Not Too Old for Goofy Stuff---It's Another Anything Goes Challenge at our Neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create!

Wonderful Labor Day morning, folks!  I know this is supposed to be posted yesterday but my weekend went crazy and by the time I got done yesterday, all I want to do is to hit bed...LOL  Anyway,  I invited a friend to Church yesterday and spend a good amount of time talking with her after the service over lunch. She had been hurt by several people in a Church she served with for more than 4 years and because of that, she told me that it caused her to question her faith.  As I listen more and more to her story, it made me think how our actions as  believers of Jesus Christ can cause others (believers and unbelievers) to turn away from the very God who is able to save us, knowingly or unknowingly.  It's sad reality but because we expect a lot from people, that when they don't deliver, we leave ourselves broken and frustrated.  We could have saved ourselves from emotional turmoil if we only focus our attention to the One who died for us, instead of our fellow human beings. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:1-3, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

I learned at the very young age of my faith as a "Born-Again" (John 3:3) believer that we are not to look to men as our role model or icon because like any human beings, they too, can make mistakes.  I am sad to hear when parents aid their kids in their desire to idolize a certain celebrity/ies or teeny bopper/s (buying posters, going to concerts and buying iconic jewelries and fashion items among a few) and see their kids become like whom they idolize.  A few years later, this iconic figures do all the outrageous and despicable things that parents became outraged by their actions and blames those so-called celebrities for being such a bad role model.  Now, I've gone through childhood and teenage years too and I've been a fan to a few celebrities in the 70's through the 90's.  But I didn't remember, even once, that I chased any of those people, nor cried my heart out just seeing their faces on TV and when I came across to meeting an actor I admired in those days, I just looked at him from afar and smiled that he came to where I was standing and greeted me.  You see, people, no matter how good-looking, famous or influential we think they are, are just people.  I am not saying it is wrong to appreciate others but there's a distinct line between appreciating and idolizing.  Jesus said in Luke 10:27, "He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  When we see our kids trying to look like their "idols" by acting up and dressing up like them and does not point them to the right direction of modeling Christ in their life, then, we have failed them and all that is going to come back to us in due time.  Matthew 6:20-21 tells us, ""But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  I always tell my son (7 years old) that whatever/whoever he spends most of his time with, that becomes his treasure.  We all know the attraction of video/computer games to our kids these days and I have to tell him that while it entertains him, these games have no lasting (eternal) value.  When a good amount of his day is spent on advancing himself from one level to the next and leave all the important things unattended, a discerning Mom must take responsibility and point him to things which is of value.  The same is true when we spend our time watching TV and movies, every kind of sports, social networking or many other lifestyle choices that takes all of our time away from the true purpose of our existence which is----to know and give glory to the God, our Maker. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Here are some verses that will help us steer clear of idolatry and selfish pleasures in all shapes and forms:

"Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them." (Acts 14:15)

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:11-14)

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9)

Now, here's my card for this week"s Challenge at 613 Avenue Create featuring "Anything Goes" with optional "Spotlighting Technique."  I am unfamiliar with this technique and had to watch some videos from You Tube for ideas.  I managed to get some done with the cloud and the sentiment.  I fell in love with the "Girlfriends" stamp from Art Impressions from the moment I saw them.  So, I tried to collect several of them and for the first time, I am featuring one of the images in this card.  It is called "Pedal Push" and I colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base card is a white CS cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  All the DP's are from DCWV and the clouds were cut out glittered (using Stickles-Crystal) from a Heidi Grace DP.  The lacy circle was cut in my Cuttlebug using Nestabilities and the stamped image is from Inkadinkado.  The humorous sentiment is a free from Create with TLC (Thanks, Paulette!) who is so wonderfully generous to offer a daily freebie in her blog site.  The moment I've seen it, I know right away I would like to use it with one of these "Girlfriends" stamp.  Anyway, I finished it all up with my usual stitching.  Hope you like it.

 NOT TOO OLD FOR GOOFY STUFF CARD:

 NOT TOO OLD FOR GOOFY STUFF CARD LAYERS:

 NOT TOO OLD FOR GOOFY STUFF CARD INSIDE:

NOT TOO OLD FOR GOOFY STUFF CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Make It Monday---ATG
Art Impressions---People Parade
Addicted to Stamps---ATG
Allsorts---All About the Sentiment
Aud Sentiments---Any Sentiment
Catered Crop---Add a Sentiment
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Country View Crafts---Layers
Crafting By Designs---ATG
Creative Inspirations---ATG
Glitter and Sparkle---ATG
HIMCR---Freestyle
Inspire Me Fridays---ATG
Lacy Sunshine---Dies and/or Punches
Loves Rubberstamps---Favorite Color Combo (Red, Yellow and Green)
Sister Act---ATG
Totally Gorjuss---Texture
Oozak---ATG/Die Cuts/Punches
Our Creative Corner---Forgotten Things (The stamped image were forgotten clear stamps)
Color Me Creative---Retro Fun, Funkify it Up
Artistic Inspirations---Buttons or ATG
Scrapbook Stamp Society---ATG
Whoopsi Daisy---Texture

There you have it, folks.  Please make sure you visit our Blog at 613 Avenue Create and link your projects (up to 3) to our Anything Goes Challenge.  Lots of prizes to be won from our wonderful sponsors this week---Di's Digis and Sandi's Samples.  Have an awesome day and remember to do something significant today as the Holy Spirit leads you.  Hugs and blessings!