FaithBuilder Friday

Since this month's column deals with faithbooking for your family, I thought I would spend the next few Fridays giving you resources to help your family. This week, a timely resource. The start of summer means more time for movies- and all those new summer releases. Not sure which ones are appropriate for the kiddos to go see? This is an awesome site- Christianity Today Movies.

This site reviews all of the major releases- even including the R rated ones. It gives you a very objective review- like any other major review source. But, then it goes a step further- it has a box on the bottom of every review for discussion starters- how to talk to others about what you've seen- using it to build/develop faith. And the most useful- it has a box called for the family- where it lists anything- and I mean anything a parent might find questionable for their kids. Even things like bathroom humor are included. What a great tool for making an informed decision. No more suprises in the theater with this resource!!

Christianity Today: Movies

Featured Blog of the Week- 5/28/08

This week, we are featuring a digi-scrapper's blog...and oh, what a scrapper!! I love LouAnn's depth and texture. She manages to make her layout's just pop off the screen....and the sentiment and heart is just wonderful! Her blog, Moments to Remember, is a treat, and her art is just total eye candy!! Before you visit this week's featured Blog- you really need to grab a soft drink and get comfy! You'll be there a while- and you'll be blessed for the journey, too.

And, remember- don't be shy...send in your blogs so we can all enjoy and be blessed by them!!

Featured Layout of the Week 5-27-08

Ok, I have a confession to make...I LOVE Terrie's work! She is absolutely one of my favorite scrap artists...I mean her Joy of the Lord positively radiates out from her work!! This layout is a perfect example- the colors are awesome, the sentiment is perfect...and I love that blue balloon, lol!!

Congrats to Terrie Logan for being this week's Featured Layout of the Week!! Remember to upload your work to our gallery for your chance at being featured...and winning a free issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

FaithBuilder Friday

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women
in a Bible study and they
wondered what this statement
meant about the character and
nature of God.

One of the women offered to
find out the process of refining
silver and get back to the group
at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an
appointment to watch him at
work. She didn't mention
anything about the reason for
her interest beyond her curiosity
about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith,
he held a piece of silver over
the fire and let it heat up. He
explained that in refining silver,
one needed to hold the silver in
the middle of the fire where
the flames were hottest as to
burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

She asked the silversmith if it
was true that he had to sit there
in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he
not only had to sit there holding
the silver, but he had to keep
his eyes on the silver the entire
time it was in the fire. If the silver
was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a
moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know
when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered,
'Oh, that's easy --
when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat
of the fire , remember that God
has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His
image in you.

Featured Blog of the Week 5-21-08

This week's feature is wonderful! I love the art (and I mean some serious eye candy- so pretty!), the heart behind the posts, and the honesty. I love that when she is happy, she says it...and when she is sad, she is honest about that, too! Life is not all sunshine and roses, to be sure. There is just something about being honest about that. Anyway, Karen at Blessed Beyond Measure...con grats!! you have this weeks Featured blog of the Week!! Thanks for shining His light!!

Remember to send in your favorite blog links- even your own- for a chance to be featured.

It's HERE!!!!!

I am so happy to report that the latest issue of Scrapbook News and Review has dropped- it is up and running!! And, oh...is it a beauty!! I have had a quick look through, and we are talking some serious eye candy!! The second issue features almost 200 layouts, cards, mini books, altered art and home decor projects as well as dozens of articles, columns and tutorials!

I am also very excited about the faith column this month. The topic deals with adding faith into your scrapbooks for the sake of your family. It is a commitment that helps us to grow in our walk with the Lord...but imagine literally placing your faith into the hands of your children...or, even your non-believing family members. There are several reason why, and many benefits- I would encourage everyone to take a look at this month's column.

This month our challenge is to show your families. If you’re going to add your faith into your scrapbook for your family, you should start by showing them. Do a layout telling why you want to do this for your family or simply thank God for the family He has blessed you with, and send us the link or add it to the gallery. We would love to show and share your work!

Featured Layout of the Week 5-19-08

I have to say, you guys are not making this easy for me!! You all have totally rocked out the gallery this week- I mean there is some beautiful eye candy in there! But, I am totally in love with this layout...I love the perspective on the photo, the oh so pretty swirls and flourishes- and, of course...the sentiment!! Sally, this is a stunning layout!!

Now, a friendly reminder...PLEASE include your first and last name in either your title or your description when uploading to the gallery. I know this layout is from Sally over at a Scrap of Faith...but I don't know anything else. :-( Sally, if you could contact me, I want to get you set up with your free issue of Scrapbook News and Review!! (And, you want this, too- the new issue is dropping pretty much as we speak!)

Keep uploading to the gallery, everyone! How fun to see it growing...and of course, this gives you a chance at winning a free copy of Scrapbook News and Review, too!

FaithBuilder Friday

In this age of podcasts and media fun, this weeks faith builder will be a welcome bit of goodness. One Place has podcasts from ministries and ministers all over the world. What a cool idea to sign up for the podcasts of these awesome speakers and preachers. Imagine the enjoyment and growth of filling your driving time with this goodness...or your scrapping time!

Featured Blog of the Week 5-14-08

I am amazed at the number of ways people find to honor our Lord...and this week's Featured Blog is no exception. Salt is a great challenge blog- filled with incredible artists! I love the fact that these ladies have opened their challenges to card makers, altered art, and scrappers- just everyone. Seeing the different ways these challenges are met is just so inspiring!! Here's what they say about their blog:

"We are a diverse group of card makers, scrappers and altered art fans from across the world who have been brought together through our love of Jesus Christ and our desire to express our faith in creative ways.Once every two weeks we will produce work based on a challenge which we hope will inspire you to produce work of your own - and we would love to see it.So that we can all know Jesus more clearly; love him more dearly; and follow him more nearly, each and every day."
Congrats to Salt for being this week's Featured Blog- and keep shining that LIGHT!!

Weekly Prompt 5-13-08

This week we are starting our look at the Fruits of the Spirit. We will revisit this topic a few times in the coming year...there are 9 fruits, after all. These week, choose one of the Fruits you feel God has been working with you on...and create a page. This could be a dedication page, and definition page- what it means to you, or even an example - this is when you showed it.

Remember to upload your work to the gallery for all of us to see and admire!!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Gal 5:22

Featured Layout of the Week 5-12-08

What a perfect layout to feature just after Mother's Day!! JackieAnn Williams did this beauty in honor of a 3 generation tea- her daughter, her and her mother. I have got to say, this is just the cheeriest paper, and all the flowers are so yummy!! What a special memory...and we are so grateful you shared it with us!! Congrats, JackieAnn, on being this week's Featured Layout of the Week!!

Now, some really exciting news!! Katie would like to award every Featured Layout with a free issue of Scrapbook News and Review...how awesome is that?!!! So, want to see what all the buzz is about? Want to get lost in days worth of reading and great art?! Get those layouts in here!! (And remember- if you already have this month's issue...we'll give you next month's!) So, upload those layouts to the gallery for your chance at this great magazine!!

FaithBuilder Friday

Ok, this week is more just a fun resource...but it's a timely one, too!! I want to introduce you to Dayspring Cards. This is a Christian greeting card company. They have a fun section of e-cards, too. Just in time for Mother's day...while you might have made Mom a great card- an email is always fun, too!! So, go- have fun!!

Questions Answered...

I've had a few questions- so I wanted to take a moment and give a few answers.

The Faith Gallery at SNR is for any layout, card or project that has your faith reflected in it. Prayers, wishes, verses, praise, worship...so many things fall into this category. It is NOT just for our challenges and prompts- we would love to fill this gallery! I mean- let's rock this out and make it huge!!!!!

Yes, ANY blog that gives God glory, praise, and honor can be listed o our blogroll. This is not just for challenge blogs- do you love Jesus? Do you mention that on your blog? Well, there you go!

Now, a reminder: Column 3's call for layouts is closing on the 10th. This is for any layouts that share what music, books, movies, etc have influenced your faith. Got a layout that features song lyrics? This would be the type of layout I am looking for.

Featured Blog of the Week- 5/7/08

This week, we visit Creative Faith Studio. This wonderful blog is hosted by Dahlia, and features a weekly Faith Discovery Challenge. What a wonderful way to build faith into your scrapbook, while exploring and defining what you believe! This is a beautiful, well thought out blog. You'll want to grab a cup of coffee, and curl in for a good visit!!


Congrats, Dahlia, on being this week's Featured Blog of the Week!! Everyone, remember to send in your blogs for a chance to be featured, as well!!

Weekly Prompt: 5-6-08

Mother's Day is Sunday- are you ready? Your 'prompt' or page start idea is to remember Mom in a layout. Tell her, or others, what she meant to you, the influence she played in your life...or even the Mom you wish to be. There are many ways you could go with this- be creative!!

When you are done, be sure to upload your work to our gallery so we can enjoy it, too!!

Featured Layout of the Week- 5/5/08

Isn't this a beautiful layout! I am in love with the colors, textures and depth of this one. What an incredible compliment to the beauty of Creation highlighted behind her! Congrats Nancy Kuhlman on being this week's Featured Layout of the Week.

Remember to upload your faith based layouts to our gallery for your chance to be a featured layout. We would love to see your work and share your inspiration!!

Faithbuilder Friday

This week's faith builder is a long standing favorite resource of mine: Christianity Today. From Women, to parents, singles to marrieds, youth to seniors- there is something here for you. this site has articles, question and answers sections, resources- it really is chocked full, and completely useful. If you have never visited, you definitely need to stop in. Plan some time, though- you'll want to look around!

This Month at SNR

So, are you at all curious about what is inside this wonderful magazine? A TON!!! Seriously- nearly 3 times the number of articles, layouts and projects as your average print magazine. Now, that is a lot of goodness!! For a peek at the Table of contents, take a look here.

And, what about the Faith column? This month, we introduced the idea of faithbooking. We discussed the benefits to adding faith into your everyday scrapbook layouts...for you and your family. There were practical tips and ideas to get you started adding your faith into YOUR scrapbooks. And, there were half a dozen beautiful layouts just to spur your imagination.

I would seriously encourage everyone to give it a go- 3 times the content, and less than the price of one of your average print magazines. Cannot beat that...and- we'll store it for you, too!! (Oh- and every page has a wonderful print option, too!)