THE BLESSINGS OF CREATIVITY...

I thank the LORD JESUS for each day that is given me to create wonderful projects...As always, I give Him all the glory.


Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Scripture Series: Lift Up Mine Eyes Center Step Card---Link with our Family Friendly, Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi everyone!  It's another Wednesday and time for our bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW)Today, we are featuring a Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) from Psalm 121:1-2 which says, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." I look up these verses at my Life Application Bible and it said, "This song expresses assurance and hope in God's protection day and night.  He not only made the hills but heaven and earth as well.  We should never trust a lesser power than God himself.  But not only is He all powerful, He also watches over us.  Nothing diverts or deters Him.  We are safe.  We never outgrow our need for God's untiring watch over our lives."  

Last November, we have seen the powerful move of God in the result of our election here in America.  What the enemy declared a victory over one candidate (their polls showed it all over the place though I never trusted their polls) was frustrated by a candidate many ridiculed.  Though I was not for Trump during the Republican selection process, I just knew that at the Presidential election, to vote for Clinton is travesty as she represented a demonic agenda (literally---thanks, Wikileaks!) in every shape and form.  Yes, nobody is perfect  but if we have to select between two rotten tomatoes, we can still pick out the less rotten one.  We are talking about the highest position in our country that will not only affect our lives but also the world, so we cannot have an obvious Satan worshiper to fill the position.  Just to be clear, my trust is not in any man but of the God who holds everything together.  I don't pretend to know details of the future but God's Word reveals a big picture on how things go down at the end.  I depend on the working of the Holy Spirit for the day to day wisdom and course of action.  My own thoughts and feelings takes a back seat because God's Word is independent from the way I feel and think.  I can only choose to align with what God said or fight it and lose.  

But the enemy (Satan), though he knew he was already defeated by God, would not accept his defeat and mobilized his army (deceived and paid human followers) to spread lies and rebellion to derail the plan of God for our country.  They make lots of noise using their most influential weapons (Hollywood, Media and Politicians) to further division, lawlessness, violence and hate.  The 8-year leader of this country allowed building of mosques, funded enemies of Israel (Iran Nuclear deal), free pass to our country through the refugee program by radical Islamic terrorist and for these Muslim extremists to gather in our biggest cities to shout "Death to America."  Though we had many problems in this country before, we haven't seen this much evil propagated by this traitor in the Oval office.  Though some would not agree with what I said, do I look like I care for anyone's political correctness or tolerance agenda?  If they could not see these obvious evidence of treason and just takes in what the "bought out media" airs instead of the warnings God's Word tells us, then I rest my case.  After all, I am not speaking to every man.  I speak only to those whom God has quickened to hear.  The Word of God declares in John 3:3, "Unless a man be Born-again, He cannot see the kingdom of God."  The Word of God is the order of the kingdom. Therefore, an unbeliever (those who refuse to come to the saving knowledge of Christ) would not be able to perceive nor understand the spiritual Truths pertaining to God's rule.  Furthermore, Romans 1:21-23 declares, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles."  Nowadays, they worship themselves---their fame, their careers, their wealth and power.  By the grace of God, I will not take any poison that is propagated by these people. 

So, what I'm trying to say is that we need to shut the noise of the enemy and stand on the Word of God.  If God heard our prayers during the election process, He already made a way for us and we need not fear the attacks of the enemy.  Speak up and loud about the Truth of God's Word and support those who are unapologetic about it.  Oh, and beware of those religious leaders who corrupted the Truth for their own fame and monetary gain (many of them with Mega Churches)  as they are everywhere right now.  Ask yourself, why am I not open about my faith in God and why I am afraid to speak the name of Jesus among friends or in social media?  Am I protecting my career, my business, my wealth, my standing, whatever?  For if so, you just need to admit to yourself that you have placed something else above God in your life.  It's called IDOLATRY, folks!  The Ten Commandments were summed up into two in Mark 12:29-31 which says, “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” If the Lord is not your highest priority as a believer, repent from your sin  and live boldly for Him while there is time.  With all the evil happening around us, I lift up my eyes (focused my attention) beyond the chaos and noise of this world and anticipate (with eagerness and certainty) what God will do.  My trust is not in any human being (yup, not even in our upcoming President) with regards to healing this country.  Anything and everything comes from the God (through Christ) who loves me and cares for His people. 

For this Card, I used a rubber stamp from Stamping Bella called "Tiny Townie Sally Rides her Snail" that I watercolored using Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card design.  The DP's are from my scraps, the flowers I layered are from Prima and the mini brads from Recollections.  The stamped swirls behind the flowers are from Inkadinkado which I believe completed my design.  And finally, I also incorporated stitching to this creation.  I am so pleased with the result.


 LIFT UP MINE EYES CENTER STEP CARD


 LIFT UP MINE EYES CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS


 LIFT UP MINE EYES CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW


 LIFT UP MINE EYES CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE


LIFT UP MINE EYES CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX


This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Creations---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Create with TLC---ATG
Artistic Stamper---ATG
Card Mania---Layer It
Classic DT---ATG
Country View---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore----ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Little Miss Muffet---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Sunny Day Crafting---ATG
Crafty Girls Creations---ATG
Delicious Doodles---Something New (The image is new)
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/All About Love
Not Just Cards---New Beginnings (I used a new image)
Paper Creator---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
World Wide Open DT---ATG

Make sure you join us at WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art in your creation and link it to our Challenge but is not a requirement.  As long as it's family-friendly, uplifting and inspirational, you can enter up to 5 times this Challenge.  Wonderful prize to be won from our great sponsor---Simon Says Stamp ($25 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today while being sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  Pray and keep on praying.  The Lord is going to do great and mighty things to our nation.

22 comments:

  1. Ooooh - Girlfriend - fun, colorful, breezy design! Makes me smile! I love the snail in the image - nicely colored!
    ~ginny

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  2. Love your fearless proclamation of the Word Jo Ann - I am so glad that God is in control, and nothing catches Him by surprise!! We are also instructed to pray for our leaders, which the releases His power to do the (apparently) impossible through them.
    Love your card - it is beautifully designed and made
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  3. Absolutely stunning so much to look at. Thank you for joining us at The Crafty Addicts. Helen Dt

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  4. Fabulous design and work. Perfect.

    Thank you for sharing with us over here at Classic Design Team Open Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
    [Annette Registered Owner/Admin for Classic Design Team Challenge]

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  5. Back again, and again just a super fabulous design.

    Thank you for sharing with us over here at "A Perfect Time To Craft" and best of luck with your entry.

    Annette DT for http://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com.au/

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  6. I like the retro feel of your card. Blessings!

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  7. This is just beautiful Thank you for sharing with us over here today at the Classic Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

    Michelle DT for http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/...


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  8. WoW... great work. Love your Card. Thank you for sharing with us over here at "A Perfect Time To Craft" and best of luck with your entry.

    Tina DT for http://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com.au/...

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  9. What a beautiful card. I love step cards and yours is a great one. Great colors and I really like the papers you used. Super cute image as well. Thanks for joining us at the Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenges for our latest challenge.  {Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenges}Good luck and join us again soon. Hugs, Barbara

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  10. Oh my gosh this is just breathtaking!

    Thank you for sharing with us over here at "A Perfect Time To Craft" and best of luck with your entry.

    Lori DT for http://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com.au/...

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  11. Back again, and again just fabulous work. Love it.
    Thank you for sharing with us here today at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

    Annette DT Registered Owners/Admin for World Wide Open Design Team Challenge



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  12. This is so pretty. Thanks for playing along at Crafty Creations! Anna-Karin DT

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  13. Gorgeous card..Thank you for sharing with us over here today at the Classic Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

    Chrissy DT   http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/...

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  14. Fabulous card! Thank you for joining us at Sunny Day Crafting!
    ~DT Sherry x

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  15. A wonderful card. Fabulous layers and gorgeous colours.
    Thank you for joining in with the Crafts Galore Encore January Challenge “Anything Goes”. Good luck x

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  16. Jo Ann this is a wonderful project. Its perfect for our 7th ‘ATG with CREATE WITH TLC’ challenge. Thanks for sharing your talent with us. Good luck and hope to see you play with us again.
    Hugs
    Desíre
    {ATG with a CREATE WITH TLC Element}
    {Doing Life – my personal blog}

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  17. Wonderful card. Delightful springlike colours. Thanks for joining the cvc challenge and goodluck. Hugs rachel x

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  18. Fabulous card. Thanks for playing with us at Craftyhuzelnut's challenges. Hope to see you again soon. Hugs Agnieszka DT

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  19. Beautiful creation! Thank you for joining in The Artistic Stamper Creative Challenge this month x

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  20. A really beautiful card. <3

    Thank you so much for joining us over at Morgan's ArtWorld.

    Hugs Line

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  21. This step card is gorgeous - inside and out! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Love To Craft! -Lori DT

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  22. Great step card. Thank you for joining in the Anything Goes challenge at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends and apologies for the late comment.

    ReplyDelete

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