More Valuable than Birds

Hey Friends!

How's everyone doing?  I pray you are all safe and well.  I know so many people who have been consumed with anxiety and fear over the past several weeks.  I admit, I have had times when fear has crept in to my mind as well.  Many of our lives have been completely transformed by impacts from the coronavirus.  We are concerned about our health and the health of our loved ones, about our jobs and finances, and we are all adjusting to the new normal of social distancing.  Many people are stockpiling supplies and food and we are encouraged to wear masks and gloves when we go out of the house.

The times we are living in is surreal and uncertain, but the Bible tells us over and over again, to "fear not".  Jesus addresses anxiety and worry in this way to his disciples:

 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For there is more to life than food, and more to the body than clothing. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add an hour to his life? So if you cannot do such a very little thing as this, why do you worry about the rest?"

Luke 12:22-26 

When you feel anxious, turn to the Word of God for comfort.  God holds us all in the palm of His hand and knows the outcome of this pandemic before it began.  He will use this for His glory.  I am praying you all find peace and rest in the Father's presence and in the knowledge that if he looks after the birds, he will certainly look after you.

Page Details:
I did a simple watercolor background for my page.  I stamped out this lovely bird from the new Beautiful Birds set on watercolor paper, colored it in and adhered it to the page.  I stamped my title using Print Blocks Alpha, Bitty Mini Alpha, and Skinny Mini Alpha. 

Until next time, catch up with me on Instagram @simplyjillsjourney.

XOXO,

Jill

Praise God All. The. Time.

Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the Lord; 

I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song." Judges 5:3

Hi Friends!

Have you been praising God in the midst of this new normal? Judges 5 is a song that Deborah and Barak sang in praise to God. It recounts what God had done for them. That's a good lesson for us. When life isn't going the way we planned, or the way we want, we need to remember what God has done for us. That will help us to not only praise Him, but to know that He is working in our current circumstances.

For me personally, this time at home has been productive. I've prayed more and been in God's Word more. I've cleaned the storage area in my basement. I've been a little bit better at the house work. (Cleaning is the LAST thing I ever want to do. LOL) I hope you're finding some positives in this time too. I know there is a lot of hardship and uncertainty. But I am fully convinced that God is working His purpose in this. And I praise Him, even when I don't understand all of what He's doing (which, let's be honest, is most of the time!)

Let's praise Him in the good. Let's praise Him in the bad. Let's praise Him in the in between.

Page details: I used the following Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets: Your Story Let's Do This, and All in All. I love all of these sets! They are just so versatile. Look at all those cute paper clips! My page is very simple! I just stamped and then used chalk pastels around the notebook paper to make the paper stand out a little. To apply the pastels, I just took a paper towel and wrapped it around my finger, dipped into the pastel and applied it to my page. I just covered the notebook paper that I wanted to stay white with a scrap piece of paper.

Have a blessed week! Andrea

Silent Saturday...

Hi friends,

Today is known as Holy Saturday in the Christian calendar, or as some people have named it: Silent Saturday. That is because on this day, the day between the crucifixion of Good Friday and the resurrection of Easter Sunday there is stillness and silence. The grave is silent. There is no word or sound from heaven. The Sabbath is observed by the Jewish people, who cease from work and rest.

During Jesus' trial there are times when he remains silent, recorded in Matthew 26 and Mark 14. He could have called down legions of angels, he could have shouted out the truth in his defence, but he chose to remain silent in the face of the accusations and anger, to fulfil the prophecy found in Isaiah 53:7.

Many people experience the silence of heaven, not just on Silent Saturday, but many times during their lives. This can be a very painful experience and it is easy to feel abandoned or hopeless in these times. I wonder how the disciples felt on that Saturday as they observed the Sabbath. They must have been bewildered, devastated, feeling guilty and lost. It is important to acknowledge these feelings and not to brush them aside - they are a very real part of life. But it is also important to remember that Silent Saturday is not the end of the story. On Sunday, Jesus was raised from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father as our glorious, reigning King and Lord. This is true whether we are experiencing silence or not. Silence is painful, and it can feel like it lasts for ever, but it doesn't, because the end of our story is always life and hope when we are in Christ.

On this page in Matthew 26 I used the lily stamp from Rustic Easter to stamp a wreath, masking off each stamped image so I could layer another one over the top so they created a continuous image. I coloured with watercolour and stamped the text using Skinny Minnie Alpha and Chunky Lowercase Alpha. Here are the sets I used:

I hope that if you are experiencing what feels like silence from heaven right now that you will take comfort from the truth of the resurrection and the hope that this brings. I also hope that if you know of people who feel like heaven is silent to them that you would be able to minister this truth to their hearts.

Be blessed...

x Amy x

Stay Hydrated

Several years ago in an attempt to better my health and lose weight, I started running. It’s actually kind of a funny story. I began working at a company that required physical activity as part of every job description and so when I began in June, I started the journey of getting healthy. In July I decided I wanted to start running and then in August signed up to run the Mississippi Blues Half-Marathon. I figured if I was going to it, I should do it all the way, right?!? Little did I know that running would literally change my life. It changed my health, it changed my determination and over the years it changed my perspective on a lot of things that we face in our lifetime. Races became addicting to me. The endurance required, the competition involved, all of it flipped a switch in my mind and made me determined to do well. It’s also what gave me the desire to pursue exercise certifications and encourage others on their fitness journey. 

Life is a lot like running, especially running a race. Hebrews 12:1 even says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Each of us are in a race called LIFE and it can be truly challenging at times to run. We encounter uphill battles, times that we are running alone and weather that makes us wonder if we are going to make it back to the finish line. From not wearing the right clothes to not being fueled correctly, races can be hard! But, there’s something about getting closer to the finish line that makes you run harder, faster, more determined to finish well. And I don’t know about you, but I want to finish my race well.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to dive into some racing logistics with you and share with you the importance of the little things, because so often those are the big things. I hope you’ll stick around and be encouraged J

Racing Rule #1: Stay Hydrated
The spring/summer season is finally upon us and where I live in Central Mississippi, summers can be brutal. It’s common for it to be 100 degrees with 100% humidity in the hottest part of the summer. And for someone who thrives on being outdoors, it is necessary for me to always have a glass of water close by. But did you know that hydration is not just a day to day thing? It’s a cumulative process. What you do today to stay hydrated will affect you tomorrow. What you do tomorrow will affect you the next day and so on. Staying hydrated is so vitally important for your physical well-being. In a mild form, dehydration can cause dizziness, muscle cramps, headaches and loss of focus. Our bodies were made to need water. It’s what keeps you alive and functioning properly. It’s what satisfies your thirst and gives you strength. And spiritually, it’s no different. Our souls thirst for something to satisfy us. And of all the options out there that claim to quench thirst, there is nothing that will satisfy besides the Living Water that Jesus offers. And just as we have to stay physically hydrated every day, we have to stay spiritually hydrated every day. I love how Heidi St. John says it in her book, Becoming MomStrong: 

“Think about it. Just one day without water leads to dehydration. Well, our souls are no different. That’s why we can’t afford to go a single day without connecting with the Lord, either through His Word or in prayer. Doing so puts us at risk for spiritual dehydration….Do you want to run and not grow weary? (Isaiah 40:31) Drink from the living water! We were born to thirst for our Creator. Without coming to Him daily, we’ll eventually find ourselves weary, weak and discouraged.”

Weary. Weak. Discouraged. Is that where you are? I know I sometimes am. Especially right now when life as we know it has come to an abrupt halt. But then I have to ask myself, what am I drinking? Am I drinking from THE Source or am I reaching for something else to satisfy me? There are a lot of options out there that claim to be good sources of hydration. And many of those things are good things.  But often they are filled with extra calories, extra sugars, extra sodium that for many of us is not necessary. It’s not that the drink in and of itself is bad, in fact, in certain circumstances, it is what you need, but the majority of the time, your body doesn’t need that extra stuff. It needs water. Teaching children’s church, serving on the hospitality committee, Bible Journaling, those things are not bad, but when you start to get thirsty, is that what you are reaching for to satisfy you? Is that what you are using to quench the desires of your spirit? If it is, I say, put the lid back on your cup and re-evaluate your drink.

Did you also know that when you begin to feel thirst that you are already dehydrated? Oh, yikes. Part of staying hydrated means giving your body what it needs before it feels like it needs it. It means giving it a steady, constant source of water so that it doesn’t begin to shut down. It means making the time and the effort to grab a glass of water.  And once you get behind, it’s hard to catch up. But races don’t stop. Life doesn’t stop. We have to continuously hydrate ourselves with the word of God so that when the hard times do come, we are ready, we are strong, we can keep on climbing that hill because we are filled with necessary nutrients that our body needs. If we get sidelined because of dehydration, we are a sitting target for the Enemy to get ahead. Read your Bible. Spend time in prayer. Connect with other believers who can encourage and uplift you. Whatever it takes – GET. IN. THE. WORD and make sure that your spirit stays hydrated. 

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” John 4:13-14

So when that deep thirst starts to hit you, what are you reaching for? Are you reaching for the sports drinks that offer empty promises? Are you feeling weak and discouraged with the results? Reach for the pure source of hydration, the living water that will satisfy every cell within your body. Drink it every day and then you will begin to experience the stamina you need to run and not grow weary.

Have a great Easter weekend, friends!
Jennifer 
@lifeintherace

Crafty Details
I started this page with a watercolor background in various shades of blues and purple. I then used TextureTiles 1 to add some dimension. I stamped the jar from Life and Lemons and added a water line with my micron pen. I then used Love Ya Like A Sister alpha to stamp the words “stay hydrated” at the bottom. I finished off the page with the above quote from Heidi St. John, a bow clip and date stamp.

Remedying by Reminding

Stamp sets used are listed below with their respective affiliate links!  Thank you so much for your support! <3

"In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all this according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory."  (Eph. 1:11-12, ESV)

Hello and happy Tuesday, friends!

As we continue in our search for meaning and purpose in our quarantine, there are just a couple of things (well, actually just one thing) that I'd like to help us all call to mind.  This may seem repetitive, but I think you'll find that there is significance and importance in repetition - especially in God's Word, the Bible.  

Why do you think that is?

I can only imagine just how patient and kind the Lord is as He waits for us daily to call on Him.  I can only imagine just how compassionately He bids us to Himself, drawing us into the comfort by which only He is able to comfort.
Because COVID 19 continues to sweep the nation, permeating even our more rural landscapes, we can't help but think about it:  each time we step outside; each time we re-enter our occupational arena, potentially for the last time; every time we schedule a Zoom date with a friend, colleagues, classroom; each time we plan a trip to the store or bank; all postings on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter; every print out of lessons for children being educated in the home; all the commands to "wash your hands;" every sneeze, cough, and visit to the toilet...
The list is truly endless.  We are inundated in a way that our country has never known.

As often as we are reminded of the hazard that claims the mind of all, the fear of many, the health of some, and the lives of others, it is to our peace of heart and mind that we CONTINUE to remind ourselves of the Gospel. 
First and foremost (which is the most significant in our daily battles with fear and anxiety) is the deity of Christ.
Christ our God and Savior. (Titus 2:13)

Christ our King. (John 12:15)

Christ our Victor. (1 Cor. 15:57)

Christ our Hope of glory. (Col. 1:27)

Christ our Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Refuge, Shield, Horn of Salvation, & Stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

He is ALL of these, and so much more, and ALL of scripture points to this One who is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. (Rev. 22:13)
He's the point of the Bible, the Word become flesh.  (John 1:14)
He's the Founder and Creator of ALL things for Him, and through Him ALL things exist. (Col. 1:16)

Let's dive into scripture where we will find not only the stunning, awe-inspiring, royal and powerful attributes of Jesus Christ, but also give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to minister to our souls in this very time.  He IS the Helper, after all.  He IS the gift that we are given as a seal of who we are - the mark that we belong to the family of God.  He IS the teacher that renews our minds, changes our hearts, and calms our souls. 

What are we truly waiting for? 
The virus spreads far and wide, but the love of God is wider, longer, higher and deeper! (Eph. 3:18)

What are we truly waiting for?

With every reminder of our mortality, there is power of remembering the hope of our eternity! (2 Cor. 4:17)

What are we truly waiting for?

Life changes by the minute, but our God is an everlasting God, with whom there is no shadow of change! (James 1:17)

Deeds! Too many Bible verses!
GOOD!  

Go read them; go highlight them; go share them with another; go write them on the doorposts and mantles of your homes (or on an index card, a post-it note, or chalkboard in plain sight)!
Our hope for peace, life, and joy lies in these verses. 
Anxiety, fear, confusion and worry can be countered with the focus on the Gospel - the determined meditation and deliberate rehearsal of God, who He is, what He has done and what He will do.  

It is your life. (Col. 3:4)

"For God SO LOVED THE WORLD that He GAVE His ONLY SON, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE."  John 3:16

Gospel truth is important for ANY day, let alone throughout the outbreak of something our medical and scientific fields are still clamoring to understand.

As the "wildfire" of COVID 19 consumes our world, remember the God who (according to the Biblical narrative) remains the Fire that has never gone out, never goes away and never gives up.

Fight fear with fire!

Fight panic with praise!

Fight confusion with truth!

Fight worry with the Word!

Fight!

And remedy your shaken soul with rock-solid reminders of our good, good Father.

Faithful, holy Father,

We are a people of amnesia - we forget.  We forget and need the constant reminder in Your Word of who You are and just how needless our fear truly is.  Lord, as we battle daily, fighting for the understanding of our present state and the peace of our troubled hearts, help us!  Help us!  Remind us!  Let us come to You and remember!  Let us fall on You and be at peace.  Let us call on You and find joy!  Let us lift our hands to You and worship!
For You are our God!

In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen.  And, amen.

So much more love than you know,

Deeds

**Entire Early Bird special (that goes until 4/9) is here!  Enjoy and God bless!

With Love Alpha

Your Story

Your Story Matters

"The man from whom the devils had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 'Return to your home and declare how much God has done for you.' And he went away, proclaiming through the whole city how much Jesus had done for him." 

Luke 8:38-39

Luke 8 tells us the story of the man possessed by many demons. We all know the story, right? Jesus met the man and cast the demons into a herd of swine, which then ran over a cliff into the sea and perished. The man, finally restored to his right mind after being demon-possessed for many years, thanked Jesus and begged Jesus to let him follow Him and be one of His disciples. Jesus, however, told the man to go back to his home and tell others what had God had done for him, and the man went back to his hometown and the Bible tells us that he "proclaimed to the whole city all that Jesus had done for him." 

The man wanted to leave all and follow Jesus, but Jesus knew that his greatest ministry would be in taking his story back to his hometown. 

Each of us has a unique story to tell. Mine is one of teen motherhood, alcohol dependency, a broken family, and God's wonderful, redemptive grace. (I actually shared some of my testimony in our Creative Worship group last weekend if you want to join the group and hear my story. You can find my live video under Unit 2. 💕) Your story may be different than mine, but it is just as important. The best way to share the gospel message is to share with others your personal experience with Jesus. Your hometown is your mission field. Your story matters - share it!

  

I used this month's new release stamp set Your Story to create this page. I love all of the stamp sets, but this one is definitely going to be a favorite! It has so many uses - for Bible journaling, card making, and just little journaling notecards of encouragement.

  

You have a story that matters. Whatever your story, God wants to use it for His honor and His glory. Use your story to point others to Jesus.

Love in Christ, 

Janelle

@journalingjoy

2 Timothy 1:7

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

We are living in a historical time. This moment we are living in where our day to day lives have been completely turned upside down and put on pause, is something like the majority of us have never experienced before. There is so much uncertainty, anxiety, fear and worry in the air that if feels like you can't escape it. Almost every channel is talking about the coronavirus, to the point that we're all sick of even hearing the word. As much darkness that seems to be all around us, now is the time when we christians can really shine! We need to turn up our lights as bright as we can and shine our light into the darkness and show others the way through! 

Can christians be scared or worried? Of course! I mean, our lives have changed so drastically and almost overnight! So it's totally natural to be uncomfortable and anxious. But God! We know how our faith and hope is in. And now we need to remind others. In times like these we need to suit up, put on our armor and have a battle plan! God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Fear does not come from him, so we must not focus and dwell on it. Instead we need to focus on power and self-control. 

I have 3 steps in my battle plan!

1. Adopt a Fear-Not Mentality

   We need to put aside our fears, questions, worries and concerns. We can't dwell on the negative fearful thoughts that the media is constantly putting out there. We have our faith and that is so much stronger than fear!

2. Stand Tall & Trust God

    Our God is an awesome God! He is all powerful and all mighty! HE IS ABLE! 

3. Expect God's Help

    It is human nature to try and fix all of our problems on our own. Even when we KNOW things are out of our control, we still do our best to fix things. And too often it's not until all our attempts have failed that we seek His help. But I truly believe that this worldwide pandemic has really opened a lot of people's eyes. I believe people who haven't prayed in a long time are now praying to God for help. I have prayed that God stops this sickness is such an amazing way that no one ever doubts that there is a God! How wonderful would that be! We need to expect His help, because He WILL help us!

So get up, grab your armor, suit up, and be ready for battle!

xoxo,

Stephanie

@faith.and.creativity

Messy Stamped Alpha

Armor of God

Texture Tiles 2