Alive for a Minute

a visual treat ...

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:30:00 +0000

entertaining angels by sandshells on Polyvore.com

(Used with permission)

Pull a chair and let's chat!

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 01:35:00 +0000

Been away for a bit as we're hosting our first house guest. We've had overnighters before and our young nephews (and a cousin) regularly stay over for weekends (like this present one) but they don't count as guests, plus our visitor's stay is a bit extended (3 weeks).

What else is happening/has happened? Let's see ... I got back my reading groove! How? Quite simply, actually - I got a Kindle! And I've been reading like my mad since - all free books! On Friday, I made my first purchases for the Kindle - the ESV Study Bible (I love this study bible - I have one in hard cover, plus I use the online version all the time!) and a King James Bible (our church uses KJV and this is the version I use for memorizing scripture). Very pleased with both of them.

I've also completed a few sewing projects (working on one right now) and I'm trying my hand at pattern-making (recently received this book and this one). Plus, I created a new blog to journal my sewing projects.

And speaking of receiving books, I got a lovely surprise in the mail a few weeks ago - a devotional from my friend Heather! Totally unexpected and very appreciated - Heather is just darling :-)

This week I'll try to get back to regular programming :-)

(Photo details: somewhere in California, circa 2006)

Where have you placed your faith?

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:40:00 +0000

"Are you resolved to keep the cross at the center of your life?"

Cross-centered by Joshua Harris

Audio courtesy: 1031SermonJams

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power ..." - Colossians 2:6-10 KJV

Behold, He is making all things new ....

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:25:00 +0000

The New Heaven and the New Earth

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

- Revelation 21:1-5

a visual treat ...

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:02:00 +0000

Strangers by Zacarata on Polyvore.com

(Used with permission)

Trust and Obey

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:01:00 +0000

"... for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!"

“This song gives a simple, clear explanation of living the Christian life. The title expression was used in a testimony meeting, following an evangelistic crusade in Brockton, Massachussetts, by Dwight L. Moody. A young man stood to speak, and it soon become clear he knew little Christian doctrine. But he finished by saying, “I'm not quite sure – but I'm going to trust, and I'm going to obey.” Daniel Towner, who was in the meeting, jotted down the words, and gave them to John Sammis, who developed the lyrics from them.” - CyberHymnal

Trust and Obey

Lyrics

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Refrain

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

Refrain

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Refrain

(Video version may not contain all stanzas)

Miscellanies

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:37:00 +0000

I'm in a rut - a reading rut! OK, I think it may be better termed a 'no-reading' rut. I have a number of books I want to read for 2010 plus lots of online articles I've been hoarding in my Read It Later account - but little desire to read!

My usual remedy for lack of reading appetite is to ... well, read! I normally try reading a short novel - nothing complicated - to get back into the groove. To this end, I went to the public library yesterday to pick up something; the book I decided on was hardcover with no jacket so I had no idea what it was about. I've seen (though never read) other books by the author so I was fairly sure I wouldn't be too surprised. However, after checking the synopsis online I had no more interest. It's some family 'saga' (i.e. "complicated") and part of a series to boot. I only read 'series' book if (a) I can (ideally) get to read all the books in sequence, or (b) I don't know beforehand it's such a book. Not knowing what happened before and/or what'll happen after plays havoc with my imagination! So, I am back to square one!

What do you do when you have no desire to read? Do you just leave it alone and let it come back naturally or do you force yourself back on track? Tell me, please - I could do with some tips!

[Image courtesy: Stock.Xchng]

A big reality check!

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:00:00 +0000

"If God is only a means to your self-advancement and exaltation, rather than your seeing in Him something infinitely glorious, as a God consumed with the manifestation of His glory, you need to check your conversion."

Check Yourself by John Piper

Audio courtesy: 1031SermonJams

"I am the Lord; that is My name;
   My glory I give to no other,
   nor My praise to carved idols."
   - Isaiah 42:8

Are you making yourself ready?

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:00:00 +0000

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give Him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and His Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
- Revelation 19:6-8

a visual treat ...

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 31 May 2010 11:35:00 +0000

Something beautiful to look at

time to go! by sandshells on Polyvore.com

(Used with permission)

We don't have a roof over our heads!

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:18:00 +0000

Well, according to Google Earth!

This image shows our home (enclosed in red doodle) during construction (while we lived on the lower level), and it hasn't been updated since the roof was put on. How sad!

The other highlighted structure is my church's building - I live less than 5 minutes away :)

(Does anyone know how often Google Earth's satellite imagery is updated?)

On other notes, on Saturday, my mother and I accompanied my 13-year old niece to the airport, where she flew to Canada to visit her mother. She was so excited! - her one and only other experience of flying was at 3 years old, which she barely remembers. [She got to my sister safe and sound :-)]

It was such a long, hot day! After a long wait at the airport (since my niece is a minor, we couldn't leave until her flight had taken off, plus we to the airport quite early and the flight was a bit late), we visited the town. Unlike the capital city of Castries (where I live), the stores in Vieux Fort remain open for the whole day on Saturdays (Castries stores close at midday). I was keen to visit fabric stores and my mother was ideal to take me around, as she grew up in Vieux Fort (though on the outskirts). The stores had lovely fabric (more variety than Castries) and I'm already planning to return! At one place (not a fabric store) we discovered zippers selling for only 50c! But alas, they seemed of really cheap quality so I did not indulge. *Sigh*

After about an hour of walking around, I was done for, and we made it back to the bus stand for our hour-plus ride back. I was totally beat when I got home!

The map below shows the distance (visual) from Castries to Vieux Fort:

(Image Credit: both images clipped from Google Earth)

a visual treat ...

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:31:00 +0000

Something beautiful to look at:

Sweet Dreams by Zacarata on Polyvore.com

(Used with permission)

How Firm a Foundation!

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:50:00 +0000

I couldn't find much information about this hymn (other than the words being attributed to more than one person). Very encouraging words, no matter who wrote them :-)

How Firm a Foundation

Lyrics

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

(As usual, not all stanzas are available in the video version)

Miscellanies

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Fri, 21 May 2010 01:32:00 +0000

Howdy! How has your week been going? Mine? The usual mix of good, great and some boo-worthy stuff thrown in for balance :-)

A bit of the great: The Valley of Vision! This book of prayers/devotions is so wonderful! From last year to now, I've been exposed to some Puritan writings - nothing in-depth, mostly stuff posted on blogs - and I've really come to appreciate their very high view of God, something that definitely comes through in this book. I really should look into reading some more Puritan literature - who doesn't need a higher view of God?

Some good: On Monday I received my ordered copy of The Dressmaker's Technique Bible from Book Depository. It's a little, uh, small for a 'bible' but it has really useful information (with great photos, for which I'm very thankful :D); can't wait to try out some of the featured techniques. Also, my sewing room is almost finished to my satisfaction; I'm only missing a cutting table, which I hope to get next week. Then the ~~craziness~~ sewing fun will begin!

And my new laptop is up and running and working great. Transferring the data from old computer to new was not at as drama-free as I thought it would be but it's done and I'm happy (*wiping sweat off brow*). I'm now using Windows 7 (from WinXP); and I like it so far; I've certainly taken to it a lot better than I did Vista (after 6 months of using Vista on my other laptop I had it changed to WinXP - too much aggravation, plus my processor was not all that hot to begin with!).

Boo-worthy? Law & Order getting the boot after 20 seasons. Granted, I stopped giving L&O much light of day a long while ago but still ... But this is less 'scandalous' than no more Goren & Eames on L&O: Criminal Intent. I'm sorry, but I have no intention of devoting 45 minutes of my time watching ~~Jeff Goldblum~~ Det. Zach Nichols do strange 'movements' with his eyes (what's up with that!?!). Besides, I've never liked or watched much of anything with Jeff Goldblum; and I must mention that I really don't like flies :P

Another boo: we are in the 'season' of season finales, therefore the requisite 'cliffhangers' are out in full force; I hate cliffhangers! It's a good thing I don't get obsessive about TV shows or else cliffhangers would have an unhealthy toll on me :D My usually-watched TV show is up for finale next week and I wait with bated breath :)

Something worse than a boo: a video that was going around (seems to have been removed since) of 5 seven-year old girls dancing to Beyonce's Single Ladies at a dance competition. This is wrong on so many levels :(((

And on this depressing note, I say goodnight.

(Photo details: Redwoods at the Muir Woods National Monument (California), taken with a camera using half-dead batteries. Circa 2006)

What is the Gospel?

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:00:00 +0000

What is the Gospel?

“The gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ and what He did to save us from sin and damnation.”

Of First Importance by Rick Gamache

Audio courtesy: 1031SermonJams

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve ...” – 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

a visual treat ...

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 17 May 2010 11:29:00 +0000

Something beautiful to look at:

No Charge for Awesomeness by sandshells on Polyvore.com

(Used with permission)

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Written by prolific hymn writer, Fanny Crosby; you can read a little more about this hymn here

Near the Cross

Lyrics

Jesus, keep me near the cross,

There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Refrain

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Refrain

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.

Refrain

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Refrain

(Video version does not contain all stanzas)

P.S. Christmas Day 2009 was the last time I posted a hymn ... *blush*

Finally, it is here!

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Fri, 14 May 2010 02:02:00 +0000

My order from the Westminister Bookstore, that is. After months of waiting, it finally came home with my husband and included these books:

The Trellis and the Vine

(was supposed to be a Christmas gift for my pastor; it can still be, just need to figure if it's a late or an early Christmas gift :P)

Counsel from the Cross

(for my pastor's wife, because she's mentioned her desire to delve deeper into Biblical counselling; her guidance and her willingness to just listen has helped me so very much in my Christian walk)

Living Holiness: Willing to be the Legs of a Galloping Horse

(for me, because I want to learn more about 'practical' holiness)

The Valley of Vision

(for me again; I've read a few of the prayers from this book (around the blogosphere), and I've wanted it for so long)

Something else followed my husband home .... this baby:

This is my new laptop! One of my sisters-in-law bought it at BestBuy last week and sent it to us by air cargo. It cleared customs today and arrived at its new home.

I already own a Toshiba laptop, which will now become my husband's; he sold his desktop last year and has been mooching off my computer since then. I wanted to upgrade to a Satellite Pro but it didn't work out; a really short story, which includes Circuit City and not realizing they had closed their doors since last year - uhhh, have I been living under a rock to not know that!?! (don't answer that!!).

Anyway, getting my books was enough excitement for this evening - the laptop is relegated to weekend tinkering.

It's been a long week ... so goodnight! :-)

Image credit: Toshiba.com's product image for the Toshiba Satellite L505D-GS6000

Zero bragging rights before God

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Wed, 12 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

"All worldly wisdom is ultimately man boasting about himself."

"[God] wants to give us something that is worth boasting about and that's what we have in Jesus Christ."

No Boasting by Joshua Harris

Audio courtesy: 1031SermonJams

"What do you have that you did not receive?" 1 Corinthians 4:7

If I could put up a billboard ....

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

There's a billboard for The Jalousie Plantation along the route that my bus takes to get me downtown (and to work) and it invites you to "reserve your place in heaven." When I first saw it, I instantly thought of what I would write on a billboard (if I could!) and this came to mind:

Eternity beckons - are you ready?

"... it is appointed for man to die once,

and after that comes judgment ..."

- Hebrews 9:27

[Image courtesy: Stock.Xchng]

a visual treat ...

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Something beautiful to look at:

“Echoes of the Voice That Called Worlds To Be ...” by Adoniram on Polyvore.com

(Used with permission)

seductive but deadly ...

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:30:00 +0000

This morning I was reading Proverbs 7 and the following verses struck me as a 'picture' of sin:

"With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life." - Proverbs 7:21-23

Just like an adulterous woman, sin promises much but only brings destruction.

[Image courtesy: Stock.Xchng]

a visual treat ...

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:35:00 +0000

Something beautiful to look at:

Look up! by LJHomesteader on Polyvore.com

(Used with permission)

Umm, has anyone seen my Swiffer?

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Sat, 01 May 2010 13:39:00 +0000

*Achoo!!*

Please excuse the sneezing ... been away a while and the dust bunnies have taken up residence :-)

No, you do not have to get ready for the same sob story about no time/not feeling well enough to blog - we will not go there today *grin*.

So, what else is up? Well, in my last 'update' post I mentioned sewing classes. This has been going well, though I should say 'had' because Thursday was my last class. The course itself ends in June but I've ended it early because (a) I don't feel well enough to 'force' myself to continue and (b) I'm not terribly interested in what's left to be taught.

I learnt so much - more than I counted on; the investment was certainly worth it. A few of the lessons we were taught included learning to use the sewing machine (fascinating for someone who had only once before 'used' one), hand stitching (challenging!), drafting a skirt block and creating a skirt from that. My class on Thursday showed how to attach the waistband to the skirt.

The next unit of the course is how to sew up a pair of pants (from drafting the pattern onwards). However, other than jeans, I do not wear pants and I have no interest in learning to make them; therefore, I decided to spare myself and call it quits. I have some sewing projects I want to work on but more on that later.

And on the books scene, I received my order from Canon Press (around the end of February, if I remember correctly); they reshipped the books after my post office confirmed the first set was never received. The WTS order should be here soon - my sisters-in-law will put them in a barrel they're shipping to St Lucia. So, that seems to be wrapped up.

Not much else happening; struggling health-wise but trying my best to keep a normal face. God gives grace everyday and I cling to that. I want to blog more consistently but I'll take what I can get. There, in a (small) nutshell :)

Unlike me, you are probably ticking off these 2010 goals one at a time off your list ... right?

[Image courtesy: Stock.Xchng]

a visual treat ...

noreply@blogger.com (Yasmin) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:45:00 +0000

Something to ponder ...

my weakness shines: show me grace show me grace ... by Adoniram on Polyvore.com

(Used with permission)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." - 1 Peter 1:3-5

... a blessed Easter to everyone!