The devotion in my Women's Sanctuary Bible reads 'And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus.' (Colossions 3:17) Wow! Whatever we do ... whatever we say ... people should be able to look at us and easily picture Jesus doing what we do and saying what we say. That is a sobering thought!
As I pondered the implications of that verse, I thought it would be a good gauge for making wise decisions. I could look at each area of my life and question ... Could I see Jesus doing this? ... How would He go about it? (Then this scripture dropped into my mind: 'Set your light on a hill not under a bed' ... or however it goes, I thought, must look that up.)
As I pondered the implications of that verse, I thought it would be a good gauge for making wise decisions. I could look at each area of my life and question ... Could I see Jesus doing this? ... How would He go about it? (Then this scripture dropped into my mind: 'Set your light on a hill not under a bed' ... or however it goes, I thought, must look that up.)
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father."
My mind wanders back to Bible College 2001 ... Bachelor Girl ... 'Permission to Shine' ... it amazes me how the Lord drops song lyrics into my mind. I'm convinced He purposely communicates with me in a way I wouldn't choose just so I know it's Him. I am not a musso. I never listen to the radio. (Well, except those times I drove around with a carload of rowdy teenagers at Hannah's House. lol)
And so, with the hum of a tune and a few words to go on, I discover Bachelor Girl ...
"Hey, what would you say ... If I can't play the hero tonight ... Cos lately I've been feeling like ...
I can't get anything right. I've been fading into the woodwork again ... And I'm feeling like I just wanna hide ...
But guess what ... I'm gonna try something just a little bit different this time ... I'm gonna give myself permission to shine ...
I'm gonna shine so bright ... Gonna make every head wanna turn ... You're finally gonna see me ...
Give myself permission to shine ... Gonna light up the night ... Shine a little bit of my light on the world.
I've been crazy ... I've been holdin' myself back for so long ... But I've got so much I can give ...
Don't want to be afraid to be wrong. You know I'm not too good at too many things ...
But I've been gettin' real good at gettin' down on myself ... But guess what ...
I'm gonna try to break free from this prison I've built. I'm gonna give myself permission to ...
"Hey, what would you say ... If I can't play the hero tonight ... Cos lately I've been feeling like ...
I can't get anything right. I've been fading into the woodwork again ... And I'm feeling like I just wanna hide ...
But guess what ... I'm gonna try something just a little bit different this time ... I'm gonna give myself permission to shine ...
I'm gonna shine so bright ... Gonna make every head wanna turn ... You're finally gonna see me ...
Give myself permission to shine ... Gonna light up the night ... Shine a little bit of my light on the world.
I've been crazy ... I've been holdin' myself back for so long ... But I've got so much I can give ...
Don't want to be afraid to be wrong. You know I'm not too good at too many things ...
But I've been gettin' real good at gettin' down on myself ... But guess what ...
I'm gonna try to break free from this prison I've built. I'm gonna give myself permission to ...
And so I have to wonder ... have I still not given myself permission? Thank goodness this is the year of new beginnings!
I think about the things I do. I teach scrapbooking!
Could I see Jesus doing that? Sure, it is good to build relationships with women, teach them a skill that's soothes the soul and help them preserve their memories. How would He go about it? Who He is would always shine
through; bringing a message of hope and a call to repentance.
So, how will I do this?
1. The pages I create will be about my faith.
2. I will be diligent with my blog.
3. I will promote Faithbooking openly. (I will let my light shine from
the top of the hill and not hide it under a basket.)
"Lord, help me to represent you well this year. Forgive me for all the times that you would not have been happy to have your face in the place of mine as I said what I said or did what I did. Let me always be mindful of your face ... my words coming out of your mouth ... your hands committing my deeds. Amen"
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Please leave a comment so I know you stopped by.
Instructions: (Click on purple links for product information)
Magic How To Program (Page 96 'Lovely Assistant')
Recipe:
Background and Texture Paper : Seaside Paper Packet, Wanderful Paper Packet
Cardstock: White Daisy, Lagoon, Flaxen
Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Paper Trimmer
Stamp Sets: Seaside Greetings, Marquee Uppercase, A Typeface
Ink Pads: Versamark, Black, Desert Sand, Pacifica, Sky (Retired), Twilight (Retired)
Accessories: Gold Sequins, Gold Shimmer Trim, Gold Embossing Powder, Black Journaling Pen, Sponge
Extras: Acrylic Blocks, Adhesives, Flip Flaps
Magic How To Program (Page 96 'Lovely Assistant')
Recipe:
Background and Texture Paper : Seaside Paper Packet, Wanderful Paper Packet
Cardstock: White Daisy, Lagoon, Flaxen
Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Paper Trimmer
Stamp Sets: Seaside Greetings, Marquee Uppercase, A Typeface
Ink Pads: Versamark, Black, Desert Sand, Pacifica, Sky (Retired), Twilight (Retired)
Accessories: Gold Sequins, Gold Shimmer Trim, Gold Embossing Powder, Black Journaling Pen, Sponge
Extras: Acrylic Blocks, Adhesives, Flip Flaps
Lighthouse Technique:
Using Versamark Ink, stamp lighthouse icon from Seaside Greetings Stamp Set on a 4" x 6" piece of White Daisy Cardstock. Without delay, while ink is still wet, sprinkle the image with gold embossing powder. Tap off excess powder and return to the glass jar. Heat with heat gun until powder melts and turns glossy. Mask portions of the background paper (along horizon, and light beam) with spare cardstock. Use wedges of sponge and various ink pads to shade the beach, sea and sky as shown.
Flip Flaps:
Flip Flaps are a fun way to include hidden journaling or extra photos on your layout. Simply slide your 'top page' into the clear pocket - in this case my lighthouse scene is backed with a mat of lagoon cardstock, then journaling adhered to the reverse side. Slide your completed layout into a page protector, then adhere the flip flap (with its attached adhesive strip) in place on top of the protector covering the portion you want hidden.
Flip Flaps are a fun way to include hidden journaling or extra photos on your layout. Simply slide your 'top page' into the clear pocket - in this case my lighthouse scene is backed with a mat of lagoon cardstock, then journaling adhered to the reverse side. Slide your completed layout into a page protector, then adhere the flip flap (with its attached adhesive strip) in place on top of the protector covering the portion you want hidden.