Too Much Happy Card---Come Over our Neighborhood at 613 Avenue Create for Another Anything Goes with a Twist Challenge!

Good Sunday morning, folks!  I know, I know...It's been a while since my last post but got to have that much needed break and although needing more rest after vacation (LOL), I'm back to the regular routine including Cardmaking.  It feels weird to come back to my craft table, wondering what to do first, and for an hour or so, had to browse on some Card magazines to get some inspiration.  Yet throughout the flipping of pages, I know in my heart that the Lord will guide me to the perfect theme, colors and lay-out and I am a living proof that He never fails.  I found a couple of lay-out inspiration but the rest of the ideas come as I go along.  I would like to say that the same is true in our lives.  There's many times we are out of ideas and have tried every way possible for things to go as smoothly as they can but we cannot deny the fact that everything is dependent upon what the Lord would allow.  Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." We don't even know what life may bring us in the next 5 minutes thus, it is wise to entrust everything to our Maker and His Son, Jesus Christ, to whom we are sure of victory.  You see, God created every human being with a purpose.  Yes, even the meanest, heinous, person on earth has a purpose in this life. Yet, the  Lord didn't want anyone to perish but to live.  His Word declares in 1 Timothy 2:3-4 says, "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Sadly, people only knows of a loving, merciful God yet neglect/object the fact that He is also a Righteous Judge.  Almighty God, knowing that man's fate is eternal separation from Him, He suffered His own wrath by appointing His Son, Jesus Christ (whose the Only qualified ransom) to suffer the punishment for every man's rebellion against Him.  That if we "repent" ( making a 180 degrees turn) from our wicked ways and receive what Jesus Christ did on our behalf (dying in our place so we can live a new life in God's Kingdom as co-heirs with Him), we are sure to live eternal life with Him.  Truth to be told, people embraces a loving God but rejects a God that demands righteousness on His people. When the Word of God confronts their immorality, they throw God and His people out of the window in disobedience and rebellion.  Instead, they have obeyed their evil passions, burning with lustful desires for one another yet they invoke God's love when anyone points out to them the destruction that they subjected themselves to.  I want you to know that telling the Truth about God's call for repentance, no matter how loving and courteous you are, is translated as hate and bigotry in our days.  Yet the Bible tells us in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  God gave us these verses for such a time as this in the world.  Now, more than ever, every believer of Jesus Christ is under attack.  If you are unaware of this, come out of your bubble and seek the facts deeper than mainstream media will give you. Are we supposed to freak out and ball in tears?  No, not at all! While there is time (before the Rapture of the Church when Christ comes for His Bride---The Church), we are to make every moment count.  Be the salt and light in this world, standing up against any power that seeks to oppress men on earth and bringing the will of God on earth as it is in heaven.  We can do this by prayer of faith (without ceasing) and by putting this faith into action.  Though it may seem overwhelming, we are never to trust in our own abilities---but with everything in us, TRUST ONLY GOD!  God made me for this very moment in time and I will make my life count for Him according to the purpose He has appointed unto me before the beginning of time.  Here are some verses we can meditate on in our daily walk in this world...

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:16-20)

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)

Anyway, here's the card I made for this week's Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  As always, it's everyone's favorite---Anything Goes with an optional twist of "Create Your Own Challenge" if you want to sweat it out a bit...LOL  One of our sponsors this week is The Paper Shelter and they were generous enough to let me play with one (out of the three) image/s in the "Happy Days" Mega Pack.  I colored this very cute "Trampoline Boy" with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  I used a Kraft CS, cut and scored, measuring 5.5 inches square for a card base and matting and several DP's (some from Recollections) from my scraps.  The border sentiment is from Will 'n Way clear stamps and the wonderful main sentiment is a freebie from Create with TLC.  I added some ribbons, white nail head gems from Imaginisce, a brad top from Heidi Grace and some Glossy Accents on the trampoline image for added dimension (it may not show clearly in the pic.)  I just love how this turn out and all I can say is "Thank You, Jesus, for the strength and inspiration to create."  I would love to hear from you so, please leave me some comments. 

Cross references:

1. Matthew 5:11 : Isa 51:7
2. Matthew 5:11 : S Jn 15:21
3. Matthew 5:12 : Ps 9:2; Ac 5:41; S 2Co 6:10; 12:10; Col 1:24; Jas 1:2; 1Pe 1:6; 4:13, 16
4. Matthew 5:12 : 2Ch 36:16; Mt 23:31, 37; Ac 7:52; 1Th 2:15; Heb 11:32-3

 TOO MUCH HAPPY CARD:

 TOO MUCH HAPPY CARD LAYERS:

 TOO MUCH HAPPY CARD INSIDE:

TOO MUCH HAPPY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

2 Sisters---ATG
A.R.T. Card Challenges---ATG
As you Like It---Favorite Sentiment and Why (True happiness is something no money can buy)
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Crafter's Cafe---Die Cuts/Punches
Crafting By Designs---ATG
Crafts 4 Eternity---ATG
Creative Inspirations Paint---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG/Frame It
Di's Digis---Show Off those Coloring Skills
Drunken Stampers---Die-Cuts
My Craft Creations---ATG
Simon Says Stamp---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Make It Monday---ATG
Create with TLC---Show it Off Sunday
Digitally Sweet---ATG
Ladybug Crafts---ATG
Inspire Me Fridays---ATG
4 Krafty Girlz---ATG
Whimsy Stamps---Masculine

There you go, folks! I hope you have such a wonderful Sunday honoring and praising our Savior, Jesus Christ, with the rest of the people from every nation.  Don't forget to visit us and join the fun at 613 Avenue Create for an "Anything Goes Challenge with an Optional Twist" and link up your projects.  If you are wondering what "Create Your Own Challenge" is (the twist this week), you can look it up at the Challenge site and we have the instructions on what it's all about.  God bless you always and love y'all!