This past week, I have been so stressed by so many things. From deadlines, projects I needed to get done, house cleaning and organizing---I am so overwhelmed. It just felt like I haven't had the time to sit back and relax without looking at the time and even in my sleep, I would dream of all the things I needed done. And to make matters worst, I had to deal with my truck suddenly overheating for a couple of days now. This morning, I went to meet up with the ladies at my Church for our monthly Women's meeting. It's always a pleasure to not only learn about the Book of Esther (our topic) but to fellowship and get to know these wonderful people aside from the usual hustle and bustle of our Sunday services. We also get to share wonderful and tasty meals which we are provided with each meeting. On my way to the Church, I was so stressed seeing the temperature gauge of my truck fluctuating like crazy. For more than 6 years, it stayed normal till a couple of days ago. Something was wrong but I had no idea. I just remembered going through similar issue with my previous truck and was reminded of the stress and expenses I dealt with that time. All of a sudden, I felt frustration. My mind was in that state when I entered the room. I was so blessed with the smiley faces and hospitality shown to me by my sisters in Christ that allowed me to momentarily forget about my issues. So, while I was trying to concentrate on the benefits of our meeting, I have to battle with negative suggestions the enemy is flooding my thoughts. It's over-all theme---WORRY! You see, trials come in different shapes and forms. From simple to complicated and/or life-threatening. For other people, some problems don't merit much attention for it's not life altering. At the end of our meeting, we were asked if we have a prayer request. I must admit that I initially hesitated to bring my concern to be prayed for. I thought to myself, "Your problem is not a big deal compared to those who are sick of cancer or those that struggle with lots of pain." Therefore, it need not be highlighted!" Wow! But the Spirit of God snapped me out of that deception and showed me that no issue/problem (big or small) is exempted from God's outstretched hand. The fact that it bothers and worries me is enough reason for me and my sisters in the Lord to lift it up to the mighty throne of God who promised us joy and peace in His presence. None of us in the Body of Christ (Church) are exempted from the trials that come to the inhabitants of this world. But unlike the ungodly, we know that we have the Holy One on our side. His promises to us goes beyond this life to everlasting. Yes, we have to constantly battle with fear, anxiety, worry and stress of not knowing how and when God is going to meet our need but choosing to put them aside, we walk with faith and reliance upon His Word knowing that He loves and cares for us. When in doubt, I look at Jesus and what He's done at the Cross for me. How He was sent by the Father to die/pay the price (death by a holy God/Man) so that anyone who believes in Him becomes a part of the resurrection of the saints that will live and inherit the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus. I was spiritually dead once, born in this world in Adam, but now alive in the Spirit when I came to the saving knowledge, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I have full access to the joy, peace and righteousness of my Heavenly Father while in this world. He withholds no blessing from me---physical, spiritual and eternal. If we only understand the benefits of our new birth in Christ, we will give no time for fear and worry. God is always in control! We just need to choose to TRUST HIM!
For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning called "Wonder" and colored it using my Hobby Colour/ProMarker/Prismacolor markers. The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card. I shaped the edges using a Crop-a-dile. The DP's are from Paper Studio and the flowers I layered are from Prima. I used a Sizzix dies for the flourish, added some glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and a brad from Recollections. Lastly, I also did some regular and fancy stitching all over this card.
BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD
BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD LAYERS
BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD SIDE VIEW
BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD INSIDE
BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX
This Card is entered into the following Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps---Lots of Layers
Angie's Digital---ATG/Easter
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Pile It On---ATG/Lots of Layers
Corrosive---ATG
A Perfect Time---ATG
A Place to Start---ATG/Three, Four or Five
Classic DT---ATG
Country View---Spring/Easter
Crafts Galore---ATG
Crafty Animals---ATG with Animals
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Color Create Show it Off---ATG
Daisy Chain---Make it Feminine
Digi Doodle---ATG (Handcolored Image)
Fabrika Fantasy---Flowers
Happy Craft---ATG
HLS---ATG with Dies
LeAnns---ATG
Lets Craft and Create---ATG/Butterflies
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Papercraft---Easter
Pearly Sparkles---Flowers or Showers
Tales from the Craft Room---Spring/Easter
YSP---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 submit up to 5 entries per week. Our wonderful sponsor for this week is Stamp Simply (giving away stamp sets and/or dies of your choice). So excited to see what you come up with. Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today. If you are trusting in Jesus, you are blessed beyond measure.
Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...
Yes, so often the enemy will hit us with worry, which is in direct disobedience to God, who has all things under His control.
ReplyDeleteI love this card Jo Ann - so beautifully coloured and constructed. I love how you have used the verse for this fortnight
Blessings
Maxine
What a great card! I love the fussy cutting of the image . It really makes it stand out. Thanks so much for joining us at A Place to Start. I hope to see you visit again soon.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card both inside and out! You are the queen of fussy cutting! Thanks for being so supportive, I appreciate you!
ReplyDeleteHugz,
Chana Malkah, Owner
A Place To Start Challenge
613 Avenue Create Challenge
Very beautiful and adorable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at Addicted to Stamps.
Greetings, Danoesja
Lovely work, you have been very busy. Great card. Thank you for entering A Perfect Time to Craft. Karen Neil DT
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your card with us this month at Crafty Animals. Lisa DT
ReplyDeleteJo Ann, Beautiful card, love your design, love the sentiment. Thanks for joining in on the Anything goes Challenge at the Happy Craft Challenge Community
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome!!!! Great coloring and layout
ReplyDeleteLovely card Jo Ann. Thank you for sharing with us over here at Morgan's Artworld Open Challenge and best of luck with your entry. Love to see you join in each month. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWendy DT for http://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/
Beautiful creation and design! Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's Artworld Open Challenge. Love to see you join in each month.
ReplyDelete~ Sherry DT/Admin/Coordinator xx
Beautiful card inside and out love the cute image and B.paper.Thank you for joining us at Daisy Chain
ReplyDeleteCarol DT x
Jo Ann this is also beautifully created and just perfect for our April challenge. Thanks for sharing your creative talent with us. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Desíre
{Color It Create It Show It Off Challenge DT Member}
{Doing Life – my personal blog}
Such a cute image and wonderful use of patterned papers. Thanks for sharing at Pearly Sparkles Challenge.
ReplyDeleteA great card - thanks for sharing it with us at Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.
ReplyDeleteHelen x
DT
Beautiful creation both inside & out. Thanks for joining me over at Tales From The Craft Room
ReplyDeletehugs Jo x
Beautiful card Jo Ann and thank you for the reminder that no matter how insignificant we think our trouble is, we should always carry it in prayer.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for joining us at the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge.
Darling image Love the popped pieces TFS Let's Craft and Create...……...Lis
ReplyDeleteLovely cute card! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Country View Challenges last month!
Evelyn xx
What a very pretty card, and I love how you've decorated the inside too. Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Country View Crafts, and I hope you join in with us again this month. Have a very happy week, Sue xx
ReplyDelete