Scripture Series: Crown of Old Men Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, Crafty Friends!  This post is a day late (time is a luxury for me nowadays!) but I'm here to highlight the free Scripture Word Art for our Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). Each day is challenging for me and my family this month (we ask for your prayers!).  I know God has something wonderful in store for us as we stand in faith but that same faith is under attack every minute, everyday!  I know that many of us who solely trust in the Lord encountered many situations like this in our lifetime.  I am reminded of the story of  Abraham in Genesis 15 when he received a promise from God that he will have a son---against all odds.  Genesis 15:6 tells us, "Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness."  Like everybody, Abraham faced the agony---the reality that he would not have a son to carry his bloodline.  At that day and time, it meant everything for a man.  He looked at his aging body and his barren wife and everything in the physical realm suggested a hopeless condition.     BUT GOD gave him His Word  and he believed in God's report against the physical realities surrounding him.  As we read further in Genesis, we'd learn that many years passed and still, the promise of God to Abraham was not yet.  All that time of waiting took a toll on Sarah, Abraham's wife.  She devised another way for Abraham to have a son through their servant, Hagar, which later gave birth to Ishmael.  To make the long story short, Sarah and Abraham made a horrible mistake by focusing on their situation/condition instead of continuing to trust in what God said.  Up to this time, descendants of Isaac and Ishmael are still fighting with each other as we witness this truth in the events happening in the Middle East throughout history.  God's plan could not be thwarted by man's mistakes.  As God said, Isaac was born to Sarah and in him was the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to be the Father of many nations. 

My point is---all of us can receive a Word from God regarding His plans and purposes in our lives.  Like me, you can be in a situation where God gave you His Word of blessing and His Spirit living inside of you, confirms that blessing.  But as the days go by, everything that is happening around suggest the opposite.  You wake up in the morning believing/full of hope that it's going to be a wonderful day yet the first news you received was depressing. To make things worst, all the other news that followed plunges you to even greater degree of hopelessness.  It's in times like this that we are tempted to give up, settle for something less or totally abandon God's revelation (promise/blessings) in our lives.  Like Abraham and Sarah, we may get the wrong idea that God needs our help in order to fulfill His promises to us.  But I submit to you, this is not the case!  When we intervene, we actually create more problems!  You see, God is more than able to deliver His blessing without an ounce of help from any of us.  Our part is to continue to trust and wait  for the perfect timing of the Lord.  I know---it is easier said than done.  I'm experiencing this kind of battle ---more so, these days.  God's promised blessing to our family is under attack daily but with the help of the Holy Spirit,  I am choosing to hold on to His truth, goodness and perfect timing.  I am not saying that I don't get scared---oh yes I do!  But I know the everlasting love Almighty God has for me and knowing that trumps all my fears.  His love becomes my security! 1 John 4:18 tells us, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."  So when you are faced with many trials today, hold on to the promises of the Lord in your life.  As the battle rages on, let Jesus calm your spirit as you leave everything in His care.  Always remember what Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Here are verses that will empower you to stand on the promises of God no matter what...

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." (Jeremiah 32:17)

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:31-34)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

Anyway, our featured Word Art (by Karen Murray) you can download for free at the WAW site comes from Proverbs 17:6 which says, "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."  This is so true to a father who came to know Christ as his personal Lord and Savior (John 3:3).  One who raised up his kids in the fear and admonition of God.  Men are mandated by God to be the head/leader of his household.  Not only is he to provide for the financial needs of his family but as a spiritual leader that lives by the example of Christ.  As Jesus loves the Church, men are to love their wives and children.  One day, the children will become parents and will live by the examples shown to them by their fathers growing up.  The legacy of a God-fearing father will be passed on from generation to generation and the fruit of his labor of love will be eternally sweet and satisfying.  Nowadays, it is sad to see how we are lacking men of truth, honor and spiritual understanding.  Therefore, we see a lot of kids that are confused---lacking identity.  God Almighty is our Eternal Father and in Him alone can we truly understand what fatherhood is truly like.  Encourage every men to take time to read the Word of God (Bible) and to place their trust solely in Jesus Christ in order to take their place in the great plan of God for every family on earth.  Our true purpose and identity can only be found in connection with God who created us and empowered us.  For this Card, I used an image from Penny Black Cling Stamps called "To Daddy" by Mo Manning and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  I used Kraft for my card base, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from my scraps,  black brads from Recollections and added some glitters in the center of image's flowers using Stickles-Lime Green.  I also paper pieced a part of the image's skirt and lastly, I did some regular and fancy stitching on this Card.  Perfect for a masculine Father's Day card.  What do you think?

 CROWN OF OLD MEN CARD:

 CROWN OF OLD MEN CARD LAYERS:

 CROWN OF OLD MEN CARD INSIDE:

 CROWN OF OLD MEN CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

 This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Girls---ATG
Aud Sentiments---Any Sentiment for a Guy
C.R.A.F.T.---Father's Day/Male
Milkcoffee---For Dad/Special Male
MAWTT---Father's Day
Sassy Studio---Summer Lovin'
Time Out---Summer (Optional twist-Flowers)
Dazzling Diva---Vellum/ATG
Crafter's Cafe---Masculine
Crafting by Designs---ATG
Crafty Creations---It's all About "S" (I used Scripture, Stitching)
Creative Moments---ATG/Monochromatic
Fab 'n' Funky---Father's Day/Special Male
Hambo Hoedown---Here Comes Summer
I Love ProMarkers---Digi Does It
Paper Pretties---Hip to be Square
Paper Shelter---Flower Power
Scrapper's Delight---ATG with a Twist:  Layer It Up 
Simon Says Stamp---Father's Day/Masculine

Don't forget to join us at the WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art this week to make a project and link it to our Challenge although it's not mandatory.  You can also link other projects (up to 5) as long as it has uplifting/inspirational messages.  Our sponsors this week are  Freckled Fawn ($15 GC) and Crafty Ribbons ($10 GC).  Have a blessed day and remember to hold on to the promises of God in your life no matter what.  Let His Word His Spirit comfort and empower you daily.