Hymn & Scripture Challenge #5 - May the Mind of Christ My Savior

Patter has given us another wonderful old hymn in this week's challenge:

May the Mind of Christ My Savior

Text Written by: Kate B. Wilkinson
Music Written by: A. Cyril Barham-Gould

Check out Patter's blog Triple the Scraps for details about this hymn and it's author.  Here again we have another beautiful old hymn that I am unfamiliar with because it is found in the protestant hymnal.  As these old hymns begin to find a home in the hymnals of the Catholic Church, they gain new life and the appreciation of a whole new audience of believers.

As I read through Patter's study of this hymn today, my thoughts went immediately to the fact that the words of the author are words of seeking.  Seeking to be like Him, seeking His mind, His peace, His love...

The Lord wants us to seek Him and to seek to be like Him and He promises to be with us always.

The scripture verse I selected for my page is from Matthew Chapter 28, Verse 20

"I am with you always, until the very end of time."

Supplies

Cardstock:  Bazzill – Deep Dark Red, Coconut Swirl

Decorative Paper: Prima – Romantique

Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs - Jesus

Inks, Stains and Paints:  Versafine – Onyx Black; Ranger Distress Inks – Forest Moss, Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage, Vintage Photo; Adirondack Alcohol Ink – Cloudy Blue

Dies, Punches & Embossing Folders:  EK Success – Small Heart Punch; Fiskars – Smalle Butterfly Punch

Accessories & Other Stuff:   Tim Holtz Ideaology – Grunge Board Flourish; Hero Hues Pearls (hand dyed); Prima Roses, Garden Gate Baby’s Breath; Melody Ross – Chipboard Butterfly

Thanks for dropping in to peek, have a blessed day!

Hymn & Scripture Challenge #4 - Standing on the Promises

I had never heard this hymn before it showed up on this challenge.  Thank you Patter for introducing me to such a beautiful, prayerful reminder of what He promises us!  You can read all about this hymn and the challenge at Triple The Scraps.

How blessed and lucky are we to have a Lord who not only makes amazing promises to us, but KEEPS them!  He is my rock and my salvation!  In the business of everyday life, it's easy to forget what He expects of us.  It's easy to say "I promise" and then forget about it.  May we today begin anew and open our hearts to His promises!

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

Supplies

Cardstock:  Bazzill – Charcoal; Cream

Decorative Paper: Albums to Remember – Faith Comfort & Joy digital kit

Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs – Never Give Up

Inks, Stains and Paints:  Versafine – Onyx Black; Ranger Distress Ink – Pumice Stone

Accessories & Other Stuff:   Brads, Etc – Cross Brad; 7 Gypsies  - Key; Prima Gem Flourishes, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (staples)

Blessings!

 

Hymn Challenge #3 - How Great Thou Art

For this round, Patter has selected probably one of the best-known, most-cherished hymns in history.  Read the history of this hymn on Patter's blog. 

As a musician, hymns are particularly special to me because using the gifts He has given me to praise Him is amazing and I can't think of anything better!  This hymn reminds a lot of people of someone special - maybe because it was a favorite or because it was played at a funeral.  That holds true for me as well, and with all the losses we've had in our family recently, hearing it gives me strength. 

This hymn has always reminded me that I am part of something so much greater and that He created the world and us in it for a purpose.  Not unlike what God reveals to Job in the 38th chapter, this hymn lays out for us all the wonder of God.  Think about it...the earth rotates on its axis at approx 1,000 miles per hour; if it were 100 mph, our days and nights would be 10 times as long, and the hot sun would likely burn up the vegetation, whilst surviving sprouts would freeze or die in the long night. Every part of the creation is in harmony with the work of the Creator, and performs its remarkable work.

For my 8x8 page today, I chose a single photograph from a place that always comes to mind when I think of peace, tranquility, and the majesty of God's creation - our cabin.  The wildflowers in this picture have been my favorites for years - tiny and delicate, but they grow everywhere!  The verse I selected to go on my page (along with the lyrics for the hymn) is Psalm 108:1

I will sing and make music with all my soul.

Supplies

Cardstock:  Bazzill - Coconut Swirl, Heather

Stamp:  Our Daily Bread Designs - You Will Find Refuge

Ink:  StazOn - Jet Black

Accessories:  American Crafts Ribbon

Blessings!

 

Hymn #2 Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

This week's Hymn Challenge was Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus.

The third verse is "His Word shall not fail you-He promised. Believe Him, and all will be well..." God is hear for us. In Mark 10:27 "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." we learn that we can do anything, be anything and get though anything if we have God in your lives.

This past July I lost my Grandma. At the funeral she wanted the eight grandchildren to sing "Children of the Heavenly Father". After we were done rehearsing, we were milling around the church when my cousin came running into the sanctuary. "Everyone come outside!" In the sky was a beautiful double rainbow.
God is always there, holding you and giving you strength. He will never give you more that you can handle. Even in my grief I knew this was part of life. I that I would someday know longer have the pain and sadness I felt that day.
                               
                                                     
                             




SUPPLIES
Decorative Papers: Crate Paper's; Portrait Collection
Cardstock: Bazzill; black
Inks, Stains and Paint: Ranger Distress Inks; vintage photo, tea dye
Accessories and other stuff: Say it in crystals, antique buttons, Timeless Truths; Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus

Hymn Challenge #2 - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Hymn & Scripture Challenge #2's Hymn is Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.  This wonderful old hymn is not one I recognized at all - probably because it's a Protestant hymn and not many of those have filtered their way into the Catholic hymnal.  Nonetheless, it is a beautiful hymn of encouragement.

I got my copy of the hymn from the library at Timeless Truths and printed it out for the page.  The verse at the top of it reads:

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God"  Heb. 12:2

I am forever having a million things on my "to-do list" and often it is a challenge not to get carried away with trying to get things done.  I am lucky enough to have been raised by a mother who taught me and often reminded me to turn to God for help in all things.  So when I'm insanely busy or when I'm just relaxing my thoughts often turn to my Lord in gratitude for His Presence in my life.

"For David says concerning Him: ‘ I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken."  Acts 2:25

Supplies

Cardstock:  Bazzill – Walnut Cream

Decorative Paper:    Paper Pizzazz – 8x8 Vacation Collection; Canvas Home Basics – Burlap Sheet

Stamps:   OurDaily Bread Designs – Never Give Up

Inks, Stains and Paints:  Ranger Distress Ink:  Vintage Photo, Brushed Corduroy, Wild Honey, Crushed Olive, Bundled Sage, Weathered Wood

Accessories & Other Stuff:   Tim Holtz Idea-ology – Long Fasteners; American Crafts Ribbon; Hero Arts Buttons

Have a Blessed Day!

Hymn Challenge #1 - Amazing Grace

We are starting on a new journey this new year!  We will be participating in the Hymn & Scripture Challenge with Patter over at Triple the Scraps.  We are excited about this new adventure and will be making the trip together, so we will post together for these challenges!

Challenge #1 is Amazing Grace

Written by: John Newton
b. July 24, 1725; d. December 21, 1807

John Newton was a British sailor who became involved in the slave trade and later became a clergyman. On March 9, 1748, John Newton was caught in a terrible storm on the high seas. The next day he cried out to the Lord asking Him to deliver him from the deep waters though his true conversion did not happen until some time later. He eventually became a powerful evangelical preacher and wrote over 280 hymns. For a more indepth study of John Newton, please see: (click each title)

*John Newton, a Legacy of Faithfulness
*John Newton on Wikipedia

I can't think of a better way to start the new year and a new challenge than this Hymn!  It has so many simple truths in it and I can't think of another song that describes the grace of God better.

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now I'm found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine.


From the Challenge at Triple the Scraps
So what is grace? Why did John Newton feel so compelled to write about God's amazing grace? Grace is God's love to the utterly undeserving. God's grace is a gift to us. It's not anything we can earn or work towards. That means we don't love people just because we are trying to get something from them or get something from God. That means we don't serve in the church because we think it will help us earn our way into heaven. Only God can save us, and the only way to receive His gracious gift of salvation is by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ paid the price for our sins through His substitutionary death on the Cross. Christ paid the price we deserve. In grace, God sees us where we are and gives us what we don't deserve.

Cheryl's notes:
Romans 5: 15 tells us:  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

My goal, always, is to live according to His will and by that sharing His grace with those around me - friends, family, even strangers.  It's such a small thing to say an encouraging word or even just smile at someone, it might be the only positive thing that person hears today.  If it opens up an opportunity for that person to experience His grace & love then who am I to withhold that gift by ignoring such an opportunity?

Supplies

Decorative Paper:  Webster’s Pages – Ladies & Gents (Tea Time)

Stamps:   Our Daily Bread Designs – Scripture Collection 2

Inks, Stains and Paints:  Versifine – Onyx Black; Ranger Distress Inks – Peeled Paint, Iced Spruce, Victorian Velvet, Spun Sugar, Stormy Sky, Weathered Wood, Walnut Stain; Copic Fine Liner .03

Accessories & Other Stuff:   American Crafts Ribbon; Avery #1 Manila Tags

Have a Blessed Day!

Hymn Challenge #1 - Amazing Grace

Draisey's Notes:

I share God's grace with all the people that are in my life from my niece to the greeter at Walmart. I feel that one should always try to share the joy that comes with knowing God. I always try to smile or say "Hello" to my neighbors. When I moved  in the my building in May 2011 I met one of my neighbors, a very hard of hearing man, that does not like to wear his hearing aids. I would always say hello to him until he told me he could not hear me, so I started smiling a big smile at him instead. He never really acknowledge my gesture. The week before Christmas he saw me first and waved at me. I thought to myself "I have broken though." 

Supplies

Cardstock: Bazzil
Decorative Papers: My Mind's Eye, Stella Rose
Inks: Distress Inks, Worn Lipstick, Spun Sugar
Dies: Spelllbinders, Labels Seventeen
Accessories: Hero Arts, Maya Road, Corsage pins, McGill paper punch