Me......... God's Masterpiece?

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

You've got to be kidding me? If I didn't see it for myself in God's Word, I wouldn't believe it. Ephesians 2:10 says "…we are God's masterpiece."

Wait a minute, this cannot be right. I don't feel like a masterpiece. I certainly don't look like a masterpiece. But God's Word says that I am a masterpiece. And not just anyone's masterpiece; I am God's masterpiece.

According to Merriam-Webster's online thesaurus, synonyms of masterpiece are: showpiece, blockbuster, success, gem, jewel, prize, treasure, and piece of the master. Insert any of these words into today's verse in place of masterpiece.

Doesn't it just take your breath away to know that there is Someone that feels this way about you?

God loves what He created, so shouldn't we too? I struggle not to get down on myself. Often I focus on what I do wrong more than what I do right. I look in the mirror, compare myself to someone else and I just feel blah. That's right, blah. I wonder, "What's special about me?"It is very hard for me to believe that I am God's masterpiece. Do you have thoughts like these? If so, stop right there! Don't let those lies penetrate any deeper. That's not what our Creator thinks.

When I listen to the Truth, which is His Word, not my thoughts, then I hear Him saying things like, "Oh Tammy, you don't always get it right, that's true, but I love you so much. Look in My mirror and see what I see, My beautiful creation, My treasure, My masterpiece.

The sooner you see yourself for who you really are, the sooner you can take your reign as My priceless princess with a purpose - My masterpiece. You were created in My image and you are indeed a piece of the Master."

Dear Lord, thank You for creating me in Your image and calling me Your masterpiece. Please help me to live like the one You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

hugs... love... & blessings,

.::Tam::.

Hook Knitting...............

Yes... you read the title correctly... I knitted this PawPrint dishcloth with my crochet hook.

For whatever reason, this technique is basically unknown out there in the crafting world. There are very few people who know how to do it, and almost no information on the Internet.... there has recently been a lovely lady that started a blog about what she has learned ... and there is a group on Ravelry that has spent some time learning this technique.... but there is still little out there on this.
As far as I have been able to tell, the technique of knitting with a crochet hook came from Japan. Apparently there are special hooks and books that you can order. There are hooks called Locker Hooks that are used for crafting with fabrics and rug canvas that some have found to work for Hook Knitting. There are a few that have attempted altering hooks to allow them to Hook Knit............. me being one. I went about my alteration a bit different... I wanted to be able to use my favorite hook for both crocheting and Hook Knitting............ so off to the hardware store I went.... and tah dah... my Hook Knitting extension. :)
This particular extension fits my size 'I' hook... I'm sure it would fit a size up and a size down... I havent tried it out yet. It's removable... allowing me to crochet when I want and then put it on the end of my hook to Hook Knit! :)

Now here you see I'm working on another Paw Print square... but this one is made with Red Heart Super Saver yarn. Our school colors are Burgundy and Gold... and our Mascot is a Cougar... so I'm thinking I may make a Cougar "Paw Print" blanket for those cool evenings of watching the boys in Football and even some cool evenings of Track season. I have a 12 point round ripple in school colors... but you can never have too many blankies... right?!
So far.. this square is coming along nicely!

hugs... love... & blessings,

.::Tam::.

**Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! Psalm 14:1 **

Couple of projects............

Lacy Ripples Dishcloth by CroJulee.....................tested by me! :)
Isnt this pretty?! The pattern is really easy and comes out COOL!
Thanks so much for letting help test Julee!

This is a shawl I'm making for a friend! Its knitted on size 15 needles with I Love This Yarn by Red Heart.. in Ivory color. The pattern is my own.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek.

have a wonderfully blessed day!!!

Now I'm off to make two deep dish lasagnas and 3 batches of brownies!

Good thing Ken is going to help.... *whew* He's a good brownie maker! :)

hugs...love... & blessings,

.::Tam::.

Freebie Friday............

JoAnn Fabric...................

COUPON click here

hugs... love ... & blessings,

.::Tam::.

Who is God..............

He is Knowable
God, who created the universe in all of its magnitude and creative details, is able to be known, by us. He tells us about himself, but even goes beyond that. He welcomes us into a relationship, so that we personally can get to know Him. Not only can we know about Him, we can know Him, intimately.
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,but let him who boasts boast about this:that he understands and knows me,that I am the Lord,who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,for in these I delight," declares the Lord. **Jeremiah 9:23,24

He is Approachable
God invites us to talk to Him and engage Him in what concerns us. We don't have to get our act together first. Neither do we need to be polite, theologically correct or holy. It is his nature to be loving and accepting when we go to Him. We are to go to Him honestly ... He will do the rest... in us and through us.
"The Lord is near to all who call on him,to all who call on him in truth." **Psalms 145:18

He is Creative
Everything we make is put together with existing materials or built on previous thoughts. God has the capacity of speaking things into existence, not just galaxies and life forms, but solutions to today's problems. God is creative, for us. His power is something he wants us to be aware of and to rely on.
"Great is our Lord and mighty in power;his understanding has no limit." **Psalms 147:5
"...where does my help come from?My help comes from the Lord,the Maker of heaven and earth." **Psalms 121:1,2

He is Forgiving
We sin. We tend to do things our way instead of God's way. And He sees it and knows it. God does not merely overlook such sin, but is prepared to judge and condemn people for their sin. However, God is forgiving and will forgive us from the moment we begin a relationship with Him. Jesus, the Son of God, paid for our sin with His death on a cross. He rose from the dead and offers us this forgiveness.
"We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done... We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us." **Romans 3:22,25

He is Honest
Just like a person who lets you know their thoughts and feelings, God clearly tells us about Himself, the possible difference being, He is always honest. Everything He says about Himself, or about us, is reliable information. Truer than our feelings, thoughts, and perception, God is totally accurate and honest in what He says. Every promise He makes to us can be fully counted on, He means it. We can take Him at his word.
"The unfolding of your words gives light;it gives understanding to the simple.Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalms 119:130,105

He is Capable
How would you like to be always 100% right, about everything? God is. His wisdom is unlimited. He understands all the elements of a situation, including the history and future events related to it. We do not have to update Him, counsel Him or persuade Him to do the right thing. He will, because He is capable and His motives are pure. If we trust Him, He will never make a mistake, never undercut us or deceive us. He can be fully trusted to do what is right, in all circumstances, at all times.
"No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame..." **Psalms 25:3





hugs.... love... & blessings,
.::Tam::.

Spring???

Is is really here?
Its trying! We've had a few beautiful days in between some cold and yes even snowy days! 40's one day.... 65-ish the next.... SNOW the next day.... 30's the next.... heheheheee... gotta love it!

One of our beautiful days... the boys took off 4 wheelin' around our property. They had so much fun and it was great for them to be out in them to be out in the air!
Here's Patrick giving David a ride.
Michael getting the chance to drive as he gives his older brother Christopher a ride. :)

awwww.... even little Matthew gets to enjoy the fun! All bundled in his blue bear snow suit... he gets a ride around the land with his daddy!

OMGosh... they let David drive! I cant look.................. :)

The look of fear on Christopher's face tells me we should rethink letting David drive again.... hehehehehe

hugs... love.... and Blessings,

.::Tam::.

Fun Friday photos...........

My studly muffin Patrick at the Jr. High School Dance!

Jr./Sr. High Spring Concert! They did a GREAT job!

Fun times at Chuck E Cheese! Yep.... they still crawl the tubes... no matter how big they get. :)

Mr. David gives a report on a Famous Explorer .... Henry Hudson. Good Job David!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. ** Joshua 1:9

Hugs.... .Love... & Blessings,

.::Tam::.

A little Show & Share..............

Here is another one of my Window to my Heart dishcloths done in a variegated Easter Pastel.


This is a scarf I made for a Round Robin. Its done in V stitches and Shells.




Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ** Hebrews 11:1,3,6,27




hugs, love & blessings,
.::Tam::.

Living Bible...........

His name is Tim. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.

He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it..

One day Tim decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes,jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Tim starts down the aisle looking for a seat..

The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.

Tim gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats downright on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Tim.

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.

The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Tim and worships with him so he won't be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion...

When the minister gains control, he says,'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.

''Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!'




sent to me by my Aunt! Thank you!!
hugs... love & blessings,
.::Tam::.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A Weekend to Remember..........

This weekend was exactly what Ken and I needed and deserved! It was hard to leave the kids... we've never left them before...but was well worth it in the end!

I would recommend this to every couple out there!

The weekend started out beautiful with an issue with the room Ken booked for us months ago. Somehow they didnt have our two room suite.... so they upgraded us. To the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE!!! It was amazing and fun!

The Conference we attending was a real eye opener! I understand alot of my feelings now.. and instead of blaming my husband and making him my enemy ... I understand he is my ultimate gift from God! A gift that I need to cherish and be thankful for! Yes I love my husband... but I learned to show it with words and actions!

We learned so much about communication! The importance of it and how to do it properly!

The speakers were awesome... they explained things so clearly!

Saturday night was 'Date Night' Ken took me to a wonderful ... very elegant restaurant! There were beautiful roses waiting for me on our table. The meal was outstanding! The service was great and my company was the best thing about the evening!

Again.... I would recommend this to all couples! I'm anxious to attend another one next year!

hugs...love ... & blessings

.::Tam::.

Achoo...................

Homemade Chicken Noodle soup to the rescue! YUM! We all feel better :)

hugs... love... & blessings

.::Tam::.

Proud Mommy.................

Excuse the poor picture quality.... but thats not the point of this post.... hehhehehheee

Just posting a proud mommy moment.

Patrick won both his matches last night.

I'm so proud of him! He's doing great for his first year of wrestling!!!

hugs...love & blessings

.::Tam::.

Faith in God when things are bad.........

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17-18.

This is one of the hardest passages in the Bible to believe with ones heart and live out in the world. Through it, we see God's definition of what true faith is. Having faith in God when all is good and when prayers are being answered in the way we would like is easy for the person who already professes to believe in God. The difficulty comes when things don't go our way and go against us - loss of job, death in the family, illness- any of these can cause a crisis of faith for the believer. They can also cause an unbeliever to seriously question and even dismiss God and the Christian faith altogether. Is this an appropriate response?

The person in the above passage basically has no food and no income. That's a pretty bad situation to be in. Health and family are probably still there, but where is the next meal going to come from? No grapes or young sheep or cattle? This is not just missing out on a meal or two. This family is looking at a serious, long-term deficiency for both food and money. How will they make it? Who will provide?

It is much to easy and simple to look at such a situation and claim that God doesn't exist. God not only calls on believers to have a deep, solid faith in Him, but to also have a multifaceted understanding of faith.That is, a faith that understands and accepts that God is there and loves us even when things don't look good.

Does the loss of a job mean that God doesn't exist? Or that God wants to move you to a different job/career/part of the country or world?
Does the loss of income mean that God doesn't love you? Or that God wants you to change your spending habits or trust more in Him to provide?
Does sickness or illness mean that God is asleep at the switch? Or that God wants to change you and work through this very difficult time?

Death poses a great challenge to ones faith. As I write this I reflect back on my daddy's passing.... I was deeply impacted to say the least. Do we trust God when our loved ones die? Do we trust Him to know when to bring someone home for eternity?

In the beginning of Job, Job lost all of his children in a wind (sandstorm?). Obviously this was a very difficult time for him, yet Job did not curse God but kept his faith in Him. Job 1:22 says, "In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." The sin here is saying that God does wrong. You could expand this to say that it is a sin to say that God does evil. Yet God often gets the blame when things do not go the way we want. This seems to be the heart of the matter when people take the Lord's Name in vain. It's often charging God with doing wrong, sometimes with doing or being evil.

One can take this road when faced with the evils and tragedies of life. God wants us to have a deep, multifaceted faith in Him.

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17-18.

hugs.... love & blessings
.::Tam::.

Freebie Friday............

Four-Layer Dessert

1 cup flour
1/2 cup finely chopped PLANTERS Slivered Almonds
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Fat Free Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Sugar Free Whipped Topping, divided
3 cups cold fat-free milk
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding, any flavor

HEAT oven to 350ºF. Mix flour, nuts and margarine; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Bake 15 min. or until lightly browned. Cool.
BEAT cream cheese and sugar with mixer until well blended. Stir in 1 cup COOL WHIP; spread over crust.
BEAT milk and pudding mixes with whisk 2 min.; spread over cream cheese layer. Top with remaining COOL WHIP. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

Servings........ 12

Calories per serving.........200

hugs...love... & blessings,

.::Tam::.

Thankful Thursday...............

I'm Thankful for......................

1) The Lord almighty! Without Him... I would be lost!
2) my coffee......... without it... I would be in a coma..... heheheheheee
3) my beautiful children... even if they are dumb sometimes.... :)
4) my precious grandbabies!!!
5) Sunny days in the middle of Winter!
6) My favoritest Aunt............ :) you know who you are!
7) my wonderful online friends
8) my crafting! I love making things for others!
9) Coffee!! (oh come on.. you should know by now)
10) a muddy van. Thats where my kids leave me love notes (in the mud) heheheeee



Show & Share........

This is a 12" square that I tested for a lovely lady! It came out really cool and the pattern was awesome! Thanks Aurora for letting me test this for you!

This is my ongoing "Cougars" blanket! Its a blanket done in the boys school colors. Its great for sitting on in the bleachers during Basketball.. and Wrestling season... covering up outdoors during Baseball.... Football and Track season! Every now and then... I drag it out and add a few rows to it. Not sure when I will be really Done with it. :)

hugs...love & blessings,

.::Tam::.

**If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:10**

The Knots Prayer....

Dear God,
please untie the knots
that are in my mind,
my heart and my life.
Remove the have nots,
the can nots and the do nots
that I have in my mind.

Erase the will nots,
may nots, and
might nots that find
a home in my heart.

Release me from the could nots,
would nots and
should nots that obstruct my life.

And most of all, dear God,
I ask that you remove from my mind
my heart and my life all of the am nots
that I have allowed to hold me back,
especially the thought
that I am not good enough.


Amen!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you my dear friend Melani for sending me this!!
What a wonderful pick-me-up! You are a wonderful blessing to me!





hugs... love... & Blessings
.::Tam::.