Self-Control.... the last of the Fruits of the Spirit

Self-Control - Noun
the ability to control one's feelings, emotions, or reactions. This is the dictionary defination of self-control. I understand it, I struggle with it. I really think that for me, it needs to be God-Control. You see, I don't want me to be in control. I've tried that, some times still do, and it is not a pretty thing! I am so much happier, friendlier, "fruit-ful" and usable by God, when I am under His control. The problem for me is staying under His-Control. The key is constant submission to the Holy Spirit. That "S" word.....agh.... thats the kicker for me. I like control, so it is a struggle. I have been so blessed just doing these simple overlays, and I look forward to seeing what God has designed for me to share! Hrhmmmm, I can't keep it a secret! Tommorow, you will get a wonderful Wordart with the Fruits of the Spirit! Blessing and Grace, Teri

Only 2 more pieces of Fruit left to go

Well there are only 2 pieces left of the Fruits of the Spirit overlays. Today's is PEACE. When I think of peace, I have to remember that Jesus said, "I am leaving you at peace. I am giving you my own peace. I am not giving it to you as the world gives. So don't let your hearts be troubled, and don't be afraid." John 14:27 The peace that he is talking about is not a feeling, it is a place of being. Jesus is giving us His peace. Think of how is must have been to be totally at peace with God. Settled, assured, secure...isn't that great? We all want Peace, but this is a personal peace that will withstand anything that comes your way. NO matter what. I personally have experienced his peace in the midst of severe trials, and I am thankful for his presence. Now, do I always have this peace? Unfortunately, no. It is always available to me, I just don't walk in it. I am going to miss my daily piece of fruit when this is over, I need to have it in front of me so that I will remember how good it is! "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" Psalm 34:8 Till tommorow..... His, Teri

"Be Patient, be patient, don't be in such a hurry"

OK now here is another piece of fruit that is hard for me to swallow sometimes. I want it and I want it now, is more my style. But, I know that this fruit is one, that if we can achieve it, is wonderful. Wouldn't it be nice to have more patience with your loved ones? I know for me it would be. Not only being more patient with others, but showing patience when waiting on the Lord. Again, I want it ( answers to prayers ) and I want them now! But, we know that love is patient. He (God) was patiently waiting for me to come to him, and I am forever grateful. I love the scripture from I Corinthians 13:4, that tell us that "Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant." This was one of the scriptures that was read at my mom's funeral. She was an example of this scripture. I have to tell you a funny, but true story. When I think of this, I remember something my husband has said about me. He would say, when we married, he hoped that I would be like my mom, BUT I am more like my dad! Let's just say, I am not always as patient and kind as I should, and could be. Again, I am working on it! He still loves me though. So as I patiently wait for tommorow, I will try to be more like you, mom. You gals will have an opportuinity to show some patience with me because you will have to wait a day or two for the rest of the fruits! Remember, practice makes perfect. So practice some patience today. Enjoy!

Here is your Patience:

http://www.4shared.com/file/56395746/4ed02f72/Overlay_FS_Patience.html

How about a little Love today?

" What the world needs now, is love, sweet love....." remember? Well it really is true. It is a fruit of the Spirit we all need more of. If we (I) could love others like Christ himself loves others, our homes would be far better off than they are today. Like I said a few days ago, yall are just getting to eavesdrop remember, so I am not pretending to "have arrived". Far from it. I am selfish, more than I want to admit, and don't always think of others before me. But, like I also mentioned, I am striving to grow. That is the key, desire plus action. Like exercising, it is not something we like to do, but it is a good thing to do. Do you have a friend, neighbor, boss, employee or child that needs to experience God's love? I bet you do. Today, try to see them as Christ sees them, and let Him, love Them, through You. Now, don't worry if you can't do this, because neither can I. Thats why we are gonna let Him do it! 2 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY GRANDAUGHTER ARRIVES! SO THAT MEANS A SPECAIL FREEBIE TOMMOROW!!!! Lot's of Love today, Teri


Get over here and get some Love:
http://www.4shared.com/file/56275297/fedece86/Overlay_FS_Love.html

Pass me some more fruit, please. And a little goodie too!

How about a little Kindness this morning? I will take some for sure. Thinking about yesterdays post, I had a comment from a really nice lady who said, she likes to try to, instead of saying, "why me, Lord?" she tries to ask "HOW, Lord?" How can I use this for your glory! I love that. I thought about it several times yesterday. I am going to try to look at things like that. Thank you for sharing that with me, whoever you are! My Vacation overlay has been very popular, so for all you gals who go on holiday, this one is for you! I hope you like it! And just a little hint, this will not be the last time you see this. So, you will just have to guess what I have in mind with this for a few more days. I just want to say thanks to all of you who comment, it really is an encouragement! Have a day full of Kindness, and pass the fruit bowl to others! His, Teri

Get your Kindness here:
http://www.4shared.com/file/56031751/8ae976c8/Kindness.html

If you want a Holiday, click here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/56034842/3679a13c/Holiday_overlay_.html

Fruit of the Spirit #4 and a challenge for us all!

"My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways." James 1:2 Now, isnt that what you wanted to hear? Well, me neither. In fact, as I reflect on what I am going to blog on.....the Lord usually show me something I need to work on and you guys just get to eavesdrop on how God is speaking to me. So, yes, I need to learn how to, WHEN I AM TESTED in different way, to be very happy, or consider it pure joy. I have not arrived, I am sorry to say. But you know what, it is my desire to grow spiritally, so I know I am headed in the right direction. So today, yep, I said today, WHEN you ARE tested, think about me, say a prayer for us both and keep your eyes on the Lord. Together, we are gonna grow.

Step right up and get your JOY here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/55921727/74c27df/Overlay_FS_Joy.html

"Goodness" me! #3 in the Fruit of the Spirit Overlays

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." Psalms 23:6 Now you tell me who wouldn't want goodness and mercy to follow them, right? I know I do. And talk about goodness! Here I am up in the beautiful hill country of Texas and if that's not goodness I don't know what is. I live in south Texas and that is FLAT land. My husband farms, so I know we need that flat land, but not much on the beauty side. But, here at our other house............well surrounded by hills, hummingbirds, the cool Frio River, ah...peace and beauty! Ok so I want to share some goodness with you today! Here is the 3rd in the series. I am making another series I will most likely interject in between, its outdoors! Maybe tomorrow? Have a "good" day. Blessings and Grace to all...............

Grab some "Goodness" here:
http://www.4shared.com/file/55811071/1aebc95f/Overlay_FA_Goodness.html

edited .png file can be found here, sorry about the error!http://www.4shared.com/file/59184311/9496797f/Overlay_Goodness_Edited.html

New Word Art and more Fruit and a Blessing too!

Well I had a wonderful anniversary. And now, back to the real world. When I got home and hubby went to bed, I came and checked my email. I found this beautiful blessing layout that a lady, Sue Peart, had sent me from Australia. I was AMAZED! Isn't is wonderful? I am so glad she shared it with me. I emailed her and asked if I could put it on y blog and she graciously agreed. I hope it inspires you as much as it did me. I love the simplicity of the white backgrounds, but this is equally nice. I am going to give you guys another "piece of fruit" and the next word art I have ready to go. I saw this on a sign and loved it! I am going out of town for a few days to our house in the Texas hill country....ahhhhh I can feel the Frio River now...but I will post something when I go to the little library a few miles up the road. I may be slower in responding to emails, so be patient with me. Thanks again Sue for sharing your beautiful layout! Have a great weekend and enjoy your family and friends. His, Teri

Grab the Going Shopping Word Art Here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/55638922/cc862ab5/Word_Art_4.html

Grab Gentleness Overlay here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/65152886/43b14e8e/Gentleness_edited.html

****edited LINK on 9/31/2008

.PNG users READ THIS !

I had some requests for these in the .png format along with the .psd format. I want to make sure that there is enough interest in the .png format to continue to make them available. If I just did the .psd I could make them over twice as fast and get more out. I will make them in hte .png for a few more times unless I get ample comments letting me know several of you need the .png or else it just isnt worth it for me. So, heres the deal...if you want them in .png then I need to here from you. I hope you understand my position, I do this for fun, and love to share, and want to share as many as I can. I have had so many requests and want to do them as soon as I can. Take care, and have a great weekend. Enjoy life each day. His, Teri

Happy Anniversary to me! Well, and to my husband too! 32 years! God has seen us through very tough times... and I am here to tell you HE IS FAITHFUL! Tom and I have been faithful to each other, standing beside each other during cancer, death, horrible attacks on our faith. So many people who pass through our lives just see the happy family. But without going into detail, we have been touched by almost every type of arrrow that Satan can hurl.........except...we are still standing! If you are reading this today and thinking, well she hasn't had that happen, well you ever know. I just want to encourage others to trust in the Lord to get you through those hard times. I am having so much fun with these overlays. But tommorow, it will be a word art. So for you word art ladies, one is hot off the press! I have compleated the Fruits of the Spirit series, so will most likely do outdoor theme next, since we are in the midst of summer and camping season. I will make them as long as there is traffic on my downloads. When the traffic slows down, I will know its time to move on. Thats fair right? I also have a small question for you smart ladies. How do you organize your scrapbook kits? I use PSE6 and am beginning to put them into my organizer, tagging them with diffferent titles and such. But I have about come to the conclusion that I am going to just add them, and tag the previews, and themes and designers, and as I used them, then go to more detail. I will never get them done if I follow Patty Debowski's step by step program and tag every single paper, element and all. Ok, sorry I got so long winded. Here are the next two overlays.

Grab the Fruit of the Spirit Overlay here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/55487381/c08c961f/Ovelay_FS_Faith.html

***edited .png file for Faith can be found here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/59183489/d3176438/Overlay_Faith_Edited.html

Grab Anniversary Overlay here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/55486936/83738c4/Overlay_4_Anniversary.html