Fun and Humor Series: Young at Heart Birthday Card---Join Us for September Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello there, folks!  How was your Labor Day weekend?  Mine was crazy busy, the reason why this post is so delayed.  Anyway, we started another monthly challenge for y'all last Sunday and we truly hope you will join in the fun at 613 Avenue Create.  As always, it's Anything Goes but if you want to challenge yourself, try our optional twist---to use Distress Inks.

Anyway, you must have heard in the news about "gas shortage" and how the people panicked and are still panicking which creates higher gas prices in the local and national level.  I am convinced that there's oil companies that are feeding to this panic and are aided by the fake news media to instill fear on the easily manipulated general public.  Hurricane Harvey left a trail of devastation in several Texas cities and those in other states.  No doubt that some oil refineries had to shut down for several days due to equipment/infrastructure repair and road closures.  According to an article in USA today, "Although the U.S. had some 230 million barrels of gasoline in storage as of Friday (September 1, 2017) —ample supply in a crisis — transporting fuel from storage terminals to stations has been extremely challenging."  If people who really needed gas are the only ones fueling the past few days, we will not see the rise in gasoline prices and prevented big oil companies from taking advantage by increasing their profits with our hard-earned money.  I survived several days of the gas madness with a little under three quarters of a tank before it began.  It was only two days ago when I refueled after passing by a gas station on my way home with no line and no waiting.  While many are still looking for gas everywhere and have to go through miles to find one just to wait for hours, I got through with under 5 minutes without stress and time wasted.  That's how I know God provides! 

No doubt greed has penetrated our society.  Greed  is simply defined as "intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food."  To find out what the Bible says about greed,  read HERE.  Although we see a lot of kindness, heroism and brotherly love from those who are giving their money, time and resources for people affected by the hurricane destruction, there's but many others whose sole focus is just their own welfare.  I remember telling my son typical examples of greediness.  Many of those examples happened during group parties we attended.  One was during a Potluck Get-Together where we all brought something to share.  Some prepared a lot, some a little and some just enough for the expected number of participants.  I  told my boy to be mindful of others as he filled up his plate so that everyone could have a taste of everything and also to get only what he could finish.  But what saddened me was seeing other kids, along with their parents lined up before us allowing their kids to fill up their plates with no obvious care for others.  To make matters worst, they left so much on their plates that if only they were not greedy, others could have enjoyed. This should not be the case!  A responsible parent who believes God need to train their children against greediness/selfishness.  You see, the people of the world (unbelievers) are expected to act this way---as they are selfish with no regard for God!  But those who professed to trust in the Lord should not act greedily no matter what life brings. Calamities and natural disasters bring fear and uncertainties to this earthy life. But those whose trust is in the Lord are also aware whose really in control. A lethal combination of fear and greed can influence our minds to act foolishly but if we submit everything to the Lord before acting upon it, the Holy Spirit inside of us will filter this toxic behavior and bring it under submission to Jesus Christ and His Word.  Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, "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." My Life Application Bible explains these verses to us and I want to share with you.  It says, "Imagine never being anxious about anything!"  It seems like an impossibility---we all have worries in the job, in our homes, at school.  But Paul's advice is to turn our worries into prayers.  Do you want to worry less?  Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray.  God's peace is different from the world's peace (see John 14:27).  True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings.  It comes from knowing that GOD IS IN CONTROL! Our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin.  Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety."

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions Stamps called "His and Hers Campers" that I colored using my Touch Five/Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white, A2, pre-cut CS that comes with an envelope.  I die cut the image with the circle Nestabilities die and cut the sides to match the corner of my card panel.  The banner stamp is from Ms. Sparkle and Company (Happy Birthday Set) that I inked with Ranger Distress Inks.  The funny sentiment came with the image featured here.  I made this for one of my friends in my Church.  Simply funny!

 YOUNG AT HEART CARD

 YOUNG AT HEART CARD INSIDE

YOUNG AT HEART CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Create with TLC---ATG
Artistic Stamper---Take a Little Color
Classic DT---ATG
Connie Can Crop---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Crafty Girls Creations---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG
Create and Inspire---ATG
Createful Heart---ATG
Creative Ladybirds---ATG
Die-Cut Divas---Men/Boys
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Warm Colors
DL Art---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Paradise of Stamps---Your Favorite Things
Sweet Stampers---CAS
YSBP---ATG
Art Impressions---Off Kilter
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Jo's Scrap Shack---ATG
Crafting with Friends---ATG
Brown Sugar---ATG
Sparkles---Birthday

This is 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 (like I was), take on the Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss the fun.  Can't wait to see what you create. Have a blessed week!