Praying the Word

I'm in my second week of Beth Moore's Believing God study, and God has already begun to break down my belief system and change me. This is so good! I really needed this study, and He knew it before I did. :)

Week 1 was all about believing God for my promised land, not only referring to heaven, but a promised land here on earth, just like the Israelites. This place is where my theology merges with reality; a place of God's unapologetic blessing to the obedient; a place where I abide in Christ's love; a place where God brings forth a great harvest; a place of great victory over the enemy; a place where God is willing to work untold wonders, which requires my faith and sanctification.

This week, Week 2, is about believing that God is who he says he is. In my study today, I was really blown away by Jeremiah 33:3 which reads, "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." WOW! All I have to do is call to him. That's just amazingly beautiful. Another scripture that really impacted me was Acts 4:23-31, when Peter's & John's friends lifted their voices together, praying Psalm 2:1-2 and asking for Peter and John to continue to speak boldly and perform miracles in the name of Jesus. After their prayer, Acts 4:31 says, "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." This just stressed upon me the importance of recalling the Word of God in all situations, especially when I'm filled with fear or anxiety. He immediately answered their prayer; what a wonderful application for my life today.

I hope you're encouraged by what I'm learning; I'm just so excited about it and want to share the good news! My prayer is that God will use this blog for his glory, to encourage my fellow brothers and sisters, and lead others to Him.

WANTED: For Being a Wonderful Dad!

Well, I've got my father's day card done early this year. :) I thought he would like the western motif since he's always dreamed of running his own ranch one day. I hope his dream comes true. :)

The ways-to-use-it challenge (WT156) on SCS challenged us to use our computers to create a card. That's not so difficult for me, as I use mine quite a bit. I loved Cammie's card so much, I cased it. Since I don't have the SU! "Wanted" or "Bronc Buster" sets, I used my computer to generate the sentiment.
Happy Stamping!

Expelled

I just watched this fascinating trailer for a movie called "Expelled" coming out on April 18th. It looks very interesting. We don't have to go to foreign countries to be persecuted; it's right here in the good old US of A. Let's focus on what Dad said about it:

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:11-12

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, - Matthew 5:44

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:35-39

Do we really believe that we are more than conquerors in Christ?! Imagine the impact we can have on our neighborhoods when we present-active-participle-believe that we are more than conquerors! Doesn't that get you excited? This is a good time for me to study the Scriptures, preparing to answer questions and defend the Word of God, for everyday life, but especially when friends, coworkers, and even strangers see this and have questions.

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. - 1 Peter 3:13-17

I'll conclude with a section from Ephesians. I'm so glad that someone in Hollywood is taking a stand. I will be praying for God to be glorified in the movie and that He would be pleased to bring many to Him. I encourage you to put on the full armor of God today, believing that we are more conquerors in Christ.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. - Ephesians 6:10-18

Bubbly

I heard this song, "Bubbly," by Colbie Caillat while perusing a stamping blog. I kept the blog up all day just to listen to this song when I was at my computer. I finally went out and got the CD, "Coco," and I just can't stop listening to it. She's got some fun songs on there. :) Just thought I'd share a fun new CD.

Lasagna & Buttered Thyme Bread

I was directed to The Pioneer Woman Cooks, a cooking blog, from a stamping blog that I frequent. I had lots of fun going through her recipes; they all looked so good. I couldn't resist trying some and made the lasagna with the buttered thyme bread. The lasagna was good, but not the best in the world to us; we don't like pork much, so the sausage gave it a different taste, but don't get me wrong: the pan is empty and we're finishing up the leftovers today. As for the bread, it was the bomb. I only used 1/4th of the amount of butter she called for, but it was still DELICIOUS! I used thyme on only one piece of the bread because I didn't want to mess it all up if we didn't like it. The bread was good both ways: with just plain butter & with the thyme. I'm going to try Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich and see what my Mountain Man and I think. :)

Ballerina Birthday

I made the invitations for the ballerina birthday, so here's the card she's getting. :) I used Jen Del Muro's weekly sketch. I really love her unique sketches. I'm sure to do this one again in the coming week. (The lighting is pretty bad, but I couldn't get a good photo tonight.)

The pink swirl bg was made using SU! Positively Pink and my Rhonda Farrar clear swirl. Since Positively Pink is a retired color and I didn't have coordinating paper, I sponged the PP onto whisper white to create the main panel. The ballet shoes and recital are Jolee's stickers. The dress is from Studio G clear stamps "pretty princess" and the crown is from SU "A Little Love." The yummy ribbon is Isabelle Pink from Berwick, and those cute little heart gem stickers are from A Muse. :-)

Happy stamping!

Tu-tu much fun!

I've had tu-tu much fun creating these fun little invitations for my sweet friend's daughter. The poem and tag line are not originals, as I was having writer's block. I found the cute little poem at Dori Ann's Stationary Boutique, which I tweaked a little, and I borrowed the tag line at the bottom from Custom Creations by Leslie. I'm tickled pink with how these turned out.

I stamped the dress and covered the little tu-tu with crystal effects and glitter. After cutting small strips of tulle, I tied each strip with the knot in the center. I then poked a hole in the dress and pushed the tulle knot through the hole and taped it down. That made the tulle stand out. The tulle was a bear getting on those little dresses (and working with in general), but I just had to find a way to use it!
Card Recipe
Paper: SU! Whisper White, Making Memories Pink Stripe & Pink Polka Dot
Stamps: Studio G Pretty Princess clear set (from Michael's $1 bin)
Ink: SU! Positively Pink (stamped off because it was too dark)
Accessories: Zots (small & medium - the medium Zots give dimension), & that yummy ribbon is Isabelle Pink by Berwick (also bought at Michael's)

Happy stamping!