Scripture Series: He Hath Dealt Bountifully Card---It's Another Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Good Wednesday everyone! Just want to take the time to greet everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!  There's so many things to be thankful about more than just having our needs met.  More than anything personally, I am thankful that Almighty God allowed me to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  To experience Who He truly is, far from the shallow knowledge of many who claim they know of Him.  I'm so grateful for God's abiding presence in my life that enables me to discern what's of Him and what's not and for entrusting me with a specific purpose in these chaotic times.  He has held me up all these years not because of anything on my part but solely because of His  matchless love and grace.  I acknowledge that without Him, I have no purpose, no life and void of everything that is good.  HE IS LITERALLY MY ALL IN ALL!  I only live and breathe for Him.

This Thanksgiving, my desire is to offer up a prayer of gratitude to the Creator of heaven and earth--- the God of our nation Whose faithfulness catapulted this country to where it stands now---"Father God, I bring unto Your throne endless songs of praise, an offering or worship for your eternal love, patience and protection upon your people here in America.  You have seen how the minds of the people were darkened, spitting on the very work and blessings of freedom and liberty you have bestowed upon this nation.  As if their denial and rebellion of you was not enough, they would like to invite the enemy to feast and destroy what you have done to this nation.  And many of them claimed to be people who believe in you but on the other hand continues to pollute the minds of the weak and poor in spirit.  They are nothing but wolves in sheep's clothing.  Lord, I am aware that none of us can make a difference  unless you charged us with Your power.  Jesus told us in Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  I am in perfect agreement with Your Word and declares my God-given authority as your daughter saved by the finished work (death, burial and resurrection) of Jesus Christ.  I carry inside of me the power you have spoken in Luke 10:19 when Jesus said to His disciples, "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."  Father, it's under that authority that I speak forth destruction to anything and everything that seeks to harm your people in Israel, this nation and the world.  Stop them at their track and annihilate their roots and branches.  Demolish their false God, false doctrines and all their strongholds.  I declare that nothing will be left of them.  I dismantle their plans to invade, attack and kill via free pass under the disguise of refugee programs as you protect those that are in true need of help.  Lord, I cry for unity for us, your Body,  that still hears your voice and who are not blinded by the ways of this world.  Father show us your path and let us walk in it with courage and boldness. Our lives belong to you alone and whether we live or die, it is our gain.  Help us restore eyesight to those who are spiritually blind and humble those of our brethren who have taken their own paths and left Your Way.  Bring them down to their knees till they acknowledge that true wisdom comes from you and that without you, they are utterly hopeless!  I declare America is for You alone---the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and that no weapons formed against this land will ever prosper.  Today, I loose the blessings to the United States of America and bind the wiles and evil plans of the enemy in all direction.  I bless and thank you, Lord, for Your Spirit that lives inside of me and have allowed me to voice out your will for our nation.  IT IS ALL DONE, IN JESUS' MIGHTY NAME! 

For this week's Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW), our Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site) came from Psalm 13:6 which says, "I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."  As one gifted by God to sing,  I understand how singing can be a powerful tool to give praise and thanks unto the Lord.  When I experienced the tangible/intangible oppression of the enemy (physically and spiritually, not in a dream) many years ago, though I was unable to move my entire body, the Holy Spirit in me fought from within in what sounds like groaning coming from my mouth.  I was screaming the name of Jesus in words and in tongues (speaking in tongues) from within yet it was not audible to the human ears.  I pressed on till I heard my voice breaking the air waves, louder and louder till the demonic oppression ceased.  Before all of this happened, I can tell you that I was not physically prepared for it. I have not experienced something like that before.  But the Spirit inside of me is always prepared!  He saw me through and directed my actions moment by moment even when I didn't understand what was taking place.  When the atmosphere quieted down and was able to move,  I stood up from my bed where it happened and all of a sudden, I found myself singing (a medley of victory and praise) to the God that freed me.  God even provided the songs---amazing! You may not be the greatest singer here on earth but a song of thanksgiving always sounds perfectly in the throne of Almighty God.  Worship is an attitude of the heart!  Whether you jump, shout, dance, sing or play music for Him, it's necessary to bring a pure and contrite heart that trust in Christ alone. That is what He truly requires.  I want to leave a few verses to encourage us to put our trust solely in Christ and to always thank Him for all the wonderful things He is doing in our lives whatever our situations may be. 

"For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord."  (Psalm 27:5-6) 

"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome,

the great King over all the earth. He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. God has ascended amid shouts of joy,

the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted."  (Psalm 47) 

"David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (1 Chronicles 29:10-14)

For this Card, I used an image from MayzyArt called "Chantelle" that I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers and paper-pieced the clothes.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from Recollections, the layered flowers from Prima, the white brads from Recollections, the washi tapes from Paper Studio and the leaves were stamped with Clear Dollar Stamps and were fussy cut.  To finalize, I added some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) to the image and the flower and stitched all over this creation.  

                                           HE HATH DEALT BOUNTIFULLY CARD:

                                       HE HATH DEALT BOUNTIFULLY CARD LAYERS:

                                       HE HATH DEALT BOUNTIFULLY CARD INSIDE:

                               HE HATH DEALT BOUNTIFULLY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Aud Sentiment---ATG with Sentiment
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Craft Rocket---Add a Sentiment
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Papers
Simon Says---Thanks/Thanksgiving
Crafty Gals Corner---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG/Bling It Up
Crop Stop---ATG
Moo-Mania---Lots of Layers
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Use Die-Cuts
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
2 Creative Chicks---ATG
Craft Galore Encore---Use a Stamp or Digi
Crafty Time---Embellish It!
CCC---Flowers
Incy Wincy---Tic Tac Toe (Girly/Free/Flowers)
Just Keep On Creating---ATG
Oddball---Lots of Layers
Petal Lu---ATG
Scrapping Everyday Miracles---Scripture
Sunsational---ATG with Glitters
Sisters of Craft---ATG
Tinker-Dream---Glitters
YSBP---ATG
Everybody-Art---Branch/Leaf
Scrap-Creations---Give Thanks
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Retarte---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.  Sponsors for this week are Pretty Little Studio ($25 GC) and Imagine That (3 Digis). I can't wait to see your projects and leave you some lovin' on your Blogs.  Have a blessed day and I pray that you acknowledge the presence of the Lord inside of you and give Him the glory by sharing the hope we received from Him to others. 

Most Wonderful Time Card---Join the Fun of our Anything Goes Challenge in my neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create!

Hi there, friends!  It's already Monday and I missed posting this earlier as Sunday is truly one of my busiest days of the week.  It's hard to believe that CHRISTmas, which is my favorite time of the year is just around the corner.  God is super faithful that He allows us to wake up each day with our freedom and liberty despite the full attack on our civil and religious rights for many years now.  We have allowed the satanic doctrines (doctrines of death) to creep in our society in the name of tolerance and political correctness.  Many who knew the Truth have allowed passivity to take over and in the process, failed to be productive members of God's kingdom.  They become like the world---worshipers of themselves and lovers of pleasure.  They don't weep anymore for the babies being killed mercilessly due to Abortion.  They don't feel the need to speak the Truth about the importance of Biblical Marriage and to defend the family structure.  And yes, they don't even care whether they will still wake up the next day to a free and sovereign country.  They truly have betrayed the country that feeds them and have placed the lives of their children for generations to come to fulfill their temporary worldly and fleshly desires in the name of their false beliefs.  They have been so calloused that they don't feel nor even see the need to shelter (protect) their kids from the evil doctrines being fed to them daily in the school system.  They stopped fighting for what is right and as a result, they ceased discerning the voice of the very God whom they professed they know.

But thank God for the "REMNANT!"  In these perilous days, we will witness what true believers of Christ are made of.  These are the kind of people who does not only speak of Christianity with their mouths but are passionate doers of their faith.  The kind who still lives and breathes in accordance to the Word of God.  That in the time of testing, they lift up the name of their  Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST, instead of denying their relationship with Him!  They are the voices crying out in the wilderness, never ceasing to speak of the hope that they found in their Maker.  That in the vast darkness, they shine a ray of light that pierces through.  As one of God's remnant, I was reminded of the story of how Gideon and the Israelites defeated the Midianites in Judges 7.  Severely outnumbered with the plan to go after the Midianite army of one hundred thirty-two thousand men with their thirty-two thousand, they were bombarded with fear .  Yet even with this ratio, God knew that if He granted them victory, they would take the credit for themselves, thinking highly of what they accomplished with their own strength.  So, God told Gideon to separate for Him a different breed of men (see Judges 7).  It's important to point out that their selection process didn't involve their physical qualification nor their ability to fight.  These three hundred men were used by God in their time and their story was written in the Holy Scripture to humble, demonstrate and teach us that it is not by our own might and power that we win the battles of our day...It is solely by HIS SPIRIT!  (Zechariah 4:6)

It is extremely important that we listen to the voice of God (His Word) to be able to quiet down every noise that seeks to deafen us.  Don't depend your life on any mortal man, establishment, religion or teachings.  Your life should solely depend on the One that gave it to you in the first place.  Apostle Paul spent a lot of time, gave so much effort and withstood persecutions to warn us against the dangers of "false teachings" (anything that perverts, twist, adds or subtracts from what Jesus Christ accomplished in His death, burial and resurrection).  Jesus and His finished work at the Cross is the ONLY means by which man can be saved through FAITH.  If we want to remain true to the calling that God has placed in our lives, WE MUST TEST everything that we hear and see regardless of who is delivering the message or how great they sound.  If we go to a Church and we hear a Pastor/Teacher delivering a message, we are to hold them accountable to the infallibility of God's Word.  It has nothing to do with how they sound, their appearance, their convincing power nor their public speaking techniques.  Should we stop filtering one's message just because they seemed to always sound okay that we just say"AMEN" to whatever they preach?  I urge you to NEVER STOP!  False teachings can creep in so easily that before long, you've been deceived that you no longer recognize what is wrong from right.  Apostle Paul didn't refrain from warning believers during his time.  The same message is as important for all of us to this day.  One of them is written in Galatians 1:6-10 which says, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

I said it before and I'd say it again, test every doctrine, messages, preaching, policies and even thoughts that is presented to you.  A true believer (Born-again, John 3:3) has ONE STANDARD of TRUTH.  It is the written revelation of the Creator Himself, fulfilled through Jesus Christ and translated and implemented in us today by the Holy Spirit.  The Word of God is Spirit and they are life unto them that uphold them.  No teachings of man can ever come to par with the wisdom contained in the Holy Scripture which is good yesterday, today, tomorrow and the eternal future.  Let us not give up the Truth for a lie, the eternal for the temporary.  Though we be few---a REMNANT of a people who wholeheartedly loves God and are viewed insignificantly by this world, we possess the promise of an unchanging God---victory at all counts as we spend eternal life and ruler-ship with Him.  I want to share the following verses to encourage everyone of us to proclaim boldly the HOPE WE HAVE IN US---without fear and compromise!

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

“when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely

and do what is just and right in the land.

In his days Judah will be saved

and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

“So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.” (Jeremiah 23:1-8)

Anyway, we are having our usual Anything Goes Challenge with an optional Twist (Create Your Own Challenge) at 613 Avenue Create.  I don't really make a lot of traditional Christmas cards but I really love the image I got way back as it shows the lovely decorations/preparations of the season.  We were decorating our balcony with wonderful lights and have seen my husband go through the boxes of lights and ornaments to use.  It inspired me to come up with this design. For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning called "Ho Ho Whoa" that I colored with ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir/Bic markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from DCWV, the sentiment was stamped from Momenta and the white nail head gems from Imaginisce.  I finalized this creation by stitching all over it.  I've been wanting to use this stamp for a long time now and I'm so happy I was finally able to.  I had so much fun creating this!

MOST WONDERFUL TIME CARD:

MOST WONDERFUL TIME CARD LAYERS:

   

MOST WONDERFUL TIME CARD INSIDE:

 MOST WONDERFUL TIME CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Aud Sentiments---ATG with a Sentiment

Brown Sugar---ATG 

Crafting from the Heart---ATG

Craft Rocket---ATG 

Craft Your Passion---ATG 

Love to Scrap---ATG 

Crafty Hazelnut---Patterned Paper 

Playing with Paper---Christmas Card 

Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Twist of Pearls 

Desert Divas---Christmas 

Crafty Boots---Spots and/or Dots

Dream Valley---Stitching

Melonheadz Friends---Use a Digi

Not Just Cards---ATG 

Our Crafty Corner---ATG/Lace and Pearls 

Crazy Challenge---ATG 

Paper Nest Dolls---ATG 

Use Your Stuff---Lots of Layers 

Where the Heart Is---ATG/Winter Blues 

Whoopsi Daisy---Lots of Layers 

Color Your World---ATG 

Great Impressions---Bling On the Holidays

 Lacy Sunshine---Sweet Dreams of Chrsitmas 

Quirky Crafts---Christmas

2 Creative Chicks---ATG 

Card and Scrap---Christmas 

Craft Galore Encore---Use a Stamp or Digi 

Creatalicious---Merry Christmas 

Creative Craft Cottage---Christmas 

Digistamps4Joy---ATG 

Oddball Art Stamp---Lots of Layers 

Petal Lu---ATG 

Sisters of Craft---ATG 

World Wide Open DT---ATG 

Your Scrapbook Place---ATG

This it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge.  If you want to be challenged, take on the Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss it.  Our sponsors---A Day for Daisies, Zuri Artsy Craftsy and Di's Digi Stamps are giving away some fabulous prizes.  Can't wait to see what you create. The Lord is with you every step of the way so, don't be afraid of the what the future holds---we are safe in the arms of Christ always.

Scripture Series: For He is Good Card---Join us for Family Friendly Challenge this week at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello everyone...Sorry for the delayed Blog post.   I must admit that sometimes, it's hard to write when everything around us is in chaos as threats to our country's freedom and existence is at our doorsteps.  I look around and I see many who don't really care and there are those who seemed to be evil "possessed." Such is the state of mind of the ungodly and the deceived!  They are oblivious and/or detached from the reality of the dangers all around them. Like brainless people, they have chosen to agree with everything that is presented to them and are committed to drag every person (whose trust is in themselves) to their death in the hands of the enemy.  They roll up the red carpet for people whose sole purpose is to eliminate them from the face of the earth or recruit them to bow down to their false god.  They will give these false religion the right to enslave and rape their women/children, for men to abuse women and train their children to kill for their false religion/doctrine.

In the wake of what happened in Paris, let us not forget that nearly three thousand Americans died on the the 9/11 Terrorists Attack and many more died from suicide bombings that happened here and abroad.  The lives of our military men and women, police officers and border agents were put at risk.  Many died to ensure that we remain free from these Islamic threats to this day.  But then, we have a leader that pretends to be looking out for our welfare but all evidence (fruit) speaks of his true motive.  That is to see us divided from within and weakened by his destructive policies that is purely Anti- Christian, Anti-American, Anti-Constitution.  Unlike many, I am not afraid to name my enemy.  His name is Satan and he uses rebellious men and women (who does not acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ) consisting of influential people and World leaders (including the one in our Oval Office) to carry out his demonic agenda.  We must pin-point these demonic leaders and the groups they support and call them as they are.  The Scripture declares in Ephesians 6:11-13, "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."   As believers, we don't seek to harm anybody but to identify the filthy spirits that dictates their steps.  We declare war with these spirits using the spiritual armor that God gave us.  If you are a child of God (Born-again, John 3:3), you are an extraordinary warrior! You posses the "Sword of the Spirit" (Word of God) and  your most powerful weapon to defeat Satan!  As it is written, after Jesus was baptized and just before He started his powerful ministry on earth, He had to be taken to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan... He defeated him at every count with the Truth of God's Word  (Scripture HERE).  The devil was no match to the power that lies within the Son of God!  Because Our Lord defeated Satan, Sin and Death at the CROSS, He gave us the power to make things happen or not happen by the power of His Holy Spirit.  Matthew 18:18 tells us, "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  Therefore, speak forth blessing for our country and bind the works of the enemy that seeks to divide, weaken and destroy us.  Most importantly, take the necessary action in accordance to your faith!

If you know God's Word, you also knew about the glorious eternity that awaits those that placed their faith/trust in the Gospel (death, burial, resurrection) of Jesus Christ.  We know that Jesus is coming for His Bride (The Church) to save us from the wrath that will fall mercilessly on those that rebelled against our Lord.  But until that day, we are not to be "doormats" in this world.  We are mandated to be "Salt and Light" (Matthew 5:13-16)!   We are to warn people of the evils of our time and their desperate need of a Savior.  It is because of this that I had to be bold in sharing with you this Truth in hopes to caution you on one of the pressing issues our country and the world as a whole is faced with today.  You can agree or disagree with me but I refuse to be intimidated... "There is no such thing as Islam/Muslims wanting peace...The very fact that they have chosen to stay in that false religion accepts the same principles/teachings/doctrines that these radical terrorists are imposing on people.  They are ticking time bombs!  The time they are called  to carry out their evil/murderous doctrines, they will kill anyone (like it or not) whom they call "infidels" like they were taught to do from the time they were born.  Why do I believe that?  It's because only fools with demented minds choose to stay in a religion whose teachings are against what they stand for.  I understand there are threats for them that turn away from that religion but nobody can dictate the mind of someone whose earnestly seeking for the Truth!  The very fact that anyone can face death by simply questioning their Islamic doctrine and prophet is enough proof of religious lies, slavery and bondage.   They were taught that to sacrifice their lives (suicide bombers) to kill people not giving in to Islam would possibly qualify them for rewards (no guarantees to that teaching---how sick is that?).  If someone in that religion think these doctrines are invalid, insane and cruel, wouldn't it be better for that individual to risk dying to escape that horrendous Islamic religion than to carry out that belief system?  If the majority of them are for peace (like their usual argument) and these Islamic terrorist are a minority, why wouldn't the majority deal with these cold-blooded killers?  Why are we not seeing them publicly denouncing the killings?   So no matter what others say, everyone connected/affiliated to that religion is a threat to humanity.  Only the spiritually blind/fools would think otherwise! 

Now, does that give us (Christians) a license to treat the Muslim community (living here) poorly?  Certainly NOT!  We are to treat everyone kindly unless they try to harm anybody, they will have to lawfully answer for their actions..However, because they aligned themselves with the doctrines of the devil, I will be very cautious with these people, the same manner we are to be cautious on anyone who poses a threat to our life and freedom---it does not matter what color, race, nationality and background they have.  We are not to allow them to dwell in our country---giving them a free pass to hopefully/wishfully (really?) not destroy our nation.  This calls for wisdom and it reveals one word to me "DANGER!"  Come to think of it, the Syrian refugees need not be taken outside of their country in order to help them.  Countries who wished to help  can build sanctuary places in Syria, provide them help and livelihood while guarding their safety with military presence to ensure their safety and that radical terrorist does not hide from among them.  I tell you, these "refugee situation" is far more than just providing a safe place to these people.  These Jihadist wanted to go into every nation for easy take over.  And many world leaders are in it.  Their evil motive is crystal clear in this VIDEO!  Yesterday, I have considered self-defense and gun-range classes ASAP.  I'm very sad that I even had to go that route.  But if the situation calls for it, I will defend my faith and family both spiritually and physically.   God is with me and victory is mine whether I live or die...I will not succumb to fear!

Anyway on a lighter note, I want to share the Scripture Word Art (free to download) that we are featuring at this week's Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  It comes from 1 Chronicles 16:34 which tells us, "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."  Yes, we are to thank the Lord for everything---for both great and small, happy or sad things that happen in our lives.  He can end everything right at this moment but in His great mercy, He is patiently allowing others to come to the knowledge of His Son so that they can be with Him instead of being eternally separated from His presence.  There is no end to God's mercy but there comes a time when many (using their free will) would demand to live outside of His grace.  In their pride and arrogance, they cannot surrender their will to their Maker and would beg God to deliver His wrath.  And it shall come to pass.  If you have love ones, family and friends who have not experienced New Birth (Born-again, John 3:3) in Christ, this is the time to tell them.  There's very little time left.  You'll never know who among them will open their hearts to God unless you share what Christ has done for them.  I pray that you find in your heart a burden for the perishing souls.   God is going to use everyone of us in these last days...Be ready!

For this Card, I used an image from Stitchy Bear called "Home is Where the Heart Is" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base is a white A7 card and the panel was embossed with a couple of Cuttlebug embossing folders.  I incorporated some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) on parts of the image as well as a few white nail head gems for added dimension.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  Pretty simple project this week to highlight the awesome Scripture.  Hope you like it...

                                                     FOR HE IS GOOD CARD:

                                                  FOR HE IS GOOD CARD LAYERS:

                                                 FOR HE IS GOOD CARD INSIDE:

                                       FOR HE IS GOOD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Corrosive---Add a Sentiment
Crafty Creations---Give Thanks
Crafty Time---Embellish It
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Lacy Sunshine---Tic Tac Toe (Layers, Sparkle, Digi)
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Lunagirl Moonbeams---Thanksgiving/Gratitude
Melonheadz Friends---Tic Tac Toe (Bling. Bright Colors, Markers)
Not Just Cards---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Creative Card Crew---Sprinkle
Creative Moments---ATG
DL Art---Thanksgiving
DoubleClick Skittles---Thanksgiving
Scrap Creations---Make It Sparkle
Fussy and Fancy---Thankful
Path of Positivity---Gratefulness
Simply Create Too---Snow/Use Mostly White
Crafting for all Seasons---Embossing
Wags n Whiskers---Embossing
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Feminine
Art by Miran---ATG
Stempelsonne---ATG
Addicted to Stamps---ATG
Fab n Funky---CAS
Fresh Brewed---So Thankful
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Use Die-cuts
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
As You Like It---Fave Season and Why (I like Spring for all the things that bloom and comfy temps)
Aud Sentiments---ATG with Sentiment
Craft Rocket---ATG
Crafting with an Attitude---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Creative Knockouts---No Square Cards
DRS Designs---Color Inspiration
Hanna and Friends---Pimp It
Julia Spiri---Add a Sentiment
MAWTT---Fave Things (I love colorful villages)
Crafty Girlz---ATG/Winter

Hope you join the fun at our WAW Challenge.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting our winners from two of our sponsors this week, Stamp and Create ($25 GC) and Moonlighting by Mary (Digi Images).  You can choose to incorporate the free Word Art (sentiment) you see in my card for projects you wish to make and link with us though it's not mandatory.  You can submit up to 5 projects (Anything Goes) as long as it's family friendly, inspirational or uplifting.  Can't wait to see what you come up with. Have a blessed week and always remember to share unto others the hope you have in you.  Hugs!

Scripture Series: Enriched in Everything Card---Time for Another Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello friends! I would like to say Happy Veterans Day to the men and women who fought for the freedom that every American enjoys today.  We also thank the ones that are continuing the fight for that same freedom both here and abroad in order to preserve such a privilege.  For their families that made the sacrifices, endured and are still enduring the pain of their love ones passing for the greater good of this nation, we can never say thank you enough.  Freedom has a hefty price thus we have to make sure to preserve the legacy of these people who unselfishly gave all they got.  I cannot help but remember the One that ultimately showed us what "True Love" is all about---JESUS.  He is the greatest example of true sacrifice and unselfish love.  1 John 3:16 tells us, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

We may not be part of the United States Armed Forces but everyday, we are confronted by many opportunities to bless, help and encourage others as the Spirit leads.  Some of these may require from us a higher price.  I remember one of the TV programs I saw way back that had the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa discussing about being fined  when they refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple on the grounds of their Biblical conviction.  In the height of their fight for religious freedom, Melissa Klein received an outpouring of financial support from all over the country online and some from their family and friends.  Some people did it by ordering baked goods but asked her to keep their orders free of the bakery's business label to avoid any backlash.  I remembered how she expressed her disappointment on them.  These are the kind of people who cheers on everyone that fights the fight for them  but has no backbone to weather the fight themselves.  I totally agree with Melissa.  These are people that are there for the good times but hides in fear when the going gets tough.  I'm sorry to say this, but the only way I can describe these people is "pathetic."  Know that everything hidden in darkness will be brought to life and those who loves to hide in the shadow, peeking in the light when it's convenient to them will be swallowed wholly by the darkness they find comfort in.  They were like the people that followed Jesus when their needs were met but when He was arrested, they all scattered in fear!  I pray that the Lord quicken us to be bold in fighting for what is right.  Only people who knows their eternal destination and the victory that was won for us by the finished work (death, burial, resurrection) of Jesus Christ at the Cross will triumph over fear.  They are those who are not obsessed with their earthly life for they know the greater life that awaits them in the presence of the Lord.  Blessed are these people for they shall accomplish great and mighty things.  On our own, we cannot face the giants of our day.  We all must become like David  who faced Goliath, armed with  the faith and the power of the Most High God---invincible and fearless! 

Anyway, the Scripture Word Art (free to download) for our Challenge this week at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) comes from 2 Corinthians 9:11 and it says, "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."  We must realize that everything we have is from God.  Our every breath comes from Him.  The fact that we are breathing and has a beating heart is a testimony that we cannot live outside of His grace.  There are many people who have lots of material blessings but have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses.  They can go to every doctor in every country to find cure but to no avail.  What are all those material possessions for if they are laying in their beds in pain and weakness?   And then there's also those who are able to work but could not find any opportunity thus struggling to provide for their families.  All I am saying is that everything starts and ends with God!  We should cultivate an attitude of thankfulness unto the Lord for everything He is doing in our lives.  For all the good and even the bad.  For them that love God (Born again, John 3:3), the Lord told 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."  Therefore, everything that God has given us is to equip us to be a blessing to others.  If we are blessed with material possessions, we are not to use them for worthless luxury but to provide opportunities for those whom God will place in our path.  You can also share talents, abilities or even your testimony to encourage others.  Every one of us has something to offer---no one has an excuse!  Note that you cannot possibly help everybody but we are to be sensitive to the ones that God is going to place under our care.  And while we are faithfully obeying the task God has placed upon us, the same God has given someone the mandate to also bless us. God uses the faithful to fulfill His purpose here on earth.  The bottom line is, every blessing comes from the same Source---Our Father in Heaven!  When was the last time you took the time to thank Him for all the marvelous things He has done?  I want to share the following verses for us to ponder on: 

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:11-19)

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning called "Tom and Tilly" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square.  I shaped the sides of the card using MS Punch and my Corner Chomper to shape the corners.  The DP's are from Recollections, the ribbon from my stash and the corner stamp image (in gray) from Fiskars.  I inked the panels using Distress Ink (Walnut Stain) and the brad top from Heidi Grace.  I attached several nail head gems for added dimension and finally comes the stitching all over this card.   Love, love, love the sweet image and how the papers helped in creating the scene.

 

                                               ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING CARD:

                                          ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING CARD LAYERS:

                                         ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING CARD INSIDE:

                                  ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---Leaves (in the roses)
Crafting with an Attitude---ATG
Crafty Girl Creations---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Simply Create Too---Give Thanks
TTCRD---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG
Just Keep on Creating---ATG
Simon Says Stamp---Thinking of You
DP2---ATG with Optional: Birthday
Crafty Creations---Give Thanks
Crafty Gals Corner---Thank You or Thankful
Creative Moments---ATG/Winter
Crop Stop---ATG (Used Stickles and Distress Ink)
Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG with a Twist: Anything that starts with "B" (Bow/Brad Top)
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Retarte---ATG
Try It On Tuesday---Create a Scene
Tuesday Throwdown---Thank You
Artistic Inspirations---ATG with a Twist: Feminine
Craft-Dee BowZ---ATG with a Handmade Bow
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Crafty Boots---Remembrance/Thanks
Love to Scrap---Bling
Make my Monday---Many Thanks
Melonheadz Friends---Pick 3 (Bling/Bright Colors/Markers)
Our Crafty Corner---ATG/Lace and Pearls
Path of Positivity---Gratefulness
The Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Where the Heart Is---ATG/Winter Blues
Whoopsi Daisy---Lots of Layers

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---Crafty Secrets ($20 GC) and Really Reasonable Ribbon ($10 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, be thankful  and diligent stewards of God's blessings here on earth.  Accomplish everything that the Lord has placed under your care with boldness and faithfulness.  Have an awesome week! 

Cupcake Day Card---Join Us for an Anything Goes Challenge with Optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello Crafty friends...I know this is coming out late but just want to share what I made for this week's Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  It's always "Anything Goes" but this week's optional theme is RAK (Random Acts of Kindness).  Anyway, I am so grateful that temperatures are starting to turn pretty nice here in Texas.  It has been a long summer weather and I asked the Lord for some relief.  I know that in this "world gone crazy" situation of ours that we see/experience daily, some may think that asking for simple things like that seemed to be unimportant.  But I submit to you, nothing is insignificant in the eyes of the Lord.  He is equally concerned with the simplest to the most complicated things that affects our lives. 

As a child of the Most High God (Born Again, John 3:3), we are no longer strangers to His Kingdom.  There was a time when we were ignorant and in our selfishness---did everything in rebellion from God!  We were in Adam in birth, in flesh and in sin.  We were hopeless, with no other path to redemption.  But then, Jesus came to unselfishly give His life for the salvation of mankind!  He is the Only One qualified to perform the task as He's the Only One who is both God and Man.  As the Son of God, He was free from the curse of Adam.  On the other hand, He was born by a woman into this world---like every man that lived on this earth.  Anyone that placed their faith in His finished work (Gospel---death, burial and resurrection) at the Cross had been translated from the kingdom of darkness unto the Kingdom of Light in Christ.  So, as lawful citizens of God's Kingdom, our Father has qualified us to be representatives of mankind in His presence.  We need to pray for the lost and share with them the Gospel.  Though we still live in this world, we are no longer citizens here.  Let's put it this way, we are the "Ambassadors" of God, placed in His perfect time to testify of God's wonderful works through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

So when we pray,  we are bridging that gap between this world and God's Kingdom, pleading our case to and through the Kings of kings and the Lord of lords.  In doing so, we acknowledge that everything comes from God and that He's in full control.  Our Father wants to know what is in our hearts.  It does not mean He does not know but with us verbalizing our prayers, we are releasing our faith and believing He can do something about it.  That is why repetitious prayers that had been memorized and recited by many over and over is honestly a waste of time.  Why?  Because their lips speak of words that are so familiar to them, they can recite them without confessing the true petitions of their hearts.  A simple prayer by a little kid whose heart is fixed and believes in God has far greater power.  Matthew 6:6-8 tells us, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."  In the hustle and bustle of life, I have to be careful not to be overly busy as not to communicate with my Father in heaven.  The Holy Spirit (that lives inside of me) reminds me all the time of the importance of having an intimate communication with my Father.  I tell Him everything---the simple and complicated, the sweet and the bitter, the funny and the sad, the short term and the long term, the temporary and the eternal!  Everything that the Holy Spirit quickens me to pray about, I lift them all up to the Lord.  PRAYER IS AN ATTITUDE---a way of life for everyone who have tasted the goodness of the Most High.  Philippians 4:5-7 tells us, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  I hope we don't neglect the awesome weapon that God has armed us with.  I prayed for some weather changes here in our area but also prayed for God's mighty intervention in the affairs of our country and the world.  God is delighted when we come to Him for everything and anything---when we asked in accordance to His Word!  Big petitions or small petitions, nothing is impossible with Him!  I want to share with you this Parable that Jesus told His disciples that teaches us about persistent prayer.  I hope it will bless you too.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’  “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)  

For this Card, I used an image that I have been wanting to use for a long time but didn't get the chance to do so.  It's from Bugaboo Stamps called "Girl Cupcake Tray" that I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base is a Kraft, A7 card. A few days ago, I was going through some very old files with lots of patterned papers and used several of them in this card (I don't know the company they came from).  I used an MS Border Punch (scalloped hearts), layered some Prima flowers, Fiskars punch for the leaves and added some white brads for dimensions.  The border stamp is from The Paper Company Studio and the lovely sentiment is a freebie from Create with TLC.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  I must say, I love it very much.

                                                        CUPCAKE DAY CARD:

                                                  CUPCAKE DAY CARD LAYERS:

                                                  CUPCAKE DAY CARD SIDE VIEW:

                                                  CUPCAKE DAY CARD INSIDE:

                                        CUPCAKE DAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---Leaves
Crafting with an Attitude---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
DRS Designs---Pile It High
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
The Paper Shelter---Layer on Layer
The Crafty Addicts---ATG/Use Die-Cuts
MAWTT---Leaves and/or Trees
Craft for the Craic---Something Glittery
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Feminine
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Craftin' Desert Divas---Make It Sparkle
Love to Scrap---Bling It, Girlfriend!
Melonheadz Friends---Pick 3 in a row (Pearls or Bling/Bright Colors/Use Markers)
Our Crafty Corner---ATG/Lace and/or Pearls
The Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Where the Heart Is---ATG/Winter Blues
Whoopsi Daisy---Lots of Layers
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Come and Get It---Lots of Sparkle
Dragonfly Journeys---You "Leaf" me Breathless
That Craft Place---Kraft
Corrosive---Add a Sentiment
Catch the Bug---ATG
Crafty Calendar---Sparkle, Bling and Embellish
Scrapper's Delights---ATG

There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create with an optional twist.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our lovely sponsors for this week---Alicia Bel and Rick St. Dennis.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week.  I hope you have a wonderful week and know that through prayers and act of faith we can achieve the impossible!  Have a blessed week...