Scripture Series: In the Way Everlasting Card---Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge Happening at Word Art Wednesday!

A wonderful day, everyone!  A week ago, we started another bi-weekly Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  You still have another week to join the fun and possibly win a great prize.  As always,  I featured a card below with our Scripture Word Art that comes from Psalm 139:23-24 that says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

 

Wow, these verses demonstrates to us a wonderful song of humility and surrender to the Lord who created us.  It also acknowledges that we are incapable of living holy lives without His presence.  But in the same chapter of Psalm 139 in verses 19-22,  King David expressed hatred and anger for the wicked who hated God and misused His name.  Are we supposed to hate our enemies?  After all, God regarded David as a man after His own heart!  How do we reconcile this?  As a New Testament believer (Born-again, John 3:3), Jesus clearly told us in Matthew 5:43-45, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

 

The truth is, both Old and New Testament believers were/are prone to adversity.  The enemy uses evil men, even the one closest to us to betray and/or harm us. Our advantage as New Testament saints is the fact that we have the written and personal revelation of God---the fullness of God's Word in Jesus Christ!  The closer we are to God (through study and obedience to His Word), the more we hate Sin.  We are angry because it separates people from God, influences others to follow the path of rebellion and destruction, causes suffering to many, and ultimately---eternal damnation for all that rejected Christ.  The Lord knows my deepest thoughts to them that mocked Jesus and it is pointless to keep anything from Him. I want justice more than ever but also praying that many of these evil men would repent and find God's mercy before it's too late. So be it personal, social or global concern, I'd rather bring all my cares to His attention and let Him take charge.  After all, God is totally in control and His divine plan could not be thwarted!  I would like to impart what My Life Application Bible shared about our highlighted verses in this post. It said, "David's hatred for his enemies came from his zeal for God.  David regarded his enemies as God's enemies, so his hatred was a desire for God's righteous justice and not for personal vengeance.  It is all right to be angry at people who hate God? Yes, but we must remember that it is God who will deal with them, not us.  If we truly love God, then we will be deeply hurt if someone hates Him. David asked God to search his heart and mind and point out any wrong motives that may have been behind his strong words.  But while we seek justice against evil, we must also pray that God's enemies will turn to Him before He judges them (See Matthew 5:44).  David asked God to search for sin and point it out, even to the level of testing his thoughts.  This is exploratory surgery for sin.  How are we to recognize sin unless God points it out? Then, when God shows us, we can repent and be forgiven.  Make our highlighted verse your prayer.  If you ask the Lord to search your heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing on God's "way everlasting."

For this Card, I used an image from Stampendous called "Head Shots" that I colored using my Ohuhu markers,  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square with rounded corners.  The DP's are from My Mind's Eye Bramble Rose Set, the layered flowers from Prima, a small brad from Recollections and the leaves were die-cut with Fiskars punch.  I also added glitters from Stickles (Crystal), a washi tape from Paper Studio and machine stitched all over this project.  I absolutely love it! 

 

IN THE WAY EVERLASTING CARD 

IN THE WAY EVERLASTING CARD LAYERS

 

IN THE WAY EVERLASTING CARD INSIDE

 

 

IN THE WAY EVERLASTING CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

 

Ellibelle's Corner---ATG

Simon Says Stamp---ATG

Digi Choosday---ATG

Try Stampin' on Tuesday---Technique, Layering or Both

A Place to Start---ATG

Get Creative---Something New (Image is new)

Jan's Digi Stamps---ATG

PIP---ATG

Simon Says---Beautiful Blooms

Stamp & Fun---ATG

Corrosive---ATG

Stamping Sensations---Add Some Sparkle

Lil' Patch of Crafty---ATG

Gem of a Challenge---ATG

Crafty Calendar---Add a Sentiment

Dis Digis---Make It Sparkle

Taylormade---ATG/Valentine/Love

 

 

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 prize from our awesome sponsor---Avery Elle Designs ($15 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, as believers of Jesus Christ, freed from the bondage of Sin through faith in Jesus, let us continue to share the gift of salvation to them who are lost while allowing God to sanctify us fully in the image and likeness of our Savior.

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Scripture Series: Renewing of the Holy Ghost Card--Come and Join our First Challenge for 2023! It's Anything /Inspirational Goes at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, Crafty friends! Our Blog Hop ended nearly a week ago and I would like to thank those that participated and left me encouraging comments.  The list of winners are listed at our very first Challenge for 2023 at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). Congratulations! As always, we feature a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site. It comes from Titus 3:5 which says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."   

 

We just started 2023 and as always, many of us have come up with a New Year's resolution that would make us better people for ourselves and others.  Fresh from the holidays, we are so inspired to accomplish these goals that we are optimistic we will get to fulfill them this year better than the last year.  But so many of us will abandon what we've set to do even before the first month of January ends.  That's because when we rely on our own effort, we quickly realize how difficult it is to follow our own goals.  How much more for those resolutions that are spiritually and morally inclined?  

 

How many people have expressed their desire to attend a Church (Body of Christ, Eklesia) after they cleaned up their act altogether every year?  Frankly, if that is their goal, it's like saying, "I would never come to the Lord ever." How holy did they think they would have to be before they would be good enough to attend a Church building? Are they talking about outward or inward change? For there is no lasting/meaningful change without the working of God in one's heart. They're oblivious to the fact that the Church (not the physical building but the people) is a community of believers that they can go to when they're in dire need of help from their physical and spiritual sickness so they can get well.  Everyone who placed their faith in Jesus is now a temple of the Holy Spirit that can be used by God to minister to the lost.  For only the Lord can cure man's spiritual darkness which also affects our physical well-being since the Fall of Adam. Before Christ, we carried the curse of Sin and Death (originally from Lucifer/Satan) in our mortal bodies and we are headed to eternal damnation.  It was grim and hopeless.  But when God sent Jesus Christ to this world to redeem mankind from such curse, everyone who gave their life to Christ and made Him their Lord  and Savior (Born-again, John 3:3) by way of the Cross are freed from the shackles of Satan and given a new life (in Christ).  The Amplified version of 2 Corinthians 5:17 clearly says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]."  As Jesus died on the Cross for us, we died with/in Him so that in His resurrection we come alive with/in Him, all by faith!  And God didn't leave us to walk this newness of life on our own that none of us can boast about our own efforts and good deeds.  He gave us the Holy Spirit to lead and enable us; renewing and sanctifying (to be set apart) us; till we are perfectly transformed to the image and likeness of our Savior---Jesus Christ!

As we meditate on the working of the Holy Spirit in us this year, let us extend God's mercy to others who are still lost.  Remembering how we acted in a similar fashion before the mercy of God touched our lives and drew us to Christ.  Let us not tire in sharing the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus) and pray for their spiritual eyes to be opened even when they come to persecute us.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can make this our goal for the New Year which is guaranteed to please the heart of our Father in heaven.  I would like to share a portion of an article from Gotquestions.org that explains our highlighted verse in this post.  It says, "The “washing of regeneration” refers to being born again. The Greek word for “washing” in Titus 3:5 describes the act of cleansing something all over thoroughly. Regeneration means taking an already existing thing and making it new again or starting over. In literal terms, it means “birth again.” This renewal work of the Holy Spirit is described as “cleansing” and “purifying” in Ezekiel 36:25–27: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” The “washing of regeneration” is a metaphor for complete spiritual cleansing and removal of our sins. When we call on the name of the Lord, our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16; Psalm 51:1–2). When a sinner trusts in Jesus Christ, he or she is justified or declared righteous by God through the sacrificial death of His Son. Christ’s work is justification. Simultaneously, through the power of God’s indwelling Spirit, the washing of regeneration purifies us from all sin. At once, we are made righteous, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus Christ by God’s Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11). “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Salvation and the radical, transformative washing of regeneration are all God’s doing; therefore, believers have no room for spiritual pride. We must remain humble and compassionate toward unbelievers, remembering to demonstrate the same kindness and love God showed us."

 

For this Card, I used an image from DRS Stamps called "Leonard Pig's Bathtime Buddies" that I colored using my Ohuhu markers.  The base is a white A7 pre-cut card from Paper Studio, the DP's are from My Mind's Eye (Bramble Rose collection) and the lacy circle is die-cut from Nestabilities. I added another sentiment from Clear Dollar Stamps, some glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and some fancy stitching for dimension.  I decided to let the beauty of the paper show in this project and I'm very happy with the result.

 

RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST CARD

RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST CARD LAYERS

RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST CARD INSIDE

RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Digi Choosday---ATG

Everybody-Art---ATG

A Place to Start---ATG

Get Creative---Something New (New stamp image)

Jan's Digi---ATG

PIP---ATG

Use Your Stuff---Stitching (Real or Faux)

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG

My Bestie---ATG

Stamping Sensations---Add Some Sparkle

Corrosive---ATG

Beyond the Blue---Something New (new stamp image)

Crafty Catz---ATG/Fave Hobbies or Pastimes

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---ATG

C.R.A.F.T.---New (New Stamp Image)

Craft Rocket---Not Square

Critter Crazy---ATG with Critters

A Perfect Time---ATG

Ally's Angels---ATG

Bastel-Traum---Glitter

Classic Design--ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Crafty Animals---ATG with Animals

Crafty Friends---New Beginnings (Card Focused on New Birth/Creation)

Creatalicious---ATG/Something New

DL Art---ATG

Girlz Creative Crafts---ATG

LeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Black and White

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/No Stamping

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

QKR Stampede---ATG

Worldwide 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 each week.  Great prize package to be won from our wonderful sponsor---Seth Apter Designs ($25 GC).  Always remember that every believer is important to the Body of Christ and none of us are without talents and gifts to contribute to the Body.  God placed us at this time when many have succumb to darkness and the hope and light of the Gospel is the only cure. Time is running out!

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Encouragement Series: Dream Smile Believe---Join our Year End Blog Hop and our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday...Great Prizes to be Won!

Hi there, Crafty friends!  First of all,  A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and an advance BLESSED NEW YEAR to all.   It's time for our Annual Blog Hop at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) which will go on for two weeks.  Today's Scripture Word Art comes from Psalm 65:11 which says, "Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness." Download this free Scripture Word Art at WAW, use it for your projects (not mandatory) and don't forget to link  them to our Challenge.  Then follow the Blog hop order for a chance to win the awesome prizes our DT's are giving away in their post. You can find the complete details below. Some of our DT's featured our highlighted verse in their projects while some of us (including myself) decided to highlight a great sentiment from one of our sponsors, Stamp Simply, for my card sample below.

Like David who wrote Psalm 65, we are to acknowledge from whom our blessings flow.  James 1:17 clearly conveys to us, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Before Adam's Fall, we have nothing but blessings from God  and everything He created. God spoke and everything came to life,  There's something special with humanity for He formed us with His hands and breathe unto us His breath of life (Genesis 2:7).  We were made according to His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26).  No sin, death, sickness, diseases, pain and suffering.  But even after the first man failed that plunged us all into darkness and separation from God, God still clothed Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).  A sacrifice needed to be made in order to cover our nakedness/shame.  Even in our disobedience, God showed  great love to the mankind He created.  But in the fullness of time, God's ultimate and matchless sacrifice was given and revealed to this world when He allowed His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born in the flesh and placed upon Him the sins of the world.  That in His death, burial and resurrection, anyone who believed in Him would live free of the Sin that would have otherwise enslave and torment us for all eternity.  He knew before creation that this would happen and yet He chose to create and give us life so that when we come to Christ (Born-again, John 3:3), we would be reunited with Him forever.  If we believe in what Christ has done for us and our faith is solely focused on Him, God lives in us and we in Him. The inheritance of Christ is every believer's inheritance and we shall live forever in our Lord's presence. As John 3:16 tells us, “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life."

  

As we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus this season, let us be thankful and hopeful for the coming year. Our God is in control and there's nothing that happens that He didn't plan for.  Hang on to every promises He made in His Word knowing that our life and eternal well-being depends on it.  We have access to the presence of God at all times because of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is God with us and in us.  In the time of David, he used nature to describe God's abundant love and blessings to His people. A comment from My Life Application Bible says this about Psalm 65:6-13, "This harvest psalm glorifies God the Creator as reflected in the beauty of nature.  Nature helps us understand something of God's character.  The Jews believed that God's care of nature was a sign of His love and provision for them.  Nature shows God's generosity---giving us more than we need or deserve.  Understanding God's abundant generosity should make us grateful to God and generous to others." This is so true every time we take the time to look at nature, it always reveals the glory, greatness and love of God for mankind.  Yet we have so much more to be grateful to God for in this New Testament era.  For along with nature, we have the most personal revelation of God's fullness to mankind.  We see Him in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior who love us and gave His life for us.  All glory to His Name!

For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Uptown Girl Lucille Sends Her Love" that I watercolored using my Stabilo 68 markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square shape. The DP's are from Paper Studio, the flowers that I layered are from Prima and the brads are from Recollections.  I used Nestabilities for the Lacy Oval Frame.  I added some glitters from Stickles (Crystal) on the flowers as well as fancy and regular stitching all over this creation.  The beautiful sentiment is of course from Stamp Simply from the set called "Pretty Poppies." I really love the finished result.

 

 

 DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD

DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD LAYERS

 

DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD SIDE VIEW

 

DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD INSIDE

 

DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

Okay everyone, here's the ORDER OF THE BLOG HOP:

 

Natalie Houston

Jo Ann Atterbury (this is ME)

Christine Miller

Ginny Maxam 

Gail Scott

Cynthia Olheiser

Esther Asbury

Karen Letchworth

Word Art Wednesday

Welcome to my Blog, your second stop in the WAW Blog Hop! We have many fabulous prizes from our generous sponsors, Stamp Simply and Tonic Studios.  

To be eligible to win the Stamp Simply prize ($25 GC) to their store, just enter your art in our WAW gallery as usual.  The winner of this prize will be selected by random draw from our entries.

To be eligible to win the prizes from Tonic Studios and other goodies, simply leave a comment on each Designer Team's blog to be eligible for their specific prizes.  When you completed the Blog Hop, leave a comment at Word Art Wednesday (your final stop on the Hop) saying that you've completed the Hop.

Here's my prize for the Blog Hop...Tonic Studios Stamp and Dies Set!

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

 

Digi Choosday---ATG 

Passion for Markers---Use Die-Cut and Markers

TTCRD---ATG

Tuesday Morning Sketches---ATG

A Place to Start---ATG/Happy Holidays

PIP---ATG

Dragonfly Dreams---Anything But Christmas

Lil Patch of Crafty---ATG

My Bestie Spanish Challenge---ATG

Stamping Sensations---Anything Stamped/Winter Wonderland

We Love Stamping---I Love People Themed Stamp.

Gem of a Craft---ATG

Allsorts---ATG/O Christmas Tree

Crafty Calendar---ATG

Taylormade---ATG/Christmas

Colour Crazy---ATG

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---ATG

A Perfect Time---ATG

Ally's Angels---ATG

Bastel-Traum---Glitters

Classic Design---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---ATG

Creatalicious---ATG/CAS Christmas Cards

Happy Little Stampers---ATG with Die

Happy Little Stamplers---Watercolor

LeAnns World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Inspired by a Song

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

QKR Stampede---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Sweet Stampers---ATG

The Creative Crafters---ATG

Worldwide Open DT---ATG

YSP---ATG

  

Time to go, everyone!  Please make sure to visit us at WAW and link up the projects you make out of our free Word Art although not mandatory.  You can link up any inspiring, uplifting, family-friendly projects, up to 5 each week.  Our wonderful sponsors this week are Stamp Simply ($25 GC) and Tonic Studios (prize packs) .  So, join our Blog Hop and show us your wonderful projects.  Enjoy the holidays with your family.  Always remember that God is in control and we can trust in His protection always. Our part is to pray without ceasing and act upon His Word.

 

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

 

Scripture Series: God Sent Forth His Son Card---Join our Anything/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello everyone! We started another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge several days ago at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring a new Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site). It comes from Galatians 4:4-5 which says, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."  

 

I don't know about you but I feel so blessed to live in this New Testament era when the Lord Jesus already accomplished what He was sent to do in order to redeem mankind from sure death forever.  He was with God from the beginning and was spoken by God to man right after the Fall of Adam in Genesis 3:15.  God addressing the serpent (Satan) said, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." You and I are living in this dispensation of time that was considered a mystery by God's people until the Holy Spirit came down on the Day of Pentecost and dwell in the hearts of man.  Jews and Gentiles alike became the Body of Christ (Ekklesia, Church) with Christ as the Head.  Up until the revelation of the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) was entrusted to Apostle Paul, people were oblivious to the Jews and the Gentiles coming together as One Body   in Christ!  Through the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross, everyone who humbles himself before God and puts his/her faith on Him will not face eternal death. The once severed spiritual connection with God is restored and our sins are forgiven. For Jesus paid the highest price so that we can remain in His presence forever. I say thank you, Lord!

As children (Born-again, John 3:3) of the Most High celebrating the birth of our Savior this time all around the world, let us be grateful and make use of the remaining time given to this world to impart what Christ has done for us.  As we see darkness trying to diminish the light of the Gospel in every corner of the world, let us remember what God's Word in 1 John 4:2-4 clearly tells us, "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."  Every born-again believer carries the light of God in them that will shine the brightest in the midst of darkness.  I know it is not easy and we feel weary at times in this intense battle between good and evil.  If you need rest, rest in the arms of our Lord  Jesus and feed on His Word. His Spirit is faithful to comfort and recharge us with power and might needed to finish yet another day till He calls us home.  I declare that today is a great day to be a believer!  Jesus and His Ark of Grace is still open for those who seek refuge, love and eternal freedom provided by God to them who would believe.  One day the door will shut and the rebellious outsiders will face God's wrath. If we truly love our family and friends, we would tell them about the Gospel for Jesus is the "only way" by which man can be saved.  

I would like to impart what My Life Application Bible shared regarding our highlighted verses in this post.  It says, "When the time had fully come," God sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins.  For centuries, the Jews had been wondering when their Messiah would come---but God's timing was perfect. We may sometimes wonder if God will ever respond to our prayers.  But we must never doubt Him or give up hope.  At the right time He will respond.  Jesus was born of a woman---He was human.  He was born as a Jew---He was subject to God's law and fulfilled it perfectly.  Thus Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because, although He was fully human, He never sinned.  His death bought freedom for us who were enslaved to sin so that we could be adopted into God's family.  Under the Roman law, an adopted child was guaranteed all legal rights to His father's property, even if he was formerly a slave.  He was not a second class son; he was equal to all other sons, biological or adopted,  in His father's family. As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God's resources. As God's heirs, we can claim what He has provided for us---our full identity as His children (Romans 8:15-17)."

 

For this Card, I used a Christmas themed image from Art Impressions called the "Ugly Sweater Clear Set" that I colored using my Ohuhu markers.  The base card and envelope are from Paper Studio and the background stamp is from Inkadinkado. The DP is from DCWV. I ran it through my Cuttlebug using a Cuttlebug folder for embossing and I added glitters from Stickles-Crystal to parts of the image. Lastly, I included some fancy stitching.

 

 

GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON CARD 

GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON CARD LAYERS

 

GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON CARD WITH ENVELOPE

 

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

 

Alphabet Challenge---S is for Snow 

Beyond the Blue---Snowflakes!

CAS on Sunday---Embossing (Heat or Dry)

Colour Crazy---ATG

Creative Fingers---ATG

Jingle Belles---Wrapping up 2022/Christmas Themed

Pattie's Creations---ATG

Paper Dragonfly---Merry CRAFTmas

Winter Wonderland---Anything Christmas Goes

As You Like It---ATG for Christmas

Cardz 4 Galz---Fun in the Snow

C.R.A.F.T.---ATG

Krafty Chicks---CAS

MAWTT---Christmas

Crafty Gals Corner---'Tis the Season

Ellibelle's Corner---ATG

Fab n Funky---Last Minute Christmas

Simon Says---Ice Cold

Sisterhood of Crafters---Traditional Christmas

Paper Funday---ATG/Holiday Time

Digi Choosday---ATG

Holly and Ivy Christmas---Anything Christmas Goes

TTCRD---ATG

A Place to Start---ATG/Happy Holidays

Crafting Happiness---Christmas

Double Trouble---Thing 1 (My Color Choices)

Inspiration Station---Holiday Magic

PIP---ATG

Use Your Stuff---Christmas Edition

Make sure you join us at WAW Challenge.  There's a few more days left to participate in our current Challenge before our final Challenge of the year that will include a Blog Hop with lots and lots of prizes to be won which will start this coming Wednesday. 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 several times.  A great prize awaits our winner from our wonderful sponsor---The Rabbit Hole Designs ($15 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Christmas is coming and I hope you share the true meaning of this season to your friends and love ones.   

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Scripture Series: All Things Are For Your Sakes Center Step Card---Join Us for Anything/Inspirational Goes at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, guys!  So, we began another Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) over a week and a half ago featuring another Scripture Word Art which you can download for free at the WAW site.  It comes from 2 Corinthians 4:15 which says, "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."

 

We just celebrated Thanksgiving Day in this country several days ago.  There's just so much to be thankful for but on the top of my list is that I am a child of God (Born-again, John 3:3), the Almighty Creator is my Father!  That happened the very moment I gave myself wholeheartedly to the One that God sent to redeem me---my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  I can't believe it took place more than thirty-two years ago.  I'm thankful for everyone that allowed themselves to be used by God to share the Gospel (death, burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ) to me and for those who have prayed earnestly for both my physical and spiritual well-being my entire life. 

As an Ambassador for Christ in this fallen world, we are to share the Gospel and pray for the salvation of those who are still lost.  For that is the very reason why believers (Born-again, John 3:3) are still in this world.  We have seen and experienced the immeasurable love and goodness of God that we can't help but share it to everyone.  But we know it's not easy!  For what seemed to be plain and simple to us is overly complicated to those who are lovers of this world.  James 4:4 tells us, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?  Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." I want to share a commentary in my Bible that  says, "The Gospel is open and revealed to everyone, except to those who refuse to believe.  Satan is the "god of this age."  His work is to deceive, and he has blinded those who don't believe in Christ.  The allure of money, power, and pleasure blinds people to the light of Christ's Gospel.  Those who reject Christ and prefer their own pursuits have unknowingly made Satan their god."  Due to advancement in technology, we are constantly surrounded by temptations and the message of "Love Yourself" is propagated in every avenue possible.  They have distorted the true meaning of love which is "self-sacrificing" and is fully expressed in what the Bible tells us in Mark 12:30-31 which is, "loving your neighbor as yourself." Anything short of that is plainly self-serving.

But realize that we share the Gospel not of our own effort but the Holy Spirit of God empowering us.  We are God's conduits.  Is is He who gets into the hearts of sinners and begins transforming them from within for those who genuinely welcomes Him into their lives.   He does not work on man's timeline but His own plan and purpose.  Our part is to rightfully discern, listen and obey what He wants us to do and where He wants us to go.  There are times He sends us to sow while He uses others to harvest.  Each of us are a part of His wonderful plan to save mankind from the eternal wrath that is reserved for Satan and his minions.  For the works of darkness are no longer hidden.  Our society is being conditioned to accept every despicable acts/behavior/mindset that in the past were kept sealed and contained.  Take for example the "Balenciaga Scandal" that dominates the headlines these days and the exploitation of children.  Many were outraged but this has been going on for many years now but those who sounded the alarm were deemed conspiracy theorist just to brush off the truth.  By the way, I've seen so much worst without media reaction.  But the Body of Christ (Church, Ekklesia) is still in this world to be  the Salt and Light!  Our mission is not only to bring souls to God's kingdom but to also push back against the hostile takeover of Satan!  Each day, we spread God's truth to slow the decay of society and we shine the light of the Gospel as a beacon of hope in the darkened pillars of our society.  We come against all the powers of the enemy knowing that we carry in us the Cross of Christ, a reminder that we are one with the Lord Jesus as a Victorious Conqueror!  So let's do the work that God placed upon us.  Always stand for God's Word and declare what Christ has done for those who are perishing. Time is really short!  I would like to share My Life Application Bible's  commentary regarding our highlighted verse as it truly blessed me.  It says, "Paul has faced sufferings, trials, and distress as he preached the Good News.  But he knew that they would one day be over, and he would obtain God's rest and rewards.  As we face great troubles, it's easy to focus on the pain rather than on our ultimate goal.  Just as athletes concentrate on the finish line and ignore their discomfort, we too must focus on the reward for our faith and the joy that lasts forever.  No matter what happens to us in this life, we have the assurance of eternal life, when all suffering will end and all sorrow will flee away (Isaiah 35:10)."

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions called "Interchangeable Car Set" that I colored using my Ohuhu markers. The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step design.  The DP's and washi tape are from Paper Studio and the brads from Recollections.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card for added dimension.

ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES CENTER STEP CARD

ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS

 

ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE

 

ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges: 

A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Craft Galore Encore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

Creatalicious---ATG/Christmas Non Traditional Colors

LeeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Inspired by A Song

Lost Coast---Something Seasonal

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/Open Technique

Scor Pal---More than One Score

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

QKR Stampede---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Worldwide Open DT---ATG

YSP---ATG

There's over a day left for our current WAW Challenge so head over there and join. 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.  Great prize to be won from our wonderful sponsor---Waffle Flower Stamps & Dies ($15 e-GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, don't be weary in sharing the Good News of Salvation and what Jesus has done in your life.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you and empower you.

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Scripture Series: Thy Praise To All Generations Easel Card---Join Our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, everyone!  A week ago, 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 Psalm 79:13 which says, "So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations."

Our highlighted verse today is the last verse of Psalm 79.  So to find context and meaning, I've chosen to read the entire chapter and I found out that this was written by Asaph (or one of his descendants) after the Babylonian army marched into Jerusalem, burned the temple, tore down the city's massive walls, and carried off the people into captivity.  The theme was about, "When outraged by injustice, cry out to God, not against Him.  In times of disaster, our mood may be anger, but our trust must remain in God.  My Life Application Bible has shared a great commentary on this chapter and it truly blessed me.  It says, "According to the Old Testament, God's wrath and judgment often fell on entire nations because of the sins of people within those nations.  Here Asaph pled for judgment on kingdoms that refused to acknowledge God's authority.  Ironically, Asaph's own nation of Judah was being judged by God for refusing to do this very thing  (2  Chronicles 36:14-20).  These were people who have sworn allegiance to God but were now rejecting Him.  This made their judgment even worse.  In the end, God's glory will be evident to all people, but in the meantime, we must endure suffering with patience and allow God to strengthen our character through it. For reasons that we do not know, pagan people often are allowed to scoff at believers.  We should be prepared for criticism, jokes and unkind remarks because God does not place us beyond the attacks of the scoffers. 

Oh wow, what a timely scripture for what we are experiencing in this country today.  In the natural, why does it seem like the darkness is gaining ground?  Have the people lost their minds?  That's just two of the many questions I had as I watched the midterm election results a week ago.  In spite of the state of our economy worsened by taking away our energy independence and the overspending that brought us inflation while battling illegal immigration, crime and addiction that affected the lives of many hardworking Americans,  this false and senile leadership is not done wreaking havoc in this country.  They committed many crimes but are not held liable.  This is the very definition of injustice!   What kind of people would allow such a demonic party to continue leading unless the ones voting them to power no longer know right from wrong?  It is sad but that is the case.  The truth is, many in this country had become lovers of themselves.  They worship everything but the One True God.  They profess to know God but their deeds are evil continually.  Yet those who love and obey God are interceding for these ungodly leaders to find Christ so that they may govern in righteousness. Likewise,  it is also our duty to pray and support our Godly men and women by voting them to office during election time that they may lead for God's glory.  We won some but we also lost some!  And the haters of God came full force in mocking God's people---"Where is your God now?!." they said.   But the truth is, they will never ever understand His move for they are deceived and oblivious about God, much more His plan and purpose. As believers of Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3), God's Word has given us  sufficient information on what's going to happen but not every detail is revealed.  It's in these difficult times (when we couldn't make sense of what had transpired)  that we are to walk by faith in God and follow the examples of Jesus in the midst of trials and uncertainties.   More than anything, we must cling to the Lord for in Him is our life, freedom, protection and future.  This world is in a state of delusion and everyone who rejected the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ  will succumb to the delirium and blinding spell of the wicked.  

So at all times, keep our focus on JESUS CHRIST!  Hebrews 12:2-3 says, "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Yes, we may be angered by the injustices happening before our eyes daily.  Endeavors consistent to God's Word are ignored or punished while wickedness and rebellion are rewarded.  When our love for God is being characterized as "extremism" while hatred for God is celebrated.  Yes, it is alarming but we must remember that God has given us His peace.  Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  We shouldn't lose hope!  The God that revealed to us the fate of the wicked is the same God that promised to save us from His day of wrath that will pour mercilessly to everyone that rejected Christ.  When that day (Rapture of the Church) comes, there'll be much rejoicing for those who placed their trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ.  Let's encourage one another with this truth as we continue to be Salt and Light in this world. Every waking moment is a day to show forth God's love for those who are lost.

 

For this Card. I used an image from DRS Designs called "Western Dancing Couple" which I colored using my Ohuhu markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card design.  The DP's are from DCWV, the brads from Recollections and the white nail head gems are from Imaginisce.  The vines stamp is from Penny Black called "Sprigs" and the sentiment stamped on the personal message space is from Stamp Simply called "Delightful Dahlias."  Lastly, I stitched all over this creation.  

 

THY PRAISE TO ALL GENERATIONS EASEL CARD

 

THY PRAISE TO ALL GENERATIONS EASEL CARD WHEN CLOSE

THY PRAISE TO ALL GENERATIONS EASEL CARD WITH MESSAGE SPACE

 

THY PRAISE TO ALL GENERATIONS EASEL CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Gals Corner---ATG

Ellibelle's Corner---ATG

Paper Funday---ATG/Colors of Autumn

Digi Choosday---ATG

Paperminutes---Special Card Shape

Passion for Markers---Fall/Autumn Colors

TTCRD---ATG

A Place to Start---ATG/Word of Thanks

Crafting Happiness---Thanks/Anything Fall

Jan's Digi Stamps---ATG

PIP---ATG

Path to Positivity---Celebrate Simple Things in Life

Simon Says---Thanks/Thanksgiving

Dare 2B Artzy---Non-Birthday

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG

Perfect time to Craft---ATG

Ally's Angels---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

Creatalicious---ATG/Give Thanks

Incy Wincy Designs---Give Thanks and/or Encourage a Friend

LeAnns World---ATG

Love to Craft---ATG

Scor-Pal---More than One Score

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

QKR---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Crafting Challenge---Add a Sentiment

Creative Crafters---ATG

Four Seasons---Anything Goes Fall

Worldwide Open DT---ATG

Your Scrapbook Place---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---DRS Designs ($20 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, be very vigilant, pray always and practice your God given rights.  As long as God is seated on the throne, we are never without hope.  We are part of His plan in this world. Jesus is coming for us soon and we will forever be with Him.  Rejoice always!

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