Scripture Series: As the Hart Panteth Window Slider Card---Join Us for Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Wow, a couple of weeks passed, just like that!  Now, I am back to highlight another Scripture Word Art (free to download) featured in our Word Art Wednesday (WAW) Challenge site.  It comes from Psalm 42:1 which says, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” My Life Application Bible explains it wonderfully this way:  "As the life of a deer depends upon water, so our lives depend upon God.  Those who seek Him and long to understand Him  find never ending life."

Come to think of it, almost everything on earth need water to live/survive.  We don't need to go further than our own  (human beings) need for water.  It's no coincidence that we can survive longer without food but not so much without water.  Our body craves it and we can attest to that need especially on many summer days out in the sun or many hours of physical exertion.  But hear me on this---as much as our physical bodies need physical water, so thus our spirits.  Man's spiritual component needs the Living Water whose Source is Jesus Christ.  Gotquestions.org had a very interesting article on what Jesus meant when He spoke about the Living Water.  Here's what is says:

Jesus uses the phrase “living water” in two instances in the Bible. The first instance is found in John chapter 4. Jesus was tired and sat at a well while His disciples went into town to buy food. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus asked her for a drink. The Samaritan woman was quite shocked because Jesus was a Jew, and Jews simply hated the Samaritans. Of course, she had no idea who Jesus was and asked Him how He could ask her for water since He was a Jew. (To find out the conflict between Jews and Samaritans, go HERE).

Jesus ignored the question and went right to the point, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10). Notice that He does not say that He is the living water, but that He would give living water to her, and when she received it, she would never thirst again. Of course, that does not tell us what the living water is! For that, we must go to another passage of Scripture. In this case, Jesus is in the temple surrounded by a throng of worshippers. He suddenly cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37–39, emphasis added).  

Here Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the living water. External influence of the Spirit had always been given in the conversion and sanctification of the Old Testament saints and prophets, but the gift of the Spirit who would indwell believers had not yet been received (Acts 10:44–45). So, though many people say that Jesus is the living water, Jesus Himself intended the phrase to mean the Holy Spirit who dwells in believers and seals them for salvation (Ephesians 1:13–14). It is the ministry of the Spirit, flowing out of a heart redeemed by God, that blesses believers and, through them, brings life and light to the world."

As much as we need the physical water for our bodies, humanity needs the Living Water (Holy Spirit) for our spiritual wellness.  As a believer (Born-again, John 3:3) in Christ, the Holy Spirit now lives inside of me.  He quenches every thirst---satisfying me today and forever.   Before I came to know Christ, I thought I would be satisfied by making something good of myself.  And yet the more I go after the desires of this world, the void in my heart kept increasing.  It was a hunger and a thirst for something more than this world could offer.  Isn't it curious that many people who have achieved great things in this life (wealth, fame, power etc.) whom we considered iconic took their own lives in the height of their careers?  It is obvious that joy, peace and righteousness which is ultimately and greatly  desired by many does not come from this world but from the throne of Almighty God.  Jesus invited people to drink from the wells of salvation 2,000 years ago and He is still calling on everyone today.  The Living Water is available for free to anyone who truly seek, believe and desires to know Jesus Christ.  Anyone who humbles himself before the Lord will not be turned away. No amount of money or worldly possession can equal its benefits in satisfying our thirst forever.  So my question is, how thirsty are you?   Isaiah 41:17-18 says, "“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs."

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions Try' Folds called "Lake House"  and watercolored it using Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 4.5 x 6 inches card (up to 7 inches with the fish tail banners).  The DP's are from My Mind's Eye and Recollections.  Other sentiments stamped inside are from Printworks.  I also used some washi tape for the fish tail and stapled it to the inside panel. Lastly, I added some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) and ran it through my sewing machine for some stitching. I saw a video on YouTube on how to make this long time ago but didn't get a chance to try it.  I'm so glad I stumbled upon it yesterday so, if you're interested, here's a VIDEO instruction on how to make this fabulous card fold.  I just customized my card to the size I wanted it to be.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

 AS THE HART PANTETH WINDOW SLIDER CARD

 AS THE HART PANTETH WINDOW SLIDER CARD LAYERS

 AS THE HART PANTETH WINDOW SLIDER CARD MESSAGE SPACE

 AS THE HART PANTETH WINDOW SLIDER CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Color Throwdown---Color Inspiration 
Crafty Creations---ATG 
Crafty Gals---2 or More Designer Papers
Creative Moments---ATG  
House Stamps Built---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG 
Simon Says Stamp---Furry Friends 
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Die-Cuts
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
Crafty Sentiments---ATG 
Deep Ocean---Our Furry/Feathered Friends 
Digi Choosday---ATG 
Lemon Shortbread---ATG 
Retarte---ATG
Stinkin Inkers---It's Spring
TTCRD---ATG
Tuesday Throwdown---ATG 
Always Fun---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG 
Colouring in Scrapland---ATG
Color Inspiration Monday---Colored Image
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
PIP---ATG
Simon Says Monday---Critters
Paper Nest Dolls---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.  Wonderful prize to be won from our sponsor---Simon Says Stamp ($25 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, meditate on the goodness of the Lord and rely on His promises. He is always good!

Scripture Series: I Will Not Leave Thee Card---It's Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello everyone!  I'm so sorry for the delayed posting of this project I made for Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  There's so much to do yesterday that I didn't get a chance to finish/publish this post.  Anyway, we just started another Challenge at WAW and as always, it's Anything Goes as long as it's inspirational and family friendly.  Our free Scripture Word Art (you can download at the WAW site) for this Challenge comes from Genesis 28:15 which tells us, "And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of."

This wonderful verse of promise was given to Jacob by Almighty God in his dream.  If we don't know the story of Jacob---how he deceived his brother (Esau) for his birthright, likewise his own father (Isaac) was tricked into blessing him (took advantage of his weak eyesight due to old age) after he thought he was Esau.  Jacob did some terrible things, for sure.  But God had a plan for him (like God has a plan for each and everyone of His children)  from before the foundations of the earth.  Ephesians 1:4-5 says, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."  Let's admit it, many of us are so quick to judge people. We set up a checklist when it comes to whom we allow to influence and lead us.  I don't see anything wrong with being wise and cautious as many are truly out there to deceive and harm us if we are not careful.  My point is that while being observant, we need to also be sensitive to the voice and the move of the Holy Spirit.  I remember just several months ago,  I struggled to make a choice between two undesirable Presidential candidates.  Not one of them came close to my spiritual checklist and I prayed and asked the Lord for direction.  Though one may not be as worst as the other, I didn't have the confidence to allow this candidate to lead me, my family, my country and the world.  As I waited upon the Lord, God showed me little things here and there that finally convinced me to support our now current President, Donald Trump.  Sure, he didn't fit my (spiritual) checklist as a person but many of his plans, decisions and actions turned out to be closest to upholding life, safety for Americans, stopping lawlessness and globalization (One World Government) and he demonstrated respect for God and country.  I remember a good friend at the Church told me that if God can use a donkey to talk sense to the prophet Balaam, He can definitely use anyone (including an unbeliever) to carry out His purpose here on earth (Numbers 22:27-29).   I would like to share with you a summary of the life of Jacob that I got from my Life Application Bible as it will open us up to God's greater plan for us and His faithfulness to keep His promises despite our imperfections and setbacks.  Hope you'd be blessed...

"Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are among the significant people in the Old Testament.  It is important to realize that this significance is not based upon their personal characters, but upon the character of God.  They were all men who earned the grudging respect and even fear of their peers, they were wealthy and powerful, and yet each was capable of lying, deceit and selfishness.  They were not the perfect heroes we might have expected; instead they were just like us, trying to please God, but often falling short.

Jacob was the third link in God's plan to start a nation from Abraham.  The success of that plan was more often in spite of than because of Jacob's life.  Before Jacob was born, God promised that His plan would be worked out through Jacob and not his twin brother, Esau.  Although Jacob's methods were not always respectable, his skill, determination, and patience have to be admired.  As we follow him from birth to death, we are able to see God's work.

Jacob's life had four stages, each marked by a personal encounter with God.  In the first stage, Jacob lived up to his name, which means "he grasps the heel" (figuratively, "he deceives"). He grabbed Esau's heel at birth, and by the time he fled from home, he had also grabbed his brother's  birthright and blessing.  During his flight, God first appeared to him.  Not only did God confirm to Jacob his blessing, but he awakened in Jacob a personal knowledge of himself.  In the second stage, Jacob experienced life from the other side, being manipulated and deceived by Laban.  But there is a curious change: the Jacob of stage one would simply have left Laban, whereas the Jacob of stage two, after deciding to leave, waited six years for God's permission.  In the third stage, Jacob was in a new role as grabber.  This time, by the Jordan River,  he grabbed on to God and wouldn't let go.  He realized his dependence on the God who had continued to bless him.  His relationship to God became essential to his life, and his name was changed to Israel, "he struggles with God."  Jacob's last stage of life was to be grabbed---God achieved a firm hold on him.  In responding to Joseph's invitation to come to Egypt, Jacob was clearly unwilling to make a move without God's approval.  

Can you think of times when God has made Himself known to you? Do you allow yourself to meet Him as you study His Word?  What difference have these experiences made in your life?  Are you more like the young Jacob, forcing God to track you down in the desert of your own plans and mistakes?  Or are you more like the Jacob who placed his desires and plans before God for His approval before taking an action?"---God has  wonderful plans for us and though in our stubbornness we get distracted along the way,  He is faithful to lead us to the right path when we yield.  Sharing the following verses to you:

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (Ephesians 2:10)

"Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.  Many are the plans in a person’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."  (Proverbs 19:20-21)

"And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:27-28)

For this Card, I used an image from our sponsor, Bugaboo Digital Stamps, called "Attitude Car" and colored it with my Touch Five markers.  The base is an A7 size pre-cut card, The DP's from Paper Studio, the clouds are cut out from a DP from Heidi Grace.  I used a couple of border stamps, one from Fiskars and the other from Cloud 9.  The white gems are from Imaginisce and the glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  I also added some Liquid Pearls (Key Lime) at the center of the flowers in the car.  And finally, some fancy and regular stitching courtesy of my sewing machine.

 I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE CARD

 I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE CARD SIDE VIEW

I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE CARD LAYERS

I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE CARD INSIDE

I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Perfect Time to Craft---ATG 
Aussie Digital---ATG
Classic DT---ATG 
Color Sisters---Color Palette 
Crafts and Me---ATG 
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG 
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG 
Craftyhazelnut's---Designer Paper 
Create and Inspire---ATG/Stencil
Creative Ladybirds---ATG 
Daisy Chain---ATG
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---Make Your Own Background 
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG 
Mix It Up---ATG/Embossing
Your Scrapbook Place---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.  You can win wonderful goodies from our awesome sponsors this week---The Kraft Outlet ($15 GC), Stix 2 Anything (Goodie Bag) and Bugaboo Digi Stamps (Digi Images).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you as you find true beauty in yourself and others through the eyes of our Maker.

Scripture Series: Crochet Baby Lovey Blanket with Matching Sandals in a Box---Join the Fun at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello there, everyone!  It's the first Sunday of this month and as always, we are bringing to you another monthly Anything Goes Challenge from our neighborhood,  613 Avenue Create!  You can create anything but if you want to take the optional twist, it's all about "Creating a Container,"

Before I continue on my project, I want to share something that God has placed upon my heart that I learned in my Bible class the past few weeks.  As we go through life and make choices that either leads to triumph, defeat or more battles, we have to know the POSITION (the Truth) we stand on.  Many in this world think of position as one's status in the society (wealth, fame, power, influence, appearance among others).  We can all agree that these days, one or more of these things may get you some pleasure, comfort and opportunities that is why many spend their lifetime going after them.  But no, that is not the  kind of POSITION I am talking about.  In John 14:5-6, we see Thomas asking Jesus a very important question, "“Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me." Anyone who would like to navigate this life in the right direction (God's purpose) under God's principles (reality in God's perspective) to experience a life without end in the presence of our Father Almighty need only to focus on these two things---"Who Jesus Is" and "What Jesus has done." I found an article at gotquestions.org that provides clarity on these two and how important it is for us to fully understand "Who we are in Christ."  Here's what is says:

WHO JESUS IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE?
  "So, who did Jesus claim to be? Who does the Bible say He is? First, let's look at Jesus’ words in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” At first glance, this might not seem to be a claim to be God. However, look at the Jews’ reaction to His statement, “‘We are not stoning you for any of these,’ replied the Jews, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God’” (John 10:33). The Jews understood Jesus’ statement as a claim to be God. In the following verses, Jesus never corrects the Jews by saying, “I did not claim to be God.” That indicates Jesus was truly saying He was God by declaring, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). John 8:58 is another example: “‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’” Again, in response, the Jews took up stones in an attempt to stone Jesus (John 8:59). Jesus’ announcing His identity as “I am” is a direct application of the Old Testament name for God (Exodus 3:14). Why would the Jews again want to stone Jesus if He had not said something they believed to be blasphemous, namely, a claim to be God? 

John 1:1 says “the Word was God.” John 1:14 says “the Word became flesh.” This clearly indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh. Thomas the disciple declared to Jesus, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus does not correct him. The apostle Paul describes Him as, “…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). The apostle Peter says the same, “…our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). God the Father is witness of Jesus’ full identity as well, “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.’” Old Testament prophecies of Christ announce His deity, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Why is the question over Jesus’ true identity so important? Why does it matter whether or not Jesus is God? The most important reason that Jesus has to be God is that if He is not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Only God could pay such an infinite penalty (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus had to be God so that He could pay our debt. Jesus had to be man so He could die. Salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ deity is why He is the only way of salvation. Jesus’ deity is why He proclaimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

When we repented of our sins (humbled ourselves) and accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (Born-again, John 3:3), we became one with Christ!  Simply put, "In Him we live and move and have our beings (Acts 17:28).  Our identity is in Him.  Everything that happened to Him happens to us.  Just like we were in Adam just by being born into this world, so those that come to Christ dies from being in Adam and by faith (in what Jesus did at the Cross) are Born-again in Christ (New Creature/Creation in Christ).  His victory at the Cross has won us not just our freedom from the bondage of Satan and the Sin Nature. More importantly,  the Father bestowed upon us His RIGHTEOUSNESS (right standing with God).  His finished work at the Cross  POSITIONED  and EQUIPPED us to rule and reign with Him not only in this lifetime but for all eternity.   In line with this Truth, our PRESENT CONDITION (Trials, problems, defeat, lack etc.) should always be dealt with by our POSITION IN CHRIST (Who we are in Christ).  You see, when this Truth sank deep into my heart, I knew I cannot live the same way... "I am a daughter of the Most High God! In Jesus Lordship, I trust. In Him I possess all the powers and authority necessary to trample and destroy all the works and plans of the enemy , to proclaim the Gospel, to give sight to the blind and set the captives free.  I am set to rule in His eternal kingdom and live forever in His presence. So no matter how bad it looks in my present condition, the Christ in me reminds me of what I possess in Christ!  Got problems?  THINK POSITION!

For the Gift Box, I used Kraft as the base to make a box measuring 8 inches square  and 2 inches thick.  I layered it with some DP's from my stash and made a  band to secure it close.  I generated the Scripture using my computer and attached the image (Inkadinkado) as well as some washi tape (Recollections) to the band.

For the Crochet lovey, I followed a pattern in the book "Animal Blanket Lovies" from Leisure Arts and the Greek style sandals is a pattern from the "Super Cute Crochet for Little Feet."  A friend at Church decided to purchase this for her newborn grand kid after she saw the pics of what I made.  Below (last pic) is the picture of the actual pic of the baby (recipient) enjoying it.   I'm so thrilled it fits perfectly. 

 CROCHET LOVEY BLANKET WITH MATCHING SANDALS

 CROCHET LOVEY BLANKET (PUPPY)

CROCHET  BABY GRECIAN SANDALS

 BABY SHOWER GIFT BOX

 BABY SHOWER GIFT BOX CONTENTS

PERFECT GIFT (WELL APPRECIATED BY THE RECIPIENT)

This Gift Box is entered into the following Challenges:

2 Crafty Critter---Feature Creature 
Perfect Time to Craft---ATG 
Aussie Digital---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts and Me---ATG  
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Animals---ATG 
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Designer Paper 
Creative Ladybirds---ATG 
Daisy Chain---ATG
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---Make Your Own Background 
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Mix It Up---ATG/Embossing 
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.  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.  Remember to dedicate every plans to Him and to faithfully give Him all the glory!