Knit and Crochet Bible Study

Tag: bible study

  • Daily Contact

    I recently read a post by author and speaker, Kay Arthur of Precept Ministries that reads:

    What difference does it make if you’re not in the Word of God on a daily basis? It makes a critical difference. It’s the difference between a Hi-how-are-You?-By the-way-I’ve-been-meaning-to-tell-You relationship with God and a deep intimacy with your heavenly Father. Check out Psalm 119:2, “How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.”
    I spoke with a friend on the phone today, we discussed how difficult it is to talk and be mindful of one another when we don’t talk for a long period of time.
    I can’t imagine a day going by without speaking to my husband, our relationship is very special and constant contact with each other solidifies our commitment.
    Looking at how daily contact is so important makes me ashamed that I am so far behind in sending out the newsletter and even posting on the blogs.
    I had surgery on my back in July of 2010 and unfortunately I received no relief from the pain so I had a second surgery in March of this year. I neglected my knitting and crochet, I neglected contacting my friends, I neglected my prayer life and I neglected contact with all of you.
    While still in pain, I am taking charge to seek reconnection with all.
    I have pulled out the yarn, needles and hooks; I have started writing or calling friends, and I am writing to you now. Notice the verse in Psalm 119:2 says “those who seek him”.  Those words imply action. I must seek Him. God is always there, reaching out to me, but He will not force Himself on my life. I must in turn reach to Him.
    I must also seek contact with you. So I am starting over and will be blogging again.  I have a number of posts started waiting for me to finish.
    So grab your hooks, your needles, your yarn and your Bibles. Let’s get back together.

  • Goal Setting

    “The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.’” (Ps. 32:8 NLT)

    In January I made a list of what I want to accomplish in 2011.  I figured if I did a plan for the year instead of a “resolution” I might accomplish it more easily.

    I made three columns: (1) My Personal Life  (2) Knit and Crochet Bible Study (3) Crafting

    I considered, as many do when a new year rolls around, reading the Bible in a year. I have tried this and after a few weeks, I miss one day, then another, then I am so far behind I get frustrated and give up. I found a group on Facebook that is reading the New Testament in 2011 reading one chapter a day Monday through Friday. If you like to check it out there is the link:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Read-the-New-Testament-in-2011/185576411468685

    For Knit and Crochet Bible Study I had planned to start a once a month radio show/podcast. Perhaps I can get started in February.

    My crafting leaves a lot to be desired.  I have started quite a few projects. Every day new patterns come to me through email, online groups, facebook and twitter that I get excited and jump on in.  I hope during this upcoming blizzard (yes, they are using the word blizzard in the forecast) I can just sit down and finish a few.  Maybe by stating it here I can be accountable to you.

    There is another personal goal: draw closer to God. The verse above, Psalm 32:8 “The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.’”  He will guide, but I must follow. How many times He points me in one direction and I see pretty flowers along another path that I rush toward.  As He leads I slow down a bit, I stop awhile as He goes forward. I have to run to catch up.  I can understand the Israelites roaming in the desert. God led them, but they wandered other directions. It’s so easy to do, isn’t it?

    So, one month into the new year I have fallen behind in some areas, but I know that the Good Shepherd will not leave me behind.  He will take my hand and draw me to the still, calm waters where I can rest. And that place of rest is better than any flower patch along the road I can find. 

    So, how about you? In a few hours January 2011 will be in the past. Are you frustrated about your own goals? How are you encouraged?  Comment below and/or on the Facebook discussion tab.

  • My Merry Christmas Card and a Present

    My wall looks very bare.  In past years Christmas cards lined the hallway wall, representing best wishes from family and friends

    As a child I watched as my mother proudly displayed each card after reading it. Many were filled with pictures and long notes of the year gone by. As I set up my own home and started my family, I followed in her footsteps.

    Ah, but alas, the world of technology has taken over. Combine the technology of facebook and the rising cost of postage, the past few years cards have become scarce. Today, only a few cards are displayed.

    Don’t get me wrong, I like facebook and the world that technology has opened up. That technology has paid the bills in my home for many years.

    With nearly 200 people who ‘like’  the “Knit and Crochet Bible Study” on facebook and over 900 on twitter, I certainly cannot use the United States Postal Service to send each of you a card. – hmmm. 1150 people times 44 cents each…..add the 2, carry the 7, double the 9….. that’s $484.00!!

    So I thought about a gift. If cards are nearly $500 I certainly can’t send all of you a gift. BUT… what if…..  I have been telling you about the yarn my father-in-law has sent me. I’ve heard from some who say they are jealous and would love to receive boxes like that. One person even said she’d rather have a skein of yarn than a birthday card! This got me to thinking.   I am going to put together a gift package of yarn and I don’t know what else. I’ll find some other accessories for the package. How do you get it?

    To qualify for the drawing to receive this package, leave a comment below. One per person with this exception.  If you make a comment on the Knit and Crochet facebook page, then leave a comment here linking to the facebook comment.  Now you have 2 entries.  Want a third one? Tweet that you like Knit and Crochet Bible Study -@KnitnBibleStudy – then leave a comment here with a link to the tweet ( @KnitnBibleStudy and the hashtag #kcbspresent must be included in the tweet). There you have it, 3 chances. All entries must be in by midnight December 24. I will use random dot org to choose a winner on Christmas day.  I will send the winner an email and post it on facebook and twitter.

    Now on to your Christmas Card. So what could I do that would be a special Christmas greeting to all with a story of what is happening in my life?  In comes Jon Acuff.   I follow Jon’s blog “Stuff Christians Like“.  He is a funny writer. He is now working with Dave Ramsey.  Jon just released his book “Gazells, Baby Steps and 7 Other Things Dave Ramsey Taught Me About Debt“.  He offered to write a Christmas card if his book was pre-ordered. So, I did. (I have since received the book and laughed all the way through it, realizing how true this thoughts were.)

    So here is my Christmas card letter, as written by Jon Acuff.  Merry Christmas to all. And to all, some good yarn.

    Dear friends & family,
    My name is Jon Acuff and recently on my blog I offered to write Christmas cards for people. I am happy to say that TerryAnn took me up on the offer. Why? Well, she’s probably really busy. For one thing, she’s on the edge of her 10 year wedding anniversary. For another she has found a creative way to incorporate crafting into the study of the Bible. That’s no easy feat. Be honest, did you ever read the book of Joel and think, “I could see finding a creative way to use these verses in a craft application?” Probably not, and neither did I. But TerryAnn is creative that way and so is her husband. He’s a Trekie and Scrabble enthusiast. Thus far he has not found the tie between the Old Testament and Star Trek, but if someone can it will be him.

    Thanks Jon. Wishing all of you a very blessed and merry Christmas.

  • What is a Knit & Crochet Bible Study?

    Take a look at your Bible Study group. Everyone sits around a table or in some group setting. Bibles are open and pens are poised for note taking. Some will say very little, fearful of sounding unintelligent. Others willingly share their knowledge and ideas. But the focus is the Lord.

    Now take a look at the knitting or crochet group. Everyone sits around, project in hand, with conversation and laughter around. The ease of the setting makes it easy to talk and share.

    Let’s combine the two. Take the ease and comfort from the knitting/crochet group setting and add the conversation guidelines of the Bible Study which is to be focused on the Lord. While the others are working on projects, one person reads the lesson and scripture. Discussion questions are stated.

    With the relaxed atmosphere and hook or needles in hand, a sense of sharing instead of studying prevails. For many having the project in hand makes it more comfortable to join in. Insights are made with in depth discussions into how the Word has affected the lives of those involved.

    That is a Knit and Crochet Bible Study. A few guidelines are stated up front:

    All conversation must be God honoring. This is not a stitch and bitch session. Are you mad at your husband or children? You can speak but no demeaning words may be spoken. Male bashing will not be allowed.

    You must be respectful of all persons whether in the room or not.

    Prayer requests are confidential. They are not to be discussed outside the group. They are not to be forwarded with email.

    Prayer requests must not be something that would be harmful information about another. Every family has secrets. Honor those secrets. Seek counsel from your pastor or another trusted person on a one-to-one basis.

    Respect each others view. Don’t argue the gospel. Don’t speculate on the gospel. Use the Word as written.

    There is only one gospel, but when it comes to knitting and crochet, there are many techniques. Just because someone doesn’t do the stitch or hold the yarn the same way you do doesn’t make them wrong. Work together without criticism of needlework abilities.

    And there you have a Knit and Crochet Bible Study.

    With that that in mind, grab your Bible, yarn, needles and/or your hooks; let’s get started.

  • Why the Knit Crochet Bible Study Books are computer files & not printed books

    Several years ago my husband introduced me to reading e-books on my computer or phone. I have enjoyed it. I could stand in line at the DMV or grocery store or at the doctors office and have my book on my phone ready to read while waiting. Less cost, easy to manage.

    When I started working on the lessons for the Knit and Crochet Bible Study we discussed fees and the idea of putting out the book as a PDF file quickly proved the most cost effective, especially in these economically challenging days.

    Whether you purchase one or both current books, you receive a notification with a link., From here, download the files to your computer. But that is not the best part.

    Have you participated in Bible Study which required each person involved to buy the book and maybe even the  additional workbook? This can run into considerable expense with each individual possibly running from $10 – $25 or more.

    Once you purchase from Knit and Crochet Bible Study, you have copyright permission to print as many copies as you need for your local group. So the breakdown looks like this:

    Purchase one of the books: cost $27   ($37 if both are purchased together)

    Now, you want to offer up a class at your local church. You have 10 people sign up so you can legally print 10 copies.  You can choose how to bind them. One suggestion I like is to print these on front and back, 3 hole punch, place in a binder.  You can charge each participant $5 if you choose, whatever the cost of printing is.  Then when you do the 2nd class, copy the second book front and back page, 3 hold punch, add to the same notebook as previous class.

    You have full control of the fees.  Now you want to offer the first class again. No need to order any more books, you still have permission to print for your local group, so copy again.

    No extra books to keep in storage or return to the publisher. Printing cost whether you go to Kinkos or print at your local church, are all predictable.

    The cost effective method and low key format allows women to learn new trades, share their craft knowledge with others and expand their abilities. It also allows for less threatening setting allowing someone who has never participated in a Bible Study.

    This is a great opportunity for intergenerational learning. A Titus 2 setting is created.

    Additional class studies can also be created from the stories in the monthly e-newsletter Purls and Chains of Wisdom.

     

    For Email Marketing you can trust

    If you’d like more information on the books, click here.

    KCBS_2bkcovers

  • The Shepherd I Shall Not Want

    Years ago when I first learned of Psalm 23 I was quite confused

    You see, the Sunday School  teacher was saying this is a passage that offers comfort. For me it offered something else to worry about.

    I read and memorized the first line “The Lord is Shepherd I shall not want.  In my immature mind, I kept thinking this said I don’t want this shepherd. I couldn’t figure out why the  teacher was talking like this was an encouraging passage.  Then the next verse said “He makes me lie down in green pastures”.  He MAKES me lie down, like when I was in trouble and got sent to my room.

    As I grew and matured in stature and in God, I understood the true message. My needs are met by my Lord.  He cares for me.  He helps me to rest when I am weary and keep running in circles.

    Another thing I learned about the first verse of Psalm 23 is to look at punctuation. There is a comma after The Lord is my Shepherd which separates it from the thought following -I shall not want.

    That’s what Bible Study offers; a chance to grow in the knowledge of the Lord. I asked questions, listened to sermons, talked with other believers. I learned more about this Shepherd they spoke of.   I had to become familiar with God to understand His Word.

    The same goes for reading a knit or crochet pattern. I had to learn what PSSO stood for, and watch for commas and parenthesis in phrases like K2, (K, P, K, P, K)all in next st, pass second, third, fourth and fifth sts on right needle over first st, K2.    Or how about  Ch 1, turn; work FPsc around first 5 dc, *dc in next dc, (sc in next dc, dc in next dc) twice, work FPsc around next 5 dc; repeat from * across.

    Pattern reading , like Bible Study takes time and commitment. You must learn to see not only the words, but the punctuation and the context of each passage. Context is very important. In patterns and in Scripture you need to know what is happening around the verse. My friend, Debi Stack, loves to tell about her favorite ‘out of context’ verse; Deuteronomy 14:26 Use the money to buy anything you want.  This is great verse to take with me when I head to the mall, but not exactly what is being commanded.

    Sometimes a passage of Scripture, like a pattern, is understood more clearly if read aloud. At other times it may require speaking to someone with more knowledge. With today’s technology you can search online for errata (pattern corrections); you may also contact the designer in person via email or website contact.

    Don’t become discouraged if the Scripture is confusing. Stop, take a deep breath, read it slowly, out loud, and take notes; meditate on His Word.  Most importantly, don’t give up; reach out and take the hand of the Shepherd you DO want and rest in Him.

    Keep your eyes on Jesus , who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed, that exhilarating finish in and with God. he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there , in the place of honor, right alongside God.  – Hebrews 12:2

    NOTE: If you’d like to see the full stitch pattern to those referenced above, check out the post dated today called “Stitch Patterns

  • My TO-DO list

    For God so loved the world He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

    My name is TerryAnn, and I am stackaholic

    I am full of ideas of things I want to make or do. Every day I scour the internet for more ideas and then I add them to my  stack of To Dos. I print them off or make a note and add it to a stack so I can find it easily when I gather the supplies. This stack of things to do is so large it currently has a bookcase, several shelves and my desk so covered I don’t need to worry about dusting because you cannot see them.

    Unfortunately my TO DO list is ten times longer than my GOT IT DONE list.

    I am already pulling out patterns for items I want to make as Christmas gifts: afghans, dish towels, hats, etc

    I am working on granny squares for my local Knit and Crochet Bible Study group to make blankets, scarves and slippers..

    There are 4 boys within my family and friends circle that will be born within a couple months of each other. Baby items are on the list.

    My sister wants snowmen she can add to her holiday table display.

    I am trying to make teddy bears to add to my etsy store.

    I need to write another bible study.

    I have to clean the house and do laundry.

    I must catch up on writing newsletters and sending them out in a timely manner.

    And the list goes on and on.

    There is nothing on this list  that will be life changing if I do not complete them.

    However, there is one thing that is life changing and makes a life/death difference. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.

    You see, Romans 3:23 tells us “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  ALL have sinned, everyone. No, I have not murdered anyone or stolen a car, but I have gotten mad and said cruel, unkind things in a moment of anger.  The wages of sin is death begins Romans 6:23.  Notice it is singular, not  plural. Sin results in death. Well I am writing this, so I have obviously not died. So what is death? Death is eternal separation from God.

    I guess I blew it. I have sinned and God doesn’t want me. NO!! Because as Paul Harvey used to say this is the rest of the story.

    Read the rest of Romans 6:23, it starts with a very important word, but; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  It’s a gift!  A free gift. I don’t have to pay a thing. 

    I have this teddy bear I have recently knitted. If I want to give it to you what must you do?

    You must reach out and accept it.

    So how do you accept the gift that God is offering you? Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

    There is only one catch to this. You must do it before your body dies. And that could happen at any moment. In my own life I have witnessed death of loved ones by illness, and also instantaneous. That moment of death is too late.   Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation 2Corinthians 6:2.

    Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? Do you want to do so now?

    With all sincerity in you your heart pray to accept Him as Lord and Savior right now.

    This link to the Billy Graham website can offer more help as you seek to accept God’s gift of eternal life.  How To Know Jesus

  • What to do with granny

    No, not that granny!!    This one!! 

    My local Knit Crochet Bible Study is working on granny squares this summer. We plan to get together in the fall and sew them into blankets, scarves, slippers, etc for local Social Services.

    I got started on some squares from my stash. I used 3 different colors. They blended well together with a fourth color.

    But as I completed several squares I found I did not have enough to complete a good sized afghan, so I searched my local WalMart, JoAnn’s and Hobby Lobby. One color still remain unavailable.

    So I finished off by making several rows of border around all the squares I had completed.  Here is the finished project.

    If you’d like to learn how to crochet a granny square, check out the video in my previous post.

  • The Proverbs 31 Woman: God’s Work In Progress

    Are you a Proverbs 31 woman?

    The woman described in Proverbs 31 seems elusive, perfection, impossible to achieve.

    The Knit and Crochet Bible Study, Book 2 “The Proverbs 31 Woman: God’s Work In Progress”  looks at the Proverbs 31 woman to discover she is not someone born of perfection, she is a woman knit together by God’s hands over her lifetime.

    Every day God stitches himself into her life as she grows and matures. She learns wisdom and fear of the Lord through her daily activities.

    God started by knitting you together in your mother’s womb. He isn’t finished yet. He has not finished off His work in you, nor has He tossed you in the frog pile.

    This fun study is created to offer you the chance to discover for yourself you are closer to becoming stitched into this woman than you thought and also enjoy a skillful craft.

    Learn to knit, to crochet, to seek a deeper relationship with God and others in these lessons.

    You can find Amazon purchase details by CLICKING HERE.

     

  • Salvation Colors Afghan – BLUE

    We are now on the 5th panel of Salvation Colors Afghan. How are you doing? In February I will post the final panel, then in March the edging and seaming.

    This month we look at The Waters of Baptism.

    1 Peter 3:21 says, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. 

    As a symbol of your commitment to the Lord God you are asked to follow Jesus in baptism. Baptism does not save a person any more than putting on a ring make you married. You must follow through in the action of commitment.’

    And he said to them, in Mark 16:15,16, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. This is the first command given to a believer.  Even Jesus was baptized in Luke 3:21,22.

    As you work through this pattern, read the story in Luke 3. Have you been baptized? If so prayerfully remind yourself of the love commitment that was made by Jesus and by you. If not, prayerfully consider if it is time in your walk with Christ to do so.

    The stitch panel in the knit version is called Little Fountain. That seemed appropriate for a panel titled “The Waters of Baptism”.

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