Get Talking - Inspiration

How are you going with these questions? Are you finding it easy or are you struggling. For me it is a mixture. This weeks question is hard because it can flow from many different things.

Who inspires you?

The answer to this question is not simple. It can be multiple people depending on what part of your life you are thinking of.
In my walk with God?
In my career?
In my family?
In my creativity?
In my cooking?
In ministry?
...

So many areas, so many possible people.
This is such a vague question, that I'm not sure I really have an answer. It would be easier to mention the people who have influenced me in these areas, but that's not the question.
I even tried looking up the dictionary to see if I could work out what 'inspire' really means, but there are so many different contexts - both positive and negative.

So to be honest with  you, I don't have an answer for this question (at least at the moment).
Do you have an answer?

Stars - Bel Thomson

All You've Ever Wanted

Who You Are

The Child in You!

Made Alive!

I Will Rise!!

A Beautiful Love Story!

A beautiful love story.
I wonder when mine will begin?

Pep Talk

Inspiration from Cottage by the Sea - Robin Jones Gunn

So I've been reading Robin Jones Gunn's book, 'Cottage by the Sea' and right from the start there are things in it that have impacted me.
I've been going through a tough patch (for a variety of reasons) and there are things in this book that are like food for my soul. So here are some of them:

'I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.' Isaiah 45:3

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness and cheer you.
                                                                      - Irish Proverb


An Irish Prayer

May God give you
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.


May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart.
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of his love.


Wishing you always
Walls for the wind,
A roof for the rain,
And tea beside the fire;
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire.


This is good book, but for me a hard one to read. It brought back a lot of memories from when my Dad was sick and we were helping Mum care for him.

Smiles Make All the Difference in the World

This video is a little longer than most I put on my blog, but it's well worth watching all the way through.

Beautiful Things!

From bad days to beautiful things!

IKEA Hackers: Hot Air Balloon Decoration

IKEA Hackers: Hot Air Balloon Decoration: Materials: DUKTIG and VATE Description: I used items from Ikea to create gorgeous hot air balloon decorations for a baby shower.

I love these!! Now when can I use them?!

Catch the Wind!

Whoever thought up this ad was a genius!!


Kids really do have amazing ideas!

IKEA Hackers: Billy/Benno Cubby Unit

IKEA Hackers: Billy/Benno Cubby Unit: Materials: 6 Billy Bookcases, 2 Benno TV Benches, 18 coat hooks Description: Build the Benno TV benches, leaving out the drawers. Build the Billies, flipping all shelves and the top/bottom upside down as you go.

I chose to omit the back panel too. Do not use the shelves in what is now the bottom half of the unit.

Place 3 upside-down Billies on each Benno, anchoring them to the wall. Screw coat hooks into the sides and back wall of each cubby.

~ Melanie Ward, Muskoka, Ontario



This is a great idea. You could even put doors on it for a tidy entry way!

When We Stand Together by Nickelback

I've really been enjoying listening to this song every time it comes on the radio, but it wasn't until I watched this clip that the meaning of it really 'struck a chord'.

Listen to the words ... I mean really listen ... and look at the pictures shown as you do ...

This is what the Church - God's people - must do for us to be effective in the world at bringing people to Christ. This is something we have been hearing a lot about at Suburban Baptist Church for the past month. Read the passages in the Bible where it talks about the Church being the body and how each part is needed for the body to be whole. Then listen to this song again!

I'm a Little Tea Pot ...

I saw this picture today and thought it looked really interesting. I'm not sure I could bring myself to do it though. It did make me think of other ways to use teapots, other than to brew tea.

IKEA Hackers: Benno-Over-Bed

I've thought about doing something like this myself with a Benno CD/DVD shelf. I think I worked out that it would fit in the space I have, but the books I want to store in it were about a centimeter too tall. I could put them on their side, I suppose, but I don't really want to do it that way.

So for me, it's "back to the drawing board" for my never-ending need for more book storage.

Speaking of book storage, I recently found a very interesting book on that very subject. It is 'Books Make a Home' by Damian Thompson

There are some really interesting ideas in this book. And two quotes that I love.

"When I have a little money I buy books. And if any is left, I buy food and clothing." - Erasmus

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookcases." - Anna Quindlen

IKEA Hackers: Lego playhouse

IKEA Hackers: Lego playhouse

Wow! What an amazing thing to think of. I would have loved this as a kid. I played Lego a lot. Mum would have loved it too, because we used to have our Lego houses and towns spread out over the lounge room floor for days.

Craft Table with Storage

Guess where I've been looking again! Yes, Ikea Hacker!
This time the whole article was found on the original blog.

So, now I just need a craft room and this would be great. There is one thing though, this craft table is designed for someone to be standing up, while I prefer to sit while crafting. At least you can get to all your supplies easily.

On the original blog, they said that the shelves didn't fit their scrapbooking storage containers, so it may need some tweaking for your specific needs.