Sunday, October 25, 2009

A Double Feature

Happy Sunday my friends! I promised a Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps double feature yesterday, but I was sidelined by a headache that just wouldn't quite leave me alone for most of the day. But today is a new day, and I have lots to share!

If it's Sunday, then of course that means it's time for a new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ! Laurie Gatton is our hostess this week, and she chose the scripture I Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (NIV) The challenge is to make a card that expresses your thankfulness for someone or something they have done, or that encourages someone to be thankful.

This scripture really spoke to my heart. In fact, I opened my Bible and read through I Chronicles 16: 7-36, which is known as David's Psalm of Thanks. I encourage you to read it, too. Really. You will be blessed. It's all about praising the Lord, which is what we should do both in good times and bad.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately because so many people I know are going through some really tough times... some are even unimaginable. For many, it's a time when they turn away from God or rail at Him for causing these hardships or doing these terrible things to them.

My friends, there is nothing further from the truth. God doesn't cause these terrible things to happen. But He wants to be with us through the trials to help us get through them, with the promise of everlasting life by his profound and loving grace through Jesus Christ our Lord.

One of my favorite books is Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher (actually, Rosamunde Pilcher's books are among my favorites; The Shell Seekers, September, Coming Home and Winter Solstice are my absolute favorites. I've read each of them several times and will read them again. In fact, I read Winter Solstice every year in December. But I digress.

There's a passage in Winter Solstice that I want to share with you. It's a discussion between the village minister to Oscar, one of the main characters of the story who suffers a horrific loss of his only child and wife early the in the book... a lot of the story is about his healing, but it really isn't a sad book, so don't be discouraged and think you'll cry all the way through, because you won't. Anyway, here's what the minister said to Oscar when Oscar finally found the courage to visit with him one day:

"If only is like hindsight. A useless exercise, The accident seemed to me to have been one composed of several tragic circumstances. Who knows? Perhaps you would have died, too, Oscar, and then an even larger hole would have been left in the lives of those who knew and loved you all....As for God, I frankly admit that I find it easier to live with the age-old questions about suffering than with many of the easy or pious explanations offered from time to time. Some of which seem to verge on blasphemy. I hope so much that no one has sought to try and comfort you by saying that God must have needed Francesca more than you. I would find it impossible to worship a God who deliberately stole my child from me. Such a God would be a moral monster.... It is what I truly believe. Thirty years in the ministry has taught me that the one thing we should never say when a young person dies is 'It is the will of God.' We simply don't know enough to say that. I am in fact convinced that when Francesca died in that terrible accident, God's was the first heart to break."

That resonates with me. How about you?

My card follows the The Sweet Stop sketch challenge for this week. Did you know you can win $10 in digi stamps by playing in the challenge? Did you know that Korin designs some of the most awesome sketches out there? Did you know that Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps carries a wonderful line of both rubber and digi stamps, nearly all of which are Christian based? Yes indeed, on all counts!

I used the adorable Thankful For You digi stamp set for my card. The DP, flowers and brad are by Bo Bunny. I just love the way this card turned out. I'm going to use this set again and again. And what else do we need to say except "Thanks be to God!"

Next, I have a little sneak peek for you of a new stamp, which is part of a series called the Sunbeams that will be available for pre-order at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps on November 1st.


Meet Caitlyn. Her favorite day of the week is Sunday because she gets to go to Sunday School. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up so she can help heal the sick like Jesus did. Isn't she adorable?

I used this sketch from The Pink Elephant Challenge #37
which, as you can see, I turned on its end. I paper pieced the tablecloth. The DP is by Doodlebug Designs. I'm loving my pendent die by Spellbinders! (Tip: be sure to put a layer of waxed paper between the die and your cardstock... the die will slip away from your cardstock like butter after cutting!)

We'll be having a blog hop on November 1st, with full reveals of all four stamps in the first Sunbeams release, plus prizes, so stay tuned for more information!

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit. It's been kind of a crazy week for me, and then my headache kept me off the computer most of the day yesterday, so I haven't been able to hop around and visit many of you in awhile, but I hope to catch up soon! Until then, I hope you have a very sweet day of thankful praise!

23 comments:

Vicki G said...

Lisa, both of these cards are adorable. Hope you feel better soon

Hugs to you!

Vicki

Candace said...

Lisa, I see such beautiful things here today! First, I love that line you used on the SSCC card. It's perfect for fall. The little pilgrims are so cute, too! And so is Caitlyn! She is adorable, and so is your card. I love that Pink Elephant sketch you used. I must print that one out. It looks like a great sketch. I haven't heard of Pink Elephant before so of course, now I must go check them out. Have a great day!!

Patti J. said...

I know what's on my 'must read' list! Headed to bookstore tomorrow! Thanks Lisa - you could have written this expressly for me this week! You are amazing. Great job on your cards - love them. Thanks again, dear friend.

Kathy W. said...

I just want to say that your card is beautiful. I love the fall colors and the sentiment is perfect.

Your 2nd card is lovely also. Very cute:)

Cindy Haffner said...

Lisa your cards are adorable, I love them both.

Cat said...

Your card is perfect for that verse! Such a cute image and I love the colors!

Kristine said...

Fabulous cards Lisa! They are both really nice images, but I'm really LOVING these cute Sunbeams kids! The colors and DP you used for Caitlyn's card is PERFECTO!! Love the pieced tablecloth and your spellbinders die--LOOOOVE that one so much. I'm gonna have to add that to my wishlist! Hint hint to Kathy if you're reading this... Christmas is coming! LOL Just kidding!! :)

Kristine said...

And I forgot to mention, I did read through your whole post and I'm sorry you've had headaches, hope today is much better for you! That book series sounds awesome. I have to admit that I don't take the time to read much, but you've inspired me to get a hold of that one now. Great food for thought there my friend.
Love and Hugs!
~k

peggysue said...

So many things to ponder! I will look up that book, I've never read any of her work, but what a beautiful thought you shared with us from it, yes, I believe God's heart breaks when we experience tragic circumstances. And I believe His heart breaks further when those tragedies push us further away from him, I've seen many turn away like you have, when that is the best place to go for solace.

Secondly, both cards are da bomb! What a happy birthday card, so bursting with birthday-ness! :) And the little pilgrims are so cute.

Hope the head-ick goes away, those are monsters. I had a migraine the other night, and when they finally disappear that is something for which to be truly thankful!

LORi said...

Oh Lisa...these are wonderful!!! The TPE card is SUPER Amazing!! So happy you joined us this week at TPE!!!

HUGS ~ LORi

Pamela said...

Both of the cards are fantastic...you do such great work!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Love both cards! I glad that you are feeling better. I get headaches like that and they ruin you day. Your post today is so thought provoking.
Thanks for the wax paper tip. I have not tried it and this pendant is hard to get out. But it never stops me from using it!

Sheri Gilson said...

Fabulous cards!! Great take on this weeks sketch!! Thanks for playing along with us at The Pink Elephant!!

Sheri

Annie said...

Oh I have had such a busy weekend and have only just had time to do my favourite job of checking out our entries this week. Lori and Robin are in charge of choosing our top ten so don’t worry you didn’t loose your chance there.
Love your cards - hope you’ll have chance to have a play in today’s new challenge which is a recipe ‘Black - distressing and hardware’ - a fun one to start the week methinks.
Ann xxx
http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/

Debbie Pamment said...

WHat can I say - we are sooo insync we even have headaches close together - LOL. Hope yours is all better now sweet lady!
Your cards show no sign of you not being 100% - hopefully creating them helped you heal!
Lotsaluv from across the BIG pond
xXx

NinaB said...

Wow, great job on those challenges. I love when I can do that. I'm excited for the S&S Sunbeam collection. Your cards are beautiful, as always.

Laurie said...

Love your pilgrim card, Lisa. The colors are so adorable...the sentiment is perfect.

Helen said...

Wow. Thanks for sharing that clip from the book with us. That's very powerful!
Your cards....AWESOME, as expected! :)
Blessings!
~H

Helen said...

Wow. Thanks for sharing that clip from the book with us. That's very powerful!
Your cards....AWESOME, as expected! :)
Blessings!
~H

JoAnn V. (http://joboogie.typepad.com) said...

Fantastic cards, Lisa! So super cute! Love your eye for design! :)

Sandy said...

I love both of these cards!!! I love the pilgrims because I love Thanksgiving time. I also love your Caitlyn card and all the detail you have in her! Too cute!!!

Anonymous said...

Both cards are wonderful, Lisa! The pilgrim card exudes the warmth of the season, and the Caitlyn card is just perfection pink. Thank you, too, for the lovely reminder about God's enduring love and mercy. When we stumble, he grieves alongside us, then takes us into his arms to comfort us and helps us get dusted off and back on our feet. How blessed we are to have such a loving parent!

Chrissy D said...

I just love these images, they are SOOO sweet!