A PRAISE REPORT...WITH GOOD WILL DOING SERVICE, AS TO THE LORD, AND NOT TO MEN:

Greetings -

Scriptures are from the King James Bible.

Photo compliments of Sandra - Copyright 2011

Glory to GOD, I'm happy to report that I have received some sales from the PHOTO FLOURISH aspect of my business.  Yesterday I got two sales!  But before that happened, I'm disappointed to report that I went yesterday to a Christian bookstore to share about my product line.  The manager wasn't available so I spoke to the head person there, who professes to be a Christian.  Her cold demeanor wounded me.  There were no other patrons in the store yet she wouldn't even look at what I had to share.  I'll spare the details.  Suffice it to say that I mildly shared with her about how we are of the same body of Christ and that if she were in business that I would accomodate her.  She remained cold....

I left there and went to a hospital chapel office and the lady there, who stated that she is a Christian, purchased one of my cards.  I shared with her my gratitude that she demonstrated love for a fellow Christian.  I went a few more places to offer to share my product line...  After starting out at 9:30 a.m., I had made one card sale for a total of $3.00.  My last visit was to a church office.  I asked the two women employees there if they would be interested in viewing my product line.  They both said no and offered "reasons" why.  My disappointment was obvious.  As I talked to them, tears welled up as I described to them how when I lived in a homeless shelter, besides family, only two Christians helped me and fellowshipped with me on a personal level.  After a bit, one of the women softened and agreed to look at my product line.  She didn't purchase anything but I was grateful that she, at least, looked.  I gave her a free message magnet for her indulgence.

In this economy, I understand that many people don't have extra finances.  Also, I didn't have appointments when I visited those places yesterday.  Relative to the Christians, my hurt wasn't from the possible reality that they couldn't afford what I had to sale or that perhaps they didn't have time.  My hurt was from the cold countenances and the dismissive communications that came from my fellow body of Christ members.  There are loving ways to say no or to ask that appointments be set....

Well, I'm so grateful that before I left home our Lord had me to read these scriptures from His Word:

Ephesians 6:7, 8

With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord,...

Had I not read the Word and prayed before I left home, my hurt would have likely been greater.  Glory to GOD, that daily Word reading and prayer is a practice with me, and of course, some others.

I heartily thanked our Lord for my $3.00 sale and the heart of the Christian that it came from.

Well, later the same day, our Lord told me to phone two people who had earlier indicated that they would order from me.  One of them (a grade school friend) ordered and paid for her products, via PayPal .  The other (a friend and former coworker) told me to prepare him $20.00 worth of products and that he would be over the same day to pay and to pick up his products.  I told him what I have in stock.  He told me to just gather $20.00 worth of things.  I did so and he came, complimented my product line, completed his transaction, gave a tip for more than four dollars, and sat with me to share about PHOTO FLOURISH.  He offered some helpful tips, as well.  He isn't a strong Christian but he consistently demonstrates that he cares about me.

After he left, our Lord told me to call one of my strong Christian friends for prayer.  Our Lord knew that I needed prayer assistance after being wounded by the Christians earlier.  She and I prayed and it helped a bunch.

Then today, to my pleasant surprise, my ex-boyfriend put money into my account.  I was on the Internet doing something else and our Lord spoke and told me to go view my account information online.  I obeyed and saw a deposit. It could have been a mistake so I phoned my credit union.  They told me who put it there.  What especially struck me is that my ex is struggling with addictions.  (He gave his permission for me to write about him on my blog.)  Yet, he has, on more than a few occasions, placed money in my account.  Our Lord has promised me that he will save him...  I pray for him regularly, in earnest.  May Almighty GOD save, heal, deliver and bless him for who he is and for how he has helped me.

Glory to GOD, earlier in the day, I got rejection and coldness from those that I believed would be Christ like, but GOD made up for it later with the sales and the unexpected deposit from my ex!

It is so wonderful that when we obey GOD, He consistently keeps His Words to reward His faithful.  THANK YOU, LORD, MOST HIGH!

I purpose that when I get sales to help someone that is in financial need.  Presently, it isn't much but something is shared, regardless.  When I moved from a shelter, I invited people to my home for tea, lunch, dinner and to fellowship.  One person was allowed to stay here for more than a week.  I remember when I was in a needier state and how important it is to share and to be hospitable.  What readily comes to mind is that when JESUS fed the people the fish and bread, He ate WITH the people. 

1 Peter 4:9
Use hospitality, one to another without grudging.

Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

I continue to be wounded by the truth that some bonafide sinners demonstrate more love and care than those who profess Christ as Lord and Savior.  No, I'm not bitter but I fight against it for sure.  I love and forgive but....may GOD help me to conquer...

My daily prayer is that our Lord will help me to change because certainly there are areas that I have yet to overcome.  We all need to change.  May GOD help us to steadfastly be doers of His Word.

For those who are so inclined, please go to PHOTO FLOURISH at http://www.photoflourish.blogspot.com/ to place an order.  There is free shipping on the
8-1/2" x 11" calendars through November 30, 2011.

Thank you for your consideration.

Update:

The testimonial below was received from Marijo, this evening, via E-mail.  I also posted it on my PHOTO FLOURISH blog.

Thank you, Marijo.  Glory to GOD.

Testimonial -

I am really enjoying the cards I got through Photo Flourish.  Sandra gives very personal attention in a timely fashion to make sure her customer gets exactly what they want.  I have gotten photo calendar magnets, and an assortment of blank large cards with some of my photos and many of Sandra's flowers, sunsets and other photos.  They all came with good color and were even prettier than I expected.  I got them really fast too.  My only problem is to decide which I should give for gifts because I want to keep them all.  I have just finished an order for a special wall calendar with scriptures too.

THANKS, Sandra, for making my Christmas shopping easy this year!

Marijo