Sunday, January 3, 2010

{Scripture Challenge 2} Challenge Word #1, Hope

First, let me say how excited I am to get started on our new challenge for 2010! We have so many new participants this year, and I am very excited to see where the Lord leads each of us and how He grows us as we study! Welcome to each of you new and continuing participants alike!!!

Challenge Word #1: Hope

As I began looking at what we would study today, I could not believe that we had not looked at this word in our 2008 study! What exactly is hope? It's a word we seem to throw around a lot but what is it really? Well, Vine's Concise Dictionary says it is a "favorable and confident expectation. It has to do with the unseen future."

As Christians, we have hope in Christ. We have hope in the resurrection. What are you hoping for? Are you hoping for a better 2010 than a 2009? Maybe you had some difficult trials last year? Maybe you even felt hopeless at times, or maybe even today you are weary and you feel like you have no where to turn. Well, I am here to tell you that just as God has provided for you in the past, He will do the same today and in the year to come. Look back at those trials. Can you see His provision and blessings? You can trust that He is able and He will provide. God is our hope for the future and in all situations. Are you looking to Him or focusing on the difficulty?

In November 2009, my husband became very ill, and he was hospitalized on Nov. 9th. I had been up for 26 hours with him in the ER and then getting him settled in a hospital room. Around 5 a.m. on Nov. 10th, I drove home to take a shower, feed the pets, and then I returned to the hospital 3 hours later. As I drove back to the hospital, there was a gorgeous cloud formation in the sky. As I looked at it, God whispered to me the word “hope.” I clung to that word for the next 3 weeks. I had hope that God would heal him. I had hope that God would sustain me through this trial. I had hope that He would use this for His glory.

One day during those 3 weeks, I fell to my knees in tears, and in a loud voice I asked God if He would just allow my husband to wake up one morning and tell me that he was fine and that he would be okay. Then on the morning of Dec. 1st (exactly 3 weeks after God whispered 'hope' to me), my husband woke up and said to me “Honey, I have hope.” My husband never knew what the Lord whispered to me in the early morning hours of Nov. 10th. But that was a sign that his true recovery would begin. God not only answered my prayer in a mighty way but He used His precious hope to sustain me, to show me He is there with me, and that He is good in all things—even in those difficult times. Romans 15:13 says “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” I was filled with complete trust in Him during that trial. I was completely filled with His hope, and that is what sustained me.

Gien Korssen said "There is Someone who cares about us, who watches closely for each individual: God! Through Him we can find rest in spite of the catastrophes that harass the world. He offers us a place to stand, and hope, even in an apparently lost world. He offers a new beginning to those of us who return to Him." God's strength, hope, and power are available to those who trust in Him. Ask God to give you a renewed hope in Him! He will answer in a mighty way!

Today for my 6x6 page, I used Making Memories papers and the new release stamp set from Layers of Color--Rise and Shine. The sunshine stamp was perfect for this page because it reminds me of the cloud formation God gave me that morning of November 1oth. I also used Sketch #166 from Pencil Lines for fun! Papers: Making Memories Vintage Findings, Strathmore Watercolor paper
Stamps: Layers of Color Rise and Shine, JustRite 100 Year Dater
Stamp Ink: SU creamy caramel, Ranger Adirondack lemonade
Embellishments: Basic Grey Offbeat buttons, Distress Stickles spiced marmalade, Basic Grey white chocolate chip micro-chip alphas, Jillibean Soup bean seeds (felt flowers), hemp from Hobby Lobby, DMC floss
Sketch Used: Pencil Lines #166


The scriptures that were meaningful to me for today's study are:
Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

Remember to use Keyword SCRC210 when posting in galleries. It will be easier for people to find your work if you use our keyword. Also, feel free to leave a link here for others to see using Mister Linky. I hope it works as this is the first time I have tried to use it. Eeek!

And remember, you can find all studies in this post here. You may want to bookmark it for easy reference. As you study, remember He provides hope in times of difficulty, sadness, etc. Will you turn to Him and put your hope in Him? Have a blessed day, and enjoy your time in His word. Blessings,


Photobucket

25 comments:

Unknown said...

Beautiful layout... you should enter it in my Scrap That Poetry challenge which the poem this month is Hope.

http://scrapthatpoetry.blogspot.com/

I have been following your blog for awhile... beautiful work.

Anonymous said...

My sweet friend. Thank you so much for not only starting this challenge again and letting Him guide you, but for also opening up your heart and sharing with us about your husband and your encounter with the Lord. Your story actually brought a sense of "hope" over me. He uses you in mighty ways and I pray that He continues to do so. May 2010 be a year full of blessings for you and yours!
HUGS.
Chelsea

Sharpshooting by Sherri said...

What a wonderful story, I hope your hubby is doing better now. I have lost much hope myself in the last few months, so this is a very appropriate word for me. Thanks for posting such a wonderful challenge.

Rona said...

Thank you so much for sharing Patter! I know this will bless many people - I pray God will bless your family this New Year!!

Caprice said...

Would you believe our pastor did a sermon today on this very word?? Thanks for your encouragement!

Roulien Stahnke said...

Dear Patter
Thanx so much for sharing with us your story of hope. I was so looking forward to this challenge and was counting the days for the first word to appear. This will be my first faith challenge. Much to my surprise of the first word. My favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 were God assures as He has a plan for each of us, giving us hope and a future. This scripture was my strong hold in many dark moments. It couldn't be more appropriate in my life. Thank you for taking the time to do this wonderful challenge. Looking forward to making a whole bunch on new friends.
Blessings
Roulien

Anne-Marie said...

Thank you Patter for sharing what you have in these devotional thoughts. You are a gifted teacher.

I am looking forward to another year of your teaching and sharing and also looking forward to creating little digital pages for each of your challenges.
This year they will be small... to fit in a CD Case which is used like a photo frame.
God Bless you and may 2010 be a better year for you and your family.

Beverly said...

Thanks for sharing your story as well as the Scripture. I need Hope today. librarymom6

Stacy said...

I just linked to my layout via Mr. Linky, so hopefully that will show up soon! Thank you for doing this challenge -- I know it's sometimes difficult to keep such things up, so I appreciate that you're doing it!

Jonia said...

I am so excited to be able to join in on this challenge. I already know it will be a blessing to me and I will be able to hold dear these pages for years to come. Thanks so much for the inspiration that I know came from our Lord and Savior! Blessings to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

I did a page for Scripture Challenge 2. Here is a link.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1582460?&cat=500&ppuser=243689

How do I use Mister Linky??

Berny

Nancy said...

Hi Patter! I got may HOPE page finished. I sure enjoyed studying those verses on hope...what a wonderful blessed time with my Lord! I did a 6X6 page. Then I quickly put a blog together and put my page up. I even managed to figure out how to add your wonderful Scripture Challenge button. However, I've never met Mister Linky! Is there someone who could introduce us? lol

Jennipher said...

Patter, I am so glad you are doing the scripture words again. I just found this through one of your links at SCS. Thank you also for using Mr. Linky as I love being able to see other's work. I am going to go work on my study now and definitely try harder to keep up this year.

Anonymous said...

I posted my LO at Splitcoaststampers. I don't know Mr Linky either. Please let me know how to use Mr. Linky. May I post at Faith Sisters??

Berny

Nancy said...

Hi Berny...I hope you get this! A lovely woman named Gwen told me how to use Mister Linky and it's very easy! You see where Patter's name is right up above these postings? Right above her name is Mister Linky? Just click on that and fill in the blanks. Let me know if it works for you or if you have a problem, okay?...Nancy

Anonymous said...

Thanks Nancy, It worked!
Berny

Lisa H. said...

wow, Patter! your story moved me. Love to see the Lord working in others. Think I need to check out your challenges, and study. your work is so inspirational!

Sandy Hentzel said...

I have to chuckle. I just found your challenge and thought, "finally, one for me to do". I did not read your whole post though. I was so excited that I just took off to start.

When I came back and read your post, I knew this one was for me. The two scriptures I was drawn too and ministered to me were...Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

I copied them both down from my Bible and decided to use Ps 25:5

Talk about confirmation!!!

Your story blessed me so much and I look forward to the challenges in 2010!

Sandy

Altered Amanda said...

I added my Hope pages, using Mr Linky, but I still can't figure out how to view mine or anyone else's from that! :/ Thanks, Patter!
-Artful Amanda

Patter Cross said...

Hey Amanda! I just left this on your blog but will put it here too just in case it is helpful to someone else. :) To view other's work, click on the Mister Linky button just as you did to leave your link, you will see a list of everyone's name. Just click on their name, and it will open a new window in your browser, and you can view each person's work. I hope that helps. Have a joyous day!

Michelle said...

Thank you for starting this, as well as sharing your, moving, story!

Hope, is exactly what I need right now...well and prayer.

I'll be posting my card before you post the second prompt...

Rosemary said...

Thanks, Patter, for doing this challenge again this year! I just loved doing His Holy Name (although I still have two that need to be done!). Thank you also for sharing your personal ups and downs and how the Lord has gotten you through. You are such a blessing! After being sick for the last week and a half, I have finally been able to get my page done, yay!, and have linked it up with Mr. Linky.

Molly said...

Finished up my "Hope" page, set up the link (learning took place - LOL) and am off to tackle temptation! Thanks for all the work you do with this Patter! Have a blessed day!

Anonymous said...

Thank you! Your blog post will be advertised on the CraftCrave Scrapbooking Challenges & Competitions search engine today (look for timestamp: [05 Feb 03:37pm GMT]).

suralear1 said...

I just linked my layout for "Hope." I have just started to work on your 2010 Scripture Challenge so I have a lot to catch up. I hope I have linked it correctly. Thank you so much for this opportunity to learn more about he Bible and to give a picture representation of what the work of G-d means to me.

Sharon

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