Doesn't Challenge/Change You Card---Come and Join the Fun of an Anything Goes Challenge in our neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create!

Hi there, fellow Crafters! It's Sunday once again and time for another Anything Goes Challenge with optional twist ( National RAK Day) in my neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create.  Before I discuss anything about my card, I would like to thank the Lord for a wonderful couple of days where I live...Love the bright, sun shiny days, blue skies and cool temperatures.  What a contrast from the many months of roller coaster weather mostly below freezing which is not so typical out here in Texas.  Heart's Day was a fun day for me as my 8-year old son took me out for a treat in his favorite place to eat---Chick-fil-a!  He proudly paid the $9 charge for our order using the money he saved.  I am blessed to have such a sweet, giving and loving boy.  Hubby had to work and my son wanted me to have some fun and I had a wonderful night, for sure!  I love my boy to pieces...

As I was getting my project ready for today, I came across the sentiment that I got for free from Create with TLC which says, "If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."  Not only was it perfect for the image I chose to use from one of our sponsors, Dr. Digi House of Stamps called "KO Kevin," but it provides a spiritual truth that  I want to convey in this post.  For most of us, we want our lives to go on as smoothly as possible.  We don't want to be confronted by challenges for underneath them are  situations filled with uncertainties, hardships, pain, worries, sadness and more.  Yet, it is in those times that we are confronted by the reality that we don't have all the answers and that without the grace of God, we are nothing.   It's in those times when we ask for the help of our Creator and learn to depend on Him for our daily provision and existence.  It's sad to admit but when we have plenty and enjoy all the things we desire, we tend to forget the very One who has given us all that great blessings.  When we get things free, we tend to take it for granted yet when we have to work hard for it and go through all kinds of obstacles to obtain what's important for us, we learn to treasure it.  I know the Lord wants to shower us with every great blessings yet what is most important to Him is the development of our character.  Romans 5:3-5 tell us, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."  As we (believers) go through many trials, let us keep our focus unto the Lord.  We ought to depend on Him daily for He is our only hope.  As you overcome every challenge that confronts you in His power, you will realize that all the trials you've gone through affects your character and prepares you for a greater task and purpose He has for you.  Jesus is our greatest example.  He faithfully obeyed the Father---even to the point of death.  That is because He knew that there's a greater blessing waiting underneath the pain and suffering.  The Bible is clear on the inheritance of every believer who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."  As I go through the many challenges in life, it's crystal clear to me that I overcame and will continue to overcome!  It is not because of my own abilities but solely based on the power and strength of the Lord Jesus who lives inside of me.  Because of Him,  I can claim the victory!  Here are some verses you can meditate on in times of trials for His Word gives us hope:

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:6-9)

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:17-18)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,  because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons." (Hebrews 12:1-8)

So, for today's Challenge at 613 Avenue Create, I colored the image with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  I used a Kraft CS for my base card, cut and scored to make a 5.5 " inches square card. All the DP's are from My Mind's Eye, the stamped numbers from Paper Studio and the nail head gems from Imaginisce.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  Hope you like it!

 DOESN'T CHALLENGE/CHANGE YOU CARD:

 DOESN'T CHALLENGE/CHANGE YOU CARD LAYERS:

 DOESN'T CHALLENGE/CHANGE YOU CARD INSIDE:

DOESN'T CHALLENGE/CHANGE YOU CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Lacy Sunshine---Lots of Layers
OSAAT---Use a Digi
Quirky Crafts---Pile It High!
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Corrosive Challenges---In Stitches
A Little Bit of Crafty---Man Up!
Crafts Galore Encore---If You Bling You are In!
Crafty Hazelnut's---ATG using Patterned Papers
Doodle Pantry---Any Digi Goes
Just B Creative Crazy---ATG
One Crazy Stamper---ATG
Treasured Times---ATG with Layering
Color Me Creative---ATG
Digi Designs---Tic Tac Toe (I used Digi/Gems and Stitching)
Bloggers Challenge---2 or More Patterned Papers
Creative Fingers---ATG with Optional Twist/Love or More than One Layer
Pattie's Creations---Use Red in Creation
Quick Quotes---Ink It Up
Sister Act---ATG
Creative Romance---Let's Get Sentimental
Crafty Girls---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Make It Monday---ATG
Create with TLC---Show It Off Sunday

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---Dr. Digi House of Stamps, Art by Mi Ran and Fitztown.  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!