Terry Squires's Blog

Build Your Wall

In life, there are moments when you want to create a feature wall that immediately catches your attention when you enter the room. With faith in your God-given abilities and the right tools, you can accomplish anything. I recently built a feature wall using wood-like tiles (on clearance). It was easy, I only had to make a few cuts with a tile saw, and didn’t even have to grout it. The project took me six hours, split over two days. Total cost: $300.00

What catches your attention? What does God want you to see? What does God want me to see?

As I dive into my study of the book of Ezra, I realize that a remnant of Israel had to return and rebuild the temple of Jerusalem. The walls needed to be rebuilt. In chapter three, Ezra describes how God’s people stood as one, laying the foundation for the temple’s reconstruction. However, in chapter four, their enemies arrived, attempting to discourage and undermine them, halting the building process. God’s people became afraid and frustrated, bringing the project to a complete stop.

My friend, when you are building what God has called you to do, Satan isn’t far behind. He is going to discourage, threaten, and frighten you. He’s going to make you question your abilities and talents. He wants you to stop. But remember, the One who is in you is greater than the One who is in the world. Be encouraged. You have the right tools and God has covered you. Build your wall – and focus on God as you enter every room.

If I can do it, so can you. This is faith.

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What Is Your Vision?

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever spend time designing a beautifully landscaped garden. Growing up, I hated weeding and working in the yard. But as I got older, God gave me a new vision –  a new desire.

The new desire seemed impossible in our small backyard. Nothing would ever grow, not even the grass. I could never figure out why. But then I realized it was too much water. Our backyard was always damp. After studying it, I realized it was the water runoff from the neighboring land. Instead of giving up, this gave me a desire to fix the problem. I decided to “flip” our backyard and create a secret garden.

I dug drainage ditches and French drains, planted succulent and perennial plants, created patios and walkways, and sought advice from expert friends. I managed to create a beautiful garden in a small space. However, my joy was short-lived when the weeds started to appear.

Weeds, they are persistent and never seem to go away. While you can fix water issues, getting rid of weeds is a never-ending task. I have to pull them out every week; neglecting them would mean they would take over and ruin my beautiful garden.

My friend, have you been given a new vision in life, a new direction, or something that you need to create like a beautiful garden? Don’t let the weeds of this world creep in, take over and discourage your vision. Remove them quickly and water the beautiful garden that God has given you.

If I can do it, so can you! This is faith.

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Before

After

I love my kitchen, and over the years, I have made several DIY changes to it. I added a barn door for my small pantry, changed the backsplash, added shiplap, changed the sink and cabinet fixtures, and created a center island. Yes, all my DIY projects – I will share those later. However, one thing I couldn’t change was the storage space for my smaller appliances and canning supplies. One day, I told my husband that I wanted to create a walk-in pantry, but the problem was that there was no space for it. Eventually, I came up with an idea to convert one of our guest rooms next to our kitchen and dining room into a pantry.

If I can do it, you can do!

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Over two billion people live on this planet. Lord, You created us all different! Sometimes it seems as though it would have been easier if we didn’t have differing opinions or ideas or conflicting backgrounds and personalities.But You chose to bring us together in a different way—through You, Jesus.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul unpacked Your amazing gospel message. At the end, he drove the point of it all home: glorify You, God, with one mind and voice. Your truth tells me,

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5–6 NIV).

Paul declares that our unity in You bonds Your followers together in the same forgiveness and grace. Color, gender, age, and socioeconomic status only add beauty and diversity at the foot of Your cross. Filled with Your Spirit and understanding Your beauty in one another, we are free to speak in unity Your language of love and redemption to others. Through our unity with one another the world will see You and Your glorious love.

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Lord, I’ve always wondered why You meticulously recorded the events and names of people that seem so insignificant compared to what is going on in my life. But as I dig deeper into Your Word, You touch my heart and I begin to understand. You were thinking about me. You, who are all-knowing, want me to seek You and watch Your amazing plan and purpose unfold.

I see myself in Your blueprint as You teach me that Israel faced many trials, enjoyed life, and experienced peace through the circumstances and people You placed in their lives. I am astonished to discover that You chose a lowly shepherd boy to become Israel’s powerful king and established his throne forever, though the people didn’t really understanding what You were doing.

Little did they know. And little did I know until I studied Your Word that though David’s victorious reign prospered in his affection for You and truth, You were paving the way for another king from David’s ancestry whose power and rule would never end. Jesus. O Father God, Your records of the events and names of Your people lead to You. Your records shows me the lineage: “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1 NASB). Through Your Son—Jesus, born of David’s royal line from the tribe of Judah—You, God, would finally resolve Your covenant promise of redemption. Opening wide the gates of salvation to every Jewish and Gentile soul that received Him, You established eternal hope for all of Your people from every tribe and nation. You established eternal hope and life for me!

Excerpt from I Seek Truth

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I can only imagine what the disciples were witnessing! As You slowly rose off the ground and ascended into heaven, I’m sure their gaze followed. Standing below, Your followers must have been filled with a strange, new hope. This was not the end, they realized. Your kingdom, Jesus, had only begun.

And then You sent Your Holy Spirit to fill Your people, just as You had promised. You told them a Helper was coming. And suddenly, the same men whose faith had wavered under simpler circumstances now surged with conviction and power as they preached even through persecution. You are the Son of God! And they devoted their life to proclaiming faith in You as the key to salvation. To have been there! To have seen it with my own eyes. It is so hard to grasp.

Your truth tells me,

There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 NASB).

Lord, I love to meditate on Your words in the book of Acts. You give me a clear and glorious glimpse into what You intend for me and Your followers. No one was left out of the call. You equipped each believer to carry out the Great Commission, and You sent Your Holy Spirit to live inside of us—inside me—to guide us through life! And to me and to all the believers, the matter is clear: We have life-giving power for a lost and dying world. And no power of darkness can stop Your sovereign hand.

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I think of what Jesus must have felt—knowing that the weight of the world rested on His shoulders, the weight of our sins. My sins! Even as He was overwhelmed by sorrow and knew that painful scourging, humiliating mocking, and excruciating crucifixion lay ahead, He didn’t waver in His purpose. He served! He took off His outer garment and began washing the disciples’ feet, knowing His time was near. What an incredible example of His amazing love.

He served all the way to His death. He died for me! He died for you! And if I am to be His follower, I must take the focus off of my circumstances and wash the feet of others! I must serve others in His love. I’m ready – are you?

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This is one of my favorite projects that I have done in the past. You can also do this for a small laundry room and take off the doors. You have instant laundry basket storage or the perfect bed for your furbaby!

I couldn’t find a small kitchen island – they were either too small and cheaply made or too big and too expensive. So I decided to create my own. Extremely easy to do!

I bought a unfinished cabinet base at Home Depot and hauled it home in my Jeep.
I measured the back and sides of the base and purchased beadboard. I had it cut to the measurements and applied the beadboard using liquid nails and tacks. Trimmed with corner pieces.
Painted two coats with an accent color.
Purchased a scrap piece of quartz top to fit.
Added a few hardware pieces.
Done in two days or less!

Total cost: Less than $350.00

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

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Growing up in a small Indiana lake town, I’ve always loved the look of a cozy, comfortable, lake home, contemporary farmhouse or a craftsman style home. As I have gotten older, my style has included these features.

Subway tile is one of those looks I love. And here’s what you can do with a little subway tile that can change the entire look of your bathroom. This took me 3 to 4 days – I took quite a few breaks as I worked on this project. I’ve learned to take my time, not worrying about getting it done as fast as I can.

Here’s what you’ll need.

Several boxes of subway tile. This bathroom took three (3) boxes.
Tile adhesive. I buy the premixed. It’s a little more expensive, but easier. At least for me.
Tile spacers. I use the smallest spacers with subway tile because I like a larger space for grout, but you don’t need to use spacers. Most subway tile has grooves on the sides so you don’t need to use spacers at all because it’s an automatic 1/16″ grout line.
Grout
Large bucket
Several tile sponges
Tile cutter – I use a wet tile cutter for the special cuts
Patience – don’t get frustrated. It can be time consuming and messy at times. But it’s also fun to see the final project. Mistakes and all.

Here’s a link to step by step easy instructions. Most times I don’t use a v-notched trowel to apply my adhesive. Most times I apply directly to the back of the tile.

When I finished this project – I trimmed the top with a 2” decorative molding and painted it white.

Subway tile: $36.00

Adhesive Tile: $12.00

Grout: $45.00 (self-mix is cheaper, but I use ready mix)

Sponges – $6.00

Spacers: $6.00

Tile cutter: $24.00 – $90.00 depending on the cutter you choose. If you don’t want to use a cutter – Lowes will cut the special cuts for you, but for a small fee.

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And I’m a DIY Girl!  I’ve learned to chalk paint, paint a room, tile a backsplash, create featured walls, replace simple plumbing fixtures, replace simple electrical lighting, create outdoor water feature and simple landscaping, and much more! I hope you enjoy following my DIY adventures!

 

 

Recent DIY and My Other Posts

Change The Look Of Your Bathroom With Subway Tile


1 Quick Tip To Spotless Shower Glass Doors


Chalk Painting Your Bathroom Cabinets


You Are Jehovah-Rapha


Lord, How We Need You Now!


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Do you find it impossible to keep your bathroom glass doors clean and free from water spots? I did and I tried many products, but they often failed. But I have discovered how to keep them spotless and I haven’t cleaned my glass doors in years! I don’t have film buildup or water spots. Here’s my secret!

It’s called the Aquis Lisse towel and it takes only a few minutes to keep your bathroom shower glass doors beautiful. No more cleaning products or squeegees. So how do you use it?

Just wipe your glass doors with the towel.
If you already have buildup and you’ve tried everything – try to clean the doors first with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Then use your Aquis towel.
Use your Aquis towel to wipe down the rest of your shower. If you have any mold – I use this product Kaboom. I don’t have a mold problem – probably because I spray Kaboom once week on my grout area. If you continue to have a mold issue, you might want to contact a professional to see if there’s an hidden underlying problem.

And that’s my secret!

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