Be a Fruit Smoothie!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Hi Friends!

This passage is probably familiar to you. We know that when we become believers, we are instantly indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This fruit of the Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. As we submit to Him, the Holy Spirit conforms us into His image, making us more like Christ. Of course, we will not be completely rid of our sinful natures here on earth. But, the goal is to progressively allow the Holy Spirit to produce more and more of His fruit in our lives. Through Him, it is possible! So, let's be a fruit smoothie! Blend the fruit throughout our lives and serve it to all we meet. When they see Him in us, they will be drawn to Him.

Page Details: I had such fun with new Sweet n Sassy Stamps set Fruits of the Spirit! There is so much versatility with it as you could use it with any verses talking about fruit or sweetness. I also used the following sets: Skinny Caps, Fill Me Up, and Whimsy Bouquet (the blueberries were a stamp from this set).

To make the smoothie glass, I masked off the top of the coffee cup from the Fill Me Up set. Then I drew in the smoothie line and the straw. I used watercolor crayons to color the page.

Have a blessed week my friends! Andrea

Reflecting Jesus

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror 

the glory of the Lord, are being transformed 

into the same image from glory to glory, 

just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

For some like me, standing in front of a mirror is an intimidating, even discouraging thing. Recently, when I was getting ready for the day, putting on my make-up, I was noticing the sags and wrinkles and I said out loud, "Girl, you've come a long way...and it shows!" I've never liked mirrors...ever! They show what I do not normally see, what I don't want to see. I can't explain it, but I'm about 20 pounds thinner looking down than when looking at my reflection in a mirror! I think the simple matter, like it or not, is that the mirror in front of me is revealing a truth that makes me uncomfortable. I'm uncomfortable because the world tells me I should look very different. It tells me I should be fit, trim and look like I stepped out of a magazine. What should we see when we look in the mirror?

We should see Jesus. When we stand before the mirror we should see the precious soul Jesus died to rescue. We should see the value He placed upon us...body and soul, and know that He deeply, completely loves us. We should see worth and beauty. We should see a relaxed face that glows with the glory of the Lord within us. We should see eyes that look beyond the mirror reflecting self to see others as Jesus sees them. The mirror should reflect another mirror. I become a mirror. And when people look a me, they shouldn't see my reflection. They should see Jesus. My words, actions, thoughts (YES...others can often read our thoughts by the look on our faces) should all reflect Jesus.

Oh, that we could free up self image by concerning ourselves more with our Christ-reflection. Most of us stand in front of a mirror on a daily basis. It's a great time to remind ourselves that when we walk away from that mirror, we become one ourselves. We decide each morning what or who we will reflect that day. Today, I choose Jesus!

-----

Design Details: This layout is in my 100 Days of Bible Promises by Illustrated Faith. I used both my Words of Wisdom printable bundle and my Sunflowers and Pumpkins printable (the outline images page) available at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. To add color and texture to the page, I scraped on acrylic paints in two colors. 

 Sunflowers and Pumpkins Printable

 Words of Wisdom Printable Bundle

Fruit in Every Good Work...

Hi friends,

One of the things I love about Bible Journaling is doing word studies and finding all the Scriptures in the Bible that speak about a particular topic. When I started playing with the new Fruit of the Spirit stamp set I looked up 'fruit' in a Bible app and looked up relevant Scriptures. One that I really wanted to illustrate was found in a prayer recorded in Colossians 1:9-12. It is such an amazingly rich prayer to pray over ourselves and others:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

The part about bearing fruit in every good work really caught my attention as something that I desire, as well as need to understand more.

When I've heard about bearing fruit in good works in the past I've always thought about it in terms of output and productivity, i.e. results. I'm sure that this can be one aspect of bearing fruit in the kingdom of God, but as I was journaling this page I began to think of the fruit of the Spirit, and how maybe this is the type of fruit this Scripture is talking about. You see, it is all too easy to be doing 'good works' for the kingdom of God, but not be displaying kindness, gentleness, peace and patience. We can be serving, giving, preaching and praying, whether on Sunday or during the week, and not be walking in love, joy or self-control. And I wonder: is this 'fruitless' good work what God requires of us? I don't think so. Yes, God uses broken and imperfect people in His service (if He didn't no one would be doing anything!), but I believe that as we serve, He desires for us to grow in bearing the fruit of His Spirit. We should not be content with just doing things for God when He wants us to be changing from the inside out so that we end up being different in the process. This is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit though, which is why it requires prayer! And this prayer is a great place to start.

On this page I tried out the 'no line watercolour' technique using these cute fruit images from Fruit of the Spirit. I stamped them using Versamagic Wheat ink, which is a pale beige colour, then I watercoloured over the images using an aqua brush and Prima watercolours. As the paints are applied, the stamped image disappears under the colour and it looks like freehand watercolour. This is such a fun and effective technique, particularly for people who don't feel confident in creating their own watercolour artwork from scratch! Here's a couple of close-ups of the fruit so you can see the detail:

I also used the new Chunky Lowercase Alpha for a couple of words on this page, along with with alphabet stickers from my stash.

I pray this prayer for myself as well as all of you:
Lord may we walk in a manner worthy of you, fully pleasing to you, bearing the fruit of your Holy Spirit in every good work and increasing in our knowledge of you. Amen.

x Amy x

Get Wisdom

Hey friends!  It's been such a whirlwind of a summer, has it not!?

Chunky Lower Case Alpha

Wacky that we're already to August!  Even more amazing is the release for August at SweetnSassyStamps.com!  YAY!!

I've enjoyed the variety of what has become available.  We have a sweet new alpha that I'm using today, called, "Chunky Lower Case."  It's one of my favorites - I LOVE chunky fonts!  A couple months back, Korin also released a stamp set with textures, and the set I'm using for background interest is called, "Texture Tile 2."  VERY, VERY good set!  These with the printable bundle, made by our very own Diane Noble, made the page you see up top. 

Words of Wisdom Printable Bundle

When the "Words of Wisdom" printable was created for this month's release, I was excited.  Nervous, and excited.  Why nervous?  Because whenever I ask God for Wisdom, I'm faced with the responsibility to act wisely.  Makes sense doesn't it?  When my kids ask for a drink of water and I give it to them, isn't the expectation that they will drink it?  Hmmm….

I think God does the same with His kids.  When we ask for wisdom, knowing that He will give it to us liberally and without reproach (James 1:5), we can expect He would like us to utilize it.   I know sometimes I have the correct and wisest course of action in front of me, and I can still choose to NOT follow through.  Why in the world would I want to do that?  Why would I ask God for His abundant wisdom, but not apply it? 

Maybe it's that I'm selfish and merely want my way anyway; but as much as that can be true, I think I forget too, that wisdom is a precious thing - a treasure!

The scriptures of Proverbs 8 and 9 leave an impression that wisdom is your best and closest Friend.  They seriously - and with great detail - depict wisdom as a person - of a feminine nature, no less!  Wisdom is something that possesses personality, opinion, and will!  And, it's something with whom God wants us to become very familiar. 

I think of older people - "seasoned" ladies and gents - when I think of wisdom.  There is value to having lived a substantial amount of life.  It's why God says children need to listen to their parents!  As faulty and imperfect as we are, children are supposed to look to us for wisdom in certain things.  Yikes!

But further still, I feel like wisdom is "out of reach."  Sometimes, I just feel like I don't need to seek His wisdom because I would not handle it rightly.  Listen: God doesn't give us wisdom contingent on our being able to handle it rightly; He gives it to us because it's our lifeline to making EVERY LITTLE DECISION of life!  And it's one that He hands over to the one who seeks it - even me!

Anyone at ANY time can gain this wisdom that was with God "ages ago." (v. 23)  I love how Proverbs 8 explains Wisdom's presence WITH God in the beginning.  Above all else, Wisdom handled the matter of creation alongside God.  God utilized Wisdom in all His decisions, creations and dealings with man as well.  He used Wisdom to make man, heal man, and win man!  What's more, God gives us this very notable, valuable gift of Wisdom to connect us to Himself!
"The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  (9:10)  WOW!

This I love beyond all else.  God gives us an idea of how to become wise (living in reverential awe and worship of Him), so that He may have relationship with us!  WHAT AN AMAZING GOD!  Why?  Why would He want so badly to be in communion with us?  The answer is in the beginning - back where wisdom was with God - when the good Lord created man in His image, to bear His light and life!  He wants us for His glory. 

It seems weird to think that wisdom brings us closer to God, doesn't it?  But becoming wise, is not just about being smart or having an intellect; the act of becoming wise means that you have just entered into a full encounter with God Almighty, and He's ready to infuse you with this incredible gift!  

SO YES!  GET WISDOM!  Get Wisdom, and get close to God!  Get as close as you possibly can to God!

I want this Wisdom.  I have BFF's but THIS one, I need more than anything!  Yes, LORD!  Give me Wisdom!

Much love,

Deeds

Llama Sits Down

“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said.  

John 6:10a NLT

I'm not often a sit down type of person. I'm a problem solver, a figure it out and get it done now type of girl. I get it from my dad. It can be an incredible tool and resource... it can also be my downfall.

When I came across this verse in John, I thought about the why. Why did he ask people to sit? Was it necessary?  Was it to get our attention? Were they quiet and sitting? Or did they keep on talking to the others around them. How many noticed the baskets? Did they see the miracle? Did they see the baskets never running out? Or did they just care they were fed? Were they just focused on themselves? Did they miss everything?

The last few years God has called me to sit. To be still. To quiet my mind. To take more notice of Him and not everything going on around me. It's not been easy to sit. To not get up and do the things I do. To not problem solve or lead. It remind of Psalm 23,

He MAKES me lie down in Green Pastures. God is wanting to show me his faithfulness. His goodness. A place of freedom and rest. A place of comfort and renewal. To find His peace.

Friends I invite you today to sit down. Sit down and listen to the Lord, the King of Kings, the Great I Am.

ART TALK
I used Distress Oxides for the background. Then stamped with Llama Love and Chunky Lowercase Alpha. Happy Shopping.

Colleen

HIGHER GROUND | Hymnal Art Journaling with Julie

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength!  He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights." (Habakkuk 3:19 NLT)

Meet Larry and Lulu.  Lulu is the llama lying down, and Larry is the one standing up.  These are the two llamas in the "Llama Love" stamp set, part of the August Release.  This set is great for card making, scrapbooking, and yes, even faith art journaling.  Here I am journaling with Lulu and Larry in my hymnal the song "Higher Ground," a traditional hymn published in 1892.  

"Llama" just say, I'm a major clutz!  (Ok, I just had to add that pun 😁)  Seriously, I am clumsy, and I have been all my life.  I have broken both of my feet twice, simply from stupid falls and trips, and at least three different toes, from walking into tables or chairs, etc.  Surefooted I am not!  I would love to hike and climb mountains, but even walking on a sidewalk is dangerous for me.  Therefore, I love to read Habakkuk 3:19, where it talks about how God makes my feet sure as the deer, and enables me to tread upon my high places.  

This promise for me means that God is my support, my strength, my guide, my security.  Just like the sturdy llama, with its surefooted ability to scale the Andes Mountains, God empowers me to accomplish His great tasks for Him! The more I walk in His way and follow His path, seeking and surrendering to Him daily, I continue to scale greater and greater heights through and for Him.  By faith, He plants my feet on higher and higher ground, until I've reached that highest "tableland" named Heaven!  Incidentally, we sang this hymn at church this past weekend, which gave me the idea for journaling this page.  Afterwards, my son asked me what a "tableland" was.  It's a high plateau.  Heaven is the highest of plateaus, where we will spend eternity with God.  

For this page, I stamped and masked Larry and Lulu with the mountains. I show how to mask in the video linked below. I then painted each little scene with Dots and Dust watercolors. Wanting to keep some of the text visible, I masked those off with washi tape, and then created the background using Distress Oxide Inks in Wilted Violet and Broken China.  I stamped my title with the new Chunky Lowercase Alpha set and one of my favorite alphas, Mini Grunge Type.  My white Signo Uniball gel pen was perfect for adding detailing to the broad letters.  There are two border stamps in the Llama Love set, so I used one to box out the text.  Next, I added texture with the stones stamp from Texture Tiles 2.  Finally, I wrote Hab. 3:19 in an empty spot, and added a tab, washi tape and bow to complete the page.  

I've been amazed at the ways I've been able to use these llamas in my Bible and faith art.  If you missed the Facebook Live release where I showcased this set, you can still catch it here.  You will have to request to join the group if you aren't already a member, but don't worry, it's a fun place to hang out!  In this live video, I share some additional ideas of ways to use the llama set in your Bible journaling, and I created a page for Matthew 11:29.  I also invite you to follow my Instagram account where you can see my other pages and projects I create with this set.

LLAMA LOVE

CHUNKY LOWERCASE ALPHA

MINI GRUNGE TYPE ALPHA

TEXTURE TILES 2

Deliver

You know how those familiar things can evoke such calm and peace? My memories of growing up in a precious family are so sweet. Yes, I realize now more than ever how fortunate I was to grow up in a great family. Items from my childhood bring back certain pleasant memories.  

Daddy was in the Air Force, so he traveled all over and we had many keepsakes from different countries. We had woven ponchos from Panama, ceramic elephants from Thailand, and a big stuffed llama from Peru. When I see these things from my childhood, they bring such sweet peace and comfort to my heart.

Unfortunately for us, too, was the fact that Daddy’s travel also subjected his body to some horrible things as well. My dad served in Korea and Vietnam. And, as many of you know, Daddy suffered in his last days from lung cancer.

On one very dark night, I was called up to come sit with Daddy because his mind was out of control and he was hallucinating. No medicine or interventions they tried were working. When I got there, I found my dad sitting in a wheelchair...dressed in only a diaper and a T-shirt...and he was screaming out uncontrollably.

My heart was broken. My daddy...the strongest man I had ever known...was sitting there in a most pitiful state. My dad never raised his voice, was filled with a quiet reserve, and was very private. I. Was. Broken.

As I approached Daddy he called out “Gayle, we have to get out of here. The Viet Cong is attacking. Don’t you hear the air raid sirens?”
What was actually happening was that people’s IV’s were beeping and the nursing home staff were talking to each other over the loud speaker.  

But Daddy’s mind was so attacked by the side effects of cancer, that he was flashing back to all the air raids from his days in Vietnam. I had been praying on my my drive all the way over that God would give me directions on how to help my Daddy. 

I pulled Daddy over beside me and held his hand and began to talk to him. Me being there helped, but he was still so upset and saying we had to take cover...they were going to kill us.

In my purse, I had my Bible. I grabbed it out and began to read to Daddy. We started in Psalm 91 because that was his favorite.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“He will protect you from every deadly disease!” Yes! As I was reading, I was praying “God protect my Daddy from the ravages of this disease. Deliver him from the grips of this terror.”

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91:4-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God was the protection for my Daddy. Daddy did not have to fear the terrors of the night. We didn’t have to fear this dreadful disease.

As I was reading, a calm began to come over Daddy. He body began to limber and the tension began to ease.

“If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”
‭‭Psalm 91:9-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m sure it was God’s angels that were protecting Daddy’s mind at that point.

“The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91:14-15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is no doubt in my mind that God rescued Daddy that night. As I continued reading from the Word, it wasn’t long until Daddy was fast asleep and we were able to get him back in bed. I slept peacefully the rest of the night in the recliner beside him. We both woke up refreshed...and protected...and rescued in the Lord.

My friends...God’s Word is always the answer to it all.  Just like the sun will always rise in the morning, His mercies will always be new.  Lean in to Him.  

_________________
Art behind the story:

When I saw the Llama Love set, they brought such sweet memories of the stuffed llama we had from my childhood. I knew they had to go in my Bible with the story of deliverance from the Lord.

I stamped the mountains several times, and then watercolored and fussy cut them. The same is true for the llamas, the blankets and the cactus. I watercolored the background and then stamped the words using the Chunky Lowercase Alpha. I used Derwent Inktense pencils to shadow the letters. After gluing the fussy cut pieces on the page, I added more watercolor for highlights and then completed the page with the mountain clip.

There are several great new releases for August on the Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps website. If you use of them on social media, please tag me. I’d love to see what you do with them.

Until next time,
GayleIG: patioponderings