Of Spiritual Fruit & Joy Bubbles

Another post from my jewelery blog highlighting our pieces that are inspired by spiritual themes.

I woke up one morning last fall with the idea for bubble wands in my head, and my beloved circlet wizard (aka husband Ian:) was able to make them for me to add to our shop. I decided I would call them Joy Bubble Wands! These photos were taken by my sister~the amazing photographer~ when we were out at a family gathering a few months ago...my nephew helped me kid test the wands and Marci got some lovely photos in the process:)

The term joy bubbles is sort of a concept I came up with when I was going through a difficult time in my life and realized that the best way to make it through was to enjoy the little things that could be enjoyed no matter what else was happening. Like little bubbles of joy in the midst of trials.

Habakkuk 3:17-19(Amplified)~
Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!

The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!

Some days it was harder to find something to smile about, but I remembered reading the truth that Joy from God was a fruit of the Holy Spirit within me, so it was never impossible. The more I looked for them the more the bubbles got bigger and the problems got smaller....joy is a STRONG force in our lives!

Psalm 103:1-5~
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The thing about joy is that it is totally different from happiness. Happiness can depend on our mood, depend on our circumstances, depend on the chemical reactions within our bodies, depend on other people, depend on our surroundings..the key thing is it DEPENDS. Joy on the other hand doesn't depend- it just is. Our connection to joy is rooted in the one thing we can control...our REACTION to all the things I just mentioned. Choices are always there waiting to be made...even if its only a little bubble to start with, joy is always there inside waiting to be discovered:)

Isaiah 12:2-3~
Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.

Therefore with JOY you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.

Prayers, Thoughts & Focusing

(at left: Gore Glen, Scotland-photo by me:)

Ive been a bit scarce the past few days, but Im working REALLY hard this first week of 2009 at getting my year off to a good start with business and organization. Not leaving God out of it of course~ As I said earlier on Twitter I've been praying a lot about my business..Not like "EEK HELP!" More like,"You created heaven and earth, me & everything else.I'll bet You know something I don't about business too":)

SO- in the midst of my busy-ness, here are just a few random things I wanted to share today...



First, a link to an update and prayer requests from Maoz Ministries in Tel Aviv, Israel about the war in Gaza:
DATELINE ISRAEL January 6, 2009 News Service of Maoz Israel Ministries

Second, a couple of verses I that Im reminding myself of often as I wander through my "business" day:

2 Corinthians 9:8~
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

(the bold bits there are just in case we were wondering if this principle is supposed to be working in our lives ALL the time;-)

Isaiah 48:17~
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you by the way you should go..."

Just to let you know, I do know there is a LOT more to that passage...Im not trying to take it out of context or anything, but that basic principle is repeated over and over in old testament and new. One day soon I plan to take more time and expound (theres a really fancy bible scholar word for that, but I dont speak theologian as a general rule, lol).

Blessings on your days everyone-may your first days of 2009 see you "prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers" Grace & Peace be with you!!

With Wings as Eagles

But those who wait on The Lord
Shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings as eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint
~Isaiah 40:31







This is the first in a series of posts I plan to do that includes works I've done that are directly inspired by spiritual themes...I included this one some time ago on my jewelry blog, but wanted to add it here as well:)

When I first looked at this incredible stone, I thought it could represent an eagle or a dove...I was walking through a very tough time when this was created, and the words of the ancient Hebrew prophet spoke to me in the strength of this stone...I chose eagle!

Sometimes the most difficult thing in wire wrapping a natural element is to simply stay out of the way of God's handiwork. I just kept it simple and let the beauty of the natural design speak for itself.

I have this listed in my shop Thyme2dream Etsy.

ABOUT THE STONE: Chinese Writing Stone (aka Porphory) is usually cut to feature its inclusions of Andalusite Crystals against the Black Limestone matrix. These often have a Chinese character look to them, which gives the stone its common name. In this rare cut, the bead is finished so that the matrix with crystals is seen a bit at the top and on the sides, and the beautiful red shape is allowed to shine as the focal point of the piece.

In Your Light

© Karla Hall 2005

A photograph that Ian took at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Sedona, AZ a few years ago (yes, those are my hands;). I often refer people to this picture when they ask "where do you get your ideas?". I think it is absolutely delightful that God created us with the ability to appreciate beauty, just for the pure enjoyment of it! Here are some of the photos I took that day:

© Karla Hall 2005

Looking up at the Natural BridgeIan was interested to find out it was a Scotsman who settled the area (just a wee bit proud of his homeland is our Ian;). I was happy with all the waterfalls and magical little faerie spaces right in the middle of the desert!

© Karla Hall 2005

The magical, mossy hills below the waterfall!

© Karla Hall 2005

Ian looking for fish

A Christmas Present to Myself

I have been wanting to start a more personal blog, a place where I can rejoice in the living, active breath of God, the source of my strength and my song. I have been SO busy lately (this is a good thing;) that I have not had time to do things for me, so I decided I would set aside a wee bit of time today to finally begin here! Christmas dinner is about to start, so for now, here is my favorite Christmas song and a post I left on my other blog:

~!Merry Christmas & a blessed New Year to you & Yours!~



This song is one of my favorite Christmas songs ever. I remember the first Christmas that I was a mom- one night I was rocking my 4 month old son to sleep in the living room with only the Christmas lights on, and I suddenly had this inexpressible joy in my heart, thinking of another baby so long ago...amazing love that took my breath away, and yet gave me breath at the same time! (Did you know in Hebrew, the word for Breath and Spirit is the same?) Now that little baby of mine is about to become a father himself..wow..amazing love...wow. I smiled at this bit he left on twitter the other evening:

"Aidan is playing pattycake with me through his mom's belly. This impending fatherhood thing is really interesting sometimes"

My beautiful Christmas moments...I just had to share:) Blessings everyone!!