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!