God Pause, part two by Jan Hess

God Pause, part two

Finding ourselves on the threshold of the typically busiest, most chaotic time of the year, it seems providential that just last month you were introduced to “God Pause”, the Lord’s calming command spoken from the midst of overwhelming, unsettling times:  STOP. KNOW. I AM.   Some of you have recently come through overwhelming, unsettling times; some are finding yourselves stuck there; still others foresee them ahead.  A fresh read of Psalm 46 provides more encouragement for those who heed the call to “be still.” 

 

Have you noticed the repetitions in Psalm 46 which declare God’s continuous, reliable, uninterrupted presence? Check them out:

God is … verse 1

God is … verse 5

The Lord of Hosts is … verse 7

The God of Jacob is … verse 7

I Am … verse 10

The Lord of Hosts is … verse 11

The God of Jacob is … verse 11

 

English grammar 101 taught us that the statement “God is…” refers to the present tense.  God right now.  After noting the repeats, I wondered, “How many times is that?”  Seven reminders of God’s present-ness!  Suddenly, I remember that the number seven is very noteworthy in God-matters!  STOP. KNOW. I AM. “What does He want me to see?”  A quick research reveals that “seven” appears over 280 times in the Bible, most of which are contexts of great significance.  Another question arises, “Where is its first appearance?” In the first book, of course.  Genesis. The Book of Beginnings.  “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  And it took seven days:  six days of work and one day of rest. What I learned next really captured my heart:  the number seven denotes both spiritual perfection AND rest!  God completed His perfect creation in six days, crowning it with rest on the seventh.  Perfection AND rest evidenced in this spectacular seven-day event!  And even now, in all our events--pleasant or unpleasant, encouraging or discouraging, triumphant or tragic—our God is present in perfection and rest.  

 

Along with the psalmist, we declare in the third person “God is.”  But what does it mean when God interjects in the first person, “I AM”?  To hear the answer we need to listen with Moses’ ears!  When he encountered God in the burning bush and asked His name, God responded, “YHWH.”  In that four letter Hebrew word--for which there were no vowels--the LORD did not merely say, “I Am God Right Now.“  No!  He declared, “Who I was is Who I am and Who I will be.”  God-outside-of-time!  An eternal and forever present-tense-ness! 

 

We humans, confined to time, thinking and speaking in yesterdays, todays and tomorrows, are barely able to grasp this amazing truth about our God.  It is this facet of His character that gives us assurance that all our yesterdays and all our todays and all our tomorrows are known by Him, handled by Him, ordained by Him. The psalmist reminds us that this “not-limited-by-time” God is, was, and will be our Refuge…our Strength…our Fortress…our Help…our Center…our Stronghold…our Companion in our every moment.  The Always-and-Forever-Present One. 

  

What comforting news for us in the midst of our busyness or bitterness…in the pain of a troubled marriage or a fractured family…in the pressure of a demanding job or debilitating illness!   The Perfect God, the Great I Am, the God of Jacob, the Lord of Hosts, is with us!  Let’s praise Him!

Lord, You are the One who was, the One who is and the One who always will be.  You are the same yesterday, today and forever.  The Perfect One, the Rest-giving One.  Today I choose to surrender all that I am to all that You are.  I REST in You, trusting that You are in the midst of every detail of my life and are using each situation to PERFECT me by, in and through Your grace.  In the busyness, in the chaos, in the restlessness, I choose to pause in You;  To STOP. KNOW. I AM. 

God Pause by Guest Designer Jan Hess

 Recently, Jessica has been encouraging you about the importance of being still.  What a seemingly impossible challenge this is for most of us!  I think I can hear many of you saying, “How are we to be still when the nations are in a frenzy, the weather is in a tizzy and our lives are so busy?”  Well, how do we do anything that is impossible for us?  Jesus replies, “What is impossible with man, is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)

Did you know that the words, “be still,” are a command from God Himself?  No, it is not the “lost 11^thCommandment!”  God gave this command at a very tumultuous time.  Psalm 46 gives us a summary of that period in Israel’s history.  The temple musicians composed this song during the days of the kings of Israel and Judah, after the kingdom had been divided and the surrounding nations were constantly threatening to overtake them.  Consider the many unsettled circumstances mentioned in this short psalm: nations raging…mountains quaking…seas roaring…waters foaming…earth melting… weapons firing…kingdoms falling.

We might imagine that the psalmist could have composed this song about our day!  But the maelstrom exists not only in the nations “over there” or the weather “out there.”  No, it is right here…here in my home, my relationships, my job, my heart!   And in the oft-rising, super-woman persona, we demand that we must remain in the center of the bedlam in order to fix it, control it, solve it, or scream “be still” at it!  But that is not where we belong!  Psalm 46 verse 5 tells us that “God is in the midst…” of all the pandemonium.  Yes!  Our God is in the center of it all.  And from this prime position He commands, “BE STILL!” (verse 10).   In the original language of Hebrew, this means, “Cease!  Relax!  Sink down! Let go!”

Reading these words, I hear my own tone of voice as I recall moments when I commanded my children to “STOP IT!” when they were tangling about in their own messy madness and I wonder, “Is that my Father’s tone?” I think not, for His command does not stop there.  The One who is slow to anger, full of compassion and abounding in lovingkindness, continues, “…and know that I am God.”  The Almighty, the Everlasting, the Unchanging God, Who makes wars cease, Who calms raging seas, Who restores our peace, wants us to know Him!  Not just ABOUT Him, but to KNOW HIM personally, intimately, experientially.  This word “know” is the same Hebrew word we read in Genesis, “Now Adam knew Eve and she conceived.”  (Genesis 4:1) Now, that is REAL knowing!

When we find ourselves in the throes of busyness or distress or conflicted relationships, God calls us—commands us—to stop what we’re doing, to say “no” to the feverish “I’ve-gotta-fix-it-right-now” pace, so that we will know Him more intimately, trusting in His sovereignty and resting in His power to accomplish all things that concern us. (See Psalm 138)  

Might you pause for a moment and pray…Dear Father, thank You for being with me in every situation. You know whether I sit or stand.  You are fully aware when I am tossed about by the winds of the day.  You see my heart when I’m overwhelmed, being torn from this side to that.  By faith, I believe that You are right here with me.  From the center of my chaos, enable me to hear and heed Your command to stop, to relax, to sink down and know that You Are.  Teach me to trust that in my letting go, You let loose in the situation.  Then I will experience Your faithful, trustworthy character and be changed.  In the calming name of Jesus, amen.

The Lord gives us a great promise in Isaiah 30: 15 saying, “I will keep you safe if you turn back to me and calm down. I will make you strong if you quietly trust me.”  With that wonderful assurance, the next time you find yourself raging, roaring, foaming, melting, remember the God Pause…STOP. KNOW. I AM.

Note:  In my next two blogs, I’ll be sharing more insights from Psalm regarding our awesome God and His command to BE STILL.  Be sure to check it out!

In His love, 

Jan Hess

Quilt Builder Framelits by Guest Designer Donna Wicks

Quilt Builder Framelits dies:

Here is an example of being able to use our dies in unexpected ways.  They are not "just for card fronts."

I've used the Quilt Builder Framelits to create three 3D-type projects.  

The 3" x 3" note card and the piece on top of our Mini Pizza box, are each raised up on the adhesive strips, giving it a greater height from the base.  I love that look, it gives this project a rich sense of depth!

I did use vellum on all three projects to give them a softer look.  In each case, it is adhered with Tombow Liquid glue directly to the back of the red die cut.  But on the card and pizza box, I did add a piece of Whisper White card stock under the adhesive strips to give the vellum a brighter look as it was too dark-looking when simply adhered over the red card stock.

The entire design concept is meant to be one of simplicity.  To jazz it up, one can add some color and glitz by adding things like rhinestones and metallic threaded swirls behind the stamped images, and things like red berries to the wreath or red bows to the stockings or some glitter to the tree, etc.!  

Creating is always open, interpretive and fun!

I really love how the strips of Wood Textures DSP, added to the side panels of the pizza box, really makes the project appear to be a real wooden box!  It sure looks to me like it's a sturdy wooden box filled with Merry Christmas Wishes (like it's a treasure box).

The votive holder took a bit of measuring and "doing" but, I am always amazed how a die can turn out something 3D like this.  It's a matter of measuring, scoring, cutting and adhering but, it can certainly be done.

Thanks so much for looking!  Thanks Jessica, for the floor space on your blog to add my projects too, it is always such fun!

Blessings to all,

Donna

Where God Plants a Tree by Jan Hess

Where God plants a tree…

On a recent rails-to-trails bike hike with my family, my attention was drawn to three types of trees along the trail:  those planted near creek’s edge, large-trunked with tops bending toward the water;  others lining the path, tall and slender, straight and steady; and those which appeared to be growing miraculously out of rocks.  Creator God planted each one, bearing its own unique shape, size and stature.

As I mused on the trees, I remembered that Jesus often taught the disciples through the use of word pictures and parables.  It occurred to me that an impromptu lesson through living arbors lay before me.   This is what I gleaned from The Three Trees along the way…

The trees growing miraculously out of towering rocks represent wise believers.   Jesus said that those who hear His words and act on them are wise. Those who build their houses—their lives—on the rock and not on the sand would stand when the rains, floods, and stormy winds rise up against them.  Just as these rock-founded trees are strong and full of life, only those homes—lives—built on the Rock of Jesus would be secure. David, the Songwriter-King of Israel, calls us to “sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.”  Jesus, You are the way, THE immutable TRUTH and the life.  You are my Rock and my Sure Foundation.  May I walk wisely today, hearing AND acting on Your Word of truth which endures forever.

Trees beside the path, standing like sentries, remind us that believers are soldiers, too.  Paul encouraged Timothy to “fight the good fight” for the Kingdom of God, by remaining free from the entanglements of the world.  Like these trees in rank formation, we are to be vigilant in guarding, protecting, and assisting one another as we walk the Road of Righteousness.  Jesus, You are THE only WAY, the truth and the life.  Enable me by Your grace and strength to be undistracted and uncompromising as I walk the path You have set before Me.  May I be alert to others who need help as they walk along the way.  

Creek-side trees firmly established yet with tipping trunks, depict the posture of a worshiper.  Planted so closely to the creek’s edge, the roots and trunks appear vulnerable to the rise and fall of the water’s level.  As they grow wider and taller, the boughs and branches become “top-heavy,” and it is as if they are longing for the water.  They display such beauty and elegance in their plush-leaved, bowing heads, their backs bent in surrender and adoration.  Jesus is the Living Water, drawing us to Himself.  Heeding His call, we can only bow in worship before Him, just as these trees stretch out over the “call” of the water.  Jesus, You are the way, the truth and THE source of LIFE-- my life—the Living Water.  Your Word tells me that I am like a tree planted by the streams of water, producing fruit in the proper season.  As I drink of the river of Your delights, my leaves will never droop, and I will succeed in all You’ve given me to do, as I continue to bow in humility and worship.

Was the Lord showing me different personalities in the Body of Christ?  No.  I began to perceive that everyone who has put their hope in Jesus Christ, will exhibit each of these postures.  Depending on what season or situations we find ourselves in, our lives may look more like the trees fixed securely and solidly on the Rock.  At other times we will resemble the trees along the path, standing shoulder to shoulder with other believers, guarding the way and strengthening the resolve of a faltering sister to keep on the path.  Finally, there are times when, like the trees along the creek, our determined focus with be to draw near to God in worship and adoration, receiving the living water from the fountain that never runs dry.

Whether you find yourself in a season of settled security, of stalwart “soldiering” or of surrendered singing, may you rest in His presence and provision, being certain that…

Where God plants a tree…there is life!

Jan Hess

Every month I invite an inspirational believer and friend to share words of life in Christ.

I am so inspired by the pen of my sister Jan Hess. Hope you are blessed today as well.

With love,

Jessica

Climbing Orchids Bags by Guest Designer Cynthia Cole

This morning I want to share with you the project my sweet friend Cynthia Cole created for us. 
I want to first of all thank Cindy for sharing her beautiful heart and hands with us during these last three months.


If you missed any of her posts click below to see them. So inspiring!

In The City post

One Wild Card post

I will be following her on her blog here to check what she is up to. Her talent has no equal. Absolutely love her and everything she creates. 

To make this set of 3 bags she used the Gift Bag Punch Tool, so clever! Below a list she provided with all the wonderful products she used to create these and some good tips to make these yourself.

Isn't Climbing Orchids a precious stamp set?
Thanks for visiting my blog today. Your time is a priceless gift!

Supplies Used:

Climbing Orchid Stamp Set

Gift Bag Punch Board

Fresh Fig Cardstock

So Saffron Cardstock

Mint Macaron Cardstock

White Cardstock

Fresh Fig Ink

Mint Macaron Ink

Berry Burst Ink

Lemon Lime Twist Ink

Versamark Ink

Stitched Oval Dies (I used Kat Scrappiness)

Modern Label Punch

Petal Burst Embossing Folder

Mint 1/8" Ribbon

White 1/8" Ribbon

Hole Punch

Fast Fuse Tape

White Embossing Powder

Dimensionals

Large Bag

Fresh Fig cardstock 8 1/2" x 11"

Stamp flowers all over paper with Fresh Fig Ink

On white cardstock, stamp multiple flowers and stems with Berry Burst Ink

Cut out flowers using the matching dies or fussy cut them

Layers flower shapes together with dimensionals and glue

Using the Gift Bag Punch Board, create a medium size bag

Attach flowers and stems to front of bag

Punch two small holes at the top of the bag and tie a bow with white ribbon

Medium Bag

Cut two pieces of So Saffron cardstock to 5 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Score the 6 1/2" sides at 4"

Place each piece into the Punch Board aligning the 4" score line at the arrow and punch, then score the gusset part

Die cut stitched oval out of both pieces at the top of the 4" sections

On the 4" sides emboss with the Petal Burst folder

Adhere the two pieces together

Stamp flowers with Lemon Lime Twist on white cardstock and cut out

Cut stems with Berry Burst ink and cut out, attach to bag

Layers flowers, attach to bag using dimensionals and glue

White emboss using Versamark on Fresh Fig cardstock using sentiment from set

Cut out using the Modern Label Punch and attach to bag with dimensionals

Small Purse Bag

Cut Mint Macaron cardstock to 5 1/2" x 11"

Stamp flowers all over with Mint Macaron ink

Stamp flowers on white cardstock with same ink and cut out, layer up

Using the Gift Bag Punch Board make a medium bag

Turn paper over and around 180 degrees and punch all the way across again as if you are making a medium bag.

Cut off the whole strip except for one wide section of this side at the end

Tape bag together

Punch a small hole on each side at the top of the bag and attach ribbon for handle

Attach one layered flower to front of the purse using dimensionals only at the bottom of the flower.  The flap of the purse will fold under the top of the flower to keep the purse closed.

Interested in any of the products above,

click the links below for more info.

Climbing Orchid Photopolymer Bundle [145334]	Gift Bag Punch Board [135862]	Modern Label Punch [119849]
Petal Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [141493]	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026]	Fresh Fig 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144242]
Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337]	So Saffron 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [105118]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]
White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]

Thanks for visiting my blog today, what a privilege to have you here! 

Creative Blessings,

Jessica Urrutia

Faith Designer Jan Hess: Graveyard Grace

Graveyard Grace

Do you remember your first car?  How about your first date?  And then, of course, your first kiss?  Firsts are almost always memorable events.  Like the “first” I experienced recently:  being locked inside a cemetery!  I would never have dreamt of such a first but it was truly memorable in more ways than one.  Let me explain…

A friend and I were walking together in one of her favorite places…a cemetery near her office.  We had met up after her workday to walk and talk and share what God is doing in our lives.  As we stepped briskly up and over the hilly graveyard, laughter and praise, sorrow and tears, flowed out of our hearts and into the ears of our Faithful Father.  Being 

authentic with each other and with Him was as life-giving as 

the walk itself.

When we returned to the car, the heart-to-heart dove even deeper, as my sweet friend elaborated on memories that still taunt and haunt her.  Memories that still hold her in fear.  Memories that still cause her to question our Heavenly Father’s love.  This was not the moment to unlock the car and leave.  Taking our seats on cement steps nearby, we continued to speak in the presence of the Wonderful Counselor.

So much trauma.  So much brokenness.  So much woundedness had shaped the heart of this sister in her childhood years.  Much of it visited.  Much of it dealt with.  Much of it healed.  But not all.  As she spoke, she seemed oblivious to the anger rising up in her face, in her gestures, in her tone.  When I brought it to her attention, she remained unaware.  Recalling the words of another sister in the LORD, “We are blind to our own blindness and need each other to help us see,” I gently but persistently refused to let it drop.  I sensed that the LORD wanted her to “see” this blindness.

Moments later, as she began to open her heart to the idea, the Master Artist provided a “painting of promise” right before our eyes:  looking up at the sun’s setting on the horizon, a brilliant sun-dog appeared within a swirling tunnel of clouds.  We thrilled at the sight of His handiwork, and in tandem scrambled for our phones to preserve this artwork…and the moment…for time to come.  It was as if He was inviting her to face the flood of anger with an assurance that she would end up on dry ground! Don’t continue to stuff it.  Deny it.  Dance around it.

The Apostle Paul tells us to “be angry, yet do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down on your wrath.”  (Ephesians 4:26)  Not to face it in the moment almost guarantees that bitterness will spring up, cause trouble, and defile many (Hebrews 12:15). Many years of suns had gone down and she had been trapped by stuffing, denying, dancing around it.  If there were such a call to be angry, God seemed to be calling her to it. 

Suddenly, she hollered,

 “What time is it?

  They lock the cemetery at 8:00!”  Scrambling for our phones again, the clock had struck 8:00 many minutes prior.  Rushing to the car and racing down the hill, our fears had been realized:  the gate was locked and we were going nowhere.  

A 911 call, followed by a time of waiting for the grounds keeper to release us from our “cemetery cell,” provided some moments to reflect on all that had transpired.  It seemed clear that until she faced the anger, it would not be fully “laid to rest,” and the memories would continue to be a grave of emotions buried alive housing her wounded heart.

Once we were on our way, I prayed that the LORD, in His grace, would give her courage and willingness to face the pain she had “buried alive” so long ago.  Remembering His promise painted in the sky, I left her with the assurance that His mercy would meet her, release her heart from crippling emotions and lift her into complete conviction and confidence of the Father’s love and affection for her. 

Is your heart trapped in a cemetery of “emotions buried alive,” tormented unhealed wounds?  Are you willing to turn FROM stuffing, denying, and dancing around them, choosing instead to turn TOWARD them?  You will not face it alone!  Jesus our Savior, the “Man of Sorrows, acquainted with our grief” (Isaiah 53:3) has already borne the penalty and pain of all your brokenness, all your woundedness.  He will walk with you through that cemetery and will bring you through to freedom. 

Let’s pray.  Father, I pray that each woman sensing Your call to face the brokenness from her past would come boldly to Your throne of grace where she will find mercy and grace to help in this time of need.  Thank You for Your Son, our Savior, Jesus, Who still carries our sorrows.  Who still feels our griefs. Who still heals our blindness. Because of Him, we are assured of Your unfailing love.  Within Your affection, we are safe and we are healed.  Amen.

So blessed to share the words of my friend and sister in Christ, Jan Hess. My prayer today is that each of your lives is full in Him, completely free and whole as He intends it to be. 

If this bless you today would you share it with a friend?

Creative Blessings!

Jessica Urrutia

Double Z-Fold Card by Donna Wicks

Hi Everyone, how are you?  Thank you Jessica, for having me back again to your blog!  

I am excited to share my projects with you!  The style is called a "Double Z Fold" card, and my process began with my needing a special 20th birthday card.  I had such fun working with this card style, that I kind of couldn't stop myself (next up will be something for Christmas!)!

The Daisy Delight card will be my meeting project this week, also.  What fun to have something fall together right in my lap; awesome!

Instructions:

Larger Card Base:  4 1/4" x 11".  Score long side at:  2 3/4" and 5 1/2"

DSP Panels:  4 x 5 1/4" and (2) 2 1/2" x 4"  (Note: I only made one DSP panel on my samples herein, on the larger card base.)

Smaller Card Base:  3 1/2" x 8 1/2".  Score long side at:  2 1/8" and 4 1/4"

DSP Panels:  3 1/4" x 4"* and (2) 1 7/8" x 3 1/4"

Mats for card front:  3 1/4" x 4"* and 3" x 3 3/4"

     * NOTE:  My mat piece on the card front (3 1/4" x 4") was of card stock instead of with DSP.  Of course, you'll do what you like, on your own cards!

See a wonderful video tutorial by Dawn Griffith, here:

Once both card bases are scored, place them together like my card samples, centered over the larger card base, to understand where you will add adhesive.

You will Snail the right end of the smaller card piece down to the card base.  

To adhere the larger panel on the left end to the card front, add snail only to the "left half of the back side" of the panel, and stick it down to the card front.

Decorate as desired.

NOTE:  I will add my message and greetings on the back side of the card; Dawn Griffith stamped and added a sentiment on a small front panel.  That's the definition of "creativity;" to do exactly what pleases you!  :)

I hope you will give this fun fold a try!

Happy Stamping!!

Donna Wicks

Stampin'Up! Independent Demonstrator

You can connect with Donna through her website here!