Hello there, friends! I am a day delayed posting my artwork for Word Art Wednesday (WAW) Challenge in this Blog but got it posted in the Challenge in time. With all the things that needs attention each day, it's easy to just get distracted. That and all the craziness happening in this world has some sort of an impact in my life. God has gifted me with compassion that I truly get affected by not only the things happening around me but what is happening in the world. I rejoice when there's good report and gets so sad when evil is apparent, mostly when the Truth ("reality" in God's perspective) is being twisted by selfish people who does not feel accountable to God for their actions. I stopped listening to "mainstream media" who have long stopped reporting a "balanced news" but have made themselves "agents" and "puppets" of a demonic force. I say demonic because they primarily support anything that is against the "Word of God." I had a discussion with a new found friend and had to tell her that I don't want to be affiliated with any Government parties because my affiliation is truly with the Lord Jesus. Whatever God says is what I am going to support. A policy may sound so good but if it's contrary to the Word of God, I will not support it in anyway. Take for example Woman's right vs. Abortion---The Word of God declares in Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that
God knows us before He forms us in the womb. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks of God’s active role in our
creation and formation in the womb. Exodus 21:22-25 prescribes the same penalty—death—for
someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as for someone who commits
murder. This clearly indicates that God considers a baby in the womb to be as
human as a full-grown adult. For the Christian, abortion is not a matter of a
woman’s right to choose. It is a matter of the life or death of a human being
made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6). How about amnesty for illegal immigrants? Romans 13:1-7 makes it
abundantly clear that God expects us to obey the laws of the government. The
only exception to this is when a law of the government forces you to
disobey a command of God (Acts
5:29). Illegal immigration is the breaking of a governmental law. There is
nothing in Scripture that contradicts a nation having immigration laws.
Therefore, it is a sin, rebellion against God, to illegally enter another
country. I am very familiar with going through Immigration Laws as I went through every legal means needed when I decided to marry my husband. There were uncertainties, time and emotions invested as we go from one document to another. The time of separation, external forces that came unexpectedly affecting results, we both had to bear it all. Yet in all that, I have a God that knows my future and had comforted me that as I relied upon Him in doing the right thing, He's with me. And I tell you, He never failed and I am now here with the same right as any American to make an impact to this country. How about Biblical Marriage vs. Marriage (Gay Rights) Equality---The
Bible is abundantly clear that homosexuality is an unnatural sin (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9).
The Bible presents marriage as God’s invention, and God has defined it as a
covenant between a man and a woman for a lifetime (Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians
7:2-16; Ephesians 5:23-33).
Biblically speaking, a homosexual union is not a marriage. It does not matter if
the government legislates a new definition of marriage. It does not
matter if society is overwhelmingly in favor of same-sex marriage. A homosexual
union always has been, and always will be, a perversion of God’s
creation. You see, man can choose to disobey God's word but it does not invalidate God's principle. Spiritual laws are far above human laws for without the former, the latter would not even exist. People can be all emotional about it, especially when we are involved, ourselves or members of our family are caught in the situation. But if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and have tasted the love and mercy of God (through a Born-Again experience, John 3:3), it will be very unwise to disregard the Word of God to pacify human principles. We are not to hate those that are struggling with those situations, but we cannot condone. Instead, point them to the Truth of God's Word. It is not love to lie to them and allow them to live a deceived life. After all, not telling the Truth to those we love for fear of hurting them may seem like a wonderful thing to do but you are truly just plunging them to the inescapable ETERNAL DEATH once this life is over. I'd rather offend people now, pointing them to the Truth of God's Word, than to cover up the Truth leading them to eternal destruction. Which of these two is "TRUE LOVE" for you?
These are just a few of things dividing our nation today. Why the division? Because more and more people are forsaking God in their lives. They have been softened to sin by the media programs that seek to undermine God and teach us and our children to be okay with everything vulgar, sexual innuendos, witchcraft, profanities in every show, cursing here and there, making fun or Jesus and His Holy Name. We have allowed prayer to be taken off from our schools and we wonder why our society is heading towards self-destruction? Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." I am making a choice as an individual, bought by the precious blood of Christ, to uphold the Word of God every step that I'd take. I'm not going to be perfect but I will run the race that the Lord has set for me and finish it, not of my own effort, but through the One who gives me strength. He has already guaranteed my victory in Christ Jesus!
These are just a few of things dividing our nation today. Why the division? Because more and more people are forsaking God in their lives. They have been softened to sin by the media programs that seek to undermine God and teach us and our children to be okay with everything vulgar, sexual innuendos, witchcraft, profanities in every show, cursing here and there, making fun or Jesus and His Holy Name. We have allowed prayer to be taken off from our schools and we wonder why our society is heading towards self-destruction? Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." I am making a choice as an individual, bought by the precious blood of Christ, to uphold the Word of God every step that I'd take. I'm not going to be perfect but I will run the race that the Lord has set for me and finish it, not of my own effort, but through the One who gives me strength. He has already guaranteed my victory in Christ Jesus!
Anyway, I am so glad to make this Card for your inspiration for our WAW Challenge. It highlights the wonderful message given by God through Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:14 which says, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." You see, Apostle Paul had a lot to boast about, when it comes to qualifications as an educated Pharisee, Hebrew of Hebrews, respect and an authority in the Law of Moses. But when God called him to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) which is against the religion (Judaism) He defended with zealousness, He saw the Lord, amidst the clouded mindset he was enslaved with, and made a decision to follow Christ to the point of death. And with those verses, he told us that nothing in his past life was ever worth anything compared to the revelation, grace and freedom given to us by God through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Only through the shedding of the the blood of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, can we be free from the penalty of sin which carried through by every single descendant of Adam (all humanity). Nothing we possess is worth any glory---but the sure presence of God in our hearts through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What an awesome Truth I have to meditate on everyday. No matter how crazy things can be, I know where I am headed and it's the most glorious place---in the arms of Almighty God.
Anyway, for this card, I used a freebie image I got a while back from Digital Two for Tuesday called "tt5." I colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers and inked the edges with a "Walnut Stain" Distress Ink. The base card is white CS cut and scored to make a 5.5-inches square card, used a yellow-green CS for panel and matting. I used a Cuttlebug folder to emboss and combined fancy and regular stitching. I used some brads to embellish and for a wonderful, finished look. Hope you like it.
Anyway, for this card, I used a freebie image I got a while back from Digital Two for Tuesday called "tt5." I colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers and inked the edges with a "Walnut Stain" Distress Ink. The base card is white CS cut and scored to make a 5.5-inches square card, used a yellow-green CS for panel and matting. I used a Cuttlebug folder to emboss and combined fancy and regular stitching. I used some brads to embellish and for a wonderful, finished look. Hope you like it.
GOD FORBID I SHOULD GLORY CARD:
GOD FORBID I SHOULD GLORY CARD LAYERS:
GOD FORBID I SHOULD GLORY CARD INSIDE:
GOD FORBID I SHOULD GLORY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:
This Card is entered into the following Challenges:
Creative Moments---ATG/Use Some Lace
Digistamps4Joy---Embossing
Fab 'n' Funky---Distress
Inklings and Yarns---ATG
Inkspirational---ATG
Lady Anne's---Stamps ATG
Little Red Wagon---Brads/Eyelets
Male Room---Nature
Nutcrafters---Lots of Layers
Rhedd and Rosie---ATG
Creative Craft 2---ATG
Inky Chicks---Your Fave Sentiment
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Make it Monday---ATG
My Craft Creations---ATG
Scrapbook Stamp Society---ATG
Stamp & Fun = Creativity---3D
My Creative Moments---Anything
Craftin' Boutique---ATG
Crafty Little Fairies---ATG
Paper Crafting Journey---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG/Use Some Lace
Digistamps4Joy---Embossing
Fab 'n' Funky---Distress
Inklings and Yarns---ATG
Inkspirational---ATG
Lady Anne's---Stamps ATG
Little Red Wagon---Brads/Eyelets
Male Room---Nature
Nutcrafters---Lots of Layers
Rhedd and Rosie---ATG
Creative Craft 2---ATG
Inky Chicks---Your Fave Sentiment
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Make it Monday---ATG
My Craft Creations---ATG
Scrapbook Stamp Society---ATG
Stamp & Fun = Creativity---3D
My Creative Moments---Anything
Craftin' Boutique---ATG
Crafty Little Fairies---ATG
Paper Crafting Journey---ATG
This is all I got for now, folks! Don't forget to stop by our WAW Blog to avail of the free scripture Word Art I shared here. You can use it in your project and link it to our ongoing Challenge although it's not mandatory. You can submit up to 5 projects as long as it's family friendly, inspirational or uplifting. Since our goal is to honor God, please be mindful of your submission especially that Halloween is around the corner. Though it may be for fun, it's not going to be appropriate for our Challenge. Please make sure to read the "Challenge Rules" before linking. We don't like to delete any entries not meeting our deadlines, but may have to do so. There's a couple of sponsors giving away wonderful prizes this week---Your Next Stamp and Shabby Cottage Studio. I can't wait to see what you come up with. Please remember that in this life, it is better to please God than man. Let us continue to uphold the Truth of God's Word.
What a beautiful and inspirational card, thank you for sharing. I love to see my images used.
ReplyDeleteJo Ann, your card is always amazing; this one is no exception. I really love the image and your coloring is fabulous. Lovely embossing too and pretty stitching. Thank you for playing along with us at DigiStamps4Joy and we hope to see you again.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Asmah
[DS4J DT Member]
[Qinaahana Arts And Crafts ~ My Personal Blog]
Stunning and gorgeous card!! Great coloring and layout.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us at Digistamps4Joy
xxx
Riette
A great entry for our Nature challenge - thanks for joining us in The Male Room this week - Jacqueline xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at Ladybug Crafts Ink for our latest challenge.
Hugs Sally xx
Thanks for entering this card in Rhedd and Rosie's challenge, good luck! x
ReplyDeletegorgeous card JoAnn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for join us at Digistamp4Joy.
Greetings karin DT member
stunning card JoAnn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for join us at ScrapbookStampSociety Challenge.
Greetings Karin DT Coördinator
Such a lovely card, thank you for sharing with us @ Rhedd and Rosie's challenge, good luck Hun, Zoe DT xx
ReplyDeleteBeautifully coloured image and I love the attention to detail inside and out. Thanks for joining us at The Male Room.
ReplyDeleteYour coloring amazes me!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card and coloring!! Thank you for joining the TTCRD challenge and good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteYou coloring is absolutely amazing on this image. Wow! I really like the overall card design as well. Fantastic card!!
ReplyDeleteOh what a creation of the artist, really eye-catching, adorable!
ReplyDeleteThank for joining us at ScrapbookStampSociety Challenge
Hugs Kaija DT-member
Amazing image and inspiring sentiment for this beautiful creation ,. thanks for sharing on Make it Monday
ReplyDeleteA stunning creation which is also a perfect card for a man. Thank you for your words of inspiration, as always.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}
It's a beautiful project.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at Creative moments this fortnight.
Zoe DT member
A wonderful card. Thank you for joining us at Creative Craft Challenge. Marlene DT
ReplyDeleteBeautifully coloured image! Thanks for playing along with us at LRW!!
ReplyDeleteYour card is fabulous! What beautiful coloring on the image and the biblical sentiment is great. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Inkspirational!
ReplyDelete- Shauna
Fabulous card! Stunning image and beautiful verse. Thanks for joining this fortnight’s ‘anything goes’ challenge at LCI.
ReplyDeleteChris
x
WOW!! Stunning image and coloring Jo ann. I saw this on MIM..Loz
ReplyDeleteperfect thanks for joining us at sfc
ReplyDeleteOh, my...this is beyond beautiful. What amazing work you do. And I'm always blessed by your posts.
ReplyDeleteglorious card - amaing colouring! Many thanks for entering the Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge and good luck! Melissa (DT) xxxx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card. Thanks for entering our Distress Challenge at Fab n Funky
ReplyDeleteAlli x
This card has so much depth and the colours really make it pop. Great layout too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for playing along at Fab'n'Funky Challenges this week.
Rachel x
A lovely card with a beautiful image......thanks for joining in our Lots of Layers challenge over at Nutcrafters & good luck!
ReplyDeletehugs Jo x
Stunning card, such a gorgeous image and beautiful colours.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking part in the Crafty Little Fairies Challenge this week
Sue xx
WOW such beautiful colouring, amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for coming over and joining in with our 18th Challenge at Rhedd and Rosies Challenge Blog.
Great Big Huge Hugs
Becca xxx (DT Member)