Looking for a creative way to present a long stem rose? Here's one way to showcase an already brilliant work of art.  Great gift idea for Mother's Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, National Nurses Day or any special occasion to honor and say, "Thank you!"

​I designed these last year to give out to parents who were walking their senior players under an arch of lacrosse sticks. Sadly, for my son's class of 2020, we missed out on that special day but can still share the love with others.
​
Wanted to display our school colors, so used purple tissue paper and coaster sized white dollies. However, you can get an endless amount of looks by changing up the colors and using various patterns and combinations of papers.

In addition to the tissue paper and dollies, I found double sided wrapping paper, and cut into squares (looks like rectangles in the picture below because it was curved). I decided on gold for the inside and silver for the back. 

Since it was for a lacrosse event, I wanted the rose's wrapping to slightly resemble a lacrosse stick. I used craft paper for the largest, outside cover and cut the length to be about two inches longer than the rose, say 23 to 25 inches. I knew the neck would need to cut in a little for the ribbon to hold in place. Used clear tape to wrap dolly around the neck of the rose and then had strip of tissue paper folded in half to wrap around from behind. Used glue stick to secure gold square to the top of back cover. Doesn't take much glue at all.

When cutting the parchment/craft paper, think of a shove type top with a wide handle. Fold handle in half but not the top, then fold the sides, almost like making a paper airplane. Use a hole puncher to make your holes for your choice of ribbon to run through, and practice getting one just right for your template to cut all the rest.

Slide your wrapped rose just inside the ribbon, secure tissue and have overlap at the base, and gently tie. 

​​​​With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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​The apple has for centuries appeared in artwork as the forbidden fruit, even though the Bible does not name it specifically. Could there be biblical clues pointing to the real identity of that fruit? Several years ago, I heard radio station manager, Ray Haynes, on Victory 91.5  talking about the fig tree and how there are some who believe the fig tree was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden, based on a closer look at the scriptures.

Here are two examples.
​
​1) The fig tree is the first tree mentioned in the Bible and the reference is not to the tree itself, but its leaves that were used to cover Adam and Eve after they became aware of their nakedness.

​2) The fig tree is the only tree, on biblical record, that was cursed by Jesus as he was preparing to go to Jerusalem to be crucified, to pay for the sins of the world.

After hearing this, I began to see and hear some more things about the fig tree that I never noticed beforehand. I ran into a friend and mentor who had just gotten back from Jerusalem, and as she was sharing about her amazing trip of a lifetime, she mentioned how delicious the figs were over there. I shared with her the possibility of the fig being the original forbidden fruit, and she nodded her head and said she could definitely see that being the case. Then after my godson's graduation, I hung out with my dear friend, Carla, who is gifted in the gardening and culinary arts. As we strolled her backyard after dinner, she showed me her fig tree, and began to look closely for any fruit. I had never noticed how large fig leaves were until this moment. I wondered if the fig leaves were the first to fall to the ground after Eve and Adam had eaten of it's fruit, thus being picked up and used for coverings as soon as they realized they were naked, or had they been pulled off.

The reason I'm writing this post is not to merely focus on the fig tree, but to focus on exactly what  Jesus did on the cross as we approach Good Friday and Passover. I find it interesting that wood carried the forbidden fruit and was on the scene when sin infected mankind, then Christ came and worked with wood as a carpenter's son. Then he curses a tree before laying his life upon the wood of a tree. His covering for our sins was more than any fig leaf could possibly cover. Here is some of what is written about tree of the knowledge of good and evil and other verses where the fig tree is mentioned. 

His covering for our sins is more than any fig leaf could possibly cover.

Genesis 2:8-16 New King James Version (NKJV)
8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

​Genesis 3:2-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings
​
John 1:47-51New King James Version (NKJV)
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Luke 21:29-33 New King James Version (NKJV)
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

​Matthew 21:18-22 (New King James Version (NKJV)
18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”
21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.
22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

John 3:14-17 New King James Version (NKJV)14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but[a] have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

​So when you see a fig or fig tree, I hope you think about what Jesus did for you and me, and find your covering in Him! 
​

​​​With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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This morning, I asked God what He wanted me to share today, and he brought to mind a post I wrote back in August of 2015 about Cecil, the Lion, who was lured out of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and killed. You may ask, what in the world does that have to do with Palm Sunday. Well, the names of Cecil and another lion named, Jericho, actually point to a historical event that happened when Jesus stopped in Jericho right before entering Jerusalem, a day we now observe as Palm Sunday. Click here to read more on that story.

This evening, I'm meditating on the promises of God.

Concerned about going out for necessities, but don't have a mask?
Yesterday, I needed to go to the store and noticed social distancing can be a bit tricky walking up and down aisles. Approximately one-third of people had masks and wondered how many would have worn a mask if they were able to make one fairly easy. Here's simple idea to protect others when you go out and to give yourself an extra layer of protection. Please make sure to wash after each use and discard filter.

A big shout out to all those who have volunteered to sew masks for those in desperate need! This is for people like myself who haven't forged a working relationship with their sewing machine and need help. All you need is square piece of cloth (can be cut from pillow case or t-shirt), rubber bands and a coffee filter. Hope this helps you and God bless!

​If you liked this video, subscribe to our mailing list and YouTube channel to get the latest updates. Thank you!

​​With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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​​With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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Short video explaining the spiritual and symbolic meaning of the door in your life.

If you liked this video, subscribe to our mailing list and YouTube channel to get the latest updates. Thank you!

​​With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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With so much heavy news about COVID-19, I have some very exciting and encouraging news to share! Just finished  coordinating a six week lesson titled, God Protects His People: The Life of Esther at my son's elementary school through the Good News Club. The lesson review party ended right before Purim. Looking back, I am convinced God was preparing us to see His hand at work during this worldwide event.

On Wednesday, a friend sent me a link that was streamed live on Tuesday, the 10th of March. Sid Roth was speaking about the Coronavirus on Purim 2020. (BTW - just watched the link last night with my husband.) He read a letter by a Messianic Jewish Rabbi pleading the President to call our nation to prayer. During the live stream, Sid Roth said he felt led by God to read the letter out loud and that he believed someone would hear the message and share it directly with President Trump.  The President apparently received this message and called for a National Day of Prayer tomorrow, the 15th, which happens to be the Ides of March, originally known as a time for Romans to settle one’s debts. 

Does anyone else see some interesting parallels?  

• COVID-19 / PSALM 91 - Five letters with the same numbers.
• Corona is the Latin word for crown
• God delivering a message to the President of the United States that was read aloud on Purim, a story of God's faithfulness to His people during an attack. And that President Trump received the message and called a National Day of Prayer this Sunday,  the Ides of March, a date associated with gentiles/pagans settling their debts.
• All this happening in less than one week!
• On the first day that many churches in America are not congregating in person due to COVID-19, God has called His people across the nation to unify in the Spirit and pray. 2 Chronicles 7:14

I know this is a lot of information, and I too am overwhelmed with the timing of these events, but in a good way, The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) 

​
​With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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Happy Valentine's Day! Hope and pray that you all are doing well. We know we have much to be thankful for and are looking forward to 2020. 

Last year, ten loved ones passed away. A lot of those losses came in pairs, starting with two aunts of ours dying within weeks of each other. We called my Aunt Sallie, before leaving Scott's Aunt Audrey's funeral service, to find she was headed to the emergency room. We met her there, and thought she had more time and would be back home. I then left for Germany, with my brother, for research on a screenplay. We were updated daily, with a mix of bad and good news. After our plane landed, we traveled back to Birmingham the next morning. Sallie passed that evening. Her service was not only at the same funeral home as Aunt Audrey's, but was held in the very same chapel room. It still seems surreal. 

The losses continued in pairs with some overlap in their connections. Two former co-workers passed, two courageous  ladies, with Ocular Melanoma passed, and two amazing women of encouragement, who put their faith in the Lord, also passed. Scott's Uncle Jim and his close friend's mother passed. People who had been on our prayer list with long cancer battles went home to be with the Lord. My step siblings' father died after a long health struggle. With each passing, I was reminded of how precious our time is here, and what a privilege it is to be alive. 

As we all struggle to keep going or "keep punching" as Sylvester Stallone famously says, I keep my focus on what I know I am called to do, attending sessions with the Atlanta Writers Club and WIFTA (Women in Film & Television Association) to fine tune the pitching process. Learning to prioritize this year's goals with praise and prayer, encouraging my husband, Scott, as he finishes his book and working with him to launch a children's book, that I wrote. Serving as social media and special events chair for my senior son's lacrosse team, leading a Good News Club at our youngest son's school, and completing a School of Discipleship class at our church keeps me on my toes. There are days where I feel like I am barely keeping it together, then I am reminded to go to God with ALL of it. He has brought us so far and has shown up in so many amazing ways. Do not entertain thoughts of doubt, this I am learning. Just when I need it the most, He brings about the most amazing encouragement to us all keep going.

​A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
​Psalm 23:1-6 (NKJV)

Do not entertain thoughts of doubt!

I am also reminded of this passage from Habakkuh 2:2-3 (ESV) and believe on this word from the Lord. ​

Hanukkah 2019 ends tonight with the lighting of the last candle of the nine lamp menorah. However, the original seven lamp holds deep meaning and significance for Jews and Gentiles alike, and gives hope to those desiring more.
​
Please consider these verses to get a fresh perspective of what our Creator is communicating to us through His Word and the seven lamp menorah. They're is so much treasure to find, but here are a few verses to spotlight.

In The Beginning . . .

• And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 (NIV) 
• Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule . . .” Genesis 1:26 (NIV) 
• God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:3 (NIV)​

Instructions for the Menorah
​“Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. “Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. Exodus 25:31 ,32 & 37 (NIV)

The Prophets

• “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:6-7 (NIV)
• I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)
• Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”  I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied. So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4;1-6 (NIV)

​The Parable of the Ten Virgins
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25

​Revelation
On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Revelation 1:10-20 (NIV)

God is the Light of the world, and He has called us to be the light also. Our lamps must be filled with oil and He alone is our source. 

With love, 

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

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Good News! There are awesome things happening across our country and around the globe in schools that have started a Good News Club!

What's a Good News Club?
Good News Club, a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship, was started to share the Biblical truths and lessons of God in a fun format for children to experience. They hold their club meetings at local schools in the afternoons, just like many other clubs. All children are welcome, and parents must give their permission for their children to attend. After sitting in on a few club meetings at our local school, I found the excitement contagious and realized how much the children, parents, teachers, and administrators love this club. The club leaders greet the children with snacks and small group time, followed by games, Bible story and lesson, scripture memory verse, and then more games. Children have a safe place to share prayer requests, talk about what they are thankful for, ask questions about spiritual matters, and the best part - they have opportunity to ask Jesus into their hearts if they want to. 

(Personal side note - receiving Jesus as my savior as a child was the best decision I ever made, and having a relationship with God, through Christ, has brought me through all of the difficult times of my life and continues to do so.) 
I highly, highly, highly  recommend this club!

How to start a Good News Club at your local school?
1) Pray and ask God for direction. Maybe your church would be willing to sponsor a Good News Club at a local school.
2) Check out Child Evangelism Fellowship at www.cefonline.com
3) See what a local Good News Club site looks like at www.goodnewsclubgwinnett.org
4) Listen to podcast below to hear an interview with Carol Kohl, a missionary with Child Evangelism Fellowship and former Director of CEF Gwinnett at Good News Club Gwinnett.

Thanks for stopping by! Please share, subscribe and comment below.

Christina

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 (KJV)
​
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:6 (KJV)

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
Let's get connected!
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