THE BLESSINGS OF CREATIVITY...

I thank the LORD JESUS for each day that is given me to create wonderful projects...As always, I give Him all the glory.


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Scripture Series: Resurrection and the Life Center Step Card---Join Us for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there Crafty friends and followers.  It's an awesome day to praise the Lord!  I was watching a Christian teaching DVD yesterday while I was working on this Card and I was so blessed by the topic on the "Law of Expectancy." It cited a load of scriptures with regards to how the way we think affects the quality of our lives.  This is nothing new to me but what captured my attention was how clearly the teacher explained this law with a Biblical perspective.  As believers of Jesus Christ, we are to fill our minds with the promises of God and expect things that are good, pure and praise-worthy.  We are to declare positive things to happen based on our trust in Him and rid of any negative thinking/confession that would pronounce curse to our lives.  In our family, God quickens us to be mindful of things we say by rebuking any negative statement we catch ourselves saying from time to time and destroying that negative spirit, in the name of Jesus.   We are to declare God's glory daily by confessing His goodness, claiming His promises in our lives and trusting that He is able to deliver what we prayed/asked for in His Name.  In the midst of the trials our family confronts with daily, I can't tell you exactly how God's Word (through that teaching) have empowered my life---to not limit what God can do in  our future.  I am literally thanking Him for the blessings each day and for the answered prayer He's revealing to us very soon. 

Anyway,  how exactly are we supposed to live a life with complete trust in the Lord?  Jesus said in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."  Coming from a fallen state in Adam (before anyone comes to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through a Born-Again experience in John 3:3), everyone possessed (inside of them) the sin nature from Satan.  The devil's agenda is clear in John 10:10---to kill, steal and destroy.  All sins lead to destruction and everyone with the sin nature are destined to suffer the three-fold nature of death (spiritual, physical and eternal).  Yet long before time, God already provided a solution to the horrific fate of man.  It was His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, whose sole sacrifice in the Cross of Calvary took every punishment our sin deserved and took it upon Himself.  When He died on the Cross, He bore all of mankind's sin with Him and conquered them completely with His resurrection.  Death cannot hold our Savior to the grave.  The penalty of our sins have been paid in full and we have been set free from the bondage of the enemy.  To access the benefits of what Jesus' has done for us, we must repent from our old ways (in Adam) and come to Him by faith---a simple act of "trust" by receiving what He's already accomplished in our behalf.  No other person, religion or entity will be able to save mankind from the bondage of being in Adam.  This is why true believers does not and should not compromise the Truth of God's Word, no matter what the cost.  Jesus spoke and declared in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  Friends, this is such a profound statement.  No one in the history of the earth made this declaration and supported it historically with truth, action and fulfilled prophecies.  He is literally the ONLY WAY! Anybody who says they are Christians but believes that others can come to Almighty God through other means does not have any clue about Jesus nor the Scriptures.  I don't care how educated, wealthy, famous or influential they are---without complete faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are lost and will take others with them in darkness due to ignorance, pride and stubbornness.   Proverbs 4:23-27 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."

This week's Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW), we are featuring a free Word Art (by Karen Murray) highlighting God's Word in John 11:25 which says, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."  Here, Jesus spoke about all the things He won for us at the Cross---completely fulfilled upon His resurrection!  If He died and didn't resurrect, our faith is in vain.  But since He conquered death, our faith is sealed in Him!  Just as in Adam, we were plunged into death and died spiritually by an act of disobedience; so by the death of Jesus, our old nature is put to death when we come to Him in faith (Born-Again experience). By His resurrection, we were restored back to His righteousness (God's quality of life).  One day, we are all going to die and leave our physical bodies (unless we join Him in the Rapture first).  Yet, we have this blessed hope---He promised that we shall "live again" eternally in His presence.  Compare the many years of existence here on earth to the eternal realm where time does not exist.  A wise person will see the huge difference between the two and will prioritize based on what's more important.  Those who rejected God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ will also live eternally, oh yes!  But the sad thing is that they are going to live separated, with no hope of being in the presence of the Lord, EVER!  And where God is absent, it's a place of unending torment and suffering!   You see, that is why I  am here to proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ.  I share God's Word because I care for the lost sheep.  Somebody  cared enough to impart the Gospel to me many years ago and have patiently prayed for me to come to the saving knowledge of Christ.  Now, I am leading and praying for others to come to Him as well.  You owe it to yourself to test the claims of Jesus Christ and see if He is Who He says He is.  I don't want anyone to just believe in me but I want everyone to study and find out the Truth about the God of the Scriptures while we are still alive.  We never know when death is going to take us away and by then, it will be too late.  Are you ready?

For this Card, I chose an image from  Saturated Canary called "Butterfly Princess" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  I just think this image is perfect for the highlighted scriptures.  The base card is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card.  The DP's are from My Mind's Eye and Recollections.  The lacy oval is cut and embossed using my Nestabilities and Cuttlebug.  I inked the Prima flowers using Distress Inks (Peeled Paint/Broken China/Fired Brick/Walnut Stain), layered them and attached a metal brad in the center of the flowers and a couple on the main panel.  Lastly, I stitched all over this Card.  I'm happy with the result.


 RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE CENTER STEP CARD:


 RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:


 RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:


RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Craftyhazelnuts---Patterned Paper
Doodle Pantry---Any Digi Goes
Flat Friends---Include a Sentiment
Just B Creative Crazy---ATG
Mema's Crafts---ATG/Optional: Easter/Spring
Oddball---Use a Digi
One Sweet Challenge---Spring
East Wind---Use a Sentiment
A Song In Your Heart---Everything Grows
Dazzling Diva---ATG/Easter/Spring
Crafter's Cafe---Spring
Creative Moments---ATG/Girly
Divas by Design---Easter/Spring
Penny's Paper Crafty---Flower Power
Rhedd and Rosie---ATG
Scrapper's Delights---Bloomin' Lovely
Whimsy Stamps---ATG
Clear It Out---ATG with Twist: Real or Faux Stitching (all materials are 6 mos. to a year old)
Crafty Sentiments---Easter
Creative Card Crew---Spring
Cuttin and Stampin---Rainbows/Easter
Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG
Scrap-Creations---Easter
Oldie but a Goodie---April Showers Bring May Flowers ((all materials are 6 mos. to a year old)
Papertake Weekly---Spring Has Sprung
Passion fro ProMarkers---So Sentimental
Pause Dream Enjoy---3D  Projects
SweetStamps---Easter
TTCRD---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Easter Animal
Aurora Wings---ATG
Cheerful Stamp Pad---Add Some Flowers
Crafting from the Heart---ATG/Easter
Crafting Desert Diva's---ATG
Crafty Boots---Easter
Created with Love---Easter
Digi Makeover---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Make my Monday---Easter
Melonheadz---Spring
My Craft Creations---ATG
My Craft Spot---Happy Easter
Stamp and Create---Spring Flowers


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 enter up to 5 times this week.  Lots of prizes to be won from our two wonderful sponsors---My Craft Spot (Stamp Set of winner's choice) and Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Some Stamps).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, meditate on the goodness of the Lord and rely on His promises.  Expect only wonderful things from Him each day.  We serve a good and faithful God---Jesus Christ! 

41 comments:

  1. Another stunning card..Gorgeous rich colors.

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  2. Gorgeous coloring on your image! Beautiful card and wonderful scripture!!! TFS!

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  3. Stunning card. Thanks for joining us at creative moments challenge xxx

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  4. beautiful colouring and gorgeous card. Thanks for joining us on Rhedd & Rosie :-)

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  5. Hi hun fabulous make and thanks for sharing with us at Fantastic Tuesday very good luck xxx I also have blog candy on my blog if you fancy a peek x http://judithsadorablecreations.blogspot.co.uk/

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  6. Fabulous card, Jo Ann! Love your colouring of that pretty SC image, all the wonderful layers and beautiful, bold flower embellishment!
    Thanks for joining in with my theme this week at Passion for Promarkers! Lisa x

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  7. Amazing coloring and beautiful design, JoAnn! and a fabulous box for sending, too. Thanks so much for entering our first challenge at Aurora Wings and our Use a Sentiment challenge at TEW. xxD

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  8. Fabulous card. Great design and shape. Wonderful image and outstanding colouring. Thank you for sharing your work with all of us at Crafty Boots Challenges.

    Dionne

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  9. Gorgeous centre step card, your colouring is amazing, thanks for joining us at Crafty Sentiments and Divas by Design this week. Jac x

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  10. Wonderful coloring. Like the style of card. Like the finished inside. Thank you for entering Doodle Pantry Apr Ch.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"
    Doodle Pantry DT

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  11. Great card love the scripture. Thanks for joining us this week at Created with Love Challenges.
    Linda K. DT
    www.ladybugstampers.blogspot.com

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  12. Fabulous Design....thank you for your valued support in entering our challenge, without you we would have no challenge.and I do hope you will join us again next week...for another fab challenge....
    Hugs
    Suzy B Owner Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge
    XX

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  13. Such a great link up! Thank you for sharing this with us.
    Jackie dt @ Pause Dream Enjoy

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  14. Thank you for joining in Rhedd and Rosie's, good luck Hun, Zoe DT xx

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  15. I love visiting your blog because it is so spirtually uplifting and I strive on the words of God. Your card is gorgeous and always your coloring is amazing. Thank you for stopping by our place and taking time to play with us at Mema's Crafts. We hope you will play with us again and visit often.

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  16. Fantasic card Thank you so much for joining in on our first challenge at Aurora Wings Hope to see you again next month Good luck Sandra DT xx

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  17. Wow. Just stunning. Thanks for playing along at A Song in Your He{ART}.

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  18. What a gorgeous creation to celebrate Resurrection Day! The Scripture looks amazing, as does your entire card design. Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your lovely creation with us at My Craft Spot!

    Hugs and blessings,
    Karen

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  19. Gorgeous. Love the layers and colours.
    Thank you for joining us at Oddball Art Stamp Co. Challenge

    Huggsss, Angelique
    EngelDesignsScrap

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  20. Thanks for sharing your lovely card for Cheerful Stamp Pad challenge 83: add some flowers , Hazel, DT - hope to see you again soon - thank you also for entering this for my Patterned Paper April challenge. x

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  21. Wow, a wonderful card. Love the image you have used and coloured so beautifully. Great design and layout. Thanks for joining in with the 'So Sentimental challenge' at Passion for Promarkers this week, and good luck
    Eileen x

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  22. wow this is gorgeous! Love the fabulous colors you have used. The image is fabulous as is the matching envelope.

    Thanks for joining our fortnightly challenge here at A Song in your He{art}. Hope you will join us next time DT Crafting Vicky. I have a great giveaway so don’t forget to join in  Crafting Vicky giveaway post 

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  23. What a striking floral creation, thank you so much for entering an Oldie But A Goody Challenge. Don't forget to join us on Tuesday to in find out who won and see our next challenge theme.

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  24. Beautiful coloring! Thanks for participating in the Doodle Pantry challenge!

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  25. Gorgeous card! Love your center step and your rich color choice. Thanks for playing along with us at Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge #45. Have a wonderful day, happy Easter and good luck! Hugs, Sujin

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  26. what a cute card, its so lovely too, Thanks for joining us at Artistic Inspiration & Good Luck Pam DT x

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  27. Great card, the image is cute and coloured beautifully. thanks for playing along with us at The cheerful stamp pad for the add flowers challenge.

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  28. This is fabulous! Thanks so much for joining us at The Cheerful Stamp Pad.
    xoxo
    Karla B - DT

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  29. This is a great card and really fab design! Thank you for playing along at Rhedd and Rosie’s. Sammy-x

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  30. This is so beautiful, I love it - the colouring is gorgeous!! Thank you so much for joining us over at Flat Friends - hope you have a lovely week, Em xx

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  31. Beautiful card. Thank you for joining in the Crafty Sentiments Easter challenge.
    Cathy xx

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  32. This is great. Love how you colored the image and used the reds and green with the dark brown. It really pops. Thanks for playing along this week over at the Crafter's Cafe. Shannon DT

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  33. What an intriguing step card. Beautiful. Thank you for entering the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge.

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  34. Thank you for participating in Dazzling Diva Challenge #20. I love your cards and the scriptures you add to them are beautiful. You are truly gifted!

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  35. Stunning card, love your beautifully coloured image, thank you for playing at Creative Moments, hope to see you again soon
    {Creative Moments Owner}
    Alex x

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  36. So pretty! GORGEOUS coloring! So glad you joined our challenge at My Craft Spot this week!

    housesbuiltofcards@gmail.com
    www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com

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  37. Great card, lovely design
    Thanks for joining in this week at Pennys Paper Crafty Challenge
    Hugs katie x

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  38. Hi Jo Ann,
    This looks gorgeous. Love the wonderful image & your fabulous card design. Thanks for joining us at Divas By Design & Passion For Promarkers.
    Hugs,
    Andie xx

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  39. This is beautiful - I love all the details you've added.

    Thanks for sharing it with us at Penny's.

    Helen x

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  40. She is beautiful and I love your sentiment too.

    Thanks for joining our spring challenge at Creative Card Crew.

    Mari

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  41. Gorgeous card. The image is beautifully coloured. I like how you added a mat to it as well - it really makes it pop.

    Thanks for playing along with us at Creative Card Crew!
    ~ Crystal (DT)

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