Scripture Series: Coming of the Lord Card---Come and Join Us for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday everyone...It's another day to highlight God's Word through our featured Word Art this week at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  It's taken from James 5:8 which tells us, "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."  I love this verse for this is one of the promises in scripture telling us of our Lord's Coming (Second Coming).  This is what separates every Born-Again (John 3:3) believer from other religions.  It's that certainty that Jesus is coming to set up a heavenly kingdom and every one that placed their trust solely in Him will rule with Him in that time of perfect peace.  Thousands of years ago, Our Savior, Jesus Christ, came to redeem us!  He was humiliated, beaten and killed for our sake!  In His death, He reconciled us back to God.  He sealed the deal when He rose again from the dead.  By faith in what He has accomplished for us, never again will we be separated from Him---now and forever!  All of humanity's hope (salvation and eternal purpose/existence) can only be found in Jesus Christ!  It's not in anything present in this world nor in any form or religion, no matter how great/evil their doctrines are.  One day, we will see the fulfillment of the prophecies written in the Scripture and although the world ridiculed, persecuted and abandoned us, the Lord comes with incorruptible rewards for us that believed.  

I don't know with you but I am not fond of watching everyday news for quite sometime now.  Media coverage are tainted with bias and it's obvious that an agenda is being pushed.  Many people bragging about their wealth, powers and influence have used their positions to declare an all-out-war against God Himself.  The same God that our founding fathers have trusted and made this country the super power it is now.  By taking God out of schools, suppressing religious freedom of its citizens,  promoting more power and control by the government while eradicating free speech.  These, among many others are bombarding us daily.  People are made to fight (or are fueled to fight) against each other by puppeteers leading them to destroy one another.  This is accomplished by brainwashing people through unbalanced news coverage, school and campus indoctrination and abusing issues that awake people's emotions.   The easy targets are people who refuse to see the Truth or know the Truth---for God has revealed everything in His written revelation, the Bible!  Many have been fooled because they allowed their emotions to get the best of them instead of seeking the God, the Author of all Truth.  Many have marched to their graves and have taken many with them thinking that by killing others, they will gain eternal reward.  Oh, if it's only easy to reveal to everyone the "Core" of the Word of God and to have every ear open to the "very heart" of our Maker, then every foolishness will stop!  No matter how bad it turns out, the end is already certain and the Winner of this great battle between good and evil have long been revealed.  Philippians 2:10-11 tells us, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."   When our life here is over, we immediately wake up in the eternal realm. There, we are instantly aware of the Holy God and every sin we have committed against Him.  There will be no excuses for none will be hidden in His sight.  Those who have entrusted their earthly lives to Christ have nothing to be ashamed about for their sins were washed away (without blemish) by the blood of Jesus and is therefore standing in the righteousness given by the Lord.  I am a winner---destined for great work in God's Kingdom!

So in the gloom and doom of our present day, it's easy to be discouraged. We want to give up on our government, society,  environment, family, friends etc...Yet God told us to be patient---which is not the same as passivity.  We are to continue doing the work of God while we are waiting for the blessed day of His Coming.  Take every opportunity to pray for our leaders, our families and friends and those that are deceived by false religion/teachings/doctrines.  While we rebuke and condemn the evil intent they have for us, we are to lift them up to the throne of God that they may know the Truth and that they would be set free from the bondage of Satan.  The Lord is coming very soon and let us ask ourselves whether we have done everything to make sure that our family, friends and neighbors knew about the saving grace found in Christ alone.  God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save everyone from eternal judgment.  Let us not tire of speaking this Truth wherever and whenever God lead us to (without apologies!).  Here are verses in the Bible that show God's love and patience towards us and how we ought to live like Christ in these final days:

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him."  (2 Peter 3:8-15)

 

For my inspiration Card today, I used an image from MayzyArt called "Adventure Meri" which I colored with my Promarker/Prismacolor markers.  I used a white CS for base, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  All the DP's are from K&Company and the solid CS are from my scraps.  I attached 3 brads from Recollections and finally, I stitched all over this Card.  It turned out great!

COMING OF THE LORD CARD:

 COMING OF THE LORD CARD LAYERS:

 COMING OF THE LORD CARD INSIDE:

COMING OF THE LORD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Sister Act---ATG
Gem of a Challenge---Stitching
My Heart Pieces---Use a Digi Stamp
Crafty Girls---ATG
Girl who Crafts---ATG
Bearly Mine---ATG
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG
Inky Impressions---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Crafty Creations---Dig Deep/old Stash (All my DP's are a few years old)
Sugar Pea---ATG
Crafting by Designs---Dog Days of Summer
Creative Moments---ATG/Back to School
Digistamp4Joy---Circles
Hobbybook---2 or More DP's
Little Red Wagon---Girl Power
Penny's Paper Crafty---Children and/or Christmas
Scrapper's Delights---ATG/New Beginnings
Simon Says Stamp---ATG
A Random Fan---ATG
Loves Rubber Stamps---2 or More Patterned Papers
Shopping Our Stash---ABC's (I use B for Brads)
Try it on Tuesday---Use Your Stash (All the DP's are in my stash for few years now)
Tuesday Throwdown---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Career/Labor Day
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG

There you have it friends!  Hope you enjoyed browsing at the pics and reading this post.  Please don't forget to join us at this week's WAW Challenge by linking your "Anything Goes" projects.  You can use the free Word Art in your entry but it's not mandatory.  As long as your creation is family-friendly, inspirational and uplifting, you can enter up to 5 projects to have more chances of winning.  Our sponsors for this week are The Flying Unicorn ($25 GC) and Diane's Daydream Designs (3 digi sets).  You don't want to miss out on these wonderful prizes so, make sure to join our Challenge.   Have a blessed day, everyone!

Scripture Series: None Holy as the Lord Card---Join Us for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hey there, Crafty Peeps! Today is such a beautiful day.  The sun is up and the temperature is not in triple digits (yet!),  Thank God!  We have another free Word Art that you can find in our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  It's taken from 1 Samuel 2:2 which tells us, "There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God."  In this verse, Hannah (a woman of God) showed us three important Truths.  First, that "THERE IS NONE HOLY" as the Lord.  I've written many times how Adam's SIN affected every human being and placed everything under a curse.  Everyone born of Adam had been sinners from the very minute they were born.  Contrary to what people think---"a life full of good works  does not assure us of a space in the Kingdom of God!"  Romans 3:10-11 emphasizes, "As it is written:  “There is no one righteous, not even one;there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God."  When God created us, He made us in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27) and also gave us free will (Genesis 2:16-17) which empowered us to choose between blessings and curses.  We are where we are now because Adam made a conscious choice to disobey God.  But the Scripture proclaims that God sent His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ (conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin) to redeem us from the damage we have done to ourselves.  Only a holy God can carry out this task.  Any amount of sin would disqualify our Savior from saving us but He lived and die following the will of God in all perfection and sin could not be found in Him.  Secondly, "THERE IS NO ONE BESIDE HIM."  He is the One, True God!  1 Corinthians 8:6 says, "Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live."  I remember one time my 8-year old son asking me why there is such a phrase called "temple of the gods" if there is only One God?  I told him that "gods or masters" are simply human beings that has influence or power to exercise ruler-ship over people.  But in no way will they be able to compare with the power that is in God, our Father alone.  Leaders that have knowledge of God have led their people to freedom and justice while the evil rulers left dead bodies and broken nations in wasteland.  Man is imperfect while Almighty God is perfect in every way.  One day,  He will rid of evil totally and forever we will live in His righteousness as He intended from the very beginning.  Thirdly, "GOD IS THE ROCK" on which we stand.  Matthew 7:24-27 says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  God is our Strong Foundation...He does not wither nor change!  What He said from the beginning of time still holds true and can be trusted from generation to generation.  What Jesus Christ did on the Cross (His finished work) and all His benefits still covers each and everyone of us to this day.  As we keep our focus on Him, we will not be swayed by the thundering storms of life.  Many people place their trust in material things (power, wealth, fame etc...) which are so unstable.  Whether I have plenty or in need, I am always thankful to God because I know that He's in control and He is true to His every Word.  My place is to hold His Word dearly in my heart and keep trusting.  

Friends, I am not perfect but I am glad to say that God is perfecting me each day till the day I see Jesus face to face.  I am not exempted from the trials of life!  The Lord knows how many times I cried due to the weight of many trials.  I hold 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 dearly in my heart.  It says, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  As my purpose on earth ends, I have a brighter future waiting for me in the eternal.  That is because I have the One and Only, Holy God as my Rock!

So, for my inspiration card today, I used a background image from Bugaboo Stamps called "Spring Block" which I inked with Distress Inks (Faded Jeans, Mowed Lawn, Worn Lipstick and Walnut Stain).  The base card is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The Word Art is also inked with Wild Honey Distress Ink and Walnut Stain.  I added some butterfly die-cuts from Recollections.  Lastly, I did some regular and fancy stitching all over this card.  It's my hubby's birthday yesterday so, this was done as fast as I possibly can.  I think it turned out great.

 

NONE HOLY AS THE LORD CARD:

 NONE HOLY AS THE LORD CARD LAYERS:

 NONE HOLY AS THE LORD CARD INSIDE:

NONE HOLY AS THE LORD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Bloggers Network---Summer Fun
Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Squirrel and the Fox---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Girl Who Crafts---ATG
Scrappin4Fun---Something Girly
Scrapper's Delight---ATG/Optional: Die-cuts
TTCRD---ATG
Sunshine Mail---ATG
Brown Sugar---ATG
Clear It Out---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Robyn's Fetish---Cards with Bugs
My Craft Creations---ATG
Papertake Weekly---To Die For
Crafts 4 Eternity---Something Old (All materials are old except for the sentiment)
Creative Fingers---ATG
Crafter's Cafe---Square Cards
Crafty Creations---Dig Deep (The Distress Inks have been in my stash for quite a long time)
Creative Moments---ATG/Animals
Fresh Brewed---Glitter Galore (All butterflies have glitter in them)
Inky Impressions---ATG
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
Ladybug Crafts---CAS
Loves Rubber Stamps---Wings
Sweet Stamps---ATG
Top Tip Tuesday---ATG (My tip is to use distress inks to make a plain background exciting!)
Try It On Tuesday---Use Your Stash (I've used lots of Distress inks and some die-cut butterflies)
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Up Up and Away
Simon Says Stamp---ATG
Stamp and Create---ATG
Gem of a Challenge---Stitching
Art by Miran---ATG

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---Prairie Point Junction ($15 GC) and Nice Crane Designs ($20 GC).  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 an awesome God---Jesus Christ!  

Inside Every Older Person Card---Join Us at 613 Avenue Create for an Exciting Anything Goes Challenge...

Hi there, Crafty Friends!  It's Sunday and it's time for another Anything Goes Challenge in my neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create!  But before that, I hope you all had an amazing day honoring the King of kings and Lord of lords today.  It's always wonderful to start the day/week giving thanks for everything God has done in our lives and to know that we have a purpose in this world.  I really don't know what my life could have been if I had not known the Lord Jesus and accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior (Born Again, John 3:3).  Overwhelmed by sadness/depression, I could have not lived this long to see this day. You see, I've made a choice to take God at His offer.  Jeremiah 29:11-12 tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Many years ago, I placed aside everything I heard about God (doctrines of man and religion) and I called and asked Him to save me from what felt like a "QUICKSAND OF LIFE" where I was fighting a losing battle.  I remembered asking that He reveal Himself to me that I might make sense of all the struggles I was enduring at that time.  And HE DID!  Who would have known that in a simple TV program, He would tell me about Jesus and what He did to save me from my sin, the three-fold nature of death (spiritual, physical and eternal) and  Satan whose sole intention was to devour me (John 10:10)?  The god of this world (Satan) have led us to turn our focus away from God by using our  own desires for material things and worldly ambitions.  For a moment, it may seem like everything is great with us.  But make no mistake about it, the enemy's time is short and because he knew it, he's working overtime to keep your attention to everything except God.   Satan's eternal dwelling place is in the "Lake of Fire" and he wants as many people there with him!  

Maybe, everything is wonderful in your life right now and you don't see any reason why you would need God in your life.  Understand that the notion of having complete control of our lives is but a lie.  One day, we may get the unexpected and never get a chance to take God at His offer of salvation.  Our eternal future (IN our OUT of God's presence) is hanging in the balance on a decision you need to make while here on earth.  To accept what Christ has done for you at the Cross (His death, burial and resurrection) as a perfect and complete ransom (pay-off) for your sins (past, present and future) or to reject Him completely.  On the other hand, you may be in a difficult situation and asking God's help, asking if He's for real.  I pray that you don't withhold yourself from asking Him into your life.  Take the step.  Give Jesus a chance to show you what you've been missing in your life all along---His PEACE (that surpasses all understanding) and RIGHTEOUSNESS (to be in right standing with a Holy God, the Maker of heaven and earth)!  I don't know why God led me to talk about this today but I know that He meant it for somebody.  My place is to obey the leading of God's Holy Spirit.  One day, with a simple child-like faith, I took God at His Word and my life changed forever having found its purpose.  I am praying and hoping you do the same.   Here are several verses in the Scripture I'd love to share with you today:

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)

 “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:2-3)

" For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:13-15)

"We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."  (1 John 5:20)

 

Anyway, back to our Challenge at 613 Avenue Create with the theme "Anything Goes."  For this project, I used an image provided by one of our sponsors, Dr. Digi House of Stamps called "Beach Bum Bob" which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  I used Kraft for base that is cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from DCWV, the banner sentiment from Recollections, nail head gems from Imaginisce with some jute for accent.  The funny sentiment was a freebie from Create with TLC (Thanks, Paulette) that is mounted in a die cut (cut and embossed with Cuttlebug and Nestabilities).  Lastly, some wonderful and regular stitching all over this card.  Oh, the simplicity of a masculine card!

INSIDE EVERY OLDER PERSON CARD:

 INSIDE EVERY OLDER PERSON CARD LAYERS:

 INSIDE EVERY OLDER PERSON CARD INSIDE:

INSIDE EVERY OLDER PERSON CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Bloggers Network---Summer Fun
Moo-Mania---Hot Summer
Stampin with the Dragon---Sun, Sea and Sand
Squirrel and the Fox---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Girl Who Crafts---ATG
Sailing Pineapple---Summer
Seemacrafts---Summer
Sunshine Mail---ATG
Brown Sugar---ATG
Pile It On---By the Sea/Beach
Perfectly Rustics---Masculine Card
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Crafts 4 Eternity---Something Old (All materials are old except for the image)
Creative Fingers---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Up Up and Away
Glitter n Sparkle---Use Some Metal
Gem of a Challenge---Stitching
Little Claire's---Man's Birthday Card
Suzy Bee's---ATG
Dies R Us---Stitching
Art by Miran---ATG 
Polkadoodles---Fun in the Sun

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---Dr. Digi House of Stamps and Aurora Wings.  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: Christ in You, Hope of Glory Card---It's an Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  It's time for another Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) and we are highlighting another wonderful Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) from Colossians 1:27 which says, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."  You see, the Fall of Man is more than just a man rebelling against God.  It is profound because that one man, Adam, represented all of mankind. From him came every human being that ever lived.  His fall brought all of us and every creation under condemnation.  We became slaves to Satan that afflicted us with the "sin nature' (the very nature of the devil) which brought its evil twin--- the threefold nature of DEATH (spiritual, physical and eternal deaths).  Not one of us came to this world without sin and therefore would have suffered the full force of the "wrath of God" simply by being born in Adam.  God gave His laws to Moses and His people not for them to be justified by observing them but to make them realize that they are powerless and incapable of obeying them.   You break one, you are guilty of breaking them all  (James 2:10)!  No matter how good one lived his life on earth, the huge number of charities and helping others, the sad fact is, they will go to the same place where everyone who are born in Adam is going to go when they die---in Hell where they are eternally separated from God!  If that is so, what is the point of morality?  What is the point of dying for others?  Why not be selfish and just live for ourselves?  If God didn't care and didn't provide the Only Way to righteousness, we are all doomed whether we lived a meaningful or wasted life.  But the Gospel (Good News) bears it all!  John 3:16 tells us this profound Truth, "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."  Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, was sent to earth to pay for EVERY SIN (past, present and future) made by man.  He was not born from the line of Adam for He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and carried by a woman.  He is the Holy God that left His heavenly throne to live as one of us.  He humbled Himself before His creation so that in due time, He can save them.  He is the Only One who can lead us back to the Father (John 14:6).  This is the message all of us who came to the saving knowledge of Christ is here to proclaim.  We have entrusted our lives to the Only God who died for us and in turn, He took us out of Adam's lineage and gave us brand new lives.  We are Born-Again (John 3:3) to His eternal Kingdom where death and sin could not enslave us anymore.  Although we live in this earth ruled by Satan (the god of this world), we are citizens of God's Kingdom.  We don't operate under the bondage of sin but comes under the ruler-ship of the One who gave His all to us---Jesus Christ!

Yesterday, I watched a couple of things on TV.  One was the struggles of soldiers that came home from war who suffered post-traumatic depression.  The other was about the life and death of Robin Williams who was a man of awesome talent when it comes to voices and comedy.  Among the movies he made that I kept watching over and over were Mrs. Doubtfire, Patch Adams and Bicentennial Man.  All of them made me laugh and cry.  But apart from the big screen, movie icons are human beings that live a story similar to many of us.  Amidst the money, glitz and glamor,  they live a fallen state.    They battle demonic forces that enslave their spirits, soul and body and the industry did an awesome contribution to fuel every kind of immoral and unhealthy lifestyles.  They use the influence of many talented people to sway everyone from seeking God and practically tells them to party all they can for tomorrow, they'll die.  God gave us talents to fulfill His purpose in our lives but sadly, many have ignored God's call and pursued their own ambitions.  I am sad that a man with huge talents as Robin Williams had to end his life because he didn't seek/or didn't respond to the new life Jesus offered.  Despite the fame and fortune, it wasn't really enough!  This once again proved that those material things that people clamor for in their lifetime were not what constitute a happy life.  Truthfully, good works and the numerous charities a person achieved could not buy a ticket to heaven.  Without a new life in Christ (full surrender, faith in the finished work of Christ), none will matter!  Each one of us has a free ticket to hell when we die, you don't have to do anything (other than just being born in this world) for it.  In fact, you are going to end up there whether you like it or not.  But God gave us a ticket which rendered those previous tickets invalid.  The ticket says, "Bought and paid for by Jesus and is good now and for all eternity." How amazing!  One of the soldiers in that other TV program with post-traumatic depression said that the battle that goes in his mind made him think and feel like he was trapped in a burning room with only two choices---to burn or jump off!  By this, he meant to suffer more or just take his own life to end it all.  Many people see death (physical) as an escape from this cruel world but what they didn't know is it's actually the start of eternal punishment in hell with the final destination as the "lake of fire" where Satan and all his cohorts will burn for all eternity (Revelation 20:11-15).  If any of you feel as if this world is a furnace ready to eat you alive, seek the One who can extinguish every fire---Jesus Christ!  In His arms, there's safety and answers to all life's questions.  Only God can take the life He gave us!  We really don't have a right to our own life (nor to take the life of others).  Don't make the mistake thinking that if you end it here, you'll have good life eternally.  Only with knowing Jesus do we have hope!  What was hidden many years ago is now open to anyone who would open their hearts and believe.  Truly, JESUS IN US (living inside the throne of our hearts) is the ONLY HOPE of GLORY.  I would like to leave these verses to people who tirelessly bring the Gospel (the finished work of Jesus Christ) to everyone.  We are called by God as WATCHMEN.  We are here to bring hope to the poor (weak in spirit and understanding) and to proclaim the message of hope that God wanted all people to hear.  Be encouraged even in times of persecution and hostility for great is the reward waiting for us when we come and meet out Maker. 

"The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved." (Ezekiel 33:1-9)

For this Card, I used an image from Make it Crafty called "Tap Dancer" which I have been wanting to use for quite sometime now but never had a chance.  I think it's perfect for the verse.  I colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I embossed a panel using my Cuttlebug embossing folder and the DP's are from my large collection of scraps (I just don't have the heart to throw them away).  I cut several octagon shapes using my Nestabilities and did some inking using Distress Ink (Walnut Stain), added some nail head gems and run it through my sewing machine using regular and fancy stitches.  I love manly cards cause they don't take much to design.  Hope you like it too. 

CHRIST IN YOU, HOPE OF GLORY CARD:

 CHRIST IN YOU, HOPE OF GLORY CARD LAYERS:

 CHRIST IN YOU, HOPE OF GLORY CARD INSIDE:

CHRIST IN YOU, HOPE OF GLORY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Papertake Weekly---Spots and Dots
TTCRD---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Bearly-Mine---ATG
Cards Galore Encore---ATG
Mema's Crafts---ATG
Nutcrafters---ATG
Oddball---Coloring Skills
A Girl who Crafts---ATG
Crafty Hazelnut's---Use Patterned Paper
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Squirrel and the Fox---ATG
Seemacrafts---Summer
Creative Card Crew---Embossing
Crafty Calendar---ATG
Perfectly Rustics---Masculine Card
Creative Fingers---ATG 
Art by Miran---ATG 

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 Classy Cards and 'N Such and Your Next Stamp.  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. 

Scripture Series: Number of the Stars Center Step Card---It's Another Week of Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday....

Good Wednesday morning, everyone!  It's time to feature another project for our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As always, we used a wonderful Scripture Word Art you can download for free at the WAW site.  It's taken from Psalm 147:4 which says, "He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names."  What an awesome thing to know that as vast as the universe and all its stars, God knows every single one of them.  All of His creation are held in the palm of His hands.  None of them move or function without the consent of our Almighty God.  Each one is important---vital towards the fulfillment of God's plan and purpose.  Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."  When we gaze our eyes at the wonderful things surrounding us ( so intricately and supernaturally designed for a specific purpose),  I can't help but ask, "What are the grounds of them that deny God's existence?"  I don't need to go very deep into the science of things just to understand and conclude that I was created by Him.  I just need to look in the mirror and see the incredible things that God has equipped me and empowered me to do.  I am unique and no one else in this world possess nor will ever possess  the same DNA God has imprinted me with.  Even my finger prints can attest to how special I truly am in the sight of the Lord.  Yet without the knowledge of God, many people lived and died without discovering their full potentials.  God made every single one of us (humanity) according to His image and likeness.  When He started the Creation process, He spoke the Word and everything came into existence.  Yet only Man was created by which God had to breathe unto us---providing us life!  The Word of God says in Genesis 2:7, "Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."  Among His creation, God gave us something profoundly special---His Own Self!  And when we fell into sin (in Adam) in the Garden of Eden, He didn't give up on us nor stop there!  He showed His unconditional love by  leaving the majesty of His throne so He can come to us in the flesh (Jesus Christ).  He endured our punishment (away from the Father and to suffer the full force of God's Wrath) to the point of death in order to redeem us from the hands of the enemy.  He did it all because of His great love for every single one of us.  So, if you feel like no one cares for you, remember God!  Remember Jesus!  If you open your heart and accept the love He has offered you (paid for and sealed by His blood), you will never feel unimportant again.  Though trials come and attempts to destroy your relationship with God, He who didn't withhold His Son from death on the Cross for your sake will be faithful to keep you in perfect peace as you place your trust in Christ alone.  If the stars are valuable in the sight of the Lord, how much more value are we to Him?  The answer---it's UNFATHOMABLE!   Meditate on the following verses in order to see yourself the way God sees you:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.(1 Peter 2:9-10)

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:9-10)

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus."  (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Anyway, here's my inspiration project highlighting this week's Word Art.  For this Card, I used an image from Sassy Cheryl's Stamps called "Polly and Her Star Balloons" which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white CS that is cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card design.  The DP's are from my scraps from DCWV and Recollections.  I used an MS Border Punch, Nestabilities for the Circles and Lacy Circle.  I added some glitters (Stickles-Diamond) to the stars and the image together with a couple of buttons and jute.  To finish up, I did both fancy and regular stitching on this project. 

 

 NUMBER OF THE STARS CENTER STEP CARD:

 NUMBER OF THE STARS CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

 NUMBER OF THE STARS CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

 NUMBER OF THE STARS CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

NUMBER OF THE STARS CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---Stitching
Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG
A Little Bit Crafty---Sew What?
Crafter's Cafe---Lots of Layers
My Craft Spot---Bright Summer Colors
Girl Who Crafts---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Simon Says Stamp---Make It Sparkle
Penny's Paper-Crafty---ATG
Inky Impressions---Shaped Cards
Sister Act---ATG
As You Like It--- Favorite Papers and Why?  (DCWV and Recollections due to great designs/colors)
Cards Galore Encore---ATG
Crafting at the Weekend---ATG
Crafty Calendar---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Crafty Sentiment---Add a Sentiment
The Pink Elephant---Photo Inspiration
Stamping Sensations---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Stampin Royals---ATG
Whoopsi Daisy---"B" Items (Bling/Button/Blue)
Papertake Weekly---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Crafting With Dragonflies---Center Step/Side Step Cards
Delightful Challenges---ATG
Mema's Crafts---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Sisters of Craft---ATG
My Sheri Crafts---Shaped Cards
Glitter n Sparkle---Add Glitter n Sparkle

I hope you'd take the time to join us at our WAW Challenge.  It's Anything Goes as long as it's family friendly with uplifting and inspirational messages, you can link up to 5 projects.  Sponsors for this week are Heart and Rubber Stamps (choice of either 2 mounted or 4 unmounted rubber stamps) and Robyn's Fetish (choice of 3 digis).  I can't wait to see your projects and leave you some lovin' on your Blogs.  Have a blessed day and I pray that you acknowledge the glory of the Lord in yourself and in everything around you.  His Name be praised forever!

Sweetest Day Card---Come and Join Us in our Neighborhood Challenge at 613 Avenue Create! It's Anything Goes with an Optional Twist...

Hello everyone!  It's another Sunday morning and praising the Lord for another day He has given.  The world is going crazy each day and if we are not grounded to the One who never changes (our firm and sure Foundation), everything will collapse in front our very eyes.  I have to make a conscious decision to depend totally in the Lord at all circumstances.  When things are going well, it is very easy to depend on the material things (riches, career, status, influence, position,  possession, power etc...) to measure success and happiness.  Yet we all forget that these things are surely temporary.  Many have been struggling to make ends meet while others seem to have an endless source of material wealth.   While a few don't have to work hard due to the privileges they were born with, it's a different story once this life is over.  On difficult situations, I ask God for strength, patience, wisdom and understanding to make sense of the things I am going through.  The Word of God tells us in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  So for those who place their trust in the finished work of Christ at the Cross and His resurrection,  every good and bad situations happening in our lives are just ways to develop our trust and dependence in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  When we are blessed, we rejoice and thank God for in Him comes every good and perfect gift.  In difficult situations, we are to come to Him to rely on His power and strength to encourage us to walk in faith.  When facing storms of life, it's very hard to do anything that is contrary to the dictates of my emotions.  It's easy to sit in the corner and feel the pain of hopelessness and frustration.  I would end up blaming myself, anybody or somebody and detach myself from everything.  But the Lord is not done changing me from glory to glory. I woke up one day and realized that I would not allow any problems to get in the way of my serving and worshiping the Lord.  In my most vulnerable times, I would go to Church and offer a song of praise to the One True God.  When I am so discouraged, I meditate on the Word of God followed by the desire to dance with joy as God filled me with His love.  When I am overwhelmed by suffering, I lift up my hands in surrender to the One Who knows my every pain.  What I am trying to say is that when it is extremely difficult for me to praise God, I press on any and all hindrances to offer up a sacrifice of praise.  Through my mouth, my actions and my hands, I give the Lord the glory that is due His Name.  I know that many of us are in similar situations and all I can say is to stand firmly in the promises of God!  Keep on praising Him whatever circumstances you are enduring at the moment.  When we can't change our situations, we can surely change our attitudes.  Hope is only possible to those who trust the One True God.  I want to share with you the following Scripture verses to encourage you to never give up:

"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all." (Psalm 34:17-19)

"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. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body." (2 Corinthians 4:8-11)

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

 

Anyway, here's my inspiration card for our Anything Goes with optional twist (For a Friend) Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  I am privileged to use an image provided by one of our sponsors this week---Lacy Sunshine---called "Emmilou Boo's Carmel Apples" that I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to create a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are all from Recollections, the flower was layered with Prima and others brands with the center rose accent from Recollections.  I added some glitters to the flowers (Stickles-Diamond) and some Glossy accents on the image's caramel apples.  The wonderful sentiment is a freebie from Create with TLC.  And last but not the least, I stitched all over this card which always adds beauty to my creation.  Would love to hear your comments. 

 SWEETEST DAY CARD:

 SWEETEST DAY CARD LAYERS:

 SWEETEST DAY CARD INSIDE:

SWEETEST DAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---Stitching
A Little Bit Crafty---Sew What?
Girl Who Crafts---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
As You Like It--- Favorite Papers and Why?  (DCWV and Recollections due to great designs/colors)
Cards Galore Encore---ATG
Crafting at the Weekend---ATG
Crafty Calendar---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Stamping Sensations---ATG
Stampin Royals---ATG
Mema's Crafts---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Glitter n Sparkle---Add Glitter n Sparkle 

Okay folks, that's it for me!  Just a quick reminder to visit us at 613 Avenue Create and join us for the fun at our Anything Goes Challenge with an optional twist.  Wonderful prizes are awaiting the winners each week from our two wonderful sponsors namely, Lacy Sunshine and Digital Delights by Louby Lou so, don't let it pass.  I pray that you have a wonderful fellowship with the Lord as well as with other believers.  Be an encouragement to others as you are encouraged.  That's what I am determined to do today as the Lord leads.  Have a blessed day, everyone!