When I got the spark of inspiration to start ScrapFaith I imagined an online community where members of all faith could come together, learn about each other and scrap something important to them. Maybe I was a bit too idealistic in that thought. I gathered an amazing and inspirational team from all different faiths and we set out to inspire the scrapbooking world.
I thought my idea was a great one, inspiring and including all faiths, but it never seemed to take. I received some amazing emails over the course of the last year and a half. From women who were uplifted by our site and loved the challenges. But for every uplifting email I received more negative emails. Complaining about some of our team not being mainstream Christian, reader's religions not being showcased enough or some other detail. Honestly, I wish those readers could have taken a step back and looked at the big picture. I guess there is nothing you can do about individuals bent on seeing the glass as half empty. Those emails truly effected me, since I had poured so much of myself into this site.
As time passed, month after month my amazing team put their most personal feelings onto amazing layouts and projects with the aim to uplift and inspire. And month after month we received little or no comments on their creations. After a while, this lack of any sort of positive feedback deflated all of us.
So I think it's time to say goodbye.
I want to say a truly whole-hearted thank you to each and every member of the ScrapFaith team for your amazing and inspiring dedication, you gorgeous layouts and your willingness to put yourself out on the line and talk about something so very personal as your faith.
Below you will find our list of challenges so anyone who wishes to can follow along and scrap something that is so central in so many of our lives....our beliefs.
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1.15.2009
The Challenges
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01. Religious Roots
02. Core Beliefs
03. Sabbath Day
04. Define Faith
05. Favorite Scripture
06. Last Words
07. Holiday Celebrations
08. Spiritual Goals
09. Rites of Passage
10. Love of Diety
11. Spiritual Heroes
12. Spiritual Songs/Poems
13. Rebellion
14. Do You Know?
15. Influence
16. A Mother's Faith
17. Of Another Faith
18. Three Things
19. Memorable Men
20. Define Spirituality
21. Answered Prayers
22. Unanswered Prayers
23. After Life
24. Images of Faith
25. I Believe In...
26. Life's Purpose
27. Testimony of Service
28. Family Faith
29. Holiday Happenings
30. Spiritual Goals 2009
31. Faith Connections
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01. Religious Roots
02. Core Beliefs
03. Sabbath Day
04. Define Faith
05. Favorite Scripture
06. Last Words
07. Holiday Celebrations
08. Spiritual Goals
09. Rites of Passage
10. Love of Diety
11. Spiritual Heroes
12. Spiritual Songs/Poems
13. Rebellion
14. Do You Know?
15. Influence
16. A Mother's Faith
17. Of Another Faith
18. Three Things
19. Memorable Men
20. Define Spirituality
21. Answered Prayers
22. Unanswered Prayers
23. After Life
24. Images of Faith
25. I Believe In...
26. Life's Purpose
27. Testimony of Service
28. Family Faith
29. Holiday Happenings
30. Spiritual Goals 2009
31. Faith Connections
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1.14.2009
Challenge: Faith Connections
Fellowship is a large part of many faiths. Coming to know and inspire each other helps us grow in our faith and make lasting friendships.
The challenge is to document how you connect with other member of your faith. Whether it's online, at worship services or with a girls night out.
Here's what some of our team created.
Brandy
Stacey
Danielle
The challenge is to document how you connect with other member of your faith. Whether it's online, at worship services or with a girls night out.
Here's what some of our team created.
Stacey
Danielle
1.10.2009
Thoughts On....God
By: Yvonne Berry Wunderlich
"We are all part of the One Spirit. When you experience the true meaning of religion, which is to know God, you will realize that He is your Self, and that He exists equally and impartially in all beings." (Man’s Eternal Quest)
Paramahansa Yogananda, widely revered as one of the spiritual figures of our time. Yogananda introduced over the world India's age-old philosophy of Yoga and its time honored tradition of meditation. Yogananda emphasized the underlying unity of the world’s great religions and taught methods for attaining direct personal experience with God. Born on January 5,1893 in Gorakhpu India, into devout and well to do Bengali family. In 1917, Yogananda began his life’s work with the founding of a school for boys, where modern educational methods were combined with yoga training and instruction in spiritual ideals.
Yogananda founded Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920 to make available the universal teachings of Kriya Yoga, a sacred spiritual science originating millenniums ago in India. Today, the Self-Realization Fellowship has hundreds of centers throughout the world. Yogananda is also a best-selling author. His life story, Autobiography of a Yogi, is widely regarded as a modern spiritual classic.
Yogananda, believed as I do, that all religions, although different at times in ideology are all basically the same and held together under the same premise. That premise being the belief in God and the possibility to gain a closer relationship with Him through said religion. I firmly believe that God reveals himself in everything that I do.
How does God reveal himself to you?
.
"We are all part of the One Spirit. When you experience the true meaning of religion, which is to know God, you will realize that He is your Self, and that He exists equally and impartially in all beings." (Man’s Eternal Quest)
Paramahansa Yogananda, widely revered as one of the spiritual figures of our time. Yogananda introduced over the world India's age-old philosophy of Yoga and its time honored tradition of meditation. Yogananda emphasized the underlying unity of the world’s great religions and taught methods for attaining direct personal experience with God. Born on January 5,1893 in Gorakhpu India, into devout and well to do Bengali family. In 1917, Yogananda began his life’s work with the founding of a school for boys, where modern educational methods were combined with yoga training and instruction in spiritual ideals.
Yogananda founded Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920 to make available the universal teachings of Kriya Yoga, a sacred spiritual science originating millenniums ago in India. Today, the Self-Realization Fellowship has hundreds of centers throughout the world. Yogananda is also a best-selling author. His life story, Autobiography of a Yogi, is widely regarded as a modern spiritual classic.
Yogananda, believed as I do, that all religions, although different at times in ideology are all basically the same and held together under the same premise. That premise being the belief in God and the possibility to gain a closer relationship with Him through said religion. I firmly believe that God reveals himself in everything that I do.
How does God reveal himself to you?
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1.05.2009
Thoughts On...Prayer
By: Heidi Sonboul
Did you think to pray?
When you wake in the morning do you think to pray? Most mornings it can be hard to kneel in prayer as you wipe your sleepy eyes and are reminded of the many things on your to do list. Often we forget to give thanks to our Father or ask for a little help when needed.
Starting your day off by talking with your Father in Heaven can fill your spirit with joy, while at the same time inviting peace into your day. At the end of our day, remember to kneel and report back to your Father in Heaven. Review the events of the day and express heartfelt thanks for the blessings and the help you received. Ask for assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, this will help identify ways you can do and become better tomorrow.
The power of prayer is just a kneel away.
Remember to talk time from him and he will bless and guide your daily life.
Please share a comment about your experiences with daily prayer.
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Did you think to pray?When you wake in the morning do you think to pray? Most mornings it can be hard to kneel in prayer as you wipe your sleepy eyes and are reminded of the many things on your to do list. Often we forget to give thanks to our Father or ask for a little help when needed.
Starting your day off by talking with your Father in Heaven can fill your spirit with joy, while at the same time inviting peace into your day. At the end of our day, remember to kneel and report back to your Father in Heaven. Review the events of the day and express heartfelt thanks for the blessings and the help you received. Ask for assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, this will help identify ways you can do and become better tomorrow.
The power of prayer is just a kneel away.
Remember to talk time from him and he will bless and guide your daily life.
Please share a comment about your experiences with daily prayer.
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1.01.2009
Challenge: Spiritual Goals for 2009 (Jan 1-15)
Of course, it's the time of year for goal setting.
And along with so many goals to lose weight and get fit,
we also sometimes make room for some spiritual goals.
The challenge is to document your spiritual goals for 2009.
Here are the layouts from our fabulous team...
Heidi
Yvonne
Emilie
Deborah
Kristie
And along with so many goals to lose weight and get fit,
we also sometimes make room for some spiritual goals.
The challenge is to document your spiritual goals for 2009.
Here are the layouts from our fabulous team...
Yvonne
Emilie
Deborah
Kristie
12.24.2008
12.15.2008
Challenge: Holiday Happenings (Dec 15-31)
I'm sure most of us are in the full swing of Holiday preparations. What a fun time of year!
Most families have traditions and acitivites which are repeated each year and many times those activites show our focus during this Holiday season.
The challenge is to document this year's preparation for the holidays. How does your faith affect which activities you participate in?
Here are our team's creations...
Deborah
Brandy
Jill
Most families have traditions and acitivites which are repeated each year and many times those activites show our focus during this Holiday season.
The challenge is to document this year's preparation for the holidays. How does your faith affect which activities you participate in?
Here are our team's creations...
Deborah
Brandy
Jill
12.14.2008
Keeping Christ in Christmas
*Please note that this post is intended to give ideas for parents who are searching for ways to involve Christ more in their holiday celebrations. It is in no why a judgement call on wheter or not one should expose their children to Santa.
My family is famous (or should I say infamous?) among our friends because we don't tell our kids about Santa. Invariably there are two reactions to this discovery...
1. WOW! That is so great! I should try that with my kids.
2. How could you?!! You are robbing your children of their childhood!
Regardless of whether your family are die-hard Santa enthusiasts or not, I thought it might be helpful for those searching for ideas on how to refocus their Holiday to list a few ideas we have implemented and that I have heard of from others. You may wish to implement some, all or none of these ideas. Or change them slightly to fit your family's needs.
No Santa
I don't anti-Santa my kids, I just never mention him to them. Of course they pick up on hints of him other places, from other children or from television. I don't care about them hearing about him, I just never mention him or bring him up. I also don't usually purchase holiday decor with his likeness on it. When children get older and ask specifically about him you can say that St. Nicholas was a real man who gave to the needy and some people still celebrate his goodness.
This is the tricky part....once your kids get older you explain to them that other kids like to believe there is a Santa and that they should never "spill the beans" under penalty of ____________ (fill in grave punishment here).
.....................................................................................................................
Christmas Gifts
In our family we only give three gifts to each person. The three gifts represent the Three Wise men. This not only helps take the focus away from material things, but also makes the parent's lives much less stressful and then we can also enjoy the meaning of the season.
.....................................................................................................................
Gifts to the Savior
But an ancient looking box from a craft store and some inexpensive gold floral beads. You can purchase Frankincense and Myrrh from ebay. Put your gold, frankincense and myrrh into your ancient box along with parchment paper.
Each Christmas Eve, take a moment as a family to write on the parchment what your gifts to the Savior will be for that year. It may be cursing a little less, always being honest or treating others with more kindness. The following year, each person re-reads there gift from the previous year before recording their new gift.
.....................................................................................................................
Gifts to Each Other
When I was young, my crafty mother made a large wall-hanging that came out every Christmas-time. It had a large heart pocket in the center which held small papers and pencils. Around the edges was a heart pocket for each member of the family, labeled with their name.
Throughout the month of December, we were encouraged to do nice things for our siblings and write them down and slip them into their pocket. Making their bed, a small candy gift or helping with a chore. This increased our awareness that the holidays are about giving to each other and serving each other in the spirit of Christ.
.....................................................................................................................
The Magic of Christmas
As a child, I distinctly remember my Mother telling me the Christmas story. And the way she told it was completely magical. I firmly believe that the magic of the story is in the delivery. She explained to me that when Mary and her cousin Elizabeth saw each other their babies leapt within them since they already knew eachother. What is more magical than that? I was entranced. No fat man stuffing himself down a chimney would have replaced the amazing miracle of the Son of God being born to a Virgin in my childlike mind.
.....................................................................................................................
Celebrating Christ's Birth
Every Christmas day my little family would meet at my In-Laws house for a special tradition. After dinner we each get a individual ice cream ball rolled in coconut with a small birthday day candle. We all sing Happy Birthday to You to the Baby Jesus and then blow out the candle. This definitely reiterates the true meaning of Christmas to children and brings a feeling of celebration in to your Holidays.
.....................................................................................................................
Get Hands On
There are an increasing number of fun and child-proof nativities available. Along with your family's formal Nativity scene consider purchasing a Nativity set that children can play with. They can act out the Christmas story and it is a great and fun learning tool. Check out these child safe Nativities Sets...
Little People Nativity Set
Learning Journey Wooden Nativity
Kurt Adler Hand Carved Nativity Set
Oriental Trading Company also has sticker sets, magnets, wall hangings and other items pertaining to the Nativity and they are offering free shipping if you order by December 15th.
The photo above is from Oriental Trading Company. I purchased it for my family this year. Click here to order it for $13 with free shipping using code FREESHIPALL at checkout.
.....................................................................................................................
If you have any special Christ-centered traditions, please share them in the comments.
.
.
My family is famous (or should I say infamous?) among our friends because we don't tell our kids about Santa. Invariably there are two reactions to this discovery...
1. WOW! That is so great! I should try that with my kids.
2. How could you?!! You are robbing your children of their childhood!
Regardless of whether your family are die-hard Santa enthusiasts or not, I thought it might be helpful for those searching for ideas on how to refocus their Holiday to list a few ideas we have implemented and that I have heard of from others. You may wish to implement some, all or none of these ideas. Or change them slightly to fit your family's needs.
No Santa
I don't anti-Santa my kids, I just never mention him to them. Of course they pick up on hints of him other places, from other children or from television. I don't care about them hearing about him, I just never mention him or bring him up. I also don't usually purchase holiday decor with his likeness on it. When children get older and ask specifically about him you can say that St. Nicholas was a real man who gave to the needy and some people still celebrate his goodness.
This is the tricky part....once your kids get older you explain to them that other kids like to believe there is a Santa and that they should never "spill the beans" under penalty of ____________ (fill in grave punishment here).
.....................................................................................................................
Christmas Gifts
In our family we only give three gifts to each person. The three gifts represent the Three Wise men. This not only helps take the focus away from material things, but also makes the parent's lives much less stressful and then we can also enjoy the meaning of the season.
.....................................................................................................................
Gifts to the Savior
But an ancient looking box from a craft store and some inexpensive gold floral beads. You can purchase Frankincense and Myrrh from ebay. Put your gold, frankincense and myrrh into your ancient box along with parchment paper.
Each Christmas Eve, take a moment as a family to write on the parchment what your gifts to the Savior will be for that year. It may be cursing a little less, always being honest or treating others with more kindness. The following year, each person re-reads there gift from the previous year before recording their new gift.
.....................................................................................................................
Gifts to Each Other
When I was young, my crafty mother made a large wall-hanging that came out every Christmas-time. It had a large heart pocket in the center which held small papers and pencils. Around the edges was a heart pocket for each member of the family, labeled with their name.
Throughout the month of December, we were encouraged to do nice things for our siblings and write them down and slip them into their pocket. Making their bed, a small candy gift or helping with a chore. This increased our awareness that the holidays are about giving to each other and serving each other in the spirit of Christ.
.....................................................................................................................
The Magic of Christmas
As a child, I distinctly remember my Mother telling me the Christmas story. And the way she told it was completely magical. I firmly believe that the magic of the story is in the delivery. She explained to me that when Mary and her cousin Elizabeth saw each other their babies leapt within them since they already knew eachother. What is more magical than that? I was entranced. No fat man stuffing himself down a chimney would have replaced the amazing miracle of the Son of God being born to a Virgin in my childlike mind.
.....................................................................................................................
Celebrating Christ's Birth
Every Christmas day my little family would meet at my In-Laws house for a special tradition. After dinner we each get a individual ice cream ball rolled in coconut with a small birthday day candle. We all sing Happy Birthday to You to the Baby Jesus and then blow out the candle. This definitely reiterates the true meaning of Christmas to children and brings a feeling of celebration in to your Holidays.
.....................................................................................................................
Get Hands On
There are an increasing number of fun and child-proof nativities available. Along with your family's formal Nativity scene consider purchasing a Nativity set that children can play with. They can act out the Christmas story and it is a great and fun learning tool. Check out these child safe Nativities Sets...
Little People Nativity Set
Learning Journey Wooden Nativity
Kurt Adler Hand Carved Nativity Set
Oriental Trading Company also has sticker sets, magnets, wall hangings and other items pertaining to the Nativity and they are offering free shipping if you order by December 15th.
The photo above is from Oriental Trading Company. I purchased it for my family this year. Click here to order it for $13 with free shipping using code FREESHIPALL at checkout.
.....................................................................................................................
If you have any special Christ-centered traditions, please share them in the comments.
.
.
12.08.2008
Publication call for Faith based pages
Please Note: ScrapFaith is not affiliated with Scrapbook News and Review in any way. We merely saw this call online and are publishing it here for our readers.
Are you ready to be published in the fastest growing online magazine in the industry?
Scrapbook News and Review is looking for your Faith Based pages and projects.
What we are looking for:
*Pages or projects dealing with Resolutions- making resolutions for the new year, decisions you have made concerning your Spiritual walk, or Commitment pages concerning a Spiritual issue that you are working on.
* Pages or projects that show a year in review, or year end pages. Pages that take stock of where you are, where you are going, or where you want to be going spiritually.
The details:
--All Pages/projects should be submitted by Dec 20th.
--Images should be no larger than 550 pixels on the longest side
--Image names should include card name and your name...For Example: Happy Birthday by Mary Smith.jpg --Please include complete supply list in submission
--Please include contact information.
--Pages may be previously seen. If chosen, we respectfully request they be removed from any blogs or galleries. An 'Out for Publication' sign will be provided upon request.
--send submissions to: ahouse@scrapbooknewsandreview.com
Are you ready to be published in the fastest growing online magazine in the industry?
Scrapbook News and Review is looking for your Faith Based pages and projects.
What we are looking for:
*Pages or projects dealing with Resolutions- making resolutions for the new year, decisions you have made concerning your Spiritual walk, or Commitment pages concerning a Spiritual issue that you are working on.
* Pages or projects that show a year in review, or year end pages. Pages that take stock of where you are, where you are going, or where you want to be going spiritually.
The details:
--All Pages/projects should be submitted by Dec 20th.
--Images should be no larger than 550 pixels on the longest side
--Image names should include card name and your name...For Example: Happy Birthday by Mary Smith.jpg --Please include complete supply list in submission
--Please include contact information.
--Pages may be previously seen. If chosen, we respectfully request they be removed from any blogs or galleries. An 'Out for Publication' sign will be provided upon request.
--send submissions to: ahouse@scrapbooknewsandreview.com
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