THE BLESSINGS OF CREATIVITY...

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


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Scripture Series: Strength Refuge Shadow Card---Join Us for An Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Good Wednesday morning, everyone!  I'm here to feature my latest card creation for our Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) this week.  Anyway, the past few days has not been easy for me as the enemy tries to discouraged me in every kind of way.  Whoever thinks that a Christian life is a "bed of roses" is living in a fantasy world because the Truth is, our faith and obedience is tried every step of the way.  The more you are pressing towards the things of God, the greater resistance the enemy places in your life. We all know that Jesus, the Son of God, was not spared from the trials and persecutions to the point death.  At this day and time, I know that every Born-Again believer, washed by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) is already experiencing hardships and perils just standing on their faith in Christ.  It's now evident, more than ever, here in America as many people continue to turn away from the Biblical foundations of this nation (embedded in our Constitution) and seeks to promote lawlessness.  What amazes me is that despite the urgency of the perils surrounding us, many Christians remains passive.  IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP!  We have been sleeping for a long time as the enemy of the Gospel continues to rob us of the freedom the founders of this country fought with their lives for us to enjoy.  We might say, "I have my own problems to care for, hence, I don't have the time to be involved in the affairs of my community/city/country/world." I, too, am familiar with that.  I encounter personal trials daily and it's never been easy but to be confined within the scope of myself and not care for the things that's happening around me (which will eventually affect me and my family in the long run) is utterly disheartening.  I may not be able to respond to every issue this country/world faces but I keep myself available when God quickens me to act on something.  I know He is able to lead me and make me aware when there's something He needs me to do.  We are the Temple of God here on earth (He lives inside every person that placed their faith in Jesus Christ) and we carry out the will of our Father which is in heaven.  Our road map is the Word of God that always leads us to the right path (path of righteousness).  Our authority comes from the finished work of Jesus Christ and because our Father knows the beginning from the end, we already know of the victory that is ours---ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST!  

So, when the storms of life comes (both personal and worldwide), I cling to the promises of God in His Word.  I still get frustrated at times,  but because of the Word of God, hope springs as faith arises and choke every frustration I harbor inside.  I have a God who loves me and never gives up on me, no matter what!  He is still the same Savior I prayed to many years ago, not to let me out of His guiding hands.  He is faithful, He is true, He is Mighty God!  If you are encountering trials in your personal life right now,  don't let that trial stop you from being a blessing to your community.  The less we focus on ourselves, the less frustrated we are.  Give it all to Jesus and fulfill what He wants you to do outside of your box and you'll see God come through in all areas of your life.  That's what I decided to do at this very moment and I know He will see me through.  I would like to share with you these wonderful scriptures to encourage you:

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
 
 
"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."  (2 Corinthians 4:8-12)
 
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39)

So, here is the card for your inspiration today.  It features the free Word Art that you can download from the WAW BlogThe scripture is in Isaiah 25:4 which says,  "For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall."  This simply tell us that God is our "all in all."  He is our strength, our refuge, our shadow in every season of our lives.  He is there in our rejoicing, in our weeping, in our distress, in our frustrations.  He never leaves us nor forsakes us.  All He ask is that we TRUST IN HIM!  One of our sponsors this week at WAW is Robyn's Fetish which provided me with this very cute image called "Five Little Froggies" and I definitely had fun coloring them with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base card is a white CS measuring 5.5-inches square.  The DP's are all from My Mind's Eye, the lacy scallop (biggest) is from Nestabilities that's cut using my Cuttlebug, the flowers are from Recollections  and the leaves are cut with an MS Punch.  I added some glitters to the image, flowers and leaves using Stickles (Stardust) and adhered my favorite white gems from Imaginisce.  Lastly, I stitched all over this project.  It surely turned out great.  Would love to hear your comments.


 STRENGTH REFUGE SHADOW CARD:


 STRENGTH REFUGE SHADOW CARD LAYERS:


 STRENGTH REFUGE SHADOW CARD INSIDE:


STRENGTH REFUGE SHADOW CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

HIMCR---Early Cherry Mist (Color Challenge)
Make It Monday---ATG
Paper Shelter---Punches and Dies
MilkCoffee---Show Us Your Coloring Skills
Crafty Calendar---ATG
Digi Sketch---ATG
Digitally Sweet---ATG
Crafts and Me---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
My Heart Pieces---Stitching (Real or Faux)
Dis Digi Designs---Stitching (Real or Faux)
2 Sisters---ATG
By Lori Designs---Designer Paper
Hanna and Friends---ATG
Crafty Bloggers Network---Favorite Things (Love my Lacy Die and white gems)
Crazy Challenge---ATG
Lady Anne's---ATG (Must use stamp)
Paper Pretties---Designer Dudes (2 or more patterned papers)
Perfect Sentiment---Favorite Technique (Sewing/Fussy Cutting)
Whimsical Designs---ATG
City Crafter---Polka Dots
Loves Rubber Stamps---ATG
Papertake Weekly---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.  Lots of prizes to be won from our two wonderful sponsors---Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps and Robyn's Fetish.  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  I serve a good and faithful God---Jesus Christ!

27 comments:

  1. Fabulous card I love your image and your colour choice. Thanks for joining us at TPS, good luck with the challenge. hugs Shirleyxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jo Ann I really enjoyed your sermon today. It came at exactly the right time for me. You have a beautiful way of speaking - and I wonder if you have ever thought of going onto the Pulpit? When I was Ordained, I chose Chaplaincy, but you have the best of the best in terms of Pastorship. I make no assumptions, but you sure drive it home to my heart! Aside from the amazing art, your words are just as amazing as the colors of the rainbow that find your art daily! Love Samara xox

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fun card and nice selection of papers. Thanks for joining us at By Lori Designs.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Really like the colours you have used, it makes a verry full and beautifull atmosphere in your card, thank you for sharing it whit us in Digi Sketch Challenge, good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful, thank you for joining us over at MIM. Hugs Kerry x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful card, but even greater inspiration in your post. So true. Thank you for my dose of encouragement to continue in the way of the Lord. This life may not be easy, but our reward is great.
    {Hugs}

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful, sweet and funny card! Thanks for sharing with us at The Crazy Challenge and hope to see you again in our challenges.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your card! Never seen one of these!
    Thank you for joining us at Digitally Sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful creation! The coloring and embellishment is amazing! Thanks for playing with us at Loves Rubberstamps!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous card, as always. Love the colors and DPs. The coloring of the cute image is amazing! Thanks for joining us at Loves Rubberstamps this week!

    ReplyDelete
  11. A beautiful card! Thanks for playing at PTW! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a terrific card this is ... beautifully done! Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fabulous coloring and design, I love this image. Thanks for playing with us over at Loves Rubberstamps!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful coloring!! And great design! Thanks so much for sharing this weet at CCCB :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is stunning as always! The colors you chose just leap off the page and really pop! Love it! Thank you so much for playing along with us at Loves Rubberstamps this week! We hope you will play along with us again soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful card. Thanks for joining us at The Crazy Challenges.
    /Pillan

    ReplyDelete
  17. A beautiful card. Thank you for joining us at CBN Challenge. Marlene DT

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful and great card! Thank you for sharing Scriptures with us :) And thank you for joining CCCB! Hugs, Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  19. This card is magnificent! Gorgeous coloring. Thanks so much for joining us this time at the Lady Anne's Stamp Challenge and we hope to see you again soon, Elizabeth (DT) Lady Anne's Stamp Challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you for entering our Polka Dots challenge at City Crafter Challenge Blog! Nicely done and very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jo Ann, I always love your cards and this one is no exception. Your colors and use of contrast always make an outstanding combination. I love all the little details you added, too. Thanks for sharing your card with us at Perfect Sentiments Challenge. God bless you as you craft.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is just lovely, Jo Ann! I love that image. Thank you for stopping by.
    xxx Asha
    Sunny Summer Crafts

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gorgeous card...Thanks for playing along with us at Di's Digi Designs Challenge this fortnight.
    Wendy xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lovely card. thank you for joining in The Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge and good luck.x
    Kay
    CBN DTx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very nice and detailed card! Thanks for plying along at My Heart Pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Lovely card, love all the pretty details. Thankyou for joining us this month at Crafty Bloggers Network
    Geraldine M
    CBN DT

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for joining us at Crafty Calendar Challenge blog!! Hope to see you join us again… we just started a new challenge today!! Kimberly DT – Paper Munch Designs

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...