HYMN SCRIPTURE CHALLENGE WITH PATTER CROSS - #18 - O HOLY NIGHT

Patter has given us a lovely Christmas hymn and if you want to read a little about the person who wrote this hymn please take time to visit Patter's blog  HERE

I have been making a 6 x 6 digital page and a large double sided ATC this year but with this week being a very busy week and I packed a lot of my craft things away with having my two oldest  ( 3 and 6 year olds ) granddaughters come to stay for five nights last week, I feel I cannot get the ATC made so have just made a 12 x 12 page which I will print out at 6 x 6.

On my page I have shared the first lines from the song and chose a scripture which I feel fitted it well.
The scripture are Mary's words after she visits her cousin Elizabeth.  I found the following commentary words very challenging and they are from a commentary by Adam Clarke:

" My spirit hath rejoiced - Exulted. These words are uncommonly emphatical - they show that Mary's whole soul was filled with the Divine influence, and wrapped up in God. "

Oh, how I desire to be "wrapped up in God" as Mary was. 

( For my digital art I have used a kit that just happens to be called  " O Holy Night" which is a collaborative kit by designers at Stuff to Scrap ) 

FAITH CHALLENGE - DECEMBER - JOY TO THE WORLD

This month I am again taking part in a Blog Train with my digital designing and the theme for the kits we are all giving away is " Joy to the World" so I decided to use those words for this challenge.

If you want to create something ( digital or paper crafts ) and join me just choose one or all of the words. I chose to use the word "World" and therefore use the scripture John 3:16 on my little CD case sized artwork.
The digital pieces I have used for my page are all from the kit I designed and you are most welcome to pop over to my digital blog which you will see listed on the right side of this blog and download what I designed and then hop on board the Blog Train and see what the other designers have created and are giving away.

I do not have many thoughts to share this month as I am having a busy time. Last week I had my 2 oldest granddaughters come to stay while their parents and baby sister were in another state so their Dad could have an operation on his big toe. The week before the girls came I had a night in hospital with suspected heart attack. I am fine... turned out to be severe acid reflux which can have similar symptoms to a heart attack. I needed to be checked out as my father had a bad heart and eventually had a triple by-pass. My maternal grandmother died at 55 ( the age I am next year ) with a bad heart. All the hours I spent in the hospital I can truly say that my Heavenly Father gave me peace and at home my dear husband also experienced a deep inner peace.
 My last surviving Uncle died last Wednesday ( 12-12-12 ) so I have a funeral to attend tomorrow where I will be doing one of the bible readings and I know I am going to need the Lord's strength to get me through it as the reading is Psalm 23 which was also used at my Dad's funeral 7 years ago. My Aunt needed my help in typing up the eulogy which I have done.
So this time I just share a verse of prose and a quote from a Daily Bread reading:

He did not use a silvery box

Or paper green and red;

God laid His Christmas gift to me

Within a manger bed.

-Prentice-

The goodness and love of God became incarnate at Bethlehem.

I liked that poem so much that I used it on a hybrid card I made which I will now share and then I will share the page I created using the kit I designed.  

( the digital kit I used for the card is Christmas Traditions by Danimoy Designs)

I hope those reading this blog will have a very Happy Christmas with safe travels and special times with loved ones.

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #17 - Sweet Hour of Prayer

What a wonderful old hymn that Patter has chosen for us this fortnight. The tune to this hymn is one that stays in your mind after you have sung the hymn.
I have chosen the share the first few lines of the hymn on my 6 x 6 digital art piece.

From a book by Oswald Chambers:

" We look upon prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself"

My prayer is that through my prayers I may get to know Father more and more intimately each day.

For my digital art I have used a kit called "Fruit of the Spirit" by Connie Prince.  The praying hands image was found somewhere on the web.

The printer did not do such a good job with the back and from of the large ATC:

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #16 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

The hymn this fortnight is one I have sung in the past and if you would like to learn something about the man who wrote this great hymn please visit Patter's blog which you can find down on the right side of my blog.

Our need to praise our Lord is so very much an important part of our worship of Him. I found the following in a small book I have called " From the Back of My Bible" by Emolyn C. Lambert :

" Worship attributes worth to God.

O come, let us worship and bow down.

Psalm 95:6  "

On my digital 6 x 6 piece I have shared the first two lines of the last verse of the hymn and is a reminder to myself that I need to remember to let all that is in me adore Him!

For my digital art I used a kit called "Maddy" by Tami Miller

( The scannings of my large ATC front and back has not come out the best... they are brighter and more like the digital page)

FAITH CHALLENGE - NOVEMBER - THANKFUL

As this month I have taken part in a Blog Train with other Christian Digital Designers and our theme for the digital kits we designed is "Thankful" I thought I would use it for this challenge.
But for anyone who would like to join me in this you can use the words:  Thanks  ...... Thank... Thanksgiving.  You are welcome to use any of these words in whatever way you want to but it would be nice to see a quote or scripture on the artwork you decide to share.  You might like to use this challenge to create a thankyou greeting card, a scrapbook page, etc.  Just enjoy creating something around one of these words.
 At the end of this posting I will have a place where you can click on and add a link to your blog or your page in a gallery somewhere so myself and others who visit this blog can admire your artwork.

For some devotional thoughts this month I found this devotion by Max Lucado:

Thank the Lord because
he is good. His love continues forever.
Psalm 106:1

Unfortunately, saying “thank you” isn’t all that common.

And yet, it’s what worship is all about.

Worship is when you’re aware that what you’ve been given is far greater than what you can give. Worship is that awareness that were it not for his touch, you’d still be hurting, bitter and broken. Worship is the half-glazed expression on the parched face of a desert pilgrim as he discovers that the oasis is not a mirage.

When we try to make a science out of worship—we can’t do it. No more than we can “sell love” or “negotiate peace.”

Worship is a voluntary act of gratitude offered by the saved to the Savior, by the healed to the Healer, and by the delivered to the Deliverer.

Worship is the “thank you” that refuses to be silenced.

Here is the small CD case size page I created using the digital kit I designed myself and if you would like to have this kit for yourself please visit my other blog  HERE

Here is where you can share your blog or where in a gallery you have shared your artwork for this challenge:

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #15 - When Troubles Assail Us

This fortnight Patter has given us a hymn by John Newton which is not as well known as his "Amazing Grace" but I do remember singing this hymn in the past.

Patter was not able to give us any sheet music to use in our artwork so I found a digital piece of music sheets and one was another hymn by John Newton so I changed the title and then added the sheet music for Amazing Grace.  I have shared the second verse of the hymn as it stood out to me... I do like birds and at times my husband will quote to me  " The Lord will provide".

The scripture I chose to use on my large ATC is Psalm 9:9 which includes the word "trouble" so I felt it worked well for this hymn. When reading a commentary of this verse I discovered this:
The word oppressed - Those who are crushed, broken, the dejected, afflicted, unhappy...
This made me think that yes - even with our faith in Jesus Christ we can find ourselves being unhappy. But oh! who wonderful to find refuge in the one who loves us with an incomparable love.
Then the word refuge -  A high place where enemies can neither reach nor see you.
What a wonderful picture of the true safety we have available if only we do seek and take hold of it.

For my digital artwork I have used a kit called "Home Coming" by Designs by Helly

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #14 - Take My Life and Let It Be

What a lovely hymn Patter chose for this fortnight's challenge.  The words are all good ones to apply to our lives.
I chose to share the verse of the song that I have on my digital 6 x 6 piece because I do enjoy singing. I am not a good singer but I know that God loves to hear our praises no matter how on or off key they are.

Here is a prayer I found in a devotional book  by Billy Graham:

"Thank you Heavenly Father, for the Psalms which help me see that even in the depths David talked with you. Whatever my circumstances, I will learn to praise you."

Which leads to the scripture I chose to use on my little hybrid artwork:  Psalm 51:15 -  O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise.

FAITH CHALLENGE

Earlier this month I shared that I will no longer be hosting a Faith Challenge at Scrapbook Bytes. I am pleased that another Christian lady on the Challenge team there is going to take over from me.

But I still plan on hosting my own here on my blog but I will not be sharing the details each month until about the middle of the month.  I am about to start taking part in a designing Blog Train with some other Christian digital scrapbookers who dabble in designing. Each month the mini kits we will be giving away will have a "faith based theme".  My plan is to use what I design for my Faith Challenge here on my blog. The Blog trains happen on the 15th of each month.

I am not concerned about the number of people taking part in my challenge.  If no one takes part, that is okay. But I do hope that what I will share each month will be an encouragement to those who read it.

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #13 - O For a Thousand Tongues

This fortnight Patter has given us a lovely old hymn written by Charles Wesley.  I think this hymn will always bring to my mind when we worshiped with Liberty Community Church as so many times when there was an open time for anyone to suggest a hymn or song to sing, this one man - John would so very often ask for this hymn as it was his favourites.  John is still a close friend to my husband even though we no longer worship at the same church.

The verse from the hymn tha  I chose to share on my digital piece stood out to me as this week I received the following daily devotion:

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV)

A word of admonition to us all: don’t be a “wannabe” theologian! Paul was straightforward with the church in Corinth. He didn’t use philosophically charged speech or yammer on endlessly, he cut straight to the source of life, Jesus. As Christians, we should be all about Him. We should wake up with a craving to be like Jesus everyday, we should long to walk as He walked. But how exactly did He walk?

Great question.

He walked through mobs of people shouting, spitting, and jeering at Him while carrying a cross. That’s how Jesus walked, that’s how Jesus lived. He allowed Himself to be humiliated, mocked, and ridiculed all for our good. Paul realized a simple yet powerful truth: when we know Jesus, our pride should evaporate. There is no room for arrogance when you’ve met Jesus. Paul didn’t need to use impressive words or flex his vocabulary, he needed to proclaim nothing but “Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

This mindset can work in us in two different ways:

• Firstly, if we’re constantly looking to impress others with our knowledge or holiness, we’ve completely missed our purpose. The point is not us, it’s Jesus.
• Secondly, we’ve also missed it if we neglect sharing Jesus with others because we’re worried that we don’t know enough. If we do this, we’ve also missed the heart of the matter. Again, the point is not us, it’s Jesus!

Get to know Jesus, get excited about Him. The point of our lives is to point to Him.

So with the words of the hymns and the thought that I myself, need to proclaim Jesus to the world the scripture that stood out to me is Psalm 35:28.

The digital kit I used is Madness is Divine by Creative Victorian Designs

FAITH CHALLENGE

For some months now I have been hosting a Faith Challenge at Scrapbook Bytes but I have resigned form being part of their team as my time on the computer is becoming more limited.  I have commenced doing voluntary work at an Aged Care Facility and also need to finish off some jobs around my home which I have been neglecting.

As I did enjoy hosting this challenge I thought I would  at the start of each month share a Faith Challenge here on my blog.
I will share one word for the challenge and then whoever wants to join me can use that word on any sort of page - paper scrapbooking, card making, digital page  etc....   You can use a quote or a scripture or even just use the word in some journaling.
Before I start doing this next month I will be looking into how everyone can link their blog or gallery where they share their piece of art so I can see what you all create.

At times over on my digital blog I will share a mini kit, some word art or a template to give away to go with the challenge.  And when I do this, I will share a link to that blog.

So keep an eye on my blog if you would like to join me in this challenge each month. 

Testing a linking program:

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #12 - Trust and Obey

This fortnight Patter has given us a favourite old hymn of mine.  It is one that the tune and words would always stick in my mind after we had sung it at Church.

On my digital 6 x 6 piece I have shared the second verse of the hymn because the words really spoke to me because of the burdens in my life right now that I am handing over to the Lord.  I have an elderly Aunt on the terrible journey of dealing with cancer. She and my uncle married late in life and so have no children so recently I really have become their substitute daughter.
So it followed on for me to choose the scripture that I have for my large ATC piece.
"Trust in Him at all times, pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8

I have been pouring out my heart to Him because He is my refuge and He truly is giving me peace and comfort.

For my digital artwork I have used a kit called "Hope Springs New" by Tracie Stroud

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross_#11_ Great is Thy Faithfulness

This fortnight our hymn is a lovely hymn which I have sung many times in different Churches:

Great is Thy Faithfulness

I found the following thoughts on a website from doing a google search on Devotions about faithfulness and I really found these thoughts to be so true:

"1 Corinthians 1:9...   God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Not too much is taught on the faithfulness of God. Most of the sermons one hears is on our faithfulness and how we should be faithful.  Yet God is the One who is Faithful... even when we are not. He is faithful, unchanging and He never wavers.  Our salvation does not rest upon our faithfulness but rather GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.  God sees every believer in Christ. It was Jesus who finished the work of redemption for us and we are secure because of HIS FAITHFULNESS. He promised eternal life to "whosoever" will believe in Him.  Believers in Christ rest in Him today. The Lord Jesus is our righteousness; and we do not have a righteousness of our own.   "

For my  6 x 6 digital artwork I chose to share the second verse. Possibly it stood out to me as it mentions the seasons and we are the start of a new season  - Spring for me here living in Australia.

For the large ATCs the verse I have used, I felt went well with the verse from the hymn.

For my digital art I used the black paper from a kit called Purple Party by Lindsay Jane Designs and the remaining items are from Sky High by Lindsay Jane Designs.

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #10 - When We All Get to Heaven

As you can see it has been many months since this challenge has taken place. The host of the challenge - Patter Cross has moved homes and had a lot to do with the moving and settling in so she has only this week been able to re-start the challenge.
I have missed it and now will start once again looking forward each fortnight to see what Hymn, Patter has chosen for us to work with.

This fortnight it is a lovely old lively hymn - When We All Get to Heaven
I decided to work with the word "heaven" for my choice of scripture to use on the double sided piece that I display on an ATC stand.
It is wonderful to realise we  can truly wait eagerly to get to heaven or to see Jesus when He returns to gather us if we are still living when He returns.

Here are some words by Billy Graham:

The Bible indicates that heaven will be a place of great understanding and knowledge of things that we never learned down here. Sir Isaac Newton, when an old man, said to one who praised his wisdom, "I am as a child on the seashore picking up a pebble here and a shell there, but the great ocean of truth still lies before me."     And Thomas Edison once said, " I do not know one millionth part of one percent about anything". Many of the mysteries of God - the heartaches, trials, disappointments, tragedies, and the silence of God in the midst of suffering - will be revealed there.

Prayer: All the questions will be answered loving Father, when I take my place in heaven to praise you.

--------------------

For my digital artwork I have used a kit called Angel Dreams by Verena Designs

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #9 - I Surrender All

Patter gave us a hymn this fortnight that I have sung many times.

For the scripture I chose for my hybrid piece of art is one I found by typing in the word "surrender"  for a keyword search at BibleGateway. It is from the Amplified Bible and in case it is not readable as it is did not scan very well, I will share it now:
"Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him who you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness." - Romans 6:16

I personally choose to surrender to Jesus as is sung in this great hymn.  It is not an easy path to tread but I know I have the Holy Spirit's help along the way. I have added on my digital piece word art that was in the digital kit I used - " try to remember: take it one day at a time".
That is all that God requires of us - to take one day at a time and with living each day to surrender to Him daily.

Here is my digital piece:

For this digital piece I have used a kit called "Life Montage" by Amanda Fraijo-Tobin and can be purchased from Scrap Girls 

This is the front and back pieces that I have added brads to and real stitching. This hangs on an ATC holder:

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #8 - Christ Arose

This fortnight Patter gave us a lovely old hymn which is often sung at Easter time - Christ Arose.

I will share the chorus:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with 
His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!


Here is a quote by Billy Graham which is a good one to keep in mind:


"Each time I see the empty Cross, let me be reminded of your suffering and your victory, Lord Jesus."


For my digital art I used a kit called "Risen" by Outside the Box  Studio Design


Here is the 6 x 6 page featuring the hymn:

Here is the front and back of what I display on at ATC stand:

Hymn Scripture Challenges with Patter Cross _ #7 - The Love of God

This time it was another hymn I am not familiar with but what lovely words there are in this hymn. I have used the first verse  of the hymn on my 6 x 6 totally digital page.

What a wonderful love it is that the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts when we come to accept God's love for us in the fact that Jesus died to save us. 

I thought I would share a quote by Emolyn C. Lambert from her little book "From the Back of My Bible":

"Love that goes up is worship,

love that goes out is affection,

love that stoops down is grace. "

For my digital art I have used a kit called "Sweet Street Grunge" by Brandy Hackman

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross #6 - Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us

This fortnight Patter has given us another hymn I am not very familiar with, but I had not trouble choosing the scripture I wanted to use for my pages which I will be printing out like I have done the others.
Presently I do not have my craft things with me. My husband and I are having a holiday in our caravan with the purpose to be also close to my daughter who was expecting a baby this month. The day we arrived my precious new little granddaughter - Jasmine Melody was born. We got to see her when only 6 hours old.
Another precious little soul for me to pray for and share my love of Jesus with as she grows up.

Like other times I will share my digital page first on which I share the hymn and this time have shared part of the first verse as I do like those words - We so much need our Saviour's tender care which he gives so freely to His sheep.  I am so thankful I am one of His sheep which is why I chose the scripture I have used on the other page ( one I will print when I am home ).


For my digital art I have used a kit called Basketful of Goodness by Danas Footprint Digital Designs. The photo of the sheep was found on the internet somewhere.

Scripture Hymn Challenge with Patter Cross #5 - May the Mind of Christ My Savior

The Hymn which Patter gave us for this fortnight is one that I do not think I have sung before but the words are definitely good words.
On my digital page I have shared the verse that stood out to me the most ( it is the words going around the outer edge of the page ).

The scripture I chose to use on my papercraft piece is one that I felt fitted well with this hymn. How wonderful to know that when we truly are His - we have the mind of Christ.

Of late my husband and I have been going through a time of Spiritual growth as we have realised the Church we started to attend this year is not preaching the truths of God's word. We have been reading scriptures to help us discern where we should be worshipping.  We are seeking a Church that preaches the truth and is not one that is letting"the World"  creep in. 

Here are my pieces of art with the digital pieces coming from a kit called "Fresh Blossom" by Jen Reed

MARCH FAITH CHALLENGE AT SCRAPBOOK BYTES

When I was thinking about what word to use for this month, I was given the new Bible Study book for the Ladies Bible Study I attend and the study is on the second part of the book of Isaiah and the theme is “ The God who comforts and restores”. I thought to myself… that is it - the wordCOMFORT. At that time I needed God’s comfort as I was watching my elderly mother slowly dying. Now that she has left this life, I still need God’s comfort during my time of loss. 

Here are some thoughts by Billy Graham:
At some time in life , all of us feel the loneliness of sorrow. Mary and Martha were saddened by the death of their brother, Lazarus, and Martha said to Jesus “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Theirs was a loneliness of sorrow. The shortest verse in the Bible tells us that at the tomb of Lazarus “Jesus wept.” He enters into our sorrows. When we come to Jesus Christ, He does not promise to exempt us from trouble or sorrow. Tears will come, but deep inside there will be a joy that is difficult to explain to you. It is a joy from God – produced by the Holy Spirit. In the midst of trials and agony and tears which come to us all, a supernatural power is given out, producing joy. 

During the last few weeks I have experienced the joy that is mentioned here and am so thankful for my Good Shepherd who leads me, which is why I chose to use a verse from the 23rd Psalm for my page. 

For this digital page I used a kit called " Angel Dreams" by Verena Designs

I created a template for the CD size pages I creat and with the template is instructions for how to enlarge the template to 12 x 12 plus three pieces of lace in PNG files.  You are welcome to download the template kit by visiting Scrapbook Bytes  HERE

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #4 - Standing on the Promises

For this fortnight Patter gave us a lovely old hymn called " Standing on the Promises" by Russell Kelso Carter. If you would like the read the story behind the hymn write please visit Patter's blog  HERE

On the Hymn page I created I decided to share my favourite verse from the hymn and I have used a digital kit called Love Birds by Siamese Studio.
For my scripture I chose to use what I feel is the very best of God's promises in His word. Throughout God's word there are many many promises  which we can claim. How wonderful to know for sure that you can have eternal life. It is not something we earn or deserve. It is a free gift from God because of what Jesus did for us on the Cross and the fact that He rose to life.

Now here is my page I display on an ATC stand:

Faith Challenge at Scrapbook Bytes - FRIEND

For this month (February )'s challenge that I host at Scrapbook Bytes I felt a good word for this being the month of Valentine's Day, would be FRIEND.
For my page I chose to use a scripture which depicts part of my relationship with my husband as the book of the Bible - Song of Solomon is a book for lovers and it was a verse from this book of the Bible that my husband quoted to me during our wedding ceremony.
I also has shared on my page the first verse from a favourite old hymn - What a Friend we have in Jesus - after all Jesus is the best friend we can have. He loves us no matter what!

Here are the thoughts I shared on the forum of Scrapbook Bytes for this challenge:

"Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence Him." Psalm 25:14 (Living Bible)
What is the sign of a friend? That he tells you secret sorrows? No, that he tells you secret joys... Have we ever let God tell us any of His joys, or are we telling God our secrets so continually that we leave no room for Him to talk to us?

I do like what Oswald Chambers said about telling only sorrows to our friends - we need to share our joys with our friends as well. 




If you scroll down you will see a video clip of the hymn sung in a country music style singing but I thought it was a nice version to share.
Then if you scroll on further you will see a digital kit of Wordart which I have created that you are welcome to download - just click on the image of the kit.

Here is my digital page on which I used a kit called Pieces of My Heart by Amy Stoffel:

Here is the Wordart  I would like to share:

Hymn Scripture Challenge with Patter Cross - #3 - How Great Thou Art

For this fortnight Patter has given us a wonderful hymn - How Great Thou Art. As you will read on my digital page whenever I am in Church and we sing this hymn I am glad when others also join in singing it out real loud.
If you want to read Patter's information about the hymn writer and her devotional thought please visit her blog here.

When I did a search on Bible Gateway for a scripture to use I found Psalm 31:19 and Psalm 92:5 which are both good scriptures but I felt they did not convey what the hymn was about. So my next step was to search through my scripture rubber stamps and I found the one I have used - Psalm 147:5  "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."    This scripture brings to my mind a Scripture in Song written by Michael W. Smith and I did a search and found a good version of this song to share which I hope you enjoy:




Here is my digital art piece for the Hymn:

For my digital art I used a kit called True Blue Paisley by Dana's Footprint Digital Designs

And here is my papercraft piece which I also used some digital pieces on. The scripture is a rubber stamp but I do not now which brand it is: