the land; and I watch the window pane frost over from the cold.  It lays a beautiful carpet of white on the ground and glistens.  I don’t mind the snow, as long as I can comfortably stay inside my warm home. 🙂

    The knitting pattern for this panel is called snowflake and seems appropriate for today.  The crochet pattern is called popcorn.  A large bowl of freshly popped corn is a favorite snack, especially when watching a movie.  A time to sit back and relax and enjoy.

    White, in the Salvation Colors, stands for purity, a clean heart.  The purity of Christ offers us the cleansing we receive when washed in His blood.  “He  appeared that He may take away our sins. In Him is no sin. (1 John 3:5 NIV)

    1 John 3:3 reminds us to look for this purity in our lives.  All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own. (MSG)

    May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers. (1 Thes 3:13MSG)

    Download the pattern for knit and crochet here.  (A PDF reader is required)

      

  • Jesus is Better than Santa

    With Christmas here, REMEMBER:
    Jesus is Better than Santa   (author unknown)
    Santa lives at the North Pole.
    JESUS is everywhere.

    Santa rides in a sleigh
    JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

    Santa comes but once a year
    JESUS is an ever present help.

    Santa fills your stockings with goodies
    JESUS supplies all your needs.

    Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
    JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

    You have to stand in line to see Santa
    JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

    Santa lets you sit on his lap
    JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

    Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, What’s your name?”
    JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

    Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
    JESUS has a heart full of love.

    All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
    JESUS offers health, help and hope.

    Santa says “You better not cry”
    JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

    Santa’s little helpers make toys
    JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

    Santa may make you chuckle but
    JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

    While Santa puts gifts under your tree
    JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

    It’s obvious there is really no comparison.  We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about — Jesus is still the reason for the season.

    May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2009
    And may He bless the work of your hands in the New Year 2010

  • Happy Birthday Jesus

    I am editing the post for this month’s panel in the Salvation Colors afghan.  How are you doing? Are you keeping up? 

    I ran across a post today I want to share with you, it’s along the lines of what we are doing with the afghan.  It’s a Happy Birthday Jesus cake with colors to represent Salvation. 

    You can find the post by clicking here.

    The chocolate layer reminds us that we are sinful.
    The red layer reminds us that Jesus shed his blood for our sins.
    The white frosting reminds us that Jesus has given us a clean heart.
    The green layer reminds us to grow in Christ.
    The yellow decorations remind us of heaven.
    The candles remind us Jesus is the Light of the World.

    Wishing you a very, Merry Christmas and praying you will be blessed with the abundance of God’s love in 2010.

  • Salvation Colors Afghan – PURPLE

    Purple in the Salvation Colors represents royalty.

    Christ was born to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The disciples expected him to set up a kingdom here on earth and were bewildered at the events that led to his death.  But God had a plan that they could not understand.

    Jesus did not wear the robes of royalty here on earth, He did not adorn his hands with diamonds and other jewels. But He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and preparing a place for us in his heavenly kingdom.

    The stitch pattern for knit and for crochet is called diamonds. I thought it appropriate for this color.  Diamonds are used to represent commitment in a marriage vow. Jesus has committed His life life for ours.

    The patterns chosen here are a bit more difficult than the others. At least for me, they required more concentration than the previous ones. Take your time and watch the diamonds appear in the panel.

    Download the pattern for knit and crochet here. (A PDF reader is required)

     

  • How To: Weave in ends

    Last week I posted about the importance of weaving in ends when completing a knit or crochet project.  I also looked at how we need to weave God’s word securely into our hearts.

    Today I received this interesting post by Knitting Daily with tips and ideas on weaving in those ends that I thought I’d pass along to you.  (click here for article)

    The tips come from the book Fearless Knitting by Jennifer Seiffert.

  • Weave In Ends

    I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV

    Every knit and crochet pattern includes the direction  “weave in ends”.

    No project is complete without getting the stitches off the hook or needle and then weaving in the ends. You cannot work a project without having loose ends.

    It is important that the ends are finished off in a manner that secures them and hides them in the work. If the ends come loose they may unravel the project. You’ve seen those cartoons where the woman is sitting in a rocking chair, knitting away, when her husband, child, or pet unknowingly snags the yarn and takes off running. ripping apart the work in progress row after row after row.

    God’s word must be securely woven into our hearts so that our lives will not become unraveled.

    I am God’s workmanship, his masterpiece, according to Ephesians 2:10.God is putting the finishing touches on the work he has begun (see Romans 13:12)

    Do you have Scripture memorized and readily able to quote when needed?  I must confess, I have fallen behind in memorization with the technology that offers up the Bible on my phone or PC with just a few clicks. If I don’t recall the verse, I just type a few words in the search box and viola the words are right in front of me.

    I am starting to see that as a bad habit, like leaving yarn ends hanging out. The words are not woven securely into my heart.

    Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  Psalm 27:3  That confidence and peace that comes from God’s Word must first be there in order to be effective.

    God’s Word, not just His general idea needs to be woven into my heart, securing the work in process that I am.

    Now, I am challenging myself to memorize a verse for every yarn end I weave in.  How about you? Is God’s Word woven deep in your heart, holding you securely through each day?