Scripture Challenge 2010: Word # 3 Abide

Boy this word was difficult to scrap. So many scriptures came to mind. Many more resulted from the study. I thought of using eagles, doves, houses, crosses, hearts...and a whole bunch more things. In the end, I decided to keep it simple. The flower on this page is the sun in this scene. Sure, hard times come, but with the Savior, even storms are sprinkled with sunshine. Dear LORD, teach me to consistently abide in you. Help me keep your commandments that I may abide in your love. May your word abide in me. And overflow into my life guiding every decision that I make. Thank you for allowing me to dwell in that secret place. May I forever abide under your mighty shadow. Protect me from the treacherous storm that beats against your wings. I want to feel your wings around me. Thank you for being a faithful covering. You and you alone hold the power to protect me therefore, I declare that "I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the cover of thy wings. Selah." Psalm 61:4. Amen.

Scripture Challenge 2010: Word # 2 Temptation

Thank you Patter for this word! I want to be like Forest Gump and say "...that's all I have to say about that." However, sharing is good. It allows me to relive God's blessing, and perhaps it will encourage someone else. I could talk about many different temptations, but there was one in particular that I was facing at the time of the challenge. As a single, Christian, woman trying to live holy, this word came at a perfect time for me. I desire to be married and in dating I am often being pressured to engage in pre-marital sex. We all get bombarded with sentiments like 'you deserve it', 'do whatever makes you feel good', 'God wants you to be happy'. Meditating on the word temptation led me to a lot of scriptures. I received just the strength I needed to gird up my loins...pun intended. Also, the LORD used my girl friend to remind me that God calls Christians to be holy while the world suggests that we be happy. Well, happiness is based on happenings. We all fall down sometimes and strive for happiness instead of holiness. Seeking holiness brings a constant kind of happiness that we call JOY. Thank God for the signs He strategically places along the path to help us go in the right direction. Even when we do not follow the signs God forgives us, teaches us how to forgive ourselves, and then HE leads us back to the path. Therefore, we can still have joy!

By the way, the same aforementioned girlfriend also gave me the black and white background used on this page. She was trying to achieve something on a scrapbook page and it didn't come out right, so she gave the page to me. Well, since there are no mistakes in scrapping, I put the page in my scrap box. I decided to do this mini album using all scraps. So, here we are several years later and I finally cut it down and used the page. Now whenever I look at that page I will be reminded of her sweet spirit, her choice to endure her current hardship, and the awesome advice she gave. I am glad that the page survived all the purges of the scrap box.

Scripture Challenge 2: Cover page

Patter Cross posted this challenge on her Triple the Scraps blog. This is my first challenge and I am so grateful to be participating. What a wonderful way to be encouraged and study the bible while scrapping. In my life I have learned that a passage of scripture is like a healing ointment, it will soothe your aches and pains and even mend what ails you. 'It's all good when it's all God.' That is why I used II Timothy 3:16a to represent the 26 pages of this mini album. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

Please be patient with me...

I figured I'd better start a blog before my gal pals threatened to stop accepting my really long e-mails. I guess I enjoy talking and writing. The only obstacle is that I am so technology challenged. So be prepared to see some cut off, fuzzy or upside down photos. I am new to blogging, but I am excited about what I will learn and who I will meet.

I decided to start by sharing the pages in my 6x6 mini album. These pages are a part of a Scripture Challenge. I noticed from reading other blogs that folks usually list what products, quantity, measurements etc. that were used to create the crafts they display. I have not done that so far. Actually, I never really thought to do that. As I create; I may be inspired by something that I see, but if I want to make it I usually put my own spin on it. I hardly ever make recipes or anything, for that matter, according to directions. I like to wing it except for baking measurement of course. Perhaps I am a rebel. I am going to think that God gave me an additional teaspoon of creativity...yeah that sounds good. That's my story and I am sticking with that. At any rate, I will try in the future to post products, measurements etc.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing in my journey.

Scripture Challenge 2010: Word # 1 HOPE

Just like the song lyrics, my hope is truly built on Jesus blood and righteousness. Some Christians are not comfortable using the word hope because they are so afraid that people will take it to mean what the world has defined. Society's use of the word hope seems to be based on not knowing. However, with God, we know His character. More than a simple wish there is some assurance behind the Christian kind of hope. Together faith and hope gives us the assurance that God will give us just what we need. God is sovereign! Hebrews 11:1 says: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. To me that means that I own the deed to God's promises. God will always supply results according to his character. I choose to have Godly hope, for what is seemingly impossible for the world is possible with God. I expect the impossible! For me, the impossible IS my reality.