Fun/Humor Series: Marriage is a Workshop Easel Card---It's Time for our Anything Goes, April Challenge at 613 Avenue Create

Hello there, folks!  Hope you are having a wonderful week.  Mine was crazy busy, the reason why this post is so delayed.  Anyway, we started another monthly challenge for y'all last Sunday and we truly hope you will join in the fun at 613 Avenue Create.  As always, it's Anything Goes but if you want to challenge yourself, try our optional twist---Wedding or Anniversary.

Anyway, these past few months, we all witness an intensified war against life.  More than ever, we are bombarded daily with issues regarding people (or lobby groups) that pushes for the murder of the most vulnerable member of our society---the unborn!  They politically worded this "genocide" (mass killing) as "reproductive rights." Whether it be first, second or third trimester abortion, it still goes against the heart of God who made it clear to us in His Word that "life begins at conception."  Psalm 139:13-16 says, "For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be." It's hard to understand how people could ever wish to harm a life that is growing in their own womb---their own flesh and blood.  I was watching a lady in one of the videos I saw in YouTube this week saying that at anytime the baby is in the womb, the baby is nothing more than a blob/lump of tissue.  How could someone be so foolish to accept and promote such a lie?  Truth be told, I know that deep in the heart of that lady and everyone else like her, they knew they were lying.  Nobody can dispute the scientific facts of the transformation (both physically and emotionally---both mother and baby) that happens into one's pregnancy.  Like anyone who deny the existence of God, they thought that in their refusal, they would eliminate the accountability that comes with the knowledge of truth.  I  am convinced they know in their hearts that they are living a lie but they couldn't exchange the benefits of that lie for the inconvenience that the truth would compel them to do.  Before engaging in any sexual intimacy (between a man and a woman), most of us already acquired the basic knowledge (especially at our day and time) that such act could lead to pregnancy.  Many enjoy the momentary pleasure of the act but ignores the lifelong responsibility that those actions could produce. Isn't it that in our everyday decisions from complex to simple, we are "always" confronted with a choice.  When we buy a car, a house,  or even as simple as buying clothes and food, we spend an ample amount of time to decide whether we really need them, their benefits and how are we to pay especially for those big purchases.  But why is it that when it comes to engaging in sexual acts, many couldn't accept the consequences of their selfish actions?  All of a sudden, they're worried about their future?

Okay, so the baby happened!  What can one do?  First, swallow the pride and the insults and give that little one a chance to life.  Even in that situation,  there's still a choice.  In America, there's a helpline to call for support and many agencies are set-up to help us decide to save that life.  Just recently, we heard of the most radical bill that was signed into law in the state of New York that kills the baby even to the time of birth.  That means that those that carried the baby to full term can choose (at the last minute) to terminate their pregnancies just before delivery of a full term baby. Several other states followed New York's lead allowing mothers to decide the murder of their babies at anytime in the womb and worst---even after the baby is born.  Ditching political correctness, this is called "Infanticide." We also witnessed just a month or so ago when the Democratic party blocked the "Born-Alive Survivor Protection Act" which would have required that any health care practitioner present at the time of a birth exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.  It would have threatened prison time for doctors who don't try saving the life of infants born alive during failed abortions.  Anyone in a decent frame of mind should have supported this.  Have people been this heartless to allow not only murdering babies by abortion but making sure to repeatedly kill them outside of their mother's womb  after they failed to destroy them in the womb?  It's hard to fathom the degree of depravity going on in the hearts of first---the parents (both mother and father of the baby) and those that carry out the murder itself (doctors, nurses, medical professionals or their counterparts).  God's Word  clearly warns us in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."  Because I value God's Word, I speak in accordance to God's Truth and refuse to be politically correct to downgrade the value of an unborn life.  I detest the sin of abortion (like any other products of Sin) but have love and concern for those who are caught up in this murderous deception.  I call on the Spirit of the Lord to touch these people and to open their eyes to their own value in the eyes of the Lord.  Every life is important to God and He showed us our value when He sent His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the ransom to save us from sure Death (spiritual, physical and eternal).  For the Lord, we are more than what our momentary pleasure and careless decisions make us.  God is able to forgive when we repent of our sins and allow Him to rule our lives. When we understand the value of our life in the sight of God, only then will we understand why every life is worth fighting for.  Every human being deserves a chance to life!  Read His Word and you will find value in life.

For this Card, I used an image from Bugaboo Digital Stamps called "Fanny Calendar June" and "Groom 4" and colored it using my Hobby Colour and Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square Easel card.  I embossed a couple of panels using Paper Studio embossing folders.  I also incorporated Nestabilities dies for the lacy circle and the flourishes.  The flowers I layered are from Prima, the washi tape border from Tape Works and the brads are from Recollections.  The wonderful sentiment is from TLC Creations and the glitters I used are from Stickles (Crystal).  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  What a fun wedding card!

 MARRIAGE IS A WORKSHOP EASEL CARD

MARRIAGE IS A WORKSHOP EASEL CARD WHEN FLATTENED

 MARRIAGE IS A WORKSHOP EASEL CARD SIDE VIEW

 MARRIAGE IS A WORKSHOP EASEL CARDWITH MESSAGE SPACE

MARRIAGE IS A WORKSHOP EASEL 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
a2z---Fun Folds
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts Galore---ATG
Color Create Show it Off---ATG
Creative Craft Cottage---No Patterned Paper
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
Scor-Pal---Texture
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Pearly Sparkles---Flowers or Showers
YSP---ATG


This is it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge.  If you want to be challenged (like I was), take on the Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss the fun.  Can't wait to see what you create. Have a blessed week!

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Scripture Series: Author and Finisher of our Faith Waterfall Card---Join the Fun and Inspiration of our Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends!  This post is coming out really late.  Just been busy these past few days.  But I would like to share with you my inspiration project for this bi-weekly Challenge happening at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As always, we are featuring a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site.  Our highlighted verse today comes from Hebrews 12:2 which says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I remember quoting a familiar verse to my son every time I talk about walking in accordance to the will and purpose of God in this life. Proverbs 29:18 says,  "Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the law, happy is he," The word "vision" in this passage has to do with prophecy (divine communication) and revelation from God.  This revelation is classified in two ways, General and Special Revelations.  Psalm 19:1-2 tells us, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." Romans 1:19-20 declares, "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."  The revelation of God seen in Nature shows us the unparalleled beauty, wisdom and power of the Creator who created such wonder. Every human being on earth have access to it which is why its classified as a General revelation.  Though what we see in nature may point us to our Creator, it does not clearly reveal the means and the way by which mankind would be saved from eternal damnation after the Fall of Man in Genesis 3.  If God chose to keep us in the dark by withholding His redemptive plan from us, we'd be eternally separated from Him.  But because of His great love and mercy towards mankind, He gave us His Special revelation.  Hebrews 1:1-2 says,  "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."  God chose the nation of Israel to make known His ways to His chosen people which would in turn reveal it to all the nations of the world.  Prophets of old were given dreams and visions, revealing His redemptive work and fulfilling it with the coming of our Savior in human flesh. Jesus Christ was revealed by God to His chosen people from the Old to the New Testament, from Genesis to Revelation.  He's the Son of the Most High God and the most personal revelation (embodiment) of God to mankind.  John 14:8-11 tells us, "Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.^" Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves."  

So, how does God's revelations (General and Special) influence us in facing life's daily challenges as a believer?  What should be our attitude when our faith is under attack and we are persecuted for standing up for God's Truth?  When we know what Jesus Christ accomplished on our behalf through His death, burial and resurrection and we received Him as our personal Lord and Savior (Born-again, John 3:3), we become a part of both His earthly and eternal plan.  Through the wisdom and power of His Word and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us that enables us to hear and obey His voice (direction), we no longer go through life meaningless and purposeless like many others.  As believers, we begin and end our new life in Jesus Christ!  Know that He is with us from the beginning of our journey to the finish line.  Living a life in obedience to God is not easy in a world filled with rebellion and perversion.  Like Jesus, we will experience sufferings and persecution to hinder us from ever reaching the finish line.  But Jesus is our great example.  In spite of the physical and spiritual torture he had to endure to save mankind, He never lost sight of the eternal glory behind the momentary pain, suffering and shame.  No matter what comes our way, in life or in death, we should always remember that we belong to the winning team---the JESUS TEAM!  I would like to share with you what my Life Application Bible shared regarding our highlighted verse for it truly blessed me.  It says: "The Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run with endurance, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit.  To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus.  We will stumble if we  look away from him to stare at ourselves or at the circumstances surrounding us.  We should be running for Christ, not ourselves, and we must always keep him in sight.  When we face hardship and discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture.  But we're not alone; there is help.  Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced.  Suffering is the training ground for Christians maturity.  It develops our patience and makes our final victory sweet."

For this Card, I used an image from Fiskars called "Happy and You Know It" and the short sentiments are from Stampendous from the set called "Inspired Icons."  I did a free hand cutting of the image's clothing.  I also incorporated a small heart from Imaginisce and some washi tapes.  Then. I did some stitching to complete this project.  I truly love this fun and interactive waterfall card.

AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD 

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD PANEL 2

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD PANEL 3

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD WITH MAIN SENTIMENT

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD PANEL 5

AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD BACK

 AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH WATERFALL CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Creative Fingers---ATG
Jo's Scrap Shack---ATG
QKR---ATG
Scrapper's Delight---ATG
Gem of a Challenge---ATG
Catch the Bug---Unusual Folds
Crazy 4 Challenges---Interactive/Humorous
Createful Heart---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Creative Crafters---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 each week.  Our Challenge winner will be awarded a wonderful prizes from our awesome sponsor---Pink and Main Clear Stamps and More ($20 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, live every minute of your life fully trusting in the Lord, both physically and spiritually.  Never ever trade joy that will last for all eternity for momentary pleasure.

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...

Scripture Series: Body of Christ Card---Join Us for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends!  Just want to invite you to join us at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) for another Inspirational Challenge.  As always, we are featuring a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site and while there, view all the wonderful cards/projects the DT's made using the featured Scripture.  Our highlighted Word today comes from 1 Corinthians 12:27 which says, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

As members of the Body of Christ (Ekklesia, Church), God has given each of us gifts to use to edify the Church and to fulfill the purpose He has for us in this world.  We are all different parts but functions as one in Christ.  Some parts are exterior and some interior.  Nevertheless, each one is valuable for the soundness and wholeness of the entire body.  If we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and His finished work at the Cross (Born-again, John 3:3), we're placed in the family of God and we all follow One King---King Jesus and His Word.  I would like to share what my Life Application Bible shared about our highlighted verse and its context for greater understanding.  It says, "The Church is composed of many types of people  from a variety of backgrounds with a multitude of gifts and abilities.  It is easy for these differences to divide people, as was the case in Corinth.  But despite the differences, all believers have one thing in common---faith in Christ.  On this essential truth the Church finds unity.  All believers are baptized by one Holy Spirit into one body of believers, the Church.  We don't lose our individual identities, but we have an overriding oneness in Christ. When a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence, and he or she is born into God's family.  "We were all given the one Spirit to drink' means that the same Holy Spirit fills our innermost beings.  As members of God's family, we may have different interest and gifts, but we have a common goal. No one should feel superior about his or her gift; instead, all should use their gifts to willingly serve.  Too often, the "up-front" gifts, like speaking or teaching are more highly regarded than the "behind-the-scenes" gifts, like helping or serving. No one should discount the contribution of another person, no matter how insignificant it may seem.  We should not be dissatisfied with the gift God has given us but be eager to serve. Nor should we envy those who seem to have more gifts than we do. In love, treat everyone's gifts, yours included, as valuable to God." 

For this Card, I used an image from Hero Art Stamps and colored it using my Touch Five markers.  The base is an A7 white, pre-cut card with envelope from Paper Studio. I added some brads from Recollections and some glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  Lastly, I stitched all over this card. 

 BODY OF CHRIST CARD

 BODY OF CHRIST CARD LAYERS

 BODY OF CHRIST CARD INSIDE

 BODY OF CHRIST CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Creations---ATG

Creative Moments---ATG

Ellibelle's---Think Spring/Green

Crafty Addicts---ATG/Valentine

Colour Crazy---ATG with colored image

Crafty Catz---ATG/Spring

Creative Fingers---ATG

Jo's Scrap Shack---ATG

QKR---ATG

Simply Create Too---ATG/Male

2 Sisters---CAS

a2z---ATG

A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG

A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Classic DT---ATG

Country View---Letters and/or Numbers

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Creatalicious---ATG/Monochromatic

Color Create Show It---ATG

Createful Heart---ATG

Creative Craft---Spring Fever

Daisy Chain---Spring is in the Air

Happy Craft--ATG

LeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Green

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Not Just Cards---ATG

Papercraft---ATG

Sweet Stampers---Easter/Spring

Creative Crafters---ATG

Worldwide Open DT---ATG

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 enter up to 5 times this week.  A wonderful prize awaits our winner from our lovely sponsor for this Challenge---Heffy Doodle (15 euros GC to their store).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, meditate on the goodness of the Lord and rely on His promises.  Expect only wonderful things from Him each day.  You are blessed to be a blessing!

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...

I Heart You Double Slider Card---Join our March Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hi there, guys.  We have a brand new Challenge happening at 613 Avenue Create so feel free to link your Anything Goes with optional theme (Kenetic Cards) projects for the fun of sharing your craft.  I'm so sorry this post is coming a couple days late as many things came up that kept me occupied.

Anyway, it is of utmost importance the I remind you today of the prophetic message of God written in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 which says, "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." The persecution of Christianity here in America can no longer be disputed.  The silencing of biblical and conservative values are no longer restricted to high profile men and women of faith but have now targeted everyday people like you and me.  A couple of days ago, I found out that I could no longer include a link of this Blog on my Facebook account because they classified this Blog as a "hate site"---one that violates their Community rules.   It's hard to fathom that my Blog (with a few followers that shares paper crafting and the Word of God) could be viewed as a threat.  Yet now more than ever, I am convinced that my Blog is making a difference in this darkened world for if it doesn't, why would Satan and his minions care to silence me?  Come to think of it, where do these giant social media gatekeepers base their standards of Truth, morality, love or hate?  Well, their judgment is pretty much centered on THEMSELVES.   It's best described as "Moral Relativism."  Simply put, it's what's right in their own eyes!  Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook CEO)  admitted in his testimony to the Senate many months ago that his company is generally left leaning in their views having their headquarters and the majority of their employees from Silicon Valley.  Oh well, these are the same people that decides who/what gets published/restricted/hidden/deleted in their site.  If you talk about the Truth of the Scripture and explain how it relates to our times, these gatekeepers of social media like Facebook does not care about violating our rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion.  They maliciously eradicate/silence everyone and everything that does not line up with with their liberal, socialist, globalist and ungodly agenda.  It's really nothing but pure evil bias.  

But will they stop me from preaching/exposing the Truth?  Certainly not!  This Blog and everything about it is birthed for the sole purpose of serving and glorifying the Lord.  It is not for money nor fame.  This is to showcase the blessing of creativity through Crafting while sharing the holy standards of God, His redeeming grace through the finished work of Jesus at the Cross to them who would repent.  I don't shy away from hot topics of our time to shed the light of God's Word emphasizing in God's perspective on pressing issues that the fake media hides so we Christians can pray and take action.   This Blog also desires to encourage every believer to be "Salt and Light"of this world that stands on the Word of God without compromise firmly believing that only Truth can set people free.  But I get it...This Blog will always be seen as offensive by those enjoying a lifestyle of Sin, those who reject the gift of salvation through Jesus and those who live, promote and support ungodliness and rebellion.  But for them that seek the Truth, it will bring salvation, freedom, knowledge and wisdom.  So, the question is---would you allow the ungodly to stop you from visiting this site?  God forbid!  In the absence of any link, you can always look for J. ATTERBURY CREATIONS Blog in your browser and by the grace of God, it will always be there to bless you with God's Truth. Each of us carry a cross in following the Lord Jesus.  How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel?  Honestly,  I was disappointed with the injustice done to me by Facebook but on the other hand I am also rejoicing for this is what it means to suffer for Christ in our time. God's Word in Matthew 5:11-12 immediately came to mind which says, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Also Timothy 3:12  says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." My Life Application Bible explains these latter verses as:  "Paul told Timothy that people who obey God and live for Christ will be persecuted.  Don't be surprised when people misunderstand, criticize, and even try to hurt you because of what you believe and how you live. Don;t give up.  Continue to live as you know you should.  God is the Only One you need to please." Lastly, I would like to encourage you to continue in your boldness to speak the Truth of God through any vehicle God entrusted you no matter what the opposition is.  God's unbreakable promises written in His Word being fulfilled in or time is drawing us nearer to the time we'd be face to face with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Oh, what a glorious day that will be!

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”  So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:12-19)

For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Emily and Ryan Under the Umbrella"  that I colored using my Hobby Colour and Prismacolor markers while incorporating some paper-piecing.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from Heidi Grace, the layered flowers are from Prima and the brad is from Recollections. I also added some white nail head gems from Imaginisce and some glitters on the flowers from Stickles (Crystal).  Lastly, I did some fancy and regular stitching all over this project.  For the slider design, I got the inspiration from this YouTube VIDEO.  I just love it!
   

I HEART YOU DOUBLE SLIDER CARD

 I HEART YOU DOUBLE SLIDER CARD LAYERS

 I HEART YOU DOUBLE SLIDER CARD PANELS REVEALED

 I HEART YOU DOUBLE SLIDER CARD INSIDE

I HEART YOU DOUBLE SLIDER CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

As You Like It---Layers One or Many (I like Many layers because it looks and feels good)
Crafty Sentiments---ATG
Digi Choosday---ATG
Everybody-Art---Anniversary
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Tuesday Throwdown---Interactive Cards
Unicorn---Spring
Crafty Creations---ATG
Simon Says Stamp---ATG
a2z Scrapbooking---ATG
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Valentine
Simply Create Too---ATG/Male
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---ATG with Patterned Paper
Color Create Show It---ATG
Daisy Chain---Spring is in the Air
Happy Craft--ATG
LeAnn's World---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Green
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Papercraft---ATG
YSP---ATG

There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the fun by joining our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.   Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week. Thank you to all the followers of this Blog and if you're blessed with the things I share here, please consider following and inviting your friends to follow as well.  God bless and keep you always!

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...

Watch this video and be aware of the agenda to silence Biblical and Conservative voices by giant social media gatekeepers.  Your eyes will be opened!  Then pray, take action and educate others.

 

Scripture Series: Raised Us Up Together Card---It's Time for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends!  It's time for another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  This time, we are using a Scripture Word Art that comes from Ephesians 2:6 which tells us, "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
  
If we take this verse without investigating the "context" (the circumstances that surrounds an event, statement or idea that gives us the full meaning) for which it was written, we will miss the exceeding hope, peace and joy that is tucked in this verse.  To fully understand, we should first know the condition we were in before Adam fell into Sin and the curse that befall mankind after he disobeyed God (Read Genesis 1-3). The decay we see in nature as well as in our moral and spiritual condition as a whole or in part, including how we react to daily circumstances is influenced by our fallen Adamic nature. There's no way any of us (born under Adam) can appease the wrath (justice) of God through our own effort/merit/good works.  By virtue of the blood flowing in our veins, we are Adam's offspring.  We are all tainted by his disobedience and his alliance with Satan (high-treason) against the very God that created us.  The punishment---DEATH (spiritual, physical and eternal deaths)!  No one is exempted---NO, NOT ONE!  The moment you are born into this world, you are born a SINNER!  No one had to teach you to lie, to hate, to be selfish, to rebel.  For the Sin Nature you inherited from Adam (came originally from the heart of Lucifer/Satan) enslaved your human nature causing you to helplessly commit "acts of sin."  You need proof?  Okay, take a good look at those we claim innocent among us---toddlers and young children.  No matter how cute and behaved you think they are, the words, "Me, Mine, Give me" are among the early words you'll hear them say.  And do we teach them how to lie?  Not if you are a decent parent!  Yet at a very young age, they already exhibit signs of rebellion.  And once they grow up with all the worldly influences surrounding them, it just progressively gets worst.  We should all be familiar with these.  None of us (in our right mind and in all honesty) can dispute this Truth.  The Scripture agrees in 1 John 1:8 when it said, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

Once we realized the true state of our existence, a wise man would ask, "Who then can save me from the curse of Sin and Death?  Who will pay the ransom/penalty for my Sin and how can I be reconciled to my Father in heaven?" My friends, this is why the Good News (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) truly brings good news to those who repent of their sins and admit their need of a Savior.  Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Only God is pure and holy!  He is untainted by the Sin that infected mankind.  He alone was qualified to pay the ransom to release us from our bondage with Satan.  Here's Truth---the greatest demonstration of love by our Creator to His creation is written in John 3:16 and it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  Jesus willingly gave His life for our freedom! At the Cross, He took all the punishment intended for us, fully redeeming us from the claws of Satan, his Sin nature and the three-fold nature of Death.  He made a mockery of Satan when He conquered  death by His resurrection.  And everyone who accepts this free gift of salvation by placing their faith (trust, believing, adhering, relying, depending)  on the finished work of Jesus Christ at Cross received a brand new lease in life, having the righteousness of God credited unto them.  It's simple---In Adam, we all die!  In Jesus, we live!  This is the very reason why a true believer denounces/reviles the idea that "there are many ways to God." Anyone who falls for this lie is absolutely deceived and if they die in that belief even after they were presented of the Truth about Jesus Christ, they will reap the due punishment for rejecting the One and Only Savior of the world!

Having laid out the Truth of Christ and placing our faith upon His victory at the Cross, we can now have a greater understanding on who we are and what we have in Him.  Because we are in Christ, we are also co-heirs with Him.  As His followers,  what happened to Jesus also happens to us.  We share His victory yet we'll also be part of His suffering.  Though for a little while we'd have to withstand persecution of many kinds (even to the point of death) for we uphold and deliver the teachings of Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News of salvation to this fallen world. Through our suffering,  we carry in us the hope of glory  promised to those who faithfully endure.  Even though we are surrounded by utter darkness in this present day and age, the light of the Spirit of God inside every believer shines even brighter till this period of grace/mercy closes and the judgment of God (Tribulation Period/The Day of the Lord) pours out to them that rejected Christ.  Believers, have no fear for He will spare us from the days of His wrath snatching us out of this world (Rapture of the Church/First Resurrection) to His glorious presence.  And when He sets up His righteous kingdom for a thousand years (Millennial Reign of Christ), we will be back to this earth to rule with Him.  One day, we will see the fullness of the glory of God and in His holy perfection, we will eternally dwell.  JESUS CHRIST IS MY VICTORY!
 
For this Card, I used an image from Stampabilities called "Stick Family" that I colored using my Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from American Crafts and the white brad is from Recollections.   I also did some fancy stitching on this project.  The most difficult and time consuming part of this creation is stamping the stick people and fussy cutting them but worth the effort.  I love the result.

RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD

 RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD LAYERS

 RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD SIDE VIEW

 RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD INSIDE

RAISED US UP TOGETHER CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

As You Like It---Layers One or Many (I like Many layers because it looks and feels good)
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Crafty Creations---ATG
Simon Says Stamp---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 The Project Bin ($15 GC). So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  He truly loves and cares for you. 

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Scripture Series: God is Love Card---Take Part in our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

A wonderful Wednesday, everyone!  Today, we started another Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) as we feature another great Scripture Word Art (free for you to download at the WAW site).  It comes from 1 John 4:16 which tells us, "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of God's love for mankind.  God's holy, righteous and glorious ways  could not tolerate Sin in any shape or form.  The justice of God demanded punishment when Adam disobeyed the Father and committed high-treason in the Garden of Eden.  Every man born in this world came from the seed of Adam.  We are all tainted with his Sin---not one person is qualified to work on his own salvation.  Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  I  read an article about this at gotquestions.org and it says,"We are all sinners because Adam passed on his sinful condition that leads inevitably to our personal sin and death. All share Adam’s death sentence as an inherited condition (the “sin nature”) that is passed down to and through the human race and that every child brings into the world. Even before a child can be held accountable for personal sin, he or she is naturally prone to disobey, to tell lies, etc. Every child is born with a sin nature. “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” (Psalm 14:2). And what does the all-seeing God find? “All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one” (verse 3). In other words, all have sinned.

Jesus was the Only One who can take away the sin of all mankind.  Let this sink in---God's own Son had to come down from heaven, took on flesh and showed God and His ways, revealed His heart to us and saved us from sure death (spiritual, physical and eternal).  He demonstrated to us the impossible---the power of His kingdom.  Yet He also showed us what true love was willing to give to save the ones He loved.  Because God's righteousness and glory cannot be trampled on and the wrath of God demands justice be served---God's Only Son (holy and sinless) born as a Man (conceived not of Adam but by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin) had to willingly give His life so we can be free---that is, dead in Adam and alive in Christ.  Just as one Man (Adam) plunged us all to eternal damnation, it is also by the obedience and sacrifice of one Man (Jesus Christ) that brought us back  to the presence of God, our Father.  This gift of salvation is FREE for anyone who would place their FAITH (trust, believe, rely, depend, adhere, surrender) in  what Jesus Christ accomplished  at the Cross---His death, burial and resurrection. I am a believer and through Him, I am holy, righteous and loved by my Father in heaven. 

Oh yes!  Jesus embodies the perfect love of God.  He showed us how to live each day---to love our brothers and sisters in  the Lord and how to also love our neighbors.  But genuine love is only possible  if we love Jesus first.  Jesus showed us His love for the Father by making Him His priority---that is to commune with the Father and to carry out God's perfect will and purpose.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and received the free gift of salvation He won for us, His Holy Spirit lives inside of us.  The same Holy Spirit that enabled Jesus to carry out the plan of God in His earthly ministry,  His source of wisdom and strength, the same power that raised Him from the dead---is living inside every Born-again believer (John 3:3) today!  Remember this:  God is love!  God showed His perfect love through His Son---Jesus Christ.  All of us remaining in love wholeheartedly loves Jesus Christ and He lives inside of us through the Holy Spirit. It is He who enables us to love people---yes, even our enemies.   Do not be fooled by those who claim to love God but mocks the name of Jesus and deny Him publicly.  The true love of God does not rejoice in lies nor water down God's Word just to avoid offending others.  God's love tells the Truth in love (right motive) to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions Stamps called "Quilt Set" that I watercolored using Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The base is Kraft CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from Paper Studio, the stamped flower from Ditto Stamps, the washi tape from Paper Studio and the gems from my stash.  I want a more natural look for my card so, I colored the image with mostly shades of brown and gray.  I'm pretty happy with the result.

GOD IS LOVE CARD

 GOD IS LOVE CARD LAYERS

 GOD IS LOVE CARD INSIDE

GOD IS LOVE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Art Impressions---Stripes and/or Circles
Crafting by Designs---Love is in the Air
Crafty Creations---ATG
Crafty Gals---Love is in the Air (Add a Heart)
Creative Moments---ATG/Romance
House Stamps Built---Tic Tac Toe (Love/Embossing/Patterned Paper)
Moo-Mania---Love is in the Air
Paper Shelter---Letters and/or Numbers
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Valentine Colors
a2z---Mood Board (The Love Theme is what inspired me)
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Artistic Stamper---ATG (use rubber stamp)
CCK---Valentine/Love/Heart/For Someone Special
Classic DT---ATG
Craft Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Hazelnut's---ATG with Patterned Paper
CCC---Valentine/Love
Daisy Chain---Have a Heart
Digi Doodle---All About Love
Fabrika Fantasy---ATG/Love
Happy Craft---ATG
LeAnn's World---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG/From the Heart
LTCCB---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG/Monochrome
Papercraft---ATG/Valentine/Love
Tales from the Craft Room---Love
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 enter up to 5 times each week.  A wonderful prize awaits our winner from our lovely sponsor for this Challenge---Waffle Flower Store  ($15 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, meditate on the goodness of the Lord and rely on His promises.  Expect only wonderful things from Him each day.  Be thankful for His love always!

Sit Shake Rollover Card---Come and Join our Fun Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hi there, Crafty Peeps!  A couple of days ago, we started our monthly Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create with the optional theme of "Use a Critter."  I would like to show you the Birthday card that I  made for our Challenge but first, to the most important issue of our day.

By now, I know that most of you are already aware and have heard the news about the despicable move of several other states following New York that declared an all out war against the unborn.  They've replaced every Pro-life laws by laws that would allow just about anyone the right to murder babies up to the time of birth.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I'm appalled and enraged!  My spirit cries foul, seeking justice for these innocent lives.  I cannot just sit and watch while the ungodly uses their governmental power to murder our children.  I may not have worldly influence/position but I know my God-given position in the Kingdom of God.  I an aware of the unlimited power that Christ entrusted me.  I can engage in this spiritual warfare against abortion through faith, prayer and declaration while taking the necessary action as a citizen to destroy this abomination of Abortion in this country.  I may be one person but with God's power working in me, I can certainly make a difference.  If you feel the same way,  let us use every window of opportunity to unite and use anything at our disposal to make a noise---a very LOUD and POWERFUL NOISE to condemn this barbaric and horrendous act of murder in our time.  If  mainstream media wouldn't air our cause, let us CREATE OUR OWN MEDIA and get the real and life giving news out there while we still can.  DO NOT BE SILENT.  SEEK JUSTICE.  BE THE VOICE FOR THE UNBORN!

Whether you believe it or not, this war against the unborn are connected with modern day demonic worship.  Yes---your educated, decent, modern and progressive politicians along with the rich and powerful of our time are all working together under the hands of a demonic international group that is vowed to take control of all the world to pave the way for the demonic leadership of the anti-Christ.  If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and you reject the wisdom that comes from reading God's Word (the Bible), you will laugh at this and think I'm totally crazy.  But I wouldn't be surprised!  For the spirit of blindness/deception engulfs the ungodly and the perishing.  However, hear my plea.  If something is stirred inside of you and you see Truth in this message, ask JESUS to reveal Himself to you! I believe He will allow His Spirit of understanding to come upon  you---opening both your physical and spiritual eyes (and ears) to the Truth that in Christ.  However,  if you choose to reject Him, you will never ever see the light!  I want to share with you this article from gotquestions.org on "What does the Bible say about child sacrifice?"  If you have eyes to see and ears to hear, let them see/hear what the Spirit of God is saying:

"The horrific practice of child sacrifice has been committed throughout the world for thousands of years. Generally, the sacrifice of a child was intertwined with the worship of a pagan deity, often a fertility god. Worshipers sought to obtain a blessing from their god(s) or to confirm or complete a vow taken in the name of the god. Ancient Aztecs, Incas, and a few other peoples in South and Central America practiced child sacrifice. The same for the Druids of Europe. The city of Carthage in North Africa contains evidence of child sacrifice related to the worship of Ba’al Hammon, a god imported from Phoenicia. Many Roman writers refer to this barbaric act in Carthage. The Bible contains the heart-breaking tale of child sacrifice practiced in the name of Molech (also spelled Moloch or Molek), a god of the Ammonites. Molech worship was practiced by the Ammonites and Canaanites, who revered Molech as a protecting father figure. Images of Molech were made of bronze, and their outstretched arms were heated red-hot. Living children were then placed into the idol’s hands and died there or were rolled into a fire pit below. Some sources indicate a child might also be “passed through the fire” prior to the actual sacrifice in order to purify or baptize the child. Molech worship occurred in the Hinnom Valley near Jerusalem. Because of this, the valley became associated with the idea of Tophet, or hell (Isaiah 30:33; Jeremiah 19:12; Mark 9:45).

God prohibited Israel from child sacrifice in general and Molech worship in particular. Leviticus 20:2-5 states, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him. I myself will set my face against him and will cut him off from his people; for by sacrificing his children to Molek, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name. If the members of the community close their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molek and if they fail to put him to death, I myself will set my face against him and his family and will cut them off from their people together with all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molek.’” Many other Old Testament passages affirm God’s zero-tolerance for child sacrifice. Sadly, King Solomon became involved in this horrendous practice, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:4-11, “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD. . . . On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. . . . The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command.” Later, the evil king Manassah offered his own son as a sacrifice (2 Kings 21:6), as did King Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:1-4). The people of Judah participated in this crime against their own sons—a sin so “detestable” that God said it had never even crossed His mind (Jeremiah 32:35). Child sacrifice was one reason for the Babylonian captivity (verse 36). Some critics of the Bible point to the story of Abraham, who laid his son Isaac on an altar and prepared to sacrifice him as directed by God (Genesis 22:1-14). However, in this case, God was testing the obedience and faith of Abraham. God stopped him from actually following through and provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice.

Today, child sacrifice is practiced throughout the world. There has been a resurgence of child sacrifice in Uganda. Witch doctors have been implicated in the mutilation and death of children who were killed in an effort to bring good fortune and wealth to those willing to pay for it. There is also a correlation between child sacrifice and modern-day abortion. Unprecedented numbers of children have been “sacrificed” at the hands of abortionists for the sake of convenience, immorality, or pride. Hundreds of thousands of babies have been killed so that their parents can maintain a certain lifestyle. God hates “hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17), and we can be sure that God will judge this horrendous sin."

For this Card, I used an image from Paper Studio which I had for many years now but haven't used.  I colored it using my Prismacolor markers.  The base is an A2, pre-cut card from Paper Studio and the banner is from Basic Grey.  The inside sentiment is from Studio 112.  I love this fun card.

 SIT SHAKE ROLLOVER CARD

 SIT SHAKE ROLLOVER CARD INSIDE

SIT SHAKE ROLLOVER CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

CAS in Friday---ATG (CAS)
Crafting with Friends---ATG
Crafty Catz---ATG
Jo's Scrap Shack---ATG
QKR---ATG
Simply Create Too---ATG/Hearts
2 Crafty Critter---ATG (with Critters)
Classic DT---ATG
Crafty Animal---ATG (with animals)
Let's Craft and Create---ATG/From the Heart
LTCCB---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG/Monochrome



There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to link with us.  I hope you have a great week and know that through faith in what Jesus accomplished at the Cross, we have complete victory over the works and schemes of the enemy!  Let us share this hope to countless others in the world.