Seek Him While He May Be Found, The Message of the Day, Blog Hop and Fun Prizes!

 

 Good Morning! It is Word Art Wednesday's Anything Goes Challenge # 627-628.

As always, Share anything family-friendly makes,  a card, an ornament, a journal, or framed art; we love you sharing your talents and creations!  

We have our beautiful devotion by Karen Letchworth, a digital scripture gift from Karen Murray. Design team inspiration. 

We have a very special Blog Hop Today. 

Extra Prizes: 2- $25.00 Gift cards from Unity Stamp Company  For our overseas entries: Stix to Anything  for those entering in our regular link-up

Each Blog will have a drawing giveaway with a unique gift; check mine out at the end of the post!

You must stop at each blog on the Blog Hop list and leave a comment on each blog to be eligible for the prize(s) shown on that blog. 

My card today using the Unity Sponsor Stamp Set:  Fall Gal

I love this set. Instead of coloring it, I normally use leftover bits of paper, stamp multiple images, fussy-cut, and then put it all together like a paper doll!  In the Set, the Fall Gal is actually holding a cup of coffee, but for my card, I was trying for a bible-ish-looking book.

         Karen's verse is so perfect for this day we live in!

My card is an A6 size, giving me more room for my digital elements and layers of background paper.The papers came from a Christmas Stack Pad I purchased 3 years ago. I love the stack, maybe next year, I will use it for my Christmas card.

To continue the fun and be in the drawing for this prize:

Leave a comment, and Hop on!

Chrsitine Miller

Ginny Maxam - you are here.

Cynthia Olheiser

Natalie Houston

Bev Jordan

Karen Letchworth

I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas Season. 

No matter what our circumstances are during this season, 

We can all Say, Joy to the World, The Saviour is Born!

My the Lord Bless you and your  Family

Ginny M

Where Is He, We Follow His Star, Word Art Wednesday Challenge

Good Morning! It is Word Art Wednesday's Anything Goes Challenge # 625-626.

 As always,  anything family-friendly goes a card, an ornament, a journal, or framed art; we love you sharing your talents and creations!  

We have our beautiful devotion by Karen Letchworth, a digital scripture gift from Karen Murray, design team inspiration, and a sweet prize from Really Reasonable Ribbon! Check the website out; there is something for every type of crafting.

Mark your calendars for the annual Word Art Wednesday Holiday Blog Hop!  The fun will begin on Wednesday, December 20, with sponsor prizes, as well as design team giveaways.

Our gift verse this week is perfect for your Christmas card-making. I am using it for mine this year.

I have always sent a Christmas card centered around our Redeemer's birth, and now it is even more important to keep it about Jesus.

My card is a slim line A9 size using navy blue paper and lots of gold.

This has to be the question of the hour of the day we live in. I have seen the signs, but where is he? I come to worship him.

The most important thing is finding him and worshiping Him for who he is. 

He is the Redeemer of mankind, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. 

O come and Adore Him while he can still be found!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog. I hope you enter the Word Art Wednesday Challenge!

Ginny M

 

The Gifts of Grace Bible Journaling Page and Restoring a Vintage Stamp

 In First Corinthians 1:4-9 Paul teaches on the gifts given to us by the Lord - gifts given in abundance to keep us in the long walk of life until we see Him.  That he knows what we need when we need it.  What a comforting thought.  Of course, this hinges on our trusting him.  If we don't trust, we won't be able to navigate the narrow path. The narrow path would be the easier one to navigate; it would be if there were no obstacles lying in the way of the flesh. We have to trust him to hold our hand and direct us on that path. If we stumble, He is faithful to help us up and onward.  The broad path requires no assistance, and everything dangerous is hidden until a person falls so severely that they can not get up again and realize their ruin too late.

I wanted to emphasize all the gifts needed in my journal entry. So, I used a stamp that came to me in a "lot" of rubber stamps.  At first glance, I thought it was a Magenta stamp.  It is an Art Impressions stamp from 2002.  The rubber was a bit crispy, and I knew it wouldn't make a good impression.

I simply sanded the surface with one of my pencil/paper stump sanding tools.

I gave it a quick sanding, wiped it with glycerine, and let it sit overnight.

It worked perfectly.

I stamped this image multiple times and then cut it apart.

I did a tip-in of the verses. Using an 'Underwood' font and 

Markers for dots and ribbons, and a little bit of Stickels.

I hope you take the time to read and reflect on the verses in 1Corinthians 1:4-9

I look forward to seeing you on the Narrow Path with your load of gifts!

Ginny M

A Quick Bible Journal Entry, With Some Seed for Thought.

 From  2 Corinthians 9, a lesson on giving and not giving.  These verses speak about financial giving, how to do it, and why to do it,  the point being that  God's economy is perfect.  A Cheerful giver is a person who is not owned by his or her bank account or possessions. Paul encourages us to be free in our giving, loving others as Christ loves us. Banking the freedom of righteousness, which through us produces many thanksgivings to The Lord!

I used an old Impression Obsession wood-mounted basket stamp.

I love the quality of "IO" stamps.

and a few markers to make the seeds. It was a restful journaling session.

I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with Thanksgiving to the Lord for his many blessings in your life, with family and friends and great food!

Ginny M

It's Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge# 623-624 and 2 Freebies

 Hello everyone; it's Word Art Wednesday once again, and we are now at challenge 623-624. As always, it is anything family-friendly goes!  We have our sweet devotion by Karen Letchworth, a digital scripture gift from Karen Murray, design team inspiration, and a sweet prize from Pretty Little Studio!  Check the website out. They have some awesome crafty stuff, including Digitals!!

This week I made a folded card using an Anna Griffin fold-over die and a beautiful digital of a painting by Victor-Gabrie Gilbert titled 'Flower Seller'.  

This die was a new experience for me, and I could not find any instructions for its use anywhere, so I winged it more or less.                             

Here is the lovely painting

The Process:

I used the die on a piece of scrapbook paper and then thought I would use it for the card base.

I used Microsoft Publisher for my printing and measuring 

I eyeballed and used a grade school ruler, nothing fancy. The rulers in the program make this very easy for a math-challenged person like myself.

The first die cut worked perfectly, I printed and cut out the two images. The first print became the facing.  

The face card was also cut to fit the opening card and inside layer.

I lined everything with black ink, it just has a more polished look.

I used the second image, for the fold-over. It was fun lining everything up. I used the skirt hem and the tree off to the right to give me the correct placement,  I used the second die to make the fold-over section, and after gluing I trimmed the excess

I also used a tiny bit of velcro to keep the card closed

Inside I lined it with parchment paper and used washi in the hinge for more durability

This week's beautiful verse

And the finished card:

Freebies for you:

This was a fun card to make, and it didn't take very long to do; the only thing I don't like is that it is an A2 size card.  I really like an A6 or A7 size. 

I hope you will stop over to Word Art Wednesday and join the fun, you might even win a prize!!

Have a wonderful day.

Ginny M

Bible Journaling John 10:9 The Most Important Door.

 My Bible journaling for today is John 10:9                                                                                                      Jesus Said: I am the door: by me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

This passage has been lingering in my mind all day; I shared it with the sweet 94-year-old that I care for several days a week. We talked about that door and how, when you look at it from afar, it seems very small and plain and nothing that you would run to and desire to enter.  It is not like Door Number One or Two or Three.  Even though plain, it is the most important door a person can pass through.

Here is the finished page, and I will share the process:

The digital is from Charlene Warwick's Art Doors of Hope.  Her work is truly beautiful and I am happy to share this link.  

I cut the doors open with an exacto knife

I used an image from the  'Beautiful' journaling series by Open Journey

I used T. Holtz Tea-Dye to distress the torn edges and then used a cellophane bag that happened to be on my desk to position the John 14: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light directly on the steps leading to the door. It worked!  

I glued the Heaven image on the back of the door,

Wrote my thoughts on this verse

and finished - just had to add the date.

I hope you know this door well and come in and go out and find hope and your needs met for this life and your Eternity.

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me here on the blog'

God Bless you,

Ginny M

 

 

Tithing, "It Is a Matter Of The Heart"

 

Today's title is a quote from our assistant pastor, Andrew, as he was walking past a group of us as we were talking about tithing after a service. There was a small debate about whether this was an NT-valid practice. 

This post is a little different from my normal, but I felt like it was important because while I do tithe now         (with a cheerful heart), that wasn't always my case. The root problem was much mire serious than I realized.

A long time ago, in a land far from where I am spiritually now, I struggled with tithing.   I was a single mom with two kids and making an income that was well within the poverty zone. I struggled with my 30.00 a week tithe offering from my regular job and the 10.00 a week from a part-time job I did from home after the kids went to bed. Eventually, I just stopped - Now I know that was the worst thing I could have done financially. This was for an 8-year period. There were all kinds of reasons that I justified it with, but honestly, I felt terrible about it.  I would put my offering in the basket and think I give 110% of myself, why can't I get this victory! Some of you reading this may think I did the right thing, but I knew It was the wrong thing!  

Like I said, that was long ago, and I am thankful to tithe now.  This week, while doing my scripture writing, which often becomes Scripture Journaling, I hit on Mark 12:41-45.  The Widows Mite.  It occurred to me while I was writing this vignette that he uses to teach his disciples spoke something loud and clear to me, something He has been working on with me: Trusting Him, completely, utterly, without a shadow of a doubt.  This is what the widow did; she trusted the Lord with every aspect of her life, including the support of her life.  Looking back, I could clearly see I was not doing that. 

I have been living for the Lord for a long time, and I didn't even realize I was having TRUST issues until a few years ago!  That came to the surface while God did deep healing in my soul.  I think I am now a little more advanced, but who knows - The Lord may show me something I need to take care of and repent of in the next 30 seconds.  In his mercy, he brings us from Glory to Glory, one step at a time, with Goodness and Mercy holding our hands!  I thank God!

If I can leave you with anything worthwhile for the time you have spent reading this, it would be this:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

                                                                It will be healing to your body                                                And refreshment to your bones. 

                                                        Honor the LORD from your wealth,

                                        And from the first of all, your produce;

                                                       Then your barns will be filled with plenty,

                                       And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Proverbs 3:5-10

Trust Jesus, He Loves you.

Thanks for stopping by,

Ginny M.

Scripture Planner Fun layout Peeks and Why I do This

 Hello, Everyone, hope you are all having a great weekend.  It is Saturday night here, it has been a beautiful day here, Study and housework in the morning, and in the afternoon, a big yard project that was a fail, no fault of ours,  it just didn't follow the plan. We all have those events.  After dinner, back to studying and getting ready for Sunday. 

On Saturday, I normally finish up my scripture writing for the week and do the next week's layout.  Last week's layout with the verses for the week. I use the Inscribe plan and usually write the thought of the text, not just a verse or two.

A couple of tip-ins and a large flip-down.  I make most of my stickers, using different digital companies and public domain art.  A favorite of mine is  The Graphics Fairy, for two reasons, #1, superb selection and #2, you have at your fingertips a world-class digital art education. Another new favorite is Daydream Bible Art, a wonderful company by artisit and author Diane Noble.

 I am sharing these companies because I am always looking for beautiful tools to help me share my faith, whether I am teaching or making a card to encourage.  I want to do my very best, to represent the very best, that is: Jesus.

The layout process:

Naturally I start with my blank pages, I prefer the Happy Planner system because it is so adaptable, especially since I have the punches to go with the disk system.  everything paper becomes fair game for my planners!

I am using the classic size for 2023-2024

I selected my images to make my stickers with.  I don't always make stickers - often I will just use good paper and glue.

This set is printed on clear glossy sticker paper with my Canon 3260 -

 a low-end cost and high-functioning printer 

Paper used:

Starting the layout, this sticker I flipped to make a bottom border and punched it.

The finished page:

Two flip-ups and a lot of color.  Next week I will have to do something that is not predominately flora and fauna.

And Now the 'why';

basically, because I want to draw closer to the Lord.

scripture writing slows me down to the point where I can really think about the word that I am writing, which then becomes a study topic, which gets parsed and noted

I have another planner in which I make notes for each day's scripture writing.  You would be so surprised, this is such a pleasant time each day. Basically, all I have to do is commit to showing up and opening my heart and ears, and the Lord just pours so much into me.

It is so wonderful!  I am also committing more scripture to memory and have more peace and confidence than ever!

I have a time-proven system for all of this word building into my life.  I would be more than happy to share that if anyone is interested.

Planners, study Bibles and journaling bible and all kinds of fun bits on the side of my desk.

I am so glad you stopped by, and may The Lord richly bless you!

Ginny M

Journaling On The Way And Be Who God Made You to Be!

 A few weeks ago, I joined a bible journaling Facebook group.  I was looking for Christian women who had a passion for this form of spiritual expression and bible study, new ideas, sharing my ideas, and last but not least like-minded friendship. 

Well, I found all the things I was hoping for in "JOTW".  The group is based in South Africa and owned by the delightful Lynn G. 

Yesterday  Lynn taught a class or page demonstration from a devotion written by Shauna Niequist.    The title of the devotion was "Created on purpose - for a purpose" ( which just happens to coincide with Ingrid Blixit's Open Journey devotion series this month)!    Shauna used the scripture from Job 37:5-6 and Lynn purchased (with license) a terrific image to illustrate each woman's uniqueness, expressing how important it is to become the 'you' that 'you' really are, and not the 'you', you think you should be! 

I think many women struggle with this.  Life has so many demands, and within the church (sadly) a perfectionist attitude towards what the ideal Christian woman should be. Sometimes it would seem we have been set up to fail, you work too hard, and express any frustration- you are called a Martha.  You try to rest and relax and are told you should be a Proverbs 31 woman. 

Thankfully somewhere in my  50's, I said I was done letting everyone else tell me what I am supposed to be and do, and I am going to immerse myself in the purpose God created me for.  Doing that has truly caused me to thrive.  I love my family, I love my church and I do everything I can to see both grow and flourish - and I love it!  In return, I feel loved,  supported, respected, and made room for - yes the bible tells us in Proverbs 18:16  A man's (woman too) gift opens doors for him and brings him before great men.  What a promise!

That promise cannot be fulfilled if you are struggling to be someone you aren't with a gift you don't have.

The illustration that  Lynn used was charming, A young gal wearing a ball gown with cowboy boots and very sweet and a little sassy as opposed to the executive in a corporate environment stuffed in a suit and trapped by the clock. Now I am not condemning the office suit person at all - those gals are just as awesome. I am just trying to say,  to thine own self and to God be true. 

If you would like to take a look at the Journaling Along The Way Group Just click the link. 

The lovely illustration of the young woman is given as a gift along with the devotional and is super to use. 

However, that isn't me or even closer to how I perceive myself, so I found one that was   so here is my page:

There is some resemblance to my looks, I wear my hair like this and I  drew in a little gray, added my glasses, and added the Bible.

I wear clothes like this to church, especially the black turtle neck, which helps cover what 63-year-old woman wants to cover, so maybe me  some years ago.  

The actual painting is in my digital stash, I could not find the original artist ( you can't read the signature) but you can read the date: 1923.

I may do a video on the process in the near future.  I have a few tricks for making a digital look like an oil painting ( surface cover).

Thank you for sharing your time with me and I hope to see you on JOTW, I know you will be blessed and remember:

You are created on purpose - for a purpose!!

Be yourself!

Ginny M

It Is Marvelous in our Eyes! A Journal Entry and Process

 

This morning's scripture writing is Psalm 118:22.  It is a work morning for me and I don't usually try to journal on a work morning, just not enough time. But today I really just had to do something after reading and scribing verses 19-24 of Psalm 118, I really felt a sense of awe at what the Lord has done for us.  You know the Adversary of our soul has waged a full onslaught against our really feeling anything. Media has robbed us by numbing us to Awe and Wonder by replacing it with special effects and intense soundtracks. We are deluged day in and day out, with mind spraining nothingness to the point where we are impressed by very, very little. 

In these short passages The psalmist freezes history and brings the ancient world into our present and our future and David who never saw The Redeemer, penned the plan and the future.  He said It is Marvelous. It is really beyond that, I don't think our language can convey what it really is- Think about it!

I used from stash a half dozen pieces of flower from an Anna Griffin card kit,   and an old set of wood mounted Letters  that I added a little more color with a pencil;

and a favorite trick, a $1.25 bottle of sparkly drugstore nail polish.

Simple journaling of a Marvelous passage.  I hope you take the time to read it, you will be blessed.

Thank you for stopping by,

Ginny M

Say Yes To The Dress!

 Have you ever watched that show?  Personally, I am not a fan, I don't like all the drama and conflict, seeing a bride's feelings get hurt, mothers being pushy and dominating, sisters being mean and petty.  Do you ever wonder why the media loves to push such a bizarre normal?  Any way, 

Today I am bringing you the Dress to Say Yes to, the one that will forever be perfect and comfortable, you will never have to diet physically for it (you may be required to fast and push some things away from your table).  But it is the PERFECT  Dress, designed just for you by your creator. 

He has even taken care of the laundry for it, it will never be spotted or wrinkled, and it will never be less than perfect for you.  The price of the cleaning would have never been payable by us, the cost was so beyond anything in this world, that he himself had to pay it, the cleaning solution;  his own blood.   That blood washed the dress we were wearing and turned it into our wedding garment and made it perfect for all time. 

As the customs of the world demand the bride and the groom attire themselves in their very best, in a display of the false wealth of their families and prosperity for their future, We Learn The Lord has a better plan.  He alone has clothed us in Garments of Salvation and covered us with the Robe of his Righteousness.  This is the dress we must say yes to.  Without this dress, the gates of heaven will remain closed to us, and I don't want to even think of what being outside of those gates for eternity would mean.

It isn't difficult, and the journey is well mapped out, and he, Our Great Creator and Redeemer, promises to walk the whole journey with us.

He even gives us great gifts and friends for the journey, if we trip he lifts us up. 

He is the Waymaker!

When we wear this garment we get more beautiful every day, a beauty that is soul deep and can never be taken away.

Would you like to say yes to this dress?  You need to tell Him Yes, start with the Gospel of St. John.  There you will learn who He is, and how He made this all possible.  Next go to the Book of  Acts, to find out how you can have this wedding venue.  Then spend the rest of your life reading His book and feeling his love and devotion every day!

Image from the Devotion and Original Art Work of Open Journey by Ingrid Blixt

Thank you for stopping by and sharing my Bible journaling today of  Isaiah 60:10 with me.

Ginny M