Scripture Series: Peace of Thy Children Card---Be Inspired, Be Blessed with a Chance to Win at our Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi Crafty peeps!  So sorry for the  late posting.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, EVERYONE!  As always. we have an Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge that started a few days ago at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring a great Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site).  Our highlighted verse is an encouragement to all mothers out there.  It comes from Isaiah 54:13 which says, "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children."  

The promises of God in chapter 54 of Isaiah are for both Old and New Testament saints.  He chose different kinds of people, from all walks of life to carry out His purpose and to bring about His redemptive plan. These people became the nation of Israel and through her, we who were once outsiders (Gentiles) were grafted into the family of God by simply placing our faith (trust, believe, rely, cling, depend) in what Jesus Christ accomplished at the Cross.  Before the Mosaic Law was given, "faith" and "God's grace" were already established. Genesis 15:5-6 detailed the conversation between God and Abram, "He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness."  In Genesis 17:5, God gave him a new name---from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of many nations).  Note that he's not just the father of the Jewish nation alone but of the many nations that God would gather from the four corners of the earth through the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ through His Body---the Church!  I believe even Abraham could not have imagined the vastness of this prophetic revelation. Another thing that God gave Israel is the Mosaic Law.  The primary purpose of the Law is to reveal the holy ways of God (his high standards) and to show us our hopelessness in keeping them to attain righteousness in His sight.  That in our bondage with Sin (Sin Nature and all its by-products) and Death, we would need the promised "Seed of the Woman," (Genesis 3:15)---the Messiah, our Savior to break free from sure damnation so we can be reunited with our Father in heaven.  In the New Testament, Galatians 3:5-9 explains, "Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe? So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." Jesus finished work at the Cross (His death, burial and resurrection) paved the way for the establishment of the Church (Ekklesia---the Body of Christ) and opens up the door of salvation by faith not only to the Jews but also to the Gentile nations. Here, we see that faith is the only way by which God imputes righteousness to those who believed.  As Abraham believed God in the Old Testament, we also believed in Jesus Christ today who is the perfect embodiment of God in the New Testament. Putting our complete trust in the person of Jesus, making Him our Lord and Savior gave us new life (Born-again, John 3:3).  Apostle Paul whom God assigned to take the Gospel to the Gentiles tells us in Colossians 1:24-28, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church. I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."

So, as we go through the context of our featured verse in Isaiah 54 and connecting it to our highlighted verse in Isaiah 54:13, we as parents who are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ are direct recipients of His promises.  Mothers play an important role in sharing God's Word to our children.  We are to train them to the holy ways of God, show them a good example and emphasize to them importance of prayer and action.  Though we may feel hopeless at times when we don't see the fruit of our labor, we are not to give up on them.  Believe that God has a plan for all of our children even when our earthly eyes cannot see it.  God is always good and always faithful and He will fulfill His promises to us and our children. 

For this Card, I used an image from A Day for Daisies called "Naptime" which I colored using my Hobby Colour/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP is from Paper Studio, the layered flowers from Prima, the brads from Recollections and the sequins and doily are from my stash.  The leaves are die-cut with Fiskars punch and the glitters from Stickles (Crystal.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.

 PEACE OF THY CHILDREN CARD

 PEACE OF THY CHILDREN CARD LAYERS

 PEACE OF THY CHILDREN CARD INSIDE

PEACE OF THY CHILDREN CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A2Z---May Flowers
Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Color Create Show It---ATG
Creative Craft Cottage---Use Ink
CCC---Add Flower
Daisy Chain---ATG
Digi Doodle---Sparkle/Shimmer
Happy Craft---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Papercraft---ATG
Sognando Scrap---Happy Spring
Tales from the Scrap Room---Floral Frenzy
YSBP---ATG
Addicted to Stamps---Flowers
Angie's Digital---ATG
Dare2BArtzy---Flowers
Dragonfly Dreams---ATG
Corrosive---ATG


I hope you'd take the time to join us at our WAW Challenge.  It's Anything Goes as long as it's family friendly with uplifting and inspirational messages, you can link up to 5 projects.  Our sponsor this week is Precious Remembrance Shop giving away a Stamp Set a their shop.  I can't wait to see your projects  and leave you some encouragement on your Blogs.  Pray without ceasing and believe that God has a wonderful plan for our children!

Miracle in our Midst Baby Shower Card---Join Us for our Monthly/Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello there.  Another late post but just want to share the card I featured for our Monthly Challenge at 613 Avenue Create that began recently. It's Anything Goes as always but you can take on the optional theme, Shaker card.  Well, I opted for a pretty simple card that celebrates the miracle of God in the womb.

I just watched a video of a #MarchforLife in Canada that is ongoing today.  I was appalled too hear that Canada does not have any Abortion restrictions at all---whatsoever for 50 years!  I can't begin to imagine the holocaust of babies ripped out of their mother's womb since the founding of that country.  The Bible says in Numbers 35:33, "Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it."  Make no mistake about it, God is going to hold a nation and every person accountable for those involved  in the destruction of the most innocent and vulnerable among us.  Not only the parents but everyone who support and cheer for this despicable act.  By reading the comments made on this rally's Facebook broadcast, I found out that there were realistic threats to everyone in that country that speaks against Abortion and the pulpits were/are silenced as the ministers of the Word of God had to risk their lives and freedom just to stand for Truth.  I heard from some friends years ago that Canadians are truly friendly and easy going people.  So when I had the privilege of traveling a few cities in Canada when I was still working in the Cruise ships, I personally experienced the Canadian hospitality and friendliness from the Canadians I met and worked with.  But for several years now, all I'm hearing are the vicious assault on life and legalization of everything ungodly like sodomy and the destruction of marriage and family.  However, I also believe that there are people fighting against such injustice.  But like here in America, they are not getting media exposure/support due to the blatant censorship of biblical and conservative values.  Despite the horrible threat, I am so glad to see many Canadians taking it out on the street and boldly standing for life and the things of God.  Evil entities are out there to systematically destroy our freedom to speak and it's up to us if we allow them to take over without a fight.  Remember that whether we choose to speak or not, they are still pursuing their DEMONIC AGENDA.  Would we allow them to take everything from us without resistance?  I hope not! 

The Scripture tells us to honor the authority (Human laws) that God has placed to govern us.  But what if the same government is forcing us to commit heinous acts that clearly goes against the laws of God?  Here's a portion of the article from Gotquestions.org that would help us see God's perspective when it comes to Human laws vs. God's laws:  "Daniel records a number of civil disobedience examples. The first is found in chapter 3 where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden idol in disobedience to King Nebuchadnezzar’s command. The second is in chapter 6 where Daniel defies King Darius’ decree to not pray to anyone other than the king. In both cases, God rescued His people from the death penalty that was imposed, signaling His approval of their actions.

In the New Testament, the book of Acts records the civil disobedience of Peter and John towards the authorities that were in power at the time. After Peter healed a man born lame, Peter and John were arrested for preaching about Jesus and put in jail. The religious authorities were determined to stop them from teaching about Jesus; however, Peter said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19–20). Later, the rulers confronted the apostles again and reminded them of their command to not teach about Jesus, but Peter responded, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

One last example of civil disobedience is found in the book of Revelation where the Antichrist commands all those who are alive during the end times to worship an image of himself. But the apostle John, who wrote Revelation, states that those who become Christians at the time will disobey the Antichrist and his government and refuse to worship the image (Revelation 13:15) just as Daniel’s companions violated Nebuchadnezzar’s decree to worship his idol.

Civil Disobedience—Conclusion
What conclusions can be drawn from the above biblical examples? The guidelines for a Christian’s civil disobedience can be summed as follows:

• Christians should resist a government that commands or compels evil and should work nonviolently within the laws of the land to change a government that permits evil.
• Civil disobedience is permitted when the government’s laws or commands are in direct violation of God’s laws and commands.
• If a Christian disobeys an evil government, unless he can flee from the government, he should accept that government’s punishment for his actions.
• Christians are certainly permitted to work to install new government leaders within the laws that have been established.

Lastly, Christians are commanded to pray for their leaders and for God to intervene in His time to change any ungodly path that they are pursuing: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
  
To read the full article at Gotquestions.org, go HERE!  I pray that everyone who value Truth and Life reading this Blog humble themselves before God and seek Jesus Christ Who forgives anyone who humble themselves and repent from their transgressions.  God will give you a new meaning to life under the power of the Holy Spirit to speak boldly and fearlessly---a beacon of light for Him! Remember that in doing so, we will reap the rewards that will last forever.  Keep the good fight of faith.  God speed to all God-fearing Canadians fighting for life.  We, the #Pro-lifers here in America  are with you! 

For this Card, I used images and sentiment from Clearly Wordsworth and Heidi Grace stamps.  I colored with mt Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white pre-cut card with envelope from the Paper Studio and the blue CS is from my stash.  Once in a while, I love simple lay-outs like this.

MIRACLE IN OUR MIDST BABY SHOWER CARD 

MIRACLE IN OUR MIDST BABY SHOWER CARD  CLOSE-UP

MIRACLE IN OUR MIDST BABY SHOWER CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Creative Craft Cottage---Use Ink
Daisy Chain---ATG
Happy Craft---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Papercraft---ATG
YSBP---ATG
Angie's Digital---ATG
Dragonfly Dreams---ATG
Penny Black---All Things Feminine
Corrosive---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. Realize that when you hunger and thirst for God, He will always fill you up with great understanding that you can effectively communicate with others.

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

Love Inspired Series: Everlasting Love Center Step Card---Join our Bi-Weekly Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, friends!  I'm back to feature the second card I made for our Challenge happening at Word rt Wednesday (WAW).  As always, we featured a Scripture Word Art which I highlighted HERE and you can download free at the WAW site.  However, this card features a stamp from our Challenge sponsor, Stamp Simply which highlights God's Truth in Jeremiah 31:3 which says, "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

As a child of God (Born-again, John 3:3), I was justified (made righteous) through faith in Jesus Christ.  Not of my own works nor efforts.  Is is solely by trusting in what Jesus Christ accomplished for me at the Cross.  Philippians 3:20-21 says, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."  My position (while here on earth till the day I see Jesus face to face) is firmly planted in the truth that Jesus justified me.  All of Jesus' victory is my victory.  Jesus is perfect and so is everyone who trusted in Him.  Not only did Jesus justified us but He also sanctified us (set us apart for His will and purpose).  Though many times we find ourselves failing to show the likeness of God in our lives as we go through the daily struggles and old habits in this fallen world, God is changing us from glory to glory.  Our transformation doesn't happen overnight and we go though the process our entire earthly life.  The process of sanctification continues and is not based on what we see and feel but by the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.   Therefore, we shouldn't allow momentary failures and transgressions to define who we are in the sight of God.  God's love for us is immeasurable and His forgiveness is boundless to those who repent and seek after Him.  We couldn't place God's love in a box---within the limits of our understanding.  He is God and we're not!  The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's  only begotten Son, is enough proof of what God is willing to give to bring us back into His presence.  Each waking moment, remember that JESUS CHRIST is the OBJECT of everything we received from God, the CROSS is the MEANS by which we received them, FAITH is the KEY to access God's blessings and the HOLY SPIRIT is our POWER SOURCE to accomplish everything.  His Holy Spirit inside of us seals us in His love both now and forever.  I would like to share with you this chapter from 2 Corinthians to empower us as representatives of our Lord in this world:

"Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.  It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  (2 Corinthians 4)

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning called "Valerie In Love" and colored it with my ProMarker/Hobby Colour/Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step design.  The DP's are from Paper Studio and the brads are from Recollections. The sentiment is from the set called "Farmhouse Scriptural Thoughts" by Stamp Simply.  Finally, I stitched all over this card for added dimension. I am totally loving everything about this creation. 

 EVERLASTING LOVE CENTER STEP CARD

 EVERLASTING LOVE CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS

 EVERLASTING LOVE CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW

 EVERLASTING LOVE CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE

EVERLASTING LOVE CENTER STEP 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

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

Color Create Show it Off---ATG

Daisy Chain---Make it Feminine

Digi Doodle---ATG (Handcolored Image)

Happy Craft---ATG

LeAnns---ATG

Lets Craft and Create---ATG/Butterflies

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Not Just Cards---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.  Such a wonderful prize coming from our sponsor this Challenge---Stamp Simply (stamps and or dies of your choice).  So excited to see what you come up with. Remember, nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

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

Scripture Series: Blessed Be God Card---Don't miss our Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, guys!  This is another late post.  So, we began another Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring another Scripture Word Art which you can download for free at the WAW site.  It comes from 1 Peter 1:3 which says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."  What a great verse but I would like to share this verse in the NIV translation and incorporate the rest of the Scripture that follows.  1 Peter 1:3-9 tells us,  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."  My Life Application Bible shared something wonderful about these verses that truly blessed me so, I want to share it with you.  It says, "The term "new birth" refers to spiritual birth (regeneration)---the Holy Spirit's act of bringing believers into God's family.  Jesus used this concept of new birth when He explained salvation  to Nicodemus (See John 3).  This term is a wonderful metaphor of a new life from God.  You cannot be a Christian without a fresh beginning based on the salvation Christ's brings.  To be Born-again is a magnificent gift from God.  Do you need encouragement?  Peter's words offer joy and hope in times of trouble, and he bases his confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.  We're called into a living hope of eternal life.  Our hope is not only for the future; eternal life begins when we trust Christ and join God's family.  God will help us remain true to our faith through whatever difficult times we must face." 

This past week, I have been so stressed by so many things.  From deadlines, projects I needed to get done, house cleaning and organizing---I am so overwhelmed.  It just felt like I haven't had the time to sit back and relax without looking at the time and even in my sleep, I would dream of all the things I needed done.  And to make matters worst, I had to deal with my truck suddenly overheating for a couple of days now.  This morning, I went to meet up with the ladies at my Church for our monthly Women's meeting.  It's always a pleasure to not only learn about the Book of Esther (our topic) but to fellowship and get to know these wonderful people aside from the usual hustle and bustle of our Sunday services.  We also get to share wonderful and tasty meals which we are provided with each meeting.  On my way to the Church, I was so stressed seeing the temperature gauge of my truck fluctuating like crazy.  For more than 6 years, it stayed normal till a couple of days ago.  Something was wrong but I had no idea.  I just remembered going through similar issue with my previous truck and was reminded of the stress and expenses I dealt with that time.  All of a sudden, I felt frustration.  My mind was in that state when I entered the room.  I was so blessed with the smiley faces and hospitality shown to me by my sisters in Christ that allowed me to momentarily forget about my issues.  So, while I was trying to concentrate on the benefits of our meeting, I have to battle with negative suggestions the enemy is flooding my thoughts.  It's over-all theme---WORRY!  You see, trials come in different shapes and forms.  From simple to complicated and/or life-threatening.  For other people, some problems don't merit much attention for it's not life altering. At the end of our meeting, we were asked if we have a prayer request.  I must admit that I initially hesitated to bring my concern to be prayed for.  I thought to myself, "Your problem is not a big deal compared to those who are sick of cancer or those that struggle with lots of pain." Therefore, it need not be highlighted!" Wow!  But the Spirit of God snapped me out of that deception and showed me that no issue/problem (big or small) is exempted from God's outstretched hand.  The fact that it bothers and worries me is enough reason for me and my sisters in the Lord to lift it up to the mighty throne of God who promised us joy and peace in His presence.  None of us in the Body of Christ (Church) are exempted from the trials that come to the inhabitants of this world.  But unlike the ungodly, we know that we have the Holy One on our side.  His promises to us goes beyond this life to everlasting.  Yes, we have to constantly battle with fear, anxiety, worry and stress of not knowing how and when God is going to meet our need but choosing to put them aside,  we walk with faith and reliance upon His Word knowing that He loves and cares for us.  When in doubt, I look at Jesus and what He's done at the Cross for me.  How He was sent by the Father to die/pay the price (death by a holy God/Man) so that anyone who believes in Him becomes a part of the resurrection of the saints that will live and inherit the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus.  I was spiritually dead once, born in this world in Adam, but now alive in the Spirit when I came to the saving knowledge, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  I have full access to the joy, peace and righteousness of my Heavenly Father while in this world.  He withholds no blessing from me---physical, spiritual and eternal.  If we only understand the benefits of our new birth in Christ, we will give no time for fear and worry.  God is always in control!  We just need to choose to TRUST HIM!

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning called "Wonder" and colored it using my Hobby Colour/ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I shaped the edges using a Crop-a-dile.  The DP's are from Paper Studio and the flowers I layered are from Prima.  I used a Sizzix dies for the flourish, added some glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and a brad from Recollections.  Lastly, I also did some regular and fancy stitching all over this card. 

 BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD

 BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD LAYERS

 BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD SIDE VIEW

 BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD INSIDE

BLESSED BE THE GOD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Addicted to Stamps---Lots of Layers
Angie's Digital---ATG/Easter
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Pile It On---ATG/Lots of Layers
Corrosive---ATG
A Perfect Time---ATG
A Place to Start---ATG/Three, Four or Five
Classic DT---ATG
Country View---Spring/Easter
Crafts Galore---ATG
Crafty Animals---ATG with Animals
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Color Create Show it Off---ATG
Daisy Chain---Make it Feminine
Digi Doodle---ATG (Handcolored Image)
Fabrika Fantasy---Flowers
Happy Craft---ATG
HLS---ATG with Dies
LeAnns---ATG
Lets Craft and Create---ATG/Butterflies
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Papercraft---Easter
Pearly Sparkles---Flowers or Showers
Tales from the Craft Room---Spring/Easter
YSP---ATG


Make sure you join us at WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art in your creation and link it to our Challenge but is not a requirement.  As long as it's family-friendly, uplifting and inspirational, you can submit up to 5 entries per week.  Our wonderful sponsor for this week is  Stamp Simply (giving away stamp sets and/or dies of your choice).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  If you are trusting in Jesus, you are blessed beyond measure.

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

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!

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