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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 116 . . . Praise


Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where all of our challenges are based on scripture. This week's hostess is our beloved sister Rebekka who has selected this verse from Job 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." Her challenge is to make a card that praises our God and Savior.

My creation this week is actually a junior legal notepad cover; the notepad can be used to keep track of prayer requests or as a thankfulness journal thanking God for the daily blessings he bestows.

I heard something this week on the radio that put Rebekka's challenge and verse in mind.

When I was a child one of the hymns we sang often at church was called "Now Thank We All Our God." The first two verses are as follows:

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

2. O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills,
in this world and the next.

Notice especially the first verse, how it is filled with praise to our Lord! Until this past week though, I never had heard the story of the man who penned those lyrics.

His name was Martin Rinkart and he was a provincial clergyman in Ellenburg, Saxony, during the thirty years war. In addition to the calamities associated with any conflict, in 1637 the plague hit his village and in that one year 8,000 people died, including Rinkart's wife. He alone conducted more than 4,000 funerals for the people of that area, in one year. Then the plague was followed by famine, followed by foreign troops demanding 'tribute.' The list or troubles never seems to end.

Like Job, if anyone had cause to whine or bury their head in their hands and sob aloud, it was Rinkart. Yet the hymn you see printed above was his response. As much trouble as we face in our lives, it would be hard to come up with a list as impressive as Rinkart's or Job's. And what is our response? Job's story and Rinkart's story that I heard on the radio, give me some food for thought as to my response when I am facing my own short list of troubles.

Our sponsor this week is Pizzazz Aplenty and you need to visit that shop, some very cool items are in stock. And please do visit our home page where you can read Rebekka's thoughts on her chosen verse and see some great creations from the rest of the design team.

Thanks for looking, hope you can play along!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs (border strip), Clear Dollar Stamps (sentiment), Rubber Stamp Tapestry (pine cones, branches, etc.)
Paper: Olive green, Echo Park DP, PTI vintage cream, Fine Linen, gold
Ink: black, Kiwi Kiss, True Thyme, tan, Ranger distress ink (sponged), chocolate (PTI)
Other: cuttlebug embossing folder, vintage corner die, ODBD die to match stamp

8 comments:

Becky said...

Good morning my sister. What a beautiful card and what an awesome story behind this hymn.

Vicky said...

Gorgeous Peggysue...

hugs Vicky xx

Miesje said...

Beautiful! wonderful devotion - you are so good at sharing your thoughts! I love reading what you write. Have a great week - good luck with the move!

Traci M said...

That is one beautiful legal pad cover...wonderful idea for writing "grat-to-do" lists instead of "to-do" lists!! I love the pine cone border. Thanks for sharing the hymn and background, I would have loved to heard that entire story on the radio!! Hope you're having a good week, Peggysue!

Lovely Linda said...

Oh Peggy sue - what a wealth of riches you are! I love this card and the serene colours you have used! Thank you for sharing the story of the Hymn - I always love to read your posts for SSIC! Thank you Sistah! {{{hugs}}}

The Mama Monkey said...

Oh goodness, this is just beautiful! Love how you set the scene of the sentiment.

Gina Lindsay said...

This is gorgeous!! I love knowing the stories behind some of my favorite hymns. Some times after knowing that story it makes me appreciate the words that were penned. Thanks for sharing that story, I have never heard it before.

Karen Letchworth said...

Your cards are absolutely lovely and so honoring to our Lord Jesus Christ. I really do hope you will stop by and link up at Word Art Wednesday to share your beautiful scripture art in our challenges. Not only can you win great prizes, but your work is an inspiration and a blessing. Hope you will visit and link up!
Blessings,
Karen - Design Team Member