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Sunday, October 17, 2010

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge 61 . . . prayer


Happy Sunday stampers! Time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This week's hostess is Lisa, a person I am happy to call friend. She has some great thoughts to share about her chosen verse from Matthew 6: 9-13 "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'
Her challenge is to make a card/project that features prayer; either someone praying, or a verse about prayer, or a greeting that lets someone know you are praying for them.
Our sponsor this week is Layers of Color. You can visit them here: http://www.layersofcolor.com/blog/ or see on our home page the stamp set that one lucky winner from this week's participants will receive.
Before we get any further in this post I have to apologize for not doing any blog visiting, really, for almost a month. We are selling our home and trying to move to another state. Technically we were supposed to close last Friday but the date keeps floating . . .our buyer is doing an FHA loan and I'm told that's how it goes. It is a fortunate thing, because we in turn had a contract on a home which fell through when the appraisal came in too low. So we had to start the hunt all over again and nothing is finalized. We've been running back and forth between states on weekends, mid-week, and taking care of older relatives between times. I WILL get back to visiting other blogs and seeing all the lovely creations everyone else is making, but right now it just cannot happen between packing and house hunting and the rest of life.

Anyway, I know that I wouldn't be hanging onto my sanity if it were not for the prayers of those around me . . . my grown children, my husband and my Christian friends. I appreciate it, I covet it and I try to return the prayer favor as often as my mind turns to my friends and their needs. I believe God answers prayer. I have seen issues that melt away or problems resolve that never would have untangled on their own without divine intervention.

To me, when I think about prayer, it strikes me as the opposite of the poem Invictus. Basically its a very narcissistic piece written from the perspective of being in complete control of your own life. It ends with the lines "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."

Raise your hand if you've ever been in a situation that was completely out of your control.

Ever been in a hospital room with a dying relative and the doctors themselves gently shake their heads . . . there is nothing they can do?

Ever been caught in the grocery store with a cart full of groceries and a toddler who decides to cut loose at that moment with a tantrum? Can you control a screaming toddler . . . can you really?

Ever have someone break up with you and walk away . . .nothing you do or say will change their minds?

Then there are the thousand and one little things that occur daily that are completely out of our control . . . the weather . . . the traffic . . . the economy . . . you very next breath.

So what does prayer do? It taps you into the source that does have the ultimate power, the authority as creator over all things. God is in control and when we pray we are handing over all of these concerns big and small, over which we have no control, and saying, Lord, you handle it. I know that your plan is so much bigger than anything I can conceive and I trust you. It doesn't necessarily give you the answer you think will work out best, but it means you place your trust in the Lord and bow your head to His will. Then you can take that next breath and sit back and relax. As it says in Isaiah 3o:15 "This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,"

You will find through prayer the rest that will quiet your soul.

There is so much more in the Lord's prayer, the verse that Lisa selected and I'm sure the rest of the design team have their own unique thoughts to share, but those are some of mine, just barely scratching the surface of the power and benefit of prayer. Hope to see your creations this week if you have a chance to play along. We hope you do!!!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Autumn Abundance, Clear Dollar Stamps sentiment
Ink: black and chocolate
Paper: PTI DP and . . . terra cotta I think
Other: copics and buttons {Hawaiian Shores and Orange Zest} and twine

14 comments:

Miesje said...

Beautiful Peggysue! I love your card and I really like your sharing. I am keeping YOU in my prayers dear friend. Living in chaos is not something I do well at all!

Grace said...

What a beautiful fall card Ps!!! Love every detail and love your thoughts on today's Scripture too! I am praying for YOU as you go through this difficult time in your lives!!! What a comfort to know He DOES have everything under control! Hugs,
Grace

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

What a stunning Fall card Peggy Sue!! I so love your image, colors and gorgeous layout!! I enjoyed your words as well!! I am praying for you my friend during this chaotic time in your life.
hugs,
Chris

Carol's Ink Spot said...

Beautiful autumn card. The stamp set used is one of my favorites.

Patti J said...

Peggysue, I don't know how you even found the time to think these thoughts, much less write them all down to share with us. Beautiful words, my friend, and so very true. I am praying for you as you go through these days of ups and downs. Hopefully, things will soon be settled, and you can rest easier! Beautiful card! Your colors are so gorgeous, and I love your layout!!! Happy Sunday, sweetie - hugs!

The Mama Monkey said...

Beautiful post and card! I love the buttons you used to embellish it!

@JoyceCasaldi said...

Very pretty PS, love those fall leaves.

Praying for you sister!

IamDerby said...

Gorgeous card, love the vase.

Nerina said...

Peggy your card is so beautiful! I love these warm fall colours and just can't get enough of them - they're like a hug! Your words are wonderful, I have never read the poem Invictus and would really like to look at it with the children - what a great learning experience! Your perspective on it and how you tied it into the theme for the week was really refreshing, encouraging and uplifting - thank you!

BethH said...

This is so pretty, Peggysue. I love the fall colors and your coloring is amazing. I also love your devotionl that goes along with this card. Prayer is a mighty thing...and I'm praying foryou, my dear friend, that things will fall into place concerning the houses and the move. Love ya!!

Sharron said...

Beautiful card, Peggysue! I love this set. Your coloring looks wonderful and I like how you added the contrasting turquoise. What a difficult time it must be for you now. I hope all the hecticness of moving is soon over. HUGS!

Lovely Linda said...

Hellp Peggysue - what a gorgeous card!! Your art reflects your ability and your heart! I loved your sharing today and will definitley be keeping you in prayer! Isn't it just as wlel there is no panic in Heaven! LOL! God bless you Sistah! {{{hugs}}}

Terri said...

Pretty card. I am sorry to hear things are not going well with the sale of your house. Those things can be so stressful. I hope things will get better for you soon.

Traci M said...

Oh, Peggysue...I do know some of what you are feeling right now...and do you know that is the same scripture that came to mind for me (I shared with you on the phone) while praying about something and trying not to worry.
For some reason knowing that God gave us both the same scriptures has my spirit jumping up and down right now!!
Your words are timely, your card is lovely. Praying for you continually...