Creative Tuesdays – What Does a Stamp tell us?
Our prompt from Creative Tuesdays this week is “Stamps”. I thought a lot about stamps this past week.
I realize they can say much about our civilization. What goes on a stamp? Almost anything. But here are some notable ones: kings, queens, heads of state, important events, important figures, historical figures, causes, art. Each country has different stamps. I used to collect stamps as a kid. But you know I never really knew what they stood for or why I collected them. No one explained the meaning behind them or the countries they represented.
We collect stamps at our church. They go to the Canadian Bible Society.
- The revenue generated from the stamps allow CBS to purchase Bibles for Canadian prison ministry.
- 10 lbs of stamps = approx 5 Bibles for distribution
Today I thought I would look at the world over the past 2000 years. One thing has remained the same: the poor are still with us just as Jesus said they would be.
Jesus said: “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me (Matthew 26:11, NIV).”
We know that to live we need at least these four basics:
Food, Shelter, Clothing and Transportation
In our small town our food bank looks after those who are in need for nourishment, clothing, health, and fuel for winter months. Transportation in our town necessitates a vehicle or a friend with a vehicle. The county has tried different methods to alleviate the problem, but our wide area hampers this. Our town is definitely short of affordable housing. We are working on that too.
What is HASP?
In 2014 God put a burden on my husband’s heart for single parents in our town. He wanted to do more than send them to the foodbank. He wanted to help them get out of their cycle of poverty. In 2014 HASP, Haliburton Assistance for Single Parents, became a charity. HASP aims to help single parents continue past high school in order to increase their chances of getting a good job.
Our aim is to break the cycle of poverty whereby single parents, at a very young age, simply accept a life of living on social assistance programs or low paying jobs. We want to improve their economic status by enhancing their marketable skills through educational opportunities. We want to remove the obstacles that keep someone out of the classroom.
If you are interested in helping us with this charity or if you want information of how to start your own charity for single parents, please email HASP. Check out our website – HASP – Haliburton Assistance for Single Parents.
My artwork for the stamps comes from my thinking of the past 2000 years. If a stamp had been printed in Jerusalem would it look like this one?
And if we were to look at our world today and made a stamp for The World would it look like this one?
That’s my thoughts for this week.
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Blessings,
Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. Available in Kindle Format, in bookstores, online and from her website. Curriculum available upon request. Janis also is a contributor to Hope Stream Radio. Join her on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
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Beautiful stamps. Stamps that have their own message–I enjoyed your creative post. And I am happy to read about the ministry to single parents!
Looks like you enjoyed this theme. Wonderful watercolor. Thanks for sharing with us. 🙂
Yes, I think this could easily be considered two ways–the theme–hard or easy. Glad you got something extra out of it and a good, consistent message in those stamps from you. Like the painting style here too. Thank you.
I love these stamps! I too was really into stamps as a kid, and I got some really neat stamp pins from my parents (I think from the Smithsonian, they were commemorative and looked like stamps but they were brass and wearable on jackets– they had birds on them, and they are still wearable and beautiful to this day). I agree that stamps tell us so much, and it’s a wonderful way to see art, different cultures, and how snail mail has been able to stay alive and well today. Wonderful job!
Donna,
That’s great that you have some treasures from your childhood. I think I am more in love with stamps after this exercise. Snail mail isn’t what it used to be but still special.
Thanks,
Janis
You are stamped with the image of God. Rejoice!
Yes, aren’t we all – love that. I wish I had thought of it.
Blessings,
Janis
Janis, I loved your thoughts and art about stamps. Very creative. I collected stamps as a kid too. And what a wonderful thing for your hubby (and you) to do with regards to HASP. I didn’t have time to create anything new for CT. I decided it was more important to spend time with family for a change. 🙂
Tracy,
Believe me if this challenge hadn’t made me start thinking I would have left it – but had some time before the busy wonderful weekend with family so just did it.
Decisions are important.
Blessings to you,
Janis
Glad you did find time to do this, Janis! 🙂
Beautiful stamps you made and a beautiful post! I can tell you enjoyed this challenge.
Thanks so much Christine. And yes I enjoyed this challenge. Sometimes the best challenges make us think, pray and ponder.
Blessings,
Janis