Trust Me

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Hi Friends!

Today we're in Psalm 46 with a well know verse. Be still. Such a simple command, and yet, it can be so hard to do. The NASB translation says "cease striving" instead of "be still." This command comes from the Hiphil stem of the verb rapha in Hebrew meaning to be weak, to let go, to release. So, we are being told to surrender ourselves in order to know that God is in control. And, instead of trusting in ourselves, we can trust in our all-sufficient and sovereign God. There is so much striving in this world. But, as believers, we need not hopelessly fight. Instead, we can surrender ourselves, and trust God. Knowing God is knowing that He is good and He will see us through all things. Yes, and amen!

Page Details:
For this page, I used the following Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets: Trust in the Lord, Sunshine Girl Alpha, Set Apart, In His Image, and Faith Wordfetti.

I made the notebook paper lines with colored pencils. I used distress oxides for the background. Distress oxides are a combination of pigment and dye inks that react when water is added. By spritzing water on the page, I was able to get the neat splatter effect. The pencil was colored with colored pencils.

Trust in Him, my friends! He is completely trustworthy.
Andrea

We are the Clay

Howdy Friends! I am sharing a new background technique I tried using plastic wrap today, but before I get into all the nitty gritty I have a fun sale to share with you... Sweet N Sassy stamps is having an amazing sale on all their alphabet stamp sets ...buy 2 get 1 free (no code necessary). This is a great time to pick up your favorite sets to use in your Bible journaling, card making, scrapbooking, etc. Okay now on to the fun....

To begin I got my page super wet then plopped (my beautiful technical word) color all over the page. Next I pulled out some plastic wrap and scrunched (yet another technical word) it around to create an interesting texture. Now comes the super boring part....I walked away, grabbed a cup of coffee and let it dry.

When I came back it was almost dry, I pulled off the wrap, but I really wish I had waited it would have created a more vibrant and interesting texture....but I patience and me are not always friends. After the page was completely dry I used StazOn black ink to stamp my title out and used a few tabs, washi tapes, and stickers in matching colors.

Isaiah 64:8 "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."

You and I were created for a beautiful unique purpose. We are continuously being shaped and molded by the master artist. It's ok if we don't look like our friends and neighbors, we all are called to fufill a different purpose. It can be so easy to see the beauty in others and often overlook our own. I can't tell you how often I look down at my wrinkled, stained leggings and baggy tee shirt and wish my life was a little less messy, but those stains and wrinkles mean I have littles whom I cherish and depend on me. I encourage you today to see the beauty in yourself. You were created for a purpose!

Thanks for dropping by I hope you are leaving encouraged and refreshed.
Don't forget about the alpha sale going on now through the 18th.

Love and prayers,

Jenn @creativegurl85

Supplies Used:

Stamps- (In His Image, Typewriter block alpha, Sunshine girl alpha

Watercolors- Illustrated Faith, Black Ink- StazOn, Washi tape- cross, and arrows (Illustrated Faith), Black and White Stripes (Hobby Lobby), Tabs- Illustrated Faith, Ephemera- Illustrated Faith, Heart Stickers- Illustrated Faith

I Know the World Needs Jesus

Hey friends and family!

I'm so in love with Jesus.  Can I just say, without the Lord I would be absolutely sunk!  There's so much that comes by being in the family of Christ; so much worked into being linked to Jesus, and there's not enough paper to write it on, according to John the disciple.  :)

Jesus is the hope of the world.
The Word of God in human flesh and form.
The reason for joy; the meaning of love.

Last Sunday, I was able to attend the church service.  Does this sound odd?  Well, in the phase in which I find myself presently (baby, sick kids and fatigue), I find that getting to the church house for fellowship and feeding, ministry and service comes as quite the challenge.  When I get to go, I'm thrilled, refreshed and reconnected with friends I have - SERIOUSLY - not seen in months. 

There's something sweet about the encountering of Jesus in all of the ways mentioned above.  When we fellowship with people of the family of God, we share Christ, unity, bonding, and much more.  When we are fed from the pulpit or classes, we hear Jesus, and our faith is strengthened.  When we minister, we are sharing Jesus' love and hope with others, whether it's a hug of understanding, a warm smile of encouragement, or tears shed for the sake of weeping with those who weep.  Service, of course, shows Jesus' life and light in ways that we don't understand because outside our physical realms lies the heavenly one, wherein angels are entertained, and God omni-present! 

The reflections of Jesus to others (inside or outside the body of Christ) can have such an eternal affect on those around us.  Wherever we are; whatever we are.

As a mom, in particular and especially, I forget what ways I'm impacting my children.  They are my "world."  They are the viewers of my life; the spectators of my day-in-day-out activities and reactions. 
God reminded me of this again last Sunday...

The worship music started.
There was unity in song.
There was blessedness in community.

At one point, I simply stood in silence and listened as those around me as they lifted the name of Jesus.  Sometimes there was 3-part harmony, but I wasn't noting that as much as the squeeze I felt at my side.

My daughter. 

My only daughter.

My child.

She'd stayed with me and stood by me for songs and announcements.  It was just the two of us there at the time as hubster elected to stay with the sicklies of the house, giving me a worship service.  

Very different, yet strangely wonderful. 
As we sang, the phrase, "I know the world needs Jesus," entered the worship hall.  Have you heard this song?
The chorus goes like this: 

"I know the world needs Jesus.
I know the world needs freedom.
So give us eyes to see the hurting and the broken.

Let our lives align with every word You say."

It's beautiful.  Following the chorus, it weighed heavily on me - almost to sorrow - what God was saying by the seemingly random side hug from my baby girl.  "Your children need Jesus, Deirdre.  All five of them.  They all need Me, and you need to show Me to them." 

I cried. 

For the first time in my life as a mom, I realized that the person of Jesus - the Healer, Restorer, Savior, Redeemer, and King - was not the subject of conversation on a regular basis.  My children - my "world" - did not know Jesus, and further still, did not know their need for Him. 

Oh, the shame and pain. 
Oh, the guilt of having hidden the Light under a basket.

That day changed me.  The Spirit opened me up to humbling and recovery.  I need to do things differently at my home.  I even changed the lyrics of the song above in order to better relate to my calling.

"I know my kids need Jesus.

I know my kids need freedom.
So give me eyes to see their hurting and their breaking.
Let my life align with every word You say."

So...I slipped this entry into Proverbs 22:6 which says, "Train up a child in the way he should go.  And when he is old he will not depart from it."  I believe with my whole heart that being the Light in my "world" is a good portion of what it means to train my children in the understanding of God.  My reflecting Jesus, sharing His Word, and being His hands and feet to them can impact them for life in the way they should go!

I encourage you, friends, wherever you are and whatever you are: seek to be Jesus to your "world."  If God has not called you to a full-time ministry as pastor's wife, missionary, bible translator, bible professor, don't worry.  He's called you to full-time ministry as mom, wife, Wendy's employee, amusement park vendor, garbage man, you name it!  In your "world," there are people who need Jesus.  In your "world," there are those who need to taste and see that He is good; they NEED freedom from the chains of sin, death and hell that can only be granted by faith in Jesus the Christ.

I love God the Holy Spirit.  I love His biddings.  Yes, sometimes they are difficult to swallow and digest, but they are timely mercies.  They are gracious urges to do that which is of utmost importance!

In God's mercies and much love,

Deeds

Happy Alpha, Girl Power, Brotherly Love, Sunshine Girl Alpha

Bind my Heart

Hello all! Did you know there is a HUGE sale going on right now in the shop? Many different sets are marked down and you can receive 18% off your entire order now through December 31st!

Today I am sharing my heart for 2019. You may have been noticing many people choosing a special word or phrase to help focus them in the new year #OLW (one little word). I have a word and a theme. This year my word is delight and my theme is closeness with my Father. I chose delight because I want to look up and take notice of my blessings and document all the little God winks throughout my days. My Bible page today is my heart for 2019.

I started this page by stamping the In Stitches alpha stamps on an adorable plaid scrapbook paper and fussy cutting them out. Next I cut out a heart from coordinating paper, pierced holes and hand stitched the heart to create lovely handspun texture. Next I pulled out my Sunshine girl alpha and stamped the word 'my' and for the word heart used a set of light pink thickers. I of course had to had a few little clusters of scrappy goodness using washi tape, die cuts, stickers, puffy hearts and string.

I love the hymn "Come Thou Fount" and often find myself humming the tune and singing the words. The lyrics are so timeless and true!

Come thou fount of every blessing,

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

Streams of mercy never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

...

Let thy goodness like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to thee.

Amazing words, but what is a fetter right? A fetter is leg cuff or shackle that fasteners around ones ankle and prevents one from running away. Robert Robinson felt so strongly about his relationship and closeness with God that he wanted to be securely fastened to our Father at all times. Do I have that same passion? Do you? The new year is quickly approaching and what better time to draw close and bind your heart to Him.

"With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!" 

Psalm 119:10

Father, Here's my heart, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above. I offer my heart to you. I want to hold tight and keep such a hold that my heart never wanders away! amen!

Hugs and prayers,
Jenn @creativegurl85

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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!

Tailored Clothing...

Hi friends,

My sister has trained for many years to be a bespoke designer and creator of clothing, specialising in suits. She has learnt how to take exact measurements (lots of them!) and tailor suits for every size and shape so that every creation is unique to the person wearing it, and it fits them perfectly. Meanwhile, I can't even manage to thread my sewing machine!! (It's clear who got the sewing genes, if there is such a thing!)

I was thinking about this when creating this page on Colossians 3:12, where Paul writes to the church in Colosse and tells them to clothe themselves with certain qualities: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. It struck me that these qualities are not generic 'one-size-fits-all' items that we can grab off the rack and throw on, but rather they are crafted in us and on us by God himself. You see, what patience looks like on you might be very different for what it looks like for me. For one person it may be having patience with a child who is pushing every button and boundary possible. For someone else it might mean waiting patiently for a dream to come to fulfillment in the future, while being faithful in where they are in the present. The same applies to all these qualities. There are different shapes and sizes of life that we lead, and these qualities need to be worn a little differently in our varied situations. So, what does it mean for you to put on these qualities in your life right now?

This page was fun to put together using the fabulous printables available in this month's devotional download: Sew Beautiful. I used the new In Stitches alphabet set as well as Sunshine Girl Alpha, Bitty Minnie Alpha and Go With to create the text, then stuck the images that I had printed on clear sticker paper around the stamping.

I encourage you to really meditate on this verse of Scripture and ask God what it means for you to put on these qualities in your life right now. God wants to dress us in his finest clothes, tailored specifically for us!

x Amy x

Snowman Family

Hi ya everyone! Christmas and snow is coming. What better time to pull out those adorable snowmen stamps and go crazy. The page I am sharing with you all is a page I have longed to do for a long time...a page dedicated to my children.

I used Sunshine girl alpha, and Teeny alpha to create the title at the top and the snowflakes from Crazy about snowmen as well as the adorable snowman couple. Once I stamped all I wanted I created a blue watercolor background so I could have my children put there little fingerprints in my bible with a little doodling I created little cartoon snowmen. I also added a sweet angel to remember my firstborn we lost too soon. With a few more tabs, stickers and washi the page was completed and my heart was full.

I Samuel 1:27 "For this child I prayed, and the Lord granted my petition I made him."

On this last day of November, a month focused on our blessings I thought what better way to close it out then to remember some of my biggest ones my children.
 Father, I am blown away when I sit and ponder the blessing of being a mother to my creative, beautiful, intelligent, unique children. Thank you for giving me glimpses into how you see them. Grant me the energy, patience and love I need to love them the best I can. Amen!

Thank you all for popping over! Don't forget about the sales going on over in the shop through today! As we continue into the busy holiday season continue to count your blessings and remember the true reason we celebrate!

Love and prayers,
Jenn @creativegurl85

Thankfulness

Hey guys!

It's Deeds, just LOVING the support I've seen in the Creative Worship Facebook page!  I have been amazed at the community of loving believers in this place, and I am so thankful to be a part of it!  Aren't you?? :D

It's the week of Thankfulness!  It's Turkey time!  It's gather and chatter 'bout whatever may matter time!  I just made that up ;D  What do YOU have planned for the holiday?  Family coming in to town?  Are YOU the family coming into town?  Are you a student going to a host family?  Are you the family that goes out to eat at a restaurant rather than cookin' the good ol' turkey and fillin's?

Wherever you are, whatever you do, whoever you find yourself with, thankfulness is not overrated. 

I'm learning a lot about it, and let me tell you, I need to fill my heart with that above the overabundance of a turkey dinner!

Today, I'm working out of Esther.  My home church has been studying through this book for the last few weeks, under the leadership of Pastor Kyle.  There's SO much (of course) that I did NOT realize about this book, and there's one thing that causes it to stand out as unique to all other books of the Bible: no mention of God - AT ALL. 

Stamps used inlcude Texture Tile 2, Just Say Jesus, Women of Praise, Sunshine Girl Alpha, and Outline Script Alpha

We come to know that though He be "absent," He is COMPLETELY and UTTERLY present!  Though His name is not mentioned, His attributes are clear.  Though His people the Jews neglect Him, His blessings are weighty.  Though He be ignored, He is ever working!

I LOVE this book!  I think it may be my favorite at this time.  The Holy Spirit has opened my eyes (and my heart) to just how divinely orchestrated the series of events truly are!  It's so amazing!  I'll share the link to the sermon series below so you will be sure to check it out!  WOAH!!

Week 5, we're leaning in on chapter 5 of Esther.  There's crazy talk all over the place.  I think it's interesting the relatable history in this whole story of Mordecai, Esther and Haman.  Haman gets the spotlight - a really dingy, horrible, no good spotlight.  He is TOTALLY human.  Totally insane.  Totally insecure. 
What you see in my entry is the phrase, "Thankful people understand grace."  Thankful people know their identity is not in their money, clothes, position, passion, or possessions.  Thankful people know that God is the giver of all things.  Thankful people know passionate humility, not insecure entitlement. 

This hit home.  I've found myself countless times on the end of entitlement - AAAHHHH, I HATE that word.  And to think that day after day, in some way or another I forget.  I forget to whom I owe my identity, my worship, my allegiance, my everything.  I forget to be thankful and in doing so, I forget about grace. 
The amazing grace of God. 
The grace that saved a wretch like me.
The grace that found me in my sin and shame and brought me into light and life!

Grace, grace.  God's grace.  Thank you God for grace.  Help me, Lord, to only be thankful!  To see myself rightly as a pauper that brings nothing to the table.  To see Jesus as the substance of my being. 
In His name, I pray,  Amen.

Much love,

Deeds

PS - don't forget that this month is a special month full of discounts and deals on the Sweet 'n' Sassy website.  Below are the November releases and the link to the shop!  Happy Thankful November!

http://www.sweetnsassystamps.com

No Prob-Llama

Hey hey! I hope you all are enjoying all the birthday sales and festivities! This week we have 11% off all creative worship stamps and digital printables with code HAPPY11CWDP click HERE to go shop the sales. I am bringing you all a fun festive page in honor of our 11th birthday...

I used the Llama love set and sunshine girl alpha to stamp the imagery. I had lots of fun adding little details to the llamas, like hats, and blankets. These stamps are so fun and really allow you to run wild with your creativity. After stamping I simply used my watercolors to fill in and add color but colored pencils could work as well to give your llamas that festive touch.

Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety in a mans heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad."

Don't worry about anything! Nothing is too big or insignificant for our Father. Pour out your heart and thank Him in advance for answering and fulfilling  your needs. Lift the burden of worry off your back and place it in our Father's hands. There is no prob-llama too big for Him!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you in the near future, I will be doing some Facebook lives on the Sweet n Sassy stamps facebook page today at 3pm central and on November 26th. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and on my personal page to stay up to date!

Love and prayers
Jenn @creativegurl85