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, November 19, 2014

Scripture Series: His Courts with Praise Card---Be Inspired by Another Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, Crafty peeps!  It's Wednesday and another day to share God's Word through Word Art Wednesday (WAW)The verse I am highlighting today is available to download for free at the WAW site and is taken from Psalm 100:4 which says, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Have you ever experienced helping someone and bending over backwards to meet someone's needs at a given time?  Whether it's just opening the door for somebody, pulling their chair, helping them with their groceries, crossing the street or offering a seat?  In everyday life, we encounter several circumstances when we can provide some kind of assistance to other people.  I have instilled in the mind of my 9 year old boy ever since he was born that we have to be thankful for everything.  When somebody offers him something to eat or drink, gave him help in anyway or compliments him, he should say "Thank you" always.  I have seen how constantly reminding him of it paid off in a big way.  When he had birthday parties and he opened his birthday gifts, he was equally happy and grateful for the dollar gifts as with the pricey ones.  I remember talking to him many years ago telling him that the gifts are not what makes  Birthdays fun.  It is the fellowship with his friends that should be his focus on that day.  That every "gift" is freely given by people who really don't have the obligation to give to him.  Yet they do it out of their love for him.  And he got it!  He got the message big time.

You see, what prompted that conversation with my son was the several birthday parties I attended in the past seeing the kids open their gifts and exclaimed, "No money?!"  They forgot to show gratitude,  shoved certain gifts to the side while obviously looking for the bigger and more expensive gifts which seem to bring out more smiles to their faces.  It's heartbreaking so see ungratefulness in the kids nowadays and the parents that are supposed to educate them on common courtesy would just laugh at it or completely ignore it.  Some people think that it's totally cute for a kid to act that way, after-all they're just kids. But I say that if we don't train our kids to be thankful for every little thing they receive from us or others, how can they even be thankful to God whom they have not seen with their own eyes?  As believers of Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3), we are God's representative to our children.  If they see us thankful to the Lord's blessings and have the right attitude of faith and reverence unto God even in trials, our kids would pick up on that attitude of thanksgiving.  Proverbs 22:6 tells us, "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." 

Now, if us human beings expects gratitude from each other, what can we expect from Almighty God?  He created, formed and equipped us together with everything here on earth and in the universe.  He provides us with the air to breathe and a body that can function.  But the greatest gift of all---He gave His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, to free us from the bondage and the penalty of sin and death so that we can live with Him now and forevermore.  GOD GAVE HIS BEST OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR US! It's not a tiny gift!  It's the ultimate gift---HIS LIFE!  I love this statement I read at Gotquestions.org site.  It says, "We should be thankful because God is worthy of our thanksgiving. It is only right to credit Him for “every good and perfect gift” He gives (James 1:17). When we are thankful, our focus moves off selfish desires and off the pain of current circumstances. Expressing thankfulness helps us remember that God is in control. Thankfulness, then, is not only appropriate; it is actually healthy and beneficial to us. It reminds us of the bigger picture, that we belong to God, and that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). Truly, we have an abundant life (John 10:10), and gratefulness is fitting."  Here are some verses that will help us glory in what the Lord has done for us:

"Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."   (Isaiah 9:7)

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. "  (Hebrews 12:28)

"Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:4)

For this Card, I used an image (retired) from Sassy Cheryl's Stamps which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, the lacy circle from Nestabilities and the swirls are Sizzix dies run through my Cuttlebug.  I layered some flowers from Prima and place a brad in the center.  I added some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) to the swirls and the image.  I also adhered some white, nail head gems.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  I love the results.


 HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE CARD:


 HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE CARD LAYERS:


 HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE CARD INSIDE:


HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Mess---ATG
Party Time Tuesday---ATG
Clear It Out---ATG
Girl who Crafts---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Lia Stampz---ATG
Mema's Crafts---ATG
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG/Make it Sprakle
Papertake Weekly---So Girlie
Not Just Cards---ATG
Scrapping4Fun---ATG with Bling
Crafter's Cafe---ATG
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Art by Miran---ATG
Dream Valley---ATG
Great Impressions---Thankful Thoughts
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Paper Pretties---Thanksgiving/Be Thankful
Scrap-Creations---Give Thanks
Simon Says---Thanksgiving
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards---Favorite Holiday (Thanksgiving)
Delightful Challenges---You're a Gem!
Little Red Wagon---Layer It Up!
Crafting with Dragonflies---ATG/Farewell or Goodbye
Fresh Brewed---Give Thanks
Scrapper's Delights---ATG/Traditional Christmas
Lauralcraft---Let's Be Girly (Use Die Cut or Punch) 
Treasured Times---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---V's Sweet Ideas ($10 GC at their shop) and Nicecrane Designs ($20 GC to their shop).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today.  I serve a good and faithful God---Jesus Christ and I am forever grateful for all that He has done for me! God bless y'all!

24 comments:

  1. Jo Ann this is gorgeous - love your cute image that takes the eye to the scripture!
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  2. CIO challenge blog say's thanks for stopping by and playing along with us...great project and please stop by again <((><

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  3. wow wow! I love it1 thanks for sharing it back at Lia Stampz Challenge Blog DT

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  4. Your blog is always inspirational. I love your work and your post. Thank you for stopping by and playing with us at Mema's Crafts. Come back often and good luck in the draw.

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  5. Wow.. Stunning card, love your today's God's word.. We should be thankful..
    Thanks for joining us at Sisters of Craft, and good luck..

    Hugs,
    Merlina

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  6. I like that you use grey paper under your image!! Super pretty card!!
    Lia Stampz Challenge Blog DT

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  7. A great blog post. Your card would make a lovely thanksgiving card too. Thank you for sharing it with us at Crafting with Dragonflies final challenge. Wynn DT

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  8. So sweet beautiful card, thanks for sharing and joining us at CC&CC cheers Sue N x

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  9. Stunning card, love your Psalm and the cute image!
    Thank you for your entry at Scrapping4funChallenges.
    Rachelle DT
    http://scrapping4funchallenges.blogspot.com

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  10. Another gorgeous project and meaningful message. I love how you pay such attention to detail! Thanks for sharing your fabulous project and joining us for our current challenge at Inspiration Destination. Hope to see you again and good luck!
    Ema
    IDCB Owner

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  11. Very beautiful card! Love the design and image! Wonderful saying as well! Thanks for sharing it with us at Delightful Challenges, "You're A Gem"! :)

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  12. Hello, A lovely project, I love the image and the colour choice. A lovely style. Thank you for joining us this fortnight at Creative Moments. Good luck. We would love to see you join us again.

    Teighan

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  13. Gorgeous card Jo Ann! I love the super cute image and the colours are lovely.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    hugs
    Mandy xx

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  14. Another great card. The image is so cute and I love the fun design. Such a happy card. Thanks for sharing this fabulous card in our Little Red Wagon challenge this week.

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  15. Great card - thanks for joining us at Penny's.

    Helen x

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  16. This is absolutely awesome! LOVE the sweet image and the fun patterns you used! The paper pieced dress rocks! Thanks for joining us at Great Impressions! HUGS! :) Mynn xx

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  17. Great card! Liket the layered flower, pretty colours and her dotty dress, super sweet!

    Thank you for sharing your talent with us at Delightful Challenges
    Nick

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  18. This is so lovely, hun. What a cute image, and the red spotted paper looks fab! A lovely scripture message, too. Thanks for joining in at Dream Valley!

    love Mags B x

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  19. What a cheeky face on that Sassy Cheryl stamp. So cute! Thanks for dropping your stunning creation off at Dream Valley this week. Big hugs, Wends x Dream Valley DT

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  20. Cute ensemble! It’s anything goes and a Design Team Call this month! Help Spread the word! Tell your friends. Thanks for joining us at Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. Please add DT to your entry if you wish to be considered. Good luck!

    La-Vie B. – Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog DT
    Follow me at C’est La-Vie Designs Unlimited, LLC

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  21. Lovely card thanks for sharing at Scrappers Delights good luck x

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  22. Jo Ann!
    You made a great card, love your design.
    Thank you too, for your entry at Scrapping4Fun Challenge Blog. Have a great Day.
    Hugs Sandra DT Scrapping4Fun

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  23. beautiful... love the colour combination.. thank you for sharing her with us at Art by MiRan challenge #19.. good luck ;)

    hugs,
    ~RoRa

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  24. Beautiful!

    Thanks for joining us at Dragonfly Dreams and I hope we see you again soon!

    Hugz

    Laurian
    Owner Dragonfly Dreams

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