Little Birdie Blessings

Free Images ~ Friends ~ and a Verse to Remember

2012-02-25T21:00:00.002-05:00

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Colossians 3:23

Okay... is this Victorian trade card not the most adorable thing you've seen in a long time. When I saw it, the verse at the top of this post came to mind immediately. This little girl may not be very happy about her chores, but we're reminded in Colossians 3:23 that WHATEVER we do, do it HEARTILY for the Lord.

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines the word HEARTILY as:

from the heart
with all the heart
with sincerity

with zeal
actively

vigorously
eagerly
freely

Are you getting the picture? I am, and certainly this post is as much for me as any of my readers. To help me visually remember this verse, I've added it to this sweet Victorian card as a reminder that whatever I do, is for the Lord.

My friend Pat who faithfully attends a Bible study I have in my home, is an avid reader of my blog and always has an encouraging word. She knows that vintage images are near and dear to me and surprised me not long ago with a stack of THE sweetest Victorian cards. When she gave them to me, she said I can't wait to see what you do with them. The sweet graphic above comes from Pat's gift to me.


My friend Pat ~ a woman after God's own Heart

Pat knows what it's like to heartily work for the Lord. She graciously, tenderly, compassionately, and unselfishly cares every day and night for her husband who suffers from dementia. She is a very giving person and opens her home once a week to a sewing group. She knits socks (I have 2 pairs) and gives them away, makes jam, cans veggies from her garden, tends flowers, is a prayer warrior and loves the Lord with all her heart. I am thankful that she is part of my life, one of God's blessings to me.

There's still time to link to Scripture Thursday, a place right here on this blog where you can link projects you've made that have scripture.

Naomi from What Joy is Mine Blog, is starting a linky party called Monday's Musings.

Naomi says: Share musings about being a child of God, motherhood, womanhood, being a wife, homemaking and/or homeschooling.
They must be encouraging or show guidance or even share a smile.
And a recipe here and there wouldn't hurt. :o)

Have a wonderful weekend my friends. I'm delighted that you've stopped by to visit. Just today I reached my 200th "follower". Stay tuned.....I feel a giveaway coming.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #17 ~ An Overwhelmed Heart

2012-02-22T20:32:00.001-05:00

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
when my heart is overwhelmed:
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever:
I will trust in the covert of thy wings.
Psalm 61:2,4

Hello my friends, and welcome to another Scripture Thursday Linky Party. A place where you have an opportunity to link up any project you’ve made that has scripture on it. The verse I chose this week, Psalm 61:2,4 happens to be a passage of scripture my sweet friend Darlene clings to. You may remember that I’ve asked for prayer before for Luke who has a malignant brain tumor. I dedicate this Scripture Thursday to Darlene, Luke’s mom. Here is a picture of them together at the beach.

My friend Darlene, and her son Luke

In her own words, Darlene says:

Psalm 61:2,4 kept me sane over the last 8 months while Luke was so sick. When I would dwell on the cancer and found it difficult to think about anything else, the Lord would bring me back to Him with this verse. Luke is doing much better. The tumor is mostly gone. This type of tumor, they tell me does not disappear – but I choose to trust in the Lord and also believe in miracles. He has drawn me so much closer to Him during these very difficult times and I know that I can conquer anything with Him in my life. Yesterday, I prayed, Lord, I find it difficult to be thankful for Luke’s cancer, but I can thank you for the reason behind it.

Her life hymn is
Living for Jesus.
Here is the first verse and chorus of that hymn written in 1917.

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Darlene is an example to me and so many others with her strong faith and strength. She knows what it is like to have a heart that is overwhelmed. Just recently her mother had a stroke and underwent surgery on her brain to save her life. Despite all of Darlene’s circumstances I have never seen her faith waver, and in fact have seen it grow stronger.

She was visiting the other day and we were talking about her favorite verse which is featured today. I decided to make her a digital graphic and let her pick the elements. So here it is below, we made it together.


Free Digital Scripture Graphic click for larger size, click again right click and save to your computer

She is a very gifted artist in various mediums and surprised me the other day with a beautiful handmade collage. Using images of birds, scripture, sheet music, vintage lace, poems by Helen Steiner Rice, leaves and ferns and a gold cross – all things she know I would love. I was so touched that she would think of me and make me a gift while her own heart was overwhelmed. She loves to paint the things in nature such as birds and often paints them on rocks and leaves.

My beautiful collage handmade by Darlene

One of the poems in the collage goes like this:

Through all of creation with symphonic splendor
the Lord speaks with a voice that is gentle and tender
and the birds in the trees and the flowers of spring
all join in proclaiming this heavenly king.
Helen Steiner Rice

Darlene has generously offered to sponsor this week’s Scripture Thursday prize. A set of six assorted notecards made from her paintings of birds. She just opened a new etsy shop which she is excited about. You can find here here: Pond House Gallery.

This week's prize for Scripture Thursday entries
Set of 6 handmade bird notecards

She is very touched by those who have prayed for her son, and now her mother. What a good feeling, that people who don’t even know each other can pray for one another. I hope you’ve been encouraged by her courageous journey through her son’s cancer and how she has coped by clinging to her savior through the words of Psalm 61:2,4.

We have a winner from last week’s Scripture Thursday entries.

Congratulations to Valerie from The Blogging Pastor’s Wife she has won a lovely set of handmade scripture tags sponsored by Marcia at In Stillness and Simplicity

Time for you to show what you’ve made. This is a linky party where you can link up any project in any medium that has scripture from the Bible. If you participate, please either add my button to your blog, or put a link in your post. Here are the full details for participation here: Scripture Thursday feel free to email me with any questions.

Freebies for You

2012-02-21T06:56:00.000-05:00

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8

Free Scripture Vintage Postcard

Isn't this postcard a beauty? I did no alterations other than adding a border. Nothing makes me happier than to see an old postcard with God's word on it. Just look at the pink petals of the roses, it's as if you could touch them. Just click on the image for a larger size, right click and save to your computer.

One more day to add your scripture project to Scripture Thursday. A new linky party is posted each Thursday. A place to link any project you've made in any medium that has scripture from the Bible. A prize is now offered each week to one of the participants. Scripture Thursday

The image below is an old postage stamp quilt that I scanned. The entire quilt was made by hand with the tiniest little stitches. The images in this post are free to you from my collection. I only ask that you don't sell the image itself or sell it in a digital collage sheet. Click here for more info about my images

Free Postage Stamp Quilt Graphic

Here's the same graphic below in sepia-tone.


Free Postage Stamp Quilt Graphic

I am nearing 200 "followers" and over 125 that follow via email. I am grateful to all of you, your kind comments, encouragement and your delightful blogs that inspire me.

I'm planning a giveaway, which I'll announce by the end of the week. If you are inspired by this blog, or don't want to miss a freebie, you can sign up to receive an email when I post. Look on my sidebar not far under the sea of happy faces, "Blog Post Notifications" an you'll see where you can sign up.

Have a delightful day my friends. Don't forget to stop back here on Thursday for another Scripture Thursday. I have something a little different planned for that day and I'm really excited to share it with you.

Be sure to email me a link if you've made something with one of my graphics so I can add it to my pinterest board.

Free Scripture Art ~ Greater Love

2012-02-18T21:32:00.000-05:00

Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13


This scripture graphic was made using my own antique image and a graphic from Lilac & Lavender

Here is the scripture image without the border. Free for you.

There's still time to add your project to this week's Scripture Thursday Linky Party. Click below to see the post.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #16 ~ Amazing Grace

Thank you for stopping by today.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #16 ~ Amazing Grace

2012-02-15T23:07:00.001-05:00

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11

Free Scripture Printable

Welcome to another Scripture Thursday Linky Party. The number of participants is growing and I'm now offering prizes each week to one of the participants through a random drawing. Projects that have scripture from the Bible may be linked. See full details here:
Scripture Thursday Details

The hymn Amazing Grace is very popular. Sometimes popular becomes common if we’re used to hearing it all the time. The title of this hymn is just two simple common words.

Websters 1828 dictionary states the definition of these words as follows:

AMAZING
Confounding with fear, surprise or wonder.
Very wonderful; exciting astonishment, or perplexity.

GRACE
Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God,
the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him
And if by grace, then it is no more of works…. Romans 11:6

You can find the full definition of GRACE here – it is quite lengthy but informative

Webster's 1828 definition of GRACE

If you put the two definitions together you have:

Very wonderful, free unmerited love and favor of God.
The source of all the benefits men receive from him.

Free Hymn Printable ~ Amazing Grace

John Newton, the composer of this hymn said:
Though I am not what I ought to be,
nor what I wish to be, nor yet what I hope to be,
I can truly say I am not what I once was . . . .
By the grace of God I am what I am!

John Newton, Composer Amazing Grace

Composed in the 1779, this hymn is probably the most popular hymn in the English language. John Newton was a slave trader before coming to Christ. We are all sinners who have a choice to be saved by God’s GRACE, as Mr. Newton writes about below.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

I’m participating in a Hymn Challenge and thought I’d combine that project with Scripture Thursday. You can read more about this hymn and its history at Triple the Scraps with Patter. Below is a digital page I made free for you, and for the hymn challenge. Click for a larger size, right click and save to your computer.

Free Hymn Digital Page

We have a winner from last week’s participants.

Nancy from The Nickel Nook won the book The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children. Congratulations Nancy.

I am thrilled to have a sponsor for this week’s prize. Marcia from In Stillness and Simplicity has made a most delightful set of scripture tags, and the winner gets to choose their choice of ribbon. Thank you Marcia for your willing heart. You can click on the picture to view her post about the tags.

Scripture Tags ~ This Weeks Prize ~ Sponsored by
In Stillness and Simplicity

Okay my friends, your turn to show off what you've been working on this week. You may link up to two projects. This linky party will be open until the morning of 2/22 (Wednesday). Projects must be scripture from the Bible. Click here for full details and FAQ ~ Scripture Thursday.

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate all of my readers, your comments and encouragement to me. You are my blessings.

Happy Valentine's Day ~ Free Printables

2012-02-13T23:40:00.001-05:00

And now abideth faith, hope, charity,
these three; but
the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Happy Valentine's Day my friends. Here is a little something for you, my gift to you. A bookmark with this scripture added to it. I found the graphic of this beautiful woman at The Graphics Fairy and just had to use her in my Valentine to you. Click on the image to make it larger, right click and save to your computer. I think this would make a wonderful bookmark.

The next two graphics come from a very old book in my collection, the first one is plain, the other, I've added a background. Your choice. All the images in this post are free. If you have any questions about terms of use for my images please visit here: About My Images.

I'd like to tell you about a blog I recently discovered with the most beautiful photography and inspiration.

What Joy Is Mine
with Naomi

Here is a self portrait of her which she titles Self Portrait of Joy

Naomi ~ What Joy is Mine

Her blog header is made with her own photography
and the verse below is featured underneath it.

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

Naomi chooses JOY despite devastating circumstances in her life, and models that JOY to her family and others. She is having her first blog giveaway which ends on Friday. So click on her beautiful picture above to visit her blog and enter to win a handcrafted treasure by her mother. You won't be disappointed.

Have a wonderful day and don't forget to say "I Love You"
to that special someone in your life.

Hymn ~ Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee

2012-02-11T23:05:00.001-05:00

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee;
and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
Psalm 71:23

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee
Hymn written by Henry van Dyke 1907
Sung to the music:
Hymn to Joy from the 9^th Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.

Thank you for visiting today, I hope you’ve enjoyed this hymn. This was a request by one of my readers. Both graphics in this post are free to you, just click to open larger, right click and save to your computer.

There is still time to participate in Scripture Thursday, see this week’s post here - Scripture Thursday Linky Party

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #15 ~ God IS Love

2012-02-08T23:56:00.004-05:00

For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Hello my friends ~ welcome to another Scripture Thursday here at Little Birdie Blessings. This is a linky party for you to link any project in any medium that has scripture from the Bible. With Valentine’s Day approaching, I have been thinking about the topic of Love. Not so much about the romantic kind of love with cards, flowers and chocolate (although that is nice), but the kind of love that God has for us. The kind of love that is incomprehensible, and unconditional.

There is a hymn that has been running through my mind constantly this week that sums up the only way I know how to describe the kind of love that God has for us. The hymn is titled O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus, and was written in 1875 by Samuel Trevor Francis. As a teenager contemplating suicide one night on a bridge, he experienced a spiritual awakening and went on to author many poems and hymns. He compares Jesus’ love to the mighty ocean.

winter morning view from my home, it was so cold that day,
what you see is known as "sea smoke"

I live in Maine in a small fishing community. I know the beauty of the ocean, its vastness, might and power. Over the years, many people right in our own community have lost their lives to the powerful force of the ocean. In our area, it is the strongest force of nature.

view from Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o'er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing, 'tis a haven sweet of rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, 'tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

Samuel Trevor Francis ~ 1875

1^st John 4:8 tells us that God is Love. God IS love, he defines love, his nature is love, his attributes are love. God loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus to die on the cross and pay the penalty for our sin. His love is personal, never changing, no beginning or end; he knows and loves you individually.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
I John 4:10

taken at Sunset, notice the lone bird flying

There may be some reading this that do not have someone to love and share their days with, or you may have someone who loves you but doesn’t express it in the way that you’d like them to. Remember Jesus loves you with an everlasting and unconditional love. A love that it vast, unmeasured, boundless, free and as mighty as the ocean.

There is wisdom in the words of this hymn. If the lyrics have spoken to you, please follow the link below to the video. I think this rendition portrays it in such a powerful way. As you listen to it, picture the love of Jesus wrapping you with warmth and care.

O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus

We have a winner from last week’s participants.

Stephanie from Steph’s Scrap Happenings won the book A Collection of Encouragement by Helen Steiner Rice. Congratulations Stephanie.

For those who participate this week, someone will win The Power of Praying for your Adult Children (Book of Prayers) by Stormie Omartian. The winner will be announced next Thursday.

Time to see your projects. Linky tools are below. You may link up to two projects per week. Please link only projects that have scripture from the Bible. You may put a link back to this blog in your post, or add my button to your sidebar. Don’t hesitate to email me with any questions. littlebirdieblessings@gmail.com

Thank you for all your encouraging comments and participation.

Free Vintage Valentine Postcards

2012-02-06T23:20:00.000-05:00

And this I pray, that your love may abound
still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.
Philippians 1:9 (NKJV)

You can give without loving.
But you cannot love without giving.
Amy Carmichael

Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch,
but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.
Helen Keller

Love that is shared is a beautiful thing-
It enriches the soul and makes the heart sing!
Helen Steiner Rice

Thanks for stopping by today my friends. The vintage Valentine postcards in today’s post are free for you. Just click to open a larger size, right click and save to your computer.

There’s still time to link your scripture projects to this week’s Scripture Thursday. Any project in any medium that has scripture from the Bible may be linked. New linky party every Thursday. A book of Encouragement poems by Helen Steiner Rice will be drawn from this week’s participants. The winner will be announced on Thursday. Click below for the Scripture Thursday post.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party ~ Love One Another

I hope you have a delightful day.

Hymn ~ Love Divine All Loves Excelling

2012-02-05T07:07:00.000-05:00

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
by Charles Wesley 1707 - 1788

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav’n to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

Charles Wesley wrote over 6,000 hymns and it is said, this was one of his finest. This hymn was sung at the wedding of Prince William & Catherine.

The hymn pictured here is taken from a hymn book in my collection dated 1888. The cover is shown below. The hymn and cover graphic are free for you. Just click to enlarge picture, right click and save to your computer.

Thanks for stopping by today.

New Blog Look ~ Guest Post ~ Projects to Share

2012-02-03T07:01:00.000-05:00

What must I do to ensure peace of mind?
Is the answer I'm seeking too hard to find?
How can I know what God wants me to be?
How can I tell what's expected of me?
Where can I go for guidance and aid
To help me correct the errors I've made?
The answer is found in doing three things
And great is the gladness that doing them brings-
Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God-
For with these three things as your rule and your rod,
All things worth having are yours to achieve
If you follow God's words, have faith to believe.
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

Thanks for stopping by today my friends. I wanted to share with you today that my sweet online friend Holly from 2911 Jeremiah Avenue Blog has asked me to be a guest on her blog today as a “Woman of Hope”.

Each month she features someone different. I was humbled by her request. You can find her interview with me here: Abby as Guest at 2911 Jeremiah Avenue

Do you like the new look of my blog? I know I sure do. I felt congested before in my little blog space and feel like I’ve moved from a tiny apartment to a spacious cottage by the sea. The credit for this beautiful blog design and header goes to Susan at Starsunflower Studio.

When I saw her work, I knew I had found what I was looking for. Susan offers so many different templates, brushes, digital stamps, blogger backgrounds, tutorials and so much more. Many of the items she has are free, and others are reasonably priced in her Starsunflower Studio Digital Goods Shop. She’s a pro!! Thank you Susan for all your hard work! I love it.

It makes me so happy when I see projects that others have made using images I’ve offered. Here are a few that I’ve seen recently.

Card by Bernadette at Blissful Bits and Pieces

Card by Cathy at A Surcee Life


Digital Tag by Shoregirl's Creations

I have just started a new Pinterest Board and will be pinning projects that have been made using my free digital images. If you have made something using my images, please send me an email with a link to your project and I will add it to the board.

You can check out the board here, I’ve already added some projects that I knew about. Projects made from my free graphics.

You can view all my pinterest boards here Little Birdie Blessings on Pinterest

If you have a project you’ve made using scripture from the Bible, I’d love to have you consider linking it up each Thursday right here at Little Birdie Blessings. This week’s Scripture Thursday Linky Party is still open. You can see the previous post or click here: Scripture Thursday.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #14 ~ Love One Another

2012-02-01T23:29:00.006-05:00

If God so loved us,
we ought also to love one another.
1 John 4:11

Scripture graphic for you

The Bible is filled with verses about God’s love for us. In one of last week’s posts, I mentioned these scriptures about God’s love for us.

He knows the number of hairs on your head
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:7

He knows every tear you shed and stores them in a bottle
Thou tellest my wanderings:
put thou my tears into thy bottle:
are they not in thy book?
Psalm 56:8

His thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
how great is the sum of them! If I should count them,
they are more in number than the sand…
Psalm 139:17-18

Free Digital Scripture Graphic I made with vintage images

These last few weeks, I have had an outpouring of love from my friends and family. They have showed their love to me in ways that were ordinary to them, but cumulatively proved to be extraordinary to me.

free vintage Valentine postcard

It’s not my birthday, I didn’t have surgery, and I haven’t gone through any serious event, just normal days. The people in my life have shown their love to me in various ways that are unique to each of them.

The gift of handmade gifts
The gift of time
The gift of words
The gift of passing on their treasures to me

The gift of real letters in the mail
The gift of prayers
The gift of laughter together
The gift of encouragement

I’m touched by their kindness and realize that God is blessing me beyond measure through the people around me. In doing so, he’s showing me that he loves me more than I can comprehend. I want to be that kind of person that God uses to bless someone, that they would feel his love through me, just like I’ve received.

There’s a hymn titled Make Me a Blessing that came to mind as I wrote this, here are some of the lyrics:

Give as 'twas given to you in your need;

Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing,
Make me a blessing,
Out of my life
May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Free vintage scripture graphic

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I’d love to hear from you, leave me a comment and let me know the ways people around you have shown their love. The images included in this post are free to you. Please do not sell the actual image or include in digital collage sheets for sale. You may link back to me if you use on your blog but it’s not necessary.

WE HAVE A WINNER

from last week’s Scripture Thursday Link ups.

Congratulations to Karen from My Cup Runneth Over
You are the winner of the book A Collection of Love Gifts, by Helen Steiner Rice

Your turn to link up for this week’s Scripture Thursday project. A few simple rules to participate:

Up to 2 projects that you've made can be added
projects must have scripture from the Bible

please add my button to your blog, or a link in your post back to me

They don't have to be made specifically for this and can previously have appeared on your blog.

I'm looking forward to what you add. For those who link up this week, I’ll be offering a giveaway of another book by Helen Steiner Rice, titled A Collection of Encouragement.

I'm linking this post to Pink Saturday.

Thanks for stopping by. ~ ABBY

Free Valentine Vintage Images

2012-01-30T23:13:00.000-05:00

Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient,
bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2

Hello my friends. Thanks for all the encouraging comments you’ve been leaving. They are what keep me keepin’ on here at Little Birdie Blessings.

The vintage Valentine graphics included in this post are free to you. I hope you enjoy them.

If you didn’t read the previous post – every Thursday there is a Linky party right here with any project you’ve been working on that has scripture from the Bible. This week’s linky party will close Wednesday morning. I’ll be giving away a book of poems about Love, by Helen Steiner Rice to one of the participants. You can read the previous post here if you’re interested. SCRIPTURE THURSDAY

I’m going to be adding more hymn freebies. If you have particular ones you’re looking for, let me know in the comment section and I’ll try and accommodate. The same goes for vintage images or scripture. Let me know what some of your favorite types of images and favorite scriptures. I’m looking forward to your comments.

I wanted to add that I've had trouble commenting on some blogs. I normally use Firefox as my browser and discovered that by switching to Internet Explorer, I didn't have the issues. I kept both browsers open, and if I can't comment when in firefox, I copy/paste the URL into Internet Explorer.

Thanks for stopping by.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #13 ~ LOVE

2012-01-25T23:08:00.000-05:00

And now abide faith, hope, love,

these three;

but the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 13:13


Free Heart Graphic from Vintage Quilt

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner. I thought I’d revive this scripture from a previous post. I Corinthians 13 is known as the LOVE chapter in the Bible.

My daughter and her husband have two little boys aged 2 and 3 years old. Being blessed with grandchildren, I have the privilege of a first-hand experience watching them interact. I’m fascinated by the fact that love seems to be a natural instinct which starts from infancy.

my sweet grandsons

Although the boys have their “moments”, usually about sharing..... for the most part they have genuine love and concern for each other. The older boy teaching his younger brother how to wash his hands the right way, comforting him when he cries, hugging him when they haven’t seen each other for a period of time, speaking for him if necessary. The same goes for my youngest grandson who comforts his older brother if he’s crying, and shows he cares in many different ways.

In I John 3:18, we’re told:

My little children, let us not love in word,

neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Just this past week the boys woke up to find it had rained overnight and melted the snow. Their conversation went like this as they looked out the window.

Little one: “Where Snow?”

Older brother: “It melted”

Little one: “Get it!”

Older Brother: "We can't get it. It's in the sky and we can't reach it. Only God can reach it. He'll throw some more down to us soon."

If you have little ones, nurture them to love one another, and nurture them to love God. What they learn when they are young will carry with them to their teenage years and on to adulthood. The simplest childhood song which you all probably remember, Jesus Loves Me was written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1827 - 1915).

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me–
The Bible tells me so.

Free Victorian Calling Card

As Valentine’s day approaches, and we think about LOVE, try to have the faith of a child and realize that Jesus loves YOU unconditionally.

Free Vintage Valentine Postcard

He knows the number of hairs on your head
(see Luke 12:7)

He knows every tear you shed and stores them in a bottle
(see Psalm 56:8)

His thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand
(see Psalm 139:17-18)

That’s LOVE!!

Here’s a poem titled Someone Cares, by my favorite poet, Helen Steiner Rice

Someone cares and always will,
The world forgets but God loves you still,
You cannot go beyond His love
No matter what you're guilty of
For God forgives until the end,
He is your faithful, loyal friend,
And though you try to hide your face
There is no shelter any place
That can escape His watchful eye,
For on the earth and in the sky
He's ever present and always there
To take you in His tender care
And bind the wounds and mend the breaks
When all the world around forsakes...
Someone cares and loves you still
And God is the Someone who always will!
~Helen Steiner Rice~

I have made a digital freebie for your personal use. The scripture WORDart is by Karen at Papercraft Memories.

Free for personal use

This is a linky party for your projects that have SCRIPTURE from the Bible.

Although, quotes and inspirational sayings are nice, this particular linky party is ONLY for scripture. This linky party will be open until the morning of Wednesday, February 1^st. On that date, I’ll be drawing from those who link up and giving away a copy of “A Collection of Love Gifts” by Helen Steiner Rice. The winner will be announced at next week’s Scripture Thursday, right here at Little Birdie Blessings.

Love the comments, keep them coming. I can't wait to see what you link up.

E-Books and Philippians 4:8

2012-01-22T20:39:00.000-05:00

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Philippians 4:8

I was blessed this Christmas with the gift of a Kindle Fire and have had fun loading it up with music and books. This verse came to mind today as one of the teenagers in my Sunday School class started talking about her Kindle Fire.

Since I got mine, I've realized there are thousands of free e-books that are available to us. Some are really great books while others are not even fit for a library. We discussed that just because a book or song is FREE, doesn’t mean we should download it. We live in a modern world; and technology is advancing at a rapid rate.

Image courtesy of The Feathered Nest

The information we store and read on our e-devices
affects how we think.

Our thoughts affect the way we feel.

Negative thoughts, untrue thoughts,

all lead to stress and anxiety.

I know……..I’ve been there!

You’ve been there!

Information is readily available to us with a tap of our finger, or a click of a mouse. You no longer have to go to the video store or bookstore to purchase materials you wouldn’t be proud to show someone. You can fill your mind with this material without even leaving the house.

In this society we have become desensitized to information our grandparents would have been appalled to hear or see. Unclean and impure thoughts can creep into our home without us even realizing we’ve invited them in.

The verse I’m featuring today, Philippians 4:8 is a scripture we all need, to clear our minds and focus on the wonderful blessings God has given us. Training your minds to go in this direction will relieve us of unnecessary stress and give us more peace in everything we do.

I spoke on this topic at a women’s retreat last fall. One of the young women there shared the following:

Shore up the foundation of my mind,
sealing every crack, supporting every stone,
Until nothing comes in that isn’t from you.

Image Courtesy of The Feathered Nest

I’m really excited to share with you today a digital graphic I designed using this verse, and images from The Graphics Fairy and Free Pretty Things for You. I love the way it came out. Yours free to use. Please don’t sell the actual image or use in collage sheets for sale. I'd appreciate a link back if used on your blog.

Speaking of Kindle Fires, I have a few sites to tell you about with some free book information.

A Cherished Keeper has a list of free educational books

From her blog, I found a link to this homeschooling blog
Ben and Me which has a long list of free Kindle books for kids

Christian Book Distributors now offers free e-books. They also offer a free reader which can be downloaded to your computer, so it’s not necessary to own an e-reader to get the free book.

Books that are not in MOBI format (Kindle) can be converted using a free program called Calibre.

Another site that has thousands of free books is
Project Gutenburg

There's still time to participate in this week's

Scripture Thursday Linky Party

Every THURSDAY there is a new opportunity

to link up your scripture projects.

Drop me a comment with your thoughts on this post. I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by today.

More About Hymns

2012-01-20T21:55:00.000-05:00

On dark days when the only song

we feel like singing is a dirge, we can pray,

"Let the music of thy promises be on my tongue"
(Psalm 119:172).

The promises of God will lift me right out of sad sentimentality

and put music in my mouth if I will think steadily on them.

Let the promise be the song you sing.

He will hear it and make it true for you.

-- Elisabeth Elliot

Free Printable Hymn

Sunshine in the Soul

Hello my friends. I guess you've figured out by now that I have a thing for the old hymns. With good reason!! I have a few more to share with you today and want to also share a couple of sites with you about hymns.

Have you ever heard of cyberhymnal? This is a fantastic site that has thousands of hymns listed and searchable in various forms. You can find a little history on the hymn, read the lyrics, and hear the tune if you choose.

Click below to view

CYBERHYMNAL

I am gathering free pintable hymns on one of my pinterest boards. There does not seem to be a lot available. So.... I'll try to regularly add some from my collection of old hymnbooks.

Click here to view my

Pinterest Board of Hymns

Here's another free printable hymn for you:
What a Friend we have in Jesus

Patter from TRIPLE THE SCRAPS has an excellent hymn challenge which she offers every other Sunday throughout this year. You can click on the link below to find out more about this. Even if you don't participate in the challenge you can read her posts and learn the history of many of the old hymns. Thanks Patter for offering this on your blog.

Here's one more freebie hymn for you today.
A Shelter in the Time of Storm

For those of you who don't know,

there's still time to participate in this week's

Scripture Thursday Linky Party

Every THURSDAY there is a new opportunity

to link up your scripture projects.

THANK YOU so much for visiting here today. Your comments warm my heart and are a great encouragement to me to keep persevering.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #12 ~ MUSIC

2012-01-18T23:54:00.002-05:00

But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16 (NIV)

There are over one thousand scriptures in the Bible which reference music in one form or another. Music is a HUGE part of my life, especially hymns. I sing in the car, sing when I’m alone, hum or play the piano. Sometimes I just sit with my hymn book and reflect on the words while mulling over the tune.

Many of the old hymns are timeless and provide such comfort and encouragement just when we need it. I spent some time last Saturday with a group of dear women. When we were parting, one of them suggested we sing Great is Thy Faithfulness together, which we did. It was done reverently and quietly as we reflected on the words. We all left feeling uplifted and refreshed, like something special had just happened.

Years ago when my father passed away suddenly, I went to the church... found my familiar hymn book and started playing. I was comforted greatly from the words of the old hymns.

If you are struggling with a burden, a load, a heavy heart, sing hymns and I guarantee you'll feel your burden lift.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

I'm pretty excited about a digital collage I made for today's post which I'm sharing with you today for your personal use. In additional to my own personal graphics, images used came from The Feathered Nest, and playingwithbrushes on flickr.

Your turn to link up your project that has scripture on it. This is a linky party which I host every Thursday here on this blog. I reserve the right to remove any links I feel are not appropriate for my readers, or do not have scripture from the Bible. Thanks so much for participating and/or stopping by.

This post is linked with

Proverbs 31 Thursday

Stampin Sisters in Christ

So Thankful for my Friends

2012-01-15T21:15:00.000-05:00

You show that you are a letter from Christ,
the result of our ministry,
written not with ink
but with the Spirit of the living God,
not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV)

I came across this scripture recently, and I just love it.

It reminds me that I'm richly blessed with friends.

Friends that God has given me

Friends that are written on the tablet of my heart

In order to have friends.......

one need to be a friend.

That means giving of your time when necessary,

sharing, caring, offering encouraging words
and praying for your friends.

Philippians 2:3 says,

Do nothing out of selfish ambition

or vain conceit, but in humility

consider others better than yourselves.

Place more value on your friend's needs than your own.

My heart is full this week,

full of JOY that I've received from my friends.
The JOY arrived from various friends in various forms
and is written on the tablet of my heart.

Thanks for stopping by. I've included some free vintage images in this post for you. Enjoy!

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #11 ~ DISCIPLINE

2012-01-11T22:36:00.000-05:00

Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.
Proverbs 25:28

This new year brings a new attitude in me. I’m tired of feeling like my “walls are broken down” and I want to do something about it. This is somewhat of a long post, but I feel it’s necessary, so please bear with me. It is my hope and prayer that you will benefit from my short-comings.

In one of the women’s groups I attend, we were asked to come prepared with a word that we would focus on this coming year. It took me about 30 seconds for the word DISCIPLINE to pop into my head.

There are a number of definitions, and the one that speaks to me is defined as follows:

control gained by enforcing obedience or order

orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior

self-control

I told someone recently that I was a very disorganized person. She looked at me in stunned disbelief. Evidently I have given her the appearance that I have it all together (NOT).

I am WEAK and unable to have the discipline I need in my own accord.

Self-control is a work of the Holy Spirit,
not a work of the individual.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but a spirit of power,
of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

Without self-discipline, our comforts and laziness can easily become our master and hinder our spiritual walk.

If the spiritual does not control the physical, it’s easier to fall into sin because of our lack of self-discipline or self-control. Self-control is needed to win the race that is before us and to live the life that is pleasing to God.

WHAT DO I NEED DISCIPLINE IN?

Prayer and Time in the WORD

Developing daily spiritual disciplines transforms how we think, act, and believe.

Making room for time with God requires us to reorder our priorities.

Spending time with God WILL change you and cause everything else to fall into place

Determine a time

Determine a place

Determine a plan

But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness;
and ALL these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

Food ~ Exercise ~ Health

As adults we have a choice as to the foods we consume. Make changes if you need to, start small, little changes can lead to big results. Ask for help, educate yourself on nutrition.

I am overweight! My medical records say “OBESE”. I have met numerous times with a dietitian and am keeping a food log of everything that goes into my mouth. With God's help, I am going to try and overcome this.

Everything is permissible”
—but not everything is beneficial.
I Corinthians 10:23

…..let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1

…… offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world…..
Romans 12:1-2

Are you sedentary? Get up…MOVE…something is better than nothing, so…

do something! Start slow, and add a little more each day.

I have started an exercise class that meets once/week for support and weigh-ins. I am committed to exercising ½ hour to 1 hour each day.

….. forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Organization

Put it where it goes!!!

Clean out the clutter

Give away what you don’t use or need

Clean up when you’re done with a task

For God is not a God of disorder

but of peace.
I Corinthians 14:33a

But everything should be done

in a fitting and orderly way.
I Corinthians 14:40

Time Management

Prioritize, do first things first

Close the cover on your laptop, or shut your computer off

shut off the television

finish a task before starting another one

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:37

=================

Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.
Proverbs 25:28

Regain control, build up your walls.

Victory is the fruit of
dedication and discipline.

But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness;
and ALL these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

The vintage images included in this post are free for you. Please do not sell the actual image or sell them in collage sheets.

This post is a linky party for your scripture projects. You may link up any project that has scripture from the Bible. I reserve the right to remove any link I feel is not beneficial to this blog, or does not have scripture on it. Thanks so much for stopping by today. ~ ABBY

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #10

2012-01-04T22:47:00.002-05:00

Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:7-8

Courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Welcome to our 10^th Scripture Thursday here at Little Birdie Blessings. This is a linky party where you may link up projects that have scripture from the Bible.

My friend Loretta doesn’t have a blog, but likes to participate. When she emailed me earlier in the week with her latest scripture project, I knew I'd found this week’s verse. I think her card is stunning and wanted to feature it today. Thank you Loretta for making this week's project.

Scripture Card by Loretta

This verse from Psalm really spoke to me as I have had numerous people in my circle of friends that are really struggling with some serious issues, either themselves or through their loved ones.

I myself had a serious health scare this week and took an unexpected trip to the hospital in the ambulance. I am okay, but there were certainly a few tense hours praying, waiting and wondering. I know that nothing happens to me that isn’t in God’s control, and I know he will use this incident for good.

Psalm 63 was written by David when he was in the wilderness running from Absalom who was trying to kill him. Preacher Charles Spurgeon (1892) called Psalm 63, a Wilderness Hymn. He describes the first 8 verses as David's longing after God and his confidence in Him.

David was praising the Lord despite his circumstances, he didn’t wait to praise until he got out of the “wilderness”, he praised in the midst of it.

I see my friends singing in the shadow of God’s wings despite their fears
I see them clinging to Him through prayer because they know He is the only way they can get through it
I see them depending more on God and less on self or the world.

Are you in a “wilderness” in the middle of a calamity? Seek God’s help to deliver you, sing praises to Him now, your soul will be soothed.

Here are some verses from a hymn written in 1698 by Nahum Tate. It’s interesting to me that the words to this hymn and so many others, are timeless.

The Psalms of David by Brady & Tate

Through All The Changing Scenes of Life

Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.

Of His deliverance I will boast,
Till all that are distressed
From my example courage take
And soothe their griefs to rest.

O magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt His Name;
When in distress to Him I called,
He to my rescue came.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Your turn to link a scripture project you’ve been working on. Please be sure the image you link has scripture from the Bible on it.

The format may be in any form; digital, altered art, paper crafts, etc. I reserve the right to remove any link I feel is inappropriate for this blog. Thanks for participating. I can't wait to see what you have to share. ~ ABBY

Scripture Thursday Link Party #9 ~ New Beginnings

2011-12-29T05:43:00.000-05:00

Remember ye not the former things,
neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing;
now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19

Happy New Year my friends. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. This post is a linky party for you to link up a project with scripture from the Bible.

With January 1, 2012 approaching this weekend, it brings in a new year, a year of new beginnings for us. A time that we often set personal goals for ourselves ~ a chance to start fresh and new.

Vintage Postcard with today's Scripture
Free for you

Today’s verses from Isaiah talks about forgetting the past, forgetting those things which drag us down and burden us. Dwelling on our past sins robs us of our JOY. Dwelling on anger, jealousy, unforgiveness and bitterness also robs us of our JOY.

Seek the Lord to help you in your goals this year. The closer you draw to God and seek Him, the more spiritual JOY you will have.

Psalm 37:5 tells us:

Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

John Newton, the composer of “Amazing Grace,” said:
Though I am not what I ought to be,
nor what I wish to be, nor yet what I hope to be,
I can truly say I am not what I once was . . . .
By the grace of God I am what I am!

We are all sinners who have a choice
to be saved by God’s GRACE.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
John Newton

Free Vintage New Year Postcard

Instead of living in the shadows of yesterday,

walk in the light of today and the hope of tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'd love to see what you've been working on. Link up a project in any medium, digital, paper or other. Although quotes and inspirational phrases are nice, this linky party is only for scripture from the Bible. Can't wait to see what you add.

Celebration of One Solitary Life

2011-12-24T23:07:00.000-05:00

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

One Solitary Life ~ Author Unknown

Nearly two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until he was thirty. Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher.

This Man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home. He never put His foot inside a big city nor traveled even 200 miles from his birthplace. And though He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself.

While he was still young, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His followers ran away. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth - the simple coat He had worn. His body was laid in a borrowed grave provided by a compassionate friend.

But three days later this Man arose from the dead - living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Savior whom God had sent, the Incarnate Son of God.

Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. On our calendars His birth divides history in two eras. One day of every week is set aside in remembrance of Him. And our two most important holidays celebrate His birth and ressurrection. On church steeples around the world His cross has become the symbol of victory over sin and death.

This one Man's life has furnished the theme for more songs, books, poems and paintings than any other person or event in history. Thousands of colleges, hospitals, orphanages and other institutions have been founded in honor of this One who gave His life for us.

All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the governments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned have not changed the course of history as much as this One Solitary Life.

Merry Christmas my friends. I trust you will all have a wonderful Christmas season. Thanks for stopping by.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #8 ~ Guest Post

2011-12-22T06:39:00.000-05:00

Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one of the least of these my brethren,

ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:40

I am so excited to have a guest post today by my sweet friend Esther from Shoregirl's Creations. Please check out her blog when you have time. You'll definitely be inspired by all her projects, tutorials and recipes.

When I think of the Proverbs 31 woman, I think of Esther. Not only is she capable in so many different crafty venues, she's a pastor's wife, an excellent home-maker and home-schools her daughter. She has a homeschooling blog
2 Love Learning as well with lots of good ideas for teaching children, even if you don't home-school. When Esther and I met through our blogs we became fast friends.

Compliments of The Feathered Nest

Here is Esther's guest post in her own words:

A Christmas Present for Jesus

Say the word "Christmas" and what pops into the mind of most children (and adults!)?

Trees, Lights, Cookies, Caroling, Programs, and probably GIFTS!

There's nothing wrong with any of these things, especially when we use them to celebrate the greatest gift ever given -- Jesus!

Over the years I've heard people make the statement "It doesn't seem right that we give gifts to everyone but Jesus at Christmas time," and that got me to thinking -- "What would Jesus want for Christmas."

Almost as soon as I thought it this verse to came to mind:

"Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one of the least of these my brethren,

ye have done it unto me."

(Matthew 25:40)

Compliments of Bumble Buttons

I try to live this verse out all year long......but at Christmas our family has started taking special note of those hurting around us. We've begun the tradition of finding one or two people each year to give to who might otherwise not have a very nice holiday or have a need of some kind....kind of like our "Christmas present to Jesus."

Sometimes it's:

a young family whose had a rough year because the husband had an unexpected stroke and has been unable to work all year
a man whose family left him and now he's alone and forgotten on Christmas
a Navy friend who needs a "family away from home" to spend the holiday with
a young person with not a lot of people to care about him in his life
an older person in the rest home with no family coming to visit and no gifts on Christmas day
or a family who is really struggling because of the downturn in our economy

Our gift may be money, sometimes it's items we know they need or would like, a Christmas meal and a shared afternoon, and on some occasions we've left our gifts under the tree and went to the nursing home to visit and bring gifts to a resident we've gotten to know.


Abby's Scripture Thursday Project Bird graphic compliments of The Feathered Nest Background paper by Raspberry Road Designs

Whatever the case - I think it's almost more of a blessing to us than to the recipient -- especially when it's done with the thought of giving to the One whose birth we celebrate.

A few "Christmas presents to Jesus" that I've been privileged to observe this year were:

1. A retired couple from church who offered to purchase and pack all the Christmas treats for our church this year -- anonymously!!

2. A sweet friend (and the author of this blog) who wrote up a prayer request list and sent it to her special friends. Included on the list where those in her community who would be hurting for one reason or another this Christmas! What a gift! The gift of love, concern, and prayer!

3. A young couple who volunteered to "do anything you want" for our Christmas program. No one knows (unless you've been there) how much this means to a Christmas program coordinator!

4. A neighbor (and friend) who invited my daughter and I to share in their Christmas family baking day ---- so fun and especially nice since we don't live near enough to family to be a part of one with "blood relatives."

5. A generous friend who shops for and packs beautifully all the gifts for our Christmas caroling each and every year. Often using her own money when not enough comes in from the church people. She's the world's best at entertaining in her home (it's not the dishes she uses, the candles she lights, or her beautiful home, but it's her servant's heart and ability to make one feel loved and special on each visit!) She uses her gifts to bless us and others year round -- one of those occasions is after Christmas caroling!

Compliments of the Feathered Nest

The list really could go on and on,but you get the idea: It doesn't take a lot of money to give most of these gifts!

Any gift, given with love from the heart, is the perfect "Christmas present for Jesus."

by Esther at Shoregirl's Creations

Thank you Esther for your willingness to share today and for your giving heart. This is a scripture linky party. You may link up any project you've been working on that has scripture from the Bible. Email me with any questions at Little Birdie Blessings

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2011-12-18T21:56:00.000-05:00

Peaceful gentle snow started coming down yesterday like a soft blanket covering the ground. Just what I needed to get the Christmas spirit in full swing. What are things like at your house?

If you were to stop by right now..........

you'd see:

bowls of homemade chex mix in process, decorations galore, stacks of Christmas cards almost ready to mail, packages to wrap, handmade ornaments in process.

you'd smell:

cinnamon and cloves simmering on the stove, the fresh smell of Maine Fir coming from our wreaths and Christmas tree.

you'd hear:

Christmas carols playing and the sound of chatty toddlers depending on the time of day.

what I'm not telling you....

Okay okay, it sounds really good doesn't it. Actually all that I said above is true. Here's the rest of the story that I didn't mention..............

Lots of laundry

floors that need to be vaccumed

a tree that needs to be decorated

a house that needs to be cleaned

decorations still to be put out

I'm sharing this in case there's anyone out there like me who strives to have it together, but never seems to achieve that goal.

Thankfully I have a husband who helps whenever I need him to. He's good to me, will vacuum, do dishes and even wrap presents. He's a keeper!

The images included in this post are free as usual. Please no selling of the actual images or including them in digital collage sheets for sale. Enjoy this week, remember perfection is not possible. Know when to slow down and smell the fir trees.

Hugs to all my friends out there.

Scripture Thursday Linky Party #7

2011-12-14T23:28:00.007-05:00

Compliments of Word Art Wednesday

When I reflect on Jesus' birth, this time of year I think of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Can you just imagine being the woman who would carry the Savior of the world. Most assuredly this was more than she comprehended or understood, but she TRUSTED God and that was all she needed. I would imagine that she had a quiet and gentle spirit, that she was humble, and that she loved God with all her heart.

Compliments of The Graphics Fairy

And the angel came in unto her, and said,
Hail, thou that art highly favoured,
the Lord is with thee:
blessed art thou among women.
Luke 1:28

After the angel gave her the news, Mary responded.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord;

be it unto me according to thy word.
And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38

Compliments of the Graphics Fairy

WOW, that's a lot of faith for a young woman. Mary was most likely a young teenager based on the culture of that day. Unwed pregnant women would be subject to stoning, and her family to public humiliation.

She only asked how this could be since she was a virgin. She didn't argue with the angel, or fight it. She was afraid but her Faith was stronger than her Fear.

The above image is a digital page I made featuring Matthew 1:23. The Scripture word art is made by Cassandra at Word Art Wednesday, and the vintage images are from The Graphics Fairy.

One of my readers just commented on the song, Mary Did You Know. How could I forget that tender song. Here's a link to watch a video clip of it. Very moving. MARY DID YOU KNOW?

Your turn to show what projects you've been working on. This is a linky party for projects that have scripture from the Holy Bible. Please email me with any questions littlebirdieblessings@gmail.com

When you link, please be sure to link to your post and not the entire blog. If you don't have a blog but would like to participate, email me a picture of what you'd like to post.

Can't wait to see what you've made. I host Scripture Thursday ever week, so be sure to stop back.