Encouragement Series: Believe in Miracles Card---Join us for Another Challenge at our Neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create!

Hi there, guys!  It's late Sunday evening but I would like to share with you what I made for our Anything Goes Challenge this week at 613 Avenue Create.  But before that, I would like to encourage you with God's Word found in Romans 8:17-30 and it says, "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 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. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." 

As I meditated on the goodness and promises of the Lord in those verses and how it relates to all the struggle we have been dealing with in this world, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the countless brothers and sisters being killed all over the world while many others were dispersed from their homes and forced to run for their lives these days because they bear the name of Christ and refuse to deny their faith in Him.  My Life Application Bible shared wonderful devotions on these verses that truly blessed me so, I decided to share them with you as well.  It says, "There is a price for being identified with Jesus. Along with being "heirs of God," Apostle Paul also mentions the suffering that Christians must face.  We too must pay a price for following Jesus.  In many parts of today's world, Christians face pressures just as severe as those faced by Christ's first followers.  Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged, Christians must not become complacent.  To live as Jesus did---serving others, to think of others first than one's self, resisting pressures to conform to the world---always exacts a price.  Nothing we suffer, however, can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.  God works in all things---not just isolated incidents---for our good.  This does not mean that all that happens to us is good.  Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Know that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose.  Note that this promise is not for everybody.  It can be claimed only by those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  Those who are called are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ.  Such people have a new perspective, a new mind-set on life.  They trust in God, not life's treasures; they look for their security in heaven, not on earth; they learn to accept (not resent) pain and persecution because God is with them."

One day, we will see the glory of God in His fullness and everyone who humbled themselves before Him on earth will be satisfied...But on the flip side, those who rejected, rebelled and denied Him will experience the wrath of Almighty God for all eternity.  Hebrews 10:31 says, "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  So, while the Ark of Mercy is still wide open, I pray that everyone who hears the voice of the Lord run to the Ark of Safety---Jesus Christ!  He remains our Only Hope, now and forever.

For this Card, I used an image from Stampers Anonymous featuring "Tim Holtz Bird Crazy" that I colored using Distress Inks by watercoloring.  I immediately fell in love with these birds  the day I saw the projects created using this set. Since then, I've kept a close watch on where I could get it at an affordable price.  Several weeks ago, I found a great deal from an online seller.  Today, I am highlighting my first project with one of its adorable stamps.  I also enjoyed the watercolor technique and thought I would give my alcohol markers a bit of rest...LOL  Anyway, the card base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from Paper Studio "Barnwood Pretty" stack.  It may not be obvious but I used a stencil from The Crafter's Workshop (TCW) called "Aspen Trees" to create those winter trees in the top panel.  The border stamp inked in red is from Will N' Way, the main sentiment is from Stampabilities, the brads from Recollections and the layered flowers from Prima.  I used Fiskars punch for the leaves and Stickles-Crystal glitter to accentuate the bird and the flower.  Lastly, I stitched all over this project. I am more than happy with the results.

BELIEVE IN MIRACLES CARD:

BELIEVE IN MIRACLES CARD LAYERS:

BELIEVE IN MIRACLES CARD SIDE VIEW:

BELIEVE IN MIRACLES CARD INSIDE:

BELIEVE IN MIRACLES CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Amusing Challenge---ATG
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Fashionable Stamping---Changing Seasons
Glitter N Sparkle---Fall/Autumn
Penny Black---Autumn Colors
Pile It On---Cute and/or Spooky
Stamping Sensations---Colors of Autumn
Corrosive---Autumn Splendor
Brown Sugar---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Simply Papercraft---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Cute Card Thursday---ATG
Fantasy Stampers---Animal Antics
Wags n Whiskers---Fall Colors
Art by Miran---ATG
Crafting with Friends---ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG
Pattie's Creations---Fall
Polkadoodles---Add Sparkle, Bling or Glitter
Art Impressions---Use Water-Based Inks (Colored Bird with Distress inks)
As You Like It---Favorite: Brights or Pastels?  (For some reason, I just use brights more)
Crafting with Attitude---ATG
DRS Designs---Fall-ing For You
Julia Spiri---ATG with optional Twist

There you have it, friends!  Make sure to visit our Challenge Blog---613 Avenue Create to join us for our "Anything Goes" Challenge with an optional Twist (Use Subway Art).  You can do whatever you fancy with your projects and have a chance to win fabulous prizes from our sponsors this week namely Bugaboo Digi Stamps, Drawn with Character and Poppyseed Graphics.  Anyway, remember to fight the good fight of faith daily and always remember what God's Word told us in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  God bless, y'all!