Stamping Sisters in Christ Card Challenge

This card is made to meet this weeks SSIC blog challenge to make a card in the colors brown, blue, and white. I fashioned this with the inspiration of some pretty SU designer paper, then colored some pearls with a baby blue copic marker for accent. I had lots of tiny pearls flying as I tried to detach them and add, then finally gave in and just used a string of tiny pearls to the border. I hope you like it. Now, if you want, you can continue to read my thoughts on this week's scripture...

Good morning! Every Sunday I eagerly anticipate stopping in to the Stamping Sister's In Christ blog to see the scripture and read the thoughts and discover the week's challenges. This week, the lovely Linda has chosen the verse : John 4:23 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him." Linda has some very insightful thoughts on this verse, please stop by the Stamping Sisters in Christ (just click on the SSIC on my sidebar) to visit!

As a long time Bible study student in Inductive Studies, I have a habit of looking up the Biblical definition of the word before drawing some kind of conclusion to its meaning. The definition of worship: to ascribe worth to something.

In the case of a believer, worship is to ascribe worth to God. Why? Is God in need of our worship? Does he sit on His throne in need of the sentimental strokes of sappy worshipers here as we lift up our feeble hands to the King of Kings? I don't think so. God is all sufficient...He is complete and needs nothing. So why then does he seek true worshipers? While I know worship brings God glory, the advantage for us is that it elevates us from an earthly limited view of God to a heavenward focus that is limitless. We can not worship that which we do not know. So as we spend time in God's word, being transformed by the renewing of our minds...then we are able to offer ourselves as living sacrifices...which is our spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1-2 says, "Therefore I urge you , brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Worship involves an act of selflessness...which in our self-centeredness brings such sweet relief. I really liked this definition I read while researching the meaning of worship:

"Worship is the submission of all nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose-and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin. :William Temples 1881-1944

As a believer, I hope my worship extends beyond a chorus sang (however lovely and moving) on a Sunday morning to an act of worship...which involves my mind, my soul, my spirit and will being conformed to His.

Thanks so much for stopping by...I so appreciate you!!