Cheap, Pretty and Good – DIY Art for Your House

 

Here are two simple and easy ways to make some modern style art for your house.  Both methods are quite inexpensive compared to buying regular ready-made art in a store.  And since you get to choose your own fabrics, papers, and paints, they will be one-of-a-kind as well.

 

Photo property of Kelly at The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking

Simple, Thrifty DIY Art

This first one from Kelly at “The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking” uses Styrofoam insulation, heavy fabric, a staple gun (or some similar way to attach it), heavy fabric in a pattern you like or canvas, and some basic picture hanging hardware.  Some lighter-weight fabrics would probably work as well.  You just don’t want the words on the insulation showing through.

If you have some of these things around your house already (I think we have all of them), it may not cost you anything out-of-pocket. :-)  It would be a great way to use up Styrofoam insulation pieces from a home-improvement project.

In the second project she painted on the canvas.  One idea to remember is that you can push several canvases together and paint one large picture, then divide it with spaces between when you hang it.

Also, since this is done with Styrofoam insulation, you could use your imagination to add some other items with pins or tacks.

 

Photo property of Jeni at Becoming Martha

Easy Art Blocks

Jeni at “Becoming Martha” made these pretty squares with wood shelving, craft paper, some paint, and picture hanging hardware.  She also shows in a second post (here) more of the details of making this and adds some corner holders for 8x10” pictures.  With this method you can add your own photos to the art and change them out once in awhile.

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Notice that you could combine these two ideas and make the smaller squares with the Styrofoam insulation. :-)

Creatures Great and Small – A Royal Butterfly Café

 

Queen Butterflies on a Queen’s Wreath vine.

Our Guest Room Do-Over, Part 3: The (almost) Finished Room!

 

This Part 3 of how we fixed up our guest room.  See Part 1 and Part 2.

Ecclesiastes 7:8  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof…

We got it done in time for my in-laws visit!  Well, almost done. :-)  I still have things that I want to make or change.  Also, since the paint was barely dry, I didn’t hang much on the walls.  I think the lady at the store told me it would take about a month for it to dry good and hard, especially since we were painting on paneling.

My husband and I picked up the mattress and box spring at Costco on a Friday and stored them in our dining room till we were ready for them.  My neighbor sister-in-law helped me on the following Tuesday with setting it up and arranging the furniture.  We had it set up like this (below) at first because we thought it shouldn’t be on the board covering the weak spot in the floor on the opposite side (mentioned in the last post).  But, I didn’t like the head of the bed against the windows, and it wouldn’t fit with the all the furniture against the other windows.

You can see here that the blinds and valances were not all up yet as well.

My mom came over to look and mentioned that they had had their bed on the opposite wall where the board was.  This made me think, so I measured the bookcase and decided that it would all fit if we flipped the lay out.  My husband confirmed that it was perfectly safe to put the bed on the plywood board, so he and I rearranged it that evening.  He also got the fixtures up for the window treatments.

The next day, the day my in-laws were to arrive, I did the finishing touches.  Here are the results.

I really like the pale aqua paint!  It’s such a soft color that it doesn’t photograph really well, but you can see it in the pictures where I used a flash.  It is a lovely cool color for this Texas climate, I think!

The bed, the “quilt”, and bed skirt were purchased.  We already had pillows and sheets.  Two of the blinds were really shabby, but we had practically new ones in the garage which we were able to install after buying some new brackets.

The “Welcome” picture (see top photo) was created from one of my own photos.  I Photo Shopped it to match the salmon pink in the room and make it look a bit more artsy.

The bookcase was a long-term loan from my sister-in-law who was storing it in our garage. :-) 

I love the way the evening sun shines into this room.

Most of the décor on the bookcase was “shopped from our own stuff”.  The ‘50s items came from my dad – an aluminum cup (perfect shade of pink) made into a vase with a bit of tulle, the pink pottery dish and the three oval serving dishes.  The oval serving dishes were the perfect colors for the room, so I stacked all three.  I put some packages of snacks in them in case my in-laws felt snack-ish at night or early in the morning.

Since my in-laws will be using this room the most and since they and my own parents were all missionaries in Africa, I put in some African touches as well.  The painting and wood carving on the top are from East Africa. [Painting: Lake Nakuru]  I had wanted to line the back of the top two sections with fabric for more color interest, but the painting was so large I decided it was enough.

The framed Bible verses were made in Photo Shop with vintage graphics I found free online.  We did buy the picture frames.  The candle holder and feathers came from other areas of our house. (The candle is artificial – LED, so no worries about fire or damage to the bookshelves.)  I still need to select and add more books from my dad’s overflow collection in our garage. :-)  The trash can was also donated by my sis-in-law.

From the three storage tubs that were in here originally, I picked out the one that best complimented the décor.  I hope to make a cushion to put on top for more comfortable seating.  The painting is another African scene from my parents.  [Painting: Tana River]

The “bed side table” is actually an old T.V. console my parents gave us.  Hopefully at some point it will be replaced with something that takes up less space.  It’s a bit too wide in that spot.  I didn’t put anything on it yet other than a coaster because I thought that might be the best spot for a suitcase at this point.

The smaller nightstand by the door was another donation from my sis-in-law.  The light was discarded by my parents.

As you can see there is no headboard at this point.  As mentioned before, my husband said he might be able to fix up a metal footboard we have, but that may take some time.  We’ll see.  It isn’t necessary.

I’m not sure yet what I’m going to put on this wall.  I’m still thinking I might install a “quilting wall”, but just try to make what’s on it attractive when we have guests.  It would need to be a more finished and nice looking one, if I do that.  The old tablecloth method probably wouldn’t look so great in this room now. ;-)

The valances were made with a combination of fabrics.  The solid and floral came from my stash.  The solid was a “mistake” order – wrong color.  The floral stripe was a strip from a “jellyroll”.  The Swiss dot was purchased for this room.  I had to really pay attention when I was putting them together to make sure that the polka dot sections were on the outside of each set. :-)

Well, that’s it for now.  I may try to do an update later if/when I get some more things done in the room.  I still have ideas of things I’d like to add, change or do.  My in-laws really liked it, but the best part was probably that they slept really well on that bed!  That made us all happy. :-)

Thoughts from the Past – Thoughts on High Priests

 

Painting by Aharon Hacohen

Here is a post from my old blog.  I’m republishing it here with very little change.

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July 17, 2006
Thoughts On High Priests

Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

First of all, notice in verse 1 that the high priests of the Old Testament were taken from among men. They were ordained for men. They were ordained in things pertaining to God.

Now we have no earthly high priests in the church age, yet there are men who exalt various positions as if it were somehow a high and holy office. Curiously, they seem to think too often that they are ordained (and that's the very word they use) to men for God. In other words, they are some kind of extra special people whom we should honor because of they supposedly speak and act on God's behalf to the rest of us peons.

But notice the next verses. A true, God-fearing, Old Testament high priest should have had compassion on the ignorant and those who had strayed because he himself had the same tendencies. He had to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as the people's. (How rare is that attitude among some today?)

Next we see that no man takes this honor to himself. Aaron was called of God for this job. He was not the one who announced that he was "called to preach" or "priest," as the case may be. And, his ministry was for men - on their behalf - including himself. God selected Aaron for this role, and he really had little to no say in the matter. (Ex. 28:1, Num. 3:10, Num. 17)

The interesting thing is that Christ, the Son of God, did not raise Himself to the position of high priest. He was given that office by His Father. And, He was given that office to minister on our behalf. If the Lord Jesus Christ did not exalt Himself to a position of honor, ought men to do so?

And what about "the rest of us"? Should we be exalting men - or ourselves?

1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Notice that we are also called to something. Because Christ suffered for us, we should follow His steps. We should not glorify ourselves or men. We should not put ourselves in a position that God has not given us.

1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We are called out of darkness into Christ's marvellous light. Therefore, every believer, as priests of God directly under our High Priest, should show forth His praises.

Here is are some questions we can each ask ourselves: Who does my life praise? Does it praise some man, family, college, group, church, organization, etc.?  Does it praise Jesus Christ who took upon Him the form of a servant and was made of no reputation?

Philippians 2:5-9   Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Revelation 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Evening Song–I Love My Savior, Too

Psalms 31:23  O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Psalms 116:1  I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Sew Happy Friday- Tumbler Chevron Quilt with Jenny Doan

Here is a pattern and instructions from Jenny Doan at the Missouri Star Quilt Company for a fun quilt made with tumbler patches in a sort of zigzag pattern.  You can use a tumbler ruler or template similar to the one Jenny uses, or you can make your own.

Creatures Great and Small – Flighty Things

 

Our Guest Room Do-over, Part 2 – In the Process

 

See Part 1 here.

The process of painting the room took much longer than I expected.  It took more primer to cover these mid-tone walls than I expected.  That means it also took more work!

The work began with removing a lot of things, taking down blinds and laying plastic to cover the floor.  I also covered a few things that we didn’t remove from the room so they wouldn’t get paint on them.

In the above photo you can see a piece of plywood on the floor.  This is covering a weak place in the floor which was caused by water damage before we moved in.  My husband hoped to repair it before his parents came, but the painting took up too much time, so this part was tabled for “later”.

The window frames and storm windows are removable from the inside, which was helpful.  Here you can see that the taping had been started.

I had a new mop head for an old mop that I no longer used much, so I popped it on, sprayed my homemade surface cleaner on it and mopped the walls. :-)  I had tried to remove all the nails, but they were hard to see on this paneling, and over time there had been a lot of them put in!  Anyway, the mop sponge got kind of torn up, but it did the job.

The room began to look SO much better with just the white primer started!

It took three coats of primer to cover the walls acceptably.  All the grooves in the paneling also had to be painted by hand with a brush because the roller didn’t get them well enough.  Of course, the edging was done that way as well.  Sadly, my taping job wasn’t all that great, so we did end up with some white and blue on the trim.  Oh, well.  The room was never meant to be perfect what with the stained carpet and damaged floor!

I was very blessed to have a lot of help on this project!  A friend of mine gave me a good chunk of help two different days and my mom helped with the brushing in the middle areas during the primer stage.  My husband also helped a lot when he was able.

And the paint goes on!

We only had one can of paint and we didn’t want to run out and have to buy more.  Another can might not have matched perfectly which would have meant another coat for the entire room.  It took at least two coats of paint as it was, and maybe a bit extra in some places. I think I spread it too thin on the first coat.  I was being too careful to make it “go far enough” I guess.

In between the painting I worked on other things for the room.  Cleaning up some of the décor, printing and framing pictures, and sewing were some of the projects.  Here is my dear mom taking a nap in our living room after helping me by pinning the valances I was making for above the windows. :-)

Some things I wanted to get done had to be abandon for the time being because I realized (with my husband’s help) that I didn’t have time or strength before my in-laws came and the important things were the painting and getting the bed set up.  Funny thing was that at least one of my ideas turned out to be unnecessary later on.  I was able to work around it quite nicely and with much less effort. :-)  It is good to not overachieve sometimes, and as Christians it’s good to remember how temporary things of this life are and be content with simpler.  I really needed to not be exhausted during my in-laws visit – and thank the Lord, I wasn’t!

I did a lot of looking online trying to find a bed spread, comforter, or quilt for the bed.  I’d thought to make my own, but that was way out of reach in such a short timeframe.  I concluded that I wanted something not too pricey, not too fancy, not too fluffy and not too light colored.  I knew guests would be sitting on it as there isn’t much seating in the room and I didn’t want them to feel like they would soil it or crush it if they did.  I ended up buying a very inexpensive one at Wal-Mart that should serve fine for a guest room that isn’t heavily used.  I also decided I should look for something that I would like to use in our bedroom or the living room if I want to make a quilt for the guest room later.  The one I ended up getting happily fits all the requirements.  I  feel like the Lord helped me with that.  And, my husband was probably glad I settled for something “cheap, pretty and good”. :-)  (Sorry, no picture at this point.  Can’t spoil the surprise.)

My sister-in-law helped take the tape down the day after the paint was all done and then another day she helped set up furniture.  The two of us got quite a bit done.  We got the bedframe from a storage shed, cleaned it and set it up, and collected other furniture and tried out some different options. 

The footboard that I was going to convert into a headboard didn’t work out because the paint had been damaged and also the knobs for the posts had been lost. :-P  (My husband said he may be able to fix it up at a later date.)  My sister-in-law said we should attach a board where the headboard would have attached to keep the metal from rubbing the wall.  I think I was the one who suggested rolling it in an old bed sheet we’d used as a drop cloth for further protection.  It worked out great as you can see in the picture. :-)

I know I’ve just tantalized you with this post, so please come back for Part 3 to see the results! :-)

The Chasm

 

This is something I wrote years ago during some of the darkest hours of my life.  If you have ever been in this hurting place, you will recognize it and remember it for the rest of your life.  We go into it for different reasons and at different times, and we leave by different routes and in different ways, but it is the same Lord who goes with us through it and brings us safely to the other side!

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The Chasm

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Hebrews 13:5 ...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

How did I come to this loathsome place - this deep, dark canyon with its high sheer sides where no light penetrates the constant gloom - this vale that is filled with shadows and darkness? It seems only yesterday I was walking in pleasant places full of sunshine and fresh breezes. While I was not noticing the road descended into this fearsome depth. I would not turn back. I am no Ephraimite (Ps. 78:9). But, I could not if I would, for the path has closed behind me and there is no way to go but forward and through.

Continue Reading.

Evening Song – A Name I Highly Treasure

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Sew Happy Friday- An Idea for Organizing and Using Scraps

 

Here is an idea for organizing fabric scraps so that they will be more useful for quilting.  I have mentioned something along these lines before regarding cutting scraps at the time you are actually cutting out your project.  Amy at A Quilting Sheep actually went through her whole scrap stash and cut them into useable sizes.  Take a look:

A Quilting Sheep: Scraps

Photo by A Quilting Sheep

The Thousand Word Project – Summer Thoughts

 

Psalms 74:17  Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.

Wren eggs

Figs

Okra

Our Guest Room Do-over – Part 1

 

Our guest room has been either a mess or mostly empty ever since we moved into this house.  At first it was used as a dumping place for things I didn’t know what to do with, or wasn’t using at the moment. 

When my in-laws came to visit and stay here a few days, we did a massive clean up and got it presentable, but the accommodations were very sparse.  (My brother and sister-in-law also spent a couple nights in here when their 5th wheel was being worked on.)

I used the room for sorting stuff between visits and then would have to clean it up whenever my in-laws came, at least to the point where we could set up an air mattress.  We set up a double layer, queen-size air mattress when we had overnight guests. 

It worked out OK for a few years and my in-laws were fine with it for awhile.  But then, last winter when they were here the wrong mattress was set up and they didn’t sleep well at all.  They said maybe they would stay at a motel the next time they came. 

I felt really bad, and so it occurred to me that it might be a good time to really fix the room up and get a real bed!  I wanted them to know they are welcome in our home and that we want them to come and visit, especially since I have been unable to travel to their home for a few years now.  My husband was onboard, and we could afford to do it at this point, so we began to make plans.

My Inspiration

A new housing development is going in “up the road a piece” from us.  They are building large, fancy houses, and when my in-laws were here to visit last January my mother-in-law wanted to stop in and look at the model homes that are open to the public.  It was a fun little sidetrack “just because we could”. :-)  These houses were definitely out of our league!  I would feel very uncomfortable living in anything so grand.  But, in one of the houses I saw a room that I REALLY LIKED.

I loved this pale blue color because it felt so airy and light.  It made me feel like I was up in a high open space.  If fresh air had a color, this would be it, especially near a fresh water lake. :-)

(By the way, this was a secondary bedroom, not the master suite in this luxury home!  Also, although this room was my inspiration, anyone who has spent much time on this blog or The Home Maker’s Corner should know that my style is not exactly “chic”.  :-)  My husband says my style is “eclectic cottage”.)

I got to wondering if I’d like this color in my own bedroom “if we build our own house someday”.  But, blue can be depressing to me, so I wasn’t sure.  When I started thinking about re-doing the guest room, it occurred to me that we could paint it this color so that I could see how it looked in a more “normal” house and decide if I liked it.  After getting some paint chips at a couple stores we headed over one day to see if we could match it, and we did.  It turned out to be a pale shade of aqua.

We bought our paint and primer and some odds and ends for the job and were planning to start on it “soon”.  Then my in-laws let us know they were planning to come for my husband’s birthday in June.  I don’t remember exactly when they told us this, but it seemed doable to me at the time, so we decided to try to get it done before they came.

I’d already decided to try to “shop our own stuff” on this project as much as I could, and had been making a mental inventory of things I could use in the room.  My sister-in-law offered a queen size bed frame she had, and my dad let me have some of his 1950s collection that he was planning to get rid of.  So, it wasn’t like we were starting with just paint.

This is what our guest room looked like when we started.  I may have removed a few things already before I took these.  I can’t remember now.

It was a real hodgepodge of stuff, but not nearly as bad as those first pictures at the top which were taken around 2009 or ‘10.  It definitely needed a lot of help, though!

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Due to the size of this project, I’m breaking it up into parts.  Stay tuned for more installments! :-)

Part 2 – In the Process

The Way, The Truth, The Life – A Poem

 

Here is a poem that I wrote 10 years ago and posted at The Home Maker’s Corner.

The Way, The Truth, The Life

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Amid the crying and the weeping,
A single thought comes surely creeping
That only things eternal truly last;
And so man turns to shrines and "-isms",
Binding himself in Satan's prisons,
Hoping for some peace when life is past.

Continue Reading.

Evening Song – Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Zechariah 13:1  In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

Revelation 1:5-6  …Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Sew Happy Friday – Quick-to-make Cozy Socks from Polar Fleece

 

Photo property of Tim Anderson

In honor of my readers in south-west Australia, it seemed like a good idea to post something they could make today to keep their feet warm as the “Antarctic Vortex” blows through. :-)

Here are instructions to make some warm, cuddly socks quickly with fleece.  You will have to draft your own pattern, but with the info provided, it looks fairly easy.  This would be a great way to use up fleece scraps or to upcycle a blanket that is getting tired but still has some good spots.  You may want to add some elastic around the top edge to keep them up better.

Note that you have to click the “next” button to continue reading the instructions.  There are three pages total.

“Cozy Socks from Polarfleece Blanket”

Texas Wildflowers – Lemon Bee Balm (Monarda)

 

All of these photos were taken on our property.

 

P.S. I think I got the dates wrong on some of these.  Also, some of you may have seen a couple of these pictures before, since I used them a couple years ago. :-)

Monthly Challenge – July

 

A picnic we had with my parents at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in March.

Well, it’s the first Tuesday of the month, and time for our new monthly challenge.

This month it seemed like it would be nice to do something that was in keeping with the summer season since a majority of my readers are in the northern hemisphere.  Maybe you can use this as an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts.  (I know, it’s very warm in some places.  But, remember we’re already on the down side of the year and headed toward shorter days.) 

I think both challenges could apply to either hemisphere, however, keeping in mind those who are having winter now, one challenge is more “multi-purpose”. :-)

Here goes:

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Ditch your schedule for a day and do something you or you and your spouse/kids have been wanting to do but never “have time for”.  (Excuse bad grammar.)

And/Or

Plan and take an outing to a favorite location.

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For some people ditching the schedule may prove challenging, but it can be any day, or part of a day if necessary.  Also doing stuff you “never have time for” could be anything – craft projects, going to the park, picking wildflowers, baking cookies, watching a movie, digging into that decluttering project, fishing, etc.

Going to a favorite location also doesn’t have to be complicated.  It could be going to visit parents/grandparents or other family members, making time to stop at a favorite shop, revisiting a favorite museum, or taking a picnic to a favorite park.  If you want to make it a big thing, go ahead – a vacation or camping trip would be great.  Maybe a quilt shop? :-)  There are lots of options. 

Just try to figure out something that will make you say, “Yeah, it was good to do that.”  And, hopefully, it will also get you out of the house and/or out of your rut.  :-)

As always, Enjoy!

With my parents at our favorite park in Roane County,Tennessee in 2007 (before we were married). :-)

Word of the Month- Attributes of God: Unchanging

 

Attribute n. - a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something.

[See the rest of this series.]

Table Mountain, South Africa

Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

We live in a world that is constantly changing.  People change.  Life changes.  Nations change.  Churches change.  Many of the changes we see are discouraging, sad, or frustrating.  It can become overwhelming at times.  It seems like this would be a good month to think about how God does not change!

There is a human philosophy that “change is good” and therefore we should always embrace it.  This, however, is not consistent with scripture.

Change Can Be Bad

Proverbs 24:21-22  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:  For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

Being given to change and constantly craving change is a form of discontent.  People who are always needing change to feel satisfied with their lives have a hard time being still and knowing God.  If they don’t get the change they crave, they will make it happen themselves, even to the point of making trouble for themselves and others. 

In the context of this verse, though, it appears to me that God is talking about those who are looking for change in their government.  Those who are given to change in their leadership (like voting in a new leader every 4 years?) tend to get themselves in trouble over the long haul.  Those who are constantly looking for some new candidate to “save the country” (America) are doomed to disappointment in this day and age.  We should not be constantly focused on rescuing our nation through some new leader and change.  That is what the present administration promised the U.S. when it came into office, and this change has not been a blessing.  That is what Adolf Hitler offered Germany when he came into power and it didn’t work out well either!  God has good reason to tell us not to meddle with them that are given to change in the area of governments!

Daniel 7:25  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

This passage is likely speaking of the Anti-christ, the man of sin who will rise up to lead the world in the last days.  It clearly says that he will think he can change times and laws.  “The times, they are a changing”, as the saying goes.  The laws are changing as well.  This could be a trend that will only increase if we are close to the return of Jesus Christ.  It is inevitable, but it is not pleasant for those who follow the unchanging God.  Sometimes laws may change for the better, but the indication of this passage is that the changes are away from God and truth.  We see this in many places today.

Romans 1:22-25  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

We also see a lot of this these days – the changing of the glory of God into the image of man and creatures, and changing the truth of God into a lie.  This covers all the bases; from heathens and the world who deny the glory and truth of God and live for their idols, to the modern church that follows every trend and wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:13-14).  We see God’s truth being adjusted and redefined constantly in Christendom, and then we are surprised when the world wants to redefine it?  Really?

[By the way, this is one reason that my husband and I hold to the King James Bible.  We believe that we should have a translation of scripture that reflects the unchanging God.]

Change Can Be Good

Some change is necessary or unavoidable: change like the cycle of life as loved ones die and new ones are born, the passing of the seasons, the changes of life from aging, etc.  But, some changes are definitely good, even from our limited human view.

Philippians 3:20-21  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

This is a wonderful change!  To have our vile bodies changed to be like His is truly a change that we can look forward to with joy.  This amazing change is spoken of again in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53,  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

We also should be changing now in our daily walk with Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

This is about growth and being conformed to the image of God’s Son (Rom. 8:29).  While this change is a good and blessed change, it can also be painful and unpleasant as it occurs (Heb. 12:11).

Hebrews 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

This is speaking of Jesus Christ and how He was a priest of the order of Melchisedec, not of the tribe of Levi.  That there was a change of the law is to our benefit because it allowed one – Jesus Christ – to become our high priest, and through Him the veil has been rent and we have access to the holiest place (Heb. 10:19-21), something that was not available under the O.T. Law.

God Is Unchanging

In the midst of all the change that goes on around and in us, it is of great comfort to know that God does not change.  He may work with different people differently, He may deal with different situations or groups differently, but He Himself is the same forever.  What is sin before Him today will be tomorrow and 100 years from now and 1000 years from now.  His mercy will be new every morning, which is why we are not consumed by His wrath on sin which also does not change.   

Lamentations 3:21-24  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

The fact that the Lord does not change should give us good hope.  We can know that as He kept many, many promises yesterday, He will today and forever.

Hebrews 6:17-18  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

The counsels and oaths of God are immutable – they can’t change.  In other words, it isn’t just that they won’t change, they actually cannot change.  Because He is also eternal, that means that His promises are also eternal.  He is not going to keep His promises to us today and tomorrow “change His mind” and stop.  He is not a liar – it is impossible for Him to lie. 

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

With the Lord there is not even a shadow of turning.  I believe this comes from the idea of the sundial.  If you stand and watch a sundial you will, after a little bit, begin to notice that the shadow is moving – turning – on the face of the dial (marking off the minutes).  But, the Father of lights doesn’t change.  The shadow will never move, there will be no varying with Him.

Sadly, I think there are some people who actually resent the fact that God is unchanging, even among those who profess to be Christians.  They would like us to believe that God is thoroughly modern and changes with the times because that gives them license to change as well.  But, according to scripture the Lord would have us reflect His unchangeableness as we follow Him.  1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Psalms 102:24-27  I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:  But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

This earth we live on and all that is in it is destined to pass away, to wax old like some piece of clothing and have to be changed. (So much for “saving the earth”.)  But, God Himself will remain the same.  This is perhaps the most extreme change that can come – to have all this earth and all that we know of life and living perish and be changed is beyond our comprehension as mere humans.  But, the Lord Himself shall endure.  He will not change.  He is the only being or thing in existence that will never change.  Even the heavens shall pass away (2 Peter 3:10), but the Lord will not.  Do you see why our hope must be in God alone and in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ?

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Psalms 46:1-2  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

When everything else is failing, falling apart and changing, it is the Lord alone whom we can trust to be the same – always and forever. 

This month let’s try to focus on the fact that God is unchanging, even as we hear of the many changes that are happening in our world today.  Let’s take comfort and hope in knowing that there is one place where we will never find change.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

- Thomas Chisholm

Evening Song - Sweet Beulah Land

Isaiah 62:4  Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

Revelation 22:3-5  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Feel Good Friday- Texas Boys Loving their Neighbor

 

Galatians 5:14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

These Texas boys lent a helping hand to a 75 year old lady in their community when they learned that there was a warrant out for her arrest.  She had not been able to mow the large grassy area on her property, which was a problem because it was taller than the legal height allowed.  After not receiving a letter ordering her to appear before the judge about it, she didn’t appear in court and a warrant was issued for her arrest (more than likely because she was “in contempt of court”, not because she didn’t mow her grass).  These young men heard about it and decided to help her out, which inspired some others also.  Take a look. :-)

 

Note to the cynical:  Please don’t make a big deal about how “awful” the law is, or the judge is, etc.  In Texas, tall, dry grass in hot weather poses a serious fire risk, especially in neighborhoods.  And, in Texas, believe me, the grass gets dry and the weather gets hot!  The length of 18 inches actually seems kind of generous to me, considering.  Also note that we are not told exactly what the penalty was for not mowing the grass.  As mentioned above, it appears to me that the warrant was made because she was “in contempt of court”, not because she didn’t mow her grass.  :-)

Texas Wildflowers – Thelesperma

 

These photos were taken in my parents’ yard.