Scripture Series: Be Joyful in Thee Card---Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday...

Hi there! Its time for another bi-weekly Challenge of Anything Inspirational at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Our Scripture Word Art (free download at the WAW site) comes from Psalm 5:11 which says,  "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."

As I read through Psalm 5, I saw King David's intimate knowledge and relationship with God.  The Spirit of God worked into his life that though he was born before the time of Jesus and the New Testament, he spoke of a "trust"  (believing, reliance, dependence)  in a God Who is able to save, protect and defend us.  The enemy fill our hearts with lies every second that if we are not grounded in the Truth (Jesus as the Way, Truth and Life), we can easily be swayed by twisted doctrines/teachings.  From the very beginning (Genesis 2:17), God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil for they will surely die (first mention of Death).  God established and made clear this Truth to His creation.  But Satan (in the form of a serpent) perverted that Truth and told Eve in Genesis 3:4-5, “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Satan planted doubt and influenced Adam and Eve to disobey God resulting to the Fall of Man.  Sin, which originated in the heart of Lucifer (called the Sin Nature), is the overwhelming desire to rebel against God which placed all of humanity (born into this world) in bondage.  There was no way out and we were doomed to face God's wrath forever.  Man became so selfish and evil with no reverence for God.  It's no surprise that  Jesus spoke this harsh Truth to those who claimed they know God but merely lied as they neither believe nor obey Him (in their actions).  John 8:42-47 says, "Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Friends, anyone who says that Jesus is just a gentle, meek and loving God has clearly no idea of the Jesus Christ of the Bible.  As much as He is a God who loves us (demonstrated by His sacrifice at the Cross to free us from the bondage of the Sin Nature and Satan himself, He is also a Just God.  That means He cannot tolerate any form of Sin.  By denying (render useless) the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross which is Almighty God's ONLY means of freeing us from being in Adam (literally, in Satan), you are declaring an all-out war with God and has chosen to invite His Wrath.  Believe me, I could not even imagine what is in direct opposite of God's love---outside of God's grace!  Many people think that this earthly life is all there is but until you stop focusing on the puzzle pieces of your life (selfishness), widen your perspective to God's big picture (eternal perspective), you will live a mediocre life filled with lies that will cause the destruction of your soul.  If there is a time to trust Jesus and claim the salvation He won in your behalf---it is NOW!  Who you trust and live for in this life will be the basis of your eternal destination. To be in Adam (rebellion and unbelief) puts you in the path of God's judgment no matter how great you think your life (good works) is here.

But like what our Scripture Word Art says, those who trust in Jesus have every reason to rejoice.  Why?  For our reliance upon the Cross and all its benefits has won for us "righteousness" in the presence of our Father in heaven.  This right standing with God is not by any works of our own but one that only God Himself bestows to them that places their faith in His Son.  It happened the moment I repented of my sin (being in Adam) and confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior (to be Born-again, John 3:3), I died from my affiliation with Adam and I became one with Christ (In Christ).  God paid for my sins (past, present and future).  Hence, I no longer have to carry the death penalty for my sins.  JESUS GAVE AND DID IT ALL!  By being in Him, He also gave me the power to trample over the lies and works of the enemy.  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of me.  By Jesus' blood, His Cross and His Name, I can destroy the works and power of the enemy in every shape and form.  Knowing His Word (the Scripture) is knowing His Will so I can confidently speak with boldness and certainty to have received everything God promised in His Word. WE HAVE THE POWER, IN JESUS' NAME!  Always look at the bigger picture and you'll see that fear should in no way cripple us in all our battles.  Rejoice! Jesus has so much in store for us than this temporary life can offer.  Having this mindset, I live each day with excitement of what Jesus would do through me...

For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Tiny Townie Tiny Dancers" and the flower stamps from Dylusions.   I watercolored all the images using my Stabilo 68 pens.  The base is an A7 Kraft card from Paper Studio, the DP is from American Crafts, the glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and the pearly dots were created with Liquid Pearls (White Opal).  I incorporated some inking using Pumice Stone Distress Ink and lastly, I ran some of the panels into my sewing machine to create some regular and fancy stitched borders. 

BE JOYFUL IN THEE CARD 

BE JOYFUL IN THEE CARD LAYERS 

BE JOYFUL IN THEE CARD INSIDE

BE JOYFUL IN THEE CARD  WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Creations---ATG 

Crafty Gals---ATG 

Creative Moments---ATG/Spring Has Sprung 

House Stamps Built---ATG 

Inspiration Destination---ATG/Masculine

Simon Says Stamp---ATG

Sisterhood of Crafters---Letter "B" (Ballerina) 

Stampavie and More---Spring

Crafty Addicts---ATG/Add a Sentiment

Wonderful Wednesday---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: The Hour Is Come Card---It's Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday

Hi there, Crafty Peeps!  I'm here once again to highlight another Scripture Word Art for our new Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Today's verse is so meaningful to me and to everyone whom God called to Himself through faith in what Jesus Christ has done.  It comes from John 12:23 which tells us, "And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified."

In order to understand what Jesus told His disciples in our highlighted verse, we must at least give consideration on the next few verses written after.  In John 12:24-25, Jesus continues saying, "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." You will notice in the New Testament how common it was for Jesus to use earthly illustrations to convey spiritual Truths (Parables).  In that time, people's spiritual knowledge of God and His ways were very limited.  They have the Natural Revelation (God's creation),  the Law (Mosaic Law/Torah) and the Prophets.  Today, aside from what they had, we have the Written Word of God (Bible), the Finished Work of Jesus Christ at the Cross accessible by faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit inside every believer.  I love how my Application Bible explained the meaning of the three verses mentioned above and like before, I would like to share it with you:  It says, "John 12:23-25 is a beautiful picture of the necessary sacrifice of Jesus.  Unless a kernel of wheat is buried in the ground, it will not become a blade of wheat producing many more seeds.  Jesus had to die to pay the penalty for our sin, but also to show His power over death.  His resurrection proves He has eternal life.  Because Jesus is God, Jesus can give this same eternal life to all who believe in Him. We must be so committed to living for Christ that we "hate" our lives by comparison.  This does not mean that we long to die or that we are careless or destructive with the life God has given, but that we are willing to die if doing so will glorify Christ.  We must disown the tyrannical rule of our own self-centeredness.  By laying aside our striving for advantage, security and pleasure, we can serve God lovingly and freely.   Releasing control of our lives and transferring control to Christ bring eternal life and genuine joy."

Wow, need I say more?  You see, I often find myself sharing to family and friends this:  "Unless we are willing to die for the cause of Christ, we will always live in the shadow; fearing for people (the world) to know our affiliation with Jesus.  Nowadays, standing for anything and everything Jesus stood for meant persecution/isolation.  For some it's ridicule and hatred from family and friends (including social media).  To others would be career, opportunities, promotion, business loss to losing everything they built and worked for.  Others have to face jail time, security (death) threats or death itself among many other things.  I gained deeper understanding of the dangers every true Christians are exposed to when I started fighting for the things that matter to God.  When I went to Pro-Life rallies to fight (be the voice) for the unborn.  When I joined Family rallies to oppose people trying to redefine the Biblical meaning of marriage. When I attended several gatherings in my city fighting for Biblical principles and common sense knowledge in the midst of perversion and ungodly ordinances being forced upon God's people.  In each one of them, we faced vicious, rebellious and ungodly oppositions/enemies who have no care for God and the Laws of this land.  Their only concern was to make everyone bow down, accept and practice their ungodly thinking and perverted lifestyle.  For every time you stand for God's principles, you don't know for sure when someone just decides to harm you.  Many  of them hated God so much and their mouths are full of profanity, their actions unhinged and their mockery of God was so profound.

Despite all of that,  I thank God for He has placed upon me a strong and firm conviction for His Truth.  I hold these Scripture verses dear to my heart and serves as an inspiration in my daily walk with the Lord.  It's found in Philippians 1:20-21 which says, "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." If we only understand the depth, the fullness---the meaning of what Jesus Christ accomplished for us through the Cross (His death, burial and resurrection) and the life that awaits us in the eternal (Eternal Life) ,  we will no longer live in bondage to fear and selfish concerns/advancement.  For the best things in this world are nothing compared to the pure beauty and radiant treasures of living in the presence of God (the Creator of all things) forever.  Though I expect that reality happening soon, I know that He placed me on this earth to fulfill His purpose.  Until my assignment is done here, His presence will continue to preserve me.   Simply put,  no one can harm me unless God allows it.  So I am determined to go forward, in all boldness---propelled by the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Hope we have in Christ. Truthfully, many tried to discourage me (mostly people from social media) by saying how I was being self-righteous, judgmental, ungodly just because I spoke God's Truth in every pressing issue.  People cursed me, insulted me and said all sorts of profanity just to move me from my position.  Yet, what they aren't aware of is that there is nothing I can do through my own efforts to gain the righteousness of God.  I simply believed/trusted in what Jesus accomplished on my behalf and He declared me righteous solely by being in Christ (Born-again, John 3:3).  If God clothed me in His righteousness, who one earth can take that righteousness away from me?  I know, I know!  They will not understand until they too embraced the Truth through faith in the Cross of Christ.  I choose not to be offended, to pray and move on and focus my efforts on them who are being saved.  To my family and friends, I am committed to the call of God in my life and need no accolades, approval nor recognition from any man.  I only live to please my Father in heaven and bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ!  If anyone of you reading this don't know Jesus personally and as to what the Cross meant for your salvation, get to know Him while there's time.  Everything is written in the Scripture.  If you have any questions, I would love to help anyone.  Let us study God's Word and find purpose for your existence both now and forever.  

For this Card, I used an image from Stampabilities called "Florals" that I bought just recently and colored it using my Touch Five markers.  I stamped some of the images a few times and fussy cut them all after coloring.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I embossed the main panel using a Cuttlebug folder and die-cut a lacy circle using Nestabilities.   The DP and as well as the white brads are all from Paper Studio.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  Yes, pretty simple design o as not to take away from the powerful Scripture for this Challenge.

 

 THE HOUR IS COME CARD

 THE HOUR IS COME CARD LAYERS

 

THE HOUR IS COME CARD INSIDE 

 

THE HOUR IS COME CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafting by Designs---Girls/Flowers 

Crafty Creations---ATG 

Inspiration Destination---ATG 

Little Red Wagon---Easter 

Crafty Addicts---ATG/Add a Sentiment 

Perfect Time to Craft---ATG 

Create with TLC---ATG

Card Mania---April Showers Bring May Flowers 

Classic DT---ATG 

Craftaholics R Us---Easter 

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG 

Crafty Awesomeness---ATG 

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper 

Cute as a Button---Easter 

Daisy Chain---Spring is in the Air 

DL Art---ATG 

Love to Craft---ATG 

MHK Designs---Photo Inspiration 

Not Just Cards---ATG 

Sunny Day Crafting---Spring 

Your Scrapbook Place---ATG

Make sure you join us at WAW Challenge.  You can use the Scripture Word Art (download for free at the WAW site) 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. Wonderful prizes await our winners from our lovely sponsors for this week---Newton's Nook Designs ($20 GC) and Imagine That (3 Digi Images).  So excited to see what you come up with.  I pray that you live boldly, freely and joyfully bringing glory to Jesus Christ always.    

CAS Series: Four Assorted Birthday Cards---Join Us for Anything Goes with Optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello everyone!  It's time for another monthly Anything Goes Challenge (Optional Twist: Spring) happening in our neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create!  I'm highlighting several CAS Birthday cards that I made for friends the past few months.  But before that,  I just want to thank the Lord for His provision and protection as I just came back safely from several days of outdoor adventure with my family in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Once in a while, we visit this wonderful city to view the ocean and feel the waves on our feet.  We also love the cool breeze and awesome blue skies by the coast.  And we've experienced all of that last week.  We were also blessed with  cool and windy weather with a spectacular view of the lake while we rented a screened shelter at the Corpus Christi State Park for several days.  My hubby and son love their superb fishing facility out there.  So while the boys were out fishing for hours , I stayed behind to start another crochet project.  It relaxed  me while the birds with their wonderful noises kept me company in the shelter.  One bird in particular (a red cardinal) was always there to wake and  greet us every morning while providing us with wonderful chirping sounds all throughout our stay.  Everything is just so beautiful there.  Oh, and the stars were out in full display each night.  At one point, they reminded me of the light that shines inside every believer's (Born-again, John 3:3)  life.   Each of them giving glory to the One who created them and are a beacon of hope in the midst of vast darkness.  I love it!  Big things or small things, there is always something in nature that reminds and assures me of God's faithfulness and His abiding presence wherever I go.  Spending time with God---to breakaway from life's normal hustle and bustle,  is an essential part of a believer's life.  In this crazy world, we need a quiet time to reflect.  I am grateful to God for the opportunity.  But whether you go out of town for days or just find a local park in your neighborhood for several hours, go and take the time!  What could inspire us more than God's natural creation surrounding us?  Though others may find it fun and ideal to spend their time at Amusement Parks with all its exciting and fun rides, or attend sporting events, or book a Cruise or a Resort vacation which are very costly and frankly---way out of my budget, there is always something special in simple and quiet family time that does not break the bank.  We are looking forward for yet another great adventure with the Lord next time.  I want to leave you with the following passages that tells us of the faithfulness of God we can experience through His creation:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth." (Psalm 19:1-6) 

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:  all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.  LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"  (Psalm 8:3-9) 

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children.” (Psalm 148:7-12)

For this first card, I used a clear stamp from Deasy Designs and colored it using my Touch Five markers.  The base is an A2 pre-cut card that comes with an envelope (The same size used for all cards here).  With some fussy cutting, this card came out awesome.

ADVENTUROUS BIRTHDAY CARD

ADVENTUROUS BIRTHDAY CARD INSIDE

ADVENTUROUS BIRTHDAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE

For my second card,  I used rubber cling stamps from 2 coordinating sets of Stampers Anonymous namely Bird Crazy and Crazy Things sets.  I also colored it using my Touch Five markers and  incorporated some scrap DP's to create the banner.  Sentiment is by Printworks. 

 AGE UNLISTED BIRD CARD

 AGE UNLISTED BIRD CARD INSIDE

AGE UNLISTED BIRD CARD WITH ENVELOPE

For my third card, I used an image from Hampton Art Footlongs (retired) Clear Stamps and colored it using my Touch Five markers.  I incorporated some inking to the clouds using Tumbled Glass Distress Ink and some Liquid Pearls (White Opal) for added dimension.  I added some googly eyes and glitters (Stickles-Crystal) to complete this design. 

MAKE A WISH BIRTHDAY CARD

MAKE A WISH BIRTHDAY CARD INSIDE

MAKE A WISH BIRTHDAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE

For my fourth and final card for this post, I used an image and sentiment from Stampendous Clear Stamps featuring my favorite Changito monkey and colored it using my Touch Five markers.  I also used a couple of stencils from Hero Arts to create the clouds and the stars by inking them with Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass and Hickory Smoke).  Pretty out of this world, huh!

 YOU ROCKET CHANGITO BIRTHDAY CARD

 YOU ROCKET CHANGITO BIRTHDAY CARD INSIDE

 YOU ROCKET CHANGITO BIRTHDAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card/s is/are entered into the following Challenges:

AAA---Shiny Spring
Addicted to Stamps---Stamped Image and Sentiment
Dragonfly Dreams---ATG
Fashionable Stamping---Mode of Transport
Heartful Stamping---ATG with a Stamp
International Art and Soul---Distressing
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Crafty Friends---B is for ___ (Boy/Birthday)
Scrapper's Delights---ATG
Colour Crazy---ATG
Crafting with Friends---ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG
Jo's Scrap Shack---ATG
Just Add Ink---Add Critters
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Pattie's Creations---Anything with Wings
PDE Linky Party---Spring
QKR Stampede---ATG/Up Up and Away
Simply Papercraft---ATG


This it all for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge.  You can take on the Optional Twist (Spring) or just do what you do best. There's really no reason for you to miss it.  Can't wait to see what you create.  Have a blessed and wonderful day, everyone!