ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #26 - ZEAL

This is the last challenge for this year and of course the last letter in the alphabet so Patter gave us the word "Zeal" for our Scripture Artwork.
I will share the verses that surround the verse I chose to use.

Romans 12:9-13
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practise hospitality.


It is scriptures such as these that make me realise I need to be helping fellow believers more than what I do. I hope to give more financially to organisations like the Barnabas Fund who help the persecuted church.

Next year Patter will again be hosting a Scripture Challenge that I plan on taking part in as I do enjoy them. Her plans sound exciting as we will be looking at Hymns and the people who wrote them.
I may do my artwork in two parts... the scripture in digital and the hymn itself in papercraft.

For those who visit my blog...... My prayer is that this Christmas Season may you have safe travels and blessed times with loved ones.

For my digital art I chose to use a kit called Daybreak by one of my favourite designers - Thao Cosgrove

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #25 - YIELD

My choice of verse for our word this fortnight - YIELD, was possibly inspired by the sermon our Pastor gave last Sunday. Our worship service concentrated on the Persecuted Church and in the teaching it was mentioned how those Christians who face horrific persecution often display a deep down joy because of their faith. It is not the joy that the world knows.  This sermon and a Bible Study on Stewardship that my husband and I recently finished has made be more eager to help financially fellow believers who are being persecuted. I feel God's wants me to use my money for helping my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I struggled with creating my page this time... possibly because I am going through a sad time of my life. I have peace but there is still great sorrow. My elderly mother ( 87 ) is dying of inoperable liver cancer. She lives about an hours drive away so at this stage my husband and I drive to visit her every second day. She is still alert at times - sits in a chair during the day. Because of her Dementia she does not understand she is dying even though the doctor did explain to her what is happening. I think it is best emotionally that she does not realise. She is being cared for in the Aged Care Facility she has been living in since October 2010. The staff there are doing a wonderful job of caring for her. 

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #24 - Exercise

This fortnight we are up to the letter "X" for our challenges and Patter chose the word "Exercise" for us to use for our artwork.
I found this great scripture in the Message Bible. Also found a digital kit which I already had, called "Fitness" by Brandy Murry that worked well for my page. ( the flowers are from another kit and are by Meredith Cardall )

The four words were in the kit and I thought they would work well for my page. Here are verses I found  for each of those four words:
Philippians 3:14 - By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the GOAL, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. I'm off and running., and I'm not turning back. (Message)
I do like how the Message bible words this verse and what a wonderful picture to have in our minds that God is beckoning us onward.


1 Corinthians 9:26 - Therefore I do not RUN  like a man running aimlessly, I do not fight like a man beating the air. (NIV)
As I live my life for Jesus there is purpose in my day to day living. I am not going through life aimlessly as this verse speaks of. He gives me that purpose because of drawing me unto Himself.


Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through Him who gives me STRENGTH.  (NIV)
This is such a helpful verse to take hold of when going through tough times. But we must let the Lord do the doing and not try to do things in our own strength. 


Hebrews 4:10 - For anyone who enters God's REST also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. (NIV)
Our rest is in Christ. There is nothing we can do - no good works - that gain us eternal life. It is only resting ( believing) in the fact that Jesus died for our sins and gives us the free gift of Eternal life. 

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - # 22 - Weary

For this fortnight our word is "Weary". Once I read the word Patter chose of us to work with this verse in Matthew came to my mind. I asked my sweet husband what verse came to his mind when we he heard the word "weary" and he quoted the same verse.
I used the NIV bible version for my page but decided to read it in the Message and I am going to share it plus the two verses that follow this one:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

How often I forget that I should be walking with Jesus  and giving Him my burdens. He wants to keep company with me - how wonderful is that?  I like those words " Get away with me" but do I really live them. do I really get away with Jesus - do I really spend as much time as I ought to in prayer - communing with Him. He wants me to.   He wants you to, as well.

For my digital art I used a kit called Fresh Start by Find Your Bliss Designs

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #22 - Value

For this fortnight Patter, gave use the word "Value".

I feel the verse I have chosen to use is a very important one to keep in mind when the things of this world get us sidetracked. All the nice things we see and have really do mean nothing in comparison to the importance of knowing Jesus.
Right now, my husband and I are doing a Bible Study on Biblical Stewardship, which is really teaching us that we own nothing..... all that we have is because God has provided it for us.  So we should use what we have wisely and not wastefully. We need to place value on what we can do with the things we own to bring glory to our Lord.

For my digital art I used a kit called " Make the Time" by Connie Prince.

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #21 - Useful

This fortnight the word given by Patter for our artwork is the word " Useful". When I went searching on BibleGateway for a verse to use on my page at first I could not find something that stood out to me to use. Then I checked what was in the Amplified Version of the Bible and found the scripture I have used.
How true it is that really we cannot be useful to the Lord if our lives are full of bitterness, wrath etc.  Finding this scripture plus a good book I am reading at the moment have helped me stop and look at myself and realise I have not been very useful to the furthering of God's Kingdom lately.  With the Lord's help I will now get back on the right track and be the witness for Christ that I need to be.

For my digital art I used  a kit called Fruit of the Spirit by Connie Prince. 

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter #20 - Trouble

For this fortnight Patter has given us the word "Trouble".
The verse that I chose to use on my digital page is one that I plan on memorising as it is a good one to claim when going through difficult times.   God does care about the anguish we feel deep inside of us. Recently I have been going through times of regret over past failures but now I have peace knowing that God's love is unfailing. His love for me does not depend on how obedient I am to Him.

For my digital art I have used:  alpha from Sleep Over by Jenn CK Designs; papers from Dreaming by Inspired by Dominic Designs, flower and swirl from Evening Sky by Stella K Designs.  The font I used is Tempus Sans

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross #19 - Share

Our word for this fortnight is "Share".
I found my verse through Bible Gateway website and thought it very appropriate. It is Paul talking to the Church of the Thessalonians but it is how we should be able to speak of ourselves.  We should be able to say we love others that much that we not only share the Gospel with them but our lives as well. Our lives should reveal what the Gospel means to us.
Here is my little piece of digital art:

For my artwork I used the following digital products:  frame and papers from a kit called "Blush Beauty" by Trixie Scraps; green glitter border from "Summer Sunset"  by Stella K Designs; Photo corners from "Celebration Sensation" by Mye DeLeon and Mandy King .  Font used was Ladylike

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #18 REMEMBER

For this fortnight Patter has given us the word "Remember". Once I read the word she had chosen for us, the verse I have used came to my mind.  So often we forget that when the Lord forgives - He forgets our sins. We are not so good at forgetting... Satan keeps reminding us of past sins which is not good for us. We need to make a stand against Satan when thoughts of past sins plague our minds. We need to remember this verse that is a promise from God to us.

Here is my page:

I have used a digital kit called "Darjeeling" by Stella K Designs and the font is Papyrus

Scripture Challenge at ScrapBook Elements

I decided to do this week's Scripture Challenge at Scrapbook Elements
I have used a lovely kit called "Bring Me Sunshine" by Rina Kroes and Rina created the wordart for the challenge.

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross #17 - QUALIFIED

This fortnight Patter has given us an interesting word " QUALIFIED" to work with. Her devotional thoughts spoke of God working through us to qualify us for the tasks He sets us to do. The verse I chose shows how God does help us to be equipped ( qualified ) for the work of serving Him.  We need to be listening and learning from Pastors and Teachers who truly do teach the truth of the Scriptures and not add in the teachings of the world.  We must be very discerning of what we listen to as Satan is very deceptive in infiltrating what is being taught in the Churches of today. We must test against the scriptures what is being taught.  If we are to share the gospel with others as the Lord wants us to, we must be teaching the true gospel.

For my digital artwork I used a kit called  Blush Beauty by Trixie Scraps Designs.

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #16 PORTION

This fortnight Patter has given us the word "Portion" for our Scripture Art.
The verse I found after going to BibleGateway was a verse I had not really meditated on before but it is such a true one to try and live by.   One day my  flesh and my heart will fail because this body of mine will not last forever but the faith I have in the Lord within my heart will last forever.  I am so thankful that I have this assurance because God's word tells me so.

My husband and I are more than half way through doing a Bible Correspondence lesson on Sharing Our Faith and it is teaching me so much and causing me to have more of a vision that my Evangelistic husband has for sharing God's word with others.

Here is my art for this fortnight:

For my digital art I have used a kit called "Valma May" by Chocolate Geranium Digital Designs. The font I used is called "My Font Isn't Funky Enough"

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #15 OTHERS

This fortnight Patter has given us the word "Others". When I did a keyword search on BibleGateway I came across the verse I have used on my page.  This verse reminds me of my husband who is always willing to help and give to others. He is a real inspiration to me.
Here is my page:

The digital kit I used for my page is called "Rejuvenation" by Trixie Scraps

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #14 - New

This fortnight Patter has given us the word " New" for our artwork.  Once I read the word in Patter's blog posting  the song I have shared ( part of ) on my page came to my mind.
I am a New Creation  and it is nothing I could do for myself other than having faith in the fact that Jesus died for me, He rose to life and now I also have that life... a new life. God's grace is a free gift.

I will now share from a little book I have by Oswald Chambers:
"Lord, that I may receive my sight."  Luke 18:41
Faith is not in what Jesus says but in Himself; if we only look at what He says we shall never believe. When once we see Jesus, He does the impossible thing as naturally as breathing.


For my digital art I have used a kit called A Family Affair by Nutkin Tailz Designs.

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #13 - Motive

This fortnight Patter has given us the word "Motive" for our artwork.

When I looked on Bible Gateway ( which is a great place for searching for scriptures)  for a verse to use I came across the one I have used , which is Proverbs 16:2.  This really spoke to me on top of the devotional thoughts that Patter shared. I realised that something I was getting very involved in was not what God wanted me to be doing. My motives were wrong. I was doing too much thinking of  "self" and not putting God first.  I was becoming too obsessed in my digital scrapbooking - spending too much time on the computer doing things that brought no glory to God whatsoever.  Now I have resigned from two Creative Teams I was on for digital scrapbooking and I am experiencing such wonderful peace.  

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:10-12

For my digital art I have used a kit called "Jubilant" by Amanda Fraijo-Tobin

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #12 LONELY

For this fortnight Patter has given us the word "lonely" and this is the verse that came to my mind to remind that I am never along and I do not need to be anxious.  It is a verse I used last year for one of the Scripture challenges and at that time I also shared a song from my days of Sunday School teaching which always comes to my mind when I read this verse.  Here is a link to my blog back then:  http://a-mscripturechallenge.blogspot.com/2010/07/scripture-challenge-with-patter-cross_20.html

For this time I have chosen a design which is a scraplift of a layout called Celebrating You Today by Vivre at Oscraps gallery/forum.  I thought the small pieces of paper represented the idea of loneliness. We can be lonely even in the middle of a crowd ( the leaf design on the red background paper ). The stitched heart represents God's love for each of us. The leaves -  we should be reaching out to others who are lonely. 

The digital kit I used is called Unconditionally by One Little Bird

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #11 Know

For this fortnight Patter has given us the word "Know" for our Scripture Challenge. In her devotional thoughts she shared about both sides of us needing to know God and the fact that God knows us intimately - closer than our husbands, children, parents.  He knows us even though we fail him and yet He loves us with the greatest love possible.
So the two verses I chose to use show both side of the "knowing" - us knowing and seeking God and His knowing those who believe in Him.

For my digital art I used products from Stamp Stuff by Rozanne Paxman of Scrap Girls

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #10 Journey

For this fortnight Patter has given us the word Journey.
When thinking about what verse to share on my artwork I thought I would see what was in Romans as I am attending a Ladies Bible Study and we are studying Romans at the moment.  When I found the Romans verse it lead me to remember a song I liked to sing along to by David Meece - The Gospel Train so I thought it would fit in with the theme of "Journey".
Here is a website  to look at and if you click on the link to "play all sample" you will hear the words I have shared on the train's smoke clouds:  http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Train-LP-Version/dp/B00123FNVK

Then I found the verse in Colossians and thought I would share it as we are to walk in Him.... live our daily lives in Him... trust in Him....   He has paid the price - He bought my ticket to Eternal life. Nothing I could ever do or say would gain me the gift God gives so freely to " Whosoever will "

For my digital art I have used a template for the background papers by Scrap-a-Holic Designs and a kit called Chugging Along by Colies Corner

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #9 - IDENTITY

For this fortnight Patter has given us the word "Identity" for our Scripture art.  Her devotional thoughts shared some of what our identity in Christ is and how it should be revealed in how we live. I know I do fail my Lord so often with this. Sometimes I wonder if people around me really do know that I am a "Daughter of the King".  Lately I feel God is teaching me that I need to stop and look at my life and see the areas where I am not as obedient as I ought to be.
The photo on this page of course, is me. I chose three verses  from among so many that tell us about our identity when we do accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.  I pray that somehow these three verses  may be a blessing to those who read them here on my blog.


For my digital artwork I used an alpha, background paper and lace from a kit called Berries Jam by Caroline B.

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #8 - HANDS

This fortnight Patter gave us the word "Hands" for our artwork and choice of scripture.
Just the day before I received Patter's challenge for this fortnight I had been singing along to the song " Our Lives Are in Your Hands" by Chuck Girard on a cassette in our car. This is the song I used in my wedding to walk down the aisle to.  So I  have used the chorus from this song on my art and a Bible verse I thought very appropriate with the thoughts of Jesus Death and Resurrection being celebrated this month. I know that as Christians we  celebrate this all the time but it is good to have this special time of the year to do  so more fervently.

For my digital art I used a kit called Supreme Love by Feli & Chocolate Geranium Digital Designs; mask by Coffee Shop; image from Worship House Media.

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #7 - Gift

For this fortnight Patter has given us the word "Gift" for our artwork. In her devotional thoughts she shared about the little gifts that God gives us... the nice little surprises He blesses us with. 
But of course the greatest gift God gives us is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ who died for us.  It is a gift that is not ours until we receive it by faith.  God does the offering and it is our choice whether we accept the gift or not.  How sad to see so many people that know about this wonderful gift but still reject it.

For my Digital art I have used mostly a kit called Season of Joy by Just Passin Thru; the heart is by P.Knox and the stitching was from elsewhere.  Just Passin Thru is a Christian Designer who is not selling her designs for now. She is having a break as her children are at an age when they need her more than digital scrapbooking does.

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #6 - Forget

For this fortnight Patter has given us the word "forget" for our Scripture Art.  Her devotion spoke of the fact that God does not forget us and never will.
I decided to share the only thing that God will  FORGET.... our sins when we confess them and they are forgiven only because of the ONE sacrifice that Jesus paid for us when He died on the cross.

For my digital page I have used a small kit called Feel the Love by Dannas Footprint Designs. The cross brush I found the web for free. The pink cardboard was made using a style by Syndee Nuckles. The shaped paper and fancy border are part of a template by Holly Ann.     I tried to create the impression on the love tree have a shadow in the shape of the cross.

Scripture Challenge at Scrapbook Elements - Psalm 51:17

This is the current Scripture Challenge at Scrapbook Elements.
We were given the beautiful Word Art to use and it was created by Rina Kroes.
The heart and stitching comes from a kit called Just Because by Kimberly Stewart, the paper is from Campfire Stories by Cathy Krenek.

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #5 - Easy

This week Patters words in her devotion were so good I want to share a segment:

"The Greek word for ‘easy’ is ‘chrestos’ which means “comfortable or manageable.” God never tells us that being a Christian is easy. But when we are partnered with Christ, even the most difficult news and/or situation becomes ‘manageable’. If the situation is still unbearable, maybe you are trying to do things in your own strength. Jesus wants to help you carry that burden, problem, or difficulty. He doesn’t want you to go through it alone. In fact, the circumstances will seem so much worse if you try to handle it on our own. God is still God, and God is still good even when things are not easy. If we go through the hard times with Him, He will not only be glorified but our faith grows also, and then we receive that indescribable peace. Others will also see God at work in your life and may be drawn to come to know Him too! "


I have chosen the same Scriptures as Patter used for her artwork but from a different Bible version. I really like how the New Century Version words these three verses.  It is so right for today..... "Are you tired or feel burdened.... then turn to Jesus and learn from him.

For my digital art I used a kit called "Crazy You" which is a collaborative kit by the designers at Digi-ridoo Scraps. The font I used is called - Little Days.  I am using this page for the Font Challenge this month at  Digi-ridoo Scraps

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #4 - DELIGHT

For this fortnight Patter gave us the word "Delight" to work with. When I read the word a song based on this scripture came to my mind.  It is many years since I sang this song in Church.
I looked up this scripture in different Bibles and it is written slightly different in all versions. The "he delighteth" in the NASB has the he -  with a capital "H"e which means it is the Lord that delights in the steps of a good man and I felt that is possibly how God intended us to read this scripture.  He delights when we are walking correctly. He delights when we are living obediently to His word. So therefore it must disappoint Him when are not doing so.

For my digital Art I used a piece of word art that was perfect for this used in the bottom right corner and is by Syndee Nuckles from a kit called Blissful. The papers and other floral pieces are from a kit called "Just Delightful" by Digi Illusions

Scripture Challenge at Scrapbook Elements - Psalm 51

I have recently joined the forum of Scrapbook Elements and decided to take part in their current Scripture Challenge. We were given the BEAUTIFUL word art which was created by Rina Kroes. So I decided to also purchase her kit which matched the word art. The Kit is called " Cherished" and is a lovely kit of pinks and greens.

Hopefully I will continue to take part in these challenges and I am going to display my 6 x 6 inch pages on a hanging frame my husband made ( just needs to be varnished ). I will take a photo of the frame and share it sometime soon.

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #3 - CONFIDENCE

For this fortnight Patter has given us the word "CONFIDENCE" to use for our artwork and choice of scriptures.  Years ago I had come across this verse in Job so I knew straight away which verse I wanted to use for my art but I also wanted a positive one and found a great verse in Proverbs.
The Lord wants us to put our confidence in Him and Him alone. We are not to find confidence solely in ourselves, others or even possessions if we do that we will fail.

The spider web photo on my page was a photo I took a couple of years ago and knew that one day it would come in handy.

For my digital art I used a kit called "RSVP" by Erica Hite  

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #2 - BIBLE

 

For this fortnight Patter gave us the word "Bible" for our artwork.   This month our Pastor is doing a series of sermons on " The Reliability of Scripture", so it was not very difficult at all for me to choose which scripture to use on my page. 

We have a book of instructions on how we should live our lives and so often we ignore it and go our own way. I know I fail often and do not read the Bible as much as I ought to.  

For my digital art I used the following:  Floral paper from a kit called Well Loved by Mellissa Renfro; Leaf Vine from a kit called New Spring by Mandog Scraps

ABC Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #1 - ANCHOR

This year Patter is going through the alphabet for our Scripture Challenges. For this first one she chose the word "ANCHOR" for us to use.

God in His perfect timing guided Patter in her choice as yesterday at Church the final song sang was "Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life". I have shared the first verse of the song on my artwork.
Our Pastor's teaching was centred around this verse. One of his final statements was -
"The reason for this message today is to encourage you with Hope and confidence as you face the challenges of this year. We do not know what lies before us this year - but one thing you can be sure of. When we place our Faith and Trust in Christ for Salvation we are anchored into Heaven itself - and all the resources we need for life and living are to be found in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ."

For my digital art I used a kit called Sand and Sea by Nutkin Tailz Designs.

ABC Scripture