What Is My Focus?
What is My Focus??? Why do I do the things that I do???

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus gave up HIS all to come to earth to be a servant. He is the God of the universe - He created the world and all that is in it.... He did NOT have to choose to do this.... but HE DID!!! He gave Himself to die on the cross for our sins!!! He loves us so much that HE CHOSE to do this.....

SO what am I to do with this knowledge???

First I must accept / believe that Jesus died for me! He offers me forgiveness for all my sins - all of the bad things I have done. All we need to do is accept his forgiveness - we don't need to DO anything - just believe!

Now that I believe - what am I to do???

Spend time getting to know this wonderful Savior! Find a good church that preaches the Gospel - the Good News about Jesus - that encourages the believer to actively share this Good news, a place to worship (appreciate) God for what He has done, a place to learn about God through His Word - the Bible....

Spend time getting to know this wonderful Savior through personal Bible reading and prayer. God gave us wonderful minds - to think on Him. To discern the truth about Him! We have the ability to think and meditate - to understand Him. We must use this ability by reading the Bible - daily is so important. God has given us the Bible - a gift of love - so that we can get to know Him! We must read it! We must seek to understand it's words.... not just skim over it and call that "reading". We must read to understand - love the words of the Bible.... So we should think on it (meditate) - bring its truth into our lives. Live by the Word of God.... Desire to do God's will - as revealed through the Bible.

We also need to pray to God. Share with Him all of your concerns / needs. God wants you to talk to Him - share with Him. Think of Him as your "best friend"- accept HE will NEVER mistreat you. He will ALWAYS be with you - be there for you! He loves you so much that He died for you. What greater love is there, than this??? He has your concerns foremost in His mind - HE DOES care for you greatly!!! God wants to hear from you.

I pray that my life reflects Jesus....

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So how am I doing? What is my purpose with this blog? My blog motto is... "A Little Bit of God in Every LayOut"- Am I fulfilling this goal? Am I being a good witness to those around me? Am I making a difference in people's lives?

As I reflect on these things - I am thinking of how I can improve in these areas. I think that my "free time" can get so bogged down with designing kits that people may or may not buy. I have been contemplating so long on how to make a difference / impact in the scrapping community. It is so easy to get "caught up" in all that is going on around us.... I have seriously been thinking about "formally" quitting designing so that I can focus more on the important things - spreading the gospel through my scrapping and hopefully inspiring others to do "A Little Bit of God in Every LayOut"....

The one problem I have encountered is that I LOVE designing. I have almost quit at times - but yet I go through these down times and come out more inspired in different areas. SO how do I accomplish the above goals and still design. Give out freebies is a good thing.... but I don't just want to be a "freebie" junky enabler.... LOL I WANT people to use the "freebies" they get - not just stock up on freebies and never use them.....

SO how can I inspire you to scrap? Actually I would like your responses! I would love to know what would help you to scrap more!

Also, please pray for me - that I can find a healthy balance with my scrapping time!

Thank you,
Lori

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The World Around Us

I LOVE spring!!! 

We live in the midwest - we have snow in the winter - it gets cold etc....  So when spring comes - it is so refreshing!!!  The brown grass turns green - the plants start to bloom - and my tulips appear.  I love God's creation!  He gave us so many beautiful things to look at. 

One summer, as we were driving through the back-roads in Nevada / Utah - I was amazed at all of the different scenery.  I marveled at how God did not make the world mundane....  He gave us mountains, hills, valleys, deep valleys etc. - and that is just the ground.  Take a look at all of the different plants, trees, grasses etc that there are....  You would not believe all of the different varieties we even have in our yard - and we do NOT have a huge property.  Take a look at all the animals. 

Take a look at all the people - God made us unique!  We are made in the image of God.  He loves us so much that He made us this special world that we live in....

The Bible verse for today is Romans 1:20...

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

All of this wonderful things I have been talking about - are not here by accident - they are proof that God created them. This beautify could NOT have just developed by chance - they are made by an intelligent Creator - God!!!

As you look at the wonderful things in nature that GOD has created - I hope that you can praise Him!!!

Even more precious - is how God views you!  He sent His only Son to this world - to die in your place so that you can live forever with God!  Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior?  Do you believe that He died on the cross for you?  Do you know that the penalty for sin is death - and the only acceptable payment - is the blood (death) of Jesus?  But do you know the BEST news of all?  Jesus did NOT stay dead - He arose from the grave 3 days later - because HE IS GOD!!!  He was the perfect payment for our sin!!!

Please accept Jesus' free gift - of taking your place / payment today - while you still have time!  You will never know what tomorrow might bring - and it may be too late....

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Come to Faith Scraps to get this tulip CU item...

A Busy Life

Hi all,

Wow April has been really busy. I am not sure if you know, my hubby is deployed - so I am trying to keep up with everything while he is gone. We have 9 kids - I homeschool, design digi-scrap kits etc - so sometimes life gets very, very busy! That is just normal everyday life.... but when we are having to deal with little crisis - ie about $1000 in van repairs - life gets crazy.... LOL

But through all of these crisis etc - I have been doing well this month. What is the secret of my success - a relationship with Jesus Christ! I know that God is in control - no matter what happens - I see God's hand. He provides friends to help replace car parts - safety in getting home etc. I know that whatever happens that God is with me - and He loves me.

Today in "Keys For Kids" - we were reading about the firm foundation we have in Christ. When we believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins - we have that firm foundation. When the storms / crisis come into our lives we can stand firm - relying on Jesus to take us through. We don't have weak foundation - we have a foundation that will stand firm!!!

I thank God that He loves us so much - that He gave His only Son to die in our place - that He walks with us in all of our storms / crisis!!!

Have you trusted Jesus? DO you believe that He died for your sins, so that you can have eternal life with God? God loves you so much that He does not want for you to perish! Trust Him today!!!

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Come to Faith Scraps and get this template for free...

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

Hi all,

Well wouldn't you know last week, the flu bug hit us....  Almost all of us were sick throughout the week.  So we are recovering - but today I got a pretty bad headache - it is a bit better.....