Scripture Series: Pleasure in His People Center Step Card---It's Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday once again, Crafty guys and gals!  We have another Scripture Word Art we want to share with you today (you can download for free) at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Its taken from Psalm 149: 4 and it says, "For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation."  Just a while ago, I gave my 9 year old some hugs and kisses and I could see how he loves being pampered with love.  Now, a thought suddenly came to my mind on how he would feel if we don't give them those hugs and kisses he expects daily and he was showered with since he was born.  Oh well,  I decided to give him a big squeeze and a kiss and told him this, "Son, remember that though you don't see the Lord physically, He is really hugging you and giving you lots of kisses all the time.  That is because He loves you very very much."  He then replied, "I know Mommy, I know!"

Come to think of it, there's so many people who claimed no one loves them.  Some of them ended their lives convinced that they didn't mean anything to anyone.  There could be lots of traumatic experiences with  parents or love ones hurting their kids growing up (either physically, emotionally, mentally or all the above) that one may have a point in saying such a thing.  Others have been hurt by their friends whom they taught were out there to help and protect them.  But the core reason for anyone to feel that way is because we have relied on mortal beings to show us what "True Love" really means.  In other words, we are looking at all the wrong places for something that is primarily spiritual in nature.  God is love and "True Love' can only come from a "True God."  God's kind of love is selfless---that which put the needs of others first before personal needs/gain."  Almighty God demonstrated this perfect kind of love (Agape) by sending His One and Only Son as a ransom for all mankind.  That in Jesus' death, everyone who puts their faith in what He has done shall enjoy eternal life in Him.  He had to endure the entire ordeal for He has His EYE ON THE PRIZE---The salvation of His people and their eternal future in His presence.  

We need to keep in mind that God's love is surrounding us even though we cannot see it physically.  God uses people to demonstrate and allow us to feel His love.  For every hug and kisses I give my little boy,  I want him to see Christ in all those gestures.  For every opportunities, answered prayers and dreams fulfilled, I want him to see the Lord's goodness in them. For taking care of our needs---his own health and his parent's health, I want him to see the Lord's faithfulness.  And in the absence of those, even through a stranger's concern and help, that he would see God's love is powerfully at work.  The Word of God says in Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  I believe that the deepest love we show our love ones could not in any way measure up to the level of love God has for us.  In other words, we are merely scratching the surface and in no way will we be able to frame God's love according our standards of love.  Only Jesus have shown a perfect and complete picture of the Father's love for us.  Romans 8:37-39 says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  God delights in all His children and as we humble ourselves to Him, He pours more of Himself to us.  It will be a disadvantage for anyone to be arrogant and boastful in the presence of our Lord.  For we are the created and our Creator knows what is best for us.  When we come to Him with meekness (humility, lowliness, modesty, submissiveness), we are truly saying to our God that we are lacking and that our wholeness/completeness can only be possible in His presence .  The Father's most precious gift is His Son that brought us our salvation.  If you have not claimed this gift from God, your package is waiting for you at the foot of the Cross.  The "key" to the door is FAITH and the "password" is JESUS!  Just want to share with you what Jesus told His disciples about the Father's love, His love and of loving one another:

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."  (John 15:9-17)

For this Card, I used an image from Bugaboo Stamps called "Girl Big Heart" that I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step design.  I used one DP for paper-piecing the heart and the rest of the background were produced using 3 different embossing folders from Darice and Cuttlebug.  I added a bit of glitter to some parts of the image (Stickles-Crystal) , some white nail head gems and decided to cut out the Word Art and spread it all around the image.  Lastly, I stitched all over this creation.  Sometimes, it feels good to just go for simple, white on white design.  I absolutely love this!

PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE CENTER STEP CARD:

PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Catch the Bug---In the Garden
Loves Rubberstamps---Add a Sentiment
QKR Stampede---Nature
Mema's Crafts---ATG
Penny's Paper-Crafty---More than One Fold
Party Time Tuesday---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Crafter's Cafe---Feminine
Crafting by Designs---Flowers
Crafty Gals---May Flowers
Creative Moments---ATG/Teentastic
I love Promarkers---Flowers
Inky Impressions---More than One Fold
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Little Red Wagon---Make an Impression
Moo-Mania---Flowers
Whimsy Stamps---Color an Image
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
Creative Card Crew---Embossing: Wet or Dry
Deep Ocean---Flowers
Scrap-Creations---ATG
Aurora Wings---Flowers
Cutie Pie---Layers
Get Creative--For the Ladies/Mother's Day
Incy Wincy---Great Outdoors
Love to Scrap---Stitch in Time
Melonheadz Friends---All About Kids
Not Just Cards---ATG
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG

Hope you enjoyed my featured project today at WAW...I am looking forward to see your projects linked to our Challenge.  You can include the free Word Art in your projects to link,  but not a requirement.  You can submit any inspirational, uplifting, family friendly creations (up to 5) for more chances to win our prize from our sponsors this week---Iralamija Etsy Shop (Digi Images) and Craft Stop (2 Embossing Folders). Always remember to call on Jesus 24/7 if you need someone to talk with.  He is always willing to listen and is able to meet everyone whose heart is seeking after Him.