This blog is for Willing Hands which is a Life Group at Lifehouse Community Church. We meet twice a month to do crafting and fellowship with other women. If you say "I don't have a specific craft but would love to learn!" If you know a woman who is crafty (or wants to be) and new to the idea of church. If you are young at heart and want to share your skills with women of all ages.
I have done on the other blog that I write on...So I thought I would bring it to Willing Hands! I had a hard time to decide what 10 things to write about... Here are a couple I thought of; 10 -- Good Devotional sites 10 -- Crafty Blogs 10 -- Ways to be Crafty without the hot glue gun (That is for Dawn)
SO I decided to do the crafty blog sites... Here you are!
1) Sew,Mama,Sew! which is mainly a sewing site...but they do have recipes and other crafts on there as well.
So the last 2 were just there...I am sure I could find other blogs that would fill these 2 spots. But have fun reading there side bar (and then read other blogs) Find your crafty side and enjoy!
Darlys shared a devotional for us this past meeting. So for your remembering or looking at it the first time pleasure. We would love to help you outside of Willing Hands...please just let us know and we will get back to you!
Out with “Turkey Day” In with “Thanksgiving Day”
Willing Hands Devotion, November 3, 2009
What’s the 1st thing you think of when I say Thanksgiving?
The last few weeks I’ve focused on things in my life that could be better and not on all the blessings I do have.Pastor Brian hit home with his comment Sunday on no matter where you stand today, you are so much better off than much of the rest of the world.
Knowing that many of us as women create the atmosphere of each holiday by what we bring to conversation or how we host the entire gathering, I though it would be appropriate to have a devotion about thanksgiving.
“Sandwiched somewhere between Halloween and Christmas is a Thursday holiday that is slowly becoming more miniscule in the minds of millions of Americans – Thanksgiving. If you search hard, you might find one small section of Thanksgiving cards, autumn decorations, and a turkey platter amid the aisles and miles of Halloween costumes, Christmas decorations, and toys.
For some, Thanksgiving is a day to get a list together prior to a day of marathon Christmas shopping. Somehow our perception of Thanksgiving Day has gone askew. We've forgotten the reason for celebration that first Thanksgiving. Gratitude for survival!
Historically we think of Thanksgiving as a time of feasting for the Pilgrims and Indians. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims had been in America less than a year. During those months, over half their original population died from disease or starvation. The Pilgrims hosted the first feast not to try out their latest recipes, but to celebrate life with their Indian friends and give thanks to God for His provision in difficult circumstances.”Taken from website:http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/Arrington_Thanksgiving.aspx
Perhaps you'd like to redirect your family toward an attitude of thankfulness this year.
Psalm 106:1- " Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."This means that we should thank God everyday and for everything because he is merciful. By giving thanks to Him you will never feel away from God.
Thessalonians 5:18 - "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God."
This verse talks about the power of faith and thanksgiving. It says that you must believe in God's will and should trust Him because only He knows what is good for you. Once you will start trusting His will, you will give thanks for everything which happens.
Some people are substituting “Turkey Day” for Thanksgiving.It may be because they are not aware that there is anyone to thank.As a result, the most important thing about the holiday is the food.Christians know there is someone to thank and so many things to be thankful for.We can help bring the thankfulness back into the holiday.Here are some suggestions; perhaps we could pick one that fits our Thanksgiving holiday situation.
·Share scripture readings and discuss in light of today’s culture. In addition to one share, a few others are in the Appendix.
·The group can hold hands and share a prayer circle, with individuals taking turns thanking God for blessings in their lives.
·All members of the group may be given tasks or responsibilities to help with preparing the meal.Insert the idea throughout the day that kitchen duties are a privilege.It means we have food to eat and a place to eat it!
·Reflect on blessings over the last 10 years, the last year and the last week as a group.You may think about making the discussion a game. For example, you can spell Thanksgiving Day as a group.The 1st person thinks of something they are thankful for that starts with “T”, the 2nd person “H” and so on.For a more challenging twist, the 2nd person repeats the first person’s blessing and adds his.The third person repeats the 1st and 2nd and adds hers.Etc.
·Try to keep the tone of the day focused on Thanksgiving, not Christmas lists, Christmas preparations, etc.There is a whole month following Thanksgiving to discuss and prepare for the Christmas holiday.Keep Thanksgiving about thanking God for all he has provided.
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday of thankfulness for what God has given us and not just a Thursday between Halloween and Christmas that’s all about the turkey and dressing.
The next meeting is November 17th. We also are going to "head" up the FFY Dinner for Thanksgiving. That will be held on the 25th. PLEASE stay tuned to church brochures, blog, e-mails & information about helping serve these youth right here in our city. If you would like more info you can easily leave a comment with your e-mail...and I will get back with you and with what needs to be done.
There are soooo many that I like to peek in on, but here are afew of my favorites. They are filled with ideas and free tutorials.
Sew, Mama, Sew! This one is having a 3rd round of Handmade Holidays and each day of November they have a posting that has links to free tutorials by category. Lots and lots of neat ideas! Not just sewing ideas either! They have things like knitting, bath products etc.
One Pretty Thing has multiple categories each day that range from kid crafts and paper crafts to sewing and knitting. It links to the tutorial on the original blog.
