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Gimme that Garment-Grabbing Faith!

In reading through the twenty-four chapters of the Book of Luke between December 1st and the 24th, I have once again been overwhelmed by reading about the miracles of Christ. I’ll confess that while I am amazed by His actions, I am saddened by my own.

I see what He has done, and I see Him at work in my life—yet I neglect to trust Him fully. I find myself distracted by the things of this world which cause me to waver in the kind of faith I want to have.

In Luke 8, the true story is told of a woman who had been ill for twelve years with no relief. Jesus came to town, and she went to see Him. She had undoubtedly heard of His miracles and was eager to experience one first-hand…literally!

In my mind’s eye, the crowd was pushing in on her, and she seemed to know that ducking down low to push her way through them was her only chance at getting close enough to be healed. I can imagine that she reached out—only to have her fingers nearly trampled by those surrounding the Great Teacher. She tried again. This time she reached for all she was worth. She knew that just a touch was all she needed—at least, that’s all it had taken to heal the blind man who lived down the road from her.

This time, her outstretched arm succeeded in its quest: she touched the hem of the robe that Jesus was wearing! Without any word from the Master, she felt the effects of the healing that had instantaneously occurred. However, now she was faced with having to answer His question—“Who touched me?”—in front of everyone. Peter tried to tell Him that it was just the crowd that was pressing in on Him, but He again said: “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

Luke 7:47-48 (NIV) gives us the conclusion to her story: “Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at His feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched Him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’”

This has been a lengthy post, but I want to share three quick things I learned/am learning from this woman’s faith.

She came with reckless abandon. Nothing else mattered but getting to Jesus. She was willing to drop to her knees and crawl if that’s what it took!

She reached out to Him. She opened her empty, weak hand and persisted until she had received what only He could give.

She revered His power. Her trembling acknowledgement that she was the one who had touched Him demonstrated her reverent awe of His holiness and her respect for the fact that this was the Great Physician. I believe that it is in acknowledging our belief in His power that we receive His power!

However, my three alliterated points mean nothing if I don’t put them into practice in 2012…and beyond. Therefore, I must apply these three principles to my own faith:

*Come to Him in reckless abandon, taking no care for the distractions that come

*Reach out to the One Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I could ever ask or think

*Have a reverent respect (“the fear of the Lord”) for how incredibly awesome and powerful He is

In applying these principles, I will be able to add a fourth “r” by “rejoicing” in all that He does in me, through me, and for me! Oh, how I long for a garment-grabbing faith!

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Thank you for taking time to read “Garment-Grabbing Faith.”

Please feel free to leave a comment!

By Petals from the Basket | December 13, 2012 | Bible Reading, God-and-I-Time, Life Changes |

“Spice Up” Your Holidays

I just finished reading today’s Christmas-Countdown chapter, Luke 3, and decided to look through the recipe ideas in one of my favorite catalogs: Penzeys Spices. I had to share what I found!

Soon after I moved to the Milwaukee area a few years ago, a friend stopped by for a visit. She was actually on her way to Penzeys Spices, and I just happened to be on the way! I confess that I didn’t understand why someone would drive almost thirty miles for spices…until I used them!

Since then, I have become a Penzeys-aholic! Not only are their employees some of the nicest and most helpful people I’ve encountered in retail, but their Tellicherry Black Pepper has ruined my taste buds for other peppers! Their Vietnamese Cinnamon and their plain Penzeys Cinnamon make any other cinnamon seem flat and dull to me now. And don’t even get me started on the “Spicy 4/S Special Seasoned Sea Salt” or my all-time favorite: “Hint O’ Mint Hot Chocolate”—ooh, la la! (And their prices are comparable to popular brands you find in the grocery store.)

As you may have guessed by now, today’s gift idea comes from Penzeys; but you don’t have to live near a Penzeys to get it or to give it! Right now Penzeys has a great gift box that is worth $37.95 for just $19.95. (Whoa, that sentence totally sounded like an infomercial, didn’t it?)

They’ll ship it to you or to the gift recipient! {{LOVE!}} The box has five spices, a dish towel, and a 24-page recipe book. What a great gift for a beginning cook, a wannabe chef, or a friend or relative who loves to cook! At that price, why not add it to your wish list, too, and spice up your holiday cooking? (Besides, right now they also have free shipping for orders over $30.00!)

I’m not an affiliate, and I don’t receive any compensation from Penzeys. I just think it’s a great gift idea worth sharing and a great company worth supporting.

Happy holiday baking!

Click here to see the Penzeys “Cooking Gift Box.”

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Have you ever tried Penzeys spices? What’s your favorite?

By Petals from the Basket | December 5, 2012 | Ideas |

From My Cupboard to Yours

My grandmothers are both with the Lord. One passed away when I was four; the other, when I was twenty-six. I am grateful for these two women and the ways in which they taught my parents to be the people that they are today.

In my home are various items that I received from both of my grandmas—from heavy furniture to decorative plates and from miniature glass pitchers to large handmade quilts. I treasure each of these items, and while I recognize that it’s just “stuff,” I treat it with respect and honor because of its origins.

One Christmas many years ago now, one of my grandmothers gave each of us four grandchildren—we were all adults by then—some of the treasured and storied items from her cupboards and linen closet. These were items that she no longer used and was ready to pass along—while she was still living—so that we could enjoy them and could learn of their place within our heritage while she was still here to tell us. Included with each item was a little handwritten note giving the story of that item. One year she gave me a beautiful cuff-style bracelet with a note stating that she had received this piece of jewelry from her great grandmother for her Confirmation in the Lutheran Church, and I think of its significance each time I wear it for a special occasion.

In an attempt to keep this brief, let me just finish by saying that this is today’s gift idea. Grandmas, choose one special item each Christmas for your hard-to-know-what-to-buy-for older grandchildren, and share the story while you are here to do it in person! It’s not “used,” or “this ol’ stuff,” but it’s an heirloom with your history and your story—packaged with love.

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” (Psalm 71:18, NIV)

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Thanks for taking time to read “From My Cupboard to Yours.” Feel free to leave a comment about your favorite gifts from “Grandma.”

By Petals from the Basket | December 3, 2012 | Family, Ideas |

Christmas Countdown!

I’ve been at my parents’ home this past week and can’t begin to tell you how glorious it’s been! One of my favorite things of all is waking up each morning in the Christmas Room! Their “guest room” is decorated for Christmas all year and sports such things as a red and green poinsettia-decorated comforter, a hand-painted border of pine cones around the ceiling, and a sled in the corner; and among other things, there are even two bright red Christmas stockings hung from the posts of the antique green chair!

Tomorrow night is another Christmas biggie for me—that’s the night I will sleep under the tree! Well, okay, not actually UNDER it, but as close to it as I can get! Well…that’s if I get it put up and get everything put away. But that’s my tradition, and I’m stickin’ to it!

In case you can’t tell, I’m a Christmas-lovin’ sort o’ gal! Celebrating Christ’s coming to earth is more than enough reason, but I think…ummm, okay…I know that the tradition, ritual, sentiment, and positivity of the season just sort of top it off for a person like me!

As I shared a few weeks ago, I’m planning to read one chapter of the Book of Luke each day between now and Christmas. Because Luke has 24 chapters, it’s the perfect way to read the entire life story of the One whose birth we will celebrate on the 25th! I haven’t read chapter one yet today, but I’m already eager to be reminded, through young Mary’s words, that “nothing is impossible with God!” I can’t WAIT to see what He has planned for the month of December!

I’d love for you to join me in the reading this month. Also, starting Monday and then about two or three times a week after that, I’m going to share some amazing—and I do mean, amazing—gift ideas, links, and resources!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go read Luke chapter one. Later, I’ll lounge in the Christmas Room one last time while listening to the Carpenters’ Christmas album!

By Petals from the Basket | December 1, 2012 | Family |

Gratitude: Day 30

Day 30: Gratitude focus – The neighbor, friend, or family member of your choosing

Quality or name of God – My Dwelling Place

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Thank You!

Today, I want to say a personal “thank you” to those who have taken the time to participate in all or part of the Thirty Days of Gratitude! Your notes were an encouragement to me personally, and I’m sure that, even if you only participated for a few days, your gratitude was a blessing to someone!

Because you are the recipients of my gratitude today, I would like to offer you a FREE download of one or both of my e-books!

Simply enter the Discount Code 30DAYS at checkout, and you will receive the link to the free download(s)! This discount code applies to both books! You will have to go to two separate locations to get them, but I hope you’ll take advantage of this one-day offer and that you’ll enjoy reading one or both of the books. (The “letterhead” for both checkout pages will come from my business site: PEP Writing Services. I didn’t want that to startle you!)

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THE ABC’s of T2:3 is a multi-lesson study that integrates the names and character qualities of God with the principles taught in Titus 2:3-5. It is suitable for individual or group study. Many of you sat in on this study and your encouragement to take the lessons I wrote/taught and put them into book format was the beginning of this 60-page e-book! The regular price is $4.99 – but until midnight tonight, it’s FREE if you use the Discount Code: 30DAYS (Click the picture of the book on the left to get your FREE download.)

 

Exceed the Dream: Three Steps for Greater Engagement in the WorkplaceEXCEED the DREAM: Three Steps to Greater Engagement in the Workplace is exactly what the title states! Leadership principles are helpful at home, work, and church and throughout life in general. The 15-page e-book is concise and practical! The regular price is $.99, but until midnight tonight, it’s FREE if you use the Discount Code: 30DAYS (Click the picture of the book on the left to get your FREE download.)

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I thought these were the perfect verses with which to end our Thirty Days of Gratitude:

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:1-2, NIV)

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Thank you for joining me during the month of November as I continue traveling my journey of joy!

Though I will return to posting only 3-4 times per week, I’d love for you to join me as I begin tomorrow to read the 24 chapters of the Book of Luke and start my personal countdown to Christmas! (Read more about it here.)

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Additional reading (for reading through the Psalms in 30 days):
Psalm 30, 60, 90, 120, 150
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Please feel free to leave a comment!

By Petals from the Basket | November 30, 2012 | Books, Ebooks, Events, Thirty Days of Gratitude |