Sunday, February 12, 2012

SSIC Challenge 126

Note: If you are looking for the Valentine's Blog Hop hosted by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ and Word Art Wednesday scroll down to the next post.



Bleakness, cheerlessness, desolation, desperation, despondency, discouragement, downheartedness, dreariness, gloominess, hopelessness, misery, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness... DEPRESSION.

There are days that I struggle with depression. I just want to crawl back into bed and not face the world. Especially if the sun hasn't been shining for days. I have noticed that when I'm feeling depressed I get the feeling that I will NEVER be happy again and that I will ALWAYS be sad. I believe that Satan uses that lie, and people have committed suicide because they believed it. When I was in high school, there were 5 students that committed suicide in one year. That is a high rate for the small town that I lived in, high for any town. I was friends with two of the students. I have seen first hand the devestation that lie caused not only in their lives but in their friends and families lives as well. The only answer to being lost, hopeless, and discouraged is Jesus. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and THE TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The TRUTH is in Jesus I have hope, the sun WILL shine again, I WILL be happy again, and the depression WILL pass.

Job had reasons enough to be depressed. He lost all his wealth, and all his children died, and his health was bad. These words are definitely the words of a discouraged, sorrowful person. “If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas..."(Job 6:2-3)

In an attempt to encourage Job, his friend, Bildad the Shuhite tells Job "Once more will he fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with rejoicing."(Job 8:21)

Sometimes it takes a friend to remind us of that TRUTH. That is why I love that my friend Miesje choose that verse as our encouragment verse this week. Her challenge is an awesome one: Make me smile! Create a happy card - happy news - rejoicing in life. Who doesn't love happy mail?

When I made my card I was thinking about my friend Dee. There are people I know who use facebook to create drama and to complain... but my friend Dee is always trying to bring a smile to her friends. She is always finding fun, clean puns and jokes to share.

WHY IS TEA SO THERAPUTIC? .... BOILING THE WATER RAISES YOUR SELF OF STEAM.

I had a picture in my mind how I wanted this card to turn out, but struggled getting it to work. I finally had to walk away and let it sit overnight. Then when I came back to it, it came right together. The little pull out pocket with the pun on it has a tea bag inside. The teapot is a sneak peek at a Mark's Finest Papers set called RELAX A BIT that will be released this week. Make sure you come back on Tuesday (Feb 14) to check out the MFP blog hop.











In Christ Alone my HOPE is found...

12 comments:

  1. Cute, cute, cute teapot and yes, tea (especially when shared with a Friend) is very therapeutic! I really like the card and I like how you brought into your blog the background on Job and in what context this was said. I love it. I hope you have a happy week!

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  2. Lovely project... you have put a lot of thought and effort into it. Also, thank you Marilynn for once again sharing your honest thoughts... your honesty is very refreshing and encouraging and that is one of the reasons why I love visiting you blog :D

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  3. Thank you for once again being honest about your struggles, and the solution. You bless me no end with that.
    I love your card and the punny quote.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  4. MariLynn, you had to let that idea 'soak' for a while before your thoughts 'percolated' into a lovely card, and one that made me smile. Were you following me around today? All those words you used at the start of your post . . .:) Fighting if off. Thanks for the encouraging message. Wishing you a blessed week.

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  5. I love this tea pot, Wonderful card.
    Hugs&blessings :)

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  6. wishing you to love and be loved! Cheer up, sun will rise again!!

    And great card!))

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  7. This card made me laugh! It is both beautiful and fantastic!

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  8. This is one of my favorite blog posts ever! I totally agree with your comments on how sad it is that people chose drama over building up their friends. I remember when my daughter Allie was beeing bullied and you sent here that adorable card because your heart poured out to her. Did I ever tell you that Allie stood up to that girl one day and pushed back (verbally)? They actually became friends after that - the girl had a horrible home life and Allie recognized why she was so mean. Prayer works! I love the humor on this pretty card - well done!!!

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  9. Dear Marilyn - it has been a while since I visited your blog. Todays post was very powerful. Bless you. The music videos are wonderful as are your cards. When you begin to feel blue just remember we all LOVE you.
    Hugs... CAROL DEE

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  10. Love the card! Love the saying!!! What a great play on words!!! TFS the encouragement!!!! I have chronic vertigo. It comes and it goes. Sometimes I have a fear that if I lie down and rest I just won't want to get up again. It's just another one of those lies the deceiver tells. It's nice to know that we are not alone!!!!

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  11. What a cute teapot on a cute card!! What a great way to encourage a friend!!

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