Word Wednesday #74

8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive Him:

9 On the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot behold Him: He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see Him:

10 But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

(Job 23:8-10)

So often, we want to see God at work, feel Him working. But we don't have to see evidence of God to know that He is there, working in our hearts and lives, according to the promises in His Word. As the next verses indicate, we must continue in God's way and commandments even if we "feel" no change.

11 My foot hath held His steps, His way have I kept, and not declined.

12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

(Job 23:11-12

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 

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Psalm 119:65-66

Psalm 119:65-66

(65) Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Sometimes, we need to stop and reflect God's goodness; how He has indeed dwelt well with us. If we do a search in His Word, we will find that "He is faithful that promised" (Hebrews 10:23).

God doesn't merely expect us to keep His Word - He also keeps His Word.

(66)  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

Believe - OT:539 'aman (aw-man'); a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain; once (Isa 30:21; interchangeable with OT:541) to go to the right hand:

Good judgment and knowledge come only from God. Before we learn them, though, we must believe them. Am I founded in the Word of God? Do I know that it is truth? How can I learn from something that I think is fallible? I must be fully convinced that God's Word is truth. I must have total faith that His promises are true. Only then can I make any progress in learning His judgment and knowledge.

A brief review of from Whom we're learning judgment and knowledge: "Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?" (Isaiah 40:13-14)

Giveaway Winner!

And, we have a winner! Congratulations, Kathy A.! I emailed you. :)

Free Graphics | Computer Backgrounds and FB Banners

I like free stuff. You can ask my friends. I probably like free stuff a little too much. But! Because I like free stuff, that means I also like giving free stuff!

So...now on my photography website you can get free graphics for computer backgrounds and FaceBook banners! Check it out: http://amandaruthphotography.weebly.com/free-graphics.html

Here are some samples of the computer backgrounds and FB banners. Feel free to pass the news along and...as always, tag-backs are welcome!

Morning by Morning

When two friends sent me this verse in one day, I knew it was something God wanted me to pay attention to. What a blessing it is to sit and meditate upon!

Usually I get a little busier in my graphics design, but after I did the background and verse, I decided I loved the simplicity. Nothing distracting from the message of the verse.

Giveaway Reminder

I don't want you to miss out! If you've not entered the giveaway for "Peace, Be Still" (print copy) and "Be Still" Faith Building Block, hop over here and enter! Giveaway ends tomorrow!

Word Wednesday #73

"He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and He hath set darkness in my paths." Job 19:8

How often does this seem to be my way--dusky, unclear? And yet, as we look at Job's life, it was but for a season. Though my way may seem dark now, I must not be discouraged but continue seeking the Lord until He sheds light on my path.


Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 

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Truth Pics Revived

Truth Pics on Etsy is back up and running again!

For now, I just have printable cards available. How many times do you need a card, yet don't have time to run to the store to get one? You can simply download a card and print--and you're done!

Some of you aren't so techy as to do digital cards, so what do you like to do for greeting cards?

Screenshots of the PDF cards:

Psalm 119:64

Psalm 119:64

(64)  The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

For a moment, it is good to stop and reflect on God's mercy - it fills the earth! How do we know this? There is simple observation from nature, but we are sure because of God's Word.

"For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee." (Psalm 86:5)

"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." (Psalm 86:15)

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." (Psalm 103:8)

"The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation." (Numbers 14:18)

"The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." (Psalm 145:8)

If this is the Lord, then why shouldn't I be willing to learn from Him and of Him?

Perfect Peace

"Peace, Be Still" is built around Isaiah 26:3-4 and Mark 4:37-41. The latter is a passage that the Lord used in my life to teach me a big lesson last year while we were in the process of moving from Louisiana to Mississippi and learning the various new things of this state. When I realized that fatal tornadoes were semi-regular, I will confess that fear began to torment me--particularly because we moved into a fragile mobile home. In my daily Bible reading, God brought me to the passages in the Gospels where Jesus led His disciples straight into the storm on sea because He knew the lessons He would teach them there. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God had moved our family up here (and even that He had specially provided this mobile home for us!)...and where He led He would protect. There was something about that lesson that helped me to learn even more how to trust God in the storms.

What are some verses that have comforted you? Some lessons He's taught you through those verses?

(and don't forget about the giveaway you can enter!)

For What Cause?

Sanding mud on Sheetrock gives one plenty of time to think. The monotonous back-and-forth of the sanding block takes very little mental exertion so, if you aren't driven crazy by the constant scratching, you can get a lot done in the brain store.

On one of the days that I was sanding, my mind was pondering different ideas for my blog (come on, bloggers--we all must admit that running a blog isn't quite as easy as eating three meals in a day). As I was praying, the Lord brought one question to mind, "For what cause?" It stopped me for a moment. Even though my goal in beginning a blog was to encourage Christian girls, had my goal shifted? Instead of using my blog for Christ's glory, was I instead using it to showcase "my" skills and achievements? Hmm...

It is beneficial to stop sometimes and seek the answer to one word: M-O-T-I-V-E. What is my motive in writing this? What is my motive in sharing this? What is my motive in blogging? What is my motive in commenting? What is my motive in ________? (you fill in the blank)

I do not believe that it is wrong to share the fruit of my labor here, a reflection of the gifts that God has given me...but what is my motive? The praise and "wows" of men? or that I may further glorify God? For what cause am I sharing it? I needed that reminder.

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11

Peace, Be Still | Short Story Release and Giveaway

It's officially here! By God's grace there is a new short story on the loose: "Peace, Be Still."

What if you were left in charge of a lighthouse--at only twelve years old?

What if you weren't guaranteed your dad would survive the storm and return?

The fun thing about this short story is that I'll give you an eBook for free if you sign up to my new writing newsletter here (or you can just go and buy a Kindle copy or order a print copy).

And, if you feel like a little party, I'm having the release party on FaceBook this afternoon (5:00-8:30--a slow, relaxed time). Visit my FB page and request an invite!

Giveaway

And what's a release without a giveaway? :) Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a PRINT copy of "Peace, Be Still" and the "Be Still" faith building block (from Par la Grace).

*Giveaway open to U.S. residents only please*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour

Several lovely ladies decided to celebrate with me in the release of "Peace, Be Still." Be sure to stop by and check out their blogs!

September 18, 2015

Faith - faithblum.wordpress.com

Rebekah - www.readytobeoffered.com

Alicia - www.abrighterdestiny.blogspot.com

Janell - thewindowfriend.wordpress.com

Raechel -godspeculiartreasurerae.wordpress.com

September 19, 2015

Kenzi - www.honeyrockhills.com

Lauren Lotter - www.heritageliterature.com/my-blog

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"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Word Wednesday #72 | Link-up

"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." Luke 5:5

Two different thoughts with this verse:

- Am I willing to turn back and "keep doing" what the Lord leads me to do, even if I have previously seen no results? Am I willing to obey simply "at His Word?"

- That night the men had toiled uselessly in their own strength. But, upon later receiving the commandment from Jesus, they gleaned the fruits of  going in His timing and His power.

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 

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Jerusalem, my Happy Home | Music Video

It's been a while since I posted anything from With a Joyful Noise. But! Here is a new video. Enjoy and feel free to share!

(for some reason, the thumbnail doesn't want to share, but I promise the video's there!)

Psalm 119:63

Psalm 119:63

(63)  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

Who are our companions (associates)? Our friends should not merely claim a relationship with Christ - it should be evidenced that they fear (revere) God and keep His Word. Their walk should be compared to Scripture. Are they even trying to follow God's Word?

There are a couple of warnings about companions:

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20)

"Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father." (Proverbs 28:7)

We need to be like Paul, whose companion was a fellowsoldier, a servant: "Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants." (Philippians2:25)

Coming Next Week...

It is with great excitement and gratitude to Jesus Christ that I can announce the upcoming release of a new short story!

It will be released next week, September 18, so keep your eyes out!!

(Note to bloggers: I still have some openings for the release tour, September 18-19. If you're interested in joining, comment with your email address--I won't publish it, but I will send you the info you need to participate!)

Also in the "news" is my website update.

Oh, and yes you do see that correctly: "Peace, Be Still" will be free for newsletter subscribers.

You can also join my writing team if you're a blogger or book reviewer.

And, last but not least, I also have a section specifically for writers. Honestly, I love helping and supporting fellow authors (or authors-in-the-making)!


Anything new with you this week?

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"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3

Word Wednesday #71 | Link-Up

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; Luke 3:5

Christ is greater than the lifestyles of men to where He can straighten no matter how crooked it was and He can smooth out, no matter how rough it was.


Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 

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Trying something new with WW--a link-up! 

Let's see how this works...

An InLinkz Link-up

Psalm 119:61-62

Psalm 119:61-62

(61)  The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

There is no excuse to forget God's law. When trials come, it should not bring us further from God's law, it should not cause us to doubt God, but bring us closer. What is the difference? Some people forget God's law - that He warns us we'll suffer trials and tribulations ("My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4). They forget that God promises rewards to those who endure ("Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12). Those few verses should help us to stay focused not on the enemy or the trials we're facing, but on God, Who is sufficient through our trials.

(62)  At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Here is another "night" mentioned. What am I doing at midnight? If I awaken in the middle of the night, do I turn my thoughts immediately to God in thanksgiving? Do my thoughts go to His Word?

The perfect example of midnight worship is Paul and Silas: "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." (Acts 16:25-26)

Learning to See Creatively | Book Review

Before I finished this book, I had my camera in hand and was outside taking pictures. Though I am not inclined to be an abstract photographer, the tips in this book were very helpful and got my wheels turning.

Peterson comes from his thirty-plus years of experience to address Expanding Your Vision, Elements of Design, Composition, The Magic of Light, and Photoshop. His style is very rounded out, from traditional landscapes to modern abstract photographs. The books is full of beautiful images and informative text. Though I have read through the book once, I know that I will refer back to it several times to study different images and his camera settings.

Negatives:

Being a secular photography book, there were a few images that I decided to cover up before my brothers would see the book (I actually was surprised that there were only 6-10). There were also some words that my family views as "bad words." 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

More info

About the Author

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For the fun of it...

Here are some pictures I snapped after reading portions of the book. What I was specifically working on was seeing colors and contrast. Another thing that I have put on my list to work on is take my time while capturing in image.

All images completely unedited.

What is something you've done this week? Either learning a new craft or honing one that you've already begun?