Scripture Cards

Hello friends!  Thanks to everyone commenting and sending emails about the Scripture Memorizing posts we are doing on Friday!  Part 2 will be posted Friday evening!  Above, Kary starts us off with her beautiful sneak peek of her card shown in full below, here, followed by the rest of the DT creations:

 Belinda:

 Chere:

 Deneen:

 Gaby:

Jamie:

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Be sure to stop by tomorrow night for our Memorizing Scripture post #2!
Blessings,
Antoinette and the Design Team
All the stamp sets used in the artwork can be found below this post!

www.inspiredstamps.com

How to Memorize Scripture (and how your creativity can help!) part 1 of 3

Hello friends!

Today, and for the next 3 Fridays in August 2013, I will be sharing what I have found to be the BEST way to memorize Scripture and store it in your heart!  There are many great books out there on memorizing generally and memorizing Scripture, specifically, so my intent is not to go over everything that was ever said on the subject.  I just want to share what I've found that works for ME, (and for many others I have taught or spoken with over the years).

I am an Inductive Bible Study teacher when I am not working on the Inspired Stamps business or blogging, or teaching creative classes.  Inductive Bible Study is, simply put, using the Bible text as the source of your study.  I personally love the Precept Upon Precept studies that are produced from Precept Ministries.  This is because they really focus on finding out what the Bible SAYS, then, using the Bible cross-references and word studies, they focus on finding out what it MEANS (in its context).  Finally, the focus is how to live in light of the truth of the Bible (the application).

From my own study, I have found that the best way to keep from mistakenly taking random verses out of their intended meaning and using them 'alone' to say something that perhaps God never intended when He had them in their context, I memorize larger sections.  In fact, while memorizing paragraphs of Scripture together can be very helpful, I encourage you to memorize CHAPTERS or even better, BOOKS of the Bible.  Now before you panic and leave this post screaming, let me share that it is very DOABLE!!  One verse a day.    That's all it takes.  And you will think on that verse all day long.  What does it say?  Who is it talking about? What does this mean?  What do I learn about God in this verse?  What can I thank Him or praise Him or confess to Him in light of this verse?   ALL.  DAY.  LONG.  Whenever you can, you think on this verse (as the psalmist spoke: day and night I meditate on your law).

I recommend to start with you begin with Psalm 1.  It's short.  It's sweet.  And it's very doable!  You'll know it in a week!

Step by Step to Memorizing Scripture:

1.  You will need a Bible, colored pencils (or crayons!), and notecards (I've shown several ways the notecards come.  I like 3x5 card carriers (either in spiral or ring binder form) because it will fit in my little purse so I always have it with me:

Bible: PICK ONE BIBLE TRANSLATION AND STICK TO IT FOR THIS PROJECT!:  I prefer the New American Standard Bible to both study from and memorize. Other versions: English Standard Version, King James, or New King James are all 3 great because these are translated word-by-word.   Some people really like the NIV, which is a phrase by phrase translation.  I, PERSONALLY, do not use paraphrases, NLT, TLWB, etc because these are phrase by phrase translations (the paraphrases are translated and then paraphrased by the men who author them) and contain the most interpretation as part of the text, and my goal is to get as close to the very words of God as I can with as little of man's 'interpretation' inside the text as possible!  This is my own personal decision. 

2.  What you have above is ALL you NEED to memorize Scripture effectively (although I will be sharing a CREATIVE expression I am doing to help with the memorization a little later on).
1.  Choose what you wish to memorize.
2.  READ it, READ it, READ it.  I try to choose a book of the bible (or chapter) that I have already studied so I understand the historical context of the entire book and the context of the chapters that are in it.
3.  Write out the first verse on the first index card while speaking it outloud.  Like I said, I like to memorize books of the bible so I start chapter 1, verse 1.  I do not worry about memorizing verse numbers, but I do note them on my card.
4.  I color words that are important or that I have a hard time remembering as I memorize the verse.  I also will draw a picture to help myself on some of the verses.  Here is Jude verse 1:

Here is my thinking throughout the day about this verse:  Jude is writing this.  He has 2 ways he describes himself: 1.  a bond-servant of Jesus Christ 2. brother of James.  What does that tell me? Well, a bond-servant is a word used to describe a willing slave.  Someone whose life is completely submitted to the 'owner' or 'Master'.  I could write a book about this, but it reminds me of my own position as bond-servant to Jesus.  He is my Lord.  My life's focus is on serving and loving HIM.   Next we see Jude is a brother of James.  James is half-brother to Jesus (same moms; God is Jesus' Father).  So Jude is Jesus' half-brother, too.
Notice I put TO bold:  Who is Jude writing TO?  3 things about the recipients:  1 those who are the called 2 beloved in God the Father 3 kept for Jesus Christ.  We could look up called, beloved, and kept to see what those mean.  I won't teach a lesson here, but these are great things to think on!  Am I called, beloved, kept?  Is there important things to know in this book that I, as a fellow believer, need to pay attention to?

OK...you get the picture.  Day 2 will be the next 3x5 card with the next verse printed on it the same way. Use YOUR handwriting and speak the verse outloud as you write it.  It helps you remember it!  Day 2 I will repeat verse 1 and then read Day 2's verse.  This continues until I reach the last verse, where I am repeating all of Jude before memorizing the last verse.  Once I have a book, and can remember it (you'll be surprised how easy this is!) I move onto the next book.  I am about to study Ephesians and will be memorizing it next. Remember to keep these cards with you all the time!

REVIEW:  If you want the books you learn to stay in your long-term memory, you must review them a couple times a week (or at least once a week).  I do this BEFORE I start my memory verse for the day.

Remember:  You are memorizing and meditating on these verses (thinking on them while you fold the laundry, sit in the car, etc).  This is the goal.  Knowing your God more.  The goal is not to memorize the Bible, but to KNOW the God of the Bible by KNOWING His Word.  Enjoy the process and remember, this isn't about how fast or how many.

My favorite creative expression that significantly helps me retain the verses and ENJOY this process more:

1.  In addition to the materials for the basic steps above (not instead of, but in addition to!)  I love to get these Scriptures into my art!  Here's what I have selected as I start my memorization of the book of Ephesians to keep the materials simple for all of you to begin your own with me! (Remember, I recommend you start with a Psalm or Proverb or maybe even the Christmas Story in Luke until you are confident in the method):

  I pull out all my alphabet Inspired Stamps, ink, and acrylic blocks (as well as other stamps that are good for Art Journaling)

 This is my favorite journal because it's big, It has a closure, and it can handle any ink I want to throw on it!  You can use a mixed-media journal or paper that you choose!

I am sticking with watercolors (mostly) and permanent WATERPROOF pens/markers.  I always have a Signo white pen for white ink!

2.  Here is how I made my first page for my Jude Art Journal (I used watercolor paper and a mix of acrylics for this book so starting next Friday, you'll see the watercolors in my new Ephesians Art Journal):

 I start off painting my background.  Then I write in the first couple of words.  Do not worry if you don't like the black on a darker part of paint at this point.  I'll show you how to make it better later:

The word bond-servant is significant in this verse so I used my SOLID ALPHABET LOWERCASE  Inspired Stamps to stamp it in.  My paint is dry, so the Momento works fine here (otherwise I'd have to use the Staz-On so it wouldn't run if I'd planned to watercolor more over it.)

 I continue writing and stamping to get the photo above.  I can leave it like that, but I want to show you how to make it pop with the white Signo pen:

It just makes it look SO MUCH better with that.  I also added 'tails' to all my letters (could use dots, etc).

So now not only am I thinking on these words all day, but I am incorporating it into my Art Journaling!  This is the BEST way to start keeping a Scripture Art Journal I know of.  You don't have to think of what to write, you get to play with the paints, then write God's Word in the book.  This completed album becomes an artistic treasure of God's Word that I can use to review once I know this book!

I'd love to hear your questions or feedback!  Let me know in the comments if this is something you'd like to try!

I'll be back next Friday for part 2 of this.  I'll share all 7 days of my Ephesians' Art Journal with you and share some more tips as we go!

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE POSTS in this series!

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I pray you will be blessed with storing God's Word in YOUR heart, as well!
Blessings,
Antoinette

www.inspiredstamps.com

shop the online store for all your Scripture Stamping needs!

2x2 Single Scripture Stamps ($3.99): 3 piece Card Sets!

Hello friends!
Today the Design Team has done a beautiful job showing you how to use our $3.99 2x2 Single Scripture stamps to make beautiful sets of cards!  Deneen starts us off with her embossed set of elegant cards:

Gaby is up next:

Jamie made these beauties:

Patty made these:

Belinda's set:

Chere finishes up today with her set of 3:

Beautiful work, Design Team!!

FRIDAY be sure to join us Friday evening as we begin the first of 4 Fridays in August where we focus on SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION...creatively!

Have a great night!
Blessings,
Antoinette and the DT

www.inspiredstamps.com

shop the online store: we ship most orders within 1 business day they are placed!

August NEW STAMP RELEASE + winners announced!

 Hello friends!

We are so excited to share with you 5 BRAND NEW SINGLE SCRIPTURE $3.99 stamps in our August release!! ALL of these stamps can be found showcased on the first page of our store:  www.inspiredstamps.com  

be sure to take a look at the RETIRING STAMP/Clearance category as you shop to get some amazing deals in addition to these new stamps!

Above, Deneen starts us off up above with her beautiful card made with this new stamp (John 10:17-18):

Patty also used this set to make her card:

Jamie's card followed by the new $3.99 stamp set she used (1 John 3:1):

Chere's card followed by the stamp set she used (Hebrews 11:6):

Gaby's card followed by the stamp set she used (James 1:17):

 Deneen's card using the new $3.99 Single Scripture stamp (Isaiah 43:1):

Anita also made a card with this set:

and with the John 10:17-18 set:

Beautiful job, Design Team!  I love these new verses so much and love your cards that display them so beautifully, too!!

WINNERS FROM LAST WEEK'S CHRISTMAS CARD SET BLOGHOP:
Winning both Christmas Girl and Christmas Boy by leaving a comment on the Inspired Stamps blog is...
VALBY DESIGN: VALERIE

From each of the DT blogs, each winner will receive the CHRISTMAS BOY stamp:
DENEEN's BLOG winner is...CULTIVATE LIFE IN JOY
JAMIE'S BLOG winner is... lorby
GABY'S BLOG winner is...Joyfully Blessed
PATTY'S BLOG winner is...Pat (mspfd)
JENN'S BLOG winner is...NJ Stamping Queen
CHERE'S BLOG winner is...Angeline
KARY'S BLOG winner is...Maria

WINNER's have until Sunday August 11th to EMAIL us at inspiredstamps@gmail.com to claim your prize.  You will need to include your mailing address in your email so we can mail these right out to you!  Congratulations, ladies, and thank you all for your support of Inspired Stamps!  We wouldn't be here without you!!

Blessings,
Antoinette and the Thursday Design Team!
                                              We ship most orders out within 1 business day!

www.inspiredstamps.com

RETIRING STAMPS: $7.99 or less for over 40 sets!

Hello friends!

We are running low (under 10 sets left in stock of several stamp sets!) of several of our RETIRING/CLEARANCE stamp sets so if you are interested be sure to pop over to the online store and get what you want before it's gone forever!

We have BRAND NEW RELEASES coming to the online store on THURSDAY of this week!  Be sure to stop by and see who all won stamps from our Christmas blog hop last week (we are choosing a winner from EACH of the blog hop sites plus 2 STAMPS will be going home with someone who commented on this blog!)  You have until midnight EST Wednesday to comment on the blogs to be eligible to be chosen.  I will post each winner's name here on this blog THURSDAY with all  the NEW RELEASE sets, so be sure to stop back by then!

Have a great day!
Blessings,
Antoinette                        shipping orders within 1 business day of you placing your order!

www.inspiredstamps.com

Christmas Card Set BLOGHOP + Prizes on EACH blog!!

Good Morning!  We are officially 5 months from Christmas Day and our Design Team is ready to inspire you with Christmas Card SETS you will be able to recreate and use for your own card-giving this year!

We will be giving away one of our His Little Ones Christmas Character stamps to a randomly drawn commenter on EACH of the blogs in our bloghop!  You don't have to comment on each blog to win, but you will be entered in the drawing in each blog you do comment on!  And be sure to stop back by here and tell us what you liked about the bloghop...we are giving away 2 HLO Christmas Character stamps here to a commenter of THIS blog!

I don't want to spoil the fun, so head on over to each of the blogs below (I gave you a sneak peek of Deneen's above, but trust me, you want to see ALL her cards!):

Inspired Stamps blog (you are here!)
CLICK HERE TO START HOPPING:  Deneen

next will be:

Jamie
Gaby
  Patty  
Jenn
Chere
Kary
Inspired Stamps blog

(If you get lost, just come back here and click on the next person!)
 

Have a happy hop!  Don't forget to leave comments for your chance to win!  Winners announced next Thursday in our DT POST WITH AUGUST NEW RELEASES!!

blessings,

Antoinette

www.inspiredstamps.com