This is my very late His Holy Name Challenge #13 card, I have two more to do before the next one comes out! I love doing these studies and endeavour to do them on time - but this one just slipped past!
I have distressed DP from DCWV, those fabulous hands are part of a RAK from one of my Twisted Sisters, Pat Smethers, it was Pat who first encouraged me to do these challenges, I saw her pages up in the gallery and knew I wanted to be involved...thank you Pat...you are such a precious friend and sister to me - I am so thankful to God that we have 'linked arms' for our journey!!! The flames are also off DP from Pat! I cut out the hands and coloured them with chalks, added the flames which represent God being a consuming fire, and also the 'world', which is symbolic of us, God's people. The heart represents of God's love.
When I first became a Christian I thought that God being a JEALOUS God was a contradiction to the fact that we all know so well - God is Love...and love is not jealous!! James 3:14-17 tells us how bitter jealousy and contention in your heart, is earthly, beastly, devilish. But the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended. Jealousy as we know it is a negative thing but God's Jealousy is positive, it protects, nutures and grows us! It is very sobering to see the effects of bitter jealousy - and how easily it happens whether it be over a possession, friend, Church position or 'ministry'! Thank God for His love and heart for us, His jealousy is not related to envy, but speaks more to me of 'protective' - in the same way those of us who are parents are 'jealous' over our children. We want to protect them from the blows that life can bring, from the things that will harm them, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and to nurture them in a loving environment, far away from anything that can hurt or damage them...We can be 'jealous' of our friends, Church, anything that we love. God is jealous over us and wants our love for Him to be our priority - for our sakes...He wants us to love Him with our whole heart, not in between sports events, TV shows or (dare I say it) craft events....He is a JEALOUS God and wants us in our totality! I am grateful that God is JEALOUS over me!! The saying that Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven' to me is such a 'cop out'...it isn't an excuse...we are committed to the process of being perfected...so no wonder God is 'JEALOUS' over us - I don't know about you, but I am not always the quickest learner!!
Registered: August 30, 2006 Location: Saugus, Massachusetts Posts: 65153
Sat, Jul 25, 2009 @ 5:37 AM
Linda - this page is just gorgeous! I love how you have illustrated this verse - the fire on the earth and those wonderful hands - the watercoloring - just super! and I appreciate your discussion of jealousy - I find it a difficult concept to say jealousy is sometimes not a bad thing - you have described the difference in a very clear manner - thank you!!
------------------------------ Julia Aston Proud member of SCS Fan Club and Dirty Dozen Alumni, former DT member on Color Challenge My Blog
Registered: June 10, 2007 Location: BC Posts: 44872
Sat, Jul 25, 2009 @ 7:21 PM
A wonderful and eyecatching card, Linda. I like your explaintion of our Jealous God - that is something I've had trouble understanding -but your card and your write up really helps me with that! Beautifully done!
Registered: April 1, 2008 Location: my address Posts: 4046
Sat, Jul 25, 2009 @ 9:25 PM
Linda this is one AWESOME page - gasp gasp -I love what you have done here and all the symbolism. Absolutely stunning!!! Blessings and thanks for sharing. :-)
Registered: September 17, 2006 Location: San Marcos, Tx Posts: 3011
Sun, Jul 26, 2009 @ 3:57 AM
I could have benefited from the narrative alone but you put icing on the cake and shared the card too. Awesome comes not where near discribing this one Sistah. A beautiful tribute to our Lord and Master.
------------------------------ Ich bin Klein. Mach mein Herze rein Soll niemand anderen drin wohnen Als Jesus allein. (I am little. Make my heart clean. Don't let anyone else live in it but Jesus alone.)
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Stamp Like You Mean It
Registered: March 24, 2006 Location: Posts: 38589
Sun, Jul 26, 2009 @ 9:41 PM
Linda, your card is beautiful and your words so powerful! Your art is such a ministry, and your heart is all over it! Thank you for sharing this message and your desire to serve! LYMI
------------------------------ Pat Smethers "The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden." Isaiah 58:11