{Faith Journaling} Challenge #96

As my husband and I watched a travel show last night and saw many different churches, it reminded me of the many beautiful churches I saw when growing up in England and Germany. I then got to thinking about our church here and what it looks like. Could I describe what it looks like? So, I thought today it would be fun to:

**Describe what your church looks like. Draw it out too if you would like. Maybe even take a photo and place in your journal.

Deuteronomy 27:5 "Build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. . ."

And remember, to see all previous {Faith Journaling} questions, please see my list here. May the coming generations enjoy the description of your place of worship. Blessings,

Praying for a Cure!

I have very exciting news to share with you today. Our Daily Bread Designs is one of many sponsors for the Splitcoaststampers second annual Hope You Can Cling To card drive to benefit those affected by breast cancer. Make sure to check out the Hope You Can Cling To Challenge Forums. There are daily challenges and many prizes given away by the many generous sponsors. You can even win one of the 5 $50 gift certificates to the ODBD store!!

To further support this cause, Our Daily Bread designs released a brand new stamp set, "Praying For A Cure" on October 15th. A portion of the proceeds from sales of this new stamps set sold during October will be donated to the American Cancer Society.


Isn't this set beautiful? Several of the ODBD Design Team members have created samples for you today using this new "Praying for a Cure" set. Here is my creation using this set:

Papers: My Mind's Eye Blush, Memory Box nc
Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps: Praying for a Cure
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink black soot, VersaFine onyx black, Archival Ink plum
Embellishments: Memory Box classic scallop die, Bazzill tulle, Stickles diamond, wire from Hobby Lobby, sewing machine

Be sure to visit each of the ladies below, leave a comment for each, and return to this post on the ODBD blog to let us know that you have visited them all. There will be three commenters selected to win gift certificates from Our Daily Bread designs. You have until Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern to leave your comments. The winner will be announced on Friday morning on the ODBD blog!

Lisa
Lori
Dawn
Grace
Angie
Connie
Sabrina
Sue
Chris
Patter (you are here)
ODBD

I pray you enjoy what everyone has done with the set, and may God bless those of you effected by this disease whether self, family, or friend. Blessing to each of you,

ABC Scripture Challenge {Word #22}, Value

Challenge Word #22: Value

Value: relative worth, merit, or importance.

What is it you value? Money, your looks, your children? What do you think it is that God values? The world today values intelligence, good looks, occupation—physical and materials things—but that is not what God values. God is more concerned with our heart than what the world values. What the world values is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:15 says “He said to them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.’” And I love what Max Lucado says. He said “What causes us to pamper the skin while we pollute the heart?” Oh as women, I am sure we can all ponder that for a moment.

And what about marriage? God values the sanctity of marriage; the world doesn’t always see it that way. Hebrews 13:4 says “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

I had the privilege of hearing a divorce lawyer this week. He said that a woman called his office seeking counsel; she wanted to divorce her husband. I am not sure if this woman realized she was calling a Christian lawyer or not but this lawyer prayed with her over the phone, gave her scripture, and encouraged her to seek the Lord before making such a decision. I was in awe, and wowed that a divorce attorney would send away a potential client. How awesome is that! This man knows that God values the sanctity of marriage, and this man was more concerned for that marriage and what is right in God’s sight than the potential money it might have brought to himself. What an example he is to all of us. God speaks to us through His Word concerning all areas of our lives—all not just some. He then confirms it through circumstances and the indwelling Holy Spirit. God will never act contrary to what His Word says. By this particular attorney praying with this woman, sharing truth, and giving her scripture, she can truly seek God’s will in her situation. Praise be to God!

For my page today, I chose to use the scripture I quote above (Luke 16:15 ). I also added Romans 8:31a “If God is for us, who can be against us?” I thought that was so appropriate for this page. You can find that scripture in the ODBD set called Scripture Collection 3. I also used the Mojo Monday 210 sketch for fun. :)

Papers: My Mind's Eye Rosy, Paper Trey Ink cs
Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps: Scripture Collection 3
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink walnut stain
Embellishments: Memory Box classic scallop die, Zva Creative flourishes, flowers and leaves from Wild Orchid Crafts, Basic Grey Kioshi chip alpha, October Afternoon mini market alpha stickers, misc. baker's twine, misc. cross charm
Sketch: Mojo210

As you post your pages, please be sure to use Keyword ABCSCRC11 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of our previous lessons, please visit this post here.

In what area of your life do you need to align your thinking with God’s thinking? How will you replace that “old worldly value” with what God truly values? Let His spiritual values shape you not the worldly values that surround you. You will not only be a witness to your children and grandchildren but to the lost world around you! In all things, put God and His Word first, and the rest will fall into place. Blessings to each of you!

{Faith Journaling} Challenge #95

Disappointment is hard. At times it can feel devastating. In our BSF class Tuesday night, our Teaching Leader said "When we go through bad things, we can trust God is bringing us to a better end and going forward with His plans and purposes." So, today:

**How has God helped you through a huge disappointment? How about specific scriptures He may have given you?

Exodus 9:16 "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails."

Remember, to see all previous {Faith Journaling} questions, please see my list here. Have a blessed weekend and joyous day trusting in Him in ALL things,

Tuesday's {Tip} Grab some Granite!

How many of you use books when you need to place something heavy on top of a created piece until the glue dries? I used to do that but to be honest, it was a pain. The answer--granite!  My parents recently remodeled their bathroom. During the remodel, I asked Mom if she had a left-over piece of granite I could use. Of course, she did, and I gladly took it off of her hands.

This piece of granite is just large enough to place on my paper creations that need to dry with a heavy object on top of them (e.g., chipboard, altered books, etc.). This has worked amazingly for me, and it fits nicely underneath my desk. I just stand it on end until I need it. :)

And before leaving you today, I thought I would share two more photos of our puppy--the cute reason why I am so "quiet" lately. I hope you enjoy him:

“Mom, can’t I come in and help with the laundry?”

“Yes! I caught my prey! But yeah, I know, I have to stay away from Kiwi and Sugar!!”

I hope you can find some scrap granite and begin using it to weigh down those heavily-glued creations. Blessings,

Tuesday's {Tip} Christmas Sets

As Christmas grows closer, I have seen many posts on paper crafting boards asking for your favorite Christmas sets. I have many, and I thought I would share them with you today just in case you still need to find that perfect set for your Christmas cards this year. I personally have not searched out any other companies because these two companies are truly my favorite.

Memory Box Co. has released many new holiday stamps, dies, and a 6x6 Christmas paper pack called Yuletide. You can see all of the Memory Box Co. holiday releases here.

Our Daily Bread Designs has many GORGEOUS Christmas sets sharing the true meaning of Christmas. Some of the sets are (click on the set name to see the set):

Blessed Christmas
Christmas Blessings
Christmas Door
Christmas Rose
Christmas Tree Collage
Christmas Verses
His Gift
Holiday Ornaments
I Wait for the Lord
Joy to the World
Joy to the World Hymn
Joy Tree
Luke 2:11
Ornaments
Reason for the Season
We Three Kings
Worship the Lord

I also realized after writing this post that ODBD is having a sale on their Christmas sets through Saturday, October 15. You can see all of the details at the end of the post here. There are also pictures of a lot of the sets and sample cards!  I hope you enjoy these and find what you are looking for this year! Blessings,

ABC Scripture Challenge {Word #21}, Useful

Challenge Word #21: Useful

Useful: being of use or service; serving some purpose; helpful.

Has anyone ever told you that you are helpful or useful to them? How are you useful to your family? Your employer? Do you think God sees you as useful in those place and elsewhere? Do you want to be used for His purpose? We see in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Each of us that believe in the Lord Jesus Christ has been called by Him for a special purpose. Do you know what that is? Maybe you are thinking that you are not good enough to be useful to God, that you don’t have a talent or skill, or that you don’t know how to serve Him. Well you were created by Him. He has a special plan, purpose, and ministry just for you.

Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

He has created you. He has prepared something for you to do. But there are two important things to remember. First, our usefulness to Him is not of most importance to Him. He is all-powerful and does not need our help to accomplish His work. He is most concerned about our hearts. He doesn’t want to use us so we can boast. The glory only belongs to Him.

Proverbs 21:2-3 “A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”

Psalm 62:11-12 “One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: ‘Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love.’”

He desires for us to serve Him and be useful to Him because we love Him. Can you say that you love Him so much that you can’t help but want to be useful to Him?

Second, being useful or used by God does not get us into Heaven. Works gain us nothing. You are already loved tremendously by your Creator God. Jesus Christ already paid the price for you and for me. He loves us so much that He died to pay for my sins and for your sins so that we might spend eternity with Him. Our reward is in heaven, not here on earth.

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Are you making yourself available to be useful to God because you love Him or are you too busy with your own plans?

For my page today, I used two stamps sets by Our Daily Bread Designs--Ironworks Borders and Scripture Collection 1. I also used a fun die cut from Cheery Lynn Designs called Lattice 2. It is available from the ODBD store here.

Papers: Webster's Pages, Paper Trey Ink cs
Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps: Scripture Collection 1 and Ironworks Borders
Stamp Ink: VersaFine onyx black
Embellishments: Cheery Lynn Designs lattice 2 die, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, Heidi Swapp center of attention jet chip alpha, Zva Creative black flourishes

I pray that you will open your heart to whatever God calls you to do. Trust in Him, and be blessed by Him.

Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.”

As you post your pages, please be sure to use Keyword ABCSCRC11 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of our previous lessons, please visit this post here. Blessings to each of you!

Art {Journaling} Using Sprays/Mists!

**Please note: To see today's {Faith Journaling} Challenge, click here or scroll down to the next post. :)

If you remember this layout from Tuesday, you may have seen the scripture on the tag that I used from ODBD set called Scripture Series 2. The scripture I used is Psalm 54:4 "Surely God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me." That layout and scripture was very meaningful to both my daughter and myself. So, I decided to do an art journal page about the scripture and layout.

This style of art journaling is a little different for me but I think I will really like it! This page is made up of using mostly spray inks. I took another amazing class by Roben-Marie called "Art Journal Conversion." She uses a lot of spray inks in her work, and it's how she gets such an amazing look to her pages. So, here is my first attempt:

Sprays/Paints: Liquitex Acrylic Inks, SEI Tumble Dye sprays, Glimmer Mist, Adirondack Color Wash, Golden Fluid Acrylic,
Other Products: Liquitex modeling paste,
Stencils: The Crafter's Workshop, punchinella, bubble wrap

I really enjoyed layering with sprays so I am definitely going to do it again. I also loved being able to journal my thoughts on this verse. Thanks for letting me share another page with you. I hope you have enjoyed it. Blessings to each of you!

{Faith Journaling} Challenge #94

One of my daughters was given a list of scriptures this week by one of her adult leaders. It was very meaningful to her. So today, please share:

**Has someone ever shared a scripture with you to help you maybe in a letter or note? Explain what it meant to you.

2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."

And remember, to see all previous {Faith Journaling} questions, please see my list here. Have a blessed weekend ahead!

Week 1 {ODBDLYLS10} Scrapbook Challenge

Happy Tuesday everyone. It's time for a new ODBD Let Your Light Shine Scrapbook Challenge! This month, we thought it would be fun to have another sketch challenge. If you are new to scrapbooking, sketches are great to use. Also, if you missed my post on how I create my scrapbook pages, you can see it here. It may be useful to some of you! And now, your challenge for October is to: create a layout of any size using ODBD stamps and the sketch below. Have fun with it! Turn it, add more than two photos, make a journaling box, etc. There are so many fun things to do with a sketch!

In designing my page, I really kept the sketch "as is" and did not change anything. The design was perfect for these two photos of one of my daughters. :) The verse is from the ODBD Scripture Series 2 set. It was perfect as my daughter deals with healing from a long-term illness. The verse is from Psalm 54:4 "Surely God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me." I will use this same set and scripture on an art journaling page for Thursday so be sure to check back! For this page, I also used the wonderful die cut from ODBD called Vintage Border die. I used it for the "scallop" strip that was on the sketch.

Papers: Basic Grey Out of Print, Paper Trey Ink cs
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Series 2
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink black soot, Archival Ink jet black
Dies: Our Daily Bread Designs Vintage Border
Embellishments: SEI Tumble Die turquoise and orange, Glimmer Mist flower power, Prima flowers, misc. doily and tag, Memory Box Halloween jewel stickers, Zva Creative flourish, Hero Arts pearls, misc. washi tape, hand-dyed seam binding

I hope you enjoy my page and the sketch. I would love for you to play along with us this month, and maybe you will win a $20 gift certificate to the ODBD Store! You can see complete details on the challenge on the ODBD blog here. You have the entire month of October to enter!  Enjoy your day, and see you again Thursday! Blessings,