Knit and Crochet Bible Study

Tag: knitting bible study

  • In the Blink of an Eye

    But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

    I was working on a doll that I was crocheting for my grandchild which was done in a way that had the clothes worked into the pattern. This means there will be color changes along the way.

    I was half way through the project, mindlessly making the stitches, when I looked back at the doll and realized something was wrong. This outfit didn’t look well at all crocheted into the doll body. It was then I realized that although I made the color change for the waistband, I missed the color change back on row 17 for the bodice. Can you say FROG!  (you know, rippit  rippit  ripppit).

    On another project I noticed the scarf I was working on had become quite askew. No more did I have the straight even edge that looked so smooth the first 6 inches of the project.  Now, nearly 24 inches later I picked up a wrong needle from the basket it was laying in. I had knitted the last 18 inches on a needle of appropriate size and one 2 sizes smaller.

    These events are very similar to the day I woke up with a smile on my face, plans for the weekend all set, only to receive a phone call that my dear friend has passed away a few hours prior. In the blink of eye, disaster! (Psalm 73:19)

    Jesus was escorted into Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday. (see the story in John 12)  When people heard he was coming to the Feast; they gathered palm branches and shouted as he approached, Hosanna Blessed is the King of Israel. (see John 12)

    A few days later these same people stood in a crowd in front of Pilate and cried out Crucify him! Crucify him! (see John 19)

    So quickly things change. Every day offers new challenges and new rewards. That dark day was brightened when the women went to the tomb and found it empty. (see John 20) A sad day quickly became bright as Jesus appeared to many who loved him.

    Your life, like the wrongly knit scarf, can change with or without notice. Every day offers new opportunities. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning is our promise in Psalm 30:5.

    God is a steady fortress,(Psalms 91:2)  unchanging (Hebrews 6:7),  ever present (Proverbs 15:3). When things turn suddenly to dark, hold tight to the hand of God. Walk with Him daily, and He will be at your side. Stay with Him when the stitches of your life are straight and smooth; and He will be there when you miss that color change or drop a stitch in your life. Hold tight to God, your God, just as you have done up to now. (Joshua 23:8)

  • Seaming It All Up

    Theologians tell us there are 400 years between Malachi 4:6 and Matthew 1:1. What was happening during that time? Was God trying to come up with a Plan B, C or even D?

    No, Gods plan of salvation was already in the works in Genesis 1. There is no Plan B.

    From Genesis to Malachi we find evidence of a sacrifice to be offered up to bring reconciliation between God and man. In the Gospels we find testimony of the manifestation of the sacrifice made. Acts to Revelation offers us testimony and encouragement to accept that sacrifice and a pattern to live for Him eternally.

    In the Old Testament people were looking toward to the cross. In the New Testament they looked back to the cross. God’s sacrifice on the cross knitted the two together seamlessly.

    The Salvation Colors afghan project brings together several panels which can be used to describe the story. Now it is time to seam the pieces together.

    As you bring together your knitted or crocheted panels remember the sacrifice that was made so that you may be a part of this story. Each panel is stitched together in black, referencing the sin which separates us from God. But don’t fear that sin, we will complete the picture with the ultimate gift from God, the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, so that we may live forever with Him. This is represented by the red edging around the entire project. A cross stitch is included to offer an additional reminder of God’s love. You will note that each panel is touched by this final edging; just as the blood of Christ touches each and every life.

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

    Whosoever means you.

    For the seaming and edging click here.  A PDF reader is required.

  • It’s Personal

    Have you knit or crocheted a sweater, a skirt, or other garment that needed to be sized to fit your body shape? You will find instructions with parenthesis alerting you to the necessary change you need to make to personalize the garment to your choice. One size does not always fit all.

    How about embellishing an article of clothing with a special pin?  Because of my passion for teddy bears, you will often find me wearing a teddy bear or earring or necklace to personalize my style.

    My knit crochet Bible study group at my local church is currently studying the Lord’s Prayer as detailed in Matthew 6. In our discussions we have found we have no trouble praying for others, we find it more difficult to pray for ourselves. It seems selfish one woman commented.

    So during our meetings, we are now personalizing this prayer aloud and finding how much God desires us to seek Him and ask His guidance in our own lives:

    My Father, who is in heaven, holy is Your name,

    Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Give me this day my daily bread

    Forgive me my debts as I forgive others.

    Lead me not into temptation, deliver me from evil.

    For Yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

    Wow! Suddenly it revealed God is MY Father. He provides for ME. It confirms I must forgive others in my life. The words took on a different meaning. God now appeared interested in ME personally, not just as part of a group.

    If I/you were the only person on earth, Jesus would have still gone to the cross.

    Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

    Are you seeking Him as your personal Lord and Savior? Pray today, ask Him into your heart. He  loves you.  It’s a personal thing.

  • Crochet a Button

    I have been using up my stash by making baby sweaters, blankets, etc.

    For the sweaters I don’t use plastic buttons, I crochet the button. This soft button is easy to make.

    I was recently asked to demonstrate the process so I created this short video to show you how to crochet your own buttons.

    You need to know how to chain and single crochet.

    My sample is done with a 7mm hook to make the stitches easier to see. You can use any size hook and modify the number of stitches accordingly by simply using the basic technique.

     

  • Salvation Colors – Green

    I sit here looking at the snow, dreaming of spring. I am cuddled up in my snuggie and working on some knit and crochet projects to add to Book 2 so I can make it available for purchase soon.

    In the meantime, I am looking over the instructions for the last panel of the Salvation Colors Afghan/Lapghan.  Green in this ensemble represents our growing and maturing in Christ.

    Unlike our physical bodies, spiritual maturity comes at many ages; depending on when Christ is accepted into your life.  Many people then remain as babies, satisfied with milk and don’t grow. But Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:11. When I was a child, I talked like a child. I thought like a child. I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put childish ways behind me.  We must mature, grow beyond our comfort zones and step out for Christ.  The names of these patterns seemed so appropriate for the green maturity panel; Wheatear and Sweet Pea.

    How are you maturing in Christ today?

     

    To download the stitch patterns for this panel, click here

    Next month I will post the edging and seaming to complete the project.  Whether you chose to use the stitch patterns of your own or you chose to use other patterns, it is the colors and the story that matters. Are you prepared to tell your own story of accepting Jesus Christ in your life?

  • Made New

    “..to be made new..to put on the new self created to be like God in righteousness and holiness” Ephesians 4:23,24.

    We are in a new year, welcome to 2010.  When I was a child in the 1960s, the thought of a year in the 2000s was something in Star Trek, far beyond the imagination of where man would go. And here we are.

    Are you one who makes New Year resolutions? We are at the end of January, were you able to keep any of them? 

    I have been going through my craft closets and found a number of projects I hoped to start, several I started and set aside, some I started and didn’t like, some that I needed to get more material for.

    I wonder if God looks at me like I do the items in my craft closet. In my life he has started many wonderful works, some of which I have stalled Him on and not completed. He has completed many works in me and there are many more in process. Some projects are not yet complete, waiting on God’s timing. I can rush through, but without God there are dropped stitches in my life. Luke 1:20 in the Message reads Every word I’ve spoken to you will come true on time God’s time. 

    There are still many rows yet to knit in my life.  A beautiful edging of crochet will be added. But not yet.  God is still gathering materials and stitching my life together. But He doesn’t leave me in the closet, to pull out and work on occasionally.  He is always in my life, working within me.

  • Salvation Colors: update

    I have received several comments and emails from people just joining in on the Knit-along/Crochet-along. Welcome to all of you

    How are the rest of you coming along? Are your panels completed for the posted colors? 

    Next month I will post the last panel color, Green. Then shortly after that the black and red edgings to complete the project by Easter if you desire.

    If you need to download the previously posted colors, here they are:

    INTRODUCTION 1

    INTRODUCTION 2

    ORANGE

    GOLD

    PURPLE

    WHITE

    BLUE

    If you are not already receiving the monthly newsletter via email, you can sign up at Knitting Bible Study dot com.  You will receive a FREE sample lesson from Knitting Bible Study Book 1. (I am editing a 2nd book now and will include more patterns and also crochet lingo)

    Also, if you are on facebook, be sure to join the Knit and Crochet Bible Study fan club and post pictures of your completed work.

    By the way, a couple of the patterns are very intricate and may require more concentration than other stitch patterns.  My local group got a little frustrated when they looked at my completed project and then at their attempt. Remember, you are seeing my final results, You didn’t see how many times I frogged an entire panel or tinked back a few rows.

    May your hearts be encouraged, being knit together in His love. Col 2:2

  • Victory in Jesus

    I follow someone on twitter named Hooking Stitches.  She is a very encouraging woman who makes and offers prayer shawls and chemo caps to those in need.

    As the new year approached she has come up with an excellent idea to tear down her strongholds and change daily habits away from her sinful nature and toward the Lord. Using different colors to represent strongholds broken she is making a victory blanket and we can follow her progress as she demonstrates Romans 12:2 in action. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  We cannot makes these changes alone in our lives, we must let God do the work and be willing to follow Him.

    She is opening her heart and her life while  telling her story in this blanket, just like we are telling the salvation story with the Salvation Afghan knit-along/crochet-along. 

    It is exciting to see the many ways people use their talents to share their love of Christ. Melody is an example of the Proverbs 31 woman and mentor to all around her.

    Proverbs 31:13 She shops for the best yarns and enjoys (crochet). MSG

    Proverbs 31:20  She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.NIV

    Proverbs 31:24 She (crochets) garments and sells them. NIV

    Proverbs 31:26 She speaks with wisdom NIV

    What are some things you’d like to change or improve in your life this year?

    Perhaps the idea of reading the bible in a year is too large a project, so how about starting with simply reading a chapter a day to get started? Proverbs has 31 chapters, January has 31 days. That’s a starting point.

    Maybe you’d like to improve your crochet or knitting skills. Why not try the Salvation Afghan. The stitch patterns were selected to stretch my own comfort zones and go beyond the standard stockinette and double crochet rows.

    Don’t become so focused on the big picture that you forget the small details. Before you run, you must learn to walk, before you knit yourself a sweater, you have to learn how to knit.

    I am encouraged by Melody and look forward to seeing her continue to grow as a woman after God’s own heart.

    What will you do to let God transform you this year? What will you put into your victory blanket?

  • Seeking Wisdom

    I have always thought that wisdom referred to a wealth of knowledge, that a wise man meant a smart man. 

    Recent study has opened my eyes to understanding that wisdom and knowledge are two separate things.  Look at these verses as examples:

    Solomon is speaking to God in 2 Chronicles 1:10, Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people. and God replied in verse 12 wisdom and knowledge will be given to you.

    Ecclesiastes 2:26  To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness.

    So then, I asked, what is wisdom?

    Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom

    Job asks in 28:12 and 20 Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? He considers then the worth of such and that it cannot be found in the land of the living (verse 13).  It can’t be bought, it is of such high value, it cannot be measured. He concludes in verse 29 The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.

    These verses intrigued me. If they are one in the same, why are they listed separately by Solomon and by God? Then David and Job point out wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

    I checked out the definition of knowledge at dictionary dot com and read acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation, then I looked up wisdom and read knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.

    Proverbs 2:10 helps differentiate the two.For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Again, two different values.

    Knowledge is information obtained by study, wisdom is knowing what is right and just. Right and just, that describes God!! Isaiah 45:21 There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior. With God’s wisdom He who does what is right is righteous, just as he (God) is righteous.” 1 John 3:7.

    Proverbs is a book filled with wisdom, why we should embrace wisdom, and warnings against rejecting it. The book of Proverbs is 31 chapters. Why not spend the 31 days of January reading one chapter a day and finding for yourself God’s wisdom. Allow it to “enter your heart” as you begin this new year.

    I challenge you to seek to fill your heart with wisdom and grow in the knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

  • Name that Newsletter

    ****EDITED 10/18/09:  I am adding several pattern books, yarn and miscellaneous accessories from my stash to the prize package. ****

    I have been publishing the newsletter under the name Knit In Prayer.  Several crocheters have commented to me this leaves them out. So, I need a new name for the newsletter.

    So, how about a contest! Starting today and running through October 20th.

    As a comment below, enter your idea for a new name. Be sure to enter your email address so I can contact you.  The email address will not be visible to others.

    If I choose your name idea you will receive a PDF version of the “Knitting and Crochet Bible Study Book 2: the Proverbs 31 Woman scheduled to be released mid-November. **and the items listed above**

    CLICK HERE to see previous issues.