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!