Hey there, Crafty Peeps! This is coming out a day late as I was busy and was not feeling so good due to nasal congestion. Yesterday was the first Sunday of the year and had the
privilege to be among other believers all around the world that sees another
year to serve a powerful and holy God.
Though the things around us does not seem to show much hope for a
brighter future, everyone whose faith is grounded in the finished work of Jesus
Christ has a lot to be hopeful for. His
Spirit, living inside of us, tells us and assures us of the coming kingdom
where all Truth and Justice is not only a goal but also a reality. Jesus, who came as a suffering servant and
gave His life for the sake of all of us who were condemned to suffer the
punishment for our rebellion against God, is going to come to earth again for
the second time. He will come as the
King of kings, Lord of lords and the Righteous Judge (to judge the living and
the dead). He was the same Person Who
was spoken of in John 3:16 which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.” Jesus, Himself, declared in John 14:6, “I am the way,
the truth and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” In this day and time, these two verses along
with many other verses that testify to salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ
is under attack. Many known people
(celebrities) have bought to the lies and used their power and authority to
influence people all over the world against the existence of God and His Absolute Truth. They chastise and
condemned people who lay claim to the Truth of the Word of God, having a
Biblical world view. They proclaim that
there are many ways to the Kingdom of God and that each one’s belief eventually
leads to worshiping the same God. This
worldview in its many forms (Cognitive, Ethical, Situational) is called
RELATIVISM. This simply believes that
no system of truth is more valid than another one. It tells us that there is no
objective standard of Truth and because of this, any one who adheres to this
worldview is naturally and simply denying that there is a God of Absolute
Truth. Just thinking about this view
gives me chills because these tell us that all things are permissible for every
man has different ethical, cognitive and situational standards. While some may think that it’s wrong to kill
in any shape or form; others may find pleasure in killing people for whatever
reason. Without an Absolute Truth
(God’s Word), who is right and who is in error?
Apply that to everything that we hold valuable in this life against
those who don’t even value life?
Adapting that kind of worldview is seeking every man’s destruction. We are literally going to self-destruct! We have condemned people who killed innocent
children, harmed many others as we’ve seen throughout history yet, we cannot
connect the dots that the only thing that holds everyone’s sanity is that reverence
for the One True God who left us the Absolute Truth of His Word. Understand this, every founder of every
religion known to men died and remained dead.
Only Jesus Christ (Very God and Very Man) died, was buried yet did what
others weren’t able to do. HE ROSE
AGAIN FROM THE DEAD. The Word of God
(The Bible) talked about Him from Genesis to Revelation and all the Prophets
have testified to His coming and have detailed the manner in which He would
come. There are 66 books in the
Bible---39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Bible was written under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit by over 40 different authors from all walks of life: shepherds, farmers, tent-makers, physicians,
fisherman, priest, philosophers and kings. Despite these differences in
occupation and the span of years it took to write it, the Bible is extremely
cohesive and unified book. It literally
has answers for every inquiry we may have in this life. Without God’s written revelation (the
Bible), we will in no way know who the One True God is and what He expects from
His creation. Here are verses that
validates the absolute reality of God’s Word:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God from the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:1-5)
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden in God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-14)
"All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
It is very important for us to be grounded in God Word
this year. Jesus spoke to us about the last days where false teachings are going to lead man away from the Truth. Know that I am not sharing
to you anything that came from my own knowledge. I am simply a messenger of God’s Word, wanting to encourage those
whose faith is anchored in the Lord Jesus and challenge those who have doubts
about the validity of God’s Word---to give God’s Word a try. I’ve lived half of my life as an unbeliever
and have tried the worldly ways/lifestyle. But
when I came to a personal relationship with Christ, allowing His Word to speak to my heart, FAITH sprung forth. God’s Word literally changed my life and will
continue to do so from glory to glory till I come face to face with my Savior. Through God’s Word, I learned that I was on
my way to damnation but God’s immeasurable love provided a way to save me
through His Son, Jesus Christ! God is
speaking to us very clearly through His Word and it will be unwise for us to
ever mess up (omit or add to any part of the scripture) with His Word to suit our own lifestyle. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will
pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Today, is the first challenge of the year at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create. It's always Anything Goes with an optional Twist (Color, Sight and Sounds of Winter). We are so excited about our upcoming 1st Year Blogaversary (Block Party- 500 Follower Giveaway) which were going to celebrate with all our followers (and future followers) with lots and lots of prizes to be won. The prizes are so awesome that I would like to join myself---if only I can! (sigh) To find our more about it and join the fun, Click HERE. For this Card, I used a beautiful digi set consisting of 3 images from All Dressed Up Stamps called "Three Little Autumn Girls" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Chromatix markers. The card base started with 5.5" x 11" inches and scored/folded to form the stepper. I used DP's from DCWV Floral Fair Stack and matted them with similar colors CS. I used my Scallop Circle Nestabilities to die cut the background together with an MS Circle Punch for extra panel. I used a Sizzlit die to die-cut several swirls and an MS Leaf Punch and layered all the die-cuts one on top of the other. I then placed the stamped flower image from Ditto Stamps that I colored with my Chromatix, fancy cut and laid a white brad at it's center. I used my White Opal Liquid Pearls to add some dimension to the swirls and leaves as well as the DP. I also included some white gems from Imaginisce and a touch of glitters (Stickles---Yellow and Christmas Red) for added dimension. The heartfelt sentiment was a freebie from Create with TLC. Lastly, I stitched all over, in and out this card. Every step of this creation was inspired by the Lord so, I give Him all the glory!
DAY FILLED WITH MIRACLES STEPPER CARD:
DAY FILLED WITH MIRACLES STEPPER CARD LAYERS:
DAY FILLED WITH MIRACLES STEPPER CARD SIDE VIEW:
DAY FILLED WITH MIRACLES STEPPER CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:
DAY FILLED WITH MIRACLES STEPPER CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX TOP VIEW:
*** WANT THIS CARD? AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! ***
*** WANT THIS CARD? AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! ***
This Card is entered into the following Challenges:
Make It Monday---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Hobby Cutz---ATG
Addicted to Stamps---Shaped Cards
Come and Get It---Something New (New image and sentiment)
Glitter n Sparkle---ATG
Great Impressions---Use Something New (New image and sentiment)
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Pile It On---Just Because
Robyn's Fetish---Use a Digi
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Catch the Bug---January ATG
Squirrel and the Fox---ATG
ABC Challenge---C is for Colorful
Natalie and Amy---One for the Girlies
Creative Card Crew---ATG
OSAAT---ATG
Crafty Hands---ATG
Simply Create Too---ATG
Digitally Sweet---ATG
Allsorts---Free and Easy
Color Me Creative---ATG
Delicious Doodles---Layer Up
2 Creative Chicks---ATG
Card Makin Mamas---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Cuttin and Stampin---Use Something New (New image and sentiment)
TTCRD---ATG
Cards Galore Encore---ATG
Creative Craft---ATG
One Crazy Stamper---ATG
Make It Monday---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Hobby Cutz---ATG
Addicted to Stamps---Shaped Cards
Come and Get It---Something New (New image and sentiment)
Glitter n Sparkle---ATG
Great Impressions---Use Something New (New image and sentiment)
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Pile It On---Just Because
Robyn's Fetish---Use a Digi
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Catch the Bug---January ATG
Squirrel and the Fox---ATG
ABC Challenge---C is for Colorful
Natalie and Amy---One for the Girlies
Creative Card Crew---ATG
OSAAT---ATG
Crafty Hands---ATG
Simply Create Too---ATG
Digitally Sweet---ATG
Allsorts---Free and Easy
Color Me Creative---ATG
Delicious Doodles---Layer Up
2 Creative Chicks---ATG
Card Makin Mamas---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Cuttin and Stampin---Use Something New (New image and sentiment)
TTCRD---ATG
Cards Galore Encore---ATG
Creative Craft---ATG
One Crazy Stamper---ATG
There you have it, folks! Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create. There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our lovely sponsors for this week---All Dressed Up Stamps and Squigglefly. Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week. I hope you have a wonderful week filled with the divine inspiration of God's Word. Hugs, always!
Your little people are so beautifully coloured and pop from this beautiful step card Jo Ann. Good luck in our extended challenge. Ingrid xx ( OSAAT Team )
ReplyDeleteGorgeous stepper card. Great colouring and layout.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us over at the Scribble and Scrap Challenge. Good luck.
xx
Wow wow WOW!!!! This is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic card with us at MIM! Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning! Good luck,
ReplyDeleteRene :D
I love the style of your card Jo Ann - I don't thiank I have ever tried a stepper card - but I will put this on my 'to do' list! Your colouring is wonderful and your choice of papers is just right. I like everything about your creation.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining us at OSAAT this month, lots of luck to you.
Hugs Sue Pxxx DT member
Fabulous card and colors Jo Ann. I saw this on MIM..Loz
ReplyDeleteWau too cute. Thanks for linking up over at 2 Creative Chicks
ReplyDeleteHave a creative day.
Nana
♥ My Crafting Channel ♥
♥ Nana's Rag Quilts ♥
♥ 2 Creative Chicks ♥
♥ Silhouette Challenges ♥
So pretty, thanks for joining us at Allsorts this week. xxx
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely fabulous! LOVE your little girls and your coloring is amazing! Thanks so much for joining us at Great Impressions! HUGS and hope you join us again soon! :) Mynn xx
ReplyDeleteAdorable stepper card! Thanks for playing along with 2 Creative Chicks!
ReplyDeletePam
2 Creative Chicks
Great card ... thank you for joining TTCRD this week.
ReplyDeleteAwesome stepper card, love the bright colours. Thanks so much for joining us over at Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog, good luck and hope to see you next time
ReplyDelete~ Denise DT ~
Gorgeous creation, love the bright colours & the images are fab!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us at Natalie & Amy's this month, good luck!
Hugs Shell xx
Gorgeous creation, thanks for joining Allsorts challenge, good luck.
ReplyDeleteHappy crafting
Tracy x
Wow your stepper card is just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing at the ABC Challenge! Hugs Julie DT x
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful creation!! Love the sentiment - and the step card is so full of images and details - fun to look at!
ReplyDelete~ginny
RubberMAD
Saw your fab project over on MIM and love it. I also adore the sentiment too.
ReplyDeleteLove this card! It has such great dimension, and beautiful colours and papers! Thanks for joining the challenge at OSAAT, hope to see you again soon.
ReplyDeleteVictoria DT
Really like the art you created to go with this uplifting sentiment and message.
ReplyDeleteMary Anne, Great Impressions DT
What a beautiful work of art - the card is stunning and would be so much fun to receive. Saw you on MIM. Glad I checked it out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful card, from the colours to the images to the detail - beautiful! Thanks for joining us at the Cards Galore Encore Anything Goes Challenge #1. Kates x
ReplyDeleteHi, Jo Ann: Your step card is very pretty. Thanks for entering our Challenge #52 - "Anything Goes"
ReplyDeleteDiane
Simply Create Too Design Team Member
http://DianesDigitalDesigns.blogspot.com
OMGosh, how cute is this! Bright and colorful too!! I love all the added layers and images! Thank you for joining our Anything Goes challenge at Digitally Sweet!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! It is beautiful! I'm so glad that I saw it at Make It Monday so I could see your lovely blog!
ReplyDeleteLovely stepper card! Thanks for playing along with the current CraftyHands challenge. Sammy-x
ReplyDeleteA great easel stepper card thankyou for joining our challenge at challenges 4 everybody.
ReplyDeleteGood luck
Fiona dt. x
Fantastic, stepper card, love all the images, great colouring also, thank you for sharing with us at Scribble and Scraps, best of luck xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous stepper card you have made here. It fits our challenge this week well of “Layer it up”. Thanks for taking part and good luck. Best wishes, Kym (Delicious Doodles Challenge Blog Design Team Member)
ReplyDeleteGreat stepper card, love all three images. Beautiful coloring also. Thanks for playing along with us for our anything goes challenge at Catch the Bug.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful stepper card. thank you for joining us at Robyns Fetish challenge. Marlene DT
ReplyDeleteoh swoon. i love this card! thanks for joining us on CraftyHands
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun card with a wonderful sentiment - sure to brighten someone's day/week/month. Thanks for joining the fun at Simply Create Too!
ReplyDeleteOh wow - gorgeous card - I love it! Thanks so much for joining our ANYTHING GOES challenge at Bugaboo Stamps this week. Please check again tomorrow to see if you are a winner, and get the details of our next challenge. We hope to see you again soon!
ReplyDeleteLuv’n huggz
Jen Leeflang
BUGABOO DT
This is just beautiful (like everything you seem to create!) And what a wonderful sentiment!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for playing along with us this week for the Catch The Bug Challenge with Bugaboo Stamps!
Be sure to check out The Bug Blog for our newest Challenge that starts tomorrow! We hope you’ll play along!
Hugs & Happy Days!
~Min: Bugaboo Asst DT Coordinator
Kaymin Kreations
Fabulous step card......lots of details!
ReplyDeleteGood to see you join us for the CAGI Challenge , hope to you come back soon!
¸..• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))*((¸¸.•´ ..•´
Shell in Alaska ~ CAGI DT ~
http://akstamping.blogspot.com
What a wonderful card...just love the image and the colours you used so much !! Thanks for joining us at One Stitch at a Time. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteLynn, OSAAT DT
Stunning card love it. Many thanks for joining us at The Squirrel and the Fox with our anything goes challenge Hugs Txx(DT)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful card. Thank you so much for playing our challenges at One Stitch At A Time.
ReplyDeleteDT Nataliya
another gorgeous make , so many details to look at, thanks for sharing with us this fortnight at creative moments
ReplyDeleteZoe DT
Here from MIM--this is such a vibrant card, full of life--and miracles! Helene
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining is with the CraftyHands Challenge, this is really lovely.
ReplyDeleteWell done Becka B DT member x
BEAUTIFUL Card! GREAT job on getting in so many challenges too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us last week at PIO!!
Have a GREAT day!!
Absolutly beautiful. I love everything about this lovely creation. YOU ROCK!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, love easel style cards :)
ReplyDeleteGREAT card! Love the steps!
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous card. Thanks for joining us at One Crazy Stamper.
ReplyDeleteStunning strong colors.. love the combination of colors too.!! FAB images and those panels and sewing is so Perfect!! Great Design of the card.. and it looks Great!!! So sorry I am way to late to comment your card... I was only able to look at your card, and not comment when I tried to comment with my phone, away at work.. Thank you so much that you joined in at our challenge at ATSC! Hugs Sol :o)
ReplyDelete