Wordless Wednesday

Practice ... practice... and more practice

A short lesson on crocheting...pottery, and calligraphy.

Crochet

Needlework consisting of interlocking looped stitches formed with a single thread with a hooked needle.

I am learning how to crochet.  I am determined not to let the crochet needle win this battle. Yesterday, I had my first lesson. After only a few minutes, I decided to stop for a moment.  I think I gave up too quickly.

The learning curve is unique to each person.  I am sure of this. I must practice and practice and practice.

Learning new a new skill keeps my mind sharp.

Over the past year, I enrolled in Chinese calligraphy and beginning pottery.

Learning now to crochet is by far the most challenging.

I am determined to keep practicing.  

I think this is me... using the pottery wheel.
I think those are my tennis shoes.

Sunday Scripture

“Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake!  For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightening, and his clothing was as white as snow.  The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women, “Don’t be afraid". He said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said it would happen.  Come, see where his body was lying. And now go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but filled with great joy and rushed to give the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said the them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Matthew 28: 1 - 10 (NLT)

Comfort or suffering ...

After nearly a week of Holy Week observances, tomorrow’s Easters services at my church are scheduled to begin at 6: 30 a.m.  Our congregation will sit in comfortable pews in a heated sanctuary.  As friends and family gather to celebrate the Resurrection, danger will likely not enter our thinking.

Yet, that is not the case for Christians worldwide.

John A. Torres, states it this way, “Easter evokes such vivid recollections of joyous times from our youth that it is nearly impossible to wash the pastel images from our minds, even as the photographs in our heads yellow with age.

But now, more than ever, Easter needs to be about so much more that chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, new dresses, bonnets, egg hunts, and jelly beans.

It can no longer be about childish things. The world won’t allow it.

Christianity is under attack all over the world.”

I agree.  

As Torre’s continues in the rest of his article, he recounts the recent event at Garissa University College in Kenya. Bullets interrupted the morning prayers of Kenyan Christians. This entire article is available on line. Florida Today.

How do Christians in American respond?  I trust we are comforted by the fact they are no longer suffering. They are resting in comfort and peace with Jesus.

How do we respond to those who are being persecuted? What can we do to make a difference? How can the facts inform our prayer life?

Good Friday

"We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him may then pour ourselves out for others."

Elisabeth Elliot

online source ... imgarcade 

I give you a new command ...

Catholics and Protestants observe this as Holy Week.

 Many churches have special services to mark 

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. 

I look forward to attending services on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

These words are from the Gospel of Saint John.

"I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you. 

You must love one another. 

John 13:34 (HCSB)

Source Rachel Baer on I Love Being Catholic

Wordless Wednesday