Do not quarrel on the way...

Hi friends,

I was reading through Genesis a while ago and noticed a little detail I hadn't really seen before in the story of Joseph. After he had revealed his identity to his brothers in Egypt (Gen 45), he tells them to go back to Canaan and bring his father to dwell in the Egypt. Joseph and Pharaoh supply the brothers with lots of goods for the journey, and as Joseph sends them on their way is parting words are, "do not quarrel on the way."

This got my attention for two reasons. First, it could be that Joseph is having a little dig at them because of their previous terrible behaviour toward him, when they wanted to kill him but decided instead to sell him into slavery. He knows their tendency toward jealousy and strife and so issues this reminder that they need to refrain from quarrelling as they travel back home. The second reason it struck me was because of how easy it is to quarrel on a journey! Anyone else had arguments with their spouse on a car journey (maybe over directions...!)? Anyone have to mediate in arguments between children? There is something about being on a journey - maybe it's the confined space, the boredom, or the unique challenges of new environments or routes - that increases the likelihood of quarrelling!

When I was creating this page, I started thinking about the fact that as Christians, we are on a journey over the whole of our lives. This is sometimes called a pilgrimage, where we are journeying to our home with Jesus. There is much language in the Bible that supports this view. This made me think about our relationships with one another as Christians on this journey. As I look around the Church in the world today, I see a lot of quarrelling. Social media seems to be rife with nit-picking of doctrine and denouncing of words and practice at the moment. We haven't adopted this wise advice from Joseph to his brothers not to quarrel as we journey together, and it is making the journey more difficult as a result.

I created this page by stamping the caravan from Happy Camper onto the page, then created the background with watercolours. These hills reminded me of the beautiful Lancashire hills that we can see from our new home that we moved to recently. The text was stamped using a combination of Bold & Outline Caps Alpha, Love Ya Like a Sister Alpha and Love Your Neighbor (which I also used to stamp the tree and clouds).

Let's commit to listening to the wisdom of Joseph (which is ultimately the wisdom of God). Let's not quarrel with one another one our journey of faith together. Let's encourage one another, build each other up, challenge and correct one another where needed, but let's not quarrel.

Be blessed...

x Amy x

Leaving and Camping...

Hi friends,

Have you ever read a list in the Bible that repeats similar information over and over again and just skipped to the end? I know I have, but I need to be reminded that all these details are in Scripture for a reason.

In Numbers 33 there is a record of all the places the Israelites left and camped on their journey from Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land, and while all these names of places may seem irrelevant to us today, the repeated refrain of 'they left... and they camped...' got me thinking about a couple of important things.

Firstly, the Israelites went where God let them. They were willing to pack up and leave when God moved them on. I think the camping imagery is great here, as there is a constant element of being in transistion, not settling down, but always being ready to move. Secondly, the presence of God went with them to all these places, protecting them and providing for them. It is a good reminder that no matter where the will of God may take us, the grace and protection of God will always be upon us.

This page and message is one that means a lot to me personally at the moment as we contemplate a potential move away from all that is comfortable and known, but very much feeling that God is leading us in it. Whenever I think about the difficulties surrounding the move, I have to remind myself that God who calls us is faithful to protect and provide for us, and that our responsibility is simple obedience.

I used the new With Love Alpha set on this page for the words 'left' and 'camped' and used Bitty Minnie Alpha for the other words, then stamped the text from the new Grace so Amazing underneath (the perfect message for this page!). I stamped the cute caravan from Happy Camper and coloured with watercolours and sponged some yellow ink in the sky to create a sun effect. Here are the sets I used:

I hope you are encouraged to step out and go wherever God may be leading you (even if it isn't a move of physical location, sometimes it's another move of obedience that God is requiring). And remember: wherever God guides, he provides.

Be blessed...

x Amy x

Holy Spirit, You Are Welcome Here

Even on My servants, both men and women, 

I will pour out My Spirit in those days. Joel 2:29

Hello Friends!

Today, we are in Joel 2. He is speaking of the last days- a future time when, ultimately, Christ will return. At that time, the Holy Spirit will be very active. The great news is that, even though much of Joel's prophecy is yet to be fulfilled, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit began on Pentecost when the apostles were filled with the Spirit. From that day on, all believers have been and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

So, my question is this: do we welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts and lives? Jesus told the disciples in John 14:26, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." The Holy Spirit is our Helper. He teaches us. He reveals the truth to us. So, we should welcome Him enthusiastically!

Believers, as God's children, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. But we shouldn't treat Him as a visiting guest. We want to welcome Him home in our hearts. Our focus should be on the will of God and the work of Jesus. By praying, Bible reading and studying, worshiping, we will welcome the Spirit. And He will guide and empower us in all we do. Holy Spirit, You are most definitely welcome here!

Page Details:
I used the following Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets: Happy Camper, Love Your Neighbor, and Holy Spirit. I am loving the new Happy Camper set! Isn't it the cutest??!! It's so versatile with all the "embellishment" stamps. I used watercolor crayons and a Micron pen as well.

Have a great week! Andrea