Master of the Sea

Good morning, crafty friends! I'm so excited to be sharing on the Creative Worship blog today. Although I've been on the Sweet 'n Sassy design team for a number of years, this is the first time I'm posting for the Creative Worship team. 

Bible journaling is a relatively new experience for me, as I recently gifted an art journaling Bible, which lays out the pages with wide margins that are perfect for adding images, quotes, and notes. I have found that Bible journaling is helpful for focusing on a particular Scripture text or doctrine as your mind can't help but ponder the words you're that inspired your art.

Today's passage focusing on Jesus' power over nature and the text of how He immediately calmed the storm. While we can see literally see how God brings about and calms storms, and all of our weather, figuratively He can also calm the trials (storms) that come into our lives. Jesus' miraculous works while physically on the earth, was to demonstrate that while He was fully human, He was also fully God and the creator of man and the elements. These simple, but powerful truths should comfort us as we face various trials. Not only is He fully in control of all that happens, but He is also the one who will be comfort in the midst of the trial, and the one who will bring it to an end. Amen and amen!

My layout started with a wash of color from Pan Pastels. Pan Pastels is one of my favorite mediums for adding color to Bible pages; the color applies easily, goes on smoothly, is transparent, and doesn't bleed through the pages. When using Pan Pastels, you will need to set the chalk when you're finished applying the color. I just use a light mist of hair spray. LOL!

I used a die cut circle to mask a sun and added stamping using coordinating die ink colors.  The boats and anchor were stamped on a piece of cardstock, colored, and attached with glue to my pages. When added die or hand cut images to Bible pages, it's best to use a lighter cardstock and anything heavy weight will add bulk to the thin pages. My text was added using a variety of alphabet sets and words from other Bible journaling sets (see supply list below). I love mixing fonts! Below are a few more close up photos of my spread. Happy crafting!

Supplies:
Master of the Sea

Skinny Lower Case

Skinny Upper Case

His Wings

Jesus Chosen

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:13-15

Sweet Friends,

Today's passage takes us to the time when Jesus chose His twelve disciples. Many were following Him, but He chose twelve out of the many. Peter, James, John, Andrew, and the other eight became "those chosen by Jesus". They probably didn't realize or understand what that meant at the time. But He did.

What a privilege it is to be chosen by Jesus! But, it's not easy. The twelve left their jobs and families and faced persecution. But as they grew to know and love Jesus, they knew He was worth it. They were willing to sacrifice for Him.

Guess what, believers are chosen by Jesus too! In this complicated and sometimes crazy world, it's not easy to be a Jesus follower. But, HE IS WORTH IT! Wear the "Jesus Chosen" identity proudly.

For the page, I used a brand new set from Sweet n Sassy Stamps called Hello My Name Is, available for pre-order. This is such a great set! You don't want to miss it. I also used Skinny Caps and Skinny Lowercase Alphas, and Fill Me Up.

Remember your status, friends. You are Jesus chosen! Have a blessed week! Andrea

A Little Birdie

Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say. Ecclesiastes 10:20

Dear Friends,

We live in a time where atrocities seem to happen almost daily. Our world and our country seem out of control. We know this is not how God wants us to live. We know this is not His way. We know many things that are playing out in the world are in direct opposition to His Word. So it's easy to criticize our government and those in authority. It's easy to criticize and even gossip about others. This last verse in Ecclesiastes 10 warns us not to criticize, not to gossip because "a little birdie told me." As believers, we need to be careful what we say and what we post because you never know who may be listening or reading. We are to share Christ with the world. Sharing Him starts with love, not criticism. 

Personally, I struggle with complaining, with criticizing. Instead I should be trusting God and praying. And I should be loving others. And through that love, others may be drawn to Christ. That's how we can change this out of control world. Love. I'm praying for all affected by the shooting in Texas yesterday. And I'm praying for our country and the world. But I'm also trusting in Him. He is in control. And that is where our hope lies!

For the page, I used the following Sweet n Sassy Stamps: For the Birds, Mini Grunge Type Alpha, Skinny Lowercase Alpha. 

Sweet n Sassy is celebrating 10 years this month! There are some great promotions happening to celebrate the 10th birthday! See the details here.

Have a blessed week! Andrea

Under His Wings

For my Bible journal page today, I am still in the book of Psalms - 91:4.

"He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge..."

I love the image this brings to my mind. I think about a movie or a book when danger occurs and the protector throws themselves over the innocent to keep them safe. 

While life doesn't often bring explosions and such, we do have upsets and disappointments and knowing that when we are in need of protection, God will tuck us under His wings and keep us safe, is so comforting to me. It is such a blessing going into each day with this picture in my mind.

For this page, I used Sweet N Sassy Stamp Set - Creative Worship: His Wings. I also used a few Alphabet Sets Chunky Alpha, Skinny Caps Alpha, and Skinny Lowercase Sets.

I stamped the feathers onto the page with Versamark ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I then used distress inks (Rusty Hinge, Antique Linen, and Vintage Photo) for a water color wash. I Inked up the words with Archival Jet Black Ink.

I hope you are inspired and that your day is a blessed one! Thanks for stopping by!

Lyn

Donut Worry

Hey friends!! So I'm sharing a page today that I used the 'Skinny lowercase alpha' on. I'm not sure about you , but I love a good font stamp! This one is so great because it's small enough to fit in the margins!

This page I used the napkin technique-if you are not familiar-just google it! You add gesso to your page, cut the napkin and separate the layers and place it on the gesso. Then use a paint brush-I like the sponge kind, and add some more gesso over the top. Smooth it out and let it dry. I'm not perfect at this technique but it still turns out good and super fun! I then stamped the Donut Worry and added a tab at the top and some donut washi that my friend had. I also added the little bit of washi that says Let it go and let God. It's such an important part of our walk with Jesus! I journaled in Matthew 5-Therefore I tell you , do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Later in the passage it says....Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day as enough trouble of it's own. Friends, let it go and donut worry!!! God's got this!!!!!!

Higher Help

Hello friends!  Sometimes your friends, the world, the government, your spouse, and even your church do not have the answers or the help you need when your heart is overwhelmed.  Sometimes helping others can get your mind off your own troubles for just a while.  Sometimes listening to worship music can lift your spirits.  Often I can find solace in the Psalms...time and time again I read about how much God loves us, how he hears us when we cry out to him, how God alone is our salvation, and our hope is in him alone!

The hills and sky were watercolored with Neocolor 2 Crayons.  The elephant (**so cute**) from the Fly High stamp set designed by Rebecca Rios was colored with Prismacolor Pencils and the balloons were pieced with washi tape.  A white paint pen was used for the highlights.  Skinny Caps Alpha, Skinny Lowercase Alpha, Words of Life: Common Words 1, Awesome Thoughts, and Seek Him stamp sets along with some hand lettering were used to complete this page.

"Hear my cry, O God,

listen to my prayer;

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,

for you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the enemy."

(Psalm 61:1-3) ESV

These stamp sets used for the page above are available at the 

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store:

If you are feeling overwhelmed and your heart is faint, higher help is available for you!

Cry out to Jesus!

Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

I hope you've been lifted up!

Hugs,

Cathy

My Soul's Satisfied

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Dear Friends, please celebrate with me that our Lord and Savior is risen! I hope you had a joyful Easter resting in Him. For this page I journaled lyrics from Be Thou My Vision by Ascend The Hill. It's based on the hymn. (The lyrics are posted at the bottom of this post.)

The hymn was based on Jeremiah 9:23-24. And because of Jesus, we can know God! We can be in relationship with Him. He can be our everything and our delight! When I think of things that are physically satisfying, I think of cold lemonade on a hot summer day. Jesus is much better than cold lemonade! 😉 Jesus completes us. He satisfies our souls in a way nothing else can. He is the Living Water. Drink Him in!!

For the page, I used the following Sweet n Sassy Stamps sets: Worthy King, Sing Loud, Fill Me Up, Skinny Lowercase Alpha, Rebecca Script Alpha, Chunky Alpha.

For the lemonade glass, I masked off the top of the coffee cup and drew in the straw, ice cubes and lemon. And don't you love all those alphas??!! Alpha stamps are a great option to hand lettering! They are easy to use and many of them look like hand lettering. I love them! I highlighted the letters with a Sharpie White Extra Fine Paint Pen. I colored the page with watercolor crayons. And finished it off with some washi tape.

Be satisfied in our Lord. He loves you!

Blessings, Andrea 

Be Thou My Vision By Ascend The Hill

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, put first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight
Be, Jesus, my glory My soul's satisfied
Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight
Be, Jesus, my glory My soul's satisfied

My Jesus, you satisfy
My Jesus, you satisfy

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, bright Heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight
Be, Jesus, my glory My soul's satisfied