Scripture Series: We Shall Reap Center Step Card---Grab the Free Word Art and Join Us at our Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello Crafty Peeps!  Just got done from my work-out this morning. It is such a lovely day with the crisp sun, blue skies and mild weather.  I always love to look at the trees, the plants in my balcony and observe the birds flying to and fro.  The wind blows mildly which seem to make all the leaves of the trees happy.  Inside of me is a wonderful feeling of joy and peace with exceeding gratefulness knowing that despite of the earth's fallen state, God made everything beautiful in His time and season.  Romans 1:20 says, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." And I asked myself, "How much more beauty there is on this earth if Man did not rebel against God?  When sin and death are not present and man rule God's creation with authority?  To walk with the Lord in the cool of the day with no guilt and shame?  How is it to lay with the lions in the field and hug a bear for real and find no harm in sight?  To not worry about anything and to have complete trust in our Maker?"  Right now, my spirit is giving me a glimpse of a place we haven't physically seen and I marvel at the wonder and the beauty of that place through the eyes of the Spirit.  We were all born into a world where stealing, killing and destruction has its place in our daily existence.  Some of us grew up in places where we see and experience those first hand day in and day out.  It is sad but such is the reality of the world we're living in.  Since Adam exchanged the glory of God to the cunning lies of the devil and by disobedience, left all of mankind and God's creation under curse, we were all condemned and became slaves to Satan.  Though deep inside of us, we knew what was wrong yet, we continued to sin, giving in to the pleasures of our depraved soul (mind will and emotions) and body (with the five senses), satisfying it's lustful cravings.  The breath that God has given you (your spirit man) was darkened since the Fall of Man.  Instead of your spirit leading your soul and body, it was dead silent.  Therefore, your soul and body took it's command from the diabolic nature of the devil (called the "sin nature") and obeys everything it dictates you to do.  It has its tight grip on every human being born and it compels us to live a life of rebellion against God.  No human power can ever free us from the bondage Satan had placed on mankind.  We were utterly hopeless!  But God, whose infinite wisdom already saw the fate  of man, have long before time made ready the ONLY WAY to our freedom.  JESUS CHRIST is the ONLY ANSWER!  We must understand that while many people see the Cross as a defeat---therein lies every believer's VICTORY!  We placed our faith in Someone who conquered sin and death.  GOD ALWAYS WIN!   Though for a time being, we may see the wicked getting their way but know that they will meet their end.  God's Word says in Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."  Through faith in Jesus Christ, we were SET FREE from the bondage of sin and death and the devil has no longer control over us. Jesus kicked the devil out of our system as we allowed Him to rule our hearts.  Through faith in Christ and what He accomplished on the Cross, we were Born-Again (John 3:3) with a brand new spirit.  On the other hand, our soul and body needs to be renewed daily.  Things are not going to be easy since the soul  and body had been used to taking instructions from the "old sinful nature." Now, both have to submit to the will of the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us. 

One day, God will restore everything that had been distorted by sin to its original form (as if sin and death had never taken place).  Jesus Who claimed the victory for us all is going to rule with Love, Truth and Justice.   Satan will be bound.  Oh yes, one day I can play and run with the lions in the field, pet a tiger and rub its belly and truly hug a bear so tight.  How cool is that?  I will not be bound with time and will live eternally in the arms of the Lord.  That is super awesome!  Only by trusting in Jesus will this be a reality to anyone.  We have to choose in this lifetime where do we want to spend eternity.  We'll never know when death knocks on our door.  Anyone whose faith is not anchored in the finished work of Jesus Christ will be ETERNALLY SEPARATED from Him.  I pray that you open the door of your heart today and let Jesus come in.  Please don't delay! Here are some verses to encourage every believer of our blessed hope in Christ in God's millennial reign:

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken." (Micah 4:2-4)

"Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.  From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.  On that day you will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD." (Zephaniah 3:9-12)

"Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." (Matthew 19:28-30) 

For today's inspiration at our Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW), we are featuring the free Word Art (by Karen Murray) taken from Galatians 6:9 which says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."  There are many storms of life that can hinder us from seeing what is directly above it---the blue skies of God's love and blessings upon our lives.  We can choose to dwell in the pain and hopelessness of our situations or remember the wonderful promises of God through His Word and speak it out loud against our situation.  We are to continue on and persevere, going against what our physical eyes can see and what our emotions dictate.  In our hearts dwells the Holy Spirit and He will be our comfort and assurance in the darkest moments of our lives.  This is how a believer exist---by faith and faith alone!  We are able to do the impossible if we have faith (trust) in our Lord.   Pretty soon, in God's perfect time, we will see the fruit of our labor (persistence and trust).  God does not respond to our complaining and murmurings.  He responds to His Word!  Remind Him of His wonderful promises in your life and you will reap a bountiful harvest.  For this Card, I used a wonderful image from Saturated Canary called "Princess Harvest" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The white base is cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card.  The DP's are from Recollections and My Mind's Eye.  The wonderful shapes (scalloped circle and circle) were cut using my Nestabilities and MS Circle Cutter.   I incorporated a brad, nail head gems from Imaginisce and stitched all over this card...Hope you like it!

WE SHALL REAP CENTER STEP CARD:

WE SHALL REAP CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

WE SHALL REAP CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

WE SHALL REAP CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

WE SHALL REAP CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafting by Designs---ATG
Dazzling Diva---Pearls/ATG
Crafting for all Seasons---Lots of Layers
Creative Moments---ATG/Spring
Hobbybrook---Add a Sentiment
I Love ProMarkers---Not Quite Straight
Inky Impressions---ATG
Little Red Wagon---DIY Flower
Paper Pretties---Mother's Day/Spring
Simon Says---ATG
Whimsy Inspiration---ATG
Crafty Sentiments---ATG
Creative Card Crew---Girly
Deep Ocean---Stitching (Real or Faux)
Die Cuttin Divas---Make It Girly
Scrap Creations---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Try It On Tuesday---Springtime
Artistic Inspirations---Pearls and Swirls/ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Crafty Bloggers Network---Die Cuts/Embossing
Creating in Faith, Hope and Love---ATG with Scripture
Digi Makeover---For a Special Lady
Digi Sketch---Sketch/Springtime
Fitztown---Lots of Layers
Melonheadz Friends---Lots of Circles
Craft Creations---ATG
Scrapbook Stamp Society---ATG with Optional Use of Sentiment
Squigglefly---For a Special Lady
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Whoopsi Daisy---Hand Colored Image

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.  Our wonderful sponsors for this week are Pink Persimmon ($40 GC to their shop) and Flying Unicorn Store ($50 GC to their store).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  He truly loves and cares for you.

With Every Little Birth Card---Join Us for Some Fun in our "Anything Goes" Challenge with No Twist at 613 Avenue Create!

Hi there, fellow Crafters.  It's late night Sunday and I want to share with you the project that I made for today's  Anything Goes Challenge in  my neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create.  It was a wonderful day at Church and my family had a great time in our fellowship with other believers.  Our Pastor brought us the third part of the message about the Cross and how the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the only one of it's kind throughout history.   Every religion on earth agrees that something is wrong with man yet not one of these so-called religions pin-pointed the "root" of the problem therefore, they could not come up with a complete and eternal cure.  The Word of God identified the problem---the cancer that afflicted us all called "SIN" and the "ONLY CURE" is none other than the "CROSS of JESUS CHRIST ."  This CURE is "FREE" for everyone who would receive it. If taken by faith, every person will experience complete recovery.  In fact, it will change us so radically in the inside as if the "cancer of sin" never existed.  Unlike physical medicines we take where results may vary, this CURE will only result to VICTORY for them that believed.  You see, like everyone who is born into this world,  I had inside of me this cancer of sin that separated me from Almighty God.  I was sure to die from it---BUT GOD!  God through His infinite love for me brought me to His Son, Jesus Christ, who took on my sin and all of mankind's cancer---nailed and defeated it at the Cross!  Now , this cancer called the "SIN NATURE" no longer live inside of me...I am SET FREE!  Because Jesus Christ resurrected, He sealed my victory.  Now, I can look forward to an eternal life of purpose and meaning in the arms of the ONE Who gave His life to be the cure for me and for everyone that believes.  JESUS, You are truly amazing!  Want to share with you these verses to remind us of the life we have in Christ.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:6-8)

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him." (1 John 3:1-6)

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."  (Romans 6:1-8)

For this Card, I am very grateful to use an image provided by one of our sponsors this week, A Day For Daisies called "Tummy" and I colored it using my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The white base of this card is cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from Paper Studio and Recollections.  The die-cut lacy circle was cut using Nestabilities and Cuttlebug.  I layered a Prima flower with a couple of other flowers from Recollections and included a green ribbon from my stash.  I used some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) to add dimension to the flowers and glitters (Stickles - Red and Turquoise) for the image's dress and hair.  The shape on the border was accomplished by using an MS Punch and a Crop-a-dile. The stamped sentiment is from Cloud 9 Design.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card. 

 WITH EVERY LITTLE BIRTH CARD:

 WITH EVERY LITTLE BIRTH CARD LAYERS:

 WITH EVERY LITTLE BIRTH CARD INSIDE:

WITH EVERY LITTLE BIRTH CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Creative Fingers---ATG
Scrapping 4 Fun---Use a Stamp/Digi Image
Sister Act---ATG
HIMCR---Mother's day
Crafty Girls---ATG
Delightful Challenges---I Love you, Mom!
Crafting by Designs---April Showers May bring Flowers
Creative Moments---ATG/Spring
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards---Spring
Craftitude---ATG/Spring and/or Easter
Crafty Catz---ATG
Totally Gorjuss---Cuddly
Everybody's Art---Cute
Stampin with the Dragon---Springtime
Wags 'n Whiskers---Lots of Layers
Whimsy Stamps---ATG
BMC Crafting Station---Die-Cuts
Cardz TV---Spring
Little Miss Muffet---ATG
Milk Coffee---Bright Colors
Sisterhood of Crafters---Things with Wings
Little Claire's---Lots of Layers
Pile It On---Ink on Paper (Sentiment was stamped)
Simply Create Too---Stack 'Um Up
Brown Sugar---ATG
Creative Card Crew---Girly
Dazzling Diva---Radiant Orchid/ATG
Crafter's Cafe---Add Glitter
Crafting at the Weekend---ATG
Scrap-Creations---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Dream Valley---Say It With Words
Hobby Cutz---Glitter
OSAAT---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Stamping Sensations---Dies and/or Punches
Craft Place---ATG
Squirrel and the Fox---Die-cut/Punch
Ditzie Digi Design---ATG
Come and Get It---Spring Flowers
Tuesday Throwdown---Lots of Sparkle

There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our lovely sponsors for this week---A Day for Daisies (3 Digi Images) and Bugaboo Digi Stamps (7 Digi Images).  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week.  I hope you have a wonderful week and know that through faith in what Jesus accomplished through the Cross, we have complete victory!  Hugs, always!

Scripture Series: Draw Near to God Card---Free Scripture Word Art at our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

It's another Wednesday and another day to praise and thank the Lord Jesus for all the wonderful things He's done for us!   There's something about declaring the goodness of God that empowers every believer even when everything that's happening around us seem to suggest that the day is up to no good.  As you focus on what transpires in your physical existence, it's very easy to sink into depression and hopelessness.  When things are going your way, you feel so "in control" of your life.  Emotions are high and not a care in this world!  But life is such a roller coaster and emotions can give you joy one day and sorrow the next.  Today you feel like you are on top of the world and the next day, feel like you're at the bottom of a pit.  When I came to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ many years ago, He accepted me for all that I am!  My past, present and future included.  He knew my strengths and vulnerabilities as well as what makes me happy or sad.  The truth is, He knew me better than I know myself!  God said in Ezekiel 36:25, "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."  The fact that God has to give us a "NEW HEART" and a "NEW SPIRIT" meant that our "old heart" and "old spirit" fell short of the glory of God!  We were born into this world with that OLD NATURE---the "Sin Nature" that came from Lucifer and was placed inside Adam (when Man fell into sin).  We are in this inescapable bondage with Adam with  a sure verdict of "Death" in three categories---Spiritual (separation from God), Physical (separation from our body) and Eternal (everlasting separation from God).  Everyone who lives and die without embracing the "Only WAY" God has given to mankind is a slave to Satan.  It doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor, young or old, religious or not religious, skin color, your status in life, fame etc.  You can be the most charitable person in the entire universe but here lies the Truth....Every good deeds man conjured up through His own abilities, strength and resources, are going to burn in the sight of the Lord.  Let me be very clear about that statement by quoting what the Lord Jesus told us in John 15:4-6, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."  God sent us the "Vine" in Whom we must branch out from.  John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  At the Cross, He bore every sin of man and crucified it with Him.  As we come  by faith (trust) in what the Lord Jesus accomplished through that act of love (selflessness), we become one with Him in His death, burial and resurrection.  Simply put, we "DIE" from the Old Nature, we were "BURIED" with Him and when "HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD," we are "BORN-AGAIN" in Him--- totally free from the bondage of Satan. JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SALVATION!  I would be lying and would disservice anyone if I withhold this Truth.  I will shout it out to the ends of the earth and would go as far as the Lord would lead me to declare this Gospel!  The Apostles didn't hide the Truth from anybody even in the midst of persecutions and danger to their lives.  Peter boldly declared this in Acts 4:8-12, "At this Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke to them, “Leaders of the people and elders, if we are being called in question today over the matter of a kindness done to a helpless man and as to how he was healed, it is high time that all of you and the whole people of Israel knew that it was done in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! He is the one whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, and it is by his power that this man at our side stands in your presence perfectly well. He is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone^.' In no one else can salvation be found. For in all the world no other name has been given to men but this, and it is by this name that we must be saved!”  So, if you hear the voice of the Lord speaking to you today, harden not your heart!  He loves you so much that He poured out His blood for your freedom!  He died so that you may live...Come to Him, no matter what condition you are in.  He is able to turn your darkness into His marvelous light---your sins as scarlet into white as snow!  Only He can do that!  All it takes is opening the door to your heart and letting Him in...

Our free Word Art (by Karen Murray) for our Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) comes from Psalm 73:28 which says, "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."  In Jesus, we have a purpose-filled life, perfect joy, unfathomable peace and a very bright and amazing future!  This life on earth is but a training ground.  We are to learn from the Lord Jesus---inclining our ears to His Word!  We are to hunger and thirst for His righteousness for it is the Way of life in God's Kingdom (Matthew 5:6).  There is only One King in God's Kingdom and everyone is subject to His righteous rule.  If on earth, we know nothing but rebellion, then we cannot possibly be productive Kingdom citizens.  It is only by having a close and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ that we will be able to know the will of our Father and carry out the purposes and plans He designed for us---both in this world and in His Kingdom.  

For this inspiration Card, I used a wonderful retired image called "Winter Bird in the Trees" from Sassy Cheryl's Stamps and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  One of our sponsors this week provided almost 90% of all the papers I used in this project.  The Paper Temptress has a wonderful array of papers and embellishments that would suit your crafting needs.  Here, I used Sour Apple, Blu Raspberry, Cotton Candy, Cordovan Paper and the Cryogen White Paper.  These are high quality, sturdy card stocks.  I truly appreciate the chance to showcase their product through this creation.  Anyway, the base (Cryogen White) was cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I paper pieced the tree (with Sour Apple) after I embossed it with my Cuttlebug.  I die cut couple of Nestabilities dies and  adhered  some white nail head gems from Imaginisce.  I  also attached flowers from Recollections and incorporated some punched leaves using an MS Punch.  I stitched all over this card and added some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) to the flowers and leaves.  Hope you like it...

 DRAW NEAR TO GOD CARD:

 DRAW NEAR TO GOD CARD LAYERS:

 DRAW NEAR TO GOD CARD INSIDE:

DRAW NEAR TO GOD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Scrapping 4 Fun---Use a Stamp/Digi Image
Just B Creative Crazy---Just Because
Crafty Calendar---Things with Wings
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crafting by Designs---April Showers May bring Flowers
Creative Moments---ATG/Spring
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards---Spring
Craftitude---ATG/Spring and/or Easter
Polkadoodles---Springtime
Paper Crafting---No Patterned Paper
Everybody's Art---Cute
Stampin with the Dragon---Springtime
Wags 'n Whiskers---Lots of Layers
Whimsy Stamps---ATG
Fab 'n' Funky---Paper Piecing (the tree had been embossed and paper pieced)
BMC Crafting Station---Die-Cuts
Little Claire's---Lots of Layers
Creative Card Crew---Girly
Dazzling Diva---Radiant Orchid/ATG
Crafter's Cafe---Add Glitter (on Flowers and Birds)
Scrap-Creations---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Stamping Sensations---Dies and/or Punches
Squirrel and the Fox---Die-cut/Punch
A Random Fan---ATG
Top Tip Tuesday---Paper Piecing ( Trees were embossed and paper pieced)
Tuesday Throwdown---Lots of Sparkle 

Just want to encourage you to enter our WAW Challenge for a chance to win wonderful prizes from our sponsors this week---Paper Temptress ($25 GC to their store) and Moonlighting Designs (3 Digi images of choice).  You are allowed to enter up to 5 times as long as your entries are different projects and with encouraging and uplifting messages.  Can't wait to see what you will make using our free Word Art although not mandatory.  Hugs and blessings everyone and know that Jesus truly loves you and has a wonderful plan for your future.

Sharing the pics I took of the first of the Four Blood Moons seen April 15, 2014...

Last Tuesday (April 15, 2014), I stayed for the duration of the Blood Moon (lunar eclipses) which was the first of the series of four Blood Moons (Tetrad) with a total solar eclipse between the sequence happening this year till next year.  Sure, there were a few of this that occurred before but every time it coincides with the Jewish Feast Days (which happened three times for the past five hundred years), it had significant impact to Israel's history (Read "Four Blood Moons"by John Hagee).  God is using the stellar heavens as His billboard to send out a message to his people, the Church and the world. These pictures were taken from 1:18 AM (start of the Blood Moon) and in 15 or 30 minutes increments till the peak at 2:45 AM (the last 4 pictures), Central Time. 

These were taken through my phone and my other camera.  If you want to find out more about the significance of The Four Blood Moons to our day and time in a Biblical perspective, please watch the video link below.  It will educate us on how God uses these signs to warn His people...

Divine Sign for Israel? Hagee Explains Blood Moons - Inside Israel - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com

Have a blessed day!  Would love to hear your comments if you have any... 

Scripture Series: Christ Abound In Us Card---Join Us for our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

It's another Wednesday and I'm here to inspire you with a Card for our Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  We have a wonderful Scripture Word Art (you can download for free) as we celebrate Resurrection Day Sunday.  It's taken from 2 Corinthians 1:5 which says, "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."  This  tells us that as we come to the Lordship of Jesus Christ through faith in His finished work at the Cross, we become partakers of His suffering, His death and His victory.  Just as we were in Adam (by being born physically), we inherited from the first Man the ugly consequences of his disobedience and rebellion from God. Yet, by being Born-Again (John 3:3) in Christ, we also gained the victory that Jesus accomplished at the Cross.  Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ didn't promise a "bed of roses" in this lifetime.  This world is still ruled by Satan who hates God and every one who have come to the knowledge of Christ.  The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."  Jesus had to endure terrible treats  since He began His earthly existence.  Satan had plotted to kill and destroy Him.  He, who knew no sin was persecuted, tried and delivered to sinners.  Like a Lamb to be slaughtered, He bore the filthiness of  Sin upon His body.  Think about Who Jesus is---perfect, pure, holy--- without sin! He is the Word of God declared in John 1:1-3 which says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."  A loving God couldn't  deny Himself of His nature to love, so He came to earth in the flesh to save the very people who hated and rebelled against Him.  A "Just God" cannot allow SIN to go unpunished.  He is the very author and perfecter of Love, Truth and Justice.  Man was utterly hopeless!  They have nobody from among themselves that is pure and holy, qualified to save mankind.  Everyone born physically in Adam was tainted by the "sin nature" that came from Lucifer.  Only God is pure!  Because of God's great love for mankind, He gave His ultimate sacrifice---Jesus (the Word of God).  He died on the Cross to reconcile man back to Himself.  Jesus' prayer to the Father at the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:39 says, "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” What about this cup of suffering?  Were they merely the blows to His body, emotions or the anticipation of the horrible events that He's going to face?  I submit to you---NOT AT ALL!  It's so much more than that as Luke 22:44 tells us, "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."  “Hematidrosis” is a rare, but very real, medical condition where one’s sweat will contain blood. The sweat glands are surrounded by tiny blood vessels. These vessels can constrict and then dilate to the point of rupture where the blood will then effuse into the sweat glands. It’s cause – extreme anguish.  The "Cup" that made Jesus suffer the most was the "Cup of God's wrath" befalling upon Him.  The judgment of God against the iniquities of all mankind caused Him to be separated from the Father.  He was always with God.  He and the Father are One.  But that was going to change beginning that night. At the Cross, the eyes of the Father turned away from His One and Only Son, causing Him to cry out loud in Matthew 27:46, "About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"). Friends, He did it all because of His great love for us!  So great, He chose to die!  On the third day, He rose again from the dead which seals His sacrifice to complete victory.  We may be suffering and carrying our crosses daily.   That includes trials and persecutions for firmly standing on the Word of God.  We may lose opportunities, family or friends because of our faith in Him.  But take heart, none of that can compare to the promises we have in Christ Jesus.  He lives inside every believer and never leave nor forsake us.  He knows our pain!  No matter how great the trials are, be comforted that He is under control and that He has our future---a VERY BRIGHT FUTURE, INDEED!  Want to share with you a few verses to strengthen you in your faith in Christ, our Lord!

"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." ( 2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 3:10-14)

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."  (Romans 8:15-17)

For this Card, I used a wonderful image from Saturated Canary called "Set Free." which is a perfect image for the scripture Word Art we are sharing with you this week.  I colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Chromatix markers.  The base card is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from Pebbles,  the flower from Paper Studio, the leaves are die-cut using an MS Punch, as well as a couple of dark brown brads.  The heart stamp is from Stampabilities.  Lastly, I did some fancy and regular stitching all over this creation.  You see, I am not a big fan of the color purple but thought of giving it a try.  I'm pretty happy with it.

CHRIST ABOUND IN US CARD:

 CHRIST ABOUND IN US CARD LAYERS:

 CHRIST ABOUND IN US CARD INSIDE:

CHRIST ABOUND IN US CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More---ATG
Dazzling Diva---Mother's day/ATG
Crafting with Dragonflies---Mother's Day/Special Lady
Creative Moments---ATG/Girly
Digistamps4Joy---Easter/Spring
Fab 'n' Funky---Flower Power
Hobbybrook---Easter
Inky Impressions---Easter
Nutcrafters---Girly
Paper Shelter---Spring is Here
Rhedd and Rosie---ATG
Ruby's Rainbow---Ladies
Scrapper's Delight---Bloomin' Lovely
Stampavie and More---Easter
Whimsy Stamps---ATG
Emerald Faeries---Color Combo and/or Easter
Crafty Hazelnuts----Patterned Paper
Digi Galore---Flowers
Just B Creative Crazy---Just Because
Mema's Crafts---ATG
Oddball Art Stamp---Easter
Cuttin and Stampin---Easter
Digi Choosday---Use 2 Papers
Everybody's Art---ATG
Scrap-Creations---Easter
Loves Rubberstamps---Easter or Spring time
Oldie but a Goodie---Easter (The image has been with me longer than 6 mos.)
Papertake Weekly---Easter
TTCRD---ATG
Eclectic Ellapu---Easter

Have an awesome day, everyone and looking forward to see your wonderful projects linked at our WAW Blog.  It will be nice to see the featured Word Art in your Challenge project but not mandatory.  As long as it's family friendly, inspirational and uplifting, you are free to link up to 5 projects.  Our sponsors for this week are Mark's Finest Papers (One stamp set), Eureka Stamps (5 Digi Images) and Yours or Mine Paper Crafts ($10 GC).  So start creating and link-up.  You don't want to miss the chance to win any of our fabulous prizes this week.  Just want to tell you how much God loves you and He died on the Cross so that we may live freely.  Be blessed!

Recycled Project: Roses with Love Bookmark---Join Us at our Neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create, for Anything Goes with Optional Twist Challenge!

Good morning folks! I'm back for another Anything Goes Challenge with an Optional Twist for our neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create!  It's also Sunday and what an awesome day to gather with other believers to give honor and praise to God Almighty!  I know that there are times we just want to stay in bed and skip the gathering of believers.  Maybe because were tired from the week's work, the desire to spend the day with the family or it could also be that things are not going well in life causing us stress, frustration or depression concerning our health, finances, work and relationships.  There are also those that just don't have knowledge of the Lord so, they don't see the significance of having a Church family to fellowship with.  The Bible instructed us in Hebrews 10:23-25, "And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."  From these passages, we are told to be faithful in meeting together with fellow believers---to be strengthened (encouraged) through fellow-shipping with one another.  When we are carrying a heavy load, another believer may have a Word from God that he/she will impart to you. It could be the answer to your prayer/s or shed a light to life's questions.  The Lord also speaks through the "corporate worship" of His people.  As a Music Minister in our Church, I saw firsthand the countless times that God provided healing, visions, Word of knowledge or prophetic utterances while people are pouring their hearts to Him.  There's also a blessing in the preaching of God's Word and as you listen and allow the Holy Spirit to move in you, He reveals many things that will help in your spiritual growth.  Another important reason for coming to the Church is that you may be the person that will deliver the blessing/s to others.  As a Born-Again (John 3:3) believer, you are a vessel of the Spirit of God and Jesus lives inside of you.  That means He can send you to help, bless and provide support to someone in need.  It may be in a form or prayer, monetary help, speaking the Word (God's message) or just an ear to listen.  All you really need to do is to be there and wait for the Lord to use you in such a mighty way.  God didn't intend for us to be spectators in the Church.  The Church is not a/the building!  The word "Church" came from the Greek word "Ekklesia" meaning, "Called Out Ones." It is made up of people who are called from darkness into God's marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)---who fully surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and made Him their personal Lord and Savior.  Everywhere we go, we are carrying with us the Spirit of God.  We are His arms and feet.  When we walk the path that the Lord purposed for us, we are representing Christ to others and others see Him in us.  Yes, we are not perfect but that does not stop the Lord from using us the moment we repent and continue to fight the good fight of faith.  One of the greatest Apostle of the New Testament is Paul (also known as Saul).  Before he came to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, he was a terrible (brutal) persecutor of Christians and we can say that he was responsible for the murder of countless believers that time (Read Act 9 - Conversion of Saul).  We say, how can God use such an evil man to reveal to us the Truth of the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ)?   The other Apostles and believers that time also wondered and could not trust this man and they have every reason to do so!  Yet God saw something in him---enough to use him to reveal "salvation through faith in Christ."  The Bible declares in Isaiah 55:8-9, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.…"  From the life of Apostle Paul, we can see the abundant love and mercy God has for mankind.  It really does not matter what you've done in the past!  What He wants is for us to trust Him with our present and depend solely on Him for our future.  He can literally make beauty out of our ashes!  We need to allow Him to take over our lives.  The first step is to call unto Him, repent and accept His gift of salvation.  Secondly, let Him be your Lord and Savior and allow Him to direct your life.  Thirdly,  find a Church that teaches solely from the Scriptures and start to walk the path God intended for you.  Now, if you don't feel like going to the Church today,  I have to tell you, "YOU REALLY NEED TO GO!"  There's a blessing waiting that the enemy don't want you to receive thus, he's doing everything to stop you from having it.  I tell you, I am not motivated to go to the Church all the time (Yes, true confession).  I love to stay in bed on Sundays too. But the Spirit of God quickens my spirit and before I knew it, I am prepping myself to Church.  As a believer, God's spirit in us should dictate our soul and our body,  not the other way around.  So are we ready to honor and praise the Lord today?  I am ready and excited!  Here are verses to ponder on as we give glory to our Lord in our congregation:

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."  (Colossians 3:16)

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality." (Romans 12:10-13)

" They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."  (Acts 2:42-47)

Anyway, today is "Anything Goes" with an optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create.  For the twist, we were asked to recycle or reuse something.  I am not pretty much into recycling but I did re-use some of the left-over papers from my previous projects and had to look around the house on what I can actually recycle.  For this project, I used a wonderful image from one of our sponsors this week, Fred She Said Designs called "Hearts and Roses Digi Set."  I found a tag that I took off from the jeans I bought many months ago (I usually throw them right away but I know God kept this one for me) and I had an idea.  The original tag measured approximately 5.75 x 1.75 inches and provided a wonderful base for my bookmark.  I colored the image with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers, the DP's and CS are all from my scraps, adhered a few metallic blue brads and some black ribbon.  It was not an easy challenge for me but once I got going, it all fell into place.  I know the Lord gave me the inspiration so, I am very happy with the results.  What do you think?

 ROSES WITH LOVE BOOKMARK:

 ROSES WITH LOVE BOOKMARK LAYERS:

ROSES WITH LOVE BOOKMARK BEFORE RECYCLING:

This project is entered into the following Challenges:

Love to Scrap---ATG
MAWTT---Easter/Spring
Craft for the Craic---Easter/Spring
Gem of a Challenge---Spring is in the Air
Color Me Creative---ATG
Sunflowerfield---Easter or Spring
Lacy Sunshine---Make it Feminine
OSAAT---Use a Digi
Just Keep On Creating---ATG
Creative Card Crew---Spring
Altered Eclectics---Altered Projects
Rhedd's Creative Spirit---Altered Projects
Anything But a Card---Spring Forward
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Ditzie Digi Design---ATG

There you have it, friends!  I hope you  consider joining our Challenge this week at 613 Avenue Create.  You can link any project for "Anything Goes" or challenge yourself like I did by tackling the "Twist."  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our sponsors, Fred She Said Designs and Jelly Park. So, what are you waiting for?  I can't wait to see what you showcase for us in this Challenge.  I love it when you make it difficult for us to choose a winner. Have an awesome week and I pray that you'd be blessed as you bless others today in your Church fellowship.  Hugs!

Laughing So Hard Center Step Card---Another GDT Card for Create with TLC!

Hello there, friends!  It's Friday and wanted to share with you a fun project that features another GDT card for Create with TLC.  If you have followed me long enough, you know how I love to create Scripture-inspired cards/projects for nothing can surpass the blessings and inspiration that comes from the Word of God.  Hebrews 4:12 declares, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  There is something inside the very core of our hearts that responds to the power of God's Word.  You can either be blessed with wisdom and understanding to the point that it causes you to draw near to God or feel intimidated by it (restricted due to the desire to fulfill your own will and cravings) that stops you from going any further in seeking God's Word.  Have you ever wondered why many people challenged the validity of the Scriptures---questioning its Origin, its content, its human authors?  If you have some questions of your own,   HERE, you can read important facts about the best selling book of all time.   I submit to you that many who are strongly against the sharing of the Word are people who have not given ample time to read or study God's Word.   They reject it because they don't want to be accountable to God's righteous standards.  Instead, they want God to agree with their worldly lifestyle by twisting the context of God's Word, to get more people to agree with them (take advantage of their weaknesses) and convince them that they can live as they please. They have bought into the lie that God is so merciful, He would not mind.  Here are familiar verses that unbelievers use to silence believers from sharing the Word---1 John 4:8 (...God is love), Matthew 7:1 (Do not judge...), Luke 6:41 (Don't look at the speck in your brother's eye) or Psalm 145:8 (The Lord is gracious and compassionate...).

If we take the time to read and examine the very motive of unbelievers in the use of these verses, it is evident that they don't want to hear any further than a verse or two.  They pretty much trash the "context" (the background that drives the meaning of the  Word).  Why then do they not want to go any further?  It could be that if they allow themselves to dig deeper in learning the Truth, they may not like the change that its going to bring into their lives.  Yes, I understand that there are people who are simply ignorant of the Truth but may want a change to happen given the opportunity to hear the Gospel.  But what I am talking about here, are those who are living guilt-free (unapologetic) of their sinful lifestyle.   People who, despite the many opportunities to repent and come into God's presence, have no intentions to walk the path of righteousness that God has laid before them.  Think about this for a moment! Why do most people want constant noise, an overly busy lifestyle filled with parties, gimmicks and so much more?  The fact is, many of them don't want to hear the voice of their conscience (moral compass) talking back at them!  Others have abused themselves with drugs and alcohol---trying to numb their emotions and deafen their ears---too scared to face the reality that after those temporary highs, they will have to give up their fleshly lifestyles which most don't have any intention of doing so.   Some are entangled emotionally to perverted relationships and acts of fornication that they could not break away from (have become their idols).  You see, Satan knows the Word of God.  In his desire to destroy man, he used God's Word and twisted it to insert doubt to what God originally said.  We see the devil's strategy in the way he manipulated Eve to eat of the fruit (from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil)  that God forbade her and Adam to eat from.  Another great example of Satan twisting God's Word was when  he tempted Jesus (three times) to get our Savior to worship him which was a test Jesus had passed before He began His earthly ministry (Mark 4:1-11).

What's happening at our day and time is nothing new.  It's still the same devil that seeks to destroy mankind by twisting God's Word to deceive many.  What makes me sad  is that many believers  fall into this trap of the enemy.  We are to ask God for discernment when it comes to dealing with people.  Not every verse that comes out of a person's mouth is made to honor God.  Many of them are used in a twisted manner to achieve one's selfish goal.   Anything we do for God will be evident (plain to see) by who truly gets the glory at the end.  Is the glory directed towards Jesus and His finished work at the Cross or someone else other than Christ is receiving the glory. My desire is for true believers of the Lord to stand by the scriptures and proclaim His full counsel (the entire Scripture), whatever the cost.  Not allowing ourselves to be hindered by emotions (feelings) or fear of rejection and danger as we bring souls to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  The Truth cannot be compromised!  In the end, if we choose to withhold the Truth, we have done these people (whom the Lord entrusted unto us)  a disservice.  They'll face eternal judgement---shut down, tormented and cast out from the very presence of God forever!  If you truly love, share the hope that the Word of God has revealed in your life.  Some will hate you for it, oh yes!  But those who will respond to  God's call of salvation (who makes it to the ark of safety)  through your firm and faithful witnessing,  will be "eternally" grateful for the work you imparted in their lives.  Here are scriptures to help us understand the authenticity, integrity and importance of the written Word of God in our daily existence:

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."  (2 Timothy 3:16)

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."  (Romans 15:4)

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Anyway, aside from my love for projects with scripture in it, another part of me (you may not be that familiar with) is my love for humor.  I am not much of a joker but I love to engage in wonderful conversations with friends and laugh so hard that I often cry laughing...So, when I get the opportunity to make a card, not limited by DT theme or other specifics, I love to use fun images like the one featured here.  This image is from Art Impressions called "Comfy on Couch."  I pray to be surrounded by Godly women that have a positive outlook in life, a  matured understanding of the Word, but also a  kid at heart---spontaneous and easy to get along with.  I know that true friends are a blessing from the Lord.  Each one can impact our lives either temporarily or for a long term.  We ought to pray for them and treasure every moment we spend together.  For this Card, I colored the sweet image with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base card is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step design.  The DP's are from Heidi Grace and Recollections.  I didn't stitch on this card but stamped the borders using a Fiskars stamp.  I added a few white brads for dimension.  And lastly, the wonderful sentiment from the set called "Everlasting Happiness"  that gives life to this card is courtesy of Paulette from Create with TLC in whose generosity I am truly grateful!  I am honored to be her GDT from time to time.  If you haven't gone to her site, you are missing a lot!  She gives away daily freebies and offers wonderful sets of images and sentiments at a prize so affordable.  Check it out....

 LAUGHING SO HARD CENTER STEP CARD:

  LAUGHING SO HARD CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

  LAUGHING SO HARD CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

  LAUGHING SO HARD CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

 LAUGHING SO HARD CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Art Impressions---Best of Friends
Love to Scrap---ATG
MAWTT---Easter/Spring
Craft for the Craic---Easter/Spring
Sister Act---ATG
Color Me Creative---ATG
Sunflowerfield---Easter or Spring
Just Keep On Creating---ATG
Creative Card Crew---Spring
Craftitude---ATG  or Add Something Corrugated
Craftyhands---ATG
Docerela Creations---ATG
Pattie's Creations---Fancy Folds
Quick Quotes---Stamp It Up
Stampin' for the Weekend---Your Favorite Stamp
Crafty Girls---ATG
Aud Sentiments---Sentiment for a Friend
Art Journal Journey---Moments of Happiness
Imagination Crafts---ATG
Just B Creative Crazy---ATG
Mema's Crafts---ATG
One Crazy Stamper---ATG
Cupboard Trilogy---Friendship/Friend
Dazzling Diva---ATG/Spring/Easter
Creative Moments---ATG/Girly
Rhedd and Rosie---ATG

There you have it for today, friends!  Even though I have not met any of my followers/visitors personally, I consider y'all a blessing from God.  You don't know how happy I am seeing your lovely comments and encouragement in both my projects and the work I do for the Lord.  I pray for the abundant blessings, joy and favor of the Lord Jesus to rest in your homes till the day He brings us home.  For the meantime, laugh your hearts out!  Hugs always!