Tuesday, February 21, 2012

He has made everything beautiful!

 "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11a


Just as a dress does not spontaneously generate into a wearable form, neither has anything which is or ever will be . . .there is a Creator and He has revealed Himself to us in His Word and through His Son. He also tells us, in the Psalms, that we were "knit together in our mother's womb," "we are fearfully and wonderfully made," and "He knows our frame" (and we are but dust!). In Ephesians 2:10, we are told, "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." The point of all my random ramblings is that we are not here by accident or by a collision of particles, but by design.We each have a purpose for which we were created. . .and that purpose is eternal as well as temporal. All that happens in our lives is under His sovereign control and is working out according to the counsel of His will. . .He is making all things beautiful, in His time. . .

If I ended there, it would be terribly cruel and misleading: this wonderful promise does not apply to everyone:  it only applies to those who are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. . .in whom ALL of God's promises are yes and Amen! We have all turned away, none has done good, no not one, Scripture says. We come into this world, condemned and then continue to add to our debt against the Lord. . .a debt that can only be paid through 1) an eternity in Hell or 2) perfect obedience and we've already blown that one! The Good News is that there is one who did live a perfect life doing all that was right and refraining from all that was wrong: the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only did He live that perfect life of obedience that a holy and just God requires, He was put to death and bore the Father's wrath in place of those for whom He died. . .all of those who would place their trust in Him, all of those that would hear His voice. That He is the spotless Lamb of God, that His sacrifice was acceptable, that the sin debt of His people has been paid in full, was demonstrated by His resurrection on the third day. He has been vindicated and even now sits at the right of the Father, ruling and reigning. Will you receive the gift He offers, the gift of eternal life, the gift of freedom from the guilt and power of your sin? Turn to Jesus. He is able to save to the uttermost, and He is willing!!

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This card is for my mother. . .once it is returned to me, that is! It's been away at Create Magazine for a photo shoot. . .and now I can say that one of my cards has been published: and on page 24 of Northridge Publishing's: Create Vintage Idea Book 2012 . A special thank you to Cindy Coutts, the founder of Christian Paper Crafts, who encouraged me to submit this card. . .and it's just a few pages away from one of her signature beauties.

The main image panels on the front of the card are from the Hero Arts Simply Handmade Set. The inside scripture is from Sweet and Sassy Stamps and is just one of their beautiful scripture selections.

The thimbles are also stamped images. I used multiple layers of silver embossing powder and while still warm, gently imprinted the stamp image. The button is from my grandmother's stash, the mini spool is a thrift store find that I wrapped in metallic thread and the doily is from the cake decorating section. 
Card Interior

Project Details

Stamps: Hero Arts Simply Handmade, Sweet and Sassy New Creature
Card Stock: Kraft, Basic Black, Aged Cardstock
Designer Paper: Creative Imaginations Iron Orchid
Ink: VersaFine Onyx, Ranger Distress Antique Linen, Vintage Photo
Accessories: Blue Moon Beads Fairy Tale Scissors, wooden spool, doily, DMC gold thread, embossing powder, vintage button, twine,EL Abstract Flower border Punch, ribbon
Technique: Stamping, Embossed stamping, distressing
Challenges:

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

3 comments:

  1. Thank you Jan. Your work is always stunning and God has given you a tremendous gift to share with others to spread the gospel. Since you used 2 different stamp sets on your card, SNSS and Hero Arts will also compensate you monetarily and with free product. You go for it sister. I miss you and God bless you.

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  2. Jan what a day for me to come and visit as this card is beautiful and worthy of being published! Congratulations my friend!

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  3. Jan, you are more than well deserving of having your work publihed. This card is beautiful. Congratulations!! ~ Abby

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Thanks for your encouraging words! Have a blessed day!