To Keep It Secret Center Step Card---Join Us for Another Anything Goes Challenge with an Optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello friends...It's Sunday and had a wonderful time praising the Lord this morning.  Though tired from the hectic weekend,  God renews each day with my desire to worship and give Him glory today.  With all the things Christians (believers) are facing in this present age, it is extremely important that we don't neglect the gathering together of the brethren.  By doing so, we can encourage or be encouraged by one another.  We are blessed, as Americans, to freely go to our place of worship as often as we want.  To learn God's Word and share it with as many people in our circle of influence.  Sad to say but it may not stay that way for long if we allow our "freedom of speech" and "freedom of religion" to be snatched away without a fight as the evil influences of our government and scrupulous judges (that we didn't even elect) are ruling with a blind eye and deaf ears to the Biblical and Constitutional voices of these nation.  There comes a time and the time is now, when sound laws are replaced by obnoxious, out of this world and twisted laws that are sickening and are meant to oppress and take away our rights to proclaim the Truth---which is non other than the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection) of Jesus Christ.  Can't you see?  They will not care whether you bow down to a tree, an idol of any sort--- money, fame and fortune or follow every vile religion as long as it does not have anything to do with Christ.  Just like in the old, they have persecuted the Messiah and plotted evil against the Son of Man when all He did was to heal the sick, proclaimed freedom to the captives and demonstrated the power of God on earth.  Jesus taught us the true essence of loving God as a priority and without reservation and loving our neighbors as ourselves.  In His fight, He didn't raise a physical sword but He was surely guided by the Sword of the Spirit---God's Very Word! 

So here we are in a similar predicament, more than 2000 years after Jesus was put to death.  Let me point out that despite the harsh persecution, the work of the Lord in human heart could never be stopped.  If at this point, you have never been persecuted for the sake of the Gospel, then you should ask yourself---am I living for Christ or am I of the world?  The world will not care to oppose what looks like its own---ungodly living, conduct and mentality.  You need not look any further to this Truth.  Just open your television or watch typical movies nowadays and you find the glorification of the body and it's fleshly desires.  Out of every script and lives being portrayed (even used the very young kids) comes out profanity and you can count with your fingers those movies that didn't spew any curse word throughout the film.  Just face it, this nation has turned its back on the Lord of lords and the King of kings!  Were pushing His grace to oblivion and many of them that have twisted moral compass were self-proclaimed Christians who really have no bearing to the Truth and have deceived themselves upholding their own minds than that of God's Word.  Yet, there's a REMNANT OF PEOPLE who refused/will refuse to be overtaken by the darkness hovering around this nation and the world as a whole.  They are those that live by the Word of God---fearless and propelled by the Truth,  unyielding to the  powers of this world.  Unless we become like Moses, Daniel or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah in Hebrew) whose faith in the One True God was tested to the point of death, you will be easily swallowed by the schemes and pressures of this world.  These days, we have seen the beheadings, horrible killings and attacks on Christians all over the world.  And here in America (land of freedom and liberty) of all places, people losing their businesses and receiving threats just because they stood up for God's Truth.  How can we allow ourselves to sleep spiritually?  The persecution of old is happening again---RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!  God gave us every weapon we need through the finished work of Christ with the indwelling power of the  Holy Spirit to slaughter the enemy and fight for what is "right" (Truth in God's perspective).  But the real question is, WILL YOU BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE?  As for me, I have tasted and seen the goodness of God and His Word is the very life inside of me.  I'll trade this life for what is most important---the EVERLASTING LIFE THAT AWAITS ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY KING!

We can take the steps in forwarding our fight in this week's upcoming local election.  It is our God-given right to elect righteous officials that will rule our community and our nation.  I hope you take the time to know your candidates and scrutinize them for their worldview.  As believers, we have to transcend party lines for neither Republicans, Democrats nor Independents can save our nation.  Jesus Christ is the ONLY hope of this county/world so---VOTE WITH A GODLY MINDSET!  That simply means look for those that align themselves closest to the Truth of God's Word.  Talk to your friends and make them realize the importance of going out to the polls and unite your votes on Godly candidates that has a best chance of winning.  Though you may be blessed with two or more Godly candidates, it is not wise to split the votes for all of them for the wicked ones can take advantage of the divide with a united vote.  Let us fervently pray for the future of our nation knowing that the Lord answers our prayers.  Let us passionately spread the Gospel making use of the technology we have at our disposal as we continue to build each other up by not neglecting our fellowship with one another against all odds.  Leaving you with these Scripture to live by:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."  (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Anyway, we have a new Challenge at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create!  It's Anything Goes with an optional twist which is "Humor." For this Card, I used an image from our sponsor, Bugaboo Digi Stamps called "Scene It-Cow Trio." I colored it using my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card design.  The DP's are from American Crafts and Recollections. The fence border was punched with an MS punch.  The Washi tapes are from Tapeworks and the nail head gems are from Imaginisce.  The funny sentiment was a freebie from Create with TLC.  And finally, I did some fancy and regular stitching all over this creation.  I love how it turned out.

TO KEEP IT A SECRET CENTER STEP CARD:

TO KEEP IT A SECRET CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

TO KEEP IT A SECRET CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

TO KEEP IT A SECRET CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

TO KEEP IT A SECRET CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Catch the Bug---Photo Inspiration
Pile It On---Same Pattern Different Ways
CCC Digi Creations---Add Some Sparkle
Fresh Brewed---So Cute
Loves Rubberstamps---Add Flowers
Penny's Paper-Crafty---Spooled Items (Washi Tape)
Scor-pal---More than One Score: Spring and/or Flowers  (I used it on the shape and envelope)
Sugar and Betty's---ATG/Layers
TTCRD---ATG
Crafting for all Seasons---Milestone Celebrations
Sister Act---ATG
Allsorts---Bring on the Bling
ABC---H is for Happy Birthday
Digitally Sweet---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Inky Impressions---Punch It
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Little Red Wagon---Seeing Spots
Paper Shelter---It's a Celebration
Whimsy Stamps---Color an Image

There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge with an optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our lovely sponsors for this week---Bugaboo Digi Stamps and Chubby Mermaid.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week.  I hope you have a wonderful week filled with the divine inspiration of God's Word to carry through the journey of life.  Would love to hear your comments too.   Hugs, always!