In The Morning

"In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus!"

Hello, sweet blogger friends!  ✋

Deeds here, ready to lay it on us!  Ready to bring it; gonna bring the Word!
As I sit here giggling at my feeble attempts to be funny, I just want to say that although the Word of God is a serious matter, I am still thankful that God gave us humor and the ability to laugh.
This has nothing to do with the topic for today, but I did want to let you know: this gal likes a good hearty laugh, and a good hearty laugh often!  It's good for the soul, amen?

Ok!  This is a bit different of a post as it brings something too close to home; close enough that I debated with God about even writing/sharing it. 
I'm not thrilled at my lack of discipline when it comes to three basic necessities of the Christian faith: prayer, study, and meditation.  But declaring a weakness - confessing sins to my siblings in Christ - is part of healing and repentance. 
I'm talking about spending time in the Word.
Spending time with God.

Spending time being with God in prayer.
Spending time - sacrificing time - to give your first and early moments of the day to God.

I used to sing that song, "Give Me Jesus," a lot.  I used to play it loudly from my car as I painfully navigated my divorce.  I used to cry the lyrics to the Lord in hopes that He would indeed meet me in that safe and sacred place, wherein I could behold my first Love and allow His embrace to erase my depression.
However, I didn't realize that the phrase, "in the morning, when I rise," was so key. 

Tip in created in my process video with the "'reverse smooshing technique." :D
(Neo-color crayons and "In the Morning," stamp)

Now, please don't misunderstand; ANY time in the Word of God and ANY time spent with Him is wonderful.  It's all good.  All fruitful.  All a blessing. 
But recently, I have been burdened by my humanity, understanding that if I DO NOT GET THOSE FIRST MOMENTS OF MY DAY WITH THE LORD, I cannot guarantee a good day.  I cannot be sure that I will perform well.  Goodness me, I cannot promise that I will look/sound/act like a Jesus lover. 
In fact, I can almost 100 percent count on a misplaced trajectory, and an unsaturated heart for the Lord.

Bookmark created with wet on wet technique (neocolor crayons & "In the Morning" stamp).

My hope is that by writing this very personal (and somewhat embarrassing) piece of blog, I will be held accountable, for one.  But also, that this will encourage you to do what I have tried to establish as a course of action every single day: in the morning, when I rise, be with Jesus. 
There's such a difference in all around behavior.
There's such a contrast between when I do and when I don't, it's unreal.
There's such a blessing for others around me when I've elected to sit down first thing and be with Jesus.

There are plenty of scriptures to help inspire us to praise and petition in the morning:

"Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you." Psalm 33:22
"They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord;" 1 Sam. 1:19

"O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch." Psalm 5:3
"But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress." Psalm 59:16

There's more of this on my Youtube process video!

Sing!
Rejoice!

Praise!
Pursue!

Get Jesus, and get Him in the morning!

Much love,

Deeds

"In the Morning" stamp available at the Sweet n Sassy Shop!
affiliate link: http://www.sweetnsassystamps.com?aff=7

"She Will Bear a Son" Bookmark

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Happy Thursday, lovelies!!

It's Deeds, and I'm here with a bit of something different.  I don't usually have a knack for things that involve tons of creativity.  However, given a challenge is something I'm up for, especially if it means that my creative journey is becoming brighter and more colorful!  (pun intended)

This month's release is one of those that gives me a lot to think about; a lot to mull over; a lot to try; a lot to experiment with, etc.  ALL the Christmas stamps are beautiful as you've probably seen, and ALL have such a sweet heart behind them.  The themes of them cause me to reflect even more on why I am who I am; why I love what I love, and WHO I love.  Things that draw me deeper into fellowship with God are absolutely worth my time and creative juices!

I'm using the stamp set called, "O, Holy Night."  It's just one of many wonderful sets released for the getting ready for the Christmas season.  I have always been passionate about the time of Advent.  I have always loved how the Christmas season begins earlier every year - the sooner the better in my mind, as it gears me up even sooner to meditate on my Lord and Savior, who came to the world to save people from their sins.  I'm not alone in this I know it! ;D

THE GOSPEL is by far the most important theme of Christmas.  I know I like to think about trees, food, songs, winter dresses, parties, gift exchanges and so on.  These are all good, but mean nothing without the attachment of Jesus Christ, whom we celebrate! 
It's why I love the stamp I used on the bookmark today.  It speaks of the gospel so clearly; it underlines the most important event in human history; it brings to light the contrast between Jesus (God in the flesh, born of a virgin) and the world in need of a Redeemer!

"You will call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins."  (Matthew 1:21)

The stamp is in the shape of a tree which helped as
inspiration for color and texture placement.

The cost and value of this Life in exchange for mine is not understandable, let alone for the whole world.  It's something that only God will understand ever.  A son.  A perfect life.  A perfect obedience.  A perfect Spirit.  A perfect Man.  A perfect Sacrifice.  A perfect Salvation.

Jesus is the reason for this season, and He's the reason for all seasons beyond!  We celebrate Christmas once a year - God celebrates every day and heaven's hosts sing "Hallelujah!" to the King, born in a lowly stable, dying the sinner's death, now living at the right hand of God!  Praises to His name!

I have a video tutorial up on my Youtube channel as to how I formed and fashioned this.  I've truly enjoyed the process behind making something I can use as a token of love for another.  I'll be making more of these for gifts for the holidays.  

Much love,

Deeds