I’ve been thinking this week, as I’ve worked on more of the polymer only pendants, about the bible verses I’ve picked to use for my jewelry. I’ve been pondering what makes a verse a favorite. I’ve even wondered if I could compile the top ten favorite bible verses… ? Personally, my favorite is always changing. (so I end up keeping a lot of designs for myself! 😉 Hey, it’s a form of marketing to wear my own work.)
I’ve got my “go to” verses that I’ve used in virtually every style of pendant. I’ve got molds of them in different sizes and fonts and text allignment. Some of these “go to” verses would include Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
Psalm 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?”
“A new command I give to you, Love one another.” John 13:34.
And Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
different styles, same verse
Admittedly, I have a couple practical concerns beyond the theological: can it fit on the silver or polymer piece? Will the text be large enough for people to read it? (I’m nearsighted, so this isn’t my problem, but usually whenever I show my husband a new piece with a new verse, he just looks at me and asks what it says!!) Can I put the verse on the shape I want to use? Which translation do I like best? (Usually, I use NIV, but occasionally KJV or another.)
But in a larger sense, what makes a verse someone’s beloved? Is it words that offer comfort? Does it encourage in time of stress? Does it matter if they are OT or NT? God speaking, or Jesus’ words, or Peter or Paul’s?
Frankly, no one has ever asked me for a custom order with a verse from Leviticus. Or Numbers. Actually, I’ve used relatively few OT verses outside of Psalms. And I tend to steer clear of Revelation, though there are lots of good verses of encouragement there, because there are lots of verses about judgment, too. Plus, I don’t want to get caught sideways of anyone’s theological disputes about the end of time.
I once read somewhere that John 3:16 was universally the most beloved bible verse. (Don’t quote me, cause I can’t remember the source, and don’t know how that was determined.) And before, or after Max Lucado used it for a title, I’m not sure?
But in Jesus’ words, it is the essential catechism. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
No human writer has ever said it more perfectly.
What’s your favorite verse? And why?
Have an awesome weekend,
Patti
Patricia Kimle Designs 
That’s a great question. I’m like you my favorite is always changing depending on what is going on in my life. I really like the verse from Psalms 32 that says “create in me a clean heart , O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”- that one sticks with me no matter what is going on because it is my prayer to God.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (That’s somewhere near the beginning of John 1.)
Only my really favorite verse is the gospel of John–but you probably can’t fit that on a pair of earrings, huh? 😉
Oh, Patti, what medium and sealer did you use to achieve the beautiful rich colors on your two pendants at the top of your blog page? Simply beautiful.
Thank you.
Cheryl
Cherylmoyer@msn.com
Cheryl, those pieces are fine silver backed with polymer clay. The polymer is a mix of clay, acrylic paints and other assorted bits mixed in and covered in translucent clay. They are polished with an acrylic varnish.
Thank you, Patti! I had no idea that acrylic paint, translucent clay, and acrylic varnish would produce such rich and striking colors.
Okay, now for the really dumb question. (I could not be more new to Polymer Clay if I tried.) What color was the base clay. Or are you saying that the paints were actually mixed into the clay before it was fired?