SSIC LOC Just Because

Doesn't the week go past so quickly - it is Sunday and that means it is time for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge!!  This week Lisa is sharing the scripture with us and she has chosen...

 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:13-14

Lisa has challenged us to make a card of apology or one reaching out to someone and encouraging them to put the past behind them and move forward .

I have used the Layers of Color Clear Art Stamp Acanthus Leaves and embossed it with Gold Embossing Powder. I am recycling some old Christmas cards and using the back of them on some of my cards - some of these have fabulous texture, like the one I used here!  I cut it out with the Nestibilities Labels 1 and sponged the edges while it was still in the Die!!  I have seen this done before and love the effect - there is always something to learn each day!!

I stamped and coloured the flower from the Nature Walk Clear Art Stamps with chalks, cut it out and secured it with a large gold brad - these are not just any brad, but were given to me by our friend Jack, who has given me many gorgeous vintage finds along the way - these brads are from an old bank and used to be used - they are have now been updated and made their way to the sanctuary of my Craft Central!!

I embossed a sentiment from Stampin' Up in Gold Embossing Powder and but it out using the Ribbon Tags Nestibilitie and attached it with gold brads.

I have thought about the scripture for this week and 'forgetting about what lies behind' and today was reminded of it again today as we had a surprise visit from a very dear friend, we met him and his family when they came across from Hawaii to be Missionaries at the Church we were attending, after two years they went back and took part of our hearts with them.  Over the past six years we have missed them terribly - you can imagine our delight when we saw him walking along our veranda this morning - we could not get to the door quick enough to hug him, we were all falling over ourselves!

The Church we had attended together had some issues come up and things took a bad turn and needless to say people were badly hurt and sadly there were causalities.....Many people were so hurt and are still recovering today.  I look at this scripture and thank God that He gives us the ability to make the choice to forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

When we get hurt we can tend to stop where we are and let that hurt take hold of our hearts, making it almost impossible to move forward - I love way it says 'straining' toward what is ahead - sometimes it is an effort to move forward - we tend to say back at that ;point 'selling souvineers' of our experience and not moving past it, reliving those events over and over....but we need to leave that place and move forward if we are to reach the goal, win the prize. The Bibles tells us to separate the precious from the worthless - and I am challenged to do this - to leave those things which really, in the big picture are not important at all and move on to that which has value!!

Thank you to our Sponsor

Simon Says Stamp

For more inspiration make sure you visit each of the Design Team:

*Lisa * Chris * Cindy * Grace * Peggysue * Randi * Miejse * Rebekkah *

You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery, while you are there make sure you check out the other Design Team galleries there is so much inspiration waiting to be discovered.  You are invited to join us on our SNR Group where there is lots of fun and chatter (No surprises there I know! LOL)  There are also discounts and previews that are exclusive for the Group Members - come and join us!!

This card is for:

Creative Inspirations Challenge - Recycling

Our Daily Bread Designs - Three of Something - layers - DP, Nestie, Flower

Cute Card Thursday - Whateva!

Alphabet Challenge - Nature 

Double Dare Card Challenges - Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes
Alota Rubber Stamps - Distressing
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Distressing
Delightful Sketches - Distressing
Stars and Stamps - Use Patterned Papers

Thank you for your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}