{HSCRC13} Hymn #22, Joy to the World

Hymn Challenge #22: Joy to the World
Words by: Isaac Watts
b. July 17, 1674; d. November 25, 1748

We studied Isaac Watts back in Hymn #13, O God, Our Help in Ages Past. You can click here to see information about Isaac Watts there. So now, let's begin our study.

Today was our special day. We were going to find out the sex of our first baby. The tech began the ultrasound, and I thought to myself—“This ultrasound sure is taking a long time. I pray the baby is okay.” Just as I was thinking that, the tech says “Were you on fertility?” I responded with, “No, why? Is it twins?” We have many twins in my family, and when we finally decided to try to get pregnant, my sweet husband said “We are having one baby. We are not having twins.” Well, the tech responded with “No, it’s triplets.” I began crying uncontrollably, my husband began pacing the room, and our lives were forever changed.

As we approach the birth of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, think of Mary. As we see in Matthew 1:18 “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.” What do you think her day was like? She was pledged to be married. What would the town’s people think? And what would Joseph think? To say our day was turned upside down is nothing compared to Mary’s day! Mary’s plans were not her own yet in Luke 1:38 we see “'I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May Your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.’” Mary’s response was incredible. She knew she would experience shame but she had great faith and completely trusted the Lord.

Dr. Henrietta Mears said “Faith may see God but obedience must serve Him.” Mary was willing and called herself the Lord’s servant. I can’t say we were willing like Mary was but we can’t begin to imagine our lives without our three precious girls. We have come to know Christ, He has walked with us through many trials during the last 19 years but we have also experienced a joy that only comes from Him. Jesus is the source of our joy. Dr. Mears continues with “Know this! Christ never takes our joy away. He gives joy! He says that He came not only to give us life, but give it to us more abundantly! God tells us that the way of the transgressor is hard, but His ways are ways of pleasantness, and all His paths are peace.” How do you react when things don’t go your way? Are you willing to follow God’s way and experience His incredible joy that can never be taken away?

God is Sovereign. His plans and ways are perfect, and no purpose of His can be thwarted. He alone is the source of our joy. I am thankful for Mary’s example of great faith and her heart of obedience. Will you trust Him in your circumstances knowing that His purpose will be fulfilled? Will you glorify Him through it and experience the incredible joy that only He can give?

Below you will see the sheet music for today's hymn. And click here to listen to David Archuleta sing this hymn with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Turn it up and enjoy!

For my 6x6 page, I used the December sketch from C'est Magnifique. I also used the Blue Fern Studios Graduated Circles chipboard. I covered it in Shimmerz Texturz paint called Patina. The wood veneer was one I special ordered from Diana McRae. She does custom pieces, and they only cost pennies. You get the pieces you want without having ones you won't use. You can see all she has for sale here. Just click through the many pages. I really got GREAT service from Diana and her husband!

The scripture I chose was Luke 1:38 from above. It a great reminder to me that when I gladly follow and serve Him, I am filled with joy! And yes, there is a typo on my typed scripture. I didn't notice it until after my page was done. I actually typed that scripture three times when I was making this page. Wow, I guess I was just meant to have an error today. Oh well! I guess it's just another reminder to me that Jesus is the only one to live fully human and live perfectly. I certainly never will be able to!

Papers: Pink Paislee Snow Village
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Graduated Circles (painted with Shimmerz Texturez patina)
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap
Embellishments: wood veneer from Diana McRae, Jenni Bowlin watch face, misc. baker's twine, misc. flowers, Wild Orchid Crafts leaves, thread, machine sewing

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 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.

Today will be our last Hymn Challenge for 2013. God has shown me some plans for 2014 so be watching for that announcement over the next couple of weeks. For now, thank you ALL for joining in. I pray that God has blessed you beyond measure for your study, that you have grown in your walk with Him, and that you are excited to join in next year's study. Have a blessed and Merry Christmas everyone!

{HSCRC13} Hymn #21, Lord, Speak to Me

Hymn Challenge #21: Lord, Speak to Me
Words by: Frances Ridley Havergal
b. December 14, 1836; d. June 3, 1879

Frances Ridley Havergal was the daughter of the Rev. W. H. Havergal who was also a hymnist. She was born in Astley, Worcestershire. We studied her last year in Hymn #14, Take My Life and Let It Be. To read more, click here. Some other facts I found out about her was that she began writing hymns at the age of 7. She also had a great memory and was able to memorize the Psalms, the book of Isai­ah, and most of the New Test­a­ment. Wow, and to think I have trouble memorizing a verse. Anyway, she also had a deep commitment to Christ. She died in a town near Wales but is buried in her birthplace. On her tomb­stone is the script­ure verse she claimed as her own:

1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."

The original hymn had 7 verses; however, in a lot of hymnals you will only see 4-5 of these verses. Here are the first 5 verses:

1 Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
in living echoes of thy tone;
as thou has sought, so let me seek
thine erring children lost and lone.

2 O strengthen me, that while I stand
firm on the rock, and strong in thee,
I may stretch out a loving land
to wrestlers with the troubled sea.

3 O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
the precious things thou dost impart;
and wing my words, that they may reach
the hidden depths of many a heart.

4 O fill me with thy fullness, Lord,
until my very heart o'erflow
in kindling thought and glowing word,
thy love to tell, thy praise to show.

5 O use me, Lord, use even me,
just as thou wilt, and when, and where,
until thy blessed face I see,
thy rest, thy joy, thy glory share.

As Thanksgiving approaches here in the U.S., I thought that this hymn was perfect as we think about God using us to speak for Him. A lot of you will be surrounded by family and friends or serving in churches and soup kitchens and other places this coming week. Have you asked God in prayer how He might use you and have you share Him with others? We must always ask God how He wants to use us, and we do that by praying to Him. We must remember to get our own agendas out of the way. I love what Kenneth Osbeck said "We must not dictate to our Lord as to how and when we should be used. We are simply to be available whenever He directs in a particular situation. Then our representation for Him is simply to speak His truth boldly but always in love." The Billy Graham Team said this about today's hymn "God speaks; we are taught by Him and filled with His Spirit; then we are ready to serve as He directs." Christ makes us competent to share His Word:

Ephesians 4:11-13 "So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

Ephesians 4:15-16 "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."

When we give and we love as Christ loved and show grace as Christ has shown grace, we are giving others a taste of Heaven. Now is the time to tell others of our Savior's love and grace. When we focus on Him, He will increase His Kingdom through us. People need to know the source of our joy and peace. Will give that gift this Thanksgiving holiday as He leads you?

Psalm 25:4 "Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths."

Psalm 31:3 "Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me."

Isaiah 50:4 "The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed."

Jeremiah 1:9 "Then the Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, 'I have put My words in your mouth.'"

John 13:15 "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."

So, are you ready to serve your family, friends, neighbors, and strangers this Thanksgiving as He would direct? Will you allow Him to use you? Yes, even you!!

Below you will find the sheet music to this hymn, and please click here to listen to this hymn.

For my 6x6 page today, I used Jeremiah 1:9 from above. I thought it went perfectly with the hymn. I also love this paper. It came as "wrapping" with my Webster's Pages September Sprinkles Craftbox. I didn't even realize the words "faith" and "grace" were on the paper until after I was putting the page together. How awesome is that? I also used the Blue Fern Studios Quatrefoil Panel. These panels are 12x12 so I get many uses from just one sheet. I cut the panel to the size I needed for my page and then painted it with Shimmerz Artie Choked Texturez. 

Papers: Webster's Pages, Bazzill cs 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Quatrefoil Panel (painted with Shimmerz Texturez artie choked) 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink brushed corduroy 
Embellishments: October Afternoon Travel Girl doo-dads; Pink Paislee butterfly clip; Prima Soubrette B and Divine flowers; Prima resin clock; American Crafts twine; Zva Creative rhinestone flourish; Wild Orchid Crafts leaves and flowers; Making Memories tiny alpha stickers; Hobby Lobby doily

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 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. Have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving!

{HSCRC13} Hymn #20, I Need Thee Every Hour

Hymn Challenge #20: I Need Thee Every Hour
Words by: Annie S. Hawks
b. May 28, 1835; d. Jan­u­a­ry 3, 1918

Music by: Rev. Robert Lowry
b. March 12, 1826; d. November 25, 1899

Annie S. Hawks was born in Hoo­sick, New York. She began writing poems when she was very young, and her poems began appearing in newspapers when she was 14 years old. She mar­ried Charles H. Hawks in 1857. They attended Hanson Baptist Church in Brooklyn, where Rev. Robert Lowry (a great hymn writer) was pastor. He saw her talent and gave her a challenge and told her “If you write the words, I’ll write the music.” We studied Rev. Robert Lowry in last year's Hymn #8, Christ Arose. Click here to read more about Rev. Lowry. Her husband, Charles, died in 1888 so she moved to Ben­ning­ton, Ver­mont, to live with her daugh­ter and son-in-law. She died at the age of 82 in Benn­ing­ton, Ver­mont. She wrote over 400 hymns during her lifetime.

Friday morning my mom called. She said told me to praise the Lord that my father was still alive Friday morning. He was fishing with his best friend on Thursday, and a guy ran into them throwing my dad overboard. Dad went down 50 feet. He had on 2 sweatsuits because it was cold along with his life jacket. He doesn't always wear his life jacket but he put it on because he was so cold. His best friend couldn't pull him back in the boat. My dad was a fighter pilot and is a great swimmer but was being pulled down by all of his heavy clothing. He said he would have drowned had the guy that hit them not helped rescue him. He lost a lot of "things" but that doesn't matter as he is still with us. I still can't believe this happened, and I am SO thankful he is okay!!! God's mighty hand of protection has seen to it that he is still with us for a reason! God must still have big plans for my precious daddy! God was there with my daddy in that moment he needed Him most.

Psalm 31:2 "Turn Your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me."

Psalm 40:17 "But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; You are my God, do not delay."

Psalm 86:1-2 "Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to You; save your servant who trusts in You. You are my God."

Do you feel like God is there when you need Him most? We have to walk near to Him to experience Him. Are you walking near to Him in everything—good times and bad? One of the many blessings of knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is that He is with you always. He is there in good times and in bad but if we don't learn to acknowledge Him in the good times, how will we find Him when things are rough? We truly need Him every hour!

Psalm 73:28 "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds."

Annie S. Hanks wrote the following about today's hymn (quoted from Kenneth W. Osbeck's Book "Amazing Grace") :

"One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became filled with the sense of nearness to the Master, and I began to wonder how anyone could ever live without Him, either in joy or pain. Then the words were ushered into my mind and these thoughts took full possession of me."

We must stay fixed on Him at all times. I know when I am not fixed on Him, things don't go right, I am usually miserable in some way, or displeased with myself. When I am fixed on Him, I can see a huge difference in how I act and feel and how I get through certain situations. If we see how amazing our lives are when we are fixed on Him, then why do we continue to go it alone? I need Him every hour. How about you?

Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Psalm 73:28 "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."

Below is the sheet music to this hymn, and click here to listen to an acapella arrangement of this hymn.

For my 6x6 page today, I used the Psalm 73:28 verse noted above because I felt like it said it all—I desire to be near to God, He is my refuge, and I love giving Him the glory. I also used one of my art journaling cards. If you missed that post, click here to see how I made my card. And lastly, I put quite a few things on this page that represent my relationship with Christ:

• I crumpled up the sheet music and then spread it out again. It represents me being broken and sinful yet His blood "smooths me out" and makes me clean.
• The Blue Fern Studios Country Picket Fence shows that I can't come before Christ without accepting Him as my Lord and Savior. He is a Holy God, and I cannot approach Him unless I have been cleansed by the blood of Christ which takes down that fence (barrier) between the Father and myself.
• The Blue Fern Studios Blue Fern Bits (hearts) represent my heart attitude.
• The colors—black represent when I am without Him, things are dark and seem hopeless. With Him, my life is filled with joy and bright colors.
• The clock—that I need Him every hour of every day!

Papers: Basic Grey RSVP, Paper Trey Ink, Art Journaling Card by Patter Cross 

Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Blue Fern Bits (w/Gelatos metallic mint, melon, and blueberry), Country Picket Fence (w/Gelatos chocolate and Tim Holtz embossing powder walnut stain) 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink black soot 
Embellishments: Petaloo Wild Blossoms fuschia and aqua; Prima leaves and clock face; Tim Holtz mini gears; Dew Drops; sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 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. Have a blessed week ahead!

{HSCRC13} Hymn #19, Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Hymn Challenge #19: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Words by: Walter Chalmer Smith, D.D.
b. Dec. 5, 1824; d. Sep­tem­ber 19, 1908

Dr. Walter Chalmer Smith was born in Scotland in 1824. He attended college in Ed­in­burgh and was an ordained pastor, poet, and hymnist. He authored at least 12 hymns that I could find, and he is best known for this hymn. I really did not find any other information regarding Dr. Smith so let's look at the words of his hymn.

1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might:
thy justice, like mountains high soaring above;
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

3 To all, life thou givest, to both great and small.
In all life thou livest, the true life of all.
We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.

4 Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light.
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight.
All praise we would render; O help us to see
'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

This is a hymn I have been singing for many, many years. I love so much about this hymn. First, there are many attributes of God within the verses of this hymn. Did you find them? Make a list and concentrate on His greatness and all of who God is! This hymn talks about His glory, His greatness, and His majesty.

One of our leaders in BSF shared Friday morning that sometimes in her prayer time she approaches God calling Him "daddy" because sometimes she needs a daddy. At other times she calls Him "Father" and at other times "Yahweh." At different times during the day, we all have various needs and approach God differently. How do you approach God each day? Are you only treating God as a friend and someone that is just there to give you what you need? He certainly is our friend and He certainly does supply us with what we need but we must remember that He is Holy, and we need to approach Him with reverence. Here is a wonderful quote I found:

"First of all, my child, think magnificently of God. Magnify His providence; adore His power, pray to Him frequently and incessantly. Bear Him always in your mind. Teach your thoughts to reverence Him in every place for there is no place where He is not. Therefore, my child, fear and worship and love God; first and last, think magnificently of Him!" —Paternus, Advice to a Son

As you read this hymn again (above) and look at the scriptures below, I pray you will reflect on God's goodness, greatness, and majesty!

Job 37:21-24 "Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean. Out of the north He comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in His justice and great righteousness, He does not oppress. Therefore, people revere Him, for does He not have regard for all the wise in heart?"

Psalms 36:5-6 "Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals."

Psalms 104:1-5 "Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty. The Lord wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of His upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants. He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved."

Colossians 1:15-19 "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him."

1 Timothy 1:17 "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Revelation 21:23 "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp."

Below is the sheet music to this hymn, and click here to listen to this hymn.

For my 6x6 page today, I tucked the hymn into a pocket.  I then used part of the hymn on the front of the pocket outlining the words "Thy great name." I also used the Blue Fern Studios Fall Foliage and Broken Rings chipboard pieces. I chose Psalm 36:5-6 for my scripture but because it was so long, I could not fit it on my page. I have written it on the back of my page and included a tag with the scripture address on the front.

Papers: Basic Grey What's Up, Bazzill 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Fall Foliage (w/various embossing powders and mists), Broken Rings (misted w/Lindy's Stamp Gang t-bird turquoise) 
Embellishments: Petaloo Wild Blossoms paprika and aqua; Prima leaves; My Mind's Eye buttons; misc. burlap; misc. twine; sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 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. Have a blessed week ahead!

{HSCRC13} Hymn #18: My Hope is Built

Hymn Challenge #18: My Hope is Built
Words by: Edward Mote
b. January 21, 1797; d. November 13, 1874

Edward Mote was born in London. His parents managed a pub, and he himself was trained as a cabinet maker and worked in London for many years. After hearing the preaching of the Rev. John Hyatt, Mr. Mote eventually became a Baptist minister. His original version of this hymn consisted of six verses. In most hymnals today, you will only see four verses. Here is a letter Edward Mote wrote to the Gos­pel Her­ald (copied from cyberhymnal.org):

"One morn­ing it came into my mind as I went to la­bour, to write an hymn on the ‘Gra­cious Ex­per­i­ence of a Christ­ian.’ As I went up Hol­born I had the chor­us,

‘On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand.’

In the day I had four first vers­es com­plete, and wrote them off. On the Sab­bath fol­low­ing I met bro­ther King as I came out of Lisle Street Meet­ing…who in­formed me that his wife was ve­ry ill, and asked me to call and see her. I had an ear­ly tea, and called af­ter­wards. He said that it was his usu­al custom to sing a hymn, read a por­tion, and en­gage in pray­er, be­fore he went to meet­ing. He looked for his hymn-book but could find it no­where. I said, ‘I have some vers­es in my pock­et; if he liked, we would sing them.’ We did, and his wife en­joyed them so much, that af­ter ser­vice he asked me, as a fa­vour, to leave a co­py of them for his wife. I went home, and by the fire­side com­posed the last two vers­es, wrote the whole off, and took them to sis­ter King…As these vers­es so met the dy­ing wo­man’s case, my at­ten­tion to them was the more ar­rest­ed, and I had a thou­sand print­ed for dis­tr­ibu­tion. I sent one to the Spir­it­u­al Mag­a­zine, with­out my ini­tials, which ap­peared some time af­ter this. Bro­ther Rees, of Crown Street, So­ho, brought out an edi­tion of hymns [1836], and this hymn was in it. Da­vid Den­ham in­tro­duced it [1837] with Rees’ name, and others af­ter…Your in­sert­ing this brief out­line may in fu­ture shield me from the charge of stealth, and be a vin­di­ca­tion of truth­ful­ness in my con­nect­ion with the Church of God."

For the last 26 years of his life, he was pastor at Rehoboth Baptist Church, and he is actually buried there on the church grounds.

Let's begin by reading the words to this hymn:

1 My hope is built on nothing less 
than Jesus' blood and righteousness; 
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 
but wholly lean on Jesus' name. [Refrain]

2 When darkness seems to hide His face, 
I rest on His unchanging grace; 
in every high and stormy gale, 
my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

3 His oath, His covenant, His blood 
support me in the whelming flood; 
when all around my soul gives way, 
He then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]

4 When He shall come with trumpet sound, 
O may I then in Him be found, 
dressed in His righteousness alone, 
faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]

Refrain
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; 
all other ground is sinking sand; 
all other ground is sinking sand.

Who could have known four weeks ago when I picked this hymn for today that my family and I would be in the midst of a "stormy gale"? Of course, only God alone could have known. We have had many storms that I won't list here but one included our daughters losing their new college friend, classmate, and prayer partner in a tragic car accident on the freeway as she went home for Fall break. Ten miles before the accident site is a billboard that says "Jesus I trust you." This precious girl knew Jesus as her Rock, and she prayed that the entire tennis team would know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Her hope was built in Him! And as I sit back and look at all that is going on and feel like everything is crumbling, I need to remember that He alone is my Rock and supports "me in the whelming flood." I need to lean on Him, trust in Him, and know that without Him everything else is "sinking sand."

So, are you hurting or going through a "stormy gale" also? Turn to Christ. God offers us hope and answers in His Word. He can help you in all things and make your step secure.

Psalm 40:2 "He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure."

Psalm 61:2 "From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

He is our refuge. He protects us, shields us, and keeps us safe.

Psalm 94:22 "But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge."

Isaiah 6:1 "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of His robe filled the temple."

Notice in the Isaiah verse above how God is sitting. He was at rest. His is sovereign and in control and He doesn't get frazzled by the world. When you feel frazzled and feel like everything is out of control, know that our Sovereign Lord has it all under control. Ask Him what He wants you to learn. He never wastes anything. He loves us but He also loves us too much to leave us where we are. He wants us to be more like Jesus. How is He using your current situation to grow you into His image?

Isaiah 43:1a-2 "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

There will be adversity in our lives but it won't consume us when we are in Christ.

Matthew 7:25-26 "The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand."

1 Corinthians 3:11 "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ."

God is in control! When we know that and truly believe that in our hearts, then we cannot be shaken. And as you do that, others will want to know how you are able to stand and have the hope that you have.

1 Peter 3:15 "but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;"

Below is the sheet music to this hymn, and click here to listen to this hymn.

Rather than fear what you are going through, will you fully trust in Him and know that in Him your anchor will hold in any stormy gale?

For my 6x6 page today, I used Psalm 94:22 from above because God is my stronghold and holds me together each and everyday. Without Him, I know I could not make it. I also used the October sketch from C'est Magnifique and the Blue Fern Studios Broken Rings chipboard. These are such fun bits of chipboard to use, and you can cut them to any desired size!

Papers: 7 Dots Studio 9th Wave, Bazzill 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Broken Rings (inked with Prima chalk ink) 
Stamp Ink: Prima Fluid Chalk Ink turquoise stone 
Embellishments: 7 Dots Studio 9th Wave elements and alpha stickers; Petaloo Bristol white flowers; Prima Lil Missy flowers; Wild Orchid Crafts leaves; My Mind's Eye Chalk Studio decorative frame; washi tape; sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 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. Have a blessed week ahead!

{HSCRC13} Hymn #17: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

Hymn Challenge #17: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Words by: William H. Parker
b. March 4th, 1845; d. De­cem­ber 2, 1929

This hymn is not to be confused with the hymn titled "Tell Me the Story of Jesus" by Fanny J. Crosby. Today's hymn was written by William H. Parker. He was born in Not­ting­ham, Eng­land, and he also died there. He was the head of an insurance company and a member of the Chel­sea Street Bap­tist Church in Not­ting­ham. He wrote this hymn for his Sunday School students at his church.

Last week I was looking at Pinterest, and I kept seeing pins about church nurseries. I sat a moment and told the Lord how much I miss working in Children's Ministry. I was the Associate Director of Children's Ministry for many years. I thought "Lord, are you leading me back to what I love?" Then He reminded me of something our BSF teaching leader said during our first lecture. She told a story of her grandfather sharing his love for Jesus with her and that "She had faith before she could even read God's Word." Then as my daughter and I discussed lecture, I asked her what she liked best about what she had heard. She said "I loved her story about her grandfather sharing his faith and his friend Jesus with her because that was me too. I had faith before I could read." I cried right there. I find as my children have gotten older (yes, they are 19 now) that God is giving me glimpses of how they did hear and see what I was teaching them. It is such a huge blessing that I can't even begin to describe. Some of you know what I am talking about.

Have you ever just watched a child's face as they are being told a story? They are usually intense as they listen and take it all in. And if you have ever shared the stories of Jesus to a 3 year old—wow, it is just a blessing to watch them. I used to teach God's word to 3 year olds, and I loved every minute of it. It is so important that we teach God's word to the tiniest of children because they can understand long before they will be able to read. With that being said, we can begin teaching our children and grandchildren about Christ at any age! I had a lady ask me a couple of weeks ago if it was too late for her 15 year old daughter to come to BSF and hear God's word. Of course it's not too late. I didn't come to know Christ until I was 33—when my girls were 3 1/2 years old! It's never too late to share! We even talked about that in our last Hymn Challenge "I Love to Tell the Story."

Have you thought about what God will do with the seeds you drop when sharing with your children, your grandchildren, children in Sunday School, etc.? God sees the potential in those children entrusted to you. He created them. How are you cooperating in their faith journey? Is Jesus the focal point of your life, and how do those children know that? Are you doing everything possible to help those children grow in their faith? If not, will you begin doing that today? Sit back and watch what He can do!  Now, here are the verses to this hymn:

1. Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

2. First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the lovelight of Jesus' face.

3. Into the city I'd follow the children's band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing
loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"

We need to teach all about Jesus—His birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and how He has promised to take us with Him to heaven someday. Will you begin doing that with a child in your life today? Here are a few scriptures for you to reference:

Deuteronomy 6:7 "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Isaiah 40:30-31 "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Matthew 13:34 "Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; He did not say anything to them without using a parable."

Matthew 20:28 "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 8:31 "He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again."

Mark 10:13-16 "People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them."

Mark 11:8-10 "Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!' 'Hosanna in the highest heaven!'"

Acts 8:35 "Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus."

Below is the sheet music for today's hymn. And click here to listen to a version of this hymn.

For my 6x6 page today, I chose to use bright colors to help me think of sharing Jesus with children. The scripture I chose was Deuteronomy 6:7 from above. The green chipboard leaves are from the Blue Fern Studios set called Organic Vine. I misted the chipboard with water to curl and separate the leaves a little more. I then misted them with some mist from SEI which then made them look a bit like waving palm branches as Jesus entered Jerusalem.

Papers: Stampington Journal Jump; Simple Stories Sn@p! Life 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Organic Vine (SEI Tumble Die grass green mist) 
Embellishments: Project Life Just Add Color card; Two Peas in a Bucket wood veneer frame; Solitaire Jeweltone flowers; A Flair for Buttons flair; May Arts twine; hand-dyed Hug Snug; sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 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. Have a blessed week ahead!

{HSCRC13} Hymn #16, I Love to Tell the Story

Hymn Challenge #16: I Love to Tell the Story
Words by: Katherine Hankey (A. Catherine Hankey)
b. January 12, 1834; d. May 9, 1911

Refrain by: William Gustavus Fischer
b. Oc­to­ber 14, 1835; d. Au­gust 13, 1912

This hymn was taken from a very lengthy poem written by Katherine Hankey while recovering from a serious illness in 1866. The poem contained two sections each containing 50 verses. Two hymns were then written from each section of Katherine Hankey's poem. This hymn was taken from the second part of her poem called "The Story Told." Another hymn written from her lengthy poem was "Tell me the Old, Old Story." It was taken from the first section of the poem, "The Story Wanted," Her poem was about the story of Christ. This hymn talks not only about our redemption in Christ but how important it is to share His gospel story with others.

Arabella Katherine Hankey was born in England. She was inspired by John Wesley and taught Sunday School in London. She also did missionary work in Africa as a nurse helping her brother. When she became seriously ill in 1866, that is when she wrote the 100 verse poem in which the two hymns noted above were taken from. She did recover and lived until 1911 when she died at the age of 71.

Please note that I did see her name written two different ways in several hymnals. I saw Katherine with both a 'K' and a 'C'. I spelled it with a 'K' in this post since it was how it was noted on the hymn sheet I used for my page below.

As I was preparing our last hymn challenge for August 25th, this particular hymn was on the back of the sheet music for "He Leadeth Me." I sat for a minute, read the words to today's hymn, and then I began to sing. I realized that we have not studied this hymn yet, and we should study this one. Then God so beautifully confirmed this hymn as our study for the week on Friday morning at 5:15 a.m. I was at my BSF leader's meeting. We opened up singing this very hymn Friday morning! I sang the hymn with a huge smile on my face knowing I had just studied the history of this hymn the day before, and that God was so beautifully confirming our study this week. He almost makes me laugh sometimes at how clear He is with these hymn studies. I just love it.

So, do you LOVE to tell the story of Jesus? We need to speak to others about Jesus and His amazing love. Let's look at a few lines from the hymn (note: to see all of the words to this hymn, click here):

Verse 1
"I love to tell the story 
Of unseen things above, 
Of Jesus and His glory, 
Of Jesus and His love."

Who is Jesus and what has He done? How do you know He loves you? Jesus is God Incarnate meaning He Himself became man. He is the Son of God. He lived His life in perfect obedience to His Father. He was the perfect example for us. Jesus lived for us in order to die for us. He took our sin and put it on Himself and endured God's judgment on the cross for your sin and my sin. His death demonstrates just how much He loves you! He was then raised from the dead. He conquered sin and death, and He now sits at the right hand of God the Father.

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

John 1:29 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'"

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Acts 2:24 "But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him."

Colossians 1:19 "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him."

Hebrews 1:3 "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."

Verse 1 (cont.)
"I love to tell the story, 
Because I know its true; 
It satisfies my longings 
As nothing else would do."

So, do you know God's Word is true? Do you wholeheartedly believe the words and scriptures posted above? How about your family, friends, co-workers, or strangers God puts in your path? God's Word and God's truth satisfies us more than anything on this earth can. People are always searching for what makes them feel good. God has given each person a desire for Him. He has given them a longing for Him but they don't understand what that longing or desire is. Unfortunately some may turn to drugs, to an affair, to over spending, to gambling—the list goes on and on. But nothing will satisfy any of us except the love of Christ and living for Him.

Psalm 119:81 "My soul faints with longing for Your salvation, but I have put my hope in Your word."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

1 Peter 1:23 "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."

Verse 2
"I love to tell the story, 
It did so much for me; 
And that is just the reason 
I tell it now to thee."

What has God done for you? I am sure you can go on and on about what He has done. So, where and how are you sharing Jesus with others? God put me in the path of a beautiful woman a few weeks ago. It was the checkout clerk at Wal-Mart. She started asking about my daughter that was with me. Those questions led to a discussion about homeschooling which led me to invite her to BSF and to share God's love. She hugged me and said "God put you in my line for a reason today." Will you watch for those opportunities?

As we see God work in our lives, we see His power, His love, and His sovereignty. It also makes us want to share with others. Sometimes people may wonder how you have been able to get through a situation. They may ask you about it. This is the perfect time to share about Christ. Though the time may be perfect to share, believers are not perfect but we are in the Perfect One. Our life is covered in Christ's blood. How are you sharing that?

Psalm 66:16 "Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me."

Psalm 89:1 "I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations."

Verse 3
"I love to tell the story, 
For some have never heard 
The message of salvation 
From God's own Holy Word."

So, will you go out and share the message of salvation as God leads you? Will you invite someone to Bible study or your church? How about giving a Bible to someone that has been asking questions?  We are each responsible to hear and receive God's Word. Our response to His Word has consequences now and forever.

Jesus has redeemed you. How does that knowledge change your life? You represent God on earth. You are His ambassador. Will you now be motivated to lovingly share Him with others?

Below you will find the sheet music for today's hymn. And click here to listen to Alan Jackson sing this hymn.

For my 6x6 page today, I used this layout by Heather Jacob as inspiration. I also used products from the C'est Magnifique September Kit to create my page. The chipboard is called Leafy Page Accent from Blue Fern Studios. The scripture I chose was Psalm 66:16 noted above.

Papers: Kaisercraft True Romance Collection; Bazzill cs 

Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Leafy Page Accent (Tim Holt Distress Ink and clear rock candy crackle paint)
Stamp: Impression Obsession Fresh Paint
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink gathered twigs
Embellishments: Project Life Seafoam card; Kaisercraft True Romance Collectables; Prima Everyday Vintage flair button and Valentine Vine white flowers; leaves and pink roses from Wild Orchid Crafts; sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 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. Have a blessed week ahead!

{HSCRC13} Hymn #15, He Leadeth Me

Hymn Challenge #15: He Leadeth Me
Words by: Jo­seph H. Gil­more
b. April 29, 1834; d. Ju­ly 23, 1918

Music by: Wil­liam B. Brad­bu­ry
b. Oc­to­ber 6, 1816; d. Jan­u­ary 7, 1868

Joseph H. Gilmore was the son of New Hamp­shire Gov­er­nor Jo­seph A. Gil­more, and he was his father's assistant while he was governor. He had an arts degree from Brown University and a theology degree from New­ton The­o­lo­gic­al In­sti­tu­tion. In a weekday service, Joseph H. Gilmore was preaching on Psalm 23. As he began reading Psalm 23, he was struck by the words "He leadeth me." Mr. Gilmore goes on to say:

"It was the dark­est hour of the Ci­vil War. I did not re­fer to that fact—that is, I don’t think I did—but it may sub­con­sciou­sly have led me to real­ize that God’s lead­er­ship is the one sig­nif­i­cant fact in hu­man ex­per­i­ence, that it makes no dif­fer­ence how we are led, or whi­ther we are led, so long as we are sure God is lead­ing us. At the close of the meet­ing a few of us in the par­lor of my host, good Dea­con Watt­son, kept on talk­ing about the thought which I had em­pha­sized; and then and there, on a blank page of the brief from which I had in­tend­ed to speak, I pen­ciled the hymn, talk­ing and writ­ing at the same time, then hand­ed it to my wife and thought no more about it. She sent it to The Watch­man and Re­flect­or, a pa­per pub­lished in Bos­ton, where it was first print­ed. I did not know un­til 1865 that my hymn had been set to mu­sic by Will­iam B. Brad­bu­ry. I went to Ro­ches­ter, New York, to preach as a can­di­date be­fore the Se­cond Bap­tist Church. Go­ing in­to their cha­pel on ar­riv­al in the ci­ty, I picked up a hymn­al to see what they were sing­ing, and opened it at my own hymn, “He Lead­eth Me.”

Wow, isn't that amazing what God can do even with our scribbles on a scrap piece of paper!

Most of you know that we took two of our girls to college last weekend. As we drove home on Monday, we listened to a Focus on the Family broadcast. As we were listening, Sheri Rose Shepherd said "Don't put a period where God has put a comma."  That was a very powerful statement to me, and I even had my daughter write it down while I was driving—a scratch piece of paper I didn't want to lose!

Think about it—"Don't put a period where God has put a comma." Where have you given up or decided that something will not happen or work out or maybe you have decided "it just wasn't meant to be." Is that truly the case? Are you putting a period where God might have other plans? Are you taking charge of a situation instead of responding to His leading? Mr. Gilmore didn't think anything of the paper he gave to his wife yet God used her to see that His Sovereign plan was accomplished. Wow! God's plans cannot be thwarted!

Job 42:2 "I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted."

Let's look at the refrain of this hymn:

"He leadeth me, He leadeth me; 
By His own hand He leadeth me.
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me."

To see the rest of the hymn, please click here.

So, what is going on in your life today? Is it wearing you out or are you trusting God to lead you and help you through it? Faith should govern how we live our lives. Are you actively trusting Him with your life? He is all-powerful and can be trusted. He carries us, and He rescues us. Here are some scriptures that I hope encourage you today and allow you to let Him lead you through all things each and every day!

Exodus 15:13 "In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling."

Psalm 27:11 "Teach me Your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors."

Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you."

Psalm 48:14 "For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end."

Psalm 73:23-24 "Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory."

Psalm 94:18-19 "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."

Isaiah 48:17 "This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'"

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Below you will find the sheet music for today's hymn. And click here to here an amazing trio sing this song. I believe they are triplets. Yeah!

As you can probably tell from my late post today, I was behind in getting our study together for today. So, in an effort to create a quick page, I used the two cards I created earlier this week as inspiration for my 6x6 page today. It certainly helped me create my page very quickly. For this page, I used the Blue Fern Studios Bits of Honey chipboard and the Directions chipboard. The arrow reminds me to allow Him to lead; not me. I also used a Project Life card to type my scripture which is Isaiah 48:17b noted above. I also left the sheet music larger today. I wanted not only the title and author to show but also the first line of the refrain. Can you see it at the very bottom?

Papers: Paper Trey Ink kraft cs 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Bits of Honey and Directions (painted with gesso, Adirondack sunshine yellow dabber, and Lindy's Stamp Gang summer lovin' sun mist) 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz gathered twigs 
Embellishments: Prima Valentine Vine white; Sizzix Notebook embossing folder; 5th and Frolic PL card; A Flair for Buttons flair; misc. dew drops; misc. hand-dyed seam binding; sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 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. Have a blessed week ahead!