Snowman Praise

It’s 45 below in Chicago? Praise the Lord! Our flight might be cancelled? Praise the Lord! Our entire trip is cancelled?! Praise the Lord! That was the progression of thoughts last week before our trip to a basketball tournament in Michigan was cancelled due to the worst weather conditions in over 25 years.  I was organizing the trip for 42 people—girls’ and boys’ varsity teams, sponsors, and parents--to fly to Chicago, drive to southwest Michigan, and then compete in a national high school basketball tournament.  Everything was well-planned and under control, and it was going to be AWESOME! Plus, it was my son’s chance to play in front of the coach of his chosen college’s team, hopefully with the opportunity to earn a basketball scholarship. 

But things fell through. The weather predictions kept getting worse. The temperatures kept dropping. The airlines sent the dreaded email that the flight was cancelled. We desperately tried alternative routes, to no avail.  Apparently, this trip was not meant to be.  My son was devastated. And I felt completely out of control. 

I argued with God over this one.  But He convicted me when I read this verse: “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised…” (Psalm 16:25).  This entire chapter is actually a song of praise. David dealt with disappointment after disappointment, but he continued to praise God.  Wow! I can and SHOULD praise God, even when I’m disappointed, simply because God is praiseworthy!

An alternate basketball trip presented itself, this time to Texas.  We fly out next week.  My son will have the opportunity to meet the college coach.  God works everything out! He is greatly to be praised!

For this page, I created a wintery theme with the Crazy About Snowmen stamp set.  I first stamped the image of a snowman with his arms lifted, as if in praise, and then used Distress Oxides in Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, and Dusty Concord to paint him.  I used watercolors from DotsNDust  (Sugar Rush set and Shimma) to create the colored background, then used some stencils from FaithItSociety with Distress Oxides.  I stamped the words with the Healer of My Heart set directly onto the Bible page, and the letters from the Typewriter Blocks Alpha set onto white card stock, and then cut them out.  I alternated the colors of the letters to match the colors in the snowman.  I finished the page with washi tape, a tag, and texture stamping (Texture Tiles 1).  Of course, I added my journaling to help me remember this story, and the date stamp to truly archive this entry. 

How has God taught you that you weren’t in control? How does He remind you to continue to praise Him?  Share below in the comments.  Remember, we praise Him because He is worthy to be praised! 

           

It's OK to not be OK

John 16:32-33

...Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.  

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

 In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

To be completely honest, I am struggling trying to figure out how to start this blog post. This is a very personal page I recently did as I am currently going through a heart breaking experience. Not quite a month ago, my dad passed away unexpectedly. Even writing that sentence is not simple and I still don't believe it. It's like my head understands, but my heart doesn't comprehend.

How do you cope with losing a parent that you were so close to? There is not a set of clear directions on how to handle that. When I first found out about it, I was driving and had nowhere to pull over. My chest got tight, I felt like I couldn't breath, and my eyes filled with tears. I thought "no, there is no way this is true, how could this possibly happen? I just talked to him yesterday!" I had just left a women's ministry meeting at church and was on my way home, but I knew I couldn't drive the whole way safely. So I turned around and headed back to church. 

I walked in and saw my friend standing in the hall. She just looked at me and said "Stephanie! What's wrong?" and I struggled to get the words out and nearly collapsed in the hall. I could hardly catch my breath and I was surrounded by a group of ladies who immediately started praying for me. My entire world stopped and changed that night. It's still not the same and I know it will forever be different. As a christian, I know now is the time when I need to lean on God for comfort and peace as I face this "new normal" as many have called it. But to be totally honest, it hasn't been easy. I almost, haven't wanted to seek that comfort because then I would be admitting that all of this is real, if that makes any sense. 

A lot of my grief always seems to hit me when I'm alone driving in the car. One day recently a song came on the radio, "Maybe It's Ok" by We Are Messengers. This one part of the song jumped out at me as I drove down the road and fell apart...

Maybe it's ok if I'm not ok

'Cause the One who holds the world is holding onto me

Maybe it's alright if I'm not alright

'Cause the One who hold the stars is holding my whole life

-"Maybe It's Ok" by We Are Messengers

This song made me realize, it's ok that I'm not ok right now! I know the Lord will be my source of comfort and will help heal my heart.. eventually. But for now, in this moment, it's alright that I am literally falling apart at the seams. In John 16:32-33 is says "...Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He reminds us that life is not going to be perfect. Things will be difficult and you will have hard times. But we can find peace in Him. He has overcome the entire world and we can lean on him!

So I have been praying that God will help show me his peace in this difficult time. Help me listen to him and lean on him. I know it will take time for things to "feel normal" again, but there will always be a piece of my heart missing. We had many more memories to make, hugs to give, pictures to take, and laughs to share. But I have been trying to focus on all of the things I am grateful for. Like the 32 years of memories we made together, all of the milestones he was there for, the last 1 1/2 years that he lived closer and my girls got to know their Papa so much better, and lastly that we talked for a half an hour the day before he passed. I only wish I had be given the chance to say goodbye to the man that was my rock my entire life. But I try to remind myself that he will still look down on us from heaven and see my kids grow. 

If you are reading this and also going through an extremely difficult time in your life, I pray you seek and find comfort through our mighty and powerful God! We won't feel it right away, it will still hurt, but the peace and comfort will come if we lean on Him!

xoxo,

Stephanie Gammon

Typewriter Blocks Alpha

Healer of My Heart

Shake It Off Lowercase Alpha

Life In Jesus

Beautiful Change

Hey guys!

I'm thrilled about today.  I get to write about something that is often considered in a negative light: change.  Yes, change.  Particularly, and more importantly, change of our person; change of our heart. 
Being a Christian is not easy.  Well, it's not supposed to be. 

Christ died for our contentment; not comfort. 

Christ died to make us debt free; not problem free.

It's hard right?  This life?  Life is hard, and the "hard" we experience can lead us into a world of uncertainty, panic and confusion.  But in light of what the Bible says, we - I - should be ready to embrace the unexpected, unwanted, and unforeseen.  Because of our belief in God, we should ALWAYS be on the lookout to receive His way of making us new.

This, too, is difficult.  As much as we'd like to walk in freedom of trial and tribulation, affliction and heartache, Christ Himself tells us to walk in "newness of life," which implies hope, joy, new beginnings, fresh perspectives, and rightful desires!  It's amazing what a mind set on Jesus will think; what a heart devoted to Jesus can believe!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come."  2 Corinthians 5:17


I made a tip-in with this verse from the set, "Made New."  This set includes a beautifully lettered scripture and gorgeous, delicate butterfly images.  I LOVE butterfly images in my Bible.  There IS something so sweet about having these amazing creatures portrayed - especially when talking of newness of life.  Old stuff is gone; new stuff has come.  I think anyone would appreciate a overhaul like this! 
The metamorphosis of a butterfly is breath-taking, right.  It's like a magic trick!  We've all seen as the cocoon erupts with a different creature than went in.  And you talk about an overhaul!
A new life in Jesus is much more than magic, and goes beyond just the physical overhaul we see in nature; it is such a newness as God writes His beloved Son on your heart, placing His Spirit in your soul.  You're marked.  Marked with more than wings of color; you're marked with royalty, priesthood, heirship, and joy.  You're marked with Jesus!
This doesn't mean problems fade or disappear.  We are still in the world.  We are still living in a broken mess of humanity.  We are still attached to this thing we call the "flesh," which we battle on a daily basis.  BUT GOD knows us so intimately (as stated in Psalm 139), that He has graciously provided a way - THE WAY - to cope, handle, understand, fight, and deal with what comes our way.  

Will it be difficult?  Yes, we all agreed that life IS certainly a mess. 
Will it be doable?  Yes, may we all agree that "the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7), as we engage this mess to the glory of God!

What a wonderful God!
What a beautiful change!

I am a new creature in the Beloved Son of God. 
I am a new person in my heart and soul.
I have new life with purpose, drive and impact.
I have new hope with security, peace and protection.

I am made new to bring glory to God.

I am made new to live Light before man.

I am new.

I am changed.

And that's beautiful.

Much love,

Deeds
 

Persevere in Praise

His praise shall continually

be in my mouth.

Psalm 34:1

...let us continually offer up a

sacrifice of praise to God...

Hebrews 15:15

My Word of the Year is PERSEVERE and I'm finding so many scriptural applications for it that I'm truly fascinating by looking at one word and seeing how it plays out in God's Word.  For the post today I traveled down one path of my word map to look more carefully at persevering in praise.  Very enlightening in that the Bible has so many examples of the faithful who persevered in praising God in spite of their hardships, during times of loss and grief, when praise was truly a painful sacrifice to a great and Holy God. 

Perseverance intertwines patience and persistence.  We are to keep on praising with a steadfastness that will not wane or waver when deep waters rise.  I collected only a few personally significant verses here in my little Travelers' Notebook, a place where I'm trapping a number of ways I'm exploring my WOY. 

We all know how much easier it is to praise when God answers our prayers, when He blesses us, when He gives us the desire of our hearts.  It's hard...it's a sacrifice offered in pain and anguish to praise Him when we are left brokenhearted and empty handed.  I've been in both places, haven't you.  Broken, shattered, so empty I wasn't sure there was breath in my lungs.  But I found breath...and I made choices to use the little air I had left to offer praise.  He breathed blessing back into me.  More praise...more filling.  God works that way!   It was a delightful surprise when the scripture from Habakkuk 3:19 was at the bottom of this page when I turned to my empty canvas.  How appropriate!

The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery,

and my invincible army!

Is that not beautiful, powerful, encouraging, lifting....it leaves me with a nearly breathless, "WOW GOD!"  God is our strength and when we think we are too weak or drained or broken to praise, He will give strength to the willing heart.  If we desire praise over our brokenness, He will gives us eyes to see the blessings in the thorns, the beauty in the ashes, the praise in the valley.  I know what He has done for me each time I've chosen surrendered praise...He has WOWED me with who He is.  And I know He will do it again.  I know I will break again, I know I will hurt more than I can now imagine, but through the hope and strength Christ gives me, I know He will meet me there like He always has and He will bring me through the rain and give me a song as the thunder echoes the beat of His love.  He will be my strength...and I will praise Him.  He will be my personal bravery...and I will praise Him.  He will be my invincible army...and I will praise Him.  

I will praise the Lord while I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 

Psalm 146:2

Design Details: 

I created a "rainy" background by using a very dry brush and acrylic paints.  I stamped the other images in a coordinating Distress Oxide ink.  

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Sets Used:

Typewriter Block Alpha

Healer of My Heart

I Am Loved

How Tweet

Women of Praise

Prayer cards

Hey Hey Hey!! It's finally February and the new stamp releases for this month are some of my favorites! Today I am sharing prayer cards I created for prayers I would like to consistently pray over my hubby.

To begin I cut down a few pieces of white cardstock into tags. I dusted off my gelatos (it has been way too long since I used mine they are beginning to dry out0 and pulled out the Always and Forever stamp set. For this beautiful, abstract watercolor background I scribbled my gelatos onto my glass work surface and spritzed them with water. I then started with the largest heart base I dipped it into the wet gelato and stamped. This creates an interesting imperfect watercolor look. To fill in more of the background I used the smallest heart. Once my tag had fully dried I added my prayers and stamped husband on the bottom so when flipping through my tags I can quickly find specific prayers.

I love to pray over my husband and children, but often I find it hard to get started. I love having scripture based prayers that I can use to lift up my family and use as a jumping off point to deeper and more specific prayers. February is the prefect time to shower your family with love, and I can't think of a better way then to pray for them. I am planning to add prayers for my children, friends, and even World events and leaders. How neat would it be to make a simple tag like this write a prayer of encouragement and tuck it with a coffee gift card under someones wipers on their car, or slip it into their coat pocket. Spread love and encouragement this February! Join our Facebook groups (creative worship, sweet n sassy stamps) and share your Bible pages and any projects you are creating to shower our world with love.


Love and Prayers,
Jenn @creativegurl85

He Did it First

"WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US." 1 John 4:19

Hello friends!

We're right around the corner of one of the biggest and romantic holidays ever!  VALENTINE'S DAY!

I have to admit, this one may be my favorite of the holidays that don't necessarily focus on the Life of Jesus.  I love to think that it does though, because in a very real way, the very life and death of Jesus are the "heart and soul" behind our ability to love at all!

Did you know?

In the Bible it says that we are only able to love because God FIRST and FOREMOST loved us.  (Jn 4:19) 

In the beginning - the very beginning of humanity - He wrote His image on every person.  On every soul of mankind, there is "DNA" of a Master Creator, the One by whom we are loved.  This gives us unique access to a relationship with a Maker full and complete in truth and power.  The One that created the universe, spoke stars into sparkle, dug oceans into deep, also created me.  He created you.  So uniquely.  So wonderfully.  So intricately and purposefully.  (Psalm 139)

That was just the beginning.

The fall came.  The curse placed.  Man would still bear the image of God, God would still love His specially made creature.  But something happened that required immediate attention and exquisite care.  Not to mention, unfathomable Love.

As much as God shunned the evil that abounded, He even more passionately instituted the "Way" through which the curse would be lifted, and sin washed away.  Before Eve even thought to defy her loving Lord and Master, God Himself set into motion a plan that would save her, her husband and the rest of their children (us) from what we truly deserve.
Hell.
Wrath.
Punishment.
Separation.

In the stead of a curse, God, who is love (1 Jn. 4:7), condescended to the form of man in the person of Jesus the Messiah, and took all of that… all of the hell.  All of the wrath.  All of the punishment.  All of the separation.  This allowed for the guilty (us) to be blameless as He (Jesus).  What manner of love the Father has given us!  (1Jn 3:1) 
Does anyone love you like this? 
Do you love anyone like this?

Scripture says that no one loves as the Father has loved.  No one so high, mighty, lifted up, honored and adored by angels, has EVER lifted a finger to save mankind as this High and Holy God.  No one. 
This was done by One.  Only One could do it.  Jesus Christ is the lover of our souls.  He made possible the return to that sweet fellowship with God the Master.  The Great I AM is forever satisfied by this "once and for all" act of inexpressible love, that is, the death on the cross for me.  For you. 

The life and death of Jesus were both wondrous representations and expressions of the deepest, most unadulterated Love. Ever.  Forever. 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life." That apostle John really knew his stuff! (John 3:16)

And so, now we are able to say, "I love you." 

I love you…

Deeds

Stamps sets used: "His Love," "Texture Tile 1,"Teeny Alpha," and "Classy Script Alpha."
Other supplies: acrylic paint, pigment inkpad, watercolor.

Enjoy a small section of the amazing words to the beautiful (and one of my favorites) hymn below!

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me

Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of your love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To your glorious rest above!