Those That Walked in Darkness See A Great Light

Well, this Easter of 2020 will definitely go down in history, as different!
 Today Good Friday and on Resurrection Sunday where we are all at home watching live-stream services. 
However the Truth we celebrate is constant and unchanged for all of eternity!!
Heaven and earth will pass away, and yet what Christ wrought on the Cross that day on the hill of Golgotha almost 2,000 years ago will NEVER change.
When Christ cried out “IT IS FINISHED” Salvation was bought for all mankind. 
As I thought upon that most dreadful day in history thus far...
when the Son of God, 
the LORD Jesus Christ, the King of Glory 
was rejected of His own people - as they cried, "Crucify Him!"... 
These verses came to mind.
One is a prophecy written 800 years by Isaiah before Christ’s coming.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: 
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2 

The other is perfected in Christ’s first coming as Saviour of all mankind.

And the light shineth in darkness;
 and the darkness comprehended it not. 
John 1:5

Today we may feel in as much darkness as they did back in 33AD approx. 

They were under strict Roman rule, we are under strict rule as a result of another dilemma, a pandemic.

However there is a greater pandemic which Christ cured that day upon the cross, the curse of sin, when the True Light of the World defeated the powers of darkness. 
Satan thought he had a great victory when Christ was crucified instead of Barrabas (see passage in Luke here). 

However the victory Satan thought he had won was short lived... as he was to see a few days later.

We need a vaccine to defeat COVID-19, but Christ by His sacrifice provided a vaccine or a way of escape from the eternal punishment of sin, with the gift of eternal life by faith in Him. 

That is far, far better than any human vaccine - for it is perfect and eternal!

Our verse says that the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness comprends it not.

As it was in 1st century AD so it is in 2020. 

God is speaking loudly and clearly - but oh sadly, so many do not hear or comprehend it.

At the crucifixion of Jesus there was darkness for three hours from noon (Jewish time = sixth hour) to 3pm (9th hour). 

.....

I wonder what their thoughts were at such a time?
I’m sure fear filled many a heart, and awe. 
Luke 23:33-49
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 
 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 
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.

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 
And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

I am sure the same mixed feelings of fear, grief, sorrow,  despair and confusion fill many hearts today over current events, especially those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray earnestly for these dear folk that they might see the true light.
May I be found faithful being that true light for Jesus. 
For He said," I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee".

May we never forget the great cost of our salvation on that day at Calvary. Our Saviour whose face was more marred than any man (See Is.52:14).
Our sin.. He bore it for you and for me. 

Hallelujah! What a Saviour! (Link here also)
This is another hymn by Philip Bliss (short biography here).
Lord bless you all as we meditate upon this, AND rejoice in so great salvation!
Loving prayers, dear ones,
Shaz in Oz.x 🙏🤗

PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU

Darnell’s NBUS Challenge, Oxides Blending With Masks + WOYWW

(For Good Friday post -link here)

Well, how are you all going? praying for you all, wisdom, grace for all of us! To keep on keeping on!
YES!!! tis Wednesday, so it’s time to pop over to deskland for WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday at Julia’s Stamping Ground!

My desk this morning is looking kinda tidy because I cleaned up some last night. Was working on finished card. The two sets of stamps used are washed, back in stamp sets. The T Ruler on far left was used to keep stamps straight on one layer card. Do like these cards, they’re so quick. 
About 20 mins work, it was in my head for few days, since saw B.’s blog post here, see the second card on her post was my inspiration,  although mine is quite different, B's was gelli pad background she said. The stamp set on the right is by Woodware, it’s such a beautiful stamp. Mask to the left was made was made with scrap card.

Last night’s desk, share steps as have been asked : 
1. Cut out of scrap cardstock (mine cereal packet) with circle die a round mask a bit smaller than chosen stamp.
2. Through circle blend with DI Oxides in graduated colours using makeup brushes.
3. Leaving mask on.
Chose a stencil , mine is “Small Mesh” by Darkroom Door. 
4. Spritz stencil well on back of one side with water.
4. Laid water spritzed side down over the inked masked background for about 10- 20 secs & lift it off. Mine was a fine stencil so pressed it gently down too as wasn't quite flat in places. 
It left a beautiful oxidised imprint.
Allow to dry then remove circle mask like below.

Close up here. 
Stamped Woodware floral stamp on finished card with Onyx Black Versafine, and added clear embossing powder to heat set.
It’s really wonderfully glossy black stamping, this kind of captured it.

Always frustrated when photos don’t match real life! Greeting is Sweet 'n Sassy, Floral Greetings.  Its a really versatile set.

This card was made especially for Darnell’s  NBUS Challenge (NBUS = Never Before Used Schtuff) over here!!! Yay! Thanks, Darnell!
Now to Aussie shots - lots today to cheer folks up!
So many moods in seascapes, our beaches are still open for exercising!
No sunbaking, though.
Some sunshine and some clouds, some down here at local beach and some at Jetty after going to post office to post snail mail!

All taken on my walks each day this week. Some surferboard riders behind those windswept waves! Shark food was my thought!

A bonus of the super moon from Oz.
I was pleased that managed to comment nearly everyone last week. Finding commenting hard as do mostly on mobile phone, iPad now uncooperative with blogger. Rarely use computer as it’s really ancient. Here in Oz is like everywhere, except we are allowed to do essentials like shopping, medical appt and daily exercise. 
Our deaths have more than doubled since a week ago, from 21 to 48. 
For those who think that’s not many, we are large country in area, as big as USA, but population of only 25 million. Our local town has gone from 8 last week to 13 cases. Controls are pretty strict in some ways and not in others. 
I’m actually in part enjoying it, and definitely not ever bored. But really miss my family. Was supposed to be on holidays now too, like lots of folks.
(Edit: Praying a special prayer of blessing for Lynn of One I Made Earlier, a fellow WOYWWer. She just emailed her aunt Gladys' funeral is to be held Thurs. 11.50am their time, 6 in attendance, sadly Lynn's mum, can't go. Praying for all in such case to seek the blessing of the God of all Comfort in the midst of grief).
Hope pray you’re all well, thanks so much for popping over, especially if you stop to chat!
Lord bless you all, praying for you all that the Lord would watch over you and keep you and your dear ones safe, ..” we have no might neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon Thee.”

Prayer hugs, 

Shaz in Oz.x

Thoughts for the day:

Love the heart behind Peanuts and this one especially! I pray this..❤

Two thoughts in all..

“And the angel said He is not here, for He is risen, as He said.”

 This Easter will be strange but the fact of salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus will never change, this promise is eternal by an omnipotent loving Father God. 

🎼🎵 Hallelujah, what a Saviour!🎵
Thank you Lord Jesus.

Linking up with the following challenges:

1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. All cards  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

2. NBUS Challenge at https://mynbus.blogspot.com/

3. Penny Black and More April Challenge - Anything goes.

Pokémon Peek-a-boo Card + WOYWW

Well, it has been a long week, the past week, hasn't it? 

Many unusual adjustments to be made. 

However, some constants, the LORD God ... and WOYWW!! 😉😊

As 'tis Wednesday, so it’s time to pop over to deskland for WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday at Julia’s Stamping Ground!

My desk is midstream from yesterday as have been so busy today haven’t even made it to crafty place for today’s photo, it’s after 10pm as type this. Here I’m making a peek-a-boo card, aka Jennifer McGuire, and also used this Splitcoast Stampers video, too.  Latter video was helpful in making me realise a dark coloured background would blend better with mechanics. Am no mechanical engineer like JM is, so made two prototypes, see on desk top left. First one is teeny US size that JM uses, just so had details all correct. Second one was actual size I wanted to make it. Third time, the actual card was really simple to put together. I’ve learnt the hard way don’t waste good card on first or even second attempt! Save prototypes in drawer!!!

Made this card on 300gsm , it’s very sturdy card. Had to change printer settings otherwise it just spat it out. 
Background of lovely greens ( for Mr 7, who is a Green addict) is from Mr Google, as are other Pokémon images. Card was mailed yest and Master 7 doesn’t look at blogs.

Finished card, on outside... used oval Die as needed it to fit image, should’ve made it with a smaller Die, as it was borderline fitting it across width with sliding mechanisms of images 😉 praise God it made it by skin of teeth, but not ideal.

Outside close up... font is a Pokémon font, from download from Dafont, coloured it in yellow Tombow water colour pen.

Inside of card opened.

Now up close (See slight edge on far right of second oval is almost visible, attached it on back with “blue tac” and kept moving to till was just right, tad tricky ‘cos had made fraction too big an oval). 

Well, here are some Aussie shots.

We aren’t allowed out except for essentials like everywhere else, but daily walk is included so wandered to beach for you 😊 our weather is superb autumnal days, so blessed.

Last one is a rose, Mr Lincoln. We’ve 8 cases of CV in our town, as of today 21 died in Australia.

Lord bless you all, dear ones, pray for you every evening that the Lord would watch over you and keep you and your dear ones safe, ..” we have no might neither know we what to do, yet our eyes are upon Thee.”

Prayer hugs, 

Shaz in Oz.x

Thought for the day:

 Very apt, the Lord Jesus Christ is our All in all.

Linking up to the following:

1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. All cards  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
2. https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ Simon Says Wednesday  Challenge - Birthdays 

Mo’s Christmas Challenge + Robin card WOYWW

Hi there everyone,well amazingly we are into our third Rudolph Day of 2020, at Scrappy Mo’s from 25th to 31st March! 'Cos it’s Wednesday, time too for WOYWW or What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday at Julia’s Stamping Ground. 

Now to desks .. cards below.

Firstly my desk this morning, this was after a quickly whipped up Christmas card last night as suddenly realised it was 25th today!!! Want to join in every challenge of Mo’s each month, so had to do it. The card caused most of mess. At back left almost hidden is the finished 70th Robin card, which really love. The rest is what was on desk before started or Christmas card detritus. Had a wee gift card for ages on desk from two Christmases ago, so decided to use it as greeting. Everything took off from there, the CB EF Gracie’s Frame was chosen cos was going to use the nativity stamp, then decided greeting would swamp the small stamp, so then thought of Kaisercraft Star Die or perhaps the coloured Bugaboo nativity images at back, star die won 'cos was easiest! Time short and all that.

This afternoon’s desk here is way more boring. Paperwork (mostly hidden for privacy) is being done ready for mailing as consequence of CV-19! Our church is in shut down like everything not essential. Usually *print off bulletin of our older group and hand out at church. No church = so no hand out.

Am finding this being at home avoiding people is taking more time! Certainly zero spare up my sleeve! Good to be busy.
Being me, can’t mail something without a note, so everyone is getting snail 🐌 mail! 😃.
(*BTW Neet, Eco printer on last week does have scanner).

Well, last week back HERE on last week’s post I shared this card in step by step detail of image creation. Finally happy, two days I was all sixes and sevens in deciding.

When that happens I hide it for a day or two, ie turn it all over, pray and leave ... come back and try again and it usually wonderfully works! The stamps is Sheena Douglass Little Bit Sketchy 2 - Faith.
And what a beautiful sentiment for Today! My sister (who gave me Prismas), is a real critic, and loved it. Cut image with Wonky rectangles largest die, inked up edges with DI diff colours. Happy Birthday Die Is Elizabeth design and greeting is assorted SB circle dies, disc. On this image below you can really see the WOW copper glitter EP. Had for years & still NBUS amazing colour!

The 70 die is free number set with my machine, lots of snippets on this card.

Christmas card is simple, snippets too, as EF piece is left over bit as are Die cuts. Silver red Shimmer card is cheapie, but good one is new sheet.

Now to Aussie shots, or some Aussie and some Brittany spring.

The flowers are from Anne in France’s garden - though we cannot mingle in person we can share beauty over the net!

I do adore both daffodils and tulips (incl. pink flamingo). They don’t really grow well here, but planted my sweet peas for our spring yesterday!

We had a lovely day today but couldn’t enjoy it really except to put washing out early and bring in late cos was so busy. Autumn is really lovely here! We are so blessed.

Here are two beach shots to cheer you up, do love the seagull parade there on the rocks don’t you? 

May our wonderful loving Father God bless your day wherever you maybe, and keep you and all those you love safe and very well!

Thank YOU especially if you have time to comment. I did nearly all last week except Aimslee she’s not WOYWWer. 

Also couldn’t comment on Shoshi’s blog, it said I was locked out of commenting on this blog!!! Wrote nice long comment, but it was gobbled all up!

Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 🙏🏻🤗

Thought for the day:

Few things I would like to share.

Firstly this one from Anne Frank really put things in perspective!
This hugging Snoopy (virtual hug 😉) Snoopy I loved too.. sending 🙏🤗 hugs your way!

 I’m a real Snoopy fan, and think this is very apt for WOYWW and blogging bonds of friendship.

Last one is designed by young friend here, she has a blog here  but though she sent to me not up there yet. I loved this so VERY often in life I feel OVERWHELMED! When my heart is overwhelmed... then lead me.. ie guide me to the Rock.. Jesus is our Rock. In every moment of life, IF we are anchored in HIM we will HOLD FAST!!! How blessed, here is my Christian blog .. I’ve done some encouragement over there too. 

Linking up to the following:

1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Both cards  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au

2. Snippets playground,  all card snippets except base. http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2020/03/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-374.html?m=1
3. Allsorts Challenge. Anything in Animal Kingdom .. bird card
4. Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas card challenge. Anything goes. http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/?m=0

Cuttlebug Plus Wedding House Mouse + WOYWW

Hi there everyone, yes .. tis  Wednesday! Popping over to deskland at Julia’s Stamping Ground! Check out the friendly, creative, “germ-free” 😁 bunch at Julia’s blog with “What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday”!

My desk today: “Much a do about nothing” really, as was like this when went to bed last night. I had finally finished image on last week’s post and trying to sort which red in card and ribbon too. Funny isn’t how many shades there can be of one colour yet none really just right?
Also is stamped greeting the Bird Stamp is a Sheena Douglas Little Bit Sketchy 2 - Faith. A beautiful sentiment for Today! 

Will, God willing, finish card next week.

This is an aside, in case others are like me and ignorant on new Eco Printers. I do a lot of printing, good one died, had two printers die in 4 years. Bad landfill issue, so found these Eco printers are answer. They dont use cartridges! YAY!

On the side are the ink tanks, there is supposedly 2 years of ink there, when it runs out its only (at today's prices) $Aud20 to fill each colour again. I've 3 yr warranty on it too, good shop around & found this one in my budget. They don't do duplex printing, but pretty much everything else I use.
Now to sharing quickly the steps of the bird colouring (this is for me later, more than anyone, so no need to read it).

The technique is one Beccy of Beccy’s place uses over here.

Image is stamped first in Memento ink Sand on Kraft card. As I didn’t have enough greys in alcohol pens I substituted.

These are colours used in background. Here are stages. It’s done by a stippling affect, I think! ..that’s what I did anyway. Technique I used on shading of just background was used in Impressionism. First to use it was Georges Sérat, called Pointillism.

The background is with alcohol inks - the bird, etc is with Pencils, my sister ages ago upgraded her Prismacolours. Sooo I was given her first set as Birthday-Christmas pressie otherwise I’d not have them.😉

Had fun here, finished image, before die cut shading on first desk. BTW my friend's name is Robin, hence turning this bird into a robin, a change from original bird. It's her 70th, so very special card!
Next wedding card!

Now the card started last week finished, the first post on it here with recipe. Folder is CB plus disc folder. Greeting is digi using SB Elegant Ovals second smallest die.

The Aussie shot today is sooo colourful, courtesy of family member from WhatsApp. This is one colourful Holden, I love the beautiful rollers in the background, a good looking surf, no doubt what he was checking out.

I pray you’re all well. I’m feeling a bit peeky here, so taking it easy. The world is so variable at the moment, it’s very much wait and see, and go with whatever turns up.

Late here again, nighty night, was bit better commenting last week, hope to pick up in next few days.

Praying for each of you and your dear ones.
And that you’ll all be kept safe in all things.

Love and prayers,

Shaz in Oz.x

Thought for the day:

These two verses came to mind in relation to the variability of the storm we’re going through at the moment.

Yesterday, today for ever, 
Jesus is the same.

All may change but Jesus never,

Glory to His name.

Linking Over To:
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Two cards  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/
2. I'm running over to join in with  the House Mouse crew! Over at Anything Goes Monday House Mouse challenge! This stamp is Wreath - Mudpie and Friend.