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.