TPDL-Day 19

Day 19 - Cultivating Community

Point to Ponder: Community requires commitment.
Verse: "We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers."
1 John 3:16 (GWT)
Question to Consider: How can I help cultivate today the characteristics of real community in my small group and my church?

UPDATE ~

Cultivating community takes:
1. honesty - speak the truth in love
2. humility - not by thinking less of yourself, but by thinking of yourself less
3. courtesy - respect each member of God's family
4. confidentiality - God hates gossip
5. frequency - invest time to build genuine fellowship

Community and deep fellowship requires commitment, the basis of which is our relationship to God and our membership in his family.

TPDL-Day 18

Day 18 - Experiencing Life Together

Point to Ponder: I need other sin my life.
Verse: "Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
Question to Consider: What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?

UPDATE ~

Life is meant to be shared , experienced together through fellowship.

True fellowship allows for:
1. authenticity - getting honest about our lives, the good, the bad and the ugly parts.
2. mutuality - the art of giving and receiving.
3. sympathy - understanding and validation.
4. mercy - through forgiveness.

Of all the great points in this chapter, one stood out more to me, as if written in bold text in the book. "God will never ask me to forgive someone else more than He has already forgiven me." Showing mercy is a two-part process of forgiveness and trust. Forgiveness is letting go of the past and trust is about future behavior, rebuilt over time.

TPDL-Day 17

Day 17 - A Place To Belong

Point to Ponder: I am called to belong, not just believe.
Verse: "In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Romans 12:5 (NIV)
Question to Consider: Does my level of involvement in my local church demonstrate that I love and am committed to God's family?

UPDATE ~

I am called to belong, not just believe. I am connected to every other believer ... for eternity.

Connect and commit to a church family to:
1. identify yourself as a genuine believer
2. counteract self-centered isolation
3. mature spiritually
4. use your unique spiritual gift
5. share in Christ's mission
6. maintain accountability to God

"The church is a body, not a building; an organism, not an organization."

TPDL-Day 16

Day 16 - What Matters Most

Point to Ponder: Life is all about love.
Verse: "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Galatians 5: 14 (NIV)
Question to Consider: Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?

UPDATE ~

Three important truths learned through fellowship:

The best use of life is love.
Life without love is really worthless ~ Relationships are what matter most in life. The point of life is learning to love - God first, then people. Love will last forever ~ Love is eternal and leaves a legacy. We will be evaluated on our love ~ Spiritual maturity is measured by the quality of relationships.

The best expression of love is time.
Time is a precious gift. Relationships take time and effort. Focused attention is the most desired gift of love. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

The best time to love is now.
Love takes top priority. Don't procrastinate, for there is no guarantee of tomorrow.

Our PUP

Camping season is almost here! We purchased this 2007 Fleetwood Arcadia last June and love it. It has plenty of room for family and friends to join us, plus a bunch of comforts that one wouldn't expect in a pop-up. We're counting the days until our first trip of 2010.

My husband grew up camping in a pop-up and has wonderful memories of summers spent in the Poconos. I, on the other hand, grew up spending every summer at my family's cottage on the Elk River in Maryland. Although I was a Girl Scout and a leader (now retired), my family did not "camp". There was no need to since we had a summer home. DH and I had always talked about purchasing a pop-up, but we never took that final step of buying one ... until two years ago.

In the Spring of 2008, we purchased a 2001 Coachman Clipper pop-up. After our maiden voyage weekend of camping, we were hooked. The girls loved the whole experience and couldn't wait for the next trip.

When camping fever hit last Spring, we found a larger PUP that would allow for additional people to join us out on the road. I sold the Coachman (for $300 more than it originally cost) and we bumped-up to the Arcadia high wall model. It looked brand-new and had only been used a few times. High wall models have a full bathroom with shower and a kitchen, plus the dinette area is a slide-out. This monster is 29' feet long when open and sports two king-size bunk ends. In order to tow a larger PUP, we traded-in our Sienna mini van for a new-to-us Toyota Sequoia. The Sequoia seats eight people and easily handles the Arcadia. Travel and camping at its' best and most comfy!

TPDL-Day 15

Purpose # 2 - You Were Formed For God's Family

Day 15 - Formed For God's Family

Point to Ponder: I was formed for God's family.
Verse: "His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 1:5a (NLT)
Question to Consider: How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family?

UPDATE ~

God created me to be part of his family. Through my faith in Jesus, I am a member for God's family. Once received, my spiritual family inheritance can not be taken away; it is priceless, pure, permanent and protected.

I will be with God forever.
I will be like Christ.
Pain, death and suffering will disappear.
I will be rewarded with a position of service.
I will share in God's glory.

Truly as the commercial says ... "priceless." What a privilege I have been given!

TPDL-Day 14

Day 14 - When God Seems Distant

Point to Ponder: God is real, no matter how I feel.
Verse: "For God has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.'"
Hebrews 13:5 (TEV)
Question to Consider: How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when he feels distant?

UPDATE ~

Although God has promised he will never leave or forsake me, he does not promise I will always feel his presence. I have never looked at feeling disconnected from God as his way of developing my faith. Estrangement is not punishment, but a means to deepen my faith and worship my Lord. I need to please God through faith, not feelings.

Jesus gave up everything so I could have everything. And he died so I could live forever. What greater gift is there to be eternally thankful for.

Amazon's Kindle

I love to read ... to the extreme of not maintaining my home like I should or cooking the elaborate gourmet family meals that I plan in my head. And now with a daughter devouring books at the same speed as I inhale Girl Scout cookies, this investment makes more sense. I've also discovered that three or more 600+ page books weigh more (and occupy more space) than I choose to pack for a vacation.

This is now the number one item on my wish list. Which really isn't a list, since I have three children and all the financial requirements that go along with providing for them. A Kindle is not a necessity, just a frivolous indulgence. Someone please indulge me!

TPDL-Day 13

Day 13 - Worship That Pleases God

Point to Ponder: God wants all of me.
Verse: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Question to Consider: Which is more pleasing to God right now - my public worship or my private worship? What will I do about this?

UPDATE ~

Worship accurately, based on scripture truth, not opinion or idolatry.
Worship God with your true heart and authentic self.
Praise God through specific and thoughtful worship.
Be a willing sacrifice, focusing on God, not yourself.

God wants all of me, not just the bits and pieces that I am willing to share. He wants full commitment, total obedience and all-out devotion. I need to jump in, not just dip my toes.

TPDL-Day 12

Day 12 - Developing Your Friendship With God

Point to Ponder: I'm as close to God as I choose to be.
Verse: "Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you."
James 4:8a (NLT)
Question to Consider: What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?

UPDATE ~

God expects total honesty and full disclosure, not perfection. I need to work through my "hidden rift" with God, letting go of my resentment over past pains. Bouts with doubt are normal and I do not need to hide them from God.

Close friendship with God does not make me his equal. Obedience out of love and trust is necessary for a deeper relationship with God. Simple acts done out of loving obedience are treasured by God.

I no longer need an agenda, but need to follow God's agenda. "Friends of God tell their friends about God" - simple and direct.

I choose to develop a deep friendship with God. Going through the motions is not enough anymore and I've heard God's wake up call. It's time to step it up.

My Creations Display Album

I'm creating a CTMH My Creations Display Album for my scroffice and thought I'd post the first two completed pages. The display album includes chipboard covers with 12 spiral-bound 6" x 6" page protectors. It's the perfect size for my desk area and will show-off 12 month-specific photos of my family. I'm highlighting a different family member during their birthday month and filling in the rest of the year with a favorite seasonal or holiday photo.

supplies used (all CTMH):

My Creations Display Album

Key To My Heart paper pack

Dimensional Elements - Fresh Shapes

Clear Inspirations Ribbon Slides

chocolate ribbon & natural hemp

Connections Club charm

TPDL-Day 11

Day 11 - Becoming Best Friends With God

Point to Ponder: God wants to be my best friend.
Verse: "Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him."
Psalm 25: 14a (LB)
Question to Consider: What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

UPDATE ~

God desires an intimate relationship with him. "Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is God's greatest pleasure."

Developing a friendship with God must include constant conversation and an attitude adjustment on my part. Everything I do can be done for God, maintaining an awareness of his constant presence. This will be a new habit for me.

Meditation means focused thinking. I am a worrier by nature, so meditation should be easy. I just need to switch gears and focus on God's words.

TPDL-Day 10

Day 10 - The Heart of Worship

Point to Ponder: The heart of worship is surrender.
Verse: "Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes."
Romans 6:13b (TEV)
Question to Consider: What area of my life am I holding back from God?

UPDATE ~

Barriers blocking my surrender to God:
1. FEAR - My desire to control circumstances and outcomes tells me I still have not surrendered to God. I need to fully trust that he knows best for me. And I can't fully trust him until I know him better.
2. PRIDE - I've never looked at my desire to control all aspects of my life as a "struggle with God". Taking charge is just my way of doing things. And now that I've typed-out "my way of doing things", it makes sense. It's not about my way, but God's way. Seems so simple, yet so hard for me.
3. CONFUSION - I need to "let go and let God" and trust more.

I am choosing to surrender to God, not chaos or other idols such as money. My plans (controlled situations) must be put aside in order to fully surrender to him. I am asking for Jesus to take the wheel.

TPDL-Day 9

Day 9 - What Makes God Smile?

Point to Ponder: God smiles when I trust him.
Verse: "The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love."
Psalm 147:11 (CEV)
Question to Consider: Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?

UPDATE ~

5 acts of worship that please God:

1. Love him supremely - through an intimate relationship with him.
2. Trust him completely - by having faith that he knows what is best for me.
3. Obey him wholeheartedly - without hesitation, questions, objections or reservations.
4. Praise and thank him continually - through expressions of adoration and gratitude.
5. Use our abilities - by accepting our individual God-given talents.

CTMH's March SOTM

Want to join an exclusive club? Every month CTMH offers an exclusive My Acrylix® D-size stamp set FREE or at a large discount. The stamp set is available to qualifying customers for that month only. It’s our way of saying thank you, and your way of getting fantastic deals on our amazing stamps.

Here’s how to get your very own March SOTM "A Little Everything":

Purchase the set outright for $22.95.
Spend $25.00, save 25% and pay only $17.21.

Spend $50.00, save 50% and pay only $ 11.48.

Spend $75.00, save 75% and pay only $5.74.

Spend $100.00 and earn the set for FREE!

TPDL-Day 8

Purpose # 1 - You Were Planned For God's Pleasure

Day 8 - Planned for God's Pleasure

Point to Ponder: I was planned for God's pleasure.
Verse: "The Lord takes pleasure in his people."
Psalm 149:4a (TEV)
Question to Consider: What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?

UPDATE ~

God chose to create me. I am a child of God.

To worship God wholeheartedly is to bring him great pleasure and glorify him. Worship is not a part of your life; it is your life, a lifestyle. We were all created with an innate desire to connect with God and have a relationship with him.

Praising God should be the first and last thing I do every day. Everything and anything I do should glorify God, performed as if I were doing it for Jesus himself.

New Art & Soul video

CTMH has posted a new video to their Art & Soul collection titled "A Fling with Spring!". The featured technique is chalk popping. Just grab your beverage of choice, click on the title, sit back and relax.

"Your photographs and memories are going to love the pretty spring colors and cheerful Caboodle paper packet featured in this episode. You'll learn how to make chalk pop from your artwork, create wonderful layouts and cards using only cardstock, and discover Jeanette's take on classic and Studio J™ scrapbooking. Join us for an Art & Soul® Fling with Spring!"

Check-out some of the latest techniques featured on past CTMH videos: embossed resist and 2-color heat embossing, dimensional elements, unique handmade borders, stamp kissing and interactive layouts. Past projects on Art & Soul include My Creations Memory Keeper and Memory Showcase, bulk cards and calendar layouts. Each video is around 15 minutes, so spend some time learning a new technique or planning a new project.

TPDL-Day 7

Day 7 - The Reason for Everything

Point to Ponder: It's all for him.
Verse: "For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory."
Romans 11:36 (LB)
Question to Consider: Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?

UPDATE ~

How to bring glory to God through his 5 purposes for my life:

1. worship him
2. love other believers
3. become like Christ
4. serve others with my gifts
5. tell others about him

I don't believe I have the strength to choose the difficult path, but I know God will provide everything I need to live for him. I want to live, not just exist. I am ready to start fully living God's purpose for my life.

Trip to IKEA

Since the weather gurus called for rain most of the day, my girls and I trekked up to IKEA. Love this place and glad we have a store nearby. My budget was limited, but I had a few things in mind to help with my scroffice re-do. I've been looking for a new desk lamp since the glass dome on our old one shattered. Brushed nickel finish is difficult to find in a style I like. I lucked out and found this one (Kroby) for only $19.99!

I picked-up three of these little guys (# 664.513.09) for only 99 cents each. Although IKEA carries tons of dinnerware, they don't sell plate or book stands. I found these wooden ones in the frame section. They're a simple design, but will look great painted in a room coordinating color. I can now display my design books in style!

My search for the elusive magazine holders is finally over. I bought a pack of these (Kassett line) and will cover them with paper to accent my space. The pack of 2 was only $2.99 and should provide enough storage for all my CTMH Keynotes publications and past Idea Books.

And I couldn't resist a pack of these CD holders. They'll help corral all the CDs that keep multiplying at my home. They're from the same Kassett line as the magazine holders and I'll probably cover them also.

Everything cost under $32.00 and solves 3 issues in my space, so the trip was a success. My two youngest daughters enjoyed some time in Smaland while my oldest daughter and I browsed the store. We had dinner in their restaurant and we're pleased with the chicken fingers and Swedish meatballs. And the underground parking was a God-send since the rain never stopped all day!

TPDL-Day 6

Day 6 - Life Is a Temporary Assignment

Point to Ponder: This world is not my home.
Verse: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Question to Consider: How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?

UPDATE ~

My perspective is skewed and out of balance. How is it possible to not get too attached to your current life (and family or children)? I get that my time here on earth is temporary and short, like the introduction of a story. I understand the greatest chapters are to come in heaven, not here on earth. But it is difficult to fully deny all the values and priorities of this world. I struggle with this constantly.

Living an abundant life is not about material abundance. Faithfulness to God does not guarantee worldly success. Faithful service allows for my promised reward in heaven, my true homeland.

TDPL-Day 5

Day 5 - Seeing Life From God's View

Point to Ponder: Life is a test and a trust.
Verse: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones."
Luke 16:10a (NLT)
Question to Consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?

UPDATE ~

I must change my definition of life and replace it with biblical metaphors. I hope to stand before God at my final evaluation and receive his three promises: affirmation, promotion and celebration.

Life is a test. I do not want to fail any of the tests God places before me. Although sometimes I feel tested beyond my strength or ability, God is shaping my character.

Life is a trust. I need to be a better steward of all God has entrusted to me here on earth. None of it is mine; it is all a gift from God, entrusted to my care.

Life is a temporary assignment (Day 6).

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week 7

Week 7 of the 2 Peas in a Bucket challenge had us organizing our IDEAS. Since I don't subscribe to any paper crafting magazines, nor do I belong to any monthly kit clubs, I assumed this would be an easy-peasy week. In fact, the first part was easy. I have three design books by Jeanette B. Lynton, founder of CTMH. They are filled with tons of layouts and sketches and are my "go-to" items when the scrapping mo-jo is not flowing. I decided to display them throughout my space, two in my desk unit and one in the Expedite. They are temporarily propped-up with photo boxes behind them. I'm still looking for the right display stands to hold these gorgeous books.

The execution of part two has been a thorn in my side for numerous weeks now. In the top photo, you can see a bunch of publications standing to the left of the Reflections design book. These are my CTMH Keynotes, issued six times per year and filled with creative ideas and tips, plus business and product education. I have been searching for two magazine holders to store these on the book shelf. No such luck finding the right color, in the right design, for the right price! But my search continues and I'm determined.

~~~~~

Below are the next design books I plan on purchasing. They have been on my wish list (no pun intended), waiting for me to take the leap into cardmaking. Originals and Wishes are two cardmaking programs (also from Jeanette B. Lynton) filled with hundreds of patterns, templates and artwork. Now I'll have no excuse for purchasing another over-priced, cookie-cutter, plain store card!

I think I've passed the "it'll get worse before it gets better" part of this re-organization. My scroffice was a disaster during the first few weeks of the challenge. Stuff that was pulled-out from every cabinet, drawer and cubby hole in my space was then scattered over the floor in preparation for sorting. Although we have 16 weeks left, I have been addressing some other areas each week and the light at the end of the tunnel is burning brighter!

TPDL-Day 4

Day 4 - Made To Last Forever

Point to Ponder: There is more to life than just here and now.
Verse: "This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever."
1 John 2:17 (NLT)
Question to Consider: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?

UPDATE ~

My life on earth is just preparation for my life in eternity, as designed by God. My relationship with God, while here on earth, will determined my relationship with him in eternity. I need to focus less on the worldly concerns of here-and-now, think more about eternity and begin living in light of eternity. I look forward to the change!

"Every act of our lives strikes some chord that will vibrate in eternity."

"For us this is the end of all the stories ... But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world ... had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever and in which every chapter is better than the one before."
C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia)

TPDL-Day 3

Day 3 - What Drives Your Life?

Point to Ponder: Living on purpose is the path to peace.
Verse: "You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you."
Isaiah 26: 3 (TEV)
Question to Consider: What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?

UPDATE ~

5 benefits of knowing and living a purpose-driven life:

1. gives meaning to your life
2. simplifies your life
3. focuses your life
4. motivates your life
5. prepares you for eternity

"Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope. And hope comes from having a purpose. Purpose produces passion."

FOCUS is the word that stood out to me in this chapter. More than stood out ... it was like a flashing neon sign, blinking at high speed to get my attention. I need to simplify my life based on the question, "Does this (activity, commitment, involvement) help to fulfill God's purpose for my life?". Effective by selective is my new motto.

I want to pass God's final exam. I need to FOCUS God's blessings on me and use them to fulfill his purpose for me."

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - weeks 9 & 10

Trudging through the challenge over at 2 Peas in a Bucket and I'm very pleased with my progress so far. Week 9 had us gathering, sorting, purging and organizing our embellishments, all with a fake smile upon our faces. The photos below show my CTMH embellishments cases, IKEA RAJTAN glass jars with flowers and buttons, sparkly bling stored in a pretty ceramic planter and 2 small tackle boxes filled mostly with metal and acrylic embellishments.

Love my Clip-It-Up shown below! I held off on this purchase for over 3 years thinking it wasn't necessary. I purchased just the base unit about 3 months ago and could smack myself for waiting as long as I did. It's a fabulous product, built sturdy and it rotates as smooth as butter. It holds a ton of stuff and currently houses rub-ons, stickers, chip board and some smaller embellishments. The top unit add-on would be perfect for the smaller items and might be a purchase later down the road.

I need to back-track to week 7 (Ideas) and post photos of my design books and how they are displayed in my space. Over-all, progress is good and the work flow of my scroffice is improving. What more could I ask for!

TPDL-Day 2

Day 2 - You Are Not An Accident

Point to Ponder: I am not an accident.
Verse: "I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born."
Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)
Question: I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?"

UPDATE ~

Nothing in my life is arbitrary. It's all for a purpose. WOW! That sets your mind wandering back through events and experiences from years past. "Chance encounters" are not by chance. He's like a Puzzle Master, fitting all the right pieces together.

God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes. There is a reason for everything he creates. I struggle with this daily ... sometimes hourly. I know I'm not meant to understand everything, but that doesn't take away the desire to know.

I am an expression of God's love and my life has profound meaning in God's plan.

TPDL-Day 1

The Purpose Drive Life is divided into six main sections and the first is titled "What On Earth Am I Here For?". Great place to start, don't you think? Each daily devotional is followed by a section called "Thinking about My Purpose". I'll include these points of interaction each day. Going forward, I'll post the devotional early in the day and then add to that post later. I need to digest the message and reflect, taking time to consider its' implications on my life.

Day 1 - It All Starts With God

Point to Ponder: It's not about me.
Verse: "Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him."
Colossians 1:16 (Msg)
Question to Consider: In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

UPDATE ~

I exist only because God willed my existence. I was made by God and for God. I need to let go and let God use me for his purposes. His purpose for me was planned before I even existed and I need to focus on becoming what God created me to be. Without God life makes no sense.

God's 5 purposes for me:
1. Worship helps me focus on God
2. Fellowship helps me face life's problems
3. Discipleship helps fortify my faith
4. Ministry helps to identify my talents
5. Power helps fulfill my Mission

"Unless you assume a God, the question of life's purpose is meaningless."
Bertrand Russell, atheist

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - weeks 4, 5 & 8

Weeks 4, 5 and 8 of the Organize Your Stuff Challenge were paper (4), scraps (5) and projects, unfinished layouts and kits (8). Although my paper stash was not a huge mess, it was scattered in numerous places throughout my space. It has been purged, consolidated and stored in Cropper Hopper (CH) vertical files in my IKEA Expedit. I removed all the cardstock from my CTMH paper kits and merged it with the rest of my cardstock stash. And I only had to purchase one additional CH to have all my paper looking lovely and organized! Non-CTMH pattern paper is stored in its own CH. Specialty papers such as Creative Basics, vellum and Stick Stock have been organized in smaller-size CH Paper Pouches.

Removing the cardstock from my CTMH kits reduced the amount of space they consumed. I purchased the basket below to house the kits "out-in-the open". "Out of sight, out of mind" does not work in my craft area, so this basket serves as room decor and a gentle reminder to use my existing supplies.

And since I located my trusty Brother P-Touch labeler, each CTMH paper kit is labeled and alphabetized for easy retrieval. As we work through the trench weeks of this challenge, the space decorating week is my "light at the end of the tunnel". Once there, I intend to add some gorgeous flourish rub-ons to the front side of my new kit basket. My scroffice will be organized ... and pretty!

Next up are photos of my progress during week 7 (Ideas), 9 (Embellishments) and our current week 10 (Alphas).

The Purpose Driven Life

I have once again, with great determination, pulled The Purpose Driven Life from my bookcase. I have started on this journey 2 or 3 times before, failing to cross the finish line once I missed a daily devotional. That perfectionism is very binding and weighs heavy on me. Maybe it wasn't the right time before. Something is telling me this time is different.

If you'd like to join me in the discovery of life's most important question: "What on earth am I here for?", leave a comment and look for posts titled "TPDL-Day #". This time around my approach to reading the book is not hyper-focused on completing it in 40 days, although that may be the case. I'm forcing myself to believe that it is better to complete the journey on my timeline, than forgo the transformation possible when not completed exactly as intended.

From the book's acknowledgement -

"Before you were born, God planned this moment in your life. It is no accident that you are holding this book. God longs for you to discover the life he created you to live - here on earth, and forever in eternity."

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ ... he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
Ephesians I:II (Msg)


Wikipedia article on the book:

The Purpose Driven Life (2002) is a devotional book written by Christian author Rick Warren and published by Zondervan. The book has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for advice books for one of the longest periods in history, while also topping the Wall Street Journal best seller charts as well as Publishers Weekly charts with over 30 million copies sold by 2007.

The book offers readers a 40-day personal spiritual journey, and presents what Warren says are God's five purposes for human life on Earth and describes itself as "a blueprint for Christian living in the 21st Century ... using over 1200 Biblical verses and quotes to challenge the conventional definitions of Christian Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Christian Ministry and Evangelism."

Content
The book is intended to be read as a daily inspiration, with each of the 40 short chapters read on consecutive days. Each chapter contains a personal application section at the end with a "point to ponder," a verse to remember, and a question to consider over the course of that day. Rick Warren described his book as an "anti-self-help book." The first sentence of the book reads, "It's not about you," and the remainder of the chapter goes on to explain how the quest for personal fulfillment, satisfaction, and meaning can only be found in understanding and doing what God placed you on Earth to do. The book's 40 chapters are divided into six major sections, with the following titles:

What on Earth Am I Here For?
Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God's Pleasure (Worship)
Purpose #2: You Were Formed for God's Family (Fellowship)
Purpose #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ (Discipleship)
Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God (Ministry)
Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission (Mission)


Will you join me? The first seven chapters are posted online here to help get you started.

Enabler Alert !!

Picture the above in pink, not orange. Just picked this up at Walmart at a clearance price of only $10.00. Almost purchased one a few weeks ago at Michael's for $20.00 after using a 50% off coupon. Glad I waited. I have been eyeing one of these for quite a while, but was waiting for the right price. And as Bob Barker would say, "The Price Is Right!" The original Crop-A-Dile (smaller version) in the case with accessories was also available for $10.00.

The Crop-A-Dile II Big Bite™ punches holes and sets small (1/8"), large (3/16") and extra large eyelets and snaps. It also easily sets all sizes of WRMK Gromlets™ with a 1/3" center. It has a six inch punching and setting depth so you can place eyelets, snaps, gromlets or other metal embellishments anywhere on your scrapbook page or craft project. The Big Bite can punch through paper, leather, fabric, plastic (such as CD's), thin tin and chipboard.

I'm already imaging the projects I can make!

CTMH Convention 2010

Time's a ticking! I just registered for my CTMH Convention room at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in Washington, DC. This will be my first time attending and I'm super excited. Just a quick road trip to DC for three days of scrapbooking and stamping, networking with fellow consultants and getting motivated to work CTMH as a business, not just a hobby.

My team member Carol Labuski is joining me, and although Convention is not until July, we've both started packing. From business classes to team meetings, plus hours of Create & Take events, the agenda is packed with invaluable experiences. CTMH is truly a company who stands behind their mission statement ~"We show you how to celebrate relationships through the art of scrapbooking and stamping. Faster. Simpler. Easier." Can you tell I'm like a kid at Christmas time!

Friends - SC255 at SCS

CTMH has a fabulous gallery for consultants to share their artwork and projects. I created the card above based on the artwork of a fellow CTMH consultant named Emileeann. Starting with sketch # 255 over at SCS, I switched-out the Notebook patterned paper and used a felt and paper flower combo as my focal point. Toped the flower off with a Pewter Designer brad and added a rub-on. Now to decide who the recipient shall be.

CTMH products used:

cardstock - Black, Colonial White, Bamboo

PP - Notebook

Tulip felt flower, White Daisy paper flower, Pewter Designer brad, Black polka dot ribbon, rub-on

Dare to Dream!

Join CTMH in March and receive 4 exclusive new stamp sets FREE!

Be your own boss with flexible hours and unlimited earning potential when you join CTMH as a new Consultant this March. When you join, you will receive 4 new stamp sets FREE! The retail value of the free stamp sets total $91.80, which nearly covers the price of your New Consultant Kit. When all is said and done, you will receive more than $400 in fabulous new products to get your dream business started. Now is the time to make your stamping dreams come true! Ask your me about joining my incredible team today.

Scroffice decor

While shopping at Michael's for my basketweave afghan yarn , I just HAD to stroll through the scrapbooking section too. Since my yarn was already on sale (YIPEE), I could not waste my 40% off coupons! I purchased a 12" x 12" stretched artist canvas and an opaque Cotton White StazOn ink pad and re-inker set. StazOn ink is designed especially for use on plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, polymer clay and glossy cardstock. Basically, most porous surfaces.

I'm trying my hand at altering the canvas with ink, paper and embellishments. I've noticed so much gorgeous artwork with canvases lately, that I thought I'd give it a try. My intentions are to make two and use them as wall artwork in my newly re-organized scroffice. This is a whole new medium for me and way out of my crafting comfort zone. I'll reveal the finished artwork in a future post.