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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge 63 . . . Whatever is Pure


Happy Sunday stampers! Today's hostess for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge is the lovely Linda from down under, with this verse from Php 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

This comes across the bow like a breath of fresh air! The national news is nothing if not depressing and personally the news on the home front reads like a soap opera. It is impossible to ignore when you have sick relatives or friends, your husband comes home to report that it was his turn to be downsized, the bills pile up and new ones appear like magic but not the income . . . and on and on and on.

Are we supposed to ignore those things? No, problems don't just disappear if you hide under a rock. But when you run to the rock and cling to the rock and build your hope, your foundation upon that rock, that's when these news reports take their proper place in the shuffle of your life. And in the midst of planning and doing what you can to help and to solve life's problems, it helps to turn your perspective to the refreshing thoughts that emerge from a verse like the one above.

What is true? God loves me. I know this because the entire bible is his love song to me and to the rest of the world about his great gift of salvation. The truth is He created me and has a purpose for my life even on those dark days when you feel like you're slogging through the mud.

What is honest? God is always honest, He cannot lie, whereas satan is the father of lies. Shoo him away!!! That's the voice inside of you telling you to give up hope. Never listen to that voice, listen instead to the voice that is true and honest and gives you eternal hope.

What is pure, what is lovely? God fits both of those descriptions and if you look around you can find in almost any environment those things that He created that are pure and lovely. Look at a seashell, a snowflake, a determined flower growing through the cracks of an urban sidewalk . . . a sunset glowing with color, the smile on a baby's face in the grocery store checkout line just ahead of you. It helps immensely to take a break, to spend time in prayer contemplating those aspects of God's character that fit that verse and those things that he created that refresh and renew our minds. The verses preceding and just following verse 8 talk about experiencing God's peace. Refreshing our mind in the Lord will help us find that peace in the midst of the turmoil of this world.

So this week's challenge is for you to create an all white or all cream card, a monochrome in pure tones. As you can see I had a bit of difficulty making mine completely pure. I tossed in cream with my white and then added some metallics and pink. A little bit of color is okay {I think, this isn't my turn to be challenge hostess so Linda has the final word on this}.

But I do know that we are greatly looking forward to seeing your lovely creations in our gallery, you can link up your card on the home page. And our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp which carries tons of things for papercrafting and a wide variety of the Magnolia Tildas, one of which I used on my card. Thanks for looking and have a great week.

I also am posting this card to the challenge this week at North Ridge Media's Create blog challenge for this week to put ruffles on your creations. I took a piece of pink ribbon for the background, threaded a needle and just made large basting stitches and gathered it all in. Then to emphasize it a bit more I added a ruffly sort of edge punch on swirled vellum on either side of the ribbon.

31 comments:

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Your devotional is so inspirational and well written Peggysue. I just love your Tilda card with the embossed background and all your details especially the ruffled ribbon. Darling!
Have a great week!
hugs,
Chris

Miesje said...

WOW Peggysue - your sharing on the scripture just blew me away! What wonderful insight and so well written! I also LOVE that card! It is beautiful! Very simple and pure. Love it! Have a great week!

Grace said...

Hi Peggysue! Oh your words are a balm of fresh air this morning... knowing all that is going on around you right now and how you have clung to THE ROCK.... what a testimony you are to what having a relationship with God is all about! I love your sweet card and it made me smile! Hope this week brings good news, peace of mind and lots to be thankful for!
Hugs,
Grace

Becky said...

Your insight on the devotional is so true.

Beautiful card, love the flowers and buttons. The ribbon is just fabulous :).

Patti J said...

Beautiful card Peggysue! I love what you did with the background and the two embossing folders! Just gorgeous! Your devotional today is beautiful, as well. Thanks for sharing these words with us! Have a good week...hugs!

Carol's Ink Spot said...

I love this card! Of course that little sweet girl is so precious sitting there with all the lovely shades of white/cream around her. Lovely ribbon too! So sorry to read of your current troubles. Hang in there though! There is a reason for everything and this too will pass. God Bless!

Joanne (jojot) said...

wishing you less 'mud'....

and...lovin that beauty of a sweetie on your card...the colors are soft and tranquil

Nerina said...

I love the verse that is the inspiration for today! Love your card too - it is soooooo pretty and refreshing to the eyes! Your sharing is always meaningful. Thank you (HUGS)!

Mickie said...

Awwww, she's so cute.

Leslie Anne Avila said...

Peggy,
Such a wonderful devotional and your card is absolutely beautiful! I love the whip stitched ribbon and all the textures that you've used. Simple gorgeous!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Blessings to you~
Leslie Avila

Pen to Paper said...

Peggy, your card is very pretty. I like the white background and the way the colored flowers look on it. Very cool!

Hugs,

Jackie

The Mama Monkey said...

Well, I love what you did with the color scheme! And that ruffle does it! Beautiful!

cathylynn said...

Seeing your beautiful card was eye candy but your devotional was the Lord speaking to me after the rough morning I've had and the mental attack from the evil one. I keep saying Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Coming accros your posting was by no means a coincidence. Thank you. I must put you on my fav. list. Iron sharpens iron. Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Sharron said...

What a sweet card and so beautifully done! Love the additions of cream and pink--so very pretty. Hope all goes well this week. HUGS!

Linda Imler said...

Your card is beautiful!!!!

Linda I.

Peggie said...

Very pretty. Love the soft colors.

Chris said...

It is just adorable! I love the textures and the softness. I love the sentiment, too. Just perfect!

XO,
Chris Christensen

Cammie said...

Peggysue, I am always moved by your words. I am definitely keeping you in my thoughts and sending huge hugs to you. Your card is so soft and sweet!

Lovely Linda said...

Hello Peggysue - your card is gorgeous and perfect for this challenge!! I love all of your special touches! Your words are always inspirationals and motivating Peggysue - what a shining light you are my friend! You certainly know how to live what you believe! God bless you sistah! {{{hugs}}}

Lori said...

Very pretty card Peggysue!!

cabio's craft corner said...

Cute card with lovely texture and embellishments :o)
Hugs,
Cabio

Gina Lindsay said...

This is just gorgeous. I love all the white with the soft pink. Great card to go along with your encouraging words.

Only By His Grace said...

Super card and loved what you wrote.
Hugs Maz

Terri said...

Pretty card. The little girl is very cute too. I hope things are getting better for you.

kat9 said...

Love the white/Antiqued look. Great card and beautiful work.

Kathy

Susan Raihala said...

Beautiful card, beautiful devotional. Thank you for sharing your talent and blessing, Peggysue.

Wendy M said...

I sooooooooooooo love this card :D

Wendy M said...

... and also meant to say - thank you for a wonderful message :D

Dell said...

Wow! What a refreshing card! Just beautiful!

Traci M said...

This is so pretty, I love the softness you achieved with this card, the shading behind Tilda, your embossed background, subtle stamping around the image...all lovely!! Hope you are enjoying being home and you can rest up from your journey for a bit. hugs, friend!!

Diane Noble said...

So very sweet, PS! Great devotional, as always. Love your writing. Makes me miss WTW!!! Beautiful artwork! Hope you are doing well sweet sister. You've blessed me today!