A Signature Piece

We have a nice collection of pottery from many different potters.

The colors and styles vary by artist and I consider each one a signature piece.

There have been times when we have watched a potter at work ~ 
throwing the clay on the wheel and working it with his hands.
He meticulously pays attention to the detail of the piece as he creates a design that will carry his signature.

In our recent move one of my favorite pieces of pottery was broken.
I haven't attempted to glue it back together ~ but I will try.
And I will display it again.

This morning as I pondered the potter at work I opened my Bible and read from Isaiah 64:8

"But now, O LORD, Thou art our Father,  
We are the clay, and Thou our potter;

and all of us are the work of Thy hand."

It is my heart's desire to be as clay in My Father's hand.  
The broken bowl put back together will be a significant reminder 
of His continual work in my life.  On the other hand, 

I have never thought about carrying His Signature
but as His child I do.  

This gives me a new perspective.

In a recent conversation with my mom, her closing remark to me was
"Remember whose girl you are."  

This is a phrase my daddy said to me ~ often. 
It was a reminder that I was his girl.

He is my Potter.
Even broken.
I carry His Signature.
I am His girl.

A Signature Piece

Signed

Numbered

By the Artist

(c) Faith Builder

Trouble

Matthew 6:34 - Amplified Bible  ³⁴So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

Dad is in the hospital.  Pneumonia.

Mom is missing him.  Lonely.

Roger is transferring.  Busy.

Jon is graduating.  Searching.

Jen is applying for a job.  Anxious.

Julie is our anchor.  Settled.

Susan is overwhelmed.  Stressed. 

God is Present. Always.

I totally understand this verse from

The book of Matthew.

It pops into my head almost daily.

The words that linger in my thoughts -

"Sufficient for each day is its own trouble."

Now isn't that the truth!

No need to explain this one to me ~

I get it.

But I also get that God knows 

What I face each day.

How thankful I am to simply whisper His name ~ 

Jesus

And He hears me.

(c)  Faith Builder

I See You Lord

I see You Lord

In my dear friends

Whose gift is that to give

Of caring hands and loving hearts

Time and time again

Each one brings joy 

Into my life with heartfelt

Love and laughter

There's no mistaken

Whose they are

For You are truly 

Their Master.

I see You Lord

In my dear friends

And thank You for each one

I ask that You would bless them

Beyond what they could measure

 I see You Lord

In acts of love

That overwhelms my heart

And prayers of those both
Near and far that brings much
Peace and comfort

I see You Lord

At dawn of day

Until the setting sun
Thank You for being
My Friend who
Sticketh closer than a brother

(c) Faith Builder

Attitude is Everything

The lined sheet of paper is covered in ink.
Words flow from the top to the bottom of the page.
Things to do ~ the list seems endless
And time seems short.


"Make hay while the sun shines" pops into my thoughts.


So now with the kitchen timer set to aid in motivation
And praise music filling the air I am ready to tackle my chores
Remembering all the while 
My attitude is everything.


And when I begin to feel overwhelmed by the daunting 
"To Do List"
I will pray, O Lord, according to Your Word I can give my
Worries to You and You will take care of me.
Psalm 55:22


(c) Faith Builder

The Traveler's Psalm

Early this morning as I was praying
Psalm 121: 1-2 kept coming to my mind.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills-
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth."

I opened my Bible to read the words.
After I read it,
I heard it,
On the radio.

Affirmation.
My help does come
From the LORD.

The title of this post
Is the title in my Bible for this scripture.
The Traveler's Psalm
And it is significant in our lives.

Today we begin a new journey.
Without a doubt I know God placed
This scripture on my heart and in
My thoughts.

Verse 8 spoke to me ~
"The LORD will guard you
As you come and go, both
Now and forever."

How thankful I am for God's
Love letter.
It always brings
A Timely Word.

(c)  Faith Builder

A New Day

With the dawn of a new day I am reminded that God is omniscient - He knows every aspect of my life.

(Psalm 139:1-6)

He knows everything I will do today ~

Every detail.

He knows every thought ~ 

Even before I think them.

He knows the words that will form on my tongue ~

And how they will sound when they come across my lips.

He knows my steps today ~

Where I will be at all times.

He knows what is in my heart ~

So He understands me.

The early morning hours with its hushed sounds

Is a quiet reminder to thank God for being

Concerned

About me.

(c)  Faith Builder

Dinner by Design

Tonight when I walked in the house there was a wonderful aroma that greeted me.

Imagine my surprise as I rounded the corner to see a beautifully set table including candles, placemats  and cloth napkins.

My son had prepared our evening meal ~ fresh strawberries, tossed salad, steak, baked potato, asparagus, garlic toast and ice tea.                

I was touched by his thoughtfulness.  

He warmed my heart twice today ~ his prayer for his sister and the evening meal.

As I lay down for the night, I do so with a tired body but a grateful heart.  

Dinner by Design - Jon age 18.  I can't help but smile!

(c) Faith Builder

  

Cup and Saucer

"...My cup runneth over." Psalm 23:5

This quote simply means I have been blessed with everything I need.

I enjoy a cup of coffee every morning.  Most mornings I drink from a mug but occasionally I like to drink from a cup with a saucer.

"Old Country Rose" is a beautiful English China pattern.  Its delicate roses of red and yellow always seem to brighten my spirits.  Sunday morning I knew I wanted to start my day with this beautiful china.  It makes me feel special.

I thought about my grandmother, Cora.  She liked her coffee to be pipping hot.  I can remember watching her carry her cup with saucer to her chair and then drink from the saucer because her cup had overflowed.

As I was sipping coffee from the porcelain cup I realized my cup hadn't overflowed.  It actually needed to be refilled.  In that moment I was reminded of my spiritual walk with Jesus... I have to be refilled so my cup is full and running over.  I can't take care of myself, my family and my parents without renewed energy from the One who knows and loves me best.

What a wonderful reminder from Psalm 23 that I have been blessed with everything I need.  

Truly my cup is full and overflowing.

Even on the days it looks empty.

How can that be?

Because it is my personal Shepherd who is taking care of me.

I want to be aware of the hand of God throughout each day.
Today has been no exception.  

From the breakfast tray, to the fresh flower on the wall, 

to the friend who sent a medical reminder,
to the messages by phone, text and Facebook

my personal Shepherd is reminding me He is present after all.

(c)  Faith Builder

Grace Notes

..."GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."  James 4:6b
I find it interesting that these words in the Bible are in capital letters.
        
                                       Love in Action
                                            GRACE


(c)  Faith Builder

A Timely Word

Words spoken ~
"A man has joy in an apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely word!"
Proverbs 15:23
Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by words spoken to you?
I had that happen today.
Unexpected.
From a stranger.
A timely word.
Valued.
Delightful.
Savored.


(c)  Faith Builder