LOC Faith Art Friday - Only the Best

This is not your typical card for Faith Art Friday  at Layers of Color but as I was thinking about what to create I was drawn to the story of the Woman with the Alabaster Jar in Luke 7.

And, behold, a woman who was a sinner in the city, knowing that He reclined in the Pharisee's house, taking an alabaster vial of ointment,

and standing at His feet, weeping behind Him, she began to wash His feet with tears. And she was wiping with the hairs of her head. And she ardently kissed His feet and was anointing them with the ointment. (v37-38)

What a beautiful picture this paints for us - this woman who was extremely poor and had much in her life to be ashamed of, was not inhibited by her either her lack of wealth or her lifestyle.  She, knowing who Jesus was, immediately reached for her best - the Alabaster Jar and the precious oil that it held and took it to Jesus. 

It seems that at no time did she worry about the cost of the alabaster jar or the precious oil that it held, but was intent on bring her best before Jesus -  this response of hers, it challenges me and motivates me to being my very best, to reach for the alabaster jar that I have put away so it won't get broken,  to take it out of that secret place and bring it to Jesus - give Him my very best as a heart response

The reaction of those around was interesting and almost predictable - you can read the rest of the story here

But seeing, the Pharisee who invited Him spoke within himself, saying, This one, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what the woman who touches him is; for she is a sinner.

And answering, Jesus said to the man, Simon, I have a thing to say to you. And he said, Teacher, speak.

There were two debtors to a certain creditor: the one owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty.

But they not having a thing to pay, he freely forgave both. Then which of them do you say will love him most?

And answering, Simon said, I suppose the one to whom he freely forgave the most. And He said to him, You have judged rightly.

And turning to the woman, He said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give water for My feet, but she washed My feet with tears and wiped off with the hairs of her head.

 You gave Me no kiss, but she from when I entered did not stop fervently kissing My feet.

You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with ointment.

 For this reason I say to you, Her many sins are remitted, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, he loves little.

 And He said to her, Your sins are forgiven.

And those reclining with Him began to say within themselves, Who is this who even forgives sins?

But He said to the woman, Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. (v 39-50)

What a beautiful account of the Love of God and  forgiveness of sin - my prayer is that we too, will have the kind of heart that brings Him our very best, whatever the cost, we may not own anything of great worth in the eyes of the world, there maybe no literal Alabaster Jar in our lives, but we do have hearts that can be brought to Him and laid at His feet, 'washing His feet with our tears' and hear Him say those beautiful life changing words  'Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.'

I created the teacups using the Her Majesty's Urns art stamp set.  I stamped off the urn in the middle of the bottom row on some patterned DP and then cut each one out alternating what side I left the handle on, also removing the base stand.  How well does that work - perfect!

this card is for the following Challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. - On the Roll of a Die (use DieCut)

Paper Play - Stamp It Out (use a stamp)

Southern Girls - Dry Embossing

ABC Challenge - N is for Nesties

Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything Goes

House that Stamps Built - Inspiration Casing

PaperTake Weekly - Anythign Goes - Optonal Flowers

Tip Top Tuesday - Anything Girlie

You’re invited to a

The excitement is building as MANY Designers are cooking up something DELICIOUS and inspiring - you are not going to want to miss this 'feat for the eyes' - keep your eyes peeled for some Sneak Peeks while you are waiting for the BIG EVENT

There will be YUMBLY stamped and stenciled cakes - no calorie counting here - they are SUGAR FREE and SWEET as SWEET can be!!  Lot’s of tasty ideas!

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.

Layers of Color is proud to be a Spellbinders Preferred Stamp Company and we all love and use the Grand Calibur!

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Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

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