Hold Your Horses. . .

Be still and know that I am God.Psalm 46:10

Easel Option ~ Inside Panel

Horses are not known for holding still in what they perceive to be threatening situations. The Lord has created them with a very strong flight response as their primary means of defense. Or, as my mares would say, "When in doubt, snort and run, and run and run and run! Snort, snort!" Their response is captured well in this set from Coronado Island Designs.

Card Front ~ Closed

Even when the threat isn't real or physical in nature, so often we are like the horses; we run about anxiously, fretting and worrying. Or we, unlike a horse (unless given no other option), try to fight our way through. Yet when we are anxious, or we fret and worry, we are sinning because we are not trusting the Lord. . .and the promises He has given to all those who are trusting in Jesus Christ, the Savior. He reminds us to be still, to know that He is God. He is in control of all circumstances, He can be trusted with the outcome. We must assess the situation and determine what is our responsibility and do that, and then, leave the rest in His most capable hands.

Or as Matthew Henry says in an excerpt from his commentary on this passage:

. . . They are under the protection of a God in covenant, who not only is able to help them, but is engaged in honour and faithfulness to help them. He is the God of Jacob, not only Jacob the person, but Jacob the people; nay, and of all praying people, the spiritual seed of wrestling Jacob; and he is our refuge, by whom we are sheltered and in whom we are satisfied, who by his providence secures our welfare when without are fightings, and who by his grace quiets our minds, and establishes them, when within are fears. The Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has been, is, and will be with us—has been, is and will be our refuge."

Opened

This week's Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge #100 is to craft a project using "any type of creature from tiny (like an ant or a bug) to a very large creature (whale, or elephant) on your card or project."

“Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,  wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds.” Psalm 148:7-10
Charisma Cards is also having a challenge: four-legged friends.

Back

CARD DETAILS
Stamps: Coronado Island Designs, Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection #3

Paper: Stampin' Up! Brocade Blue
Ink: Versa Fine Onyx, Ranger Distress Faded Denim
Accessories: SU brad, twine, black embossing powder, sponge, Liquid Pearls, black pen, Spellbinders Nestabilities Reverse Scallop Squares.
Technique: Heat embossing, stamping, faux stitching, distressing SU Oval Punch

Side View ~Easel

Special Notes: The idea for this card came from a western style shirt that used a repeating cowboy image in black on a blue background. The pocket style card lent itself well to replicating the shirt design.
Directions for basic pocket card: Start with cardstock trimmed to 4.25 x 11 inches. Score at 2.5 inches and 6.75 inches. To create the top flap, find and mark with pencil the top center of the shortest panel. Mark each side 1 inch down from the top (or 1.5 inches from the first fold). Cut diagonally between the marks, and there you have the pocket! Decorate as desired! It can also double as an easel card by flipping it around so the inside back panel sits atop the front flap.
Challenges:

•  Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge #100 ~ Creatures
• Charisma Cards Challenge #30 Four-Legged Friends
• Paptertake Weekly Challenge Anything Goes 
• The Corrosive Challenge #127- Manly  
• Simply Create Challenge #49 Your Favorite Animal
• Through the Craft Room Door #7--Embossing Heat or Dry  
• Little Red Wagon  #92 Put a Critter on It

Have a blessed day, and may you be still and content in the knowledge that He is God!