Thank you for taking time to visit, and I hope I am even a tiny bit helpful as I have been helped and blessed by so many others. I have been doing Calligraphy since teens, and card making for many years as well. In 1990 I delighted in the joys of stamping with ink and embossing after a trip to Cairns, Qld. In 2009 I discovered the brayer, 2010 the Cuttlebug, also have now taking to reading up on crafting blogs and lo! Here I am, on one of my own.

I live on the coast of eastern Australia. I am a Christian. I trusted in the LORD down here at the beach, amazingly it is not far from where I now live. It was over 50 years ago, after a Beach Mission Service at the age of 12 years

Friday 30 March 2018

How Good is this Friday? Christmas Challenge/Friday smiles

 Sharing today a card challenge - at Scrappy Mo's here - Christmas card time, open till 31st. 
Firstly however - How good is this Friday??
Simple answer – very, very good! or to use another verse:"He hath made everything beautiful in His time:.." Eccles. 3:11a 
Why is it Good ?         We often associate with good, that it is something pleasant too, but it is not always! This is THE main exception to the rule. 
On Good friday the greatest Gift was given (see post here):
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanesth us from all sin. I John 1:9b .. this text hangs in our lounge room
 
 1 Peter2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Both these verses are pictured in the communion service as we remember His body given for us (in fulfillment of Psalm 34:20
"He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.",
see image below) not a bone of his body was broken, his bones weren't broken but his body was.. it was pierced, by nails & sword.. only scars in heaven!
Amazing miracle of God's WORD and His Faithfulness - over 30 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled when Jesus died upon the cross on this day, so many years ago! (Image from Chick tract - Creator or Liar here)
 On the cross the LORD Jesus spoke seven times .. and after His death miracles occurred (sharing them on Resurrection Day - Sunday).
The Gospels record these things, The four gospels if read in parallel, you can see different writers shared different aspects through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 
(eg Luke looks at Jesus' humanity as I will share below, so differing viewpoints recorded).

I have copied this from Wikipedia here ... but have included the passages completely in the relevant gospel sections below this post for your perusal.

"Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Luke 23:43: Verily, I say unto you, today you will be with me in paradise.
John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother. 
Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?
John 19:28: I thirst.
John 19:30: It is finished. (From the Greek "Tetelestai" which is also translated "It is accomplished", or "It is complete".)-It is Finished. 
Luke 23:46: Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.
Traditionally, these seven sayings are called words of 1. Forgiveness, 2. Salvation, 3. Relationship, 4. Abandonment, 5. Distress, 6. Triumph and 7. Reunion."

Cards for Mo's challenge - Tree Die is a CCD, top Embossing folder is Spellbinders, one on second card is Ultimate crafts. CCD also used on both Digital bible verses. 
It shares the promise of Christmas fulfilled on Good Friday .. of a newborn  Son, Jesus .. He shall save His people from their sins..

 Now to Annie's Friday Smiles.. see over here - your Aussie shots for today. Top one taken on icecream drive, poor quality shot, but lovely time was enjoyed, loved the seagulls swarming on sand, or just flying away for no apparent reason, in large groups.
Shot below was taken on late afternoon walk, daylight saving ends tomorrow so they will be earlier each day..

Thanks to all of you who pop over so faithfully for a peek and chat.
I pray this post might bless your heart as richly or even more so than it did mine.
We are so blessed in Him!
With love and prayer for God's richest blessing upon each of you, in Jesus' precious Name, above all Names,
Shaz in Oz.x  
Linking up to:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/
 2. Simon says Wednesday challenge.. anything goes.   http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/     

 For further reflection: passages which look at the Lords seven sayings, in parallel.

Some people say the scriptures can be conflict, eg. the saying of the centurion. Three Gospels  say "Surely this was this Son of God!", when he saw the earthquake and other supernatural events.
But Luke says "Surely this was a righteous man." 
But both are right you see.. Jesus indeed was righteous and a man and also the Son of God.
I'm sure in those  hours of darkness to 3pm the centurion spoke more than once .. so why not both them. 
God's word is true .. it is man that confuses it! The theological term is evidence of the Hypostatic union - God/man. our Saviour.. 
He knew the frailty of human flesh .. hence "I thirst". 
He knew the desolation of separation hence:
 "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" 
... when He bore our sins .. the sins of all mankind upon the cruel tree.

Matthew 27:46,50 
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,
*** Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
[50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a **loud voice, yielded up the ghost.


Mark 15 :33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ***Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
37
 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

 

Luke 23:34,43,46 KJV
Then said Jesus,
*** Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
[43] And Jesus said unto him, ***Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
[46] And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said,
***Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.



John 19:,l27-28,30 KJV
[27] Then saith he to the disciple,

***Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
[28] After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith,
***I thirst.
[30] When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, 

*** It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

16 comments:

loz said...

Beautiful cards Shaz.. Have a blessed easter break..loz

Annie said...

So much to smile about Shaz. Gorgeous cards and you live in a stunning part of this world. Have a wonderful Easter.
Hugs,
Annie x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Gorgeous card!
God bless you. Have a Happy Easter!

Sally H said...

Beautiful cards and beautiful photos too! Happy Easter xxx

Dr Sonia S V said...

Oh WoW Shaz ....i do love that tree you have used so beautifully
Thank you so much for joining us at the Rudolph Days Challenge!
Rudolph Days Challenge DT
Dr Sonia

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Shaz, thank you so much for the visit over at mine, for reminding us of what Easter is all about and those moments of contemplation. Loving your photographs too and hope you have a lovely Easter. Angela xXx

Jenny L said...

Hi Shaz,
Happy Rudolf Days.
what wonderful cards and such super designs too.
Lovely embossing and super Christmas tree.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Betsy said...

Amen and Amen my sweet Sister. Such a beautiful post. I am ever SO grateful that Jesus loved even me to the point of giving His own life to rid me of my sins. Oh, the hope of spending eternity in Paradise praising Him. I hope you have a very blessed Easter.
Love in Him,
Betsy

Conniecrafter said...

The sentiment tree is perfect and like the colors you used in both cards.
May you have a blessed Easter

Anonymous said...

such pretty Christmas cards! I love the die and the embossed backgrounds. thank you so much for playing along with us at the Rudolph days challenge!
linda DT
Rudolph days challenge

kiwimeskreations said...

Love your stunning Christmas cards Shaz, and your wonderfully wise words, and great scriptures you have shared for this Easter season.
Blessings
Maxine

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Shaz and happy Easter. Gorgeous cards and wonderful scenic photos Hugs Robyn

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

My apologies for being so late visiting. I have keyboard problems, but wanted to stop by and thank you for your visit, tell you how much I love your cards, and think your sea photos are totally awesome. Happy, happy Easter, too.

scrappymo! said...

Two beautiful cards, Shaz. The golden on is pretty and love the EF. I have this one and find it so versatile.
The second one has such beautifully contrasting colours that blue is so vivid andso lovely.I like the ribbon you used on each. It has lovely texture.

Thanks for taking part in the March Rudolph Days Challenge.

Have a Blessed Easter Weekend. It is early Easter Monday weekend. This is still a holiday here for many people. Our daughters and families are away camping. They do this every year. Cook a turkey every Easter, in the woods!

Jo Nevill said...

Beautiful cards
Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week.

Jo x

mamapez5 said...

Better late than never I hope. Sorry it has taken me so long to visit. You have picked out some beautiful verses to give us all food for thought.
I love your beach walk photos. The light is so beautiful at that time of day.
Great Rudolph day cards too. That is a lovely tree die. I'll try to be better organised next week. Kate x

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