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Word Wednesday #26

Published on October 29, 2014 by Amanda Tero4 Comments

“If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.” (Job 31:7-8)

This whole chapter is Job’s cry of “If I have done ____, then let me bear the consequences.” Only the purest in heart can truthfully utter these words, willing to bear the iniquity of their wrongs. Am I willing for God to justly judge me for my wrongs?

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

Announcing . . .

Published on October 28, 2014 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Yes, I’m at it again! Last week, the Lord allowed me to open With a Joyful Noise.

This week . . .

it is Truth Pics! Unlike With a Joyful Noise, Truth Pics is merely my “hobby-business.” In fact, you’ve seen all of the pictures already, most of which I’ve shared on Fridays. However, you can still hop on over where I now have large quality images for sale as instant digital downloads. And if you have an Etsy shop, I’d love to hear about it!

View HERE

All three styles HERE

See HERE

Give Thanks Challenge!

Published on October 28, 2014 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

In just a few days, November rolls around and we can “officially” start the “Give Thanks x7 Challenge!” I am thrilled to have an excuse to count my blessings. 😉 Join me, will you?

Redeeming the Time | Ephesians Study

Published on October 27, 2014 by Amanda Tero2 Comments

Ephesians 5:15-16

(15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

(16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

The wise man considers not only his walk, but also the times in which he is walking. He believes that what God says is truth – and because of this belief, he is hard at work to fulfill what God says he must do.

An example of this is the belief that Christ really is returning soon. Do we really believe the following verses?

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7)

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:8)

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18)

If we truly and honestly believed these verses, then would we not walk circumspectly? Would we not wisely consider our lifestyle? Would we not redeem the time? (“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Colossians 4:5)

Yes, as many people have used this verse, we need to be wise stewards of our time in general. We need to wisely use our time. But let’s consider the next verse: “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17) It is unwise to think that God is merely talking about my personal pleasure and activities in “redeeming the time.” We must understand God’s will – the bigger picture – and walk according to that.

Walk circumspectly. Redeem the time. Understand God’s will.

Maggie’s Hopechest (cover design)

Published on October 24, 2014 by Amanda Tero3 Comments

It was Maggie’s teenage dream to acquire her very own hopechest. Surely now that the Lord provided one for her, He wouldn’t ask her to give up the collection she’s worked on for years – or would He?

“Maggie’s Hopechest” is a short story that the Lord allowed me to write recently. It’s an old idea that I’ve had for several years, but never made the time to sit down and write it. Short stories are an excellent way to express story ideas when you don’t have time to sit down and write a full-length novel. I’m not a short-story writer by any means (aka: I’m very wordy) but this was a great challenge for me to stay concise and keep the plot flowing.

But! I haven’t edited the short story yet, so for now, here’s the cover I was playing with:

Original

After looking at it, I realized that it looks very vintage and masculine. Neither are a good portrayal of the short story (it is a modern story about a girl), so I played with some color, trying to “soften” the tones.

Purple

Pink

As I looked at it, I began to wonder if the chest was what gave it that look, so I tried to lower the opacity on the chest:

Pink 02

And, as I always like “behind-the-scenes” stuff, here is the base image that I used. I actually created this image as a background for my sister’s blog, using a picture of burlap (with writing) and a few Photoshop Elements features.

And then, since I didn’t have any picture of a hopechest or trunk on hand, I searched for a royalty free image and found one:

Via freerangestock.com (use caution when looking!)

If you would be so kind as to give your opinion and/or advice concerning my “cover play,” here are some questions I’m wondering:

– Does the cover look too masculine?
– Which cover gives the thought of a girl with her treasured possessions?
– Any overall suggestions?

And a random question on the topic:
– Do you have a hopechest? (no, I do not :))

~*~*~

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

Now Open!!!! With a Joyful Noise

Published on October 23, 2014 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Praise the Lord, I just launched With a Joyful Noise – music company and ministry!!

Walking Circumspectly | Ephesians Study

Published on October 23, 2014 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Ephesians 5:15

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

The word “circumspectly” means “exactly” (NT: 199, akribos). The very description of fools vs. wise gives us a deeper understanding of this word. Scripture has a lot to say about this issue.

“The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.” (Proverbs 10:8)

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”(Proverbs 12:15)

“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” (Proverbs 14:16)

“A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” (Proverbs 17:10)

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” (Proverbs 29:11)

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.” (Ecclesiastes 10:12)

To walk as the wise (according to these few verses) would be to receive commandments, depart from evil, receive reproof, check our words, and speak graciously.

To walk as the foolish would be to reject commandments and thereby fall, walk according to what is right in our eyes, harden our back against any correction, let our mouth pour out abundant words.

The fool does not consider the path he is walking – he just walks, lives. The wise ponders carefully where he is walking, being sure to follow the right path. The fool does not care about the instructions of others. The wise thrives on following God and His Word.

When I consider the path I’m walking, does it look more like a fool or wise?

Word Wednesday #25

Published on October 22, 2014 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

“As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?” (Job 21:4)

To whom are we pouring out our troubles? To mere men? Or can we say like David, “I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.” (Psalms 142:1) Man is not the right source from which to seek true comfort. Yes, God uses men to comfort, but He is the ultimate comforter, able to help and change things.

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

Give Thanks Challenge

Published on October 21, 2014 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Join HERE

The past two years, I have joined King’s Blooming Rose with their “Give Thanks” challenge. It has been a HUGE blessing to me and I look forward to doing it again this year! By doing the “Give Thanks” challenge, the Lord has helped me to incorporate thanksgiving in my everyday life. Once you “give thanks” for seven things every day for a month, you just can’t stop there!

If you’re like me, you need something to help you keep track. I’ve created a little chart that I just fill out each day. Email me for a copy (withajoyfulnoise {at} gmail {dot} com).

Preach Christ | Ephesians Study

Published on October 20, 2014 by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Ephesians 5:7-13

(7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

(8) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

(9) (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

(10) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

(11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

(12) For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

(13) But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

According to verse 11, we are never to condone the works of darkness – they are not to be a part of our life and we are not to act as if they are righteous in God’s eyes. We are reminded why in verse 12: it is a shame to even speak of acts done in secret. We do not have to preach sin to get the sinner to repent – rather, we should preach Christ for “all things that are reproved are made manifest by the LIGHT.” (vs. 13) To get a sinner to see how sinful he is, we cannot pursue logic. Like Paul, we must say, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)