Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Precious Women of God--This Includes You! (Abigail)

Dear Friends~

I am so grateful to be able to share a post about one of the women of the Bible-- Abigail.  When we have shared the posts titled, "Precious Women of God--This Includes You!!" We have two goals in mind, to share God's Word about this individual, and for you to realize that in some way, YOU have things in common with this woman that He wanted all of the world to know about.  And, that YOU are just as important today, as the women of the Bible.  So, please keep this in mind as you read about Abigail.

abaI am using my Life Application Bible (NIV) for information today.   Abigail was a sensible and capable woman who was a persuasive speaker who could see the big picture beyond just her part in life.

She was a homemaker in Carmel.  Her first husband was a man named Nabal which actually means "fool."  (Do you see any foreshadowing here?)  Nabal was mean, unfair, and very, very wealthy.  David and his men offered Nabal and his servant's protection, and land to let his sheep and goats feed.  When Nabal had taken his property back to his home and the season to shear the animals was upon them, David sent messengers to speak with Nabal.  The messengers were told to greet Nabal with this greeting, "Say to him:  Long life to you!  Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours! Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time.  When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing.  Ask your own servants and they will tell you.  Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at festive time.  Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them."        (1 Samuel 25:4-8)

Well, let me tell you, Nabal was mean as could be.  Unfair.  A fool. And, when David's messengers returned, and told David about Nabal's reply.  David told them to get their swords, with many of his other men, and he took up his sword and they headed off to Nabal's home. 

Fortunately, one of Nabal's men went to Abigail and told him about how his master hurled insults at David's men.  He also told her that ruin was coming to Nabal and his household.

Abigail saved the day!  If you want to know how this quick thinking woman did this, read
1 Samuel: Chapter 25!  It is very exciting!  And, find out what happens to Nabal...and Abigail.
I will give you one key Scripture:  "David said to Abigail, 'Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.  May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands." (1 Samuel 25: 32, 33)

So, are you like Abigail?  Do you look at the big picture in life?  Are you loyal without being blind?
Do you use your skills to promote peace?  What challenge or responsibility do you face today that needs a person under God's control? 


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This week's Winner of the He IS Able Blog's Card of the Week is Catherine Kraft!


Our Father's grace and mercy always amazes me. That when we step away from Him, He is always waiting with His arms open for us to come running to Him. Glad to see you back Traci!!

Catherine, thank you for your comment!  It is exactly how I feel when I stop and think of His faithfulness!  Please send me your current mailing address by email before Tuesday.  Please put He IS Able in the subject area...and I will happily get your card out to you!  And, thank you for your prayers and notes during the time I was away from the blog.  I appreciate you!

Anyone can win the Card of the Week!  Just leave your comment or prayer request before Tuesday!  If your comment is randomly chosen...you will win the next He IS Able Card of the Week! (Of course, if for some reason you do not wish to receive a card to share, all you need to do is let me know, or don't send your mailing address!

I pray you all  have a blessed week!

He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Something on the Way!

Dear Friends~

You have each made feel so happy to be back!  Thank you for your comments and prayers. I'm sorry about not posting last week.  It's really a rather humorous story.  My amazing husband, Dave, bought me a new lap top with all the bells and whistles! Well, between not having blogged in a long time and not knowing how to use this Windows program, or how to even find my Blog Dashboard, it made it impossible for me to write a blog.  I still haven't figured out how to note favorites yet.  Do you know that new laptops don't come with a paper and ink set of directions?  I still can't change the image of the card for the give-away...give me another week on that!  So, I have been working my way through all of these little buttons, and touch screen keys...and my husband found my Dashboard so I could actually write this!  And I would really like to know what to use to clean all of the finger prints off the touch screen, and off of the black keyboard?  Anyone know?  I am very grateful to have this as my other laptop is completely out of storage.  Thank you all for your patience.
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Gemiel sent me an email with her mailing address, so her package of stamps and other assorted  goodies will be sent to her on Wednesday.  I have an appointment so I can stop at the post office and get them on their way! 

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Speaking of Give-Aways, every week someone who leaves a comment will be randomly chosen to receive the Card of the Week from the He IS Able Blog.  The only requirement is that you live, or the person you want to receive the card lives in the Continental United States.  I can send it to the person for you! (Over-seas postage is just SO VERY expensive!) Remember, all you need to do to win, is to leave a comment each week and be randomly chosen, and...you can win as many times as possible!

The person whose name was randomly chosen from the comments is pom4me.  She writes the "Peace of Mind for Me!" blog. If you know this person, let her know to stop by this blog!  pom4me, I need you to please email me your mailing address by next Tuesday at 6pm to receive your beautiful He IS Able card to keep or share with someone!  My email is always located on the right of the screen, it is:


"Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold!  But I will give you what I do have.  In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking."  (Acts 3:6)

I would like to share from the book, "Quiet Moments in the Presence of God."  This book is a treasure and is published by Bethany House.
 
Something on the Way
 
"As you draw close to God, you sense something new in the air.  You feel the breath of God's Spirit  coming toward where you are."
 
"In a painting of the blind man at Jericho by the French master Nicolas Poussin, you can sense the expectancy of the one kneeling before Jesus for healing.  His left hand is outstretched, palm open toward Jesus.  His right hand is raised and extended in anticipation.  The right leg of the blind man is posed to take the first step into a new day of light and wholeness.  He has come to Jesus, fully expecting to see."
 
"Dawn arrives and you are standing on the edge of new possibilities.  You have absolute assurance that something special is on the way."
 
 
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The book also has this little prayer in it:
 
"When I realize who You are and what You can do,
dear God, my expectations are always high.  Amen."
 
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Just a thought.  This prayer starts out with "When I realize..."  Personally, I believe that if we are spending quality time with Him daily--praying, praising, reading and studying His Word, and whatever else brings you to Him, we will have the awareness all of the time of how great He IS!  That He is limitless in His power and love.  And, this prayer also reminded me that He is always, always--with us!  We are the ones who may put our relationship with our Creator on the back burner.  He lets us have an amazing relationship--what a gift that is!
 
 
"Hallelujah!  It's a good thing to sing praise to our God;  praise is beautiful, praise is fitting."
 (Psalm 147:1) 
 
 
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Please take the time to leave a comment...you may receive a beautiful He IS Able Blog Card!  This blog is about remembering who He is...and that He IS Able!  Have a blessed week!
 
 
His,
Traci Starkweather


Friday, February 7, 2014

Give-Away Winner Announced!

 
 
Hi Friends~

Welcome, Welcome!  I hope that you are visiting this blog again, or perhaps someone told you about it.  I had to take time off from writing this blog for personal reasons. Today I would like to finish up some old blog business. When I stopped, we were having our "Days of Praise Blog Give-Away."  One person's name was chosen from the people who left a comment during the Give-Away...that person will win everything seen below.  (Because time has made the calendar useless, I have taken that out and added more stamps.)



 
This is a list of the items being given to our "Days of Praise" winner:


A frame with strawberries on it/a slightly used "unicorn stamp" by Commotion Rubber Stamps/a "pine fan stamp" by just for fun/(holiday lights stamp" by G/a used inchie stamp that says "SUPER"/a new Judith's "sprig stamp"/ 4 acrylic stamps by Provo Crafts Clear Impressions- (3 snowman on one stamp-a snowman with all of his gear to put on on one stamp- a snow stamp on one- a mitten on one-all new)/a used All Night Media, Winnie the Pooh and Friends stamp/a Hero Arts, Art Prints slightly used rose with French words that I have no idea what they mean/a Large lightly used heart wreath with roses by Me & Carrie Lou/5 pre-cut purses in 5 sizes and different colors by Paper Cellar (envelopes included)/a set of 12 blue glitter transfer iron-ons/an acrylic slightly used frame style acrylic stamp that reads "Seasons Greetings"/a 2013 calendar/2 sheets of Paper Cellar beautiful Christmas Theme stick-ons/A unused Stampin-Up flower and pod from 2002/New stamp from Anitas that reads "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"/18 pieces of Pretty Ware rhinestones/ and other wonderful surprises!


The Winner of the He IS Able Blog's "Days of Praise" Winner is...

GEMIEL!!!!    CONGRATULATIONS, GEMIEL!

 

This is Gemiel's comment that was randomly chosen:

Gemiel November 3, 2012 at 7:22 PM

I am thankful for you Traci and this blog. Most of my friends consider me to be pretty crafty but I am really a scrap-booker at heart. I needed a card quickly to send to someone, but I really stress when I'm making cards because that's not where my passion lies. I was so thankful that I had a packet of lovely cards that I won here that I could just grab one, write my message and mail it. It was such a blessing and the recipient was so grateful to receive a handmade card.

I am also thankful that the Lord kept us safe here in VA. Sandy arrived with lots of wind and rain and cold but praise God we never lost power and all our trees are still standing.

 

Gemiel please email me your current mailing address.  My email is: tracistarkweather@gmail.com Please write "He IS Able"in the subject area.

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If you would like to receive a card from the He IS Able blog to share with someone else, please leave a comment before Tuesday 6am, Eastern, US Time.  If your name is randomly chosen, and you live in the US, you will receive the beautiful card made from one of our blog readers and an envelope.  (Sorry, over-seas postage is so expensive!)

 

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I will be sharing a beautiful piece that is about Acts 3:6 on Wednesday.  I hope you will leave a comment by Tuesday before 6am to be eligible to win a fabulous card to share with someone else.  Winner will be announced on Wednesday!

 

He IS Able!                                                                                                                          Traci Starkweather

 

"Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold!  But I will give you what I do have.  In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking."  Acts 3:6