Best Kind of Friend Center Step Card---It's Fun at our Neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create, with our Anything Goes Challenge!

Good Sunday morning everyone.  I'm back with another inspiration card for our Anything Goes Challenge with Optional Twist at our neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create.  I am so glad to have been able to spend time to create in the time of great stress.  There's just so many things in our minds at times, mostly when we perceive changes in life (health, finances, work, relationships, direction, among others) that we experience anxiety that can cause us to worry for the future.  As one gets older, "change" can sometimes be painful  (Hah, I know that now!..LOL).  But change is constant and as much as we want to be in a comfortable position, it does not stay that way.  That's when my trust in the Lord plays a major part.  As a Born-again believer, I still experience "worry" which (I know!) does not help me achieve anything in the first place.  The Bible says in Matthew 6:25-27,  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  I have kept this scriptures in my heart.  At times I wanted to cradle my worries (Yes, we do so by allowing them to rest upon us and refusing to place it in God's hands), the Word of God battles with the worries in my mind.  As a child of God, purchased by the blood of Jesus, the Word of my Father takes a hold of me and bring unto submission the things that does not abide in Him.  He reminds me of all the times I had similar experiences in the past and how He brought me out of what seemed to be hopeless situations.  Being a believer of Jesus Christ is not without battle.  Looking back, there were so many that it is by grace I am still alive today.  Many times, battles are needed in order for us to realize that without God, we cannot do anything (John 15:5).  When things are going our way, we become complacent and without knowing it, our trust shifts from God our Provider, to our business, jobs, family, status, possessions, etc.  When trials come, we are confronted with our  humanity/limitations and brings us back to the TRUE SOURCE of all we got, GOD, OUR FATHER! 

Earlier today, as I was in that state of battle with worries in my mind, I felt very exhausted from the inside.  My 8 year old boy came to sit beside me and for some reason, asked me to be quiet.  There was no noise whatsoever and all I was hearing were key tones as my husband types on his phone.  At that few minutes, God revealed something to me.  He reminded me of what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  You see, I am very familiar with this verse but when the Lord reminded me this time, it took on a whole new meaning.  He's giving me a personal direction.  This is what He wants me to do.  To give the worries---the tired and weary soul, and all that junk, at the foot of the Cross (where victory was achieved once and for all by Jesus Christ).  To rest upon the arms of my Savior, who loves me and deeply cares for me.  At one moment of silence, I gave Him a chance to talk to me and comfort me.  It was POWERFUL and it extinguished every bit of negative thoughts that wants to rule my mind.  Not only that, as we broke the silence, I was talking to my son about the need for "being silent" (to hear the voice of God)  and how many people at this day and time are dreading silence (because they are afraid their conscience might talk to them), I was teaching my son to spend time to listen to God's voice while simultaneously, God revealed to me (that very moment) that the message was not just for my son but for me, as well.  This may sound weird for some people but He does want us to be the first to practice what we speak.  "We cannot give what we don't have."  It's amazing how God is filling me with His wisdom while I was pouring the same for somebody---all at the same time!  MY GOD IS AWESOME!  Now, I will face each day armed with this revelation-knowledge, knowing that He carries all my burdens, and had set me up for blessings and victory as I continue to trust solely in Him/His Word and to rely upon His instructions in sweet moments of silence and fellowship.  If you are struggling with any kind of worry right now, I know that this message is not just for me but for everyone in whose eyes will be opened as you read on this Blog  post.  Let the Lord speak to you and if you haven't taken the first step to come to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, now is the time.  It's the most important decision you will ever make in this life which is the key to your eternal destiny.  If you're ready to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and experience the New Birth (Born-Again, John 3:3), I want to help you pray.  Please click HERE.  I would love to leave you with some verses that encourages us to trust in the Lord, always:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord you God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead." (Isaiah 43:2-3)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our request to God.  and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."  (Philippians 4:6-8)

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my (Jesus) name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubles and do not be afraid." (John 14:26-27)

I hope you were blessed as much as I had been with God's Word.  Anyway, our "optional twist" for our Challenge at 613 Avenue Create-Anything Goes is to "Create Your Own Challenge."  You will find more details on that as you visit our Challenge site.  It's fun and easy as I get to use some of my favorite materials anyhow.  If you want a bit of Challenge, take on the twist.  If not, you can still enter any project you have created.   For this Card, I used an image from our Challenge sponsor this week, Bugaboo Stamps, called "Scene It - Close Knit Friends."  I colored it with my ProMarker and Prismacolor markers.  The base card is a Kraft CS measuring 5.5 x 11 inches, cut an scored to form this center step design.  The DP's are from My Mind's Eye, K & Company and some scraps.  The glittered flower is from K & Company, the brads from Recollections and the white nail head gems are from Imaginisce.  The wonderful sentiment is from the book called "Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Card" which I typed and printed.  Lastly, I incorporated some regular and fancy stitching all over this card.  I want to create a "home" scene and I am pretty happy with the results.  What do you think?

 BEST KIND OF FRIEND CENTER STEP CARD:

 BEST KIND OF FRIEND CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

 BEST KIND OF FRIEND CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

 BEST KIND OF FRIEND CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

BEST KIND OF FRIEND CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Make It Monday---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Creative Inspirations Paint---ATG
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
A Gem of a Challenge---Sparkles
Allsorts---Bring on the Bling
Catch the Bug---Photo Inspiration
Color Me Creative---ATG
Inkspirational---ATG
Brown Sugar---ATG
Craftyhands---Sparkle and Bling
Creative Corner---Heavy Metal (all the white gems and brads are metal)
Digitally Sweet---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
By Lori Designs---Use Paper
Come and Get It---ATG with a Twist (Use Digital Stamp)
Crafts 4 Eternity---Glitter and Sparkle
DL.ART---ATG
Heck of a Challenge---In the Frame
My Craft Creations---ATG
Aud Sentiments---Any Sentiment
Paper Crafting Journey---Bling It Up
Scribble & Scrap---Always ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG with Optional Metal (those white gems are metal)
Paula Holifield Crafts---Sparkle and Shine
V's Sweet Ideas---Color Theme

There you have it, everyone.  I hope you were inspired to make a wonderful project to link for our Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  It's always "Anything Goes" so you can have some fun and we created an optional "Twist" for those who want a bit of Challenge.   Whether your artwork is simple of complicated, we invite you to link up.  There's a wonderful prize awaiting our winner from our sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps, whose giving away 7 digital stamps of your choice.  Wow! Can't wait to see your creation soon.  Hope you have a wonderful time giving honor and praise with other believers in your Churches today.  Jesus is worthy of the highest glory and praise from His beloved creation!