The Word of God

For the word of God is living and active, 

sharper than any two-edged sword,

 piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, 

of joints and of marrow, 

and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

There is so much I love about the Word of God.  It speaks to the deepest part of me and is always relevant.  It opens the door of my heart to see and know God, to be known by Him.  It is sweet; it is hard; it is powerful; it is tender; it is helpful, comforting, challenging, convicting.  It is all of these but of the list of descriptors that mean so much to me, it is the fact that it is living that amazes me most.  It distinguishes itself from any other book, even deeply moving theologically profound books.  No other book is living, is organic and consistently, constantly dynamic.  What gives it life and exactly what does that mean?

In John, chapter one we learn that, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  The term "word" is different in John and Hebrews.  The Word is "the Logos," is complex but refers to the person of Jesus.  The term "word" in Hebrews refers not to Christ, but to God's written, recorded and inspired word...the Bible.  The Bibles we hold in our hands are obviously not breathing, growing--not in the sense as defines life.  Yet it IS alive, and it IS active.  God's word is alive because it brings life...it perpetuates spiritual life was giving life by the breath of the Holy Spirit.  It brings real, supernatural transformation in the living soul of the human who accepts it as truth.  "Faith comes from hearing [or reading] the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ," (Romans 10:17).  It brings life and vitality, light and salvation.  It is not powerless, but has the power to save.  

As we come to the Word of God for the life it can give, we find it renders much to feed our spirit.  It is a sword; it is strength; it is a foundation for living our lives; it is absolute truth; it contains the only gospel of Christ; it points to Christ--our peace and our salvation.  I'm so very grateful that God prepared my heart as a twelve year old girl to receive the Word...and thereby trust its Author.  God's Word led me to Him...and He is my all in all.  

I'm grateful each and every day that I have the living and active Word of God at my disposal.  I cannot imagine not having a Bible.  That's why it's so important for those of us who do to read it and to hide it in our hearts, to share it with others.  I've known several people who have owned Bibles but never read them.  Others give cursory attention but depend mostly on someone else to preach or teach from it.  Some think they know scriptures from platitudes they hear literally on the street and take such triteness as truth.  The only way God's Word can bring your spirit alive is to take it in and let the Holy Spirit do His transforming work through it.  

God's Word is my sure foundation.  It is the one absolutely trustworthy thing on which I can stake my life...because it reveals my faithful, totally trustworthy Father. 

Design Details:

I just added a little more color to the page (100 Days of Bible Promises Devotion Book by Shanna Noel/Illustrated Faith with gelatos and a water-brush.  I drew a simple sketch of a Bible then added stamps to the central image and words over the pages.

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Sets Used:

 Doves of Peace

Mighty Fortress

Armor of God

Joy to the World

Hello all! Merry Christmas! Only 4 more sleeps till Christmas...anticipation is rising in my house! Christmas carols and laughter can be heard in my home, and with the 25th approaching my mind has been thinking about the shepherds startled in the night by angels with good news. My page today is an explosion of Joy, and I can't wait to share it with you!

I used the 'In Stitches' alpha and 'Sunshine Girl' alphas as well as a few alpha stickers to complete my title Joy to the World. I felt in needed a little something in the gap between world and the so I pulled out my 'Doves of Peace' and using my big brush marker in black I colored only the globe on the doves belly and stamped it down. I filled in the word 'joy' and the globe with my big brush markers...normally I would watercolor, but today I wanted to create a page a little quicker. Finally I added all the tabs, washi, stickers, and puffy hearts.

"And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: you will find baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a  manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" Luke 2:10-14

Reading the Christmas story every year brings such joy and excitement to my heart! I now have the joy and privilege of watching the same excitement rise in my children as we gather together and talk about what happened on that night so long ago. I hope this joy fills you heart and causes you to ponder, you and I have been given a Savior! Rejoice, the King has come, and with this baby, fullness of joy was born for all would believe. Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth on whom his favor rests!

So many Hugs and Prayers!
Jenn @creativegurl85

If you love that adorable stitched alpha you can pick it up for only $15.99...treat yo' self!

Peace be still

Hello friends! Merry Christmas! We are done to just a few days till Christmas and life is getting a little crazy in my house. I love this time of year...the sights, sounds and obviously the tastes. However with all the running to and fro, with all the planning, and attending of parties and events is it possible that Jesus wants a little more time this holiday season. Normally my pages are elaborate and detailed but this time of year I like to try to simplify. Hence this beautifully simple page...

To begin this entry I used three different watercolors in light blue, dark blue and purple to create this lovely smoky cloud like texture. Once dry I was able to stamp the dove right on top. Super simple but yet so profound and bold. I used a couple more stamps from the 'Doves of Peace' stamp set and added some very special journaling to the page. That's it...Bible journaling doesn't have to be beautiful, complex works of art in our Bibles, it can simply be notes from a book or study you are reading.

"That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes form or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:6-8

Spirit comes from the Latin word for 'breath.' Often this is how the Holy Spirit speaks to us, He whispers. To whisper is to speak softly using only ones breath. With one whisper Adam was created, you were created and the entire universe came into existence. Whispers are so powerful, yet so still. This busy time of year lean in, slow down and really listen to the whispers. May peace, love, hope and joy fill you and your families this advent season!

Father, Thank you for using your holy breath to speak to me. Quiet my thoughts as I lean in to hear your voice. Amen!!

Love and prayers
Jenn @creativegurl85

Peace be with you...

Hi friends,

After Jesus' resurrection, he appeared to his disciples and his first words to them were "Peace be with you." The disciples must have been feeling a storm of emotions, from the despair of Jesus' crucifixion to the hope of the report from Mary that Jesus had risen, mixed with confusion about how that could be possible. Into all of this turbulence of experience and emotion Jesus appears, and his first word is 'peace.'

In fact, Jesus says "Peace be with you" twice to his disciples at this time - they really needed to hear it! The Prince of Peace gives his disciples a peace that passes all understanding. He then goes on to breathe on them (in John 20:22) saying "receive the Holy Spirit." I find it interesting that these words, "peace be with you" and "receive the Holy Spirit" are so closely connected in this account. I believe this is because, lasting peace is only possible when the Holy Spirit dwells within us. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of peace.

When we face turbulent times, whether externally or internally, Jesus has given us his peace in the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, our counselor and our helper in time of need. He helps us to pray when we don't have the words, and he transforms us more and more into the likeness of Christ. He is the seal of our salvation and the source of our strength. When you begin to meditate on all the ways the Holy Spirit helps and works in us, peace begins to settle more and more into your heart and mind. 

I had fun creating a painted, stenciled background on this page, using a honeycomb stencil as well as some feather stencils. I stamped over the top with Stazon ink then painted the dove from Doves of Peace with acrylic paints. I also used Bitty Minnie Alpha to complete the text. Here are the sets I used:

I pray that we may all grow in our understanding and experience of what it means to live in the peace the Holy Spirit brings to our lives through his indwelling presence.

x Amy x

DIY Simple Christmas Tag Tutorial

Hello and thanks for joining us here on the Sweet n' Sassy Stamps Creative Worship Blog!

The Christmas season is finally here and you may be searching for some fresh inspiration. If so you've come to the right place!! We have so many gorgeous Christmas themed stamps to help your create anything you can think of this Christmas season.

If you'd like to see how I used two of our stamp sets (linked below) to create super cute and easy gift tags, click below! I hope you enjoy!!

YouTube Tutorial:
Making a Simple Christmas Tag with Sweet n' Sassy Stamps

xoxo,
Stephanie Gammon

Doves of Peace

Christmas Pine 

Hello, My Name Is

Advent. (n) the coming or second coming of Christ. 

My prayer during this advent season is that I would spend my time celebrating the birth of Jesus and having great expectancy that He is coming again. As I’ve been reading and studying, my heart has just been filled to overflowing with great joy!

A familiar passage came up in my study the other day, and this time, it leapt off the page in a new way and I was compelled to journal it.

Isaiah 9:6 reads “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

Often, I get so caught up in the first part of that verse, that I don’t focus enough on the ending. That baby, that tiny baby, that was born in Bethlehem in a stable was going to be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. What? How in the world was a baby going to be all that? Well, it’s because He wasn’t just any baby...He was, and is, the Son of God!

Wonderful Counselor
When I need someone to talk with, and I need advice, there is no one better than going straight to Jesus. He is always there and ready to listen. He’s even got an entire book of advice for me on any given situation. 

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭33:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Mighty God
Our God is not just any God. He is the mightiest warrior that ever walked. There is no one or no thing that can defeat Him. And the best part, we don’t have to even do anything but stand still. He fights our battles for us.

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you."”
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭20:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Everlasting Father
To know that there is nothing that God separate us from the love of God is amazing. My God allows me to run straight in to His arms and called him Daddy. I am the child of the everlasting Father. The one who runs to me with open arms, and embraces me, and kisses me is my Daddy God.

“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Prince of Peace
Peace is the thing in the world that I believe everyone is looking for. Peace from the busyness of life. Peace from the stress of day to day. Peace from the million things tugging at our hearts and minds. Peace. Deep peace. He is our Peace. When we choose to think on the right things instead of the things of the world, Peace is ours.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

During this time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and wait with great hope for His second coming, I encourage you to celebrate all that we have because of who He is.

Hello, my name is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!” 

Art behind the story:

The Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps set Hello My Name Is was the perfect set for this page. I stamped the tags on cardstock and fussy cut them. My sweet team mate, Colleen (stirthesoul on IG), gave me the suggestion for the background. I used gray watercolor and made a light wash. Then I pulled out all types of stamps (I’ll list them below) from several of our sets to add visual depth and interest to the background. Lastly, I splattered brighter watercolors on it. Then I glued the tags down, added a bit of washi, and did my journaling.

My prayer for all of you is that this page will encourage you to dig in, study about the birth of Jesus and the prophecies surrounding Him. Also, that you’ll be waiting with great hope and expectancy. He is coming again!!

Much love,
Gayle
Patio Ponderings

close up of background textures

Hello My Name Is

Doves of Peace

O Holy Night

Texture Tiles 1

Texture Tiles 3

Grunge Elements 2