Cherish Dream Live Center Step Card---Link your Projects at the Anything Goes Challenge with Optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello there, it is late Sunday and just want to greet every father, most especially my hubby (Joseph), a very Happy Father's Day!  Every child that grows up with the guidance and nourishment of a father knows the important role that dads like them play in the family.  They are the head of the household from whom all blessings flow.  1 Corinthians 11:3 says, "But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." When a man is fully submitted unto the Lord, the whole house is blessed!  Let us continue to pray for every Dad  that they may live up to the task and responsibilities that God laid upon them.  Apart from God, they cannot do anything but imagine what they can do when they are fully connected with God, Himself!  What an amazing world that will be...

Anyway, we are bombarded by many issues that tries to destabilize the foundations of this country.  Our Constitution founded by the timeless principles of the Gospel is being shaken to it's core which is Christ, in us!  Towards the end of this month, the Supreme Court is deciding whether they need to redefine Marriage---that being a union (covenant) between one man and a one woman, as defined by the Creator of heaven and earth, God Almighty!   Genesis 2:24 stated this, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."  To think that man (the created) would want to challenge that of which his Maker (the Creator) had established is far beyond me.  It's utterly despicable!  That he has the audacity to even think that his opinion matters than that of God?  Lord help us!  Yes, the righteous indignation of God is stirred up  from within me that man who does not even have control of his own mortality and cannot stop time, produce his own oxygen to sustain his life,  nor control his destiny would stand up against God and tell Him that He made a mistake in putting a woman in a man's body or vice versa.  Such person had completely lost his minds and so deceived, he does not know the difference anymore between a lie and the Truth.  But on the other hand, I am not completely surprised for anyone who has not come to the saving knowledge  of Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3) are going to act according to the nature of Satan (Sin Nature) that was deposited to every man after Adam fell into sin.  Every person that denies God or resorted to man-made religions other than what God provided through faith in Jesus Christ is a minion of darkness.  They will not contend on just the darkness within them but would seek to spread that darkness to them who are weak---to blot out even the little light others have.  They may think they are invincible at the moment but God's Word is clear in John 5:3-5 which says, " In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,  for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."  No one who obeys Jesus Christ would try to redefine God's Word.  They may pretend to be nice, helpful, humanitarian, even religious; but those with Godly wisdom can tell between the Truth and their facade.  Anyone who dares to deviate from God's instructions are ALL agents of the devil.  That is the brutal Truth!  So, I encourage everyone whose faith is anchored in Jesus Christ to not take this sitting down.  Pray without ceasing and act accordingly to the faith given unto you.  I am sending letters this week to these Supreme Court judges making them known the statutes of God regarding Marriage and hope they will yield to God's Truth!  We can change the world and bring it to the Lordship of Jesus Christ if we stand together without compromise as we share the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) to this dying world.  Apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, THERE  IS NO OTHER WAY BY WHICH MAN CAN BE SAVED!  The very cure for all kinds of sin, including sexual perversion and confusion is JESUS CHRIST!  John 8:32 says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  I am humbled that Jesus liberated me from sin and I am empowered by His grace to go into all the world and preach the message of the Cross that everyone may find the Light in the midst of darkness.  This together with many other spiritual issues confronting us today cannot be defeated sitting down nor by being quiet.  Today's battle requires courageous men and women of God who are willing to engage in the battle and take down (total annihilation) Satan's strongholds without mercy.  The devil has nothing for us but hatred and he must be destroyed completely.  The Lord is with me, are you?

So here's my project for our Challenge at 613 Avenue Create with an optional Twist of "Sights, Sounds and Taste of Summer (see chart at Challenge site)".  For this Card, I use an image from one of or sponsors this week, Zuri Artsy Crafty called "Amelia" and colored it with my  ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card.  The DP's are from American Crafts and DCWV, the white nail head gems from Imaginisce and the buttons from Paper Studio.  I added a touch of glitter to the ladybug with Stickles-Crystal.  I incorporated a wonderful border using MS Punch  as well as stitching all over.  The heartfelt sentiment is from Stampabilities.  Love the happy colors that blended together in this creation. 

 CHERISH DREAM LIVE CENTER STEP CARD:

CHERISH DREAM LIVE CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

CHERISH DREAM LIVE CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

CHERISH DREAM LIVE CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

CHERISH DREAM LIVE CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Inspiration Destination---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Simply Papercraft---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Cute Card Thursday---Add a Quote
Gem of a Challenge---Summertime
Art by Miran---ATG
Corrosive---Leave a Little Sparkle
Crafty Calendar---Fancy Folds
Not Just Cards---ATG
Oddball Art---Summer Fun
One Sweet---Die-Cut or Punches
Polkadoodles---Frame It
Scrapper's Delights---ATG
Simon Says---Fave technique or Product (Stitching technique and love my nail head gems)
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Stamp and Create---Summer Fun
Eastwind---Ode to Nature

There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create featuring an optional twist, ""Sights, Sounds and Taste of Summer (see chart at Challenge site)".  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our lovely sponsors for this week---Zuri Artsy Craftsy, Lacy Sunshine Stamps and Di's Digis.  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 and act accordingly to the faith that God has given you.  Hugs, always!  

Scripture Series: Planted by the Waters Card within a Card---Join Us for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello everyone!  I pray that you are all doing great and favored highly by our Lord...It's Wednesday today and want to share another project that highlights our Scripture Word Art (you can download for free) at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  It's found in Jeremiah 17:8 which tells us, "For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."  What a wonderful promise we have in this verse.  What we should understand is that this promise is not for everyone.  I love what my Life Application Bible said about this as it explained the breed of individuals that enjoys/will enjoy such a promise.  Here's what it says:  "There are two kinds of people who are contrasted in the verses in Jeremiah 17:5-8.  Those who trust in human beings and those who trust  in the Lord.  The people of Judah were trusting  in false gods and military alliances instead of God, and thus they were barren and unfruitful.  In contrast, those who trust in the Lord flourish like trees planted by water (see Psalm 1).  In times of trouble, those who trust in human beings will be impoverished and spiritually weak, so they will have no strength to draw on.  But those who trust in the Lord will have abundant strength, not only for their own needs, but even for the needs of others.   Are you satisfies with being unfruitful, or do you, like a well watered tree, have strength for the time of crisis and even some to share as you bear fruit for the Lord?"

We must realize that our Father in heaven is a rewarding God.  The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23-24, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."  He is the Only One who created all things and the Source of everything.  There is nothing we possess that He didn't own.  There is nothing we can give to Him that didn't come from Him.  Given this Truth, a wise man ought to be grateful and entrust ALL things unto God.  Whether in  the happy or sad times, in richness or famine, in health or sickness, our future and present, we ought to place them all in the hands of our Lord.  These days, we see many people who have given their trust in government, national leaders, politicians, companies, careers or their relationships to attain success and happiness.  The problem with that is the fact that all of them are dependent upon human beings who constantly change their minds based on their situations and surroundings.  They are subject to what they feel at the moment and their judgment is clouded by them.  They may be your friends today but tomorrow might be a different story.  How can we allow ourselves to trust every detail about us to a fellow human being who have frailties of their own?  If we truly are wise, we have to put our faith in Someone who does not change---true to His Word from beginning to end.  And the only One unchangeable is God, Himself!  Numbers 23:19 is clear on this when it said, "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"  If we entrust our lives unto the Lord, we are going to reap the benefits  of His promises and aligning ourselves to His good and perfect Will.  It would not matter whether the storms and drought of life comes for we know where our provision comes from.  He will not only provide for our needs but He will cause us to be a blessing to others, sharing the fruit of our faith and obedience season after season.  But those who trust in men will reap the benefits of their unbelief and suffer the eternal result of their disobedience and denial of God.  If your faith is anchored in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross, you have every reason to rejoice both now and forever.  I beseech anyone who reads this post to be wise and not fools!  If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, don't wait another minute!  You can avail of God's promises to His children and HERE is how you can begin that journey.  I would love to share with you one of many chapters in God's Word that will encourage you to  appreciate your precious relationship with the Lord.  I made my choice 25 years ago and I am a witness and recipient of how wonderful God is.  He has blessed us so we ought to be a blessing to others:

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you

from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91)

For this Card, I used one of my Art Impressions Try'folds collection called "Lakehouse."  I fell in love with these stamps when I first saw them and acquired a few but never had a chance to use them.  Maybe because I know I have to spend a lot of time coloring and not sure how can I improve from the usual design and card size which I find very limiting.  But having seen our featured Scripture Word Art for this week, I knew I just had to incorporate the lovely images that is in this set and I am so glad I did.  So, I gave my alcohol markers a break and went back to my Prismacolor pencils paired with Gamsol for some blended and raw coloring.  This was my first coloring medium before I got into alcohol markers. I am sure my Prismacolor pencils have been waiting a long time for me to use them again (If they can only talk...LOL).  Another reason for using this method is because markers would bleed on the paper which would not be cool to see in this card design.  Gamsol (Odorless mineral spirit) also bleed but they dry clear without warping the cardstock.  Worked well with me!  I mounted my 3.75 x 5 inches tri-fold card on my regular 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from American Crafts and DCWV.  I used my Fiskars border punch to decorate the side of the card and added some white nail head gems from Imaginisce.  To close the tri-fold card, I punched a couple 1/2 inch circles and mounted them with eyelets to hold my twine for closure.  Pretty clever, huh!  I also used Distress inks (Tumbled Glass, Peeled Paint and Mowed Lawn) to complete the atmosphere in this project.  I was so tempted to add some glitter but I want to keep the watercolor-like feel of the images. For the final touch, I stitched all over this card.  It was a lot of work but well worth it at the end.  Love, love, love it!

PLANTED BY THE WATERS CARD:

PLANTED BY THE WATERS CARD LAYERS:

PLANTED BY THE WATERS CARD SENTIMENT:

PLANTED BY THE WATERS CARD INSIDE:

PLANTED BY THE WATERS CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Creative Moments---ATG/Man in Your Life/Father's day
Double Click---Summer Fun
Fresh Brewed---ATG
Inky Impressions---Summertime
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Little Red Wagon---Stitching
Penny's Paper-Crafty---ATG

Whimsy Stamps---Ribbon, Lace or Twine ( I used Twine)
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
Crafty Sentiments---ATG
Papertake Weekly---Oh So Pretty!
TTCRD---ATG
Top Tip Tuesday---Cut It Out
Love to Scrap---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Art by Miran---ATG
Crafty Calendar---Fancy Folds
Not Just Cards---ATG
Oddball Art---Summer Fun
One Sweet---Die-Cut or Punches
Paper Creator's---ATG
Scrapper's Delights---ATG
Simon Says---Fave technique or Product (Stitching technique and love my nail head gems)
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Stamp and Create---Summer Fun 
Eastwind---Ode to Nature 

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 ($15 GC) and QKR Stampede (3 Digi Images). 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: Walketh in His Integrity Card---Link With Us for some Family Friendly Challenge Happening at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello Crafty Peeps...Here I am to feature another Scripture Word Art (you can download for free) for our Word Art Wednesday (WAW) Challenge.  It's taken from Proverbs 20:7 which says, "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."  As we celebrate Father's Day this coming weekend, let us first and foremost thank the Father of all fathers, our God Almighty!  Through the life of Jesus, we were able to see and understand the vastness of the heart of God.  His reliability, dependability, His provision, His forgiveness and His love amidst all others.  Righteousness (being "Just") can only come from the very One who is the epitome of the word.  Before Man fell into sin, we were created with the  righteousness of God---being clothed in His glory.  But we gave that all up when we took the side of the enemy.  As a result, we can see and experience the effects of that downfall as we look throughout history.  In our day and time, many men don't even know what it takes to be honest, reliable, unselfish, honorable and what true love is all about, among others.  They father many kids but don't care to man up and be a true father to them.  That is why our nation have aborted over 5.5 million babies since abortion was legalized in this country.  Sad but very true!

The  only way we can come out of such a downfall is to reconnect with our Source of Righteousness.  He provided the Only Way for us to do so---through His Son, Jesus Christ!  Romans 1:16-17 tells us, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”"  It is through faith in the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) that every man is able to break free from the bondage of Sin (Sin Nature) and put on the righteousness of God---a gift from the Father!  Other than this, there's no other way for us to live a "Just" life.  Galatians 2:16 says, "Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified."  So, today, if you have an earthly father who have a personal relationship (Born-Again, John 3:3) with Jesus Christ, he may not be perfect but rest assured that God is changing him from glory to glory to be a righteous head of your household.  He will need every bit of help from his wife and children to fulfill His task and purpose in this world.  His Godly examples will be a model to his children and for all generations to come.  If we have fathers who has not come to the knowledge of Christ yet, keep on praying for them.  Show them respect and love that through your example, they will see the working of the Lord and receive Him. Happy Father's Day, everyone!

For this Card, I used an image from one of our sponsors, Bugaboo Digi Stamps called "Sign It-Girl."  I colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I used a Corner Chomper to round a couple of sides.  The DP's are from Pebbles.  I used a Paper Studio Washi Tape to create the colorful strip and added  a brad.  I also used some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) to some parts of the image for some sparkle.  Lastly, I stitched all over this Card.  Pretty satisfied with the results.

WALKETH IN HIS INTEGRITY CARD:

WALKETH IN HIS INTEGRITY CARD LAYERS:

WALKETH IN HIS INTEGRITY CARD SIDE VIEW:

WALKETH IN HIS INTEGRITY CARD INSIDE:

WALKETH IN HIS INTEGRITY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards---Summer Fun
Sister Act---ATG
Pile It On---For/Featuring a Father or a Man
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Creative Corner---Just for Dad
Inky Impressions---Something in the Air
Love to Scrap---Male Call
Paper Creator Crafts---ATG
Crafter's Cafe---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG/Man in Your Life/Father's Day
I Love ProMarkers---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Moo Mania---ATG
Penny's Paper-Crafty---Use your Fave Embellishment (I love brads)
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Glitter n Sparkle---ATG
Great Impressions---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
That Craft Place---ATG
Corrosive---Pile It On
Catch the Bug---Stella Says Sketch
Scrapper's Delights---ATG

Have an awesome day everyone and looking forward to see your wonderful projects linked at our WAW Blog.  It will be nice to see the featured Word Art in your Challenge project but not mandatory.  As long as it's family friendly, inspirational and uplifting, you are free to link up to 5 projects.  Our sponsors for this week are My Scraps & More ($15 GC at their shop) and Bugaboo Digi Stamps (Digis).  Just want to tell you how much God loves you and wants you to discover the very reason and purpose He created you.  Get to know Him!  Hugs and blessing, everyone! 

Live in the Moment Card---Check Out our Anything Goes Challenge with an Optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello everyone....It's Monday and I'm a day late in posting this project.  It's been another hectic weekend, oh my!  Anyway, we have another Optional Twist for our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  That is, to create something for a friend!  In our lifetime, we have encountered/will encounter many individuals that would/will mostly bless us and some that would/will probably hurt us.  There are some that are there for a long period of time and some that are temporary.  There are those that we get very close with and some that are simply acquaintances.  No matter the quality and length of our relationships, we can agree that each of them have helped us in who we are now and who we'll be in the future .  Before I became a believer, I had many acquaintances with a few close friends.  I was neither and introvert nor an extrovert, I was comfortable  being both.  I had many wonderful memories of being together with group of friends that I laughed, sang, danced and party with yet my greatest memories were the times shared with a best friend spending a lunch break, exchanging stories that meant so much to us.  I had one in grade school, one in high school, a couple of them in my neighborhood and one during my first job.  They all came in specific seasons of my life and all of them are a blessing to me.  When I came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (Born-Again, John 3:3), friendship became more meaningful to me! I realized that I cannot be an exceptional friend to anybody if I didn't encounter the ultimate friendship (closer than a brother) and love that can only be experienced in Jesus Christ.  In Him, I learned and still learning to love unselfishly and to put my interest last and think of others first.  I have trusted a few people before and thought they would be there for me but found out they didn't.  Like the wonderful summer days, they departed in the winter time.  But as it is written in the Scripture  in Genesis 8:22  that says,  "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."  The Lord brought many more friends in my life after I gave my life to Him.  They not only helped me in the affairs of life but also encouraged me to grow spiritually as we share a common denominator---Jesus Christ!  I have one such friend in the church I went to in my early Christian years and we made wonderful memories together.  Despite our distance, we stayed connected to this day (thank God for Facebook!...LOL) Today, I have a couple of great friends at Church that I am truly grateful with.  They are truly wonderful blessings! Like seasons,  earthly friends will come and go.  But I have a friend who will always be there for me, no matter what!  That pure friendship I found solely in Jesus Christ!  It's the relationship that is good today, tomorrow and forever for it is sealed in His blood...Today, He extends the same friendship to anyone who is willing.  I hope you take His offer!  If you need help in doing that, you can find out more HERE.  Leaving you with the following verses to  encourage you to trust in the Friend we have in Christ...

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" (Romans 5:8-10)

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  This is my command: Love each other."  (John 15:15-17)

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 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. (Philippians 2:1-11)

For this Card, I used an image from Flat Friends Boutique called "Let's Go Fly a Kite" that I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from American Crafts, the flowers and brads from Recollections and the oblong and lacy oblong were cut from Cuttlebug using Nestabilities dies.  I incorporated paper piecing in my image and also added some glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  The cute sentiment stamp is from Tim Holtz.  For the final touch, I stitched all over this project.  I love the decoupage feel created by the awesome print of the papers. 

LIVE IN THE MOMENT CARD:

LIVE IN THE MOMENT CARD LAYERS:

LIVE IN THE MOMENT CARD INSIDE:

LIVE IN THE MOMENT CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards---Summer Fun
Sister Act---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Paper Creator Crafts---ATG
Kraftin' Kimmie---Summer
Addicted to Stamps---Summer Colors
Come and Get It---Paper Piecing
Lacy Sunshine---Color Your World
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Glitter n Sparkle---ATG
Great Impressions---ATG
OSAAT---ATG with Flowers
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Corrosive---Pile It On
Catch the Bug---ATG
Digidesigns---Use Die-Cuts
Scrapper's Delights---ATG 

There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.   Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week. Wonderful prizes awaits the winners from our sponsors this week, Flat Friends Boutique, The Cutting Cafe and Stamplorations. I hope you have a wonderful week and know that through faith in what Jesus accomplished through the Cross, we have complete victory that we can effectively share with others!    

Scripture Series: Jesus Christ the Same Card---I'm GDT at Inky Impressions Plus Join Us for a Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, guys! It's another Wednesday and I'm here to bring you my creation for both Word Art Wednesday (WAW) Challenge and as GDT for Inky Impressions.  It features the free Scripture Word Art (download at the WAW site) which comes from Hebrews 13:8 and it says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."  As I asked God on what to share here regarding this verse, He led me to a commentary at GodVine which can best explain the "Immutability of God" (that He does not change).  It spoke profoundly in my heart and I want to share it with you.  It says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday ... - As this stands in our common translation, it conveys an idea which is not in the original. It would seem to mean that Jesus Christ, the unchangeable Savior, was the end or aim of the conduct of those referred to, or that they lived to imitate and glorify him. But this is by no means the meaning in the original. There it stands as an absolute proposition, that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever;" that is, that he is unchangeable. The evident design of this independent proposition here is, to encourage them to persevere by showing that their Savior was always the same; that he who had sustained his people in former times, was the same still, and would be the same forever. The argument here, therefore, for perseverance is founded on the "immutability" of the Redeemer. If he were fickle, vacillating, changing in his character and plans; if today he aids his people, and tomorrow will forsake them; if at one time he loves the virtuous, and at another equally loves the vicious; if he formed a plan yesterday which he has abandoned today; or if he is ever to be a different being from what he is now, there would be no encouragement to effort. Who would know what to depend on? Who would know what to expect tomorrow? For who could have any certainty that he could ever please a capricious or a vacillating being? Who could know how to shape his conduct if the principles of the divine administration were not always the same? At the same time, also, that this passage furnishes the strongest argument for fidelity and perseverance, it is an irrefutable proof of the divinity of the Savior. It asserts immutability - sameness in the past, the present, and to all eternity but of whom can this be affirmed but God? It would not be possible to conceive of a declaration which would more strongly assert immutability than this."   

It is so comforting to know that we serve a God who never changes.  What He said and done before still holds true to this day---no more, no less!   In this fallen world we're in, history showed us how people are affected (shaped) by religion, culture, traditions, fashion, technology, leadership, laws, media hype, among others.  These changes were either for the better or for the worse of humanity.  Let's take for example the propagation of the Theory of Evolution as laid out by Charles Darwin through his book "The Origin of Species" in 1859 convinced a lot of people that Man evolved from apes.  Some people  may not even find it harmless but little did they know that it plunged humanity's place in God's creation from being God's masterpiece (according to the Scripture) to being like animals who comes and dies, having just survived their existence and gone to nothingness.  Hence, they succumb to the idea of "let us drink and be merry for tomorrow, we die!"  If there is no meaning and purpose for living, then what would be the use of let's say "The Ten Commandments."  It takes away accountability which in turn, plunged people into immorality of every shape and size.  This is why those who are into the lifestyle of sodomy, fornication and addiction, among others, have denied the existence of God.  But the truth is, them denying God does not in anyway mean they are not going to be accountable to Him for their existence.  They just chose to blindfold and deafen themselves so as not to hear His voice calling them to repentance.  The day they take their final breath or in the Lord's Second Coming (whichever comes first), their eyes and ears will not have any choice but open up to the Truth.  I tell you as God said,  on that day, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  While the Scripture tells us in Genesis 1:26-27, "Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."  We are also aware that we have been given a brain together with the many organs in our body that works harmoniously to keep us alive and functioning.  Each one of them are complex but with a closer look, made to perfection!  So, the suggestion by anyone to demean and reduce the true identity of Man as outlined by His Creator is an absolute travesty!  It is a LIE meant to DESTROY Man so that he misses out on His true purpose and destiny.  Satan used/uses blind and rebellious human beings  to carry out His plan of destruction for all humanity.  Not everyone who seemed to be helping people, using flowery words, charisma, a sob story are genuinely concerned about people's welfare.  Oftentimes, their outward conduct is motivated and tainted with selfish ambition aiming to deceive others to carry out a sinister plan.  Godly agenda is selfless, powered by servant-hood and thinking less of oneself and more of others, seeking first and foremost to glorify God.  And no one can operate under Godly leadership without being under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.   Those without Him are subject to the wiles of the enemy, the Devil!  They may dress up in sheep's clothing but inside are ferocious beasts.  Therefore, we need to be careful and be discerning of everyone who desires to lead us.  They not only have to follow and confess Godly principles in their leadership but has to have proven record that they really do.  We cannot bow down to deceitful agenda of "tolerance or conformity" being forced down on us by so-called leaders, liberal actors and media, who tells us that times have changed.  For we serve a God who is unchanging!  That simply means that what He declared Truth in the past will always remain Truth in our present and eternity.  What is an abomination to Him from the beginning of Creation is still the same abomination to this day.  And His standard of righteousness is still the same righteousness to this very moment.  God the Creator laid up His principles to His creation and no created has the means, the right nor the power to change it. He is Sovereign and His complete victory is going to be witnessed by everyone in the face of the earth as His Word declares---in the fullness of time!  Glory and praise forever to His Name!  (More wonderful readings on the "Immutability of God?"  Go HERE). You'll be blessed!

For this Card, I used an image I got from Inky Impressions called "Wishing Well" which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are all from Paper Studio "Barnyard Pretty" collection, the white brads from Recollections and the touch of glitter is from Stickles (Crystal).  Lastly, I did some fancy and regular stitches in this project.  I am honored to be invited as GDT at Inky Impressions and the theme is "Male."  I hope this project shows not only masculine characteristic but most importantly, spiritual inspiration.  Glory by to God!

JESUS CHRIST THE SAME CARD:

JESUS CHRIST THE SAME CARD LAYERS:

 JESUS CHRIST THE SAME CARD INSIDE:

JESUS CHRIST THE SAME CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---Focus on the Coloring
Sweet Stampin'---Father's day/Special Man
OLLCB---Circles and Squares
Wags 'n Whiskers---Seeing Spots
Penny's Paper-Crafty---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Corrosive---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Digi Designs---2 or More Patterned Paper
Creative Moments---ATG Inside and Out
TTCRD---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Simon Says---Masculine
Art by Miran---ATG
Simply Papercraft---ATG
Crafting by Designs---ATG
Crafty Creations---All Creatures Great and Small
DoubleClick---Father's Day or Male Project
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Little Red Wagon---Use It Up! (Lots of DP)
Moo-Mania---ATG
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
Cardz 4 Guyz---Birds
Clear It Out---ATG and Stash: Patterned Paper
Digi Choosday---Use Kraft
Loves Rubberstamps---ATG
Papertake Weekly---ATG

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.  Our sponsors this week are Crafty Individuals and The Cutting Cafe.  Also visit the Inky Impressions Challenge for more chances of winning.  I can't wait to see your projects this week and leave you some lovin' on your Blogs.  Have a blessed day and I pray that you take the time to study God's Word. It will open your eyes to your true identity in God's perspective.  That you may know the glorious future that only faith in Jesus Christ can provide.  His Name be praised forever!