Standard of Grace Card---Another Wonderful Challenge Happening in our Neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create!

Good morning, everyone!  It's another day of blessings from the Lord!  I am grateful for everything that happens in my life because I know that they teach me to trust Jesus.  Whether I'm happy or sad, afflicted or not, with burden or without, His love for me never changes.  He is always there, patiently guiding me every step of the way.  He knows my thoughts, my motives, my limits and capabilities.  He sees my passions and frustrations but most of all, He knows how to cheer me up even when it's hard to find a reason, at times, to do so.  You see, I strive for perfection!  In everything I do, I need to know that I have given my all otherwise, it's better not to do it.  I am that type that when I start to create something, I will not go to sleep until that something is done.  I am a stickler to the rule and tries to respect every authority.  I value "word of honor" to the highest degree.  I love helping people and giving time to truly listen to them with the hopes that somehow, I would get the same courtesy.  I was thought by my parents to respect every person especially those who are older than me and to strive for peace as much as possible.  Yet, I learned that in this life, not everyone values the same things. And no matter how pure your motives are, there's people that would view everything you do as pointless and useless.  They don't follow up on their words, don't care for courtesy and does not care to respect.  On each encounter, I am so glad I can turn to the Lord Jesus and rely upon His hand for guidance in all my relationships.   He always directs my path, even in my stubbornness.  As I fully rely on Him, He makes a way.  When all I see is chaos, He brings me to His peace and shows me His perfect will. What I want to share with you today is that God is not finished with us yet.  We may not be as patient, as loving as we wanted to be, nor understand every behavior that people around us is showing us nor understand even our own behaviors but rest assured that as we bring each circumstance to the Lord and rely on His help through His Word to keep order in our lives, He is there to help us every step of the way---shaping us to the perfection which is only achievable through Jesus Christ, our Lord!   I would like to share with you the following verses to meditate on:

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." (Romans 5:1-5)

 So, here's my inspiration card for you at our 613 Avenue Create Challenge.  It's always Anything Goes with an optional theme of "Adding a Sentiment."  I got this wonderful Word Art for free at Create with TLC (perfect for the message I wanted to convey).  One of our sponsors this week is Sassy Studio so, I am grateful they allowed me to use this wonderful digi stamp called "Victorian Beauty," which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base card is a Kraft CS measuring 5.5-inch square.  The DP's are all from Paper Studio and incorporated a beige, kraft and mustard CS for matting/panels.  I used an MS Punch to produced the shaped panels, a Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations die for the lace border and distressed some white Prima flowers ( I layered) by spraying some ink on them using Tsukineko Antiquing Solution (Walnut Ink and Terracotta).  I added some glitters (Stickles-Diamond) to the flowers and blue metallic brads.  I adhered some gems to this card and stitched all over.  Hope you enjoy the pics...

STANDARD OF GRACE CARD:

STANDARD OF GRACE CARD LAYERS:

 

STANDARD OF GRACE CARD INSIDE:
 
 

STANDARD OF GRACE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks---Bling
By Lori  Designs---Designer Paper
Card Mania---Summer Blooms
Crafting by Designs---ATG
Creative Inspirations Paint---ATG
Cute Card Thursday---ATG
Die Cuttin Divas---ATG
DL ART August Linky Party---ATG
Hanna and Friends---ATG
MilkCoffee---Show Us Those Coloring Skills
Oldie But a Goodie---Best Dressed (The DP's and most embellishments are more than a year old)
Penny's Paper Crafty---Stitching (Real or Faux)
Simon Says Stamp---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Crafter's Cafe---ATG
Make it Monday---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Paper Crafting Journey---Punches and/or Die cuts
Inspire Me Fridays---ATG
Craftin' Boutique---ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG
Scrap-Creations---ATG
Delicious Doodles---ATG

There you have it, folks!  Please join us at our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  You don't want to miss the opportunity of winning great prizes from our wonderful sponsors, Sassy Studio Designs  and Rick St. Dennis.  Lastly, I just want to say---Worship the Lord with thanksgiving in your heart, no matter what circumstance you have today.  He is perfectly in control and all you need to do is trust in Him!