"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

Saturday 5 April 2014

For God so loved the world

Our Daily Bread Designs has been celebrating their 6th Anniversary and the last of 4 challenges (ODBDSLC196) celebrating the Anniversary are nearly finished - but I thought I'd make another card before it closes. You can see my first one here.

The challenge is to use your favourite ODBD stamps (and only ODBD stamps). I have so many favourites I found it hard to pick which ones to use when making my first card! For my second card I have used a stamp from one of the April release sets - The Cross. I have also used ODBD Christian Faith paper collection and ODBD Vintage Flourish Pattern Dies - both also from the April release. Here is my card:

Elizabeth Whisson, Our Daily Bread Designs, The Cross, Easter, John 3:16, Christian, ODBD Vintage Flourish Pattern Dies, ODBD Christan Faith Paper Collection
 
You can see that both the purple and yellow inked white centre pieces are popped up on foam tape. I have also added some hemp twine behind my flower.
I was a little bit excited about putting this flower on my card. Previously I've been adhering all my flowers and embellishments either with glossy accents or X-Press It clear gel glue (and occasionally X-Press It Triple Tac) - and while these all do work, they all take AGES to dry and I have to hold them for a long time (usually while I "surf the web" with my other hand - on the upside I've learnt a lot watching craft videos on you tube while waiting for things to dry! lol)! So I finally bought myself a hot glue gun today - and I LOVE it! 30 seconds and it's stuck fast! I'm not sure why I haven't invested in one earlier!! So - this is the very first flower I have glued using my hot glue gun!

The verse on my card is the first part of John 3:16. I'm guessing it's probably one of the most well known verses in the Bible (as even non-Christians seem to be able to quote it). But I wonder how many of the people who can quote the verse, actually know what it truly means? The whole verse says:

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

What a verse! God loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son for our wrong doings! We only have to believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose again - there are no works that we can do that will "get us" into heaven. No matter how "good" we are or "kind" or how "nice" a person we are - not one of us are perfect enough. We are ALL sinners. It is by God's grace, through Jesus' magnificent, perfect sacrifice, as the Son of God, that we are saved. Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins - no matter what our sins are!! Believe in Him - for He is the ONLY one who can save you. Is Jesus your Saviour??

(On a side note - many people also assume that Jesus was speaking this verse, but I heard a sermon not that long ago that suggested that these words may have been from John. Jesus' speech ended at John 3:15 and John then spoke from 3:16 onwards (at least to the end of the chapter). I found this interesting and something to think about; however, it doesn't change the meaning of the text and we must always remember that "All Scripture is inspired by God..." (2 Timothy 3:16). The interpretation and application of the verse don't change whether the words were spoken by Jesus or John.)

The Our Daily Bread Designs sets that I have used on my card are:
G546 - The Cross CSBD56 - Vintage Flourish Pattern DiesChristian Faith Collection 6x6 Paper Pad

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Word Art Wednesday #126 - Anything Goes;
2. Sister Act Card Challenge #51 - Anything Goes.

Material List:
Copics: None
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs The Cross
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Ink Dusty Concord and Squeezed Lemonade
Cardstock: X-Press It blending card, Bazzill textured Lemonade and Pansy and ODBD Christian Faith paper collection
Dies: ODBD Vintage Flourish Pattern Dies
Other: AnnaBelle stamps hemp twine natural and dark brown, Creativ flower, glue gun, X-Press It high tack foam mounting tape, dark purple ribbon (from my stash).

9 comments :

  1. Beautiful, Elizabeth! I love your colors and sponging with the beautiful flower! What an amazing verse indeed! Hugs, sweet friend!

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  2. Such a stunning card, Elizabeth!

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  3. Quite lovely Elizabeth! Love the color combo! Love the powerful truths of this verse!

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  4. Beautiful. Thank you for joining us this week at Word Art Wednesday. Blessings, Carole

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  5. Elizabeth a really beautiful card... lovely colouring... thank you so much for your kind comments on my blog...
    Was not sure which John your preacher was referring to in hiz message.. John the apostle or John the Baptist mentioned at end of chapter..prob first one?
    I dont see any stop at v15 and restart at v. 16 on reading through the whole chapter in English, it flows through in thought words to me.. maybe he referred to indicators in Greek??
    .. interesting. ..but as said its God's word irrespective of this thought as all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.. is God breathed.
    Shaz in Oz.x

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  6. Hello Elizabeth. I missed visiting all your blogs for the challenge this week so seeing your card as a second sample for the week is a real treat. I just love your use of dies and your colors. So elegant!! Thanks for sharing and supporting the challenge yet again this week!! Have a great day sweet friend. Can't wait to see your challenge creation this coming week as well.
    hugs,
    Chris

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  7. Hi Shaz in Oz.Calligraphy Cards - thanks for commenting on my post! Always great to know people read what I write and thanks for asking questions! The John I meant (the one my preacher was referring to) was John the apostle. My Bible version (NASB) doesn't have a physical "gap" between verses 15 and 16 either, but it does have the number for verse 16 in bold - which in my bible indicates the beginning of a new paragraph. I actually cannot find my notes now from that sermon! They seemed to have gone walk-a-bout on me! But I do remember him (the preacher) mentioning something about what each section (verses 10 - 15; and 16 - 21) contains, as a reason for the "separation". I remember him (the preacher) saying that verses 16-21 is John explaining what Jesus meant in verses 3, 5-8 and 10-15. And perhaps he mentioned something about the Greek too - but I honestly cannot remember - I will have to go find my notes! Like you said - not something to get "hung up on" as ALL Scripture is God breathed :-) but just something to think about :-)

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  8. thanks so much for the reply Elizabeth..
    I try to do as the Berean's did .. as Paul said in Acts.. "they studied whether these hings be so"

    Soooo ...have been and had a look at my Greek interlinear NT..
    Just for the record the original manuscripts had no paragraphing or even separation into verses and chapters.. these all came later, put in by men, so the NSAB indicating a new paragraph is not relevant really, as its not in original..

    Reading through with interlinear (as with my Bible) I fail to see what your preacher said to be honest.. it flows all the way through as one subject to end of verse 21... but as said it does not matter.. it is God's holy word.

    John from verse 16 to 22 maybe expounding what was said before between Nicodemus and Jesus at night.

    However because this Word is God breathed by the Spirit of God and the LORD Jesus is the living Word of God is the subject, this flow is beautiful and to be expected.
    Knowledge of this word and the LORD Jesus bring eternal life.

    Both verse 15 and 16 end the same way in Greek.. "but may have life eternal" and that is one glorious aim of the Gospel or "Good news".!.

    thanks for causing me to get my Greek interlinear out again :D have enjoyed the wonderful words of life again, Shaz in Oz.x

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  9. Fantastic, dramatic colour combo. Thanks for joining us this week at the Sister Act Card Challenge! Hope to see you again next week! Sheena B

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