Peace in Him

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world."

      Peace! The dictionary defines Peace as: freedom from disturbance; tranquility. Seems like a simple concept right?!? Would you say that your soul is at peace? Peace is a concept I really never spent much time thinking about honestly. I've always considered myself a happy, content person. But with a huge loss in my family recently, I have turned to scripture for comfort. So many comforting verses talk about peace through our father. After losing someone you love, especially in a sudden, unexpected way, you most likely are struggling with the concept of "peace" like I am. 

This verse John 16:33, has popped up numerous times throughout my studies recently since my Dad passed in January. And what a perfect verse it is to focus on during a time of grief! Here, he explains.... Yes, I have told you that you will have trouble in your life, it won't be perfect and it won't always be easy, I haven't promised you anything different. But you can take comfort in knowing the I have overcome all of the terrible things of this world, and when you lean into me and seek peace in my name, you too will find peace.

I do find so much comfort just in the fact that Jesus admits, yes we will have trouble, that's going to happen. It makes me feel a little less alone and that he knows we will face troubles but that He will be there with us through it all. Last summer I learned about the word "Tharseo". It's a Greek word meaning "take heart or have courage", which is found all throughout the bible in many different circumstances. I have that word engraved on a necklace now because it is such a great reminder throughout your day, when you feel like you're struggling and need a little help. I whisper "tharseo", like a little reminder to myself that, I've got this, I can do this with God's help!

When creating this page, the scripture cross stamp reminded me of the crosses that hang at the bottom of a rosary. And for some people, when they are heavy hearted and lay their prayers at God's feet, they hold a rosary and give their prayers to God! So I stamped the scripture cross on card stock, backed it with some brown paper and cut the cross out. I attached a metal fastener to the top so you can twist the cross on the page like the rosary is just laying on top of the page. 

The background of the page was created using 3 different colors of Distress Ink (Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, Walnut Stain) around the edges and blended together. Then I randomly stamped Typewriter Text Background and a Texture Tiles 3 stamp on the edges of the page, and softened the stamps with a little white acrylic paint on top to smudge it a bit. After I was pleased with the background, I used pencil and prismacolor pencils to hand draw the beads of the necklace, adding some shadow under the beads to help it look a little more 3-D. Then I secured the cross to the bottom of the necklace and my page was finished! I didn't want to background to be very complicated so the scripture verse is what stands out the most and is most important!

If you are struggling and going through a rough point in your life, I pray you many find some comfort from this verse and this page! He will see us through it, we just need to remain next to him and give him our troubles!

xoxo,

Stephanie Gammon

IG: @faith.and.creativity 

Scripture Crosses

Typewriter Text Background

Texture Tiles 3 

All-Present God

Hey guys, tis I, Deeds!

I'm very blessed to be writing on this platform today, and the stamp sets for this month have been so perfect for my study time!

So.

I started Esther.  I have always had a special place in my heart for this book of the Bible.  Even as a child, not very aware of its importance and significance in the Holy Inspired Word of God, I loved the idea of "pauper turned princess!"  Always, always, always I love royalties and stories of banquets!

I loved hearing how someone of no consequence whatsoever was brought into the house of a King.  She was clothed in riches. Her hair would have been smelly with all sorts of flowery scents, and her gowns?  Oh, her gowns.  Flowing.  Slow-motion effect dresses that match the movement of her soft long curls in her hair.  Yup.  THAT Esther. 
So.

I started Esther, as I said.  I love it now as I ever did, but now I see something very different in this book.  Something NOT of fairy tales.  Something NOT of gowns and flowing, magical hair.  I don't very much see Esther as the main focal point, nor do I see her as the featured character.  She's not the heroine, though I would certainly love for her to be.  Her place in this book is consequential, but it's NOT the most important. 
In fact, the real and true Hero goes unmentioned, un-adored, and unsung. 
He's the main Focus, though He does not speak.
He's the Centerpiece, though He seems absent and on the outskirts of all activity.

God. 
God is the focus.
God is the main.
God is ALWAYS the Hero.

Organizing, orchestrating, and manipulating events in real time, while working His glorious, timeless will.  He's pretty incredible, y'all, no doubt about it.

So, as I begin Esther, I'm reminded of a couple of things. 
Firstly, that Esther is what we would call a "means to an end."  She's definitely a person with real emotions and intellect, and I am not dismissing her; she has a place and purpose in the story of the Almighty.  When it is her time to come through for her people the Jews, she acts in bravery and security in her God.  I truly admire this young girl, precariously placed.  But, though the book bears her name, it's the loving and gracious action of God which placed her in a "royal position for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). 

Secondly, GOD IS FAITHFUL.  All the time, He is "El Emunah."  From the very beginning of the book called, "Esther," we read detail after detail of a setup which landed all characters within a part in His plan; a plan that, hands down, could be among the top 3 of redemptive historical accounts!  It was not the first, and it certainly would not be the last event circling the salvation of the Jewish people.  And throughout scripture we are reminded of the power of God's covenant with His people; with the Jews, and also with Christians today.  He is ever-mindful of His purpose and plan for all things - good and evil - to work His good pleasure and bring glory to Himself. 

It definitely puts a different spin on any films about our friend, Esther, doesn't it? Precious girl, I'd like to meet her one day. 


With this in mind, I find the study of Esther even more beautiful than gorgeous gowns and silver goblets.  It's alluring simply because though God seems absent, He is completely and perfectly present.  From the dawn of this new queen that assumes her throne, to the shakedown of the villain (Haman), Yahweh, the covenant Lord of the Israelites is moving…working…acting.  What He has promised, He will do. 

Here's to the Lover and Keeper of our souls!
Everywhere present.
Always present.
El Emunah.

And on that note, happy studying! Much love,

Deeds

From Darkness to Light

Matthew 27:45, "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabach-thani?' that is, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" 

From noon to three on the day of our Savior's death, darkness covered all of Judea. We don't know how this darkness occurred, but it is clear that God caused it, and it's clear that it was more than just a natural darkness - it was a physical and spiritual darkness. This isn't in the Bible, but if you take a moment to imagine, I'm sure you can see the darkness descending and all of Judea going still. No birds chirping, no dogs barking - all of nature silently testifying to the gravity of Jesus' death. 

"It is finished." With those three words, our Lord gave up the ghost. The veil was torn from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks broke, the saints rose from their tombs, and the whole region knew that something significant had occurred.

Matthew 28: 1-6, "Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb..... But the angel said to the women, 'do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.'"

On the dawning of the third day, Mary Magdalene and Mary went to the tomb and encountered an angel who gave them the greatest news of all time. "He is not here, for he is risen, just as he said." The darkness was not the end, it was only the beginning! Jesus' resurrection ushered in the hope of light and life for all who believe on Him. Praise God!

I designed this two-page spread to illustrate the transition from darkness to light and life in Jesus. I used the He is Risen and the Bitty Minnie clear stamp sets and Distress Inks and Oxides to create this page. I stamped the images first and then blended the Distress Inks Oxides around the stamped areas. I used crayons to color in the tomb and colored pencils to add more color to the He is Risen letters, as well as a white gel pen to add some dimension around the letters. I stamped the word 'alive' from the He is Risen set on to a tab and added some washi tape and stickers to finish out the page. 

My friends, I pray you take a moment today to reflect on the the light and life found in Jesus. 💚

Love in Christ, 

Janelle

@journlingjoy

ALL knowing, ALL present, ALL powerful...

Hi friends,

I love how the psalmist meditates on the awesome knowledge, presence and power of God in Psalm 139.

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”

even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

No matter how far we may have wandered, or how dark our circumstances might be, or how insignificant or alone we feel, God is always with us and he knows and rules over all things. May these truths bring our hearts joy and peace.

I had fun in my Journaling Psalter creating this mixed media spread in Psalm 139. I created a background using acrylic paint, then added stenciling and some sponged ink around the edges. The text comes from the fab new All in All set, and the leaves I stamped along the edges are from the March Stamp of the Month: Doodle Florals.

I pray that we would all grow in our knowledge and confidence in our all-knowing, all-present and all-powerful God, who loves and cares for his children so faithfully.

x Amy x

The Sweetest Privilege

The privilege of praying for others is one of the sweetest gifts. When someone you know is struggling, carrying their needs to the Lord is a blessing. Not only is it a blessing for them, it blesses the person praying as well.

Paul, the apostle, with Timothy at his side is writing a letter to their brothers and sisters in Colosse. In the greeting of the book of Colossians, starting with verse 2, Paul asks for God to give them grace and peace. Then the next words from Paul’s hands are words of precious encouragement. He tells them “we always pray for you and we give thanks to God.” 

I had to stop right there. Do I ALWAYS pray for my brothers and sisters? Do I always give thanks to God for them?

He goes on to talk about the hope they have of heaven. He tells he has heard such good things about them and the love they have for others. He then says again “we have not stopped praying for you.” He goes on to say he asks God “for complete knowledge of his will and spiritual understanding.” 

Do I pray like that? Do I ask God to grow my brothers and sisters? 

In verse 11, Paul prays they will be “strengthened, and have all the endurance and patience they need.” Lastly he prays that they will be “filled with joy always thanking the Father.” 

Recently a sweet sister of mine was going through a tough spot. The Lord drew me to these verses. I had been praying for her for a couple of years...since right after I met her. 

Now I had the sweet privilege of praying for her to be strengthened, and have patience. I got to pray for her to have wisdom in some decisions she needed to make. Most of all I prayed that she would be filled with joy and that she would always be thanking the Father. 

Who has the Lord put on your heart today that you needs your prayers? It’s a sweet privilege. Don’t miss your opportunity! Remember the example of Paul.

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father..”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:9, 11-12a‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Art behind the story:

For the background, I used distress inks and the smooshing tecnique. The flowers are the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps set of the month called Doodle Florals.  Like I often do, I stamped them on card stock, colored them with a water brush and distress ink, then fussy cut them. The word "remember" is from the set called Note This. 

If you're interested in this technique, be sure to join the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps VIP Facebook group.  I'll be doing a LIVE there at the end of March to show how to do this.  Would love for you to join us!

Until next time,

Gayle 

Patio Ponderings

Just Be Kind

“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

For this page I used Distress Sprays and sprayed the page sparingly. Then added a little bit of water to pull the water in different directions. I then stamped the flowers and vines from Doodle Florals with VersaFine Onyx Black Ink. I colored in the flowers with permanent markers and with watercolor pencils. I used a white signo pen to scripple around them. For the Just Be words at the bottom I used the Just Be stamp set. And then journaled. I punched a tab and added washi. 

You can shop for the stamp sets here. 

Blessings,

Colleen

IG: StirtheSOUL

All the Time

"The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made." Psalm 145:9

Hi Sweet Friends,

The first time I saw the stamp set that I used for this set, the "all the time" stamp just stood out to me. It made me immediately think of the quote from "God's Not Dead", "God is good all the time; and all the time, God is good." That quote really stuck with me. But I had to ask myself if I truly believed it. Is God good ALL THE TIME? We often hear people ask, "If God is good, then why did (fill in the blank) happen?" I can't answer why bad things happen other than the fact that we live in a fallen world. But I can answer with a resounding YES! that God is good ALL THE TIME. Why can I say that? Because God IS goodness.

We live in a dark world. When we're told a family member has cancer...when we lose a job...when we're going through tough times and the enemy is trying to bring us down, that's when we have to reach deep down to what we know and declare that God is good no matter what. It's not about how we feel, it's about what we know. And we can KNOW it because....

• Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."
• Psalm 107:1, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."
• Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
• Isaiah 55:8-9, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."
• Psalm 119:68, "You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees."
• 2 Peter 1:3, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."

And these are just a few verses that speak to God's goodness! We can KNOW that God is good because the Bible tells us He is. The Bible is Truth, Absolute Truth. Our God is good. He is compassionate. He is our refuge...our shield....our Savior. God is good all the time; and all the time, God is good. Can I get an amen?

Page details: I used the following Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets: All in All, Send Me, & He is Risen. All in All and He is Risen are brand new sets released this month. They are both great sets. I've enjoyed using them both! I also used watercolor crayons.

Have a blessed week. Andrea