Grace

For my latest design team (DT) assignment for the May 16, 2008 weekly ezine at Faithfully Yours, I wrote a devotional and submitted several projects using the theme of Grace. My key verse was Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Here is my devotional:

Feasting on God's Grace

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

I have recently been thinking of all the times the Lord had shown His grace to us in the past and how important it is to be looking for His work in our lives. I love this verse because it contains the promises that the Lord will be our light and our protection, that He will give us His grace and that He doesn't withhold good things from His obedient children.

Those of you who teach a SS class or Bible study know that when you're teaching on a certain topic, the Lord will frequently work on you in that area before you share the lesson with your class. Well, the Lord decided to give us a fresh lesson on His grace these past two months. In a three week time period in February, we moved my dad from one assisted living facility to another, Dad fell and was life-flighted to Columbus. I stayed up in Columbus for the next week while he was in ICU. One week after he fell, Dad was ushered into the presence of the Lord he loved and served and was reunited with my mom. We had his funeral here and then traveled to PA for his burial service. We then had our 5 day missions conference. We finished this 3 week time period with me having elbow surgery.

Throughout this challenging period, we saw the Lord working in so many different ways. The Lord gave encouragement, Christian medical staff, strength, comfort, grace, and the list just goes on and on. That's just the way our Lord is. He loves to give His children good things and when we're facing the tough times in life, He's right there beside us, giving us light, protecting us, and providing comfort for us.

While I was in Columbus with Dad, the first round of the circle journal ended. When I got home, after Dad passed away, my circle journal was here at the house waiting for me. I'd chosen the theme over 6 months earlier. My theme? Words of Comfort! I'd asked the ladies to do a two page layout of their favorite "comfort" verses in the Bible and the songs that brought them comfort during the tough times in life. Only the Lord could have known what I would need at the exact time my journal returned to me.

It is such a comfort to know that the Lord is our shield and that He will give us the grace we need for every situation and circumstance that comes our way. We can also be confident in knowing that as we are walking close to Him, He will not withhold good things from us. As you look back on some of those challenging times in your own life, think of the ways you have seen the Lord shielding you and giving you good things in the midst of the challenges. God is ALWAYS good.

Store supplies used in the following projects were: Victoria Mini-kit, Whimsical Ladies Tag Elements, Lotus stamp, Dainty swirl stamp, Vellum, Psalm 84:11 Digital wordart. Non-store supplies are listed with each project.

The first project was a double-page layout entitled Poised to Grow. I used some pictures taken during a mini-photo shoot in the church courtyard.

The verse under the large picture on the left is Psalm 84:11.

The journaling on the right page says:

As your senior year of high school quickly comes to a close, thoughts and plans for the future are frequent topics of conversation. You are planning to attend college and major in Creative Writing. As you were deciding what to study, a major factor in your decision was that you wanted to be able to be a Biblical helpmeet to the husband you hope to have someday. Being an author will allow you to work wherever the Lord sends your husband. If the Lord blesses you with children, it will also allow you to be a stay at home mom.

Your high school years have not been easy. You have suffered and continue to suffer so much physically. Your dad and I have been so proud of you for the way you have handled it. With your health challenges, just going to college is going to be a major step of faith. However, you’re not letting that stop you from pursuing what you feel the Lord would have you do.

We also admire the high standards you have set for yourself. We’ve watched your spiritual growth over the past couple years with very thankful hearts. We pray daily that you will continue to keep your standards high and that you will always keep this desire to put the Lord first. Remember, as this verse says, "...no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

And as your dad frequently says, "You’ll never be sorry for putting the Lord first.

Remember too, Precious Girl, that you are GREATLY loved.

Non-Store Supplies used: Non-store items: white paper, Stamp Craft Dye Ink - violet
Fonts: Cricut - Jasmine, Computer - Tempus Sans ITC

The second project was a card for my on-going Scripture Challenge project.



Non-store supplies: game cards, white paper, stickles - diamond, green buttons, Stamp Craft dye ink - violet, Colorbox Fluid Chalk - pastel olive, Cricut pen - brown, Zig rollerball 0.5mm journaling pen - black

Then I made two notepads:



Non-Store Supplies: stickles - diamond, eyelets, brad, greenish ribbon, Stamp Craft dye ink - Violet, white paper, chipboard, heavy-duty stapler/staples, Cricut - Jamine cartridge and CTMH stamps for word "notes"

Lastly, I made 2 cards. For the first one, Psalm 84:11 is used on the front.



Non-store supplies: flowers, brads, Stamp Craft dye ink - violet, card blank, white paper

For the "You're Sweet" Card (my personal favorite), I used lots of stickles (glitter glue) to add some sparkle.



Non-Store supplies: G Studio stamp - "You’re Sweet," SU black ink spot, brads, stickles - diamond, Stamp Craft dye ink - violet