Bible Illustrating and Journaling - 2 Chronicles 22:11

Annie’s Ink-Lings

This Week's Scripture Focus - 2 Chronicles 22:11

"But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole 

him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. 

So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she 

was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not."

From our Wednesday Illustrated Faith Fellowship class. This is a bit long and who these biblical people are and their relationship to each other may be a bit confusing, but if you read through to the end, I think you will find the story very interesting and time well spent.

This is the most amazing story. The weight of its significance was not clear to me when I first read chapters 22 and 23. Some time later in one of my study times, a reference was made that Joash was the only descendent left in the line of David through Solomon. I thought, “What? How did I miss that?” So I revisited these chapters. I was delighted that morning, realizing that God had tapped me on the shoulder and said to me, “Annie, you missed something very important and I want you to understand the significance of this scripture.”

Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab, king of Israel, and Jezebel and wife of Jehoram, king of Judah and of the house of David. King Jehoram and Athaliah had a son named Ahaziah. King Ahab was an extremely wicked man. God anointed the prophet Jehu to root out and destroy completely the whole of Ahab’s posterity. In the meantime, after King Jehoram was slain in a battle, his son Ahaziah became king. Later, Jehu also slew King Ahaziah. Athaliah feared that she too would be killed because of God’s commission to Jehu. Therefore, to insure her security, she usurped the throne and massacred all the princes, the sons of Ahaziah, of the royal house of Judah, except Joash, who was one year old at this time. Athaliah murdered her own grandsons. However, Joash was spared because his aunt realized what was happening and hid him in a bedchamber. Her name was Jehoshabeath, who was sister to Ahaziah, the father of Joash. She hid him and raised him for seven years until he was old enough to be crowned king.

Thus, in His awesome power, God miraculously preserved the line of David and fulfilled the Davidic Covenant.

Be still my heart!

Lineage of Joseph: Through Joash through David’s son Solomon.
Lineage of Mary: Through David’s son Nathan

May the power of our great God work in your life every day.
Annie

Quick Ribbon and Lace Card

Annie’s Ink-Lings

This little card is so quick and easy to make that you might want to have several on hand for those times when you unexpectedly need to write a note or a thank you.  You could vary the colors and elements.  

The yellow card base is 8 1/2 x 4 1/4, then top fold in half.  It makes a square card, but if you mail in a regular size card envelope you can avoid extra postage.  The olive green panel is a 3 1/4 square with rounded corners.  I adhered the olive green ribbon in the center of a piece of white lace, and adhered both ends to the back.  The panel was attached with foam tape to allow room for the folded ribbon and lace behind the panel.  The flower is from Avant-Garden Stamp set from Stampin' Up, stamped on white card stock, and then colored with Copic Markers.  After fussy cutting the flower, I glued the stem to the ribbon and lacy, but used foam tape under the flower head.  Three little yellow Dew Drops are the finishing touch.  Have fun with it!

That's it for today.  Thanks for checking in.

Blessings,

Annie

Bible Illustrating and Journaling - Titus 3:3-7, and 15

Annie’s Ink-Lings

This Week's Scripture Focus:  Titus 3:3-7 and 15

^“ For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.  But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. . . . 

Grace be with you all.”

 I previously made a post on these verses (see here) but am posting them again because we did the above illustration page last Wednesday at our regular weekly Illustrated Faith Fellowship group.

Isn't it a wonderful assurance that no matter how badly we mess up, God always welcomes us home!  His love for us knows no limits.

Blessings,

Annie

Birthday Wreath Card

Annie’s Ink-Lings

My hubby and I got a good laugh when I showed him today’s card.  He said, “That’s a pretty Christmas card!”  I said to him,  ‘What – can’t you see it says happy birthday?  Yeah, he causes me to laugh a lot. Well, his comment got me to thinking that maybe it does look kind of Christmassy.  Potential problem solved!!  I have a friend whose birthday is in December, so . . . .  You guessed it; this card will be going to her in December.

 I used the Lace Dynamic embossing folder from Stampin’ Up for the background layer.  I used the Seasonal Wreath embossing folder (also from Stampin’ Up) on green card stock and then fussy cut the wreath.  The corners of all layers plus the card base were rounded before taping them together.  I used a little flower punch on three or four shades of purple to add flowers to the wreath.  The larger daisy flower was also made with a punch, using three shades of purple to coordinate with the little flowers.   I finished off the flower by placing a decorative jewel in the center.  I tied two bows; one of twine and one of narrow organdy ribbon, and glued them in place just under the top of the flower.  For the final touch, I made a small flag, stamped happy birthday on it, and glued it place just to the right of the flower.

Card Base:  5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches

Layers:  4 1/8 x 5 3/8 inches; and 3 7/8 x 5 1/8

Now I’m thinking, maybe I’ll use this design for a couple of Christmas cards – using red, of course!  Hope you enjoyed today’s card.

Blessings,

Annie 

Bible Illustrating and Journaling - Acts 4:12

Annie’s Ink-Lings

This Week's Scripture Focus:  Acts 4:12 NKJV

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under 

heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Peter and John went to the temple one day and there they healed a crippled man.  The crippled man was so thankful that he began dancing about and praising God for his healing, and he believed in Jesus.  The crowd was amazed, but Peter said why are you so surprised by this?  Then Peter told them, 12“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed – and you know how crippled he was before.  Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.”  The apostles further taught that confession of sins and belief in Jesus would give them eternal life and that through Jesus there is a resurrecdtion of the dead.  This was greatly disturbing to the priests and to some of the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.  They arrested Peter and John, but the council saw that these were not ordinary men and were afraid to do anything to them except to command them to never again to speak or teach in the name  of Jesus.  But the apostles replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him?  We *CANNOT STOP telling about everything we have seen and heard.”   (*Emphasis mine.)

I asked myself why is it that they could not stop telling about everything they has seen and heard?  They had to, not only because of the inner compelling of the Holy Spirit, but also because of the command of Jesus: You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  (Acts 1:8).

Our task is not to convince people, but to testify of the truth of the gospel.

I pray continually that I will be like Peter and John, in that I CANNOT STOP telling everyone about Jesus, and that only through Him is salvation received.

Blessings,
Annie

P.S.

When I first read the verse for today, immediately my mind started questioning what do I need to know about these people, how is this verse going to impact my life, how is this going to feed me spiritually?  These questions led me to do some background research.  Here are some points that I considered. 

Some Background Information from Acts Chapters 3 and 4

1.         Who were the disciples and in what city were they witnessing?

            answer:  Peter and John in Jerusalem

2.         Where did they encounter the crippled man?

            answer:  At the temple.

3.         In addition to physical healing, what did the cripple man receive?

            answer:  salvation in Jesus Christ and spiritual healing.

4.         Who are the Sadducees?

            answer:  The Sadducees were one of the three main Jewish political and religious groups in the years between c.150 BCE and 70 CE. The other two groups were the Essenes and the Pharisees.  They were part of the Jewish council -- the Sanhedrin.  They were ultra conservative and accepted only the written Law of Moses.  The Sadducees believed  that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all (Acts 23:8).  Pope Francis referred to the Sadducees as part of the New Testament’s unholy trinity of Jesus’ enemies: Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees. 

5.         Who had a higher authority over the Peter and John than the Sanhedrin in witnessing about Jesus?

            answer:  God.  There is no authority apart from God, especially concerning His son.

6.         What should our response be to this background information and to this verse, Acts 4:12?
            answer:  Regardless of what the cost may be, we must not stop telling others about Jesus because salvation comes only through belief in Him.

Daisy Mini-Card

Annie’s Ink-Lings

Here it is with September almost half gone and my daisies are still blooming their little hearts out.  It’s like a touch of spring still lingering in the flower beds.  Looking at them this morning inspired me to make one more card with a slightly springy touch.  Quick, simple, and cheerful!  Someone's going to get this for their birthday.

Supplies

Green Card Base:  8 x 4 inches

DP Panel:  3 ¾ x 3 ¾ inches – Cut 2

DP Panel:  3 ½ x 3 ½ inches

White Inside Panel:  3 x 3 inches

Scrap of Cream Card Stock

Tools

Stampin’ Up ½ Inch Punch

Stampin’ Up Sprig Punch – Punch 2

Stampin’ Up Daisy Punch – Punch 2

Stampin’ Up Daisy Delight Stamp Set – Stamp 2

Stampin’ Up Count Your Blessings Stamp

Hero Arts Happy Birthday Stamp

Paper Studio Adhesive Gems

Fantastix Coloring Brush or Sponge

Foam Tape

Directions

Stamp two Daisies on the cream card stock using Carved Pumpkin. Lightly color the Daisies with a Fantastix Coloring Brush using the Dried Marigold, or you can use a sponge.  Punch them out using the daisy punch.  Slightly mold the petals of both daisies.  Use mounting tape to adhere them together.  Glue the assembled daisy to the card, centering on the card.  Punch 2 leaf sprigs from the green card stock, mold them a bit, and glue under the daisy.  Also with the green card stock, punch a ½ circle and glue it to the center of the daisies.  Add a jewel in the center green circle for the finishing touch for the front of the card.

For the inside of the card, attach one of the 3 ¾ x 3 ¾ inch DP squares.  Stamp the sentiment on the white square and then adhere it to the DP square.

Thanks for stopping by.  Wishes for a special blessing this week.

Annie

Bible Illustrating and Journaling - Proverbs 18:10

Annie’s Ink-Lings

This Week's Scripture Focus:

Proverbs 18:10  The Name of Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

My Inspire Bible

                                                                                             

                                                                                                My Notebook

Calling on the name of the Lord does not mean just saying His name.  Rather, it encompasses all that He stands for as He has revealed Himself to us in His word -- His titles, His promises, His covenant, the declarations of His infinite perfections, and of His good will to His people – all of His glorious attributes.  God has revealed that there is enough in Him to make us easy at all times.  He is a strong tower that is sufficient for our protection in all things.

It is only the righteous that run into this tower or that have access to it.  The righteous are accepted and come into right standing with God not because of what they do, but because of what God has done in Christ.  To be righteous is to be right with God.  We can be right with God only by true faith in Jesus Christ.

We must run to the Lord who is the only One who can satisfy us and give us true security.  He is the One who will always let us in and never let us down!

My prayer for you is that you have the Strong Tower of the Lord in your life.

Blessings,

Annie

Book Review: Agents of the Apocalypse

Annie’s Ink-Lings

                                  

Agents of the Apocalypse, by

 David Jeremiah

  

Dr. David Jeremiah makes the study of the End Times so exciting!  I could hardly put this book down.  It is written in a way that keeps one riveted to the pages and makes it very easy to understand what the Bible has to say about the things that are to come!  This is the perfect book for those of you who refrain from reading Revelation because you think it is too difficult to understand.  It is written using a style that should be especially helpful to someone who is not a Bible scholar.

Agents of the Apocalypse is not a word-for-word study of Revelation but instead, a study to understand the 10 primary characters involved in the book of Revelation.  Each chapter is divided into two parts.  The first part is a dramatized version of the specific agent; a "real life" fictional story to help the reader understand how the end times might play out.  The second half of the chapter is the actual biblical truth and explanation of the scripture.

Alternating each chapter with the story followed by the Scripture and commentary to back it up was absolutely fascinating.  I'd say that it captured my imagination but actually, it was more than that - my heart was captured more than my imagination.

This book filled me with both hope and heartache.  Hope that this life, no matter how bad it may get, is not the end.  Heartache that so many of those I love are choosing this world instead of Jesus.  My mind cannot grasp eternity, especially for those whose names are not found in the Book of Life.  The section on The Great White Throne chilled me to the marrow.  The question now is, am I motivated enough to boldly share the Good News.

Dr. Jeremiah's style relates the full meaning of the scripture; this is spiritual food for my soul!  Amazing and breathtaking!

Agents of the Apocalypse Chapters

 1. The Exile

 2. The Martyrs                      

 3. The 144,000                                               

 4. The Two Witnesses         

 5. The Dragon                   

 6. The Beast from the Sea

 7. The Beast from the Earth

 8. The Victor   

 9. The King

10. The Judge

 Epilogue:  The Overcomers

  

In addition, there is an Apocalypse DVD Bible Study.

Blessings,

Annie

Leaves are Falling

Annie’s Ink-Lings

I'm not ready for fall, but summer is slowly fading away.  However, I would not want to be without fall because it has such beauty in the changing colors.  Raking leaves – ugh!  My treasured memory of raking leaves was watching my son joyfully jumping into the piles of them.  More work for mom but it was so much fun.  He even wanted me to cover him up with leaves!  We always had oodles of fun.  These are some of the memories that came to me as I was making this card today.  That’s probably why this stamp is one my favorites . . . it takes me back to my son’s childhood.  Happily I had found the perfect sentiment to go  with this stamp.  This is what it says inside:  “Take time to jump in the leaves.”  Perfect in my mind, anyway.

If you want quick and easy, then this is the card for you.  I used only two colors of Distress Ink for the background, stamping the applicator off before lightly applying the ink.  The image and sentiment were stamped with black ink.  I lightly colored the leaves and the frame of the rake with PrismaColor pencils.  Next, I rounded the corners of the top two panels before assembling the panels to the card base.  I thought the strategically placed sequins made a nice finishing touch.  What do you think?

Card Base 81/2 x 51/2 inches

DP Panel 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches

Red Panel 5 x 3 ¾ inches

Cream Panel 4 7/8 x 3 5/8 inches

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Applicator (or sponges)

Distress Ink Pads:  Barn Door and Wild Honey

PrismaColor Pencils:  Limepeel, Peach, Green Ochre, and Process Red

Red Sequins

Glue, Tape Runner

Corner Rounder

Stamps:   Serendipity Stamps – Rake G298

                  Stampabilities – Leaves are Falling C1142

                  Impression Obsession:  Jump in the Leaves A5654

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessing,

Annie

Bible Illustrating and Journaling - Hebrews 11:6

Annie’s Ink-Lings

This Week's Scripture Focus:  Hebrews 11:6 (TLB)

You can never please God without faith, without depending on Him.  Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him.

Faith pleases God more than anything else.  The Christian life is dependent upon faith.  We stand on faith; we live on faith.  Faith is loved and honored by God more than any other single thing.  The bible teaches that faith is the only approach that we have to God.  No man has sins forgiven, no man goes to heaven, no man has assurance of peace and happiness, until he has faith in Jesus Christ.  You may be saying, “God, I believe you are a great person, but I do not believe your Word; I do not believe what you say.  “In order to please God, you must believe Him.  Perhaps your faith is small and weak.  It does not matter how big your faith is, but rather, where your faith is.  Is it in Christ, the Son of god, who died on the cross for your sins?

May you be filled with God's gift of faith.

Blessings,

Annie