Leah Richardson

This week I found this wonderful resource out of Roswell, Georgia- Sugarboo Designs.  This precious couple is letting their little light shine by selling handmade products that, they say, “adds soul to the home”.  Today’s images are from Sugarboo, and you can click here to go to their website and see all their work.

Each year I start a new Journal where I write down the whisperings of the Holy Spirit into my heart.  Mostly I write during my devotional time in the morning, and it ranges from random thoughts, scriptures, prayers, poems and even my blog.  In my book, Interior Wisdom, I share many, many journal entries written over the years.  I have decided this year to add a GRATITUDE JOURNAL.  I am so thankful for all the many blessings the Lord has so generously and compassionately bestowed upon my life and it will be one more way I can remember and express my Gratitude to my Lord.  So…when I found this box at Sugarboo with handmade paper, I was so excited!  Now I have to find out if I can order it with blank sheets…then it will be just perfect for my GRATITUDE JOURNAL…in a box.

I might even add a tab and divide out a section for Scripture memory verses.

The Bible tells us

I am the LORD and I

and I have chosen you.  Remember

So

HIDE MY WORD IN YOUR HEART

for it is

a lamp unto your feet and light unto your path,

gives hope, sweet as honey, a refuge, and a shield,

it preserves and strengthens man’s life with time-tested eternal truths

and is alive and active, sharper than a sword, piercing to the very heart of all that matters…

So can you guess the contents of the first GRATITUDE card in my little box?  Two simple yet powerful words.  Yes! The Word.  I love God’s Word- the promises, instruction, and the correction.  It nurtures and nourishes my life.  How about you?  Do you cherish the Word of God?  Are you grateful for His Word?  If so, take a minute and tell Him.  Let’s both start and end each day with a heart of GRATITUDE…until we live a life of GRATITUDE

in every way

with every breath

for everything

every minute

of every day!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither or fade.

Whatever he does prospers.

(Psalm 1:2-3)

Thank you Lord that your Word is always fresh, new and a constant and unending source of light and life.  As we find deep satisfaction in meditating on your Word, Holy Spirit fill us full to overflowing with living water so our lives will flourish and prosper splashing out blessings from Heaven on everyone in our path.  Plant in us a heart of gratitude, for you are our God and in you will we trust.

digging my roots deep in Him as I extend my branches to sweet songbirds of Praise…       xo    leah

Gosh, just one WOW moment after the next!  If you have not heard…THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WON YESTERDAY AND THEY ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME! I know I am new to this city, only 2 1/2 years, but I grew up in the SEC Conference.  You can’t go to college in the SEC Conference and not love the game of football…especially if you went to the University of Georgia.

From every roof top this city is shouting “Who Dat?”

So I have gone from

“Who let the Dawgs out!”

to “Who Dat”…

Who would have thought!

Only God for sure!

Jim and I watched the game at Church.  Instead of a regular Sunday evening Worship Service, Pastor Frank Bailey of Victory Fellowship Church, decided that we would have some Prayer and Praise, watch the first half of the game, listen to Drew Brees’ testimony during halftime and return to cheering the Saints on.  It was great fun…Oh when the Saints come marching in.  Yes, I want to be in that number when the Saints come marching in.

Drew Brees accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior on his 17th birthday.  He was in Church and the Pastor said the Lord was looking for “a few good men.”  He was referring to a popular movie at the time and using the title in his sermon.  Drew thought…I am one of those few good men, and he surrendered his life to Jesus that day.  He went on to say that he and his wife make time to read the Bible and pray everyday.  They are also involved in a couples Bible study. What a talented yet humble man to lead his team to Victory yesterday.

Late one afternoon last Spring, my doorbell rang.  Through the leaded-glass doors I saw this rather large man standing on my porch.  He introduced himself as Heath Evans and explained that his wife had seen our home in the MLS listings. He was in New Orleans for Spring training and was scouting out some homes for his wife before she joined him in a couple of weeks.  Jim was at home so Heath came in and we showed him around.  Let me say again…he was huge! During the tour, we talked and it was obvious he was a man of faith.  We shared our stories of how we came to New Orleans and before he left, I asked him if I could pray for him and the Saints.  Unfortunately he was injured early in the season, but it was such a privilege to meet Heath and share our faith.  Although he did not buy our home, he and his wife, their girls and in-laws stopped by for a visit before the season began.  What a lovely family!

Many of the Saints really are Saints, and I am honored to be a part of this city for such a time as this.

Congratulations New Orleans and I pray God’s hand of blessing and protection on you as you march to Miami into battle, and on to victory.  Well, I have to go, I must purchase Saint’s t-shirts for Super Bowl Sunday before they run out!

Oh Lord I want to be in that number…when the Saints go marching in!!  “Who Dat” (I know, it doesn’t quite sound the same with a Southern drawl!)  still….”Who Dat”!!   (:

xo….leah

Yesterday, I was granite shopping with my client Linda, who is remodeling her kitchen.  As we browsed through numerous options for her countertops, I explained how granite is a natural material, and like most natural versus man-made things, there are no two that are exactly alike.  She was a bit anxious about ordering slabs that might “surprise” her because of color or pattern variations, so I suggested we look for ones that I have found to be a bit more “consistent”.  In other words…no surprises!  Considering her color palette of fruitwood stained cabinets,and the creamy tumbled marble we were using for a backsplash, we decided Gallo Veneziano would work perfectly.  (A side note design wise:  whenever you have the opportunity, ask the fabricator to have slabs brought in for your approval before purchasing.)

Like the granite we were considering, life is not always consistent is it?  Mine is full of surprises, and yours maybe too. In the design business, I call these “not so good” surprises- “hiccups”.  Which usually means I have to

regroup

scramble

take extra time

pay extra money and

put forth extra effort.

But I have accepted that is the nature of the design business, and have dealt with my share of “hiccups” over the past 20 years.  The Bible tells us that God is consistent.  We can count on Him never changing.  I love the security and foundational stability of that promise! No “hiccups” with Him.

JESUS CHIRST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER.  Hebrews 13:8

I THE LORD DO NOT CHANGE. Malachi 3:6

But yet, God does surprise me!  And when He does, I am always

amazed

in awe

instilled with wonder

and All I can say is “WOW”

for His thoughts and ways are far to wonderful for me to comprehend!

This happened to my friend Liana and I the other day when we were working on a DVD cover for a teaching I needed to send out.  More accurately, Liana was working and I was chatting, since I have just enough technical know-how to fill a thimble!  We had reached a final decision and she printed out the design.  I was doing what I call paper dolls…cutting and pasting-by the way, I am good at that!

As Liana slipped in the design and opened the case to snap in the DVD- WOW!!  All we could say was…WOW! Liana was completely unaware that she had printed the cover on a sheet that she had earlier printed the logo cross from my book and one of my all time favorite scriptures…BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.   Those Words, His Word…perfectly placed…Jesus had completely surprised us with His creativity!  Tears ran down our cheeks in delight and all we could say was, “WOW”!

WOW!!

Every good and perfect gift does come from our Heavenly Father.  What a sweet surprise, a kiss from Heaven- we nodded and agreed that the Lord had chosen the inside cover and that was that!  Unlike surprises in the natural, God’s surprises instill in me a deep confidence, a well of trust.  He

constantly

consistently

cheerfully

continually

gives good and perfect gifts!

And the greatest good and perfect gift is redemption through His gift- Jesus.  My work and my gifts are not always good or outstanding, and certainly not perfect, but when I choose to truly trust the Grand Designer with every choice and decision in my day, even the surprises, I find myself thankful for His perfect, consistent, no surprise plan of redemption as I leave striving for perfection behind.  I’m not always consistent and certainly not perfect, but I am redeemed!

Thank you Lord that your Word promises me that you will fulfill your perfect purposes for me in your steadfast, unchanging and consistent love.

But Lord…I do love your suprises!!! leah

I read that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  Not one of the, but the poorest.  As I sat in church this morning, the Haitian people were heavy on my heart.  I have experienced devastation in my life, but my personal earthquakes and hurricanes don’t compare to the suffering I see these men, women and children enduring.  I hope the donation I dropped in the bucket helps them, but I know that my prayers will avail much. For what we speak and believe in the Spiritual directly affects the natural…our lives and theirs.

In the 32nd chapter of Isaiah, I hear the Lord shaking me out of any complacency in thinking that Haiti couldn’t happen to me too.

Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice;

you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. (v.9)

We are to tremble and be affected by the suffering of the poor, the widow and the orphan…any one left behind or outcast for any reason.  For our joyous houses can just as easily become a joy to wild donkeys when we carelessly ignore the suffering and needs of others.

…until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high

and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.

The effect of righteousness will be peace,

and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. v.15-18

What if we decided not to be at ease or complacent in our secure and peaceful homes, but to rise up and earnestly pray for the Lord to reverse the suffering in Haiti.  Only God can cause a dry and barren wilderness to become a field ready to bear fruit and even flower.  Only God can make that fruitful field a thick dense forest of abundant provision! Only God’s abiding presence can rebuild a broken people in a broken country.

Father God, please give the lost and suffering in Haiti the incredible peace that comes only by your presence…give the men, women and children a secure and quiet place to rest their weary heads.  Open hearts around the world in compassion, checkbooks in obedience and mouths to pray; for you are the only one that can rebuild ruined lives and help the Haitian people in their time of distress.

believing God’s promises- for the prayers of a righteous man avail much.      leah

Phillip Starcke’s Ghost Chair, which is functional (it stacks!) stylish and sculptural is a wonderful way to add a bit of contemporary flavor to your home.  Completely transparent, this clear plastic chair takes up minimal space visually and it doesn’t break the rhythm and pattern of the room design either.  I love to use it at the dining room table where oftentimes the table base is completely obscured by all the chairs.  Our home has been like a revolving door since Thanksgiving, and we have used them in virtually every room for overflow.

As 2010 settles in and I am getting our house back in order, the words describing the Ghost chair, transparent and clear, cross my mind.  It could be because I have been struggling with some things lately, and my sweet Lord is gently reminding me that I need not hold on to my burdens by worrying or leaning on my own understanding.  For I see in part, but He sees clearly.  Nothing is hidden from Him.

Our lives are transparent before the Lord…He knows our thoughts before we think them.  He knows the motives and attitudes of our heart, which precede our actions.  Just as the Host chair above can not hide behind the transparent Ghost Chair, all our spots and stains are clearly visible to Him, and yet, and yet all can be wiped away by two simple words…Forgive me.  When Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin, He said, “It is finished.” His work was complete and when we ask, simply ask, He will complete the work He began in our lives.  Forgive me…forgive them…forgive us…freely forgiven to forgive.

As you get your house back in order for 2010, what do the words transparent and clear mean to you?

Transparent:  The definition… allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can de distinctly seen.  Having thoughts, feelings, or motives that are easily perceived.  Obvious, undisguised, unconcealed, conspicuous, unambiguous…crystal clear!

thankful for forgiveness as transparency of heart and soul are clearly revealed….

leah

This distinctly Southern girl is sooooo cold here in New Orleans.  It is a beautiful Saturday morning, but as I curl up on the sofa, a special spot I have created to have my “quiet time” with Jesus, I can feel the brisk, cold air on my neck from the window behind me.

Jim and I live in a 100-year old dwelling and, like most of us, it has a distinctly quirky yet charming and poetic personality.  Old hand-blown glass windows are lovely, but on Winter mornings- another blanket please!

Like this condo, the words that fill the Bible are the artistic expression of Father God.  The Word of God is a living poem and as we weave our lives around His Words, our daily lives become God’s Grace in action.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The word highlighted above written by the  Apostle Paul, in Greek, is the word “poiema”.  We get our English word poem from this word.  Poetry is the artistic expression of someone’s heart…God’s Word is the poetic expression of His Heart.  He wants us to know that we are His workmanship, His creative expression, His poem to the World for Jesus as we take His hand and co-labor with Him in doing good to all those He places in our path.  He has prepared today- everything…we only need to walk in it.

Just wondering…how can I be His poem today?       leah

Hello everyone!  I have a special treat for you today.  A dear and precious friend of ours from Holland, Erica van der Laak, is back in New Orleans visiting for a month.  What a blessing to have such a strong woman of God staying in our home.

My husband Jim met Erica at the Broad Street Mission when they cooked together for the homeless.  Erica travels the world to be the hand and feet of Jesus to the poor, outcast and forgotten.  She refers to herself as a “pilgrim” and has given her life to serving the Lord.  Last year alone she served in Italy, the Ukraine, France and China sharing the love of Jesus.

The Lord has given her a powerful message “Kingdom Living” to help equip and set free the Saints by teaching them how to live a “Kingdom Lifestyle”.  When Erica leaves New Orleans, she will travel to Uganda.

Erica’s slogan-  ”If she does God’s work in God’s way, He shall provide all her needs.”  If you want to partner with Erica, she says “Pray- for together we are strong!”

Erica never asks for financial support, but as a sister in Christ who has witnessed first hand her love and servanthood in the Body of Christ, I encourage you to sow into her ministry.  Like she says, “together we are strong.”

To donate please go to Paypal.com.  Click on Send Money Online.  Erica’s email address is Ericabenjaweh@gmail.com.  Thank you and Jesus bless you immeasurably!

Now, please enjoy a message from Erica…

Wine Season –   John 15:1    I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser.

Riding with my car in the middle of the wine fields looking to the grapes almost ready to harvest, it’s a fruitful Year 2009.  Italy can enjoy its fruit that is growing on every tree.  I’m amazed how all things continue on earth season after season.

Lord You are the Creator of this beauty!  I saw a Red Rose planted near the vine and asked for explanation because I’ve never noticed this before.  The Rose is planted to expose if there is an insect that destroys the fruit during the maturing of the grapes.  If they see spots on the Rose, they need to clean the vineyard!  So that the grape becomes ready for the wine to flow into the vessels.

It came up in my mind, Lord it’s like us.  Jesus teaches us, if there are unclean things in our life we need to be cleansed again with his blood.  The insect needs to be killed before he kills the whole plant and the plant does not give fruit any more.

Song of Solomon 2:15 speaks about the little foxes that spoil the vine, for our vine has tender grapes.

It’s the Holy Spirit that sees the wrong in us and urges us to be cleansed again by the blood of Jesus so we don’t die, but become fruitful.  When the Rose is blooming beautiful in us, we are healthy from the inside and we bring forth good fruit.  The branches that are closest to the vine have greater grapes or fruit than the ones that hang on the end.  Every plant stays on himself but every branch reaches out to the other branches to stand strong.  Every vine that stands alone loses power to stand up straight and finally dies also.  Because when the storms of life are coming into your life, you are without power.  Only together are we strong.  When there is a branch without fruit He takes it away.  He calls it pruning, that hurts the other branches too.  Surely when it is happening in the body of Christ, if one suffers the whole body suffers.

When the harvest time is there, the Rose still remains blooming.  While the leaves coloring red drop on the ground, the Rose blooms until the freezing cold comes over the garden.  That is what I have noticed in my time that moment.  I was in a resting time and felt really as the leaves of the vine.  But God told me that this time is necessary for you.  Just like the vineyard needs rest, you too need rest.  Stay close in me and enjoy your resting time so I can pour new energy inside of you to become fruitful again!

I was thinking it is not the white or yellow rose that shows the vinedresser the illness in the vineyard, but only the red…the Rose of Sharon.  How precious God explains Himself through His Word.  We only need to be careful to stay close to Him and to other believers.  Vine plants stay their lifetime together, shoulder to shoulder.  Don’t boast that  your branch is better than the one near you.  Only the wine from inside the grapes flow out to the world so everyone can taste the fullness of the mature fruit.  It’s God in us, the Hope of Glory, who made this plant and works this all out for the best.  For His Glory, not our glory…for His and His alone!!

When spots are coming on us, we need to be cleansed again.  He purifies us and we again become fruitful.  Think about this, every vine has a time of growth and developing and pruning.  This is how God has prepared everything for us.  So every year there is a season that fruit comes up.  I pray that you will stay close in Him to be fruitful.  Read your Bible so when the time of sharing Jesus’ love arrives, you are filled up with His Words of Love.  And there shall be fruit ready to be harvested.

God Bless you all in your walk with Jesus,

Erica