The Blended Blog: Progress is being made!

C.H. Spurgeon's Evening Devotional

Saturday August 16, 2025

"Ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit."-Romans 8:23

Present possession is declared. At this present moment we have the first fruits of the Spirit. We have repentance, that gem of the first water; faith, that priceless pearl; hope, the heavenly emerald; and love, the glorious ruby. We are already made "new creatures in Christ Jesus," by the effectual working of God the Holy Ghost. This is called the firstfruit because it comes first. As the wave-sheaf was the first of the harvest, so the spiritual life, and all the graces which adorn that life, are the first operations of the Spirit of God in our souls. The firstfruits were the pledge of the harvest. As soon as the Israelite had plucked the first handful of ripe ears, he looked forward with glad anticipation to the time when the wain should creak beneath the sheaves. So, brethren, when God gives us things which are pure, lovely, and of good report, as the work of the Holy Spirit, these are to us the prognostics of the coming glory. The firstfruits were always holy to the Lord, and our new nature, with all its powers, is a consecrated thing. The new life is not ours that we should ascribe its excellence to our own merit; it is Christ's image and creation, and is ordained for His glory. But the firstfruits were not the harvest, and the works of the Spirit in us at this moment are not the consummation-the perfection is yet to come. We must not boast that we have attained, and so reckon the wave-sheaf to be all the produce of the year: we must hunger and thirst after righteousness, and pant for the day of full redemption. Dear reader, this evening open your mouth wide, and God will fill it. Let the boon in present possession excite in you a sacred avarice for more grace. Groan within yourself for higher degrees of consecration, and your Lord will grant them to you, for He is able to do exceeding abundantly above what we ask or even think.

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Friday, September 16, 2011

Progress is being made!

Tonight was the Sept. Friday Night Sew-In and progress was made. It was tiny baby step, but it was progress. I was handed this jacket....

in church on Sunday with instructions that the owner would like for me to make 5 memory bears out of it. HUM! Never heard of such a thing. So I had to come home and google it...
And found out what it was through VITAS and Hospice Care

Description

Memory Bear volunteers make home-sewn bears with compassion and love, to ease a hurting heart after the death of a VITAS patient. The bears are sewn from the patient's clothing: a favorite pair of jeans, a pullover top, dress, bathrobe, nightgown, etc. A Memory Bear may recall the closeness of a loved one, bring a smile to someone in distress or offer a sense of security to a child who feels alone after the loss of a grandparent, parent or sibling.
The fabric is provided by the family; the pattern, support and stuffing is provided by VITAS and the creativity is provided by the volunteer. Bears can be made in the volunteer's home or at the VITAS office.

Skills

Sewing: Volunteers should have a desire to use their talents or hobbies to make a difference in someone's life. Must have sewing tools: sewing machine, needles, etc. Fabric and stuffing are provided. No professional experience necessary but sewing experience is a must. Creativity is a plus.

I didn't really have a pattern so I googled that too. and found this bear pattern

He is suppose to be 8.5 inches when done. Well I'm going to have to improvise on this bear some because of parts needed so I hope and pray and trust that he turns out. I'm winging it as I go on Mr. bear. Any way here are some pics of the jacket now....