Scripture Series: Praise Ye the Lord Christmas Card---Join us for our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends! As always, we have a brand new bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  This is our last Challenge for 2017 and we invite you all to join the fun of crafting as we bade goodbye to this wonderful year while welcoming 2018.  I know the Lord has a lot in store for all His beloved children (Born-again, John 3:3) and we're looking forward to the new year filled with miracles, signs and wonders.  As God's prophetic plan continue to unfold so rapidly these days, let us be eager to bring the good news of salvation to everyone.  Let us never tire in sharing what the birth of Jesus means to mankind and what His finished work at the Cross accomplished for everyone who would believe.  Let us always be reminded that we are God's ambassadors to this dying world.  God entrusted us His Truth.   If we don't open our mouths and tell everyone who they are and what they have in Jesus Christ, many will be lost for eternity.  Would you like your friends, family and people you love and care about suffer the wrath of God forever?  I hope not!  The Word of God is Truth and there's no other way around it.  Let us proclaim the Truth about Jesus Christ while there is time.  You can begin by sharing the true meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ and why He's called the "Messiah" this blessed season.  A Glorious and Merry Christmas, everyone!

Our Scripture Word Art for this Challenge comes from Psalm 117 which says, "O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord."  I would like to share what my Life Application Bible shared about this chapter.  It says, "Not only is Psalm 117 the shortest chapter in the Bible, it is also the middle chapter.  Paul quotes from this psalm in Romans 15:11 to show God's salvation is for all people, not just the Jews.  Have you ever said, "I can't think of anything God has done for me.  How can I praise Him?  This psalm gives two reasons for praising God:  His great love toward us, and His faithfulness that endures forever.  If He did nothing else for us, He would still be worthy of our highest praise." Wow, what an amazing God we serve!  As always, you can download this Scripture Word Art at our WAW site and use it for your future projects.  For this Card I used an image from Sassy Cheryl Stamps  called "Lucy Lou Shining Star" that I colored using my Touch Five and Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP is from American Crafts as well as the stamped sentiment inside the card.  I added some brads from Recollections and glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  Lastly, I ran it through my sewing machine for some fancy stitching. 

 PRAISE YE THE LORD CHRISTMAS CARD

 PRAISE YE THE LORD CHRISTMAS CARD LAYERS

 PRAISE YE THE LORD CHRISTMAS CARD INSIDE

PRAISE YE THE LORD CHRISTMAS CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Eclectic Ellapu---Christmas.ATG Festive


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 Challenge.  Wonderful prizes to be won from our great sponsors---Frantic Stamper (Die Set) and Imagine That (3 Digis).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the joy of the Lord overtake you today while being sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  Pray and keep on praying.  The Lord is going to do great and mighty things to our nation. 

Scripture Series: This Shall Be a Sign Christmas Card---It's Word Art Wednesday Challenge Time!

Hi there, Crafty peeps! It's time for another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Today's Scripture Word Art comes from Luke 2:12 which says, "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  I am featuring my card with this verse along with all the DT members at WAW.  Download this free Scripture Word Art and use it for your projects (not mandatory) and link  them to our Challenge.

Anyway, our highlighted verse was spoken by an angel of the Lord to the shepherds in the field living near Bethlehem where Jesus was born.  Though terrified at first, the shepherds rejoiced upon hearing that a Savior of all has been born.  They were joined by a crowd of heavenly host giving glory and praise unto God.  I would like to share the exhortation surrounding this verse from my Life Application Bible and it says: "The greatest event in history just happened!  The Messiah had been born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds.  The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary.  He comes to everyone with a heart humble enough to accept Him.  Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Don't think you need extraordinary  qualifications---he accepts you as you are.  Some of the Jews were waiting for a Savior to deliver them from Roman rule; others hoped the Christ (Messiah) would deliver them from their physical ailments.  But Jesus, while healing their illnesses and establishing a spiritual kingdom, delivered them from sin.  His work is far-reaching than anyone could imagine.  Christ paid the price for sin and opened the way to peace with God.  He offers us more than temporary political or physical changes---He offers us new hearts that will last for eternity."

Aren't you glad that we serve a God whose willing to leave the comforts of heaven and live among us?  Not only that, He would die on our behalf to free us from the bondage of Sin and Death and restore us to our condition before the Fall of Man.  The shepherds didn't have the fullness of this revelation which many of us in this generation now know.  I am extremely grateful that the Spirit of God led me to the knowledge of Jesus Christ---deeply understanding the significance and meaning of His birth and the Gospel (His death, burial and resurrection) to my life today and the eternal future.  However, I can't help but ask why God chose the shepherds to be bearers of this awesome news of Christ' birth?  Why not kings, leaders or the rich and powerful men of that time? You see, simple individuals live simple lives and less worldly baggage.  Most people (rich, powerful and driven with ambition) have to devote all their effort, time and resources in pursuit of worldly happiness.  Their minds are preoccupied with advancing their influence that they don't find time for anything else.  As a result, they become deaf and blind to the things of God. They become idolaters---lovers of themselves more than God.  They thought they achieved everything on their own and are in control of their destinies. But here's the Truth, unless you know Christ and place Him first in everything you say and do, everything this world offers can devour you.  Satan tried to tempt Jesus with riches and power in exchange for His worship.  Luke 4:5-8 tells us, "The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.^" Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Now, I am not saying you need to be poor (materially) in order to hear from God, not at all!  In fact, there are many people out there blaming and cursing God for being poor and refuse to thank God for daily blessings provided for them.  The point is, it's not your material richness or poorness that matters to God.  It is your receptiveness and humility to acknowledge Him as the Source of everything you have and everything you are."  The shepherds, upon hearing of the great news of Messiah's birth, ran to see the baby Jesus and they immediately spread the word, "Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior."  They discovered something so wonderful that they made it their priority to share it with friends.  And all who heard their story were amazed. (Luke 2:15-18). I pray that we follow the great example the shepherds showed us pertaining to the life changing Truth brought about by the birth of Jesus Christ.  Lets make it our priority always.

For this Card, I used a clear stamp image from Art Impressions that I bought from Michael's and colored it with my Touch Five markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from DCWV, the brad from Recollections, the flowers that I layered are from Prima and the glitters are from Stickles.  I used a border punch from MS punch to create the shape om both sides of the card, a Corner Chomper from We R Memory Keepers and Fiskars punch for the leaves.   Finally, I ran the panels through my sewing machine to create some fancy stitched border all over this creation.

 THIS SHALL BE A SIGN CHRISTMAS CARD

THIS SHALL BE A SIGN CHRISTMAS CARD LAYERS

 THIS SHALL BE A SIGN CHRISTMAS CARD INSIDE

THIS SHALL BE A SIGN CHRISTMAS CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered  into the following Challenges:

a2z Scrapbooking---Make It Pop
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Artistic Stampers---Christmas
Card Mania---Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year Round---Christmas
Classic DT---ATG
Connie Can Crop---I'm so Fancy
Country View---Christmas
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crafty Girlz---ATG/Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's---ATG Christmas
Crea Chicky---Christmas
Creatalicious---ATG/Flourishes
Createful Heart---Christmas
CCC---Spots and/or Stripes
Creative Ladybirds---ATG
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Holidays
DL Art---ATG/Christmas
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG Christmas
Love to Craft---ATG
One Crazy Stamper---ATG Winter/Christmas
Paper Creator---Christmas/New Year
Papercraft Business---ATG/Christmas
Paradise Stamps---ATG
Paru's Cardmaking---Christmas
YSP---ATG

Time to go, everyone!  Please make sure to visit us at WAW and link up the projects you make out of our free Word Art although not mandatory.  You can link up any inspiring, uplifting, family-friendly projects, up to 5.  Our wonderful sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamps ($25 GC). So, head over to WAW and show us your wonderful projects.  Enjoy your week.  Always remember that God loves you and wants you to share the meaning of His birth to everyone who chooses to listen.

All About Jesus Christmas Card---Join our December Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hi everyone,  It's that time of the year again.  December is my fave month in our calendar but it always seem to pass by quickly.  So before this month is gone, I wanted to make a Christmas card.  It's funny that I have several Christmas images  in my collection but haven't made anything with them for years.  My hubby said, I'm really good at collecting stuff but don't have the time to use them...LOL.  I know many of you can identify with me.

Anyway, I must confess how I struggle often in creating Christmas cards because I don't want to create something solely based on people's traditions.  More than anything, I like to highlight the true essence of the Christmas season---that is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Throughout the years, commercialization is trying to systematically take Jesus out of what is supposed to be a celebration of His birth,  replacing Him with anything and everything money can buy.  Political correctness have tried to silence people from even greeting each other "Merry Christmas."  I don't know about you but I still feel weird when someone greets me, "Happy Holidays" or  Season's Greetings" among others as they really makes no sense.  Honestly, if I'm not familiar with Christmas holiday, it would make me wonder, "What season, what holiday are you talking about?"  Many of our celebrated holidays in this country (if not all), mentions the holiday being celebrated.  Common examples are Thanksgiving Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, New Year's Day among others.  But why is it different  when it comes to the birth of Jesus Christ?   What in the word "Christmas" is so offensive to the political radicals in our time?  Well, obviously it's CHRIST!  There's something about Jesus and the hope His birth brought to this world that threatens this rebellious generation.  Curiously, they don't react the same way to every celebrations that promotes gods of other religions.  In fact, they don't really care if you make the sun, the moon and the stars, a tree your god as long as it's not Jesus Christ.  What's behind all these hostility against Jesus?  Here is Truth...The Scripture tells us in Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Jesus took the sins of all mankind when He wrapped Himself in flesh (Incarnation) and nailed it all down at the Cross so that everyone who believed in Him is set free from the curse of sin and have eternal life.  Philippians 2:9-11 tells us, "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." My friends, there is Power in the name of Jesus!  This is the kind of Truth Satan and his minions would not want you to ever discover.  The  power of God that lives inside every believer, the Holy Spirit, gives us everything we need to overcome this world in Christ Jesus and guarantees us of our eternal life with our Savior.  So, next time we think about Christmas, think about what the birth of Jesus Christ means to mankind and to you as a person.  Everyone that takes Christ out of Christmas has one goal---to rob you of the Truth on what Jesus did for you.  Christmas decorations, family gatherings and gift giving along with other traditions maybe nice and heartfelt, but none of them compare to the eternal gift the birth of Christ brings. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  Tell your children, and your children's children about this Truth as you gather together this blessed season. 

For this Card, I used a clear stamp image from Art Impressions.  It's a set (no name given) that I bought at Michael's recently and could be exclusive there as I didn't see it in the AI website yet.  I did some watercoloring and tried to keep it simple in order to give emphasis on the sentiment that I composed/created to go with this image.  I wanted to emphasize the true meaning of this season more than what commercialization made them to be.  I also used an A7 Kraft card for the base, added some Stickles (Crystal) glitters and went crazy adding some Liquid Pearls (White Opal).  Finally, I incorporated some fancy stitching that completed this simple design. 

 ALL ABOUT JESUS CHRISTMAS CARD

 ALL ABOUT JESUS CHRISTMAS CARD LAYERS

 ALL ABOUT JESUS CHRISTMAS CARD INSIDE

ALL ABOUT JESUS CHRISTMAS CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

a2z Scrapbooking---Make It Pop
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Artistic Stampers---Christmas
Card Mania---Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year Round---Christmas
Classic DT---ATG
Connie Can Crop---I'm so Fancy
Country View---Christmas
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crafty Girlz---ATG/Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's---ATG Christmas
Crea Chicky---Christmas
Creatalicious---ATG/Flourishes
Createful Heart---Christmas
CCC---Spots and/or Stripes
Creative Ladybirds---ATG
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Holidays
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
One Crazy Stamper---ATG Winter/Christmas
Paper Creator---Christmas/New Year
Papercraft Business---ATG/Christmas
Paradise Stamps---ATG
Paru's Cardmaking---Christmas
Pearly Sparkles---Merry Christmas
YSP---ATG

There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge with an optional Twist (Christmas or Winter) at 613 Avenue Create.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight.  I hope you have a wonderful week filled with the divine inspiration of God's Word and be able to share the Hope you have in you to bring light to the dark places in your sphere of influence.  Would love to hear your comments too.   Hugs, always!