Here and Now Cottage Try' Fold Watercolored Card Within a Card---Join Us for Anything Goes at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello there, Crafty Peeps!  Here to bring you another card that I made for inspiration at our 613 Avenue Challenge this week.  But before that, I would like to share something about being persistent in prayer these days.  As utter craziness unfolds each day which threatens our God-given rights here in America as well as the entire world, we need to refuse looking at situations instead, trust in the goodness and the promises of God.  It's not easy, I tell you, but it's something every believers have to do in order to not be entangled by the affairs of the world that would lead to hopelessness and defeat.  As Kingdom citizens (Born-again in the Kingdom, John 3:3), we cannot live that way.  We have to put on our spiritual eyes and see through the lenses of the Holy Spirit.  It is important to know the victory that the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross had won for us.  As I said before and I still declare now, when all is said and done, the victory is for all of us that ran the race and never gave up under the banner of Christ.

At this time here in America, we are selecting Presidential candidates that would represent us come election time at the end of the year.  Each of these candidates represent rules and regulations that would either take away our freedoms or restore it.  When I speak in these terms, I don't just talk about petty rules but those that would alter our way of living as outlined by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  A leader of this country is sworn to protect these rights and not to wreck or alter them yet we have seen the utter disregard and abuse of power at it's best by branches of government and special interest groups in the almost 8 years of this country's present leadership.    We are to remind ourselves why Jesus came in the first place and redeemed us in Galatians 5:1 which says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."  The Godly heritage of this country (outlined by the founding principles Godly men and women set in place to protect and govern us) placed this country as the leading nation of the free world for many years now.  And today, we see how the ungodly is dividing this nation from within because the Church (Ekklesia, the "Called-Out Ones) chose to give the power that was handed to us by God through Christ to the ungodly (unbelievers).  Those who profess they know Christ are supposed to be uniting under God's Word, instead what we see is a great divide.  Why so? Because many don't really know God's Word nor has taken the time to study nor live by them.  Many have Church leaders that refused to speak the Truth about God's Word for selfish gain and have deceived their members by many false teachings.  And there are many members who refused to test the teachings they received and chose to follow blindly.  While we see the rest of our brethren all over the world being killed by godless individuals and groups, many remained blind to the same threats our country is facing and are supporting Presidential candidates that are oblivious about God's Word.  People can say what they want to say but for a true believer of Christ, we have to put the most weight on the candidates relationship with God on top of everything else.  Anyone who does not have that basic qualification will rule against God's Will for this country.  What can you expect from someone who does not fear the Lord?  How can the ungodly represent the godly?  Even the ones who know God can make mistakes---how about the ones who does not even consider God in their decisions/actions?  Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."  

Today, we witness Matthew 24:9-13 happening before our eyes which tells us, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."  Though many horrible things are written in God's Word signaling the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus, the True Church is not placed here at this day and time to do nothing.  We are to share the hope of the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Christ) to all the world for the salvation of mankind, pray for God's intervention as the Holy Spirit quickens us to pray for policies/situations in our country and to do whatever is necessary to act on our faith.  We are to study God's Word so that we'll be equipped to stand against the lies and wiles of the enemy inside and outside the Church.  Pray for our families, our friends and neighbors and refuse to compromise the Truth of God's Word for fear nor any gain.  Let us refuse to focus on the waves that seem to swallow us up.  Instead, look only unto Christ and we'll be able to walk on water in the midst of the fiercest storm.  I would like to encourage every believer who are discouraged by the chaos surrounding our nation and the world by the Word of the Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul.  He was held in the horrific condition in the lower chamber prison in Rome  awaiting his death sentence.  It was in that condition that he wrote this letter (Book of 2 Timothy) to his disciple, Timothy, to encourage him to stand in faith and never compromise the Truth no matter what.  At this time of need, he didn't get the support of his fellow believers instead, many betrayed him, left by other Christians to escape persecution by being identified with him while others were taken by false doctrines.  He had very few people who kept in constant communication and ministered to him.  What struck me the most in this letter is that in the face of death, Paul's faith in the Truth allowed him to endure and still encourage Timothy and next generation believers to BE STRONG IN THE GRACE.  I am so blessed and hope you are too as we follow the examples of Apostle Paul:

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.  Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.  Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.  Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying:  If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;  if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself." (2 Timothy 2:1-13)

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions Stamps called "Cottage Try' Folds" and watercolored the images using Marvy Uchida markers Tim Holtz Distress markers.   The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from Paper Studio, the white nail head gems from Imaginisce, the jute from my stash and I added some Liquid Pearls (Silver) to the image too.  The banner sentiment is from Heidi Grace while the main sentiment came from See D's.  I also used the lacy border from MS Punch.  Lastly, some wonderful stitching all over this creation.  I just love coloring using watercolors as there is so much freedom and the result is fabulous.

                                         HERE AND NOW COTTAGE TRY' FOLD CARD:

                                     HERE AND NOW COTTAGE TRY' FOLD CARD LAYERS:

                                      HERE AND NOW COTTAGE TRY' FOLD CARD PANELS:

                                  HERE AND NOW COTTAGE TRY' FOLD CARD SIDE VIEW:

                                   HERE AND NOW COTTAGE TRY' FOLD CARD SENTIMENT:

                                     HERE AND NOW COTTAGE TRY' FOLD CARD INSIDE:

                             HERE AND NOW COTTAGE TRY' FOLD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Art Impressions---House and Home
Melonheadz Friends---Layer It Up
Crafty Friends---ATG
Catch the Bug---Bright and Cheery
Crafting with Friends---ATG
Artistic Stamper---Springtime
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Gem of a Challenge---Spring
One Crazy Stamper---ATG
Simply Papercraft---ATG
Crafting with Attitude---ATG
Allsorts---Spring is in the Air
Cards Galore---Make a Card
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Your Scrapbook Place---ATG
Wonderful Wednesday---Spring
Artistic Inspiration---ATG/Easter
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Eureka---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
OLLCB---Spring is in the Air
Our Crafty Corner---ATG
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG 
Where the Heart Is---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 winner from our lovely sponsor for this week---Scrapper's Delights.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week.  I hope you have a wonderful week and know that through faith in what Jesus accomplished through the Cross, we have complete victory always!