Scripture Series: Depth of the Riches Easel Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, Craft peeps!  It's been a while but I'm here to bring you another inspirational card for our Anything Goes/Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring a Scripture Word Art you can download for free at the WAW site.  Days are passing by so quickly and we see events and biblical prophecies simply unfolding before our eyes.  If we don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3) and have not been familiar with the Scripture, we may look at things like they are normal or coincidental.  In our country today, we are in the process of appointing someone who is equip to lead us and rest our confidence in what that person can do to advance our cause and for others, their agenda.  The Bible teaches us to be selfless but the sad thing is---without genuine love and relationship with God, it is the nature of human beings (after the Fall of man) to be selfish.  It's me first before others...

The ongoing United States election is one great example of this reality.  The two leading candidates we are supposed to choose from are so far away from the Biblical foundation this country was built upon.  What comes out of their mouth and what they have done/are doing are the very proof of the danger we are going to face in the coming days.  The hardest thing for every God-fearing citizen like myself is to absolutely have no choice.  I can't help but think of the situation that happened between Abraham and Sarah as they waited for the fulfillment of the promise (a child) which would make him "father of all nations," as promised by God (Genesis 17:5).  How in Sarah's barrenness and both their old age could could that be possible?   To make matters worst, many more years came by without a tangible evidence from the promise God made.  And so they did what they taught was necessary to make God's promise a reality.  They took matters in their own hands and saw Hagar (their servant girl) as a means to bear Abraham's child (Ishmael).  This child was born out of man's impatience and a mindset that God is incapable to fulfill His promise without man's effort.  To this day, we are seeing the horrible consequences that the descendants of Ishmael are doing to the people of God (descendant of Isaac---the true promise) in the conflict in the Middle East . It never seem to end.

I can't help but think that our need to choose from any of our two leading candidates (Clinton or Trump) is man's way of doing things.  Many believe that a vote for any of them can change the nation for better or for worst.  But I tell you the Truth, no man (unless led by God Almighty) can save this nation from destruction.  Personally, I call upon the Lord and repent if at any point---I trusted in man's ability.  I don't want another King Saul for our nation---I want God Himself to rule our nation!  At this point, it may look like an impossibility but I am willing to wait till the deadline (the final day of voting) for what the Lord can do!  I don't want to make a hasty decision.  I believe I have to deal with the consequences of my actions after things are said and done.  The Lord's timing is perfect and if He allows any of these two leading candidates to take the driver's seat of this nation, my trust will continue to rest upon the Lord!  So I will vote and encourage every God-fearing citizen to do the same not only for the highest seat of this country but for every governing positions.  My choice is God first and whoever He compels me (with great conviction) to vote for.  I'm praying and believing for His intervention that I will not have to make such a difficult choice among two undeserving presidential candidates.  God help us!

Anyway, our Scripture Word Art featured in my project today comes from Romans 11:33 which says, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"  Yes, God's wisdom and knowledge is so far out there that we cannot confine it within the box of our understanding.  It is because of this Truth that I am able to see things clearly even when everything surrounding us is hazy.  There is a great deception that are embraced by many and it's mind-boggling why these people willingly subject themselves and their future into such evil.  They seem to have lose control of their minds and are hypnotized by another power (Satanic).  If you only believe in things you see, then, you may not understand what I'm talking about.  Yet, the Bible tell us in 1 Corinthians 15:2-14, "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." Jesus Himself said in John 6:63, "It's the Spirit who gives life; the flesh accomplishes nothing. The words that I've spoken to you are spirit and life."  Though God's Truth are far beyond our understanding, He gave us His Word that we may have understanding of His ways and He gave us Jesus to show us how to live the life that pleases Him.  The time will come when we will see Jesus in His fullness and glory and we'll be glad we placed our trust in Him alone.


For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Tiny Townie Amanda is Awesome" that I watercolored using my Stabilo markers and Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from DCWV and the brad top from Heidi Grace.  The short sentiment beside the image comes with the Stamping Bella set and the sentiment located in the message space is from Fiskars.  Lastly, I sttiched all over this project and I am very happy with the result.

 DEPTH OF THE RICHES EASEL CARD

 DEPTH OF THE RICHES EASEL CARD WHEN CLOSE

 DEPTH OF THE RICHES EASEL CARD WITH MESSAGE SPACE

DEPTH OF THE RICHES EASEL CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Creations---Watercolor
Crafty Gals---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Little Red Wagon---Stencil It (Clouds)
Simon Says---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Autumnal Colors
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Artistic Inspiration---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crafty Friends---ATG
Digi Choosday---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
World Wide Open DT---ATG


Make sure you join us at WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art in your creation and link it to our Challenge but is not a requirement.  As long as it's family-friendly, uplifting and inspirational, you can enter up to 5 times this week.  An awesome GC of  $25 worth will be awarded to our Challenge winner by our awesome sponsor---Simon Says Stamp.  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up as we meditate on the name of Jesus today.  There is power in His Name and it's available to everyone that believes.

Scripture Series: Those that Seek Me Card---Time for Another Bi-Weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

It's Wednesday and time for another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As always, we feature a Scripture Word Art that and you can download for free at the WAW site.  Today's verse comes from Proverbs 5:17 which tells us, "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."  God revealed to us a significant portion of who He is in this verse.  He is a loving God and He acknowledges those who love Him back.  The earlier we learn about the love of God, the better we will know Him, ourselves and our purpose in this world.

John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus' finished work at the Cross is the greatest demonstration of God's love for all of mankind. Not one man is free from the bondage of sin (Sin Nature) as all men came from Adam.  Romans 5:12 declares, "Therefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Many believed that man can escape eternal damnation by doing good works in their lifetime without fully understanding that there is nothing mankind can do on our own to break free from that Sin Nature (originally found in the very heart of Lucifer) that we inherited from Adam.  I tell you the truth that these people had been duped big time and unless they open their hearts to the wisdom of God and accept what Christ accomplished at the Cross as the only way to freedom from sin's bondage, they will share the fate of Satan and his cohorts.  Only God can free us from the bondage of sin and death which all acts of sin springs forth and ends up in death (spiritual, physical and eternal deaths).  That is why Jesus emphasized this compelling Truth to Nicodemus in John 3:3, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  I pray that the Spirit of God gives you wisdom that you will understand the very importance of this profound verse in every man's life.  We came into this world through physical birth and that automatically places us under Adam.  We don't teach the babies and toddlers to lie, bite, fight or to be selfish but they do it anyway which is proof of the Sin nature planted in the hearts of every man.  Religion, devotion, good works and intentions along with many other ways of man are not going to save us.  God who is all knowing knew that from before time and provided for us the ONLY WAY of escape!   JESUS is that WAY and He completed our redemption through His death, burial and resurrection (His finished work at the Cross known as the  Gospel).  

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 says, "For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive!"  We all came into sin just by being born in Adam but does Christ work at the Cross automatically made all humanity free from the sin nature we inherited from Adam?  No, not automatically!  Yes, God's gift is free but one needs to open up his arms to receive the gift. You see, to be in Christ requires faith (reliance, adherence, believing, sticking to) in what Jesus has done for us.  It requires the giving up of our own will and allowing God to direct us to His own purpose.  It also requires giving up control of ourselves and to be under the control of the Holy Spirit.  Not our will but His be done.  For many of us, we have to unlearn what we've learned through the religion/way of thinking we grew up in with its culture, mentality, traditions that come against the Word of God.  And with that, many of us had to suffer persecution of many kinds coming from our very own families and friends.  To follow Christ requires a decision  to live each day by the faith of Christ, to abide in His Word and carry out the purposes God has called us to do.  God loves all of mankind that He gave everyone a chance to step up in faith so that they can see clearly the Only Way he has provided through His Son.  But as stated by our WAW featured Scripture Word Art, He has a special place for those who responds to His love which includes every benefit the Cross has won for us both now and forever.  There's no special formula to be born again in Christ.  It only requires a decision driven by faith in what Christ already accomplished on our behalf.  If you want to do that today, I would be happy to help you become the newest member of God's family by making this prayer your own unto God.  Right after you prayed, get into the Word of God and I suggest you start by reading the book of John (in the New Testament) in order to learn about who you are and what you have in Christ.  Blessings to everyone who answered the call.

"Heavenly Father, I come to you today acknowledging that I am a sinner and have done so many things that broke your heart.  I confess all of my sins to you and I ask that you cleanse me from all of them.  I believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross on my behalf and that His blood washed me clean.  I accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior and ask the Holy Spirit to dwell inside of me to help me live my life for Him.  This I pray in Jesus Name.  AMEN!"

For this Card, I used an image from C.C. Designs called "Tawny" and colored it using my Touch Five markers.   The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I also incorporated a couple of embossing folders for my panels from Darice.  I added some glitters on the image using Stickles (Crystal) and some Liquid Pearls (White Opal).  Lastly, I ran the panels into my sewing machine and this project is done. 

 THOSE THAT SEEK ME CARD

 THOSE THAT SEEK ME CARD LAYERS

 THOSE THAT SEEK ME CARD INSIDE

THOSE THAT SEEK ME CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafting by Designs---Add a Sentiment
Creative Moments---ATG/Twist
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Autumn Colors
Kraftin Kimmie---Make it Sparkle
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
Just Keep On Creating---ATG
Artistic Stamper---Patterns
Card Mania---Let it Shine
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts and Me---World Cardmaking Day
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG/Optional Let's Celebrate
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Optional Create Your Own Background
Not Just Cards---ATG
One Crazy Stamper---Fall/Winter Fun
Petal Lu---ATG
Your Scrapbook Place---ATG

Hope you enjoyed my featured project today at WAW...I am looking forward to see your projects linked to our Challenge.  You can include the free Word Art in your projects to link,  but not a requirement.  You can submit any inspirational, uplifting, family friendly creations (up to 5) for more chances to win our prize from our sponsors this week---The Flying Unicorn ($25 GC) and The Cutting Cafe (Cut Files). Always remember to call on Jesus 24/7 if you need someone to talk with.  He is always willing to listen and is able to meet everyone whose heart is seeking after Him. 

Thankful for Today Card---It's October and Time for Another Monthly/Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello guys!  I'm back with another card to showcase for our Monthly Challenge happening at our neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create.  As always, it's Anything Goes with Optional Theme (Use Green and Gold in you project).  Finally,  the weather here in Texas have cooled down and so happy to be over the triple digits which we had to endure for several months.  I wish I could speak the same with the spiritual condition of our country but as the day goes by, it's apparent that we are up for some scary challenges in our future.  But my hope is in the Lord.  So although things aren't as promising in the world as we see prophecies written in the Scriptures being fulfilled, believers in the Lord are still here on earth to fulfill God's purpose and we are not to allow any fear, concerns and lies of the enemy (Satan) to deter us from accomplishing our task (to share the hope of the Gospel---the finished work of Jesus Christ to all mankind).

Today, I would like to share about thankfulness and gratitude towards God.  It is easy to be thankful when things are doing great for us.  But have you been grateful when things are literally falling apart in your life?  I've experienced it many times and each time, it's never easy. But I rely upon the Word of God (the Word of Truth) and I focus on a bigger picture to battle my own fears, doubts, complains or bitterness in those times.  With that, I meant seeing things beyond the temporary through the eternal reality declared by God's Word. One of my favorite promises of God (to every believer) in the eternal is in Revelation 21:4 which says, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away."  Yes, we may face difficult or even horrible things as followers of Christ in this world (look what they've done to Jesus!) but how can we give up the faith and the fight when there's so much more waiting for us in the presence of our Lord?  Don't we know that for us who entrusted our lives to Jesus Christ that "to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8)?" So, while I intercede for the future  of our nation and the world, I push aside every fear and concern for I am armed with the Truth of what my future is like in the arms of the Lord.  This life may soon end in circumstances only my Father in heaven knows but because I am in Christ and He is in me, my eternity is settled!  I am to rule and reign with my Lord and Savior for all eternity.  Glory be to God!

In addition, I found a wonderful article from gotquestions.org about being thankful/grateful and it has blessed me tremendously.  Therefore, I am sharing it to you.  Here it is:  

"Thankfulness is a prominent Bible theme. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Did you catch that? Give thanks in all circumstances. Thankfulness should be a way of life for us, naturally flowing from our hearts and mouths.

Digging into the Scriptures a little more deeply, we understand why we should be thankful and also how to have gratitude in different circumstances.

Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Here we have two reasons to be thankful: God’s constant goodness and His steadfast love. When we recognize the nature of our depravity and understand that, apart from God, there is only death (John 10:10; Romans 7:5), our natural response is to be grateful for the life He gives.

Psalm 30 gives praise to God for His deliverance. David writes, “I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. . . . You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever” (Psalm 30:1-12). Here David gives thanks to God following an obviously difficult circumstance. This psalm of thanksgiving not only praises God in the moment but remembers God’s past faithfulness. It is a statement of God’s character, which is so wonderful that praise is the only appropriate response.

We also have examples of being thankful in the midst of hard circumstances. Psalm 28, for example, depicts David’s distress. It is a cry to God for mercy, protection, and justice. After David cries out to God, he writes, “Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song” (Psalm 28:6-7). In the midst of hardship, David remembers who God is and, as a result of knowing and trusting God, gives thanks. Job had a similar attitude of praise, even in the face of death: “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21).

There are examples of believers’ thankfulness in the New Testament as well. Paul was heavily persecuted, yet he wrote, “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Corinthians 2:14). The writer of Hebrews says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28). Peter gives a reason to be thankful for “grief and all kinds of trials,” saying that, through the hardships, our faith “may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

The people of God are thankful people, for they realize how much they have been given. One of the characteristics of the last days is a lack of thanksgiving, according to 2 Timothy 3:2. Wicked people will be “ungrateful.”

We should be thankful because God is worthy of our thanksgiving. It is only right to credit Him for “every good and perfect gift” He gives (James 1:17). When we are thankful, our focus moves off selfish desires and off the pain of current circumstances. Expressing thankfulness helps us remember that God is in control. Thankfulness, then, is not only appropriate; it is actually healthy and beneficial to us. It reminds us of the bigger picture, that we belong to God, and that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). Truly, we have an abundant life (John 10:10), and gratefulness is fitting."

For this Card, I used an image from Sami Stamps called "Butterfly Friends" that I colored using my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers. I paper-pieced the clothing of the image with DP's from my scraps.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I used one of my Cuttlebug folders (Tropic Bloom) to emboss the main panel and incorporated some die cuts using Nestabilities to layer the image.   I used a couple of washi tapes from Recollections and mount them on strips of white CS, layered some Prima flowers with Recollections brad and added some glitters (Stickles-Gold) to the flower and butterflies.  Finally, I stitched all over this card.  I love the result.

THANKFUL FOR TODAY CARD

 THANKFUL FOR TODAY CARD LAYERS

 THANKFUL FOR TODAY CARD

 THANKFUL FOR TODAY CARD INSIDE

THANKFUL FOR TODAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
Just Keep On Creating---ATG
Create with TLC---ATG
Card Mania---Let It Shine
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts and Me---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG with Optional Celebrate
Creative Craft---ATG
CCC---ATG
Die-Cut Divas---Time to Emboss
Doodle Pantry---ATG with Digi Image
Not Just Cards---ATG
Oddball---Circles
Petal Lu---ATG
Tinker-Dream---Thanks
Your Scrapbook Place---ATG

This is it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for our Anything Goes Challenge.  If you want to be challenged (like I was), take on the Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss it.  Our sponsors---Ppinky Dolls, Bugaboo Stamps, Sami Stamps, Eureka Stamps, Oddball Art Stamp Co., Lacy Sunshine Stamps, Melonheadz Illustrating and Toadstool Printables are giving away lots of 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.