LOC FAF The Love of God

It is always an honour to be hosting Layers of Color Faith Art Friday. 

This wonderful passage in the book of Romans speak to us so clearly of the love of God

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 Rom 8:28-39

 

It is so easy to lose perspective and lose our understand of the reality and simplicity of the Love of God.  I pray that each one of us will allow this scripture to speak to our spirits and remind us of God's unfailing and unfathomable LOVE....it has no limits or bounds - it never ceases and knows no end!

 

"Amazing Love how can it be - that you my King would die for me..."

Chris Tomlin

I have used Layers of Color Royal Birds, Encouragement clear art stamps sets, Spellbinders Labels One and Postage Stamps Dies, using the Spellbinders Grand Calibur, lastly adding some gorgeous Nestabling by Want2Scrap - don't you just love this stuff - my first time using it but I ca feel an addiction coming on....LOL!

This card is for the following Challenges:
Everybody-Art-Challenge - Shabby
Shopping Our Stash - All That Glitters, Sparkles Or Shines (Kindy Glitz)
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Goes
Cupcake Craft - Something New (Nestabling)
Hooked on Crafts - Try Something New
Incy Wincy Designs - Vintage
Lexi's Creations - Anything Goes
Make it Monday - always Anything Goes
Make My Monday - Nature-Animals
Little Birdie Blessings - Scripture card
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Any Sentiment (but you must use your scraps) - DP
Southern Girls - Sparkle
The Shabby Tea Room - Photo Inspiration* and Use a Sewing Themed Embellishment (Ribbon)

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Product Partner. 

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP  and  have a look at the Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!!  Your encouragement is such a blessing for me  - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC FAF Renewed Strength

 My inspiration for Layers of Color Faith Art Friday came to me while at the Canberra Craft and quilt Show, I was greatly inspired by the artist and Photographer Rachel Greig who was teaching the Crayon Resist Technique.

As I coloured and sponged the images it led me to thinking of this scripture in Isaiah

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isa 40:28- 31

I have used the Layers of Color Butterfly Collector, The Love Chapter art stamp set, Ranger Distressing Inks - Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint and Walnut Stain.

This card is for the following challenges:

My Mum's Craft shop - Summer
Oldie But Goodie Challenge - The Great Outdoors
My Grafico - Always anything goes
The Craft Garden - Bold, bright and loud
C.R.A.F.T. - Resist Technique
Craft Us Crazy - Anything goes in August
Little Miss Muffet Challenges - Multiple Images
Shelly's Images - Show Us what you got (anything goes)
Stamp Insanity - Anything goes
Stampin' B's - JFF - Distressing

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Product Partner. 

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP  and  have a look at the Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!!  Your encouragement is such a blessing for me  - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC FAF Victorious Love

While looking through an old Hymnal, I was inspired by the title of this hymn - Victory, Great Victory.  While I have never actually heard the Hymn I certainly love the title and as a Christian, it is a topic that is close to our hearts.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Romans 8:35-37

This scripture is specific telling us that we have been made MORE THAN CONQUERORS - in all of the trials listed, not just in one or two situations but in any and every situation we face.

The cause of our victory is specific - through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Christ's death on the cross brings us victory, it is not due to anything on our part but the shedding of the blood of Jesus.  There is more power in one drop of His blood than any weapon that the 'world' has created.  All the riches in the world not be enough to purchase one drop of the blood that was shed for our salvation. 

Today, when we are acutely aware of the power sources available to mankind and the blatant displays of them, we can find peace in the knowledge that

indeed...

in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Romans 8:37



For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometheven our faith
1John 5:4
AMEN!!

I have used Layers of Color Fleur Heart, Backyard Birds, Flowering Gems, Nature Walk and The Love Chapter art stamp sets for this creation...
This card is for the following Challenges:
AiFactory - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything goes in August
Delightful Challenges - Things with wings
Little Red Wagon - bird
Make it Monday - always Anything Goes
There's Magic in the Air - Animals
Dream Valley Challenges - Distressing
Sassy Studio Designs - Distressing
Charisma Cardz - Distressing

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Product Partner. 

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP  and  have a look at the Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!!  Your encouragement is such a blessing for me  - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC Encouraging Postcards

With Friday comes Faith Art Friday at Layers of Color.  It is always a privilege to be hosting this post.

'Encouragement causes power and effect'

I cannot help but find inspiration from the Encouragement art stamp set being released, the sentiments bring such truth and are so inspiring - they speak truth and life to us and uplift the spirit.  This is something so powerful and motivates me to create Faith Art that is inspired not only by the visual but by spoken, or in this case written, words.

From the wisdom of Solomon

'A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.'

Proverbs 25:11

'Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.'

Proverbs 18:21

and Paul to the Church of Ephesus

'But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ' Ephesians 4:15

Throughout the Bible we are encouraged bring timely words, words that bring life and truth, to encourage and grow us in the things of God!

'But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit'

Jude 1:20

May we echo the prayer of the Psalmist in this beautiful verse

'Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.'
Psalms 19:14 

I have used Layers of Color Backyard Birds, Her Majesty's Urns, Touch of Elegance. Encouragement, The Love Chapter, Artful Endearments art stamp sets have been used for these postcards.

These cards are for the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge - anything that will make someone smile/enjoy your day

 CCEE Stampers - card of encouragement

Craft Us Crazy - anything goes

Crafty Purple Frog - water inspired - card 1 - Urn

Do You Stack Up? - wings Freshly Brewed - animal or animal print on your project

Ruby's Rainbow - vintage

Jac-Inks Papercraft Challenges - Must stamp - Monotone

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Product Partner. 

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP  and  have a look at the Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!!  Your encouragement is such a blessing for me  - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC FAF Answered Prayers

Faith Art Friday - as it is so aptly called - is all about our faith.  This post on Layers of Color is not about selling product, but about Glorifying God -  and that is the statement that attracted me to Layers of Color  in the first place.

Today I have been inspired by this wonderful sentiment in one of the new release images - I love this set, it is just what it professes to be - encouraging!

 

So often we pray in a time of need or crisis, either for our own situation, or that of another.  We bring the need before God and ask Him to help in the situation.  It is such a blessing to be able to celebrate the answered prayer with them. So many times we pray for peoples needs and can overlook going back and thanking God .

I am always so touched by the story of the ten lepers...

'As He entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance,

crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?

Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"

And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you. "

Luke 17: 12-17

What a beautiful reminder of a grateful heart!  I pray that as we come before God with our prayers and requests, we come back just as earnestly with grateful hearts and thank Him for His goodness to us!  That we would not come looking for the gift but come to the Giver, not for the healing but to the Healer - for as surely as we see the examples in scripture, as we come to God, for who He is and not for what He does - He will be glorified!

I have used most of my favourite things - Layers of Color Encouragement art stamp set (illustrated by Nina Brackett), Backyard Birds, Flowering Gems art stamp sets, Tim Holtz Birdcage Die, Stampin' Up Embossing Folder, Spellbinders Foliage Die
that has been cut with the Spellbinders Grand Calibur, Tim Holtz Distressing Ink - Walnut Stain, Distressed Stickles

This project is for the following challenges:

Art Impressions Stamp Challenge - Birds

Moving Along with the Times - Favourite Things

Paper Play - Things with Wings

The Rubber Cafe - Use Spellbinders Dies

Paper Pretties - Animal

Paper Shelter Challenge - Wings

Clear It Out - Wings

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Things that Fly

Jac-Inks Papercraft Challenges  - Die-cuts Plus Texture

Use It Tuesdays - must use hoarded supplies - Animals - my bling is hoarded - arghhhh! LOL!

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Product Partner. 

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP  and  have a look at the Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!!  Your encouragement is such a blessing for me  - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC FAF Persue Love

Fridays come around so quickly and Friday means it is time for faith Art Friday at Layers of Color.  This week I am sneaking in a little sneak peek but more about that further down the post.

I was inspired to create this page for my Paper Bag Album when reading 1 Corinthians - The Love Chapter 

'If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love,

 I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have prophecies, and know all mysteries and all knowledge,

and if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

And if I give out all my goods, and if I deliver my body that I be burned,

 but I do not have love, I am not profited anything.

Love has patience, is kind; love is not envious; love is not vain, is not puffed up;

does not behave indecently, does not pursue its own things,

 is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth.

Love quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things,

endures all things. Love never fails.

 But if there are prophecies, they will be caused to cease;

 if tongues, they shall cease; if knowledge, it will be caused to cease.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;

but when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease.

When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I thought as an infant,

I reasoned as an infant. But when I became a man,

 I caused to cease the things of the infant.

For now we see through a mirror in dimness, but then face to face.

 Now I know in part, but then I will fully know even as I also was fully known.

And now faith, hope, and love, these three things remain;

but the greatest of these is love.'

1 Corinthians 13: 1-13

This chapter is often read at weddings and beautifullycaptures Love - what it is and therefore showing us what it isn't.  I cannot read this scripture without seeing 'pursue love' - this is something that that requires action on our part.

This '1 Corinthians Love' is not all about emotion, although emotions are certainly a part of who we are, but this love is all about commitment and doing - yes, it would seem it is a verb!!  Pursuing love indicates that when it cannot be felt or found, we are to 'go after it'  This is one of those things that is not always easy to do - it would seem to me that if we have to pursue it, we are definitely not 'feeling it!'

Thankfully God knows that we are not capable of being all loving all of the time, life brings us challenges that test us and stretch us....He is talking about His love - that is there for us.  God's love has no limited and bounds, it is not conditional, indeed it is unconditional and freely flows for us today as powerfully as it did the day that God sent His Son into the World to save us - I don't know about you, but if there is love like that in this world - then I want it.

I pray that today, that we will all be aware of Gods unconditional love, for us and flowing through us!!  May we pursue love, the Love of God and love for one another - it is in loving this way that all men will know what we are His disciples - by having love, one for another!  God bless you!

 I have used Layers of Color The Love Chapter and the New Release Artful Encouragement art stamp sets, along with Spellbinders Grand Calibur and Fleur de Lis Rectangle Nestibilitie and EK Ticketed Punch.
This project is for the following challenges:
Stamp Insanity - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday - Lace
Art Impressions Stamps Challenge - Use Something from Your Stash - Lace, DP
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Use at Least Two Words in Your Sentiment
Little Miss Muffett Challenges - Anything But a Card
Crafts and Me - Favourite Stamp/ Image
Jac-Inks Papercraft Challenges - Die Cuts Plus Texture - texture from embossing
Oldie But a Goodie - Must Use Stamp Over 6 months Old - Anything Goes
PartyTime Tuesdays - Anthing Goes - Square Cards

YOU ARE INVITED

to a
Layers of Color Release Party

When: 11 July
Where: Layers of Color
There will be opportunities to win the whole New Release
and giveaways on each Designers Blog

You can display a banner on your blog to let others know about it as well. Check out the "link love" page to get your banner.

You are not going to want to MISS this!  You can display the banner on your blog to let others know about it as well. Check out the "link love" page to get your banner.

Keep watching Sneak Peeks have begun so make sure you check out the Designers Blogs during the week! 

* Diana * Janice * Jennie * Jessica * Melisa * Nina * Layers of Color

In the meantime....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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Product Partner. 

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP  and  have a look at the Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!!  Your encouragement is such a blessing for me  - it makes my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC FAF Heartfelt

It is Faith Art Friday at Layers of Color....always a time for reflection for me and focusing on scripture.

Peace - something we all desire but is not always a state of the heart!  Peace is not determined by our circumstances, it is within us - not necessarily surrounds us.  Peace is not handed to us on a platter, but true peace, the peace that only God can give comes from God Himself  and something we are encouraged to follow after towards and maintain.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Romans 14:19

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

2 Peter 3:14

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
John 16:33

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Phillipians 4:7

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians 6:27

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us

Ephesians 2:14

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid

John 14:27

I pray that each of us will know God's peace, the peace that passes understanding, that cannot be understood with the eye but known in the heart!!  Inspite of  circumstances the peace of God will take up residence in our heart, removing any fear, focusing our minds on Him - that He may be glorified!

I have used Layers of Color Fleur Heart, Flowering Gems and Flutterescent art stamp sets, Spellbinders Grand Calibur, Grand Labels Eleven and Classic Oval Nestibilitie

This card is for the following challenges:
Ai Factory - Use Your favourite Embellishment - Pearls, DieCuts and Layers of Color art stamps
Crafty Purple Frog - Pearls and Swirls
Digi Doodles Shop's Best - Anything Goes
Just for Fun - Anything Goes
Moving Along With the Times - Here Comes the Summer Sun
Divas by Design - DieCuts/Punches
Stampavie and More - More than Three Layers
Totally Scrumptous - Things with Wings
Anything Goes Challenge - The Letter 'D' - DieCuts
My Time to Craft - Here Comes Summer
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
The Shabby Tea Room - My Favourite Things - Pearls and Creme DP of any variety

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, we are thrilled that Layers of Color is a Spellbinders Preferred Product Partner.

You can also check out Layers of Color Art Stamps on our FACEBOOK GROUP and have a look at the Layers of Color Art Stamps FLICKR GROUP where you can upload your LOC artwork and be inspired by hundreds of fabulous LOC creations! You are going to LOVE it!!

Making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Thank you for your comments and all of the support you give me - you make blogging such an amazing place to be!! Your encouragement is such a blessing for me - it makes my day! God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}