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!