Stampin' Sisters in Christ . . . actions

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, wehre all of our challenges are based on scripture. This week's hostess is sweet Helen and we welcome a brand new sponsor, The Paper Shelter! Sweet images, check out more details on our home page at Stampin' Sisters in Christ! I had an image all picked out and ready to print and then my printer and I experienced artistic differences. I wanted it to print and it did not, so I reverted to a rubber stamp for this challenge instead.

Helen's chosen verse for this week is from 1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other, let us show the truth by our actions." NLT And her challenge is to use an image showing action, or an image only on the front of you card with no sentiment, or an action card that moves.

There is so much instruction in the bible about how to live our lives; I particularly like Micah and James for this. As it says in James 2:16 "If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does not nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"

What should compel our actions? Not a belief that any actions on our part can help us 'earn' our way into heaven, salvation comes from Jesus Christ alone! However out of love for Christ, and the great gift He has given us, we should feel compelled to take action in our world to help our neighbors. One of the greatest expressions of our faith is what we do with it.

I personally feel that however much I might wonder sometimes why I live in a particular place or what God's plan is for me there, that He put me there for a reason and I'm supposed to hit the ground running; find a place to plug in to use my gifts or talents to serve those around me. And believe me, I don't always feel like going or serving. But each time I do, I come away with a greater appreciation for what God has given me in my own life, the blessings that I can see each and every day. Faith in action not only helps point people to Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life, but it also blesses the giver.

How many of us have been on the receiving end as well, where someone does something so truly special for us it reminds us once again that we are loved and valued. I know that I've talked a lot about the hard years as a single parent, but after that I have had 13 challenging, but wonderful years married to my best friend, who performs actions of service and helps point me to God's love every single day. His actions help me understand God's love more clearly.

Wishing you a blessed week! Thanks for looking and we look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery.

Other challenges:
Tuesday Morning Sketches number 149 (laid the sketch on its side)
Totally Gorjus sunshine challenge (these mice are clearly rowing on a sunshiny day)
Cute Card Thursday water challenge (paddling their boats!)


Stamps:  Penny Black (mice), PTI (sunflower)
Ink: Stazon black (please note this ink choice was a complete goof considering I changed my mind from watercoloring to copics)
Paper: random DP, orange, blue, yellow, white, green
Other: copics, last scrap of fun ribbon, buttons, gel pen, Martha Stewart punch for flower