Wednesday

Memories of Love - A Dose of Encouragement


I have been thinking about memories on and off for a while because I have been sorting out old photographs and scanning negatives. (A long, long job)


I have found at different times that my memories don't always match up with the photographs.


Have you ever discovered that or is it just me?






For example when I was 12 years old I went to Barcelona and because that was a very long time ago I only had a few photos and they were in black and white.

I had not looked at them for a couple of decades and unfortunately when I came to the packet the photos were missing and only the negatives remained.  Perhaps later I will find the photos mixed in with some others and perhaps I will never find them but at least I could scan the negatives.

How surprised I was while scanning to find that one of the pictures seemed to be the opposite way round but on checking the strip of negatives I confirmed that I really did have the strip the correct way in the scanner and was not now looking at the reversal of the photo.

I had always remembered that Monte and her mother were standing to the left hand side of the doorway and facing to the right

but in reality



they were standing in the centre of the doorway and facing left.


In the same strip of negatives there were two pictures of the Cathedral in Barcelona,
one of the top




and one of the bottom




Yet I had always thought I had a photo of the full front of the cathedral.

So it just proves that my memories are not always accurate.


Then just this past Saturday Fred and I went for a walk beside a Lake not too far from where we live and at one point we took a path that was rather steep so laughingly Fred got behind me and pushed me up the slope.

As he did so he said         "Does this remind you of anything?"

I immediately answered        "Slieve Donard"


Now a quick summary is in order here:

I met Fred in the early 70's but we were just friends.
A few years later we were both at a Christian Summer Camp.
One of the days we all went to a town called Newcastle to walk up a mountain
called Slieve Donard.
Without going into too much detail, 6 of us were walking along together when we came to a steep part and the 3 girls laughed and said we were too tired so the boys would have to push us.  They said they wouldn't but in the end
Fred did push me up the steep part.



On the slope of Slieve Donard I'm between the two Freds
the one in the centre of the picture is the one I married

So Saturday's reference was to that event in 1975 which will be 40 years ago in July this year.  (I have written about the same summer camp in a blog post last year called    What a Face )


Now back to Saturday.

We both laughed and probably both thought I was a lot lighter when he pushed me up Slieve Donard but at least he didn't say it.

Then I asked him  

 "Do you actually remember pushing me that day or do you just remember me
 talking about it throughout the years?"


And his honest answer was
     
"I think I remember a memory that I have formed because you have talked about it"


Now I had two choices here.

I could have taken the "huff" and been annoyed at him for not remembering something that I had from all those years ago.


OR


I could just accept that we had different memories from that day.

I chose the latter because I know that Fred does not always remember things the same as I do because he doesn't always see things the way I do and vice versa.

Yes even though so many of our memories have been formed together over all these years we each remember some things the same and some things differently.

Even things to do with our relationship?      YES!

Even things to do with our love?    YES!

Does this matter?     NO!  but sometimes Yes.

It shouldn't matter because it is just the way we were made; we are both different people and each day is different to each of us even if we share all the events of that day.

We have to accept that each of our memories of our love are different.
We have to accept that each of us will forget certain things about our relationship.
We have to accept that each of us will notice things in our lives differently.

Why?     Because our memories and our love are not perfect and neither are we.







However there is a love that is perfect.

The love of God is perfect because God is Perfect and God is Love.

God remembers every single part of our relationship with Him and his memories are perfect.

God will not forget about us, He will not forget how much He loves us.

God's memories of us will be perfect and when He reminds us of something it will be true.

God also knows exactly how we remember things and how we have felt through all of our life.

God knows how we feel right at this very moment.


God's memories of Love are unforgettable and you know what 

to God you are unforgettable too.







Is this not the way you want to be loved?


If you don't know this love of God please take a little time to watch the 3 2 1 video on the sidebar.




Sunday

Songs for Worship #6


Last year from January to June I wrote a series on
Why We Worship  where I considered an attribute of God each Sunday.

At different times people mentioned to me about a song that a post reminded them of so I thought that I would now go through those attributes again with a song for each one.






So I'm following the weeks of Why We Worship from last year and I hope you will follow along with me.



                         Looking today at 



God is Faithful








Faithful God 


Faithful God, Faithful God.
All sufficient One I worship you.
Shalom my peace,
My strong deliverer.
I worship you
Faithful God.











If you would like to see the post from last year that this is based on please click on the graphic below















Friday

Easy Kids Heart Banner - With FREE Printable


I decided to make a Banner for the PreSchool Age Sunday School Class for Valentine's Day



Of course this could also be simply used as banner at any time of the year and is something a child could make or be helped to make for a friend as a craft at home or at Sunday School.


Basically I wanted something simple & quick to make and for which I would not need to buy extra supplies.


So I came up with this "Jesus Loves Me" banner.




MATERIALS REQUIRED

Computer
Printer
White A4 card
Remnants of Ribbon (or long piece of string)
Staples/Glue
Scissors


The link for the Free Printable for this banner can be found at the bottom of this blog post.




STAGE 1

First thing was to get on the computer
(so difficult for me as I am never ever on the computer - sarcasm here)

I used Ipiccy to make pictures of the hearts with the letters inside them.
Some of the letters are repeated in the phrase so I did not have to do every single letter.




I left the original blank one in case I decided I would like to use the same heart outline for another project.



STAGE 2

This depends on how large you actually want your letters to be.

I felt for the smaller room that it would be big enough to have each heart less than the size of an A6 card so that meant that I could have 5 to each A4 card




Then I used Powerpoint to set out the letters I needed on an A4 sized slide and printed out all the letters involved including 3 blank hearts - never waste space and they can always be used later if not needed now.



STAGE 3

The cutting out was the most tedious part but I normally do that while I'm watching something on TV so not so bad and of course never waste time.






STAGE 4

I hunted through all my remnants of ribbon to see if I would have enough pieces to put together to form a long ribbon to which I could attach all the hearts.
Spacing out the hearts to see how long this ribbon needed to be.

Thank goodness I have a long kitchen table.





STAGE 5

Then I chose the thicker longer ribbon but I could have used the thinner off white ribbon pieces and glued them together behind hearts to make it long enough.


There were 3 reasons for choosing the thicker ribbon
          1.  long enough without having to piece lengths together
          2.  thick enough to not have to be so precise with the glue
          3.  it was actually decorated with little hearts too


Simple Heart Banner Kids Craft - Quick & Easy to make With FREE Printable

So I placed all the letters carefully alongside to get the right spacing before pressing each letter against the glue dots on the roll of dots.




Each heart got some glue in two places (the tops of the curves)




Before I pressed them all unto the ribbon.

As you can see I used glue dots because they make this type of thing so easy, neater & much quicker than using my glue gun.








Don't forget to download your free printable for the "Jesus Loves Me Heart Banner" HERE  if you have not already subscribed to Sandra's Ark


If you have previously subscribed to Sandra's Ark then you will find the link for all my Resources in any of the emails you have received from me.


Or pin this for later:







Don't forget to let me know if you try it out.






Wednesday

What Do You Believe In? - A Dose of Encouragement


This word

Believe 

         
                   is on the lips of everyone around us.






It is

    Printed in Wall stencils.

        Found on free Printables.

            Cropping up in digital scrapbooking.



There are many home decor shops sporting  "believe" plaques - and I have one in my bathroom which I have mentioned in two previous posts
  5 Little Touches  &  Happiness, Happiness








On Facebook I see this word often.



People use it to encourage others.



But my question today is








The definitions of the word BELIEVE is



accept that (something) is true, especially without proof,  
 to trust (in something)




So the answer to my question is  NO  it doesn't make sense on its own.

It is dependant on something else with it so that we can have a proper understanding.

Any time I sit and look at my plaque I am challenged to consider what I believe in, what words I would add.


Now what would you rather have with it?


What comes with the word believe is important, not just anything will do.

We can't just glibly say we believe in any old thing now can we?


I have a piece of word art for digital scrapbooking that says







I also have a butterfly plaque in my ensuite which says Believe in Miracles.








I know which of these I would rather choose to believe in.



Do you?



And I am happy & joyful that I know this.



I want to encourage you today to think about what you really believe in, what you trust in and what you would stand up and be counted for.



I believe in God the Father, 

Son and Holy Spirit 

and
 His Word, the Bible.









I'm glad I know who I believe in and that I can depend on Him and His Word.


Let's stand up and be counted for believing in


What is True and Dependable










Sunday

Songs for Worship #5

Welcome to the new Sunday Series

Last year from January to June I wrote a series on
Why We Worship  where I considered an attribute of God each Sunday.


At different times people mentioned to me about a song that a post reminded them of so I thought that I would now go through those attributes again with a song for each one.








So I'm following the weeks of Why We Worship from last year and I hope you will follow along with me.
(Just head over to the side bar and join up if you would like to receive a reminder of my posts)



                         Looking today at 



God is Holy












Holy is the Lord



We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He


And together we sing



[Chorus:]

Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory


We stand and lift up our hands

For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He


And together we sing

Everyone sing


[Chorus:]

Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory


It's rising up all around

It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
Repeat


And together we sing,

Everyone sing


[Chorus:]









If you would like to see the post from last year that this is based on please click on the graphic below












Saturday

Christian Songs for Kids - Who Made?



Some time ago I talked about not being able to find many powerpoint presentations to illustrate Christian Songs for Kids.

I had got to the point where I was making my own to use in our Church, Sunday School and an After School Bible Club our church ran in a nearby primary school each Monday.









NOW


I am going to share songs with you providing a 


Visual 
(Powerpoint or Picture or details of how you can make it) 


Words   
(chords also available)


Recording / Video
(to learn the song) 


Then if you would like to download the visual of the song there will be a link provided to my creation, or I will direct you to where else you can find it.  



Also don't forget you can go to the side bar on the right and sign up for an email reminder of my posts. Then you will know when the next song is posted.



Today I am starting with the theme of



 CREATION



The song I have chosen is 




WHO MADE?


My own children enjoyed singing this as they grew up through our Good News Club and Sunday School.

It is a simple repetitive song which strongly teaches the children that God is the creator of all things and of course there are some great actions for everyone to take part.




POWERPOINT

I made this presentation for projecting the words.








To Download a copy of this powerpoint presentation click 
HERE

If you have already signed up to get my blog emails then simply check your last email for the link straight through to all my free resources



WORDS


WHO MADE

Who made the twinkling stars, 
The twinkling stars, the twinkling stars.
Who made the twinkling stars, 
Our Father God.

Who made the fish that swim, 
The fish that swim, the fish that swim.
Who made the fish that swim, 
Our Father God.

Who made the flowers & the trees, 
The flowers & the trees, the flowers & the trees.
Who made the flowers & the trees, 
Our Father God.

Who made the rolling waves, 
The rolling waves, the rolling waves.
Who made the rolling waves, 
Our Father God.

Who made both you & me, 
Both you & me, both you & me.
Who made both you & me, 
Our Father God


To Download a copy of these words with chords for guitar or piano click  
HERE

If you have already signed up to get my blog emails then simply check your last email for the link straight through to all my free resources








ACTIONS

Who made the twinkling stars  -  Hold up hands  at head height & Tap fingers and thumb together on both hands 

Who made the fish that swim  -  Place two hands palms together pointing forward and wiggle them

Who made the flowers & the trees  -  Close hands and bring them together in front and then open the hands to represent flowers opening

Who made the rolling waves  -  Place arms in front of you with one hand a few inches in front of the other and then circle the hands round each other in a rolling motion

Who made both you and me  -  Point outwards for you and in toward yourself for me

Our Father God  -  Simply point and look upwards.





RECORDING




Special "Thank You" to my husband Fred who looks after the Recordings and Chords




Notes:

The words and music for this are noted as traditional see here
and I cannot find any author.

I believe I probably made up the verse about the flowers and the trees but not sure.

If anyone has any further info on this song please let me know.




Why not Pin this for future use:-









I Hope you enjoy the song and this is a help to you.




If you have any Christian Kids Songs you would particularly like to see here please leave details in the comments and if I know the song I will endeavour to include it on the blog for you as soon as possible.









Wednesday

Does My Nose Look Big in This? - A Dose of Encouragement


Someone said that 2014 was the year of the selfie.

So what was the greatest selfie?






The Greatest Selfie  -  There is none.


No Seriously  -  Does any selfie ever turn out really well?


They make your nose look enormous.

They put you all out of proportion.

They normally make one head look bigger than another when there are two or more of you.



Now Fred & I may be up to date with a lot of technical things (most people know that we like computers and iPads) but we are not that much into phones.


However in the past year we have taken a few selfies on our phones when we were on holiday in Malta in August (top left & middle left below), waiting for the St. Patrick's Day parade here in Northern Ireland in March (bottom right) and when we were having a walk around a lake near our home in the summertime when we wanted to get the ducks in the background (middle right).






Then I remembered we had taken one the previous Christmas time with our son on a walk around an old castle (bottom left) and over 5 years ago we had taken some when we were on a hot air balloon flight in Belgium (top right)


But in no way would I have thought of any of those as being great photos of us, just ones that make us laugh.


However there are a few different types of selfies within our family that are more unique






Daniel and Linda outside Daniel's old music studio about 7 years ago.







One I took in the mirror in our hallway early last year.








Then there is this one that I took last week on the iPad when Fred & I were chatting on facetime while he was working in Luxembourg.



Selfies are definitely the in thing and that is further proved by all the new poles to hold your phone so that you can have the phone further out to help take a decent selfie, to make sure the camera is not too close to that nose.

And the other factor about the selfie is that we can have the picture right there and then on our phone or iPad, no waiting!


Yes, This is a selfie generation.


Which ultimately leads it to being a selfish generation.



Selfies focus all attention on you.

It is all about you.


Life today is full of 

the ME mentality, 

the NOW mentality 

and 

the MUST HAVE mentality.



Oh Lord that we would be able to look beyond ourselves and have the panoramic picture of what you want for the world and for each of us and not the selfie picture.


If we get drawn into this selfie mentality we are not going to be in the plan of God.


The Bible teaches us to love others, to care for others, to intercede for others but how will we know how to do this if we have this selfie mentality, if we are only focused on ourselves?


Let's focus on God instead because as we do so we will find that we will be more open to the prompting of His Spirit to intercede for others.

Let's focus on God because as we do so we will have more love to extend to others.

Let's focus on God because as we do so we will become more like Jesus and experience His caring nature for others.


I don't want to be in the little group of me, myself and I - do you?


The Bible also teaches us that people will know we are Christians by our Love which will be like Christ's Love.






I am so thankful that Jesus did not have the selfie mentality.