My Soul Thirsts for You

Hey Everyone!

Happy last day of May! I know by now you have seen a few of our new June release sets, so I thought I would share one of our May release sets before we jump into June! I was very excited when we got this set Refresh My Soul. There are so many applications where you can use the different pieces of this large set! For this page, I actually journaled the same verse that I used on my very first blog post as a member of the Creative Worship Team! Here is the page I created using the Refresh My Soul set. 

Psalm 63:1

"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you,

my soul thirsts for you; 

my flesh faints for you, 

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

I used a lot of watercolor for this page and then added detail with colored pencil and pen on top. One new medium I tried was Texture Paste! I thought it would be fun to add some texture to the page in the sand below the cacti. My texture paste was white so I added some tan acrylic paint to tint the texture paste a bit, mixed it well, and scraped it across the bottom of the page! Pretty easy!

And just for a little #ThrowbackThursday fun, here is the page I did back in February for the same exact verse using our In The Morning stamp. It's so cool to see how the same verse can speak to you so differently at different times! 

I hope you guys enjoyed our a-MAY-zing May releases this month! Get ready for some more awesome new stamp sets in June!!

xoxo,

Stephanie Gammon

Refresh My Soul

Itty Bitty Blossoms

In The Morning 

Freedom in Jesus

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

Hi Friends!
Yesterday, we celebrated Memorial Day, remembering all those who have given their lives so that we can live freely in this country. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." I am grateful for all those who have given their lives, as well as for all those who have served and who are serving in the military.

Someone else also gave His life so that we could be free: Jesus. John 8:36 tells us, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Thank You, Jesus!! So how should we use that freedom? Galatians 5:13 tells us the answer: to lovingly serve others. We can serve others in lots of ways- big and small! Volunteer. Send a kind note to encourage someone. Mow the lawn for a neighbor. Send a care package to soldiers, college students or someone who is struggling. Drive an elderly friend to the store or for an outing. It doesn't have to be complicated. It just has to be other focused.

Let's use our freedom to glorify God!

For the page, I used a brand new June release Sweet n Sassy Stamps set called Free Indeed. And guess what? It's up on the website now! I also used another favorite set called Love Your Neighbor. I used the "free" stamp and added "dom" in my own writing. And I made a flag from the stars and stripes from the set. Have fun using this new set!

Have a good week! Andrea

Needing More and More of Jesus

Delight yourself in the Lord

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

What is the highest desire of your heart?  Sometimes our best desires get covered over with our busy, hectic lives and we neglect our greatest need.  As women, we spend so much time nurturing others that we often forget that we need nurturing too.  We've all longed for a day at the spa...where we are totally pampered.  I remember years ago, spending way too much money (I thought) on a massage...and the relaxation lasted until I drove in the traffic again on my way home.  So much of what we do to delight ourselves simply doesn't last.  Life hits full force and we are drained all too soon. 

There is a delight that lasts.  Our delight in the Lord never ceases because who he is never changes, never wanes, never disappears.  As we come into his presence for the refreshment he renews our minds, bodies and spirits and that energy lasts.  Even we life drains us, we find within us a reserve that is supernatural.  He comes from the resurrection power that resides inside our spirit.  

I have a great need of Jesus.  My life, my joy depend on him.  I love that God even puts that desire for him within us. "For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13)  Isn't that incredible.  I have to confess that I have remarked to my husband at times, "I love you forever, but I'm not liking you very much right now."  Am I the only one?  Feelings are fickle.  But the desire that we have for God come from him...so it will always be in our hearts.  Circumstances may fuel our desire to be in the Lord's presence but that desire will always be there because God has deposited it...and what God does in and through us cannot be altered.  

What's even more amazing is that God delights over us!  I loved the thought in the 100 Days of Bible Promises journal by Illustrated Faith underlined on this page. "As you give Him your heart, He sings back to yours."  Oh, believer....let that beautiful picture soak into your spirit.  The God of the universe delights to sing over you.   I think that is why I need him so much.  I need his unconditional love, his strength...I need his forgiveness, mercy, grace and compassion.  He is everything I need, he is all I need to live.  

All I need is Jesus...because he is the only one who can truly satisfy this heart of mine.  He crafted my heart and he knows exactly what I need, what delights me.  I'm so very grateful that he designed me to want more and more of him!

Design Details:

This was an incredibly simple page to create.  I used the Girl Power printable as a sticker for the girl image.  The rest is stamped...flowers and words.  All the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets are listed below.  I used acrylic paint and dipped the end of a pencil eraser in the paint to make the painted confetti.  

Bitty Blossoms

Bitty Minnie Alpha

 Skinny Minnie Alpha

 Cold Coffee Alpha

Painted Praises...

Hi friends,

I love music, especially singing, and while it's great to sing along to whatever my favourite songs may be, there is something about singing praise and worship to the Lord that is so much more than just singing songs. When we praise God we are doing what we were created to do. Even in the midst of tough times, we can still choose to magnify God for who He is and what He has done.

Psalm 13 shows David crying out to God in a place where he felt sorrow overwhelm him and enemies triumphing over him. He asks God 'how long?' several times in the first verse alone, crying out for relief and justice. Then in verse 5 and 6 David writes:

'But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD'S praise, for he has been good to me.'

I love how even in the midst of this dark time in his life, David says 'But...' What an incredible example of how we can praise the Lord no matter what circumstances we may be facing. Our praise is not about how we feel or what we see around us, it is about God's goodness to us (and there is SO much goodness to meditate upon). And the wonderful thing about singing God's praise is that it results in us being lifted up and given perspective on our troubles. When we see and praise and goodness and power of God, we can't help but be encouraged and reminded that God will always be faithful toward us, and our deliverance will come - in His time.

I created the background on this page using a Gel Press and distress paints (so much fun!) as well as Texture Tiles 1. I used Let's Do This for the word Praise as well as the little leaf and arrow details, and completed the verse using Bitty Minnie Alpha and Classy Script Alpha. The big leaves are from Fantastic Flowers, and were coloured using distress paints.

Here are stamp sets I used:

 

 

 

Can I encourage you to choose, like David, to sing the Lord's praise no matter the circumstances you may be facing? God so is worthy of our praise.

x Amy x

I Am an Heir

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,
provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:16-17

Hey guys!
I'm hopeful about today.  I have been reminded about the absolute and unfathomable graces of the Lord.  When John talks about it, he says something like "grace upon grace."  That's exactly what God does in the life of one He's called into His family!
When journaling this passage of scripture, I didn't quite know how to express the words or heart of appreciation for my God!  Have you ever had that happen?
God knows how much it truly means to us, because He's positioned Himself as the King of our hearts and Lord of our lives - inside!  Therein lies the Holy Spirit that testifies with our spirit - they literally come together in one accord and unit - that we are children.  BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE!

Distress inks used to create subtle and colorful backdrop.

 The scriptures here go on to tell - albeit, rather generally - that once we are children, we are heirs.  Generality in the Bible happens when the human mind and heart cannot completely imagine, describe, or understand the totality of God, His person, His blessings, His character - you name it!  We just can't quite wrap our minds around it!

The good news - the "gospel" - is such that we cannot fully fathom the what's and why's of our salvation in Jesus Christ. 
So, Paul is doing his absolute best, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to help us know what the Lord has revealed to him; and he uses terminology that we "get," at least to some degree!
Here's what we know:
1.  Being heirs with Christ starts when the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit.  In other words, when we have come to the understanding of who Jesus is and accepted Him as such, we are saved by the power of the Holy Spirit and God sees us as a joint-heir with Christ.

Adding "Itty Bitty Blossoms" to
provide a border at the bottom
of the page.

Almost done!

2.  Being a child of God, therefore miraculously entitles us to the inheritence of Jesus Christ!  Jesus is the firstborn of God, the first fruits of the resurrection and the first to receive all that the Father has to give.  But as joint heirs, we are given what Jesus is given - a position as one who will some day be given life in the eternal home with God.  Our destination is secured with God, in Jesus!
3.  Being a joint-heir also positions us as people who suffer with Christ.  The passage clearly points out that though we have eternal glory awaiting us, we do have to remain in the world for a time.  And while in the world, we have hope; the hope of Jesus! The hope of being glorified once our time here is done!

I added white acrylic paint to the bible mat, then
used the brayer to spread it out evenly.

With a thin coat of paint on the mat, the "girl power"
stamp was able to grab a good amount without
getting sloppy.

The acrylic paint gave me a white-stamped
impression on the page.  I did this with several other
"girl power" images.

My heart is overwhelmed by the graciousness and generosity of the Lord.  How can I possibly fathom the inheritance awaiting me in Jesus, when I cannot even fully grasp His riches here on earth?  The Holy Spirit is my connection to Jesus; Jesus is my connection to eternal promise!  Praise Him, I am a child of God!

I usually enjoy the used of a sharpie paint pen to
add small embellishments like crosses across
the page!

I used paper prints to make the clothes of the main "girl power" image
you see here.  I pieced her together and added color to her
face and hair using a simple marker.

If you are a child of God, you are joint-heirs with Christ!  Hopeful, I pray you found this encouraging!
Much Love,
Deeds

Stamps used in this process are:
Girl Power
Itty Bitty Blossoms
& Bitty Minnie Alpha

Looking back and Refreshing My Soul

"Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!"
Psalms 66:16‭-‬20 ESV

I have to be honest, sometimes when I'm in that low place... I like it. Crazy huh? But it's really not. I like it because at those times God is so close to me and I feel so close to Him. I'm dependent on Him. It's a place where the only thing I want is His comfort and wisdom. Where my heart is restored. And sometimes it's a little sad when life gets better and i feel the distance between us... er, oh, maybe it's the many distractions that I drift a little. 

But how quickly we forget of his faithfulness. Or what He has done for us in those seasons. But looking back is so good for us. It confirms who He is and that He will get you through it. That you will see the other side! That He listens to us. 

We also need to remember to tell our stories to others. To share of his goodness. Go for it... what has God been doing in your life?

ART TALK

For this page I used distress oxide inks. I smeared the ink pad on my craft mat, then used a wet paint brush to pick up the color. Stamped with the Refresh My Soul set for the cactus and words. Used the crosshatch stamp set for texture. This was from the Texture Tiles 1 set. Added a bow and finished. Happy shopping!

Colleen

Refresh

Do you ever just get weary? You know, the “my body is just worn out and my mind is cluttered kind of weary?” I don’t know about you, but this girl does.

When I read this passage last week, it brought such a sense of “ahhhhh” to my heart. God himself brings abundant rain that refreshes the weary land. Just reading His word brings such a peace.  Knowing that He provides brings such joy when I get weary.  

David couldn’t help but be filled with joy and had to write about it and sing God’s praises....and so did I!!

“But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy. Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord — rejoice in his presence!

O God, when you led your people out from Egypt, when you marched through the dry wasteland,
Interlude

the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain before you, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land.

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭68:3-4, 7-9, 19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Art behind the story:

The Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps Refresh My Soul Set was perfect for this passage. I stamped the cacti and the plants, then drew the sand lines and the small cactus on the lower right. The sentiments are stamped used the word “refresh” from the Refresh My Soul set and the Bitty Minnie Alphas. The tiny word “joy” on the tab is from the Choose Faith stamp set. After I water colored the images and the background, I came back and added some sand using the Texture Tiles 1 stamps.

Thanks for joining me today. Pray you find refreshing by pondering His Word today.

Hugs,

Gayle
IG: patioponderings

Uniquely Designed

"But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8

Hello lovlies! I am sure by now you are all aware of the latest stamp set Girl Power. I can't tell you how excited I was to see this set when it released. This set gives me the creativity to play dress up and make beautiful girls that represent myself and my friends.

I pulled out all my alpha stickers to create a fun funky jumbled alpha for the word 'uniquely' and for the word 'designed' I used the Teeny Alpha stamp set that released last month. Next I stamped my three girls. I played with the different necklines and even added a floral accent to the top knot girl. I used my watercolors to create beautifully unique girls. I added a short prayer, some washi, enamel hearts, wordfetti and tab to finish off the page.

I have always loved the imagery of this verse! In my simplistic mind I see my creator God throwing a blob of clay on a messy pottery wheel. Gently He places his hands and begins to mold and form. I was designed, created and formed to be unique piece of God's creation. Why do I gaze in the mirror wishing my uniqueness away? We are created with unique talents, forms, dreams, and desires, which come together to build a beautiful body of Christ.

Father, Thank you for molding me into the woman you need me to be. Help me to see my differences as tiny fingerprints of you! Remind me to embrace the differences in those around me. We are all the work of your hands! Amen!!

Hugs and Prayers,

Jenn @creativegurl85