Knit and Crochet Bible Study

Category: Encouragement

  • It Came Undone

    A few years ago I made a spiderweb afghan for my grandson. He loved that aghan. He could use it as a cape or wrap up and hide in it.

    spideyghan_cape spideyghan_caught spideyghan_hiding

    —Okay, before you ask, you want the pattern.  I got the pattern free. I checked the link and it is no longer valid.  It is written by ‘Gail of Sitch ‘n Frog”  I did find it on allfreecrochetafghanpatterns.com .  I hope it is a legitimate share.—

    Then one day he brought it back to me.  There is a whole section where the yarn broke!

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    I was devastated!  I made my 1st afghan when I was 11 or 12. My grandmother taught me the granny square. I have never, in over 40 years of making afghans had this happen.

    Life happens like that too.  I get things all lined up exactly as I want them, my TO DO lists all prioritized and I am ready for the day. Then suddenly, life comes undone. It could start with a phone call or email, pain could tell me my body is not going to participate that day, a pipe bursts, an unexpected bill arrives…… you get the idea.

    Jesus was often interrupted. He walks through a town and crowds chase after Him.  He stops to rest and a group gathers. He tries to sleep and is awakened. He never let the interruption stop Him from doing what He had to do.

    How do you respond when your life becomes undone like the afghan?

    I recently read a book about a woman who looked at her life become UNDONE. It is written by Michelle Cushatt.  As she reflects on the various interruptions in her life where she unraveled and became undone, you will surely relate.

    With fear and trepidation I worked at the undone area. I carefully picked up each broken thread and gathered it together, hoping I didn’t unravel it further. Gently I stitched through, around, under, and over the large area.  It appeared to hold, but left a scar on the pattern.

    I sent the blanket home with my grandson asking him to tell me if it didn’t hold. I would try something different.

    Just like everything else in my life, when a thread unravels the choices are to ignore it and set it aside, or fix it and move on.

    The disciples thought everything Jesus would be undone at the crucifixion. But the empty tomb made a difference. The veil was ripped, but new life promised was a possibility.

    God is never too busy to stitch your unraveled life if you bring it to him.  He is never surprised either. He is waiting for you to bring it to him. Will you hand it over?

  • Through My Headset – Precious Memories

    Today I am listening to music.  I was busy pulling out piles I created in an effort to declutter and I came across a cassette album I cherish – Precious Moments by Steve and Annie Chapman.

    I received this one day many years ago when in a very difficult time in my life.  I played this over and over. I cried every time.

    In all my declutter piles today would you believe I have NO CASSETTE PLAYER!!  I can’t believe it either.

    So…….. remembering how much I was blessed by the songs of Steve and Annie Chapman, I went to amazon and ordered the MP3 album.  It is now playing on a loop.  It touches my heart as much today as it did all those years ago.

    If you would like to be blessed by it, here is a link to album. Keep the kleenex near by. You may have to wipe away a few tears to see your stitches 🙂

  • Through My Headset – Undone

    Not all my books are audio. I have just completed a preview of a soon-to-be-released book from Michele Cushatt titled “UNDONE”. The book looks at her life and is subtitled “A story of making peace with an unexpected life”.

    So many unexpected things happen in our lives. A phone call from a doctor, loss of a job, busted water pipes, a sick child.

    In scripture we are promised “life abundant” not “a bed of roses” (however, even a rose garden is filled with thorns)

    undoneMichele takes you through many of her unexpected happenings with family, work, cancer, and just life in general. 

    I was able to relate to much of her story. Even if I did not experience an event exactly as she did, I could equate her emotions to happenings in my own life.

    When I started reading, I picked up some post-it note tags and marked places I related to or wanted to share. The book is filled with neon pink stickers. Way to many to share; but enough to remind me I am not alone.

    Anyone who has experienced life, will be able to relate to her story. She reacts to life’s events much as I would, much as I believe many of you would. Her journey to finding how to deal with these events with God’s peace in encouraging. Accepting His peace doesn’t usually come with a snap of the finger as we would hope; it comes in time, in learning to trust, in accepting, in being made undone.

    I highly recommend this book. You can find details on her website: http://undonebook.com/

    P.S.  I received a preview copy of this book for promotion and review purposes. No compensation was made and these words are my own opinion.

  • Where Two or More Are Gathered

    Wherever two or more are gathered….there will be conflict.

    It is fun to gather with others, spend time with our yarn projects and share our lives. Even when these gatherings are in an effort to share in Bible Study or just meet in a God honoring fashion, conflicts and difficulties arise. 
    caryn_holding_hands_with_friend_lg_clrI have received emails from people asking how to deal with various situations that have risen in their gatherings.  Unfortunately, where people gather, conflict will be present.  So how do you handle the conflicts?

    I would like to share with you some ideas for learning to deal with others that I have used to help me. Please note, I have no affiliation with any of these.  At the time I posted each link they led to a valid, instructional item.  As you should with all links, use your judgment when clicking through.

    This video series from FaithGateway are very informative and demonstrate various encounters, then discuss ways to deal with them.   CLICK HERE

    Sometimes, we just say the wrong thing.  With women together there are often comments between married and single individuals. This article helps to understand not all comments meant to be encouraging are encouraging.  CLICK HERE

    What conflicts occur with your groups?  How are they handled? Share your thoughts and comments below.

  • Pride vs People Pleasing

    I read an article recently (I can’t find it again so I can’t link it. When I do find it again I will edit this post).  Anyway…..

    The article called ‘people pleasing’ a form of ‘pride’.

    This caught me off guard. I never thought myself prideful. To me being prideful meant creating a ‘look at me’ attitude.  But people pleasing? That is definitely me. I have always tried to make everyone happy, to the expense of my own happiness.

    Now I have to consider one is the same as the other. It got me thinking.

    1 Thessalonians 4:1 instructs us to live to ‘please God’.  Galatians 1:10 asks “am I trying to please God, or man?”  I am now asking myself this very question.

    I think it is time to re-evaluate my thinking. What are your thoughts? Is pleasing others a prideful thing?

  • Repeating the Mistakes

    I am working on a pattern which included the instruction to complete a number of rows in stockinette stitch, then switch to a smaller size needle to begin a ribbing pattern.

    Easy enough. I finished the final purl row of the stockinette and picked up the smaller needle. I completed one row of ribbing then turned the project and continued in pattern. OOPPSS!! I forgot to pick up the 2nd smaller needle and completed 7 rows with two needles of different size. Time to frog!!!!

    I am working on socks, so of course a 2nd one had to be made. I MADE THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN!!! Ugh.

    It would be okay if this happened only in knitting, but it doesn’t.  I decide to quit eating junk food, then find myself finishing off a bag of candy; I decide to exercise daily and realize it has been a week; I vow to stand firm in the faith and pass by an opportunity to share Christ’s love once again.

    I find myself stuck in the mire of my failures. If I focus on those failures I will definitely repeat them.  Matthew 6:21 tells us “where your treasure is,  your heart will be also.” That could apply to where your mind is as well.  If your mind is on the negative, the heart will follow.

    I must force myself to “forget what is behind, strain toward what is ahead” as Paul proclaims in Phil 3:13 or perhaps as Isaiah 43:18 declares “forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.”  If I do not, I will become depressed and withdrawn.

    Paul continues “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (vs 14).  Today I open my eyes to a new day and new opportunities. This day has not yet been written. Yesterday’s mistakes are gone.  “I will sing of your love and strength each morning (Ps  59:16)

    It is morning, a new day. Bring it on Lord!! As long as we are stitched together, there will be no frogging.

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  • You Will Survive

    Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourself.  Rom 12:10 NIV      

    It is easy to proclaim your love for Christ when life is good.  But it is in the hard times that you find the strength of His love.

    One of the hardest battles is cancer in any of its many forms. In my own life I lost a sister as a child to cancer that formed in the brain; a very dear friend battled breast cancer and won, then it returned 2 more times before she went to her home in heaven; and my father joined them after fighting lung cancer and its return in other parts of the body.

    Maybe that is one reason I love and appreciate this free pattern I found online.  This shawl makes a wonderful gift for man, woman or child. It is a quiet expression of your love and concern for the recipient. The pattern is called the “Survivor’s Ribbon Shawl” and offers 2 options: with or without crosses.  SurvivorShawl-leukemia SurvivorShawl-pinkjpg

     

    The pattern also includes a list of the various colors and the diseases linked to each color, a prayer, and care instructions.

    It is difficult to struggle through the cancer in your body. It is also difficult to  watch someone you love as they struggle through. I found this article from CancerCenter on talking with someone with cancer that might be helpful.

    And above all else, pray.  Accept the strength and peace that is beyond all understanding. You are not alone.

  • God Loves You…and so do I

    It’s Valentine’s Day 2014.  I have never been a big fan of Valentine’s Day. I don’t like the idea that on this day you have to have someone in your life who loves you and you have to give/receive elaborate gifts of love.

    If you are single and not dating, it is a day on the calendar where your status stands out

    If you have a ‘significant other’ you are watched and hounded “what did he/she get you” and “what did you get for him/her” ?

    There are so many ways to show someone you love them.  I believe quality time and kind words are a wonderful expression of love. 

    Many times I prefer that over a material gift. Try telling someone in answer to the ‘what did he give you’ question that ‘he sat with me holding my hand watching a movie’. It just doesn’t fit what the holiday has become and movies have taught us.

    One way I express love is with homemade items: baked, sewn, knit, crocheted. Recently there was a photo going around facebook with a picture of crocheted items and the words

    “All I got from her was a crocheted hat and scarf. Jeez.”

    Fact: That gift of love cost your friend a minimum of $12 to make (each skein of yarn being approximately $5-$6, nowadays), and about the same number of hours to create. And, while she worked on that gift for you, she thought about you. <3

    If I make something for you, it is because I care about you and I want to give to you a part of me.

    God gave us a special gift: His Son, Jesus Christ.  Many have declared that John 3:16 is God’s valentine to us.

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    God tells us every day He loves us. He doesn’t need a special day on the calendar. He doesn’t need a celebration. He is reaching out to you with His love. Have you accepted it?

    Even though I have not crocheted something for each of you, I wish each you a Happy Valentine’s Day.

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  • Color My World

     

    You made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun that knows how to set. – Psalm 104.19 NLT

    I love autumn. I love the colors in the trees as they prepare for their sleep. Here in the Midwest the reds and oranges and yellows all flow together to create a beautiful scene. (I now admire then from afar since a tree fell on my car as I passed by along a frontage road a couple of months ago.)

     

    Only God could paint this beautiful scene.  It is amazing to me the difference in the landscape by just a simple change of color.

    Color makes a difference in our knit and crochet projects too.  Have you looked at a pattern and stared at the picture the designer includes thinking, ‘no, that doesn’t impress me’ only to find a finished project someone else did from that same pattern in different colors? When I see the new colors it looks to me like an entirely different project and I am excited to try the design.

    We live in a great time with technology and crafts. If you have not yet found RAVELRY or CRAFTSY, I’d like to invite you to check them out. Both are free websites. You can look around without signing up but if you sign up for a free account you can participate in conversations and also upload pictures of your own work.  On both of these sites you can link your finished project to a designers pattern. With a few clicks on your keyboard you can see what color schemes others have chosen for a project and how different interpretations reflect the same pattern.

    This week take time to admire the beauty of the season that God has created around you, then search for a project to inspire your own creativity.

     

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    P.S. If you are on Ravelry or Craftsy, you can find me listed as “BearyAnn”.

  • Rip-it Rip-it Rip-it

    When I tell my knit/crochet groups that pulling out a large number of stitches is called “FROGGING” they usually laugh.

    Why is it called “FROGGING”?   –  Because you ‘rip it, rip it, rip it”

    There are many times I’d like to ‘FROG’ events from my life.  Like the past couple of months.  First I hit another car. Just dented her bumper but destroyed my front end. We got another car and had a blow out which left us stranded until we could find someone to help. It seems the jack had disappeared from the car. Then a few weeks after that a tree fell along a side road and hit my car in the process as I was driving by.Damage over $1800!!  Enough!!  I don’t want to get in a car right now.

    Is there something in your life you’d like to ‘FROG’? Many of you are suffering financial problems, health issues, difficult family situations and much more.

    Recently a small group I participate in had a discussion about the verse ‘God doesn’t give you more than you can handle’.  Where is that verse located?  We searched and searched; guess what. THERE IS NO SUCH VERSE.  We are promised

    “no temptation more than you can stand. “When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so you can endure”. (1 Cor 10:13).

    This is speaking of temptation, not struggles.In fact, Scripture promises there will be troubles in our lives.

    “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” (John 16:33NLT)

    “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (1Pet 4:12NLT)

    We will experience more troubles than we can handle. If we could handle our problems on our own we wouldn’t need God!!

    “Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. he will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (Psa 55:22NLT)

    “He comforts us in all out troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (1 Cor 1:4NLT)

    John 16:33 ends with Christ reminding us

    “Take heart, for I have overcome the world”.

    If you think that because you are a follow of Christ your life should be all blooming roses and pretty rainbows, I want to remind you that Paul wrote many of his letters to new Christians while in a jail cell; Jesus was beaten and crucified.

    Life is filled with many difficulties and many rewards. The greatest reward of all is the ‘peace that passes all understanding’ when we put Christ first in our lives. It is a gift we can accept if we choose to accept it.

    “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27NLT)

    Next time your life needs some ‘frogging’ turn to God and give him your burden. Let Him stitch some peace into your life as He holds your hand through it.

    Stitched in His love,

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    BearyAnn, a citizen of heaven (Heb 13:14) straining toward what is ahead (Phil 3:13); bearing witness of Christ (Jn 1:7) anxiously awaiting his return (1 Cor 1:7)