NEW YEAR BLOW OUT SALE!

Alright everybody.....the New Year is almost here! It's time to hit the sales!!!

Going on now through January 10, The Shepherds Fold Design in The Sleepy Poet is having a 30% off sale!!!

Excludes a few items marked "firm".

Don't miss out on this! I'm heading up to the Poet this afternoon to take a vanity.
I will post new booth pictures later on.

Day 25...

DAY 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY!!!: Jesus came FOR YOU!!!

That is the best reason of all. That is the bottom line! HE CAME FOR YOU!!! He wanted to have you in His family so bad. I pray that from this Christmas on, the reality of Jesus coming will forever be in your heart.

Enjoy the day. I hope its filled with joy, laughter and peace in knowing you are loved by Almighty God...now and forevermore.

It is cold, raining, windy and dark here in Monroe this morning. I love it!!! I wish it was colder, though! These are the kind of days you should do nothing but stay inside and hang out around the fireplace...and that is exactly what we're going to do :)
I hope you all have enjoyed this "Christmas Countdown" special!

Merry Christmas to you all!
Blessings from my home to yours!

Day 24...

Day 24: Jesus came to have a relationship with you.

So many people get messed up with religion. But, the truth is, religion is nothing like Jesus. Come on guys.....it was the religious people of His day that hated Him and crucified Him! No....He is not about what you do or how you live. Yes, it matters to Him. But His affection and love for you is NOT based on what you do or what you can produce. Religion is always about WORKS. Jesus is all about RELATIONSHIP! Any messed up image that you have of Him, I pray that today will be wiped out of you mind forever. Once you come to experience Him for Who He REALLY IS....you will never be the same. Open up to Him. Let Him love you today. He desperately wants to.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve! I am about to curl up in front of the fire, eat some good food, and spend time with my family. Many blessings from Monroe to you and your family this Christmas Eve!!!

Day 23...

Day 23: Jesus came to put you in a family.

You know, He says "He puts the lonely and friendless in families" (Psalm 68:6). Christmastime can be the happiest time of the year for a lot of people. But, there are many that this is a sad, lonely time....because they don't have family, friends or a place that they can be "at home". If you are one of those, I want to encourage you with this word today. Ask the Lord to place you in a "family"....and He WILL do it. He doesn't want any one to ever be alone.

My prayer for you is that you will, at some point, come to a place where you are free to be yourself and feel loved.

No matter what, no matter where..
it's always HOME when love it there.

May He wrap you up in the love of Family tonight.

Day 22...

Day 22: Jesus came to tell us the truth, so that we could be FREE!

Always remember this: Jesus will NEVER speak to you with condemnation in His voice. He comes to tell us the TRUTH about things, not to condemn us, but so that we can see things for how they are. We can only be free when we are in reality. Good or bad, we will always be free when we see the TRUTH!!! Ask Him to show you the truth about things today. He will. And, oh the joy of Him showing the truth! Nothing beats it! Don't be afraid if Him truth. He wants nothing but GOOD for you. HE IS GOOD.....and there's nothing but GOOD in His heart. He adores you. He wants the best for you. Hear His truth today and be set free.

Day 21...

Day 21: Jesus came so that we could have impossibilities!

I want to share this picture with you. I took it in this awesome coffee shop called "Krankies", in downtown Winston Salem. The place has amazing architecture, and pretty good coffee, too!! The other day I came across this saying in one of my journals, so I added it onto the picture. I hope this saying becomes branded onto your heart and mind. This should sum everything up for us, if we will just believe.

Day 20...

Day 20: Jesus came so that you could live an abundant life!

John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy (this is literal!)....but I came so that you could have LIFE, and have it in abundance."

That says it all. Jesus want us to live a good, abundant life. He wants us to be abundantly blessed physically, financially, emotionally, spiritual. The word Shalom, in its full context, means wholeness, completeness - nothing missing, nothing broken. That is the way He wants us to live. Don't settle for anything less than His best.

Day 19...

Day 19: Jesus came to fight for us.

Do you know that He paid the price for your sins? Did you know that He went to hell for three days...for you? He did this so that you wouldn't have to. And you know what....He would do it again. He will never let you go. He will never let anything or anyone snatch you from His hand (John 10:29)! You are valuable to Him. No matter what you've done ore where you have been....you are that pearl of great price that He gave everything He had so that He could have you. It doesn't make sense, does it? But this is your Jesus. This is how mind boggling amazingly wonderful your Jesus is!
Enjoy being the apple of His eye...because you are.

Day 18...

Day 18: Jesus came to show us HOW to love.

Think about this: the religious leaders of His day are the very ones who hated Him. They are the ones who crucified Him! Now, Jesus didn't let them run Him over. He never backed down from their accusations. He wasn't afraid to speak the hard truth to their face. But --- when they crucified Him, He prayed that Father would FORGIVE T-H-E-M!!!

Let's think about this, guys. We've got to grasp this unconditional love of Jesus. His mercy...His grace....His compassion...His forgiveness. This is the example He left us. Boy, have we fallen far from reaching this. But, through His continual grace, we will acheive it, one sweet day....in Jesus Name.

Day 17...

Day 17: Jesus came so that we could know our Father.

Jesus talks about this in John 17. He is talking the Father God and says "I pray that they will know You as I know You".

Let's take Jesus up on this. Let's get to know God as our FATHER --- not as the big man upstairs Who is going to dominate us! He loves tenderly and passionately.

He doesn't love like your father does. He doesn't love like your mother does. He doesn't love like your brother or sister or friends. HE LOVES LIKE HE LOVES. Let His love come and invade your entire being and wash away every screwed up idea your have of Him today. He is amazing.......know Him today!

Day 16...

Day 16: Jesus came so that we could always feel arms around us.

Everybody wants to feel that. There is nothing better than having someone come up and hold you tight. On the good days, it just makes the day better....and on the bad days, it reminds us we are loved...no matter what.

I pray that you can feel His great big strong arms tight around you today....wherever you are, in whatever situation you are in. I pray that you can hear Him whispering in your ear "I'm never letting you go --- nothing can pry My arms from you!"

Thank You for always being near
us, Lord Jesus. Come and stay
with us today and forevermore.

Day 15...

Day 15: Jesus came and is here to give us wisdom.

"If you need wisdom, go and ask God. He will give you wisdom freely when you ask Him for it!" James 1:5

I have things right now that I need His wisdom and guidence in my life right now. I know He will show me what to do. Hr promised He would --- and He never goes back on His promises!

Day 14...

Day 14: Jesus came to give us our hearts desires.

This one might be a little long today. I'm sorry if I'm seeming to "preachy". But once you experience the goodness of Jesus...you can't stay quiet about Him :)

This morning, I was reading in Mark 10, about the blind beggar Bartemaus. Get those two words: blind and beggar. This man was considered the scum of the earth in those days. He couldn't see Jesus.....but when he heard that He was passing by, Bartemaus cried out with all of his might to Jesus. Now, all the people (hint, these we're the religious people) around him told him to be quiet. That didn't faze the blind man. He was determined to get to Jesus. Gosh, this is so vivid to me this morning....I hope it is to you, too!!!
So, he's yelling out to Jesus. Jesus hears him....stops dead in His tracks and turns to the man. Jesus....yes, our Jesus, the Son of God...stoops down to where this blind beggar in on the dusty road...hold's his face and says:

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Can you see the love in Jesus here?! Can you see His willingness here?!
He is asking you and me this one question. It is a simple question...but yet seem's so hard for us to answer.
WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO FOR YOU TODAY?
I pray that we fully grasp the reality of how extravagantly good He is. I pray that we see Him, sitting on the edge of His throne, just waiting for us to tell Him what we want and need. Oh, may we grasp this amazing love of our King today.

Day 13...

Day 13: Jesus came to deliver us.

Jesus longs to deliver us from any and every stronghold in our lives. He wants us to live free, whole and at peace --- not in torment! Whatever it is in your life - the things that nag at you, like shame, regret, anxiety, fear, anger.....the list can go on - if it is tormenting you, it is NOT of Him. Cry out to Him like blind Bartemaus did!
He desperately wants to set you free today!

Day 12...

Day 12: Jesus came so that we could always have a Guide.

Jesus said He would send us a Helper...the Holy Spirit....and that the Holy Spirit would be our Guide in every situation --- if we'll just ask Him to.

There was never a situation that Jesus was in where He did not know what to do. Why? Because He was always linked up with His Father. The Holy Spirit was living and flowing through Him. Now we have to remember that when Jesus was here on the earth, He was human like us! This is the amazing thing: we can live just like He lived!!!!

Let's not neglect the gift of the Holy Spirit. He is hovering...waiting for us to cry out for His help. Cry out to Him right now --- and I promise you.....He will come running to you.

Day 11...

Day 11: Jesus came so that we could be secure.

Get this picture in your mind: There is a little kid in his Dad's arms. There is a lot of chaos around them....people running around, its raining,....really hectic. But that little kid is just as peaceful as a lamb. Why? Because he is in his Dad's arms. As long as his Daddy is holding him, he isn't afraid.

We can be just like that with our Daddy. This is how He wants us to live continually. We don't have to get all bent out of shape when the sky seems to be falling. Just stay in your Daddy's arms and enjoy the security today.

Day 10...

I know,...I've missed a few days. I am sorry! It has been a good but busy weekend! But I am catching up today, starting with Day 10.

Day 10: Jesus came so that we could always see someone smiling at us.

Do you know that He is always looking at you....beaming with DELIGHT in who YOU are?! It is true. You are His delight. Close your eyes. Can you see Him? Can you see His great big smile. Look at His face. His smile is the only thing that will ever truly satisfy you.

Day 9...and NEW ITEM!!!

We are just 16 days away from Christmas Day! I can't wait!!! A family here in Monroe have made homemade mangers with a baby Jesus in them. They are DARLING!!! Each manger is hand crafted...even the cedar wood was hand cut to build the manger! Very rustic and warm. Each one comes with a tag that says "I came for you." It is the very heart of Christmas!!! The price is $27.95. Shipping will vary on your location. Mini mangers available by request.



Day 9: Jesus came for the "sick".

I love this scripture in Matthew. The religious people we're criticizing Him for hanging out with the sinners of that day. His response was this: "Healthy people do not need a doctor. Only the sick need a doctor!" Matt. 9:12

That is our Jesus. See how good and loving He is. He loves running to the ones that have fallen, who are muddy and dirty. He loves to pick them up, clean them up, and heal them in whatever way they need healing. This is our Jesus.

Day 8...

Day 8: Jesus came so that we could be made whole and holy in Him!
Check this out........

"Long before He laid down the earth's foundations, He had us in His mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love :). Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus. What pleasure He took in planning this! He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His Beloved Son." Eph. 1: 4-6

I pray that you can grasp the reality of Him --- apart from religion.....but by coming into a personal Father and child relationship with Him. Enough said.

Day 7...

Day 7: Jesus came so that we could live free from condemnation.

He wants us to live in confidence with Him...not condemnation! Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins, so that we could live free from condemnation! Isaiah 53.

Here are a couple pictures of my booth. See the little chippy chest?! It is adorable! All original......glass pulls....lovely!

The big board sitting on the chest says this: May your walls know joy...may every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibilities."

Hope you are enjoying getting these little bits on why Jesus came for you and me. Have a great day today! Here in Monroe, it looks snowy! I wish it would snow!!! YES! Winter is finally here!!!

Blessings.....Rachel

Day 6...

Day 6: Jesus came so that He could reveal to us who we really are! You gotta read 1 John 2:26....the Message says it this way: "Christ' anointing teaches you the TRUTH on everything you need to know about yourself and Him."
Everyone, at some point in their life, struggles with the question "WHO AM I....and WHERE DO I BELONG???"...right? Let's think about this today: what if we lived life, KNOWING that we are a son/daughter of the Living God?!?! Just think of how wonderfully different we could live!!!!! I'm asking Jesus to come today and reveal to all of us the truth about who we really are and Who He really is.

Day 5...

Day 5: Jesus came so that we could have a best friend!

Everybody doesn't have someone in their life that they can label "best friend". There has never been and never will be anyone who can top the friendship and fellowship that I enjoy with Jesus. On lonely days....He is always right here, smiling. He is a friend to the friendless. He is dedicated. He is faithful. He is loving and gentle. He is always honest. He is real. Spending time with Jesus is very valuable and important to Him. We can read in many places where He and His disciples we're around the dinner table, talking and cutting up. This is the real Jesus....the One Who is after your whole heart! He longs to spend special times with you. He is waiting...

Day 4...

Day 4: Jesus came so that we could live in peace!

This week, the Lord has reeeaaalllyyy been talking to me about depending on Him in every circumstance. I have fallen off the wagon hard! He has really been telling me that when I am fully dependent on HIM, I will live life in blessings and peace! The good news is this: He does not require us to not make mistakes....He just requires that we trust Him!

I love this saying: "When you make a mess out of life, turn the mess over to Jesus. He will un-mess the messer and make an asset out of the mess!"

He is proving this to me, even this morning! I pray that you get this, too! Don't get tore up when you fail. He see's us as little children! We don't expect children to be perfect and not make mistakes. He is the same with us! Now, this is good news!!!! This is why Jesus came.

Day 3...

Day 3: Jesus came so that He could make us His very own.

You see, Father God sent what was most valuable to Him. His sent His only, precious Son to our dirty earth. Why? Because in order to adopt someone, you have to make sacrifices of great value. With adoption there are a lot of legal and financial steps to take. We've gotta get this....because once we do, it will rock us to the core forever: Father gave everything He had....just so He could say "that one is Mine!" Jesus agreed on this. He was willing to pay the ultimate price. He wanted a big family, too!
Thank You, Jesus. May we grasp the reality of what You did for us during this Christmas season.

Have a wonderful day, soaking in His love for you!!!

Day 2...

Day 2: Jesus came so that we could have everything we would need for life and godliness. Everything we need, we can find in Him. He is our source for life. Check it out in 2 Peter 1:3

25 Days to Christmas Countdown!

Good Morning everybody!
Starting today, I am starting the countdown to Christmas. I know it's supposed to be 12 days before.....but I'm doing 25 :). Everyday starting today to December 25, I will be posting one reason why Jesus came for you and me personally. There's so much more to Him than just Him dying. Why did He die? Why did He choose to come into this filthy, low world? Yes, He loves us. But how much?
So, anytime you have a extra minute or these kind of questions are running through your head....swing by here and see what His answer is. He is always speaking to us...we've just gotta open up our ears.

Day 1: Jesus came so that you and I could be happy.....
all the time, no matter the circumstances.He wants us to be happy in His presence! Check it out in Psalm 16:11
This is good stuff :)