Scripture Challenge for 2013

Today I wanted to share what we will be doing for the 2013 Scripture Challenge. I was very touched by Psalm 40:3 which says "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD." My desire is to "sing" hymns and praises through words, songs, written devotionals, etc., and that God takes the words that He gives me and use them as He desires. My prayer is that I glorify Him in all things and that many are drawn to Him and "put their trust in the LORD." Casting Crowns has a song that sums it all up. It's called "Until the Whole World Hears." With that strong desire, I felt that we need to continue studying the truths in old hymns. Thus for 2013, I will be continuing our study of hymn stories and Biblical truths found in the hymn chosen for each study.

This year I will continue by picking an old hymn as God leads me and then providing information on the author of the hymn and a bit of background on the hymn. I also will continue to share scriptures that are applicable to the hymn and prepare a study over the scripture and truths from the hymn. Our study will always be taken back to the Bible.

Album, ATC, Cards--What Will You Use?
So, what will you use for your album this year? What have you used in the past? Maybe you are new to these challenges and would like some ideas. You can:

*Create ATCs and put them on a holder

*Create any size scrapbook page and put in an album
*Create cards and mail to someone that might need to hear the words you have for them
*Or create anything else you can think of; let your imagine run wild

Of course, if you are doing pages, you can create any size and use any album you want! You can do hybrid or digi pages; this is your album. You can create anything you wish. These are just ideas!  I will be doing 6x6 pages as I did for 2012. I really love this size for these challenges, and they make a great album for the coffee table!

If You Participate, Do You Have to Create Something?
Absolutely not! :) You can just study God's Word and keep notes. You do not have to create a thing! I personally love the creating part and someday my kids can have these pages too as part of my faith legacy. For those of you not creating pages, etc., you may just want to keep a journal of each hymn and scripture along with your study notes.

What if You Want to Study with People at Church?
Wonderful! Please have them study along. However, I ask that you not copy my work. I also ask that you have the participants print the study directly from my blog post each time. It takes me many, many hours to prepare these studies, and they are inspired by the Lord. The studies are copyrighted, and I pray that you respect that. Thank you! For more information, please see the section below titled "Will this challenge be hosted on other sites? What about posting on my own blog?"

Now let me share a bit about how this challenge will work.
**I will post two studies a month beginning Sunday, January 13, 2013. Mark your calendars, and see the entire 2013 calendar below! :)
**Challenges will be posted usually by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on challenge Sundays.
**My post will also share some thoughts, the hymn, and scripture or scriptures that I chose (usually from the NIV), and a picture of my page.
**Then you will study your Bible and find scriptures that are meaningful to you based on the study and truth posted for that week.
**I love using Biblegateway to look up single keywords in the Bible. It is a great resource for this study.
**Then you will create your page using your selected scripture/thoughts based on the study for that week.
**Feel free to look at the 2012 Hymn and Scripture Challenge to see how the study will work.

Is there a time limit to complete the challenge?
No, there is not a time limit to complete the challenge. This is for you so that you can study and learn to apply God's truths to your daily life! You do what you can when you can. On occasion, I may offer RAKs, and at those times there will be a deadline. Watch out for those. :) You may join this challenge at ANY time throughout the year!

Do I need to sign up?
No, you can just subscribe to my blog to get the updates.

Will this challenge be hosted on other sites? What about posting on my own blog?
No, you will only be able to find the challenge here on my blog. Please do not copy the post to other websites or your own blog. You may certainly link the study but do not copy the study. Feel free to post a quote but not the entire study. Remember, this study is copyrighted. Thank you! And make sure you subscribe to my blog if you haven't already. :) If you have friends that you think may be interested in joining us, feel free to send them the link to this post! For more information, please see the section above titled "What if You Want to Study with People at Church?"

Where can we share our work?
A lot of us will be sharing on our blogs and in various galleries such as Splitcoaststampers, 2Peas, Scrapbook.com, Flickr, Pinterest, etc. Wherever you share, you can use this keyword and it will help others find your work more easily--HSCRC13. I will also use inlinkz.com for this challenge so that you can leave a link to your work here on my blog for others to see.

Is there a blinkie for this challenge?
Yes, but let's call it a button instead of a blinkie. :) It's a miniature version of the picture at the beginning of this post. I did not make one that blinks. It is a "stand alone" button that I created using a free kit from Two Peas in a Bucket called "Hearts-n-Crafts." You will find this button in the sidebar of my blog and below this paragraph. Right-click and save it to your computer to add to your blog. I also ask that you link it back to this post or my blog. Feel free to add it to your message board signatures too. I hope you like it.

2013 Hymn and Scripture Challenge Schedule:
Challenge 1: January 13
Challenge 2: January 27
Challenge 3: February 10
Challenge 4: February 24
Challenge 5: March 10
Challenge 6: March 24
Challenge 7: April 14
Challenge 8: April 28
Challenge 9: May 12
Challenge 10: May 26
Challenge 11: June 16
Challenge 12: June 30
Challenge 13: July 14
Challenge 14: July 28
Challenge 15: August 11
Challenge 16: August 25
Challenge 17: September 8
Challenge 18: September 22
Challenge 19: October 13
Challenge 20: October 27
Challenge 21: November 10
Challenge 22: November 24
Challenge 23: December 8
Challenge 24: December 22

To see all of the current challenges thus far for 2013, please click here.

Whew, sorry this post got so long. Book mark it. It will be the "main information page" for the Hymn and Scripture Challenge. Please e-mail me if you have more questions, and I would love to know your thoughts on this upcoming challenge. Feel free to leave comments here! Blessings, and see you January 13th with our first hymn and study for 2013!

Excited to Announce . . .

Good Thursday morning wonderful blog readers! I pray that each of you had an amazing and blessed Christmas! We certainly did as my parents traveled over 1,100 miles to spend the week with us. They just left this morning, and the tears have been flowing! But, to distract from the tears, I have a very exciting announcement. I have been invited to join a new manufacturer design team--Blue Fern Studios! You can see the full design team announcement here on the BFS blog.

If you have not heard of Blue Fern Studios, then you won't want to miss out! They currently design amazing and intricate chipboard pieces for all of your paper crafting projects. They will also be releasing a paper line too! To see all of the chipboard that will be available in January, click here. Yummy isn't it?  Here is a small glimpse of some of the gorgeous chipboard designs:

If you want a chance to win some of the new product, be sure to visit Michele's blog (the graphic designer behind Blue Fern Studios). She has an amazing give-away going on right now! It sure would be great if one of my blog readers could win some of the new product!

Thanks for letting me share my exciting news, and thanks to Leslie for inviting me to the team! I will be back soon with lots of fun things for the New Year ahead! Have a blessed Thursday!

{HSCRC12} Hymn #18, O Holy Night

Hymn Challenge #18: O Holy Night
Words Written by: Placide Cappeau
b. October 25, 1808; d. August 8, 1877

Placide Cappeau was a French poet and the author of "Minuit, chrétiens" (O Holy Night) which was set to music by Adolphe Adam. Mr. Cappeau was the son of Mathieu Cappeau and Agathe Louise Martinet. At the age of 8, Mr. Cappeau had to have his hand amputated after his friend accidently shot him while handling a gun. He was a wine mer­chant and may­or of Roque­maure, France, where he was born. He also studied literature which became his life's focus. Not much else is known about Mr. Cappeau.

I hesitated as to what to write in this post for today. I had this song picked long before the horrific events in the Connecticut shooting on Friday. Mr. Cappeau lost his hand due to a gun accident while on Friday, we see innocent children lose their lives at the hands of a troubled person with a gun. I am at a loss for words. I grieve incredibly for these families. I know those precious babies are in Jesus' hands but I grieve as a mother thinking of those moms and thinking that their empty arms. My girls have asked 'why'. We have prayed; we continue to pray. But as I look at the verses of this hymn, I am struck by several words.  First we start with the famous two lines of Verse 1: "Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!" Jesus was born. He is our light in the darkness:

Psalm 18:28 "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

Part of Verse 2 of this hymn says:

"In all our trials born to be our Friend! He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger."

Job 16:20 "My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God;"

Jesus intercedes on our behalf. If you are hurting during this season or know others that are, call on Him, pour out your tears to Him. He was born and knows our aches; He knows their aches. He is there helping them, helping you, or maybe He is using you to help someone else. Be there for them showing His love as Verse 3 continues with:

"Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace."

Hug someone in need today. Give them a smile. Show His love; show them Jesus. If you have not seen Max Lucado's Christmas Prayer that he posted Friday in response to this tragedy, I encourage you to read it here.

Below you will find the sheet music to "O Holy Night." Also, be sure to check out the link I have below for you today.

Listen here to hear Carrie Underwood sing "O Holy Night."

For my 6x6 page today, I used the December sketch challenge from C'est Magnifique. It's always hard to fit a lot of elements on a 6x6 page but I try. LOL! Anyway, I used the Psalm 18:28 verse listed above. I felt it was appropriate as I think of His birth and that Holy Night when He Himself was the light brought into this dark world.

Papers: Ruby Rock-It Becalm, Pion Design Silent Night cut out sheet, Memory Box mocha, Bazzill cs
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap
Embellishments: Poppystamps Simple Banner die and Lorelai Leaf die, Studio Calico wood veneer birds and title, Prima flower (green), misc. flower, misc. pleated ribbon, sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC12 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here.

Note, I will be announcing our 2013 study in a week or so. I don't feel it's appropriate to post today. Please continue to join me in prayer for these families. May God bless each of you!

It Has Been Suggested . . .

. . . that you take 12 photos today for 12/12/12. How fun! I am going to give it a whirl. Attached is our first photo of the morning. I made "A" her first cup. You should have seen her at the table, cup in hand, legs crossed, and eyes closed enjoying it! Note, she wouldn’t let me take her photo because she had “bed head.” Anyway, she says “Mom, this tastes just like Starbucks.” "E" replies “It is Starbucks.” LOL! Have a blessed day everyone, and grab that camera!

2013 Calendar

I just posted my 2013 Calendar on my Memory Box blog but I thought some of you may enjoy seeing it too. If you still have some Christmas gifts to make, this would be a great one to do, and it doesn't take too long. First, here is my calendar:

Tray: 7Gypsies Solo Shadow Box Tray 6x6 
Papers: Memory Box Pixie, Memory Box mocha cs
Stamps: Memory Box Flowering Branches E1836
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink spun sugar and frayed burlap
Dies: Memory Box Pristine Border die, Poppystamps Simple Banner die (836)
Embellishments: Memory Box white pearls, printed calendar by findingnana, 7Gypsies brown ruler, wooden spool from Hobby Lobby wrapped in Divine Twine, wooden clothes pins and scrabble tile from Hobby Lobby, Magnolia pink crystal trim, Prima Solitaire Meadow flower and wooden button, misc. scissor charm, misc. lace trim

To see all of the details, just click here to see my Memory Box post! Thanks for stopping by. Blessings,

{HSCRC12} Hymn #17, Sweet Hour of Prayer

Hymn Challenge #17: Sweet Hour of Prayer
Hymn Attributed to: William W. Walford
b. 1772; d. June 22, 1850

First, if you notice above, I state that this hymn is attributed to William W. Walford. Some hymnals I referenced showed "W. W. Walford" under the title of the hymn and some referenced "Attr. to William W. Walford." Be sure to check any hymnals you have or look next time you are at church. The true author of this hymn is actually unknown. Some say that Rev. Walford was a blind, English minister but here is what I found in "Then Sings My Soul Book 2" by Robert J. Morgan:

"No one, however, has ever found a trace of a blind preacher named W. W. Walford in Coleshill, England. There was a congregational minister named William Walford who wrote a book about prayer containing striking similarities to this poem, and some believe he was the author. But he was neither blind nor uneducated, and the authorship of this hymn remains a mystery."

We do know that the tune was composed by W. B. Bradbury in 1859. Interesting for sure!

Wednesday morning of this week as I woke up this hymn, "Sweet Hour of Prayer," popped into my head. I began singing it, and then I got on the computer and looked up all of the verses. I tried to just read the words without humming along. I was so touched by the words that I really felt we were to look at this hymn this week. So, let's begin by just looking at the words (try not to sing). LOL!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
that calls me from a world of care, 
and bids me at my Father's throne 
make all my wants and wishes known. 
In seasons of distress and grief, 
my soul has often found relief, 
and oft escaped the tempter's snare 
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer! 

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
the joys I feel, the bliss I share 
of those whose anxious spirits burn 
with strong desires for thy return! 
With such I hasten to the place 
where God my Savior shows his face, 
and gladly take my station there, 
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! 

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
thy wings shall my petition bear 
to him whose truth and faithfulness 
engage the waiting soul to bless. 
And since he bids me seek his face, 
believe his word, and trust his grace, 
I'll cast on him my every care, 
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

So, what is prayer? Are you experiencing that 'sweet hour of prayer' each day? Prayer is communication with God (listening and speaking) and a way believers experience a relationship with Him. If you missed my post on prayer back in 2010, please click here. What does your prayer life look like? Jesus is our perfect example. He prayed privately, publically, and with his family. Prayer is mentioned in 51 of the 66 books of the Bible.

Look at that first verse of the hymn. How and when are you approaching the Father's throne? Do you have somewhere in your home where you can privately pray and talk to the Lord each day? Does your family know where that place is? Do they know it's your special, uninterrupted time each day? Are you escaping the tempters snare? If we are not consumed by Christ, we are easy prey for evil.

Prayer—

• Is a place to get away from the world and be at the Father's throne.
• It's the place we find relief and peace.
• It's where we see His face.
• It's where we share our petitions and cast our cares on Him.

Are you evermindful of what God is doing in your life? Are you seeking His face, believing His word, and trusting in His grace (verse 3)? When we seek Him daily for His guidance in our decisions and actions we make, we will reap long-term blessings. Are you trusting each day to Him? How do you know what to do next? Do you need direction? Talk to God. Have that sweet hour of prayer each day! I love how 1 Thessalonians 5:17 makes it so easy to understand:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray continually."

And Psalm 61:1 says "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer."

I also love another quote from the book by Robert J. Morgan I referenced above--"If an hour spent with the Lord is so sweet, why do we race through our day prayerless, then squeeze all our requests into a two-minute segment at bedtime? If prayer is so powerful, why do we neglect it so consistently?" Ouch! I pray that you will remember that daily time with God helps us know what He desires for us and it motivates us to obey Him.

Below you will find the sheet music to "Sweet Hour of Prayer." Also, be sure to check out the link I have below for you today.

Listen here to this beautiful hymn. If you have never seen this man sing, you should look at some of his other videos. Absolutely amazing!

For my 6x6 page today, I used the 1 Thessalonians 5:17 verse noted above. I just loved how simple it was—"pray continually." I used the prayer hands stamp from the ODBD set called "Lift Up Our Hands," and the sentiment  "Take Time to Pray" comes from the ODBD set called "Time." I used the Dusty Attic keyhole chipboard pieces to indicate that the "key" to growing in Christ is being in prayer.

Papers: Pion Design Silent Night Guardian Angels, misc. cardstock 
Kit: some supplies taken from the C'est Magnifique Kit
Stamps: ODBD Lift Up Your Hands, ODBD Time
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap, SU early espresso
Embellishments: Dusty Attic mini keyholes and birds on a branch #2 chipboard, misc. brads, misc. flowers, sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC12 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Blessings to each of you!