{overwhelming love}

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.”  Psalm 103:11

LOST? Jesus is the answer….

LOST? truth life cross Jesus maze – Christian Wallpaper Background, originally uploaded by † David Gunter.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.14:6

No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

{and all good things will be yours}

{photo credit – kind over matter}

{Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl – Review}

Are you tired of just going through the motions of the Christian life? Do you feel a tug at your heart to live completely for God—but don’t know what the next step is? Lysa TerKeurst invites you to uncover the spiritually exciting life you long for. Fulfillment is closer than you ever thought possible.

Is Something Missing in Your Life?

Lysa TerKeurst knows what it’s like to consider God just another thing on her to-do list. For years she went through the motions of a Christian life: Go to church. Pray. Be nice.

Longing for a deeper connection between what she knew in her head and her everyday reality, she wanted to personally experience God’s presence.

Drawing from her own remarkable story of step-by-step faith, Lysa invites you to uncover the spiritually exciting life we all yearn for. With her trademark wit and spiritual wisdom, Lysa will help you :

* Learn how to make a Bible passage come alive in your own devotion time.

* Replace doubt, regret, and envy with truth, confidence, and praise.

* Stop the unhealthy cycles of striving and truly learn to love who you are and what you’ve been given.

* Discover how to have inner peace and security in any situation

* Sense God responding to your prayers

The adventure God has in store for your life just might blow you away.

***

I first heard of Lysa from the wonderful Proverbs 31 Ministry. Lysa’s book is a candid look into her life and tells how she grew into a deeper walk with God.   It was amusing, heartfelt, open and honest. I recommend it to those who want to step up their spiritual walk and stop living a life of  just “going through the motions”. You can order it here from Zondervan.

{courageous: the movie}

Sherwood Pictures has just announced that their much anticipated 4th movie will be named “Courageous”. The plot is about 4 officers who are all fathers, that encourage each other to be biblical heads of the household and strong father figures to their children -  as Proverbs 27:17 says:

As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.

The Kendrick Brothers also brought us: Facing The Giants, Flywheel & Fireproof from this powerful ministry. I can’t wait to see this movie – I know it will be great, and this  is an inspirational and uplifting message that needs to be addressed in the world we are living in! May God bless this movie & ministry and may these strong positive messages speak loud and clear!

{greater than}

RAK Doodles: Greater than on we heart it / visual bookmark #894631.

{witnessing on halloween}

I just saw these online and thought they were a great way to witness this Halloween. These Scripture Stickies are a great gift idea to encourage someone, show that you care, teach children about God, and they are a perfect way to memorize scripture and meditate on God’s loving word!

Scripture Stickies are Holy Bible verses to go. Each pack contains two copies of five different scriptures on a topic. Stick them on two different places or share the extra copy with a friend.

Peel the backing off each Scripture Stickies verse and stick anywhere. Scripture Stickies uses 3M’s adhesive technology so our product sticks on and removes easily just like a Post-It ® note.

Memorize. Meditate. Encourage. Evangelize. There are many uses for Scripture Stickies.

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in his law he meditates day and night.”
-Psalm 1:2 (NKJV)
Use Scripture Stickies to meditate on God’s word day and night.

“Therefore comfort one another with these words”
-1 Thessalonians 4:18 (NKJV)
Use Scripture Stickies to encourage others with God’s word and remind them of His love.

*Use coupon code: CLOUD9 for 10% off

your order of Scripture Stickies!

{love without words}

Candace Cameron Bure, who we all remember as DJ Tanner of Full House fame, wife and stay-at-home mother of 3, and a contributing columnist for Christian Women Online has a new line of t-shirts that are available on her website.

I particularly love this white shirt that simply says: “LOVE WITHOUT WORDS”. It really speaks to the nature of society today. When we have been hurt, we sometimes want others to show us love first before we reciprocate in some way. But this is not what God calls us to do. He asks us to forgive one another, accept one another, and above all else, to love one another as he has loved us.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ^{JOHN 13:34} -35

But LOVE IS AN ACTION. It is not a fleeting emotion, or a feeling. Unconditional love, or agape love as described in the bible is:

a·ga·pe ² // (ä-gäp, äg-p)n.

1. Christianity Love as revealed in Jesus, seen as spiritual and selfless and a model for humanity.

This shirt is a great way to spread this message….

Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other;
let us really show it by our actions. 1 John 3:18 (NLT)

I may speak in tongues of men or of angels, but if I am without love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy, and know every hidden truth; I may have faith strong enough to move mountains; but if I have no love, I am nothing.

I may dole out all I possess, or even give my body to be burnt, but if I have no love, I am none the better.

Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs; does not gloat over other men’s sins, but delights in the truth. There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and its endurance.

The Bible, 1st Book Of Corinthians

{what’s old is new}

{photo credit: Cloud9 Design}

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Corinthians 5:17

{let your inner light shine}

Inner Light
-2 Corinthians 4:6

In autumn in the U.S. people are carving out pumpkins and putting candles inside of them. It made me think about how, as Christians, God has put His light inside of our hearts.

Michael D. Waters

http://www.joyfultoons.com

This is a great poem to share with your children as you carve your pumpkin this year:

God’s Pumpkin Patch

A lady recently being baptized was asked by a co-worker what it was like to be a Christian.

She replied, “It’s like being a pumpkin:

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you may have gotten from the other pumpkins.

Then he cuts the top off and scoops out all the yucky stuff.

He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.”

Download relevant praise songs:

Shine, Jesus Shine here.

This Little Light of Mine here.

Find more great music at: http://greatworshipsongs.com/

{faith fuel}

Faith Fuel
-Romans 10:17

We need to have faith in God to get us down the highway of life, to the destination that God has planned for us. The Word of God is the fuel that keeps our faith moving along.

Michael D. Waters

JoyfulToons.com

{setting up shop on etsy.com}

Are you thinking about selling your handmade goods on Etsy but don’t have a clue how to get started??? DailyWorth wrote a great Beginner’s Guide to setting up an Etsy shop.

If you subscribe, you can even get your banner and link to yuor shop on  their Meet Our Members Page!

{That Which is to Be, Has Already Been}

That Which is to Be, Has Already Been, originally uploaded by akvileja.

Ecclesiates 3:1-8; 15

To everything there is a season, and
a time to every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and
a time to die;
a time to plant, and
a time to pluck up
that which is planted;

A time to kill, and
a time to heal;
a time to break down, and
a time to build up;

A time to weep, and
a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and
a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and
a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and
a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and
a time to lose;
a time to keep, and
a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and
a time to sow;
a time to keep silence, and
a time to speak;

A time to love, and
a time to hate;
a time of war; and
a time of peace.

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

{owl to-do list}

To-Do-List from emilayusof.com

Here’s a to-do-list for you to download and print:

Download: To-do-List-Owl

Just click the link above and print as many pages as you like.  Cut along the outlines. Combine all together and bind. Below is the steps on how to bind:

After the glue dries, repeat step 1, 2, 3 for two to three times to ensure that all pages are binded perfectly. Happy downloading and binding!

{fall spice cupcakes}

8 Fall Spice Cupcakes by friendlycreationss on Etsy. $15.00

{plum pretty sugar}

plumprettysugar.etsy.com

Tunic Dress/Top. Beckoning Creatures.

{buy it on etsy for $68.00}

{peace of mind}

peace of mind by flyingbirdbotanicals on Etsy buy here for $11.00

flying bird is now offering our line of hand-mixed teas on etsy!!!

we use only the finest organic, ethically wildcrafted, locally grown and fair trade herbs in all of our hand-mixed herbal blends. i harvest from several local organic farms as well as from our market garden and source only from high quality small farms and distributors…
drink in the goodness

our PEACE OF MIND TEA is gentle and calming for your nervous system. relax and relieve stress with a cup of this nourishing brew.*
our blend includes: lemon balm, oats and oat straw, skullcap and spearmint.

please feel free to ask any questions… i love talking about herbs and health…
here’s to healthy healing!

herbs have been used for centuries for health, healing and wellness however * these statements have not been evaluated by the fda. these products are not intended to diagnose or cure disease.

{just let go :: just be}

{summer’s end}

{Call For Submissions: Autumn Emporium}

Call for Submissions:

It’s now time to apply for the “Autumn Indie Emporium”. To see a sample of what it looks like, please see the Summer Emporium that runs until September 13th, & the “A Greener Spring” Indie Emporium here. I have uped the size to the images to 400×400 this time….as I did with the Summer Emporium. It turned out really great and I am excited to showcase some fall designs for Back to School!

Cloud9 Emporium is a monthly online marketplace curated by Cloud9 Design to showcase exceptional handmade goods from emerging independent artists & designers.

Here are 101 reasons to buy handmade from the Poppytalk blog.

After seeing the success of both the Holiday Gift Guide & my Valentine Gift Guide, I’ve decided to have a monthly juried online marketplace called “Cloud9 Emporium” featured on the Cloud9 Blog.

This is just one of the many NEW regular features that Cloud9 will use to showcase & promote emerging indie artists and designers which encourages building the indie community by shopping local & buying handmade.

If you are an independent artist, designer or artisan that sells your wares on Etsy.com you can apply to be part of the Emporium. The next marketplace will be the: “Autumn Indie Marketplace” which will focus on breezy, summertime-related goods to fit in with the theme. The Summer Emporium will run from September 21st – November 21st giving you 2 FULL MONTHS of promotion. That’s an awesome discount and great savings value!!!

The deadline to apply is September 6th.

Just e-mail me if you are interested. Put “Autumn Indie Marketplace Submission” in the subject line. **And please give me the URL link to the Etsy shop you wish to be considered.

1. If selected I will need a 400×400 image of an item with your logo superimposed on top of it, like on my summer gift guide.
   
2. Also, I will need a short bio or you and your work,
   
3. as well as your etsy shop URL,
4. Blog URL,
   
5. and a coupon code for my readers (like 15% off with coupon code autumn09cloud9).
   

There is only a limited amount of space available; so only the top applicants will be selected. The submissions must have a strong design aesthethic, impeccable, compelling photography that fits into the theme, and must be high-quality, handmade wares. The non-refundable fee for being a part of the Emporium will be $40.00. If you are selected, you must provide the required photos and info by the deadline to be included.

The Emporium will have top placement in the sidebar.

The Emporium will be marketed on: other blogs, Etsy, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, TwitterMoms, Ning networks, We Love Etsy, IndiePublic, with my Etsy Street Teams: CAST (Christian Artists), EcoEtsy, & EtsyAustin {just to name a few!}

***I have a VERY large following on these social networking sites which gives me a wonderful arena to introduce new and interesting handmade goods, and increases the exposure & traffic to my blog & the visibility of your shop!

This new opportunity for increased visibility for your shop is a great way to help your shop be seen in the sea that is Etsy….Here are some stats for the blog:

We use Quantcast to verify our traffic figures, obtain audience information and to supply our Cloud9 Media Kit. Our audience is 59% female, and 65% of our members are college graduates or hold advanced degrees. Below is a snapshot of demographic and lifestyle attributes of the Cloud9 Design audience.

Some of the lifestyle attributes the Cloud9 blog readers have are the following:

Sitemeter information for my blog states that the Cloud9 blog has had 85,116 visitors (since I joined sitemeter in 2008) with an average of 156 per day and growing!!!

{Have Hope}

eagle with scripture, originally uploaded by Kevin Lanier Photography.

This scripture has been speaking to me a lot lately…

{Proverbs 31 Ministries}

Proverbs 31 Ministries brings God’s peace, perspective, and purpose to today’s busy woman.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a non-denominational, non-profit Christian ministry that seeks to lead women into a personal relationship with Christ. With Proverbs 31:10-31 as a guide, Proverbs 31 Ministries reaches women right in the middle of their busy day through free daily devotions, radio program, speaking events, conferences, monthly magazine, resources, online communities, and Gather and Grow groups.

We are real women offering real-life solutions to women who are striving to maintain life’s balance, in spite of today’s hectic pace and cultural pull away from godly principles. Wherever a woman may be on her spiritual journey, Proverbs 31 Ministries exists to be a trusted friend who takes her by the hand and walks by her side, leading her one step closer to the heart of God.

{feed your soul art project}

nesting print

ThePaperApartment is artist Angela Stasio’s etsy shop with drawings in a soft, dreamy palette of earthy, neutral hues ever so pithy and filled with soul.

You can download a FREE piece of artwork from Angela Stasio of ThePaperApartment on IndieFixx’s Feed Your Soul: free art project. Just click on any of the photos below to get a free piece of artwork you can print & frame.

{summer emporium}

Check it out! The Summer Indie Emporium is now launched.

Be sure to use the awesome coupons the participants are offering to get some great values on handmade goods that make perfect gifts!

{bottlecap tripod + swoonworthy photography}

I spotted this handy dandy bottlecap camera tripod for $10 on photojojo.com. What an awesome idea! I need one of these for my purse.

Also, I’m really diggin’ Alicia Bock’s photography on etsy.com.