Sunday, March 27, 2011

you are my sunshine

A blessed Third Sunday in Lent to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

It's my turn to host the challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I chose as my inspiration scripture Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." My challenge is a different kind of peace... piece... as in paper piecing...use paper piecing in the main image of your card/project.

My card features Little Frieda's Flowers, exclusive to my very own little store The Craft's Meow. From now through Tuesday March 29th, if you buy all three Little Frieda stamps you can save 20%! Just enter the code 3LittleFriedas at checkout. I'm also co-sponsoring this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ, offering a set of the three Little Friedas as a prize. Technique Junkie Newsletter is also sponsoring our challenge with a free one-year subscription! What better time to play in our challenge?!

I paper-pieced Little Frieda's dress with patterned paper from the Emma's Shoppe collection by Crate Paper. I'm just in love with this paper set. The flowers and patterns and colors sing to my heart! I've sort of cobbled together a scene with the paper, making it appear that Little Frieda is basking in the sunshine in a field of flowers. :)

As I sit down to write my devotional for this week's challenge, it's just after midnight. I have to admit that I sorta forgot it was my turn to host the challenge this week. I've been preoccupied for the past few weeks, mainly focused on getting my store opened, but I've had quite a few things on my mind lately. So I'm sitting here wondering how I can possibly... at this late hour and with a distracted mind... write a meaningful devotional? I'm not sure I can. So I'm going to cheat a little... I've pulled out my notes from the sermon preached by our pastor on February 27th...

It was during that service that I chose my inspiration scripture. I think there's a theme lately where my devotionals are concerned. Have you noticed? They all seem to be about worry... or should I say trust and faith? I suppose there's a reason for that. I find myself being tested these days.

The title of the sermon was "Is Today the Tomorrow You Worried About Yesterday." That gives you some food for thought right there, doesn't it?  Our pastor offered Philippians 4:6-8 as "A Practical Guide for Worriers." This scripture exhorts us to PRAY... to BE THANKFUL for what we have both here on earth and eternally...to RECEIVE THE GIFT OF PEACE... and to OCCUPY OUR MINDS WITH GODLY THINGS. In other words, the way to deal with worry is to seek first the kingdom of God. Shift your focus away from worldly affairs to your eternal life, because when you seek God, everything else takes its rightful place.

I keep reminding myself of this... not to worry... to "let go, let God." I always feel the peace on some level, for my faith in God hasn't waned. It's just my weaker human self that allows the gloom to set in, the self-doubts, the questions, the regrets, the indecision. But I keep coming back to center...to God...and that, my friends, is the peace that passes all understanding.

Please be sure to stop by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to see the wonderful cards created by our design team. I encourage you to also visit each of their blogs... you will be blessed!

Thanks for stopping by today. God's blessings to you!

14 comments:

Grace said...

Ooooh my goodness Lisa... what an adorable scene you cteated!!! I am having more fun playing with Little Frieda and I just love what you did today! Great reflections as well! TFS! I hope you have a wonderful week!
hugs,
Grace

Renkata said...

Such a cutie, love the garden that you have created.

Becky said...

Lisa, this is fabulous! Love how you paper pieced her and that picket fence is awesome.

Miesje said...

Oh my goodness! This is stunning! that fence and the paper piecing. Your devotion is awesome this week Lisa! Your trust in God is there - it is visible in all that you do! Your shop will succeed! I believe in you. Be at peace dear friend!

Wendy M said...

Lovely card Lisa... you really nailed it with what you said, i.e. "But I keep coming back to center...to God...and that, my friends, is the peace that passes all understanding".

Amen sister xx

Danni said...

What a fabulous scene you created!! Gorgeous card!

Kristine said...

Well, this is just proof that God can use you... even at MIDNIGHT when you don't think you can pull something together... it was meant to be. Wonderful words for thought, from a wonderful sermon! Love your challenge too... and your card is SO ADORABLE! Great job Lisa =) And thanks again for letting us play with your Little Frieda stamps. Fun to see what everyone does with them. =)

Debbie Pamment said...

Frieda looks totally GORGEOUS!!!! Love this!
xXx

Sabrina Jackson said...

Lisa, WOW, this is one AMAZING card!! I love that added fence...what a fabulous idea and your paper piecing....awesome!! Have a blessed week!! Hugs, Sabrina

Alice said...

beautiful scene! such a darling card!

MariLynn said...

Love your paper piecing. That litle white picket fence makes me feel happy!!!

Unknown said...

What a great reflection for this week. There is so much going on in the world, this verse I believe was inspired, after midnight or not! I think there are many who needed to hear your words. And what a sweet little card, Frieda is looking mighty cute in this creation!

Unknown said...

Love the fence! Great scene, Lisa!

Lovely Linda said...

Awww Lisa - you have created such a gorgeous scene with Little Frieda!! I love your paper piecing! I am happy to be making a QUICK visit this week! {{{hugs}}}