Christ The Lord Is Risen Today!

Christ the Lord is ris'n today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say: Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heav'ns, and earths reply: Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Foll'wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

~ Charles Wesley ~

"What a glorious truth to ponder - Jesus is not the "Great I WAS"

but rather the "Great I AM!"

He is a present-day, living reality."

~ Kenneth W. Osbeck ~

I am the first and the last:

I am he that liveth, and was dead;

and behold I am alive forevermore, Amen.

~ Revelation 1:17-18 ~

And the angel answered and said unto the women,

Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.

 ~ Matthew 28:5-6 ~

My heart and soul soars with joy and gratitude for my LIVING Savior.

Oh what a loving and triumphant King we serve!

He lives, ALLELUIA!

Wishing you and yours a glorious Easter filled with the joy of Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed Lord's Day, precious friends!

He Gave Himself

There can never be a greater gift than this.

Our Lord Jesus Christ not only has given forgiveness and salvation and all spiritual blessings,

He gave Himself!

The pure, glorious Son of God gave Himself,

substituting Himself in our place to suffer the righteous judgement of God on our sins.

Six times this wonderful affirmation is found in God's Word.

The first is in our text, assuring as that, when He gave Himself,

He paid the price to deliver us from this present evil world into the eternal world to come.

Then, in the next occurrence, this promise is made intensely personal.

Christ "loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

The gift Christ gave is more than the world could ever give.

The supremely sacrificial nature of His gift is then emphasized.

"Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God"

(Ephesians 5:2).

The sacrifice has brought us to Himself, for 

"Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... That he might present it to himself

a glorious church" (Ephesians 5:25,27).

The offering was sufficient to pay for the redemption of all sin,

as He "gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (1 Timothy 2:6).

This ransom is not merely to redeem us from the penalty of sin at the judgement,

however, but also from the power of sin in our lives,

and this is the testimony of the final occurrence of this great declaration.

Christ "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14).

Written by Henry M. Morris

Days of Praise March - May 2013

May your weekend be filled with blessings and joy!

Lavender Sachets For Easter

The scent of lavender is so calming and relaxing, don't you agree?

Lately I have been making several sachets to tuck in places around my home.

A cross for Easter seemed like a good idea since it will be visible to those that visit my home.

I am so grateful for what the cross represents - 

Christ's willingness to pay the penalty for my sin 

so that I might have salvation and eternal life.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

~ Hebrews 12:2 ~

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

~ Romans 1:16 ~

So I made a couple lavender sachets in the shape of a cross.

Items needed:

fabric

dried lavender

sewing machine

scissors

pinking shears

ribbon (optional)

Cut out two pieces of fabric in the shape of a cross with pinking shears.

Mine were about 4 inches long so the sachets are small.

I then cut out two more pieces of lace fabric to put over the pink cotton fabric.

Sew along the edges and leave an opening at the bottom so you can fill the cross with dried lavender.

It helps to hold the sachet over a bowl so you don't get lavender all over :)

Use something pointy, but dull, to push the lavender into the side of the cross.

Then finish sewing the bottom.

You can apply ribbon to your cross.

I used hot glue to put the bow on and added a pearl.

Linking up with:

Anything Blue Friday

Herbal Link-Up

Jesus Paid It All

I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small!

Child of weakness, watch and pray; find in Me thine all in all."

Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow'r, and Thine alone,
can change the lepers spots and melt the heart of stone.

For nothing good have I whereby Thy grace to claim;
I'll wash my garments white in the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb.

And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save," my lips shall still repeat.

Chorus:
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain - He washed it white as snow.
~ Elvina M Hall ~

{Image Courtesy of Antique Images}

Jesus paid it ALL!
He did not pay for half and expect us to finish the payment - He paid it all.
Forgiveness and salvation is offered through the shed blood of our Savior.
All to Christ I owe!

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood,
to declare his righteousness to the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God.
~ Romans 3:24-25 ~

The Ninety and Nine

There were ninety and nine, that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold -
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd's care,
Away from the tender Shepherd's care,

"Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine:
Are they not enough for Thee?"
But the Shepherd made answer: "This if mine
Has wandered away from me,
And although the road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert to find my sheep,
I go to the desert to find my sheep."

But none of the ransomed ever knew
How steep were the waters crossed;
Now how dark was the night that the Lord passed thro'
Ere He found His sheep that was lost:
Out in the desert He heard its cry -
Sick and helpless, and ready to die,
Sick and helpless, and ready to die.

"Lord, whence are those blood drops all the way
That mark out the mountains track?"
"They were shed for one who had gone astray
Ere the Shepherd could bring him back:"
"Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?"
"They're pierced tonight by many a thorn,
They're pierced tonight by many a thorn."

But all through the mountains, thunder-riv'n,
And up on the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gate of heaven,
"Rejoice! I have found my sheep!"
And the angels echoed around the throne
"Rejoice! For the Lord brings back His own,
Rejoice! For the Lord brings back His own!"
~ Elizabeth C. Clephane ~

May each and every one of you have a special Monday :)
Love to you!

Near The Cross

A dear lady at my church gave a testimony the other week

and since then I have constantly thought about something she said:

When you lose your fire, you need to revisit the cross.

And I have now been thinking about a certain hymn that goes along with this sentence.

Near The Cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross -

There a precious fountain,

Free to all, a healing stream,

Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,

Love and mercy found me;

There the Bright and Morning Star

Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day

With its shadows o'er me.

Near the cross I'll watch and wait,

Hoping, trusting ever,

Till I reach the golden strand

Just beyond the river.

Chorus

In the cross, in the cross

Be my glory ever,

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest, beyond the river.
- Fanny Crosby -

{Image courtesy of Antique Images}

Words cannot express the thankfulness I have
for my Savior's willingness to die on the cross for my sins.

He did not have to place Himself in that position,

yet out of love and compassion He chose to take upon Himself

the sins of the world so that you and I might have life-everlasting through Him.

Simple faith in Christ Jesus is all it takes.

How humbled I feel when I think of all that Jesus has done!

Many times I do lose my fire and I lose sight of God's vision

and what this sweet lady shared hit a chord within me.

I spent time revisiting the cross, a place I should visit often, 

remembering ALL that I have because of Jesus.

May you have a blessed Lord's Day!

Second-hand Delights

Boy, do I have some treasures to share with you today :)

I went to the thrifty store a couple of weeks ago

and when I walked through the door there were four tea cups sitting on a table.

I was so excited that I practically ran over to them.

Do you ever have those moments when you KNOW you should stop by the thrifty store?

Well, I had one of those moments and I knew I needed to go for a visit :)

 I chose two tea cups out of the four - the blue flowered cup and the yellow flowered cup.

Then while I was looking at other glassware and such 

I saw the butterfly tea cup all the way up on the top shelf  (so glad I'm tall)

tucked behind a bowl.

This blue flowered tea cup reminds me of my mother-in-law 

because of the pretty blue color.

ROYAL KENDALL

Fine Bone China

England

Just look at the uniqueness of this yellow flowered tea cup.

I haven't seen one with these colors and different handle shape.

 I absolutely LOVE the handle on this tea cup!

 DELPHINE BONE CHINA

Made in England

The butterfly tea cup is quite delightful 

with its pretty butterflies and strawberries.

The shape of the tea cup is very charming.

Old Foley

James Kent LTD

Made in England

"Strawberry"

What a lovely day at the thrifty store! 

I was able to purchase these tea cups (all made in England) for $15.00.

There was a big smile on my face when I walked out the door!

I also found a tea cup and saucer set the same day,

but I will save it for another time :)

Have a sweet and precious day!

P.S.
Remember the dress yesterday from eShakti?
Well here's a little "happy-happy" for you...
a 20% off coupon valid from now until April 10th.
Just enter TEROSE in the "Privilege Discount" box
and there is no minimum order value :)
It can be clubbed with another gift coupon or gift card.
So if you sign up for the first time at eShakti you will get $25.00 off,
and you can use that plus the discount when you checkout.
Isn't that great?!

Have fun :)

Linking up with:
Anything Blue Friday
Tea Time Tuesday

Pretty New Dress

I just recently came across an amazing online clothing site called eShakti

and received a dress from them.

But before I tell you about their wonderful clothing,

I'll tell you a little bit about my "pickiness" :)

(yes, I can be picky).

You see, I have a hard time finding clothes that fit nice and lady-like

because I am somewhat tall and I have a looooong torso.

Most things are too short and too low.

It's hard for me to find dresses or skirts that are below the knee

which is the way I like them.

I also have a difficult time finding shirts that are high or long enough.

So when I came across eShakti I was THRILLED

because they offer customization on their clothing to suit YOU.

If it's too short for your taste, you can have them lengthen it

or if it's too long for you, you can shorten it.

If you don't like the neckline, you can change it.

Want a different sleeve-type, no problem, they have lots of options to choose from.

You can also get pockets or have them removed.

I love pockets so I was very excited to get them on the dress.

The dress you see me wearing in these pictures 

(which I felt funny taking, but my sweet husband helped me out)

was originally a dress that was above the knee with no sleeves.

I chose to have it made below knee length and I had sleeves put on.

How fun is that?

I was very pleased with the detail on the dress.

Isn't the waistband lovely?

I feel like I have a teeny tiny waist with the design (what girl doesn't like that?)

And the gold buttons and pleats are the perfect touch.

(do you see Rosie Girl by my legs? She likes to get her picture taken).

 I love the fact that eShakti is willing to work with their customers

and all of our different body shapes.

Since I have trouble finding clothes that fit 

I wanted to share with all of you about eShakti

because I know there are other ladies out there that have the same struggle.

eShakti makes it so easy and their clothing is adorable and well-made.

(I am loving the pockets).

I would highly recommend eShakti.

If you are new to their site 

then you can register and receive $25.00 off your first purchase.

I hope you are able to visit them and find something you like.

I am sure you will be very pleased with their clothing :)

Have a blessed day, sweet friends!

Follow This Blog With Bloglovin

Most of you probably know by now that Google has announced

they will be retiring Google Reader in July, 2013.
I actually don't use Google Reader,
I have always signed into my blog at blogger.com
and it brought up my Blogger Dashboard
and that's where I read all the updates for every blog that I follow.

Also,I have been reading a few blogs during the last couple of days
and they have been questioning if Google will also retire GFC Followers.
Many have said it's probably likely they will get rid of it.

I am not sure if it will happen,

but you know how it is in the computer world,

things are always changing.
I am not that computer savvy so it takes me a while to adjust and learn :)

In the meantime I want to be prepared since there are many, many, many blogs that I enjoy
and I don't want to lose their information so I have started using Bloglovin.
My thinking is: Be Prepared!

It's very easy to add blogs you enjoy following 

and it keeps you up-to-date on each blog.

I would love to have you follow The Enchanting Rose on Bloglovin.

And you might want to check Bloglovin out 

if you're wondering what to use to keep all of your blogs organized.

It's very user-friendly (which is what I need).

Just click on the icon below and it will take you where you need to go.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Blessings to you, my dear friends!

The Meaning Of Easter Decor

Easter is such a wonderful time of the year.

How blessed we are to be able to give thanks to a Savior

that willingly died on the cross for you and me

and then be able to celebrate His resurrection three days after His death.

Jesus Christ did not stay in the tomb, but had victory over death,

and is now in heaven preparing a place for those that put their faith and trust in Him.

Oh what joy and blessed peace we have because of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ!

I made a framed story of Jesus dying on the cross, being buried in the tomb 

and then rising three days later.

I thought it would add a nice decoration and reminder to my home

since this is what Easter is all about.

I have it displayed at the front door

so it's the first thing someone will see when they come to my home :)

To make one you will need:

picture frame with three places for pictures

card stock

fabric (or paper)

flowers and birds

Mod Podge

paint brush or sponge

scissors

Cut card stock to the size of each picture spot.

I cut three at 4 x 6.

I used fabric for each cut out.

(you could use paper instead of fabric).

I then applied Mod Podge with a sponge to the back of the fabric

and placed it onto the card stock.

I added flowers and birds for the finishing touch.

On the bottom I wrote out parts from 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins,

according to the Scriptures:

And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures."

I hope the pictures are okay.

I must say it's very difficult taking photos of glass since everything glares

or reflects back :)

 

Linking up with:

Homemaking Linkup, Make It Pretty Monday



Living Truths

He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living:

ye therefore do greatly err.

~ Mark 12:27 ~

Sin and death are grim realities in the world,

but these are only temporary intruders, as it were.

The God of creation is the living God;

and "Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16)

is our living Savior, alive forevermore.

It is appropriate, therefore, that the term "living"

is applied over and over again to great truths of the Christian faith.

For example, the Holy Scriptures are called "the lively oracles" (Acts 7:38).

"Lively and "living" represent the same Greek word zao;

thus the Bible is God's 'living word."

Jesus Christ called Himself "the living bread which came down from heaven,"

sent down by "the living Father" (John 6:51, 57).

He also promised that all who believe on Him would find "living water"

flowing through their lives (John 7:38).

He has opened for us through His substitutionary death and justifying resurrection

"a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil,

that is to say, his flesh" (Hebrews 10:20).

Furthermore, He has thereby "begotten us again unto a lively hope

by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).

The Lord Jesus is the foundation of the great house of the Lord

into which we come through Him.

"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God,

and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:4 - 5).

In this holy temple we are therefore urged to "present [our] bodies a living sacrifice,

holy, acceptable unto God, which is [our] reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).

Our God is, indeed, the God of the living!

From Days of Praise

by

Henry M Morris

Have a blessed Lord's Day
and Happy St. Patrick's Day :)

source



It's Good To Be Back

Hello dear blogging friends!

I am finally back after a nice two week break.
I have missed all of you a great deal!

Before I even begin this post I want to say THANK YOU to

Jessica

A Humble Creation

Delvalina
Falling in Love with Jesus

Lauren and Tom
Acts17v25

Abby
Little Birdie Blessings

Nan
Mom's The Word

for being gracious and willing to write a guest post for my blog.

Each one is a treasure and precious blogging friend.

I hope you enjoyed them and their posts.
If you missed their guest posts, click on the links below.
Jessica, Delvalina, Lauren and Tom, Abby, Nan

Anyway,

while I was away I would like to say that I went to a tropical  island 

and enjoyed the lovely sunshine and warm ocean.....

but I actually didn't go anywhere.
I stayed put in my cozy home with snow melting outside
and lots of mud to play in :)

My laptop needed a few repairs so I had to send it away to Texas.

Hopefully everything is back in tip-top shape.

I must say I thoroughly enjoyed my time away from the computer.

Isn't it amazing how quickly we become dependent on the Internet?

I am on the computer without really consciously thinking about it.

I drink a cup of coffee in the morning so I get on the computer,

it's lunch time so I get on again, 

more coffee in the afternoon and what do I do - get on the computer.

It's evening time so I had better get on again :)

My time away really opened my eyes 

to how much time I spend sitting looking at the computer screen.

A few things I enjoyed while being home but "away" was the time spent reading books.

I am a book-lover :)

When I climb into bed, I turn on my little reading light and will spend hours laying there reading. 

I was able to get 4 books read during the last two weeks.

I got quite a bit of sewing done.

A new Easter dress for me.

Isn't the fabric lovely?

A turquoise belt and a light pink cardigan will finish the look.

The dress was not planned....I stopped by Hobby Lobby and saw this beautiful fabric.

I knew I had to have it :)

In the end I spent about $20.00 for a new dress - not bad.

I also sewed up a skirt.

It's not my usual color (I like pastels),

but I actually like the Indian look and feel of it.

All I need is turquoise jewelry to finish the look.

Then I made a couple of pinwheel throw pillows with pretty flowers attached to the middle.

Rosie Girl likes the blue and yellow one :)

I was able to get my dead flowers pulled out of my garden.

I am very behind as this should have been done in the Fall.

I have no excuse for my lateness :)

Then my son and I cleaned/organized the shed and got a pile together for a yard sale.

It's been ages since we've had a yard sale so I think it's time to de-clutter.

I was also able to work on an Easter piano piece....Lord-willing it will be ready by Easter Sunday.

The song is Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

in the setting of G.F. Handel's Hallelujah from The Messiah.

All-in-all it was a very productive and relaxing two weeks.

This may sound silly, but I also did some soul-searching while I was away from the computer.

You see, I was going to finish making products for my Esty store 

that I had been setting up for the last month.

My goal was to finish things up and open by the end of this month.

But God had other plans and He used His Holy Word to show me :)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts than your thoughts."

~ Isaiah 55:8,9 ~

The Lord brought to my attention that I was doing what I wanted to do

and had forgotten to pray about this matter 

and to take it to the Lord for His approval and direction - to see what He wanted.

As I stated earlier, I realized the precious time I was spending on the computer

and the Lord showed me how much more time I would be spending 

trying to keep an Etsy shop full with handmade goods.

I don't want to miss out on family moments and daily living.

My God and my family come first and I am thankful for the Lord' gentle reminder

and His precious leading :)

I am reminded of the quote I shared last Sunday:

One reason we are so harried and hurried 
is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, 
when all that legitimately concerns us is today.

 If we really have too much to do,

there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there.

Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete.

There is always time to do the will of God.

If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.
~ Elisabeth Elliot - Secure in the Everlasting Arms ~

So to sum it all up, I think know the Lord had His hand in all of this

right down to needing to send my laptop off for repairs

because He knew I needed that time to see things through His eyes.

I apologize for the lengthy post.
I guess I needed to share some of my heart with you sweet friends.
I am glad to be back and I look forward to visiting with all of you.

Enjoy your weekend.

Much love to you!

Mom's The Word {Guest Post}

Today's guest post is written by the delightful Nan from

Mom's The Word.
I met Nan several months ago and my life has not been the same :)
She has enriched my life with her enlightening posts and hilarious day-to-day moments.

She has plenty of laughter, wisdom and understanding to share at her blog

so I would encourage you to take a moment and go visit her.

Hi! I'm Nan. 

My kids were ages one and five just yesterday. I know it.

Somehow they just grew overnight.

I don’t know, maybe I was in the bathroom shaving my legs or something and I missed it.

I blog about all sorts of stuff.

My loving Savior, my precious husband and children, organization, frugality, homemaking, homeschooling, chocolate, hairy legs and acrylic nails…..

but through it all I hope you will find laughter, encouragement and fun!

What is one thing a mom craves and wants more of?


Me time.


What is the first thing that is sacrificed the most when mom gets busy?


Me time.


When my children were younger I really craved that "me" time.

Sometimes that time consisted of me in the bathroom, on my knees in prayer - begging God to give me patience, kind words and sanity, while little hands were waving under the locked door, and little voices were hollering "Mommy? Mommy? What you doin' in dere?"


I believe that it is good for a mom to take some time for herself and recharge.

Whether that recharge is in the bathroom on her knees, in a soapy bubble bath with a good book,

or out for a diet coke with a girlfriend.


But I also believe that we moms have to accept the "job" of wives and momhood that we took on. We have to accept the role we fulfill in our families. We have to accept that it is not about us.

A mom will be the first to tell you that it's not about her.

 Especially a mom who is knee-deep in diapers and spit up.

She knows it's not about her.

But does she accept it or resent it?

We moms can be martyrs, drudging along with our household responsibilities.

Poor me. Look at all I have to do. No one appreciates me.


Doing the laundry and changing diapers all day with no adult conversation until daddy comes home, or perhaps working outside the home and then rushing home to get a meal on the table,

cleaning toilets and cleaning bottoms.

Are we serving our family joyfully or with an air of self-pity and martyrdom?


Is that the image we really want to portray to our families? To others? To ourselves? That we are parenting in extreme suffering and distress?


Are we complaining so much to our husband that he says "Well, if you're so unhappy at home with the kids, maybe you should just go out and get a job."
Do we give the impression that we're happy being a mom or miserable?

We're all going to have rough days now and then.

We're going to have days when a bubble bath and a little quiet seems like an impossible dream.

We're going to have nights with a sick child or a screaming baby or a rebellious teenager.


But we're going to have days where our baby's smile takes our breath away.

Where our child's hug warms our heart.

Where our teenager's "I love you, mom" brings tears of joy.

I wouldn't trade that.

Would you?

On those days when "me" time becomes "Who, ME?" time, let's remind ourselves that when we are serving our family we are serving the Lord. 

Let's go to Him for the grace and strength we need to face those days with a smile instead of a frown, with joy instead of frustration, laughter instead of tears,

and that "me" time will turn into "WE" time and we will have an amazing day with our families!

Click on the link below to visit Nan and her amazing blog.

Mom's The Word