Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 107...Wings

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where our stamping challenges are based on scripture. This week's hostess is the uber-talented Chris, who selected this verse from Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles." Her challenge this week is for you to use something with wings and a biblical verse on your creation.

Our sponsor this week is Our Daily Bread Designs and one randomly selected winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to their store, so we're hoping you find a chance to play along!

Isaiah is a wonderful book in the bible and there are so many nuggets of wisdom hidden in its pages. I know Chris is going to have some great thoughts to share in her devotional on the home page at Stampin' Sisters in Christ.

Waiting . . . that's something we do a lot in this life, isn't it? Especially when the economy slows down. We wait to see if we're going to get a job in response to that resume we sent out. We wait to see if any customers will buy our products if we own our own business. We wait for a paycheck to be able to pay those bills that are themselves, waiting on the desk.

We wait for test results, wait for the light to change, wait for the rain to stop, wait for the phone to ring with that special call that is going to change our lives . . . when what we're really waiting for is God. We pray and wait for Him to answer. Then we get impatient when that answer doesn't seem to come quickly enough. Then, in our impatience, we act--and when it isn't in God's timing, that action is often premature. When we act or move on our own, we're depending on our wisdom, our strength, our timing and our plan. I have done this often enough to know that God's plan is so much better than my plan, because when I get impatient--and that happens often--it doesn't work out so well.

This verse promises that when we wait on the Lord, we will renew our strength . . .why? Is it because during that time of waiting we've had a nice rest or perhaps a glass of lemonade? No, it is because we are relying on God's strength, not our own. God's strength and wisdom is inexhaustible and immeasurable. If we wait upon the Lord, He will give us the strength we need to meet the next day, conquer the challenges that face us. And in the meantime while waiting for an answer, do what is right in front of you. Clean house, bake bread, write a friend, play with the kids, weed the garden, tend sheep--do whatever it is that lies in front of you--waiting doesn't mean life stops, it just means we don't run ahead of the Shepherd.

What seems to take a lot longer than nine months is waiting for a baby. I made two baby cards for this challenge because I have two nieces who both had babies this summer, born one month apart . I changed up the design on the second card because my husband liked it better, which do you like better? Sorry the photo is a bit washed out.

We look forward to seeing your creations with wings and a bible verse in our gallery this week. Thanks for looking, hope you can play along.

Stamps: Crafty Secrets, Our Daily Bread Designs, Waltzingmouse

Paper: white and random DP

Ink: black, versamark, pink kaleidacolor pad

Other: silver gel pen, edge punch, nestabilities, prismacolor pencils, glitter, ribbon, prima roses, PTI impression folder