New {Layout} and RAK Winner!

For your Thursday today, I wanted to share a new 8 1/2 x 11 layout for Blue Fern Studios using the newest paper line called Déjà Vu. Click here if you missed the post introducing the new papers, stamps, and chipboard for this line. It is so beautiful, and I hope you can see that in today's layout.

Grateful

This 8 1/2 x 11 page is a photo of my daughter from this weekend. She is headed to a military ball, and this past weekend, her sister did her hair and makeup as a trial run. She also tried on her dress and jewelry. I won't get to see her when she goes to the ball so this was my only chance to get photos. She sure looks beautiful! I used the April Blue Fern Studios sketch for this page. I also used the new Blue Fern Studios Déjà Vu Luminaires and Petites Cartes paper along with the new Halftones stamp set. I used lots of Blue Fern Studios chipboard pieces: Trailing Scrolls, Collage Frame, and the title Grateful for You.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Déjà Vu Luminaires and Petites Cartes 

Stamps: Blue Fern Studios Halftones, Becky Higgins date stamp 
Stamp Ink: Jenni Bowlin stick candy, Tim Holtz dusty concord, Hero Arts India ink black 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Trailing Scrolls and Collage Frame (painted with Kuretake watercolors, Adirondack lemonade dabber, and Prima Colorbloom iris mist), Grateful for You (painted with Americana purple cow paint and Prima Colorbloom iris mist) 
Embellishments: Prima Corine flowers, Petaloo Dahlia and Botanica mini flowers, cheesecloth, enamel dots, sewing machine

RAK Winner

Sorry to post this a few days late. The winner of the Blue Fern Studios Ornate Crosses chipboard is Maureen Hayes. Please e-mail me your address, and I will get your chipboard in the mail to you!

"Blogger Maureen Hayes said... 
Patter, I truly love the Ornate Crosses chipboard the best, because finding any religious chipboard is very difficult and I like to include religious items in my art. Thank you for the chance to win some of Blue Fern's lovely pieces. I wish you and your family a very blessed Easter, 
Hugs, Maureen 
April 3, 2015 at 3:28 PM"

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a joyous Thursday!

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #12, Hello, My Name Is

Today I want to start off by asking you to read the words to today's song. Don't listen to the song yet, just read the words:

Hello, My Name Is by Matthew West

Hello, my name is regret
I'm pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I'm the whisper inside
That won't let you forget

Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I'll drag you right back down again
‘Til you've lost all belief

These are the voices, these are the lies
And I have believed them, for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I've been saved, I've been changed,
And I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King

I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new 
Has proven it's true 
Just take a look at my life 

What love the Father has lavished upon us 
That we should be called His children 
I am a child of the one true King

And click here to listen to this song.

So, do you ever feel defeated? Do you ever regret something that you have done? Do you let that drag you down? If we are honest with ourselves, we all feel that way at some time. As Christians, we cannot let those lies drag us down or cause our faith to falter. In the Old Testament, the Israelites had to give a guilt offering to atone for their guilt and shame.

Leviticus 5:15-16 "When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering. They must make restitution for what they have failed to do in regard to the holy things, pay an additional penalty of a fifth of its value and give it all to the priest. The priest will make atonement for them with the ram as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven."

Death is a consequence of sin. So, prior to Christ's death on the cross for our sin, the Old Testament sacrifices were still in place. However, as Christians, we must remember, that Jesus went to the cross to take away the shame, the defeat, and the guilt. We are alive in Him and not defined by our past. But we must confess our sins daily so that we can receive forgiveness. In Him as we confess, we are forgiven!

Leviticus 5:5 "When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned."

Romans 6:10-11 "The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

Leave sin and guilt at the cross where Christ left it. We are forgiven, and we are not to doubt or hang onto guilt! Jesus broke sins' power over you and over me. Because I have a relationship with Christ, I need to look at sin differently. I need to confess it. I need to change my way and become more like Him, and I need to leave it behind once I am forgiven. I can't live in guilt and shame as I did before knowing Him. I am a new person. For instance, once I got married, I got a new name. I began a different life with my husband. I also have a new name and life in Christ, and I need to live differently than I did before. Do I leave the shame, defeat, and guilt behind? Not always but I should! Does this mean I no longer sin? Absolutely not! I sin daily! If I continue to live a life dominated by sin, that is devastating to a believer and dishonoring to God. I am His ambassador so I need to change and live in obedience to Him. I am a constant work-in-progress! He is molding me. How about you?

Isaiah 64:8 "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand."

The fact that we are saved by grace does not give us the right to sin. It give us the freedom to obey! Jesus not only paid the penalty for sin but He broke it's power. So, leave the guilt, the shame, and defeat behind. You have heavenly characteristics! Which ones have you taken on? Which ones do you need to add?

Psalm 34:5 "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."

Romans 9:33 "As it is written: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.'"

Romans 10:11 "As Scripture says, 'Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.'"

Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

Let your life show that you are child of the one true King!!!!

For my 6x6 page today, I used Blue Fern Studios papers Blue Fern Garden papers and chipboard. See the supply list below the pictures for specific product names. And the scripture I chose was Hebrews 10:22. I just love that verse, and it goes so well with today's song.

Papers: Blue Fern Garden Picnic and In Bloom, Memory Box cs 
Stamps: Tim Holtz Ultimate Grunge 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Layering Stems (painted with gesso and 13arts Ayeeda matte raspberry paint), Blue Fern Bits (painted with gesso) 
Embellishments: Prima Lil Missy flower and crochet icon, Petaloo pistachio botanica minis, Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, Tim Holtz mini paper clip, misc. ticket, misc. washi, sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 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,

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #10, Worn

Today I want to start by asking you to listen to our song first before reading the study. Our song is "Worn" by Tenth Avenue North. Click here to listen. You can also read all of the lyrics by clicking here.

This week as we were driving up to the mountains, we saw a church sign that said:

"Low on faith? Come in for a fill up."

I thought that went so well with today's song. Most of us are so tired. We are so worn. We have jobs that seem to consume us and take us away from family. We have family members with health issues that seem to drain us. We have worries and concerns that come up daily. Life can seem so exhausting. So, I want to ask is your faith faltering? Do you feel worn? Is your heart heavy? How are you filling up on faith? Are you reading your Bible daily? Are you spending time in prayer? How about attending church? Maybe you have gotten out of the habit. Or maybe you haven't found a church home and you are tired of looking. Maybe you feel a little bit like David in Psalm 69.

Psalm 69:2-3 "I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God."

I love what what the Life Application Bible says about this passage. It says "David cried out until he was physically exhausted, with a parched throat and blurred vision. Yet he still trusted God to save him. When devastated by death or tragedy, we need not collapse or despair because we can turn to God and ask Him to save us and help us. The tears will still come but we will not be crying in vain."

So yes, we can all probably say we are worn out. And I am sure most of us could use a "faith fill-up." Let's look at part of today's lyrics:

"Cause I’m worn

My prayers are wearing thin

And I’m worn

Even before the day begins

I’m worn

I’ve lost my will to fight."

Are you worn? And as I asked above, how will you fill up your faith? First, we need to be reading His word daily and applying what we learn. Second, we need to worship with other believers. And third, we need to have a daily, active prayer life. I am not sure if I have ever shared this equation before but here it is:

Bible study + Prayer + Application/Ministry = Spiritual Fitness

If we are truly spiritually fit, we certainly wouldn't feel so worn! I am sure we can all use some improvement. And how about a prayer partner? Do you have one? Look at what Paul says in Romans:

Romans 15:30 " I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me."

Paul knows he can't do this on his own. He is asking for others to pray for him. No one can do it alone. We need to join in the struggle with our fellow Christians in praying for one another. Prayer is powerful. Our burdens seem 'less' as we lift them up to God and lift the burdens of others up to Him.

Colossians 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured."

Epaphras founded the Colossian church, and he showed his love and concern by standing firm and praying for others. And as Epaphras wrestled in prayer, it does not mean he was fighting God to get his will as he prayed. As Warren Wiersbe says "We should put as much fervor into our praying as a wrestler does into his wrestling." And did you notice that Epaphras was always wrestling in prayer? He just doesn't pray sometimes, he was always praying.

So if you are tired and weary, go to Him and tell Him. Ask Him to help you get to church this week for a 'faith fill-up'. Ask Him to help you find that church where He would have you worship if you do not belong to a church. Ask Him to show you someone that might join you as your prayer partner. And begin studying His word on your own. If you are having trouble doing that, you will want to grab this book for $0.99 on Kindle. It may also be available on other eReaders, I just did not check. Anyway, the book is called "Creating a SCRAPS Journal: Bible Study Made Easy" by Kim Trujillo. The very first few pages of the book explain the Bible study method. The additional pages are actual study pages completed by the author so you can see how she proceeds with the study. I really like this method for studying God's word on your own. I also love that the word SCRAPS is in the title. Yes, it is an acronym but it's also perfect for papercrafters to remember. :) And for those of you that do not have an eReader, the book is available in paperback but it costs a bit more.

For my 6x6 page today, I used the Romans 15:30 verse from above. I felt like it was a great reminder to me to ask others to pray for me when I am worn. I also used the the new Blue Fern Studios Ombre Dreams papers along with the beautiful Wild Flourish Bundle chipboard.

I cut the chipboard piece in half to use just a portion on my smaller page. I first covered it in gesso. While it was still wet, I spritzed it with Ayeeda pastel yellow mist. After that dried I inked it a bit with Archival viridian ink. The stamped tag is from Something Tattered.

Blue Fern Studios papers: Ombre Dreams Dream Cards 
Stamps: Something Tattered Swirls Stamp Set 
Stamp Ink: Archival viridian and sepia 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Wild Flourish Bundle (painted with gesso, 13arts Ayeeda pastel yellow mist, and Archival viridian ink) 
Embellishments: Petaloo large green daisy, ivory burlap blossom, and yellow botanica minis; My Mind's Eye Necessities wood alpha stickers; Maya Road Kraft Note Envelope; EK Success binding edge punch; 13arts Ayeeda paint matte lemon; misc. cheesecloth; sewing machine

I hope in the days ahead that you will fill up on faith so that you no longer feel so worn!

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 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 faith-filled week ahead!

{3} Cards to Share

Hello everyone! It's the end of the month, and it's time to share my Blue Fern Studios creations. Today I have three cards for you that all use the new Ombre Dreams papers from Blue Fern Studios. I hope you find some inspiration for this new, gorgeous paper line!

Love
On this card, I used the Tangier Page Panel. This is a 12x12 chipboard panel but I cut just a small piece to use on the card. The paper is called Ginger's Dream from the new Ombre Dreams paper line.

To color the chipboard, I used three different colors of gelatos to match the papers.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Ombre Dreams Ginger's Dream, Paper Trey Ink cs 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Tangier Page Panel (painted w/gesso and Gelato colors buttercream, lemon, and metalic mint) 
Embellishments: Prima resin angel and Color Bloom sunshine spray, Petaloo ivory faux dried mini, Kaisercraft Happy Snaps Collectables, Hug Snug hand-dyed seam binding, Project Life Just Add Color 2x2 card, CTMH pewter paperclip, misc. cheesecloth, sewing machine

Thank You
I don't work with purple very often but Joyce's Dream paper has such beautiful colors in it, that I couldn't wait to play with it. You can see the paper is mostly lavender with hints of torquoise and green. Truly beautiful! I also used the chipboard piece called Lace Rounds. This particular piece fits perfectly on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card!

To color this piece of chipboard, I just painted it with gesso and pearlescent liquid acrylic.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Ombre Dreams Joyce's Dream, Memory Box cs 
Stamp: Anna Griffin Chalkboard Sentiment Stamp 
Stamp Ink: Archival jet black 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Lace Rounds (painted w/gesso and FW Pearlescent sun-up blue)
Embellishments: Prima Corine flowers and Color Bloom lime wedge, vintage coal, and iris sprays; Petaloo purple botanica minis; Divine Twine; Hug Snug hand-dyed seam binding; sewing machine

Just Because
For this card, I used Charlotte's Dream paper. I also added a bit of modeling paste and mist though I hated to cover up the beautiful paper! I also used the Bits of Honey chipboard and just covered it in gesso. I wanted to leave it white because of the colors scheme I chose.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Ombre Dreams Charlotte's Dream, Memory Box cs 
Stamp: Anna Griffin Chalkboard Sentiment Stamp 
Stamp Ink: Archival jet black 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Bits of Honey (painted w/gesso) 
Embellishments: Manor House Creations flower, Zva Creative flower, Prima cradle robin and Color Bloom cobalt spray, Hug Snug hand-dyed seam binding, bakers twine, sewing machine

Thanks for stopping by today, and remember you still have time to join us in the May Sketch Challenge. Click here to see the details and join in! Blessings,

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #9, Broken Hallelujah

First, I want to thank you all for your prayers for me as I have experienced this unknown health issue. Your prayers truly mean the world to me, and I thank you all!

For today's lesson, I have a bit of a story for you. And I hope this isn't all over the place and that you can connect it all. LOL! So, let's get started. As we were on vacation last week, I went on my first bike ride on the beach the morning after we arrived. I love to be on the beach no later than 7 a.m., and I just ride. Sometimes I am alone, sometimes I am with the family or just a couple of the kids. We ride until at some point we stop to pray then turn around to head back to the house. Well, as I began this very first ride, God put a desire on my heart. I wanted to find a large conch shell. I have never collected shells or wanted one but all of a sudden there was this desire. And not 2 minutes later, I found a large one. In fact, it's the largest I have ever seen in the 25 years we have been going to this beach. I was SO excited and ready to keep it until I turned it over. Yes, you guessed it, there was a snail inside. He was very far from the water, and it was low tide. God never intended for me to keep this shell. He wanted me to return it to the ocean. So, I picked up this beautiful guy and returned him to the water.

For the rest of the week, I still had the desire for a conch shell. Every one we found was small and filled with a snail. So, on Thursday, I asked God if I could please find an empty shell and that He make it obvious to me that it was empty so that I could keep it. Well, you guessed it, I came across one. Not nearly as large but it was upside down, broken on the side, and very obviously empty. I picked it up, put it in my basket, and began to cry. I said "Lord, this is what You wanted me to see. This is just like me. I am broken without You." I voiced that out loud and one of my girls said "I wondered when you were going to put two and two together." Smart girl. LOL! Anyway, sometimes I don't know what to pray; He does! Sometimes I feel so broken as I go through a trial but once through it, I can usually see His amazing, wonderful purpose. When I don't rely on Him, I can be very rude and mean. I am broken!

And as I thought about the broken shell and my brokenness, He then put today's song on my heart—"Broken Hallelujah" by The Afters. I began to sing it out loud, and I cried my eyes out. Thankfully the beach is always empty this time of day because I was a mess singing this out loud, riding my bike, and crying. I was a sight! But honestly, He is where I need to turn at all times—when I don't know what to pray, when I don't understand a situation, when I try to rely on self and fail so miserably, etc. I need to always turn to Him! He is there waiting. Why don't I do it?

Before you read any further, I encourage you to click here and listen to the Official Lyric Video of "Broken Hallelujah." And now that you have done that, let's look at the lyrics up close with a few scriptures. The lyrics are in quotes below.

"I can barely stand right now

Everything is crashing down

And I wonder where You are

I try to find the words to pray

I don't always know what to say

But You're the one who can hear my hear"

Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

Hebrews 7:24-26 "But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens."

God gave me Romans 8:26-27 on Monday, May 12th. I was told that the soonest I could get in to see the specialist about my health issue was mid-June. I cried because I knew I could not wait that long. God knew it too because within two hours, the phone rang. It was the specialist's office asking if I was available on May 14th (just two days later) to come in and be seen by the doctor! I did nothing! It was ALL God. He knew I needed to be seen before June. He intervened. Even my family doctor asked how I managed to get in within two days. I told her it had nothing to do with me but it was all God that miraculously made it happen!

"Even though I don't know what Your plan is

I know You make beauty from these ashes"

Jeremiah 29:11-12 "'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. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.'"

"I've seen joy and I've seen pain

And on my knees I call Your name

Here's my broken Hallelujah

With nothing left to hold onto

I raise these empty hands to You

Here's my broken

Here's my broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You know the things that have brought me here

You know the story of every tear

'Cause You've been here from the very start

Even though I don't know what Your plan is

I know You make beauty from these ashes"

Job 16:19-21 "Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man He pleads with God as one pleads for a friend."

Revelation 19:6b "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns."

When you are hurting, when you don't know where to turn, will you turn to Him and joyfully give Him praise trusting that He knows what you are going through and that He will use it for His good?

For my 6x6 page today, I used the Job 16:19-21 verses. I just loved how it really went with this song and what has been going on in my life. I also used the new amazing Blue Fern Studios papers called Ombre Dreams along with the Blue Fern chipboard piece called Jeweled Trinkets.

Blue Fern Studios papers: Ombre Dreams Shannon's Dream and Dream Cards 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink gathered twigs 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Jeweled Trinkets (painted with gesso, Luminarte pink grapefruit, and Shimmerz Paint caribeean sunset) 
Embellishments: Prima Soubrette B and pink/orange, Petaloo pistachio burlap blossoms and ivory faux dried minis, My Mind's Eye alpha stickers, Kaisercraft hot pink pearls, Wild Orchid Crafts leaves, misc. cheesecloth, sewing machine
Sketch: Flying Unicorn Mojo Monday Sketch 5.19.14

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 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 wonderful week ahead!

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #8, Lift My Life Up

Having children grow up and go off to college is hard! Those of you that have been through it know what I mean. We are an extremely close family, have had family time every single night together for many years, and letting go is so hard for me! I keep reminding myself that God did not call me to hold onto my children. He called me to let them go because He has plans for them. They are to leave us.

Matthew 19:4-6 "Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

A couple of weeks ago daughter #2 was chosen as lead guitarist for a band that will travel to five different states this summer. They will be gone for seven weeks and serve as camp counselors as well as ministering to the children there through music. I am having a terrible time with this. I was looking forward to having her home with her sisters and with us for the entire summer. Those were my plans. I have been so excited and anxiously awaiting our time together this summer, then this. I have cried. I have struggled but then when I asked her if she felt that this is what the Lord wanted her to do and she responded with "yes," then I had to let go and let Him lead her. Does it still hurt? Oh my, yes! But then when I think of the lives God may touch through her, I get excited. This is not about me; it's about Him. 

Ephesians 1:11 "In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will."

His purpose is to bring salvation to the world through His Son Jesus Christ. He is using her for that purpose. What a privilege! Why would I want my selfishness to get in the way? And didn't we raise our girls to live for the Lord? Yes! So, why is it so hard for me when she is only doing as He has called and as we have trained her?

Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

Luke 18:28-30 "Peter said to Him, 'We have left all we had to follow you!' 'Truly I tell you,' Jesus said to them, 'no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.'"

So, how does today's song apply to the above? Our song today is "Lift My Life Up" by Unspoken. Let's look at a few of the lyrics:

Verse 1
You brought me this far 
So why would I question You now 
You have provided 
So why would I start to doubt 
I've never been stranded, abandoned 
Or left here to fight alone 
So I'm giving You control

As I read those lyrics, I know He has brought us this far in raising our children, and He won't abandon us or them now. He has a plan and a purpose for them and for us. It's a new chapter.

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

Proverbs 20:24 "A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?"

I may be sad about our daughter being gone so long but I am sure in the future as we look back on this, we will be able to see the amazing things that God is doing in her life. I need to turn complete control over to Him and trust that He has amazing plans for each of our girls. 

So, where do you need to turn over control to Him? Is it with your children, finding employment, a relationship, dealing with aging parents, etc.? These words can apply to so many of our day-to-day situations. He knows all and controls all things! Will you trust and surrender to His will today?

Job 37:14-16 "Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes His lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of Him who has perfect knowledge?"

To listen to this song and see all of the lyrics, click here. Let the words sink in and think about where He may be calling you to let go and trust Him.

For my 6x6 page, I used Pion papers from the May C'est Magnifique kit. I also used the Blue Fern Studios Mini Ring Things chipboard that I left raw. I felt the raw chipboard went great with the colors in the papers. The scripture I chose was Proverbs 19:21 because it really spoke to me. If it were up to me, I would want my girls home but my plans are not His plans. I trust and know His plans are always better than my own!

Papers: Pion Design Till Mor and a Day in May, Bazzill cs
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Mini Ring Things
Embellishments: May Arts twine; Heidi Swapp stickers; Petaloo pistachio and natural Burlap Blossoms; Prima First Dance Something Blue flowers; FW Pearlescent waterfall green paint; joint tape; misc. lace; misc. bag; misc. ticket

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 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 joyful week ahead!

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #7, How Deep the Father's Love for Us

Today I am bringing you a modern hymn. It is called "How Deep the Father's Love for Us," and I had never heard this hymn until September of last year. It was published in 1995 and is in about eight different hymnals at this time. It was written by Stuart Townend, and he was brought up in West Yorkshire, England. To listen to Selah sing this hymn, click here. It is at a slower tempo than I am used to singing it but it is still so very beautiful. The words are below the video but you may have to click "show more" to see them. And click here to listen to Stuart Townend explain the story behind this hymn. You can also read more about him on his website by clicking here. I am sure you will know some of the other songs he has written also!

So, what do the words of this hymn have for us? Let's look at each verse.

Verse 1
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

As a Holy and loving God, we cannot approach Him because of our sin. He created us, He owns us, and He bought us back because of His deep love for us! Out of that deep love for us, He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. He paid the price for you and for me. And because He paid that price, we should live as His possession. Are you living as a purchased possession of Christ?

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Romans 10:9-10 "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Verse 2
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

When He became sin for us, He became wretched and detestable, and the Father could not look at Him because God cannot look at sin. Sin cannot co-habitate with Him. He Himself endured the wrath and separation from His Father for us!

Psalm 22:1 (prophecy) "My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me? Why are you so far from saving Me, so far from my cries of anguish?"

Matthew 27:45-46 (prophecy fulfilled) "From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')."

2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Verse 3
Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed to hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

Because it was the time of Passover, there were thousands of visitors to the city. He endured their mocking and torment for you and for me. He was patient and marked with self control. He knew what was going on and was fully in control obeying His Father's will.

Psalm 22:6-8 (prophecy) "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see Me mock Me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 'He trusts in the Lord,' they say, 'let the Lord rescue Him. Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him."

Matthew 27:39-41 (prophecy fulfilled) "Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!' In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked Him."

Verse 4
It was my sin that kept Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

Psalm 22:15 (prophecy) "My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue sticks to the roof of My mouth; You lay me in the dust of death."

John 19:28-30 (prophecy fulfilled) "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."

Verse 5
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

His work rescues us. He died to purchase us back! Do people recognize that in your life? How are you boasting about Him?

Romans 5:11 "Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

Galatians 6:14 "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Verse 6
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart 
His wounds have paid my ransom.

He bore your sin on the cross. Have you accepted His gift of salvation? If you have, who can you share with this Holy Week and as we celebrate Easter on Sunday? Who do know that has not accepted His gift? If you have not, will you accept His gift today?

1 Peter 2:24 "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 'by His wounds you have been healed.'"

For my 6x6 page today, I used the 1 Peter 2:24 verse above. It was perfect for this hymn. I wanted to use the color purple because in this season of Lent, it can symbolize pain, suffering, and therefore mourning and penitence. The torn paper with the title of this hymn symbolizes His torn body for our salvation. I also used sketch #110 from Sketchabilities. And the chipboard I used is the Blue Fern Studios Mini Ring Things.

Papers: Riddersholm Design Fall Flee Market, Bazzill cs 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink seedless preserves 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Mini Ring Things (painted with Shimmerz Dazzelerz spun sugar)
Embellishments: Petaloo Botanica Blooms lav/purple and ivory faux dried minis, Tim Holtz splatters template with Art Anthology mardi gras paint, Pink Paislee photo tab, Hobby Lobby doily, misc. wood veneers, sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 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. May your Easter be one of praise and worship for the King who gave His life for you!!! Blessings,

{3} New Creations to Share

Today I have three different projects for you—a card, an altered binder, and a layout. All three creations use the new Blue Fern Garden papers. I hope you have had a chance to try them. They are truly wonderful! Now let's look at my creations.

The Card
For my card today, I used the Blue Fern Garden Signature paper. I wanted to create a card that left the paper 'as is' but made it come alive if that makes sense. I did use some of the Blue Fern Garden Timeless paper too for the die cut leaves on the card.

I also used the Little Bird Set chipboard and hid the bird among the flowers. To color him, I added some distress ink, a little Sharpie for the beak, and a pearl for the eye.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Signature and Timeless, Memory Box notecard, Paper Trey ink white cs 

Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Little Bird Set (inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink and a Sharpie for the beak) 

Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink brushed corduroy 

Embellishments: Poppystamps Lorelai Leaf die, Stampin' Up Fancy Fan embossing folder, Kaisercraft chocolate pearl, Wild Orchid Crafts flowers and leaves, Petaloo Botanica pistachio minis, Prima Corine flower, sewing machine

The Binder
I needed a new recipe binder so I thought I would alter this 3-ring binder and turn it into my new recipe binder. I used the Blue Fern Garden Parlour and Calling Cards papers along with the Beaded Strings chipboard.

To color the chipboard, I put on a layer of gesso followed by some Shimmerz Texturez. Once that was dry, I randomly painted on some Luminarte Twinkling H2Os to match the papers.

Papers: Blue Fern Garden Parlour and Calling Cards 

Binder: Simple Stories 6x8 Sn@p! binder 

Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Beaded Strings (painted Shimmerz Texturez gold mine, Shimmerz Coloringz Mama Sings the Blues, Luminarte Twinkling H2O tahitian blue) 

Embellishments: Petaloo Botanica fuchsia minis, Faux Dried ivory minis (painted blue), and Burlap natural blossoms; Prima black crystals; Basic Grey canvas tag; American Crafts Thickers; misc. black lace; sewing machine

Sweet
And finally, here is my 8 1/2 x 11 layout. I used the March Blue Fern Studios sketch challenge for my page. There is still time for you to play along, so I hope you will join in the fun. Click here for the details.

I used three of the new Blue Fern Garden papers—In Bloom, Boudoir, and Calling Cards. I also used three different pieces of chipboard—Shabby Brick Bits, Blue Fern Bits (hearts), and the title is from the Valentine Word Set.

To color the Shabby Brick chipboard, I randomly painted on some gesso. I wanted to leave some of it raw since I was coloring the other chipboard on the page. For the Blue Fern Bits (the hearts), I used some embossing powder and various paints to get a glossy and bumpy look. I painted the title from the Valentine Word set with acrylic paint.

Papers: Blue Fern Garden Boudoir, In Bloom, and Calling Cards 

Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Shabby Brick Bits (painted with gesso), Valentine Word Set (painted w/FW Pearlescent acrylic platinum pink), Blue Fern Bits (embossed with Lindy's Stamp Gang ep hibiscus rose orange and painted w/FW Pearlescent acrylic platinum pink) 

Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap 

Embellishments: Tim Holtz mini paper clip, misc. month ticket, mini paper bag, Prima songbird vine pink flowers, sewing machine

Thanks for stopping by, and remember to join us in the March sketch challenge! Blessings,

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #6, Until the Whole World Hears

How often have you shared the gospel? Can you correctly state what the gospel message actually is? Are you uncomfortable sharing? Well, today we are going to first listen to this amazing song by Casting Crowns—"Until the Whole World Hears." Click here to watch their official video. Then we will look at some of the lyrics followed by our lesson for today.

The first time I saw this video, I fell in love with it! I love that it starts with them on a rooftop overlooking a city that you know is full of people. I then love how people are drawn to them on the roof and finally how they show people from all around the world singing with them. I think the entire video is so very powerful! Now here are a few of the lyrics along with the chorus:

"Lord, I want to feel your heart
And see the world through your eyes
I want to be your hands and feet
I want to live a life that leads

Ready yourselves, ready yourselves
Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night
Ready yourselves, ready yourselves
May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise

Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out
Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound
Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out
And as the day draws near
We'll sing until the whole world hears."

So, what exactly is the gospel message? Click here to see a great video. Now are you going to have that video available to you when you are out shopping or at soccer practice or wherever you may be? No. But as a Christian, you are filled with the Holy Spirit. He will give you the words and enable you to share as He leads. Maybe people are drawn to you. Have you ever thought that the Holy Spirit brought them into your path for a reason? Do they want to know your story? Do you want to live the life He leads? Do you want people to see more of Him and less of you?

How is God using you? He uses ordinary people to share the extraordinary good news of His salvation. Who do you know that needs to hear the good new of salvation? Sometimes the people we think that don't want to hear are usually the ones to respond the quickest. Look for the good in people not the bad. That might be the very thing that can lead us to share Him with others. And remember, sometimes it's best to say nothing and just trust Jesus. Sometimes truth needs to be left alone. If we hammer the truth into someone, it could hinder their growth. That's the His job.

Look around today and each day. Who is He bringing in your path? How can you share and glorify Him? Be faithful to what He shows you at the time. Sharing Jesus with others is the true food that brings joy and satisfaction. Your testimony does not save anyone but it is a tool that gets their attention and gets people interested. Your faith has a great impact on those around you. Will you share as He leads so that the whole world hears?

Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Mark 16:15 "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"

1 John 4:10 "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

And lastly, as I was studying for today's post, I found this awesome article from Ron Hutchcraft Ministries called "Someone Else Shuts the Door." If you have time, I highly encourage you to read this article by just clicking here! You also have the option of listening to this from his radio address; it's short only 4 minutes and 28 seconds. It may be life changing. 

For my 6x6 page today, I used another sketch from Flying Unicorn. I also used several embellishments that I found in my great clean out when putting together my new Embellishment Center. I used an old mini paper bag, wood buttons, and some old canvas tags. I chose the Mark 16:15 verse noted above as it certainly says exactly what this song is saying. And lastly, I used the Brigitte Butterfly Set from Blue Fern Studios. I painted it with Shimmerz Texturez gold mine then added a bit of Glimmer Mist sugar cookie while the paint was still wet.

Papers: Carta Bella Sew Lovely 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Brigitte Butterfly Set (painted with Shimmerz Texturez gold mine and Glimmer Mist sugar cookie) 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink gathered twigs 
Embellishments: May Arts twine; Basic Grey canvas tags; Petaloo Botanica pistacio minis, Baux ivory dried minis, and Burlap pistachio blossoms; misc. brown paper bag; Prima wood buttons; sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 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 you as you share Him as the Holy Spirit leads!