Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Coming Soon....


I am proud to announce that Designer's Original is coming back better than ever!!  

June 9, 2024

It's a NEW Season!!

We are excited!! In the meantime, feel free to check out some of the blog posts that are already posted.  Be inspired!! Be encouraged!!





Saturday, March 20, 2021

Simply Saturday ~ Put Your Hope in God

       


Welcome to another episode of Simply Saturday.  May your day be filled with wonder and laughter as you relax and enjoy another Simply (Self-Care) Saturday.



We are sharing a few quotes/images to remind you to always put your hope in God and never give up.
















Friday, March 19, 2021

Firm Foundation Friday ~ Prayer and Praise


Welcome to another episode of Firm Foundation Friday. We are going to discuss prayer and praise.  Prayer and praise are key components in keeping a solid, firm foundation in Jesus.  Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 are similar.  They repeat the same scriptures which are examples of a prayer strategy.  Psalm 42 is a prayer that yearns for God in the midst of distress.  Psalm 43 is a prayer for God in times of trouble. 

"Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God."
(Psalm 42:5, 11)(Psalm 43:5)

Special note:  From these scriptures, you can clearly see that the psalmist is in very discouraging situations; people mock his relationship with God; God seems very far away.  The psalmist feels cast down weary, confused, and hopeless.  Still, he knows his only hope is to seek God in prayer. 
(The Spirit-Filled Study Bible)


How do you seek God in prayer? (The Spirit-Filled Study Bible)
  • Refocus your thoughts on the promises of God
  • Confront  the fears and contradictions deep within your soul
  • Challenge yourself about every aspect of unbelief in your heart
"Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance."
(Psalm 42:5)

Special note:  When depressed, desperate, and down, we are encouraged to hope in God in praise and worship.  In that, we are assured that God will help us with His countenance.  God's caring countenance turns toward the one who praises, and the praise's countenance is lifted by His present love.  (The Spirit-Filled Bible)


Praise brings strength.  Praise brings refuge.  Praise brings empowerment.  Praise brings freedom from bondage and anything that weighs on our hearts so heavily.  Praise brings God's help.  Praise keeps our feet planted on our firm foundation which is Christ Jesus.



Thursday, March 18, 2021

Thanks Giving Thursday ~ Hope in God


Welcome to another episode Thanks-Giving Thursday.  We are thankful and grateful for hope in God.


I am so thankful, so grateful and so blessed that
the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing, 
that I may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 15:13)



I am so thankful, so grateful, and so blessed 
that we have hope as an anchor of the soul, 
both sure and steadfast, and which enters 
the Presence behind the veil.
(Hebrews 6:19)



I am so thankful, so grateful, and so blessed 
that  I have set my hope in God, 
And not forget the works of God, 
But keep His commandments.
(Psalm 78:7)





Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Wonderful Word Wednesday ~ Countenance


Welcome to another episode of Wonderful Word Wednesday.  Our word of the week is countenance.

According to the Webster dictionary, countenance means mental composure, calm, expression, moral support; bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction [influence (as of conscience) that impels to moral action]

"Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance."
(Psalm 42:5)

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
(Psalm 42:11)

From the biblical perspective, Countenance (Strong's #6440: Hebrew word~paneh (pronounced paw-neem') means in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of.

God helps us to keep our mental composure and gives us moral support to do the right thing and to live a life that is pleasing in Gid's eyes., especially when are being wronged and experiencing hardship.

When your back feels like it's pushed up against the wall, you can't help but hope in God the help of our countenance, which keeps us on the straight and narrow, gives us peace of mind and instructs us how to respond to a situation instead of reacting to it.




Monday, March 15, 2021

Trust in Him Tuesday ~ Hope in God (Psalm 42:5-8)


Welcome to another episode of Trust In Him Tuesday.  We are going to focus on Psalm 42:5-8

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me —
A prayer to the God of my life.
(Psalm 42:5-8)

Although it may be easier said than done, you must have faith in spite of your heavy burden down circumstances.  Unforeseen, joy-stealing situations have a way of taking their toll on emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  Oftentimes, you may feel lost, overwhelm, defeated, and even hopeless.  Nonetheless, we must remember that God is our Rock, Comforter, Strength, our Refuge, and our Fortress.  He is, also, our present help in the time of trouble.  Hallelujah and Amen!!


Special Note:  Know and Trust that God can give you hope when circumstances indicate there is none.  Hope in God and praise Him regardless of how you are feeling.  Remember, God has promised to be present with you both day and night.


When you trust in God, you are "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).  Trust in God.  Trust in Him.  Trust in His Promises.  Trust in Him to give you rest and make your burdens light.  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light," (Matthew 11:28-30). 




Masterpiece Monday ~ God Made Us More!


Welcome to another episode of Masterpiece Monday.  Masterpiece Monday is about 
  • Growing in Godliness
  • How to become the best version of yourself
  • How to become the you that God designed you to be
God created us after His image.  We are purpose by design.  We were not created to be average.  We are a custom build, original creation.  We are God's special treasures.  We are royalty.  So, how can we not be made for more?  We are made for more than we can ever imagine.



God Made Me More
(Promises That Are True)

I am God's Masterpiece, created for a purpose and destiny.
I am made for more than surviving life.  I will thrive in life. God is at work in my life
and He will perfect everything that concerns me.  I have a good and bright future.
God is turning my scars into stars.  I am strong, overcoming, and soaring over every obstacle.
God can and will bring me to a flourishing finish.  God is bringing my dreams 
to pass in His perfect timing.  I am bold and courageous to act against fear.  
I am safe in my Father's hands.  I am letting go of the past
and moving forward with God.  I choose to wear God's labels:
CHOSEN, ONE OF A KIND, BLESSED,
HIGHLY FAVORED, and SUCCESSFUL.
I am a Triple-A person:  Appointed, Anointed, and Approved by God.
I will never give up because God has victory in store for me.
(Lisa Osteen Comes)







Sunday, March 14, 2021

Selah Sunday ~ Psalm 42



Welcome to another episode of Selah Sunday.  It's hard to relax, release, and refresh when you are feeling stress, sad, distress, or just plain troublesome with a side order of blah because of everything that may be going on in and around your world.

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”
(Psalm 42:1-3)

Psalm 42 is about yearning and thirsting for God in the midst of your troubles.  This Psalm encourages its readers to meditate on God's kindness and His love, when they are feeling lonely, defeated, or distressed.

Special Note: Like the life of a deer depends upon water, so should our lives depend on God.  Those who seek Him earnestly and long to understand Him to find peace, joy, hope, and established their faith.  Feeling separated by God is an uneasy feeling.  Therefore, we must chase after God by way of prayer, praise, worship, and reading His word, which in turn will restore a deeper relationship with Him.  One thing I know for sure we need God in our life every single day 24/7.  

"When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me;..."
(Psalm 42:4-6)

Depression, disappointments, and setbacks are a part of life.  However, there's an antidote for the emotional and physical distress from unforeseen, unwanted ailments in our life.  That is, meditating on the goodness of God.  God is always good. The joy of the Lord is our strength.


Relax, release and take your mind off your current situation.  Selah.  Redirect your thoughts from negative to positive ones.  Selah.  Focus your thoughts on God's ability to move mountains, to make ways out of no way, and to help you in the time of trouble.  Selah.  Finally, allow God's word to be your antidepressant by reading, studying, and meditating on scriptures that best describe your current situation.  Selah.


Sleep in Peace.
Wake in Joy.




Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Thanks Giving Thursday ~ Thankful and Grateful for Peace






I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that a heart at peace gives life to the body.
(Proverbs 14:30, niv)



I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that the Lord gives strength to his people;
    and blesses his people with peace.
(Proverbs 14:30, niv)


I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that the peace Jesus leaves with me; 
His peace He gives me. He does not 
give to me as the world gives. 
Therefore, I will not let my heart 
be troubled and will not be afraid.
(Proverbs 14:30, niv)



Wonderful Word Wednesday ~ Purpose (Romans 8:28)


In this episode of Wonderful Word Wednesday, we are going to focus on purpose.

"And we know [with great confidence] 
that God [who is deeply concerned about us] 
causes all things to work together 
[as a plan]  for good for those who love God, 
to those who are called according 
to His plan and purpose."
 (Romans 8:28, amp)

Purpose:  (Greek word: prothesis; Strong's #4286) - a deliberate plan, a proposition and                            advance plan, an intention, a design

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary,  purpose means something set up as an object or end to be attained: what one intends to do or bring about; the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered; a determination to act in a certain way.



Special Note #1A:   Even in hardship and suffering, even in bitter disappointments, even when wrongly treated, Christians can rest assured in knowing that God will work amidst such situations to fulfill His good purpose in His children. (The Spirit-Filled Study Bible)


Special Note #1B:  The situation may or may not be directly changed by God, but even if situations stay difficult God guarantees ultimate good results, including maturation of character to those who are called. (The Spirit-Filled Study Bible)



Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Trust in Him Tuesday ~ Faith Refined Like Fire


This episode of Trust In Him Tuesday is about Faith Like Refined Fire.

"In this, you greatly rejoice, though now 
for a little while, if need be, you have been 
grieved by various trials, that the genuineness 
of your faith, being much more precious 
than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, 
may be found to praise, honor, and glory 
at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
(1 Peter 1:6-7)

Trust in Him, the author and finisher of our faith, and know that our trials are just for a little while.

Special Note #1:  Remember, that as you endure suffering, your faith is being refined as with fireValue your faith more than gold.  Look forward to the coming of Jesus, so that your faith, having been tested, will result in praise, honor, and glory to Jesus. (Spirit-Filled Study Bible).



Special Note #2:  All believers in Christ Jesus face all kinds of trials and tribulations as part of the testing of our faith and the refining process that burns away impurities, cultivates our devotion, and prepares us to meet Christ. (The Life Application Study Bible)


Trials activate our faith in action and teach us patience and help us grow to be the kind of people God wants to be.



Heavenly Father, I trust in You to teach me, prepare me, guide me, and to cultivate me through the refining process of my trials.  I pray for patience because I know and trust that my suffering is only for a little while.  In Christ, Holy, and Matchless name, I pray.  Amen.