Today’s Faith Art Friday is hosted by Linda Lucas…

Today is the International Day of Forgiveness and one of the main focus is friendship and how to heal rifts.  Friends are the most amazing people, God brings them into our lives on many different levels – some for a season, some for a reason and some for life!!  As we get to know one another and slowly let down walls, we make ourselves more vulnerable – and this in itself can make us cautious.

Friends are those people who can help us grow in so many ways and brighten our lives, at the same time they can cause us so much hurt and disappointment in those moments where we border on familiarity and sometimes cross boundaries.  I  am reminded of when Peter asked Jesus how many times does he have to forgive his brother or sister who hurts him…and put forward the number seven

Jesus replied, ‘“Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.

How does that make you feel when thinking about your own relationships and hurts, the times you have been let down and so disappointed.  Our instant reaction in these moments, would be IMPOSSIBLE, but that is so very far from the heart of God as we can see here

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, having forgiven one another, even as also God forgave you in Christ. Eph 4:32

Forgiveness is such a powerful tool – if only we realised it at those times we are hurt, it brings such freedom and release, not just to the one who has hurt us, but to us….we can get so bound up in the ‘offence’ that has happened that we lose track of God and don’t allow Him to work in us, we let that hurt fester and it can cripple us on so many levels!  If only we would recall, at that those moments the words of Life that have been given to us in the Word of God our walk would be so much easier.

We all want to be forgiven by God and need to forgive in the same way….

Linda Lucas

Lovely Linda’s Craft Central

Layers of Color Design Team

Exciting news!…

Announcing the Grand Opening of

Laura Kirste Campbell’s

new line of digital stamps

offered exclusively on Squigglefly!

Announcing  the arrival of a brand new product…original, hand-drawn digital stamps!

Expanding Layers of Color art stamp line with an entirely new look in a fresh hip style!

Squigglefly, a popular digital website is announcing their newest artist, Laura Kirste Campbell!

But there is a very special purpose above and beyond these exciting facts that give this new direction personal meaning for the artist. Laura is donating 100% of her Squigglefly profits directly to The Theological Biblical Academy, (TBA). TBA trains pastors and church planters who will establish and lead biblical churches in Croatia and the bordering countries of Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Serbia. This is the ministry of her dear friend, Nina Brackett, who is also a Squigglefly artist. This is not only a way for Laura to lend support, but also to give to thanks to God for gifting her with talents and her art business, Layers of Color.

Please come by Squigglefly, check out their blog, visit Laura’s “about” page, and help support this wonderful ministry by choosing several delightful digis! And may God be glorified through us all!

Today’s Faith Art Friday is hosted by Layers of Color designer, Janice Whiting…

Thank You card by Janice Whiting

“…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14

If there is one thing I struggle with often, it is living out a Spirit-led life.  I so often want to take the reins and lead.  Mainly, because that means (or at least I think that means) that things are on my timetable and under my control.  If I want to do something, I do it.  If I want to get something, I get it, and so on.  I guess it is just part of human nature to find comfort in being in control.  And, I don’t necessarily think that is a completely bad thing.  I mean, without control, our lives would be a big, chaotic mess.  But, if we could only get it in our heads (and hearts!) that our almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing God is capable of leading us. Truthfully, he is not only  capable, but he knows the perfect path for us.  He knows the decisions that will bring us life, he knows what events and activities that would be the most beneficial to us, the ones that will refresh us and not drain us.  He knows the things that might be difficult for us to do or go through, but will produce good fruit in us.

He knows.  He knows us.  Yet, so often we forget.  We don’t renew our minds in the word, we don’t strive to connect with Him and we forget.  We forget he is the best guide in life. We start taking control.  Making decisions (big or small) without seeking his will.  And you know, sometimes, most times, we get by “just fine.”  We make alright decisions.  But I wonder, in doing so, do we miss out on something God had for us?  Some really good fruit that would have been produced or a better outcome than the one we achieved?  Maybe. Probably.

I so desire to live a Spirit-led life.  Getting washed by His word and connecting with him every chance I get.  Oh Lord, help me to be completely submitted to you.  Remind me daily to follow your lead in the big and inconsequential things of life.  Help us all to be in-tune with your Spirit and to follow your lead!

Janice

May you get connected to God and allow Him to guide you through life,

Today’s Faith Art Friday is hosted by Kristine Breach…

Lamentations 3:21-23 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.  “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”

These verses are so awesome and they truly are the words of my soul!  It is such a comfort (and relief) that His mercies come new every morning.   Sometimes we get burdened down with things… maybe we are having a hard time letting go of our past… maybe there is sin in our lives that we haven’t confessed?  Or maybe we’ve asked God for forgiveness but we just can’t seem to forgive ourselves?  When we ask God for forgiveness, He wipes it clean, tosses it into the “sea of forgetfulness” and by His grace, gives us a new beginning every morning!   Psalm 103:12 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” The problem is that sometimes, we don’t forgive ourselves!  It’s like He wants to shower us with His grace and mercy, but we put up an umbrella that blocks us from receiving it.   God wants us to be “right with Him” and he’s provided a way for us to do that!  By sending His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins… we can be forgiven and become righteous, if we just go to Him, confess our sin, and accept Him into our hearts and lives and start living for Him!  I encourage you to invite God into your life if you haven’t.  And allow His grace and love to fill your heart!  He will give you an everlasting hope, a peace that passes all understanding, and a steadfast love that will never fade away.  I’m praising my God… for His mercies are new every morning!  *Ü*  Have a wonderful day!

May you know God’s love,

Today’s Faith Art Friday is hosted by Janice Whiting…

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Ooh, as I sit here thinking about HOPE and what a wonderful and good thing it is to have, I start getting so excited!  I really do!  Here is the definition of hope that I found at dictionary.reference.com (emphasize added): “the feeling that what is wanted CAN be had or that events WILL turn out for the best.” Doesn’t that get you excited?  Ooh, it does me!

Now, as believers our hope comes from God, the maker and creator of all things good, the author and perfecter of our faith.  Not only does hope come from Him, but he wants us to be filled to overflowing with it!

What if we truly walked with hope in all of our day to day situations?  What if we walked around all the time with such great expectation for what God will do in us and through us?  Confident that God is in control and has our best interest in mind.  Now,for me, if I walked around hopeful all the time, I know I wouldn’t worry so much.  I’d look at any situation that might look hopeless and not give it another gloomy thought!  I’d continue to press through trials, grasping unto that expectation of good to come–that I am assured will come!  Now, pair hope with faith and what do you get? Whoa! A deadly combination that would kick that lying, pestering devil so very, very far away from you!  ;)

Anyone in need of some hope today?  Going through a situation that seems and feels hopeless?  You’re in luck, our God is the God of hope and he can fill you up!  Meditate on this verse a little and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you to overflowing with hope for whatever situation or trial you may be in.  Blessing, peace and HOPE to you today!

–
Janice