THE BLESSINGS OF CREATIVITY...

I thank the LORD JESUS for each day that is given me to create wonderful projects...As always, I give Him all the glory.


Monday, May 11, 2020

Scripture Series: Thy Mother Shall Be Glad Card---Join us in our Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi Crafty peeps!  So sorry for the  late posting.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, EVERYONE!  As always. we have an Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge that started a few days ago at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring a great Scripture Word Art (you can download for free at the WAW site).  Our highlighted verse is an encouragement to all mothers out there.  It comes from Proverbs 23:25 which says, "Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice."

God purposely placed us under the care of our parents in order to guide us to the right path.  Our parents also experienced childhood and the things they learned along the way became the basis on how they train their kids when they go through similar circumstances.  But we know that parenting is not as easy especially when we find ourselves in situations we haven't even encountered in life.  We may have wonderful parents but turn out rebellious in our ways.  Or we may have grown in a dysfunctional and abusive family that twisted and perverted our minds to the truth which impacted our lives in the worst way.  That kind of upbringing will be detrimental when passed on to our children.  And what if  we don't grow up in the ways of God or had never been exposed to the knowledge and fear of the Lord?  We are aware of many stories of children brought up in a Godly household but end up going their own ways, mocking and despising God with their words and actions.  But we also heard of the stories of those who came to Jesus, after they exposed themselves to destruction, and found new hope in the Lord.  They are the ones that opened their hearts to Jesus Christ and under the loving guidance of their parents or even other people (who took them under their care) made a complete turn to a Godly, productive and meaningful way of life.

As I am writing this post, God emphasized to me five words when it comes to parenting. These are acceptance, repentance, discipline, patience and love.  Whether we grew up from a Godly or dysfunctional family, we need to accept that our upbringing has profound effect on our choices and the direction of our lives  that can easily be passed on to our children.  Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." God wants us to bring up our children in accordance to His Word.  But even when we brought up our kids using Godly principles, they still have a mind of their own that they have to contend with.  They too have to decide between right from wrong and harvest the fruit of their choices. We are to identify our wrong doings based on the Word of God and repent from them.  Repentance is when we look back at the mistakes we made and confess them to the Lord Jesus.  The most common perversion today is believing that God loves you so much that He's okay with whatever you want to do with your life.  Yes, Jesus defied the status quo of His time by hanging out with the "sinners" but by no means approved of their Sin (Sin Nature and all its by-products).  Instead, He forgave them (after they acknowledge their transgressions) and told them to SIN NO MORE. That meant a 180 degrees turn from their old way of life.  Jesus paid all of mankind's Sin at the Cross of Calvary but in order for us to benefit from what He accomplished on our behalf, we have to put our complete faith (trust) in Him.  When we do that, we are acknowledging that we are in Him when He went to the Cross and died. We are in Him when He was buried and also in Him when He resurrected---defeating Sin and Death forever.  We acknowledge that where Jesus is right now (in the right side of the Father), that's where we are also!  Hebrews 11:6 tells us, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Now,  just because we are redeemed, it does not mean we are free from the challenges of life.  In fact, the biggest challenges of my life came after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior (Born again, John 3:3). This time, I had to go through God's spiritual discipline (with the help of the Holy Spirit) in order to overcome what my body (five senses) and soul (mind, will and emotions) had known all my life that made me God's enemy.  Although my spirit (communion, conscience, intuition) was brought to life by my faith in Christ, my body and my soul needed to be renewed.  Romans 12:1-2 clearly tells us, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  When we encounter all sorts of trials (pressures), acknowledge that God is always with us (inside of us) to see us through even when we don't see or feel Him working at times.  Whatever the outcome, God always have our best interest.  Trials are like weights that we need to conquer in order to develop our spiritual muscles.  Hebrews 12:2-10 says, "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness."  This same scripture also expressed to us what patience meant when it said "endure hardship."  Patience is simply defined as, "the quality of waiting calmly without complaining."  Maybe we are not seeing the fruit of our labor and prayers in the life of our children.  I tell you that nothing saddens me more than seeing my boy wrapped up in the things of the world.  Sometimes, I felt like a broken record that no one listens to.  But Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." When we speak the Word of God to our children and to whomever God directs us to, Isaiah 55:10-11 says, “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.  It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."  And last but not the least, the over-all intent for all of the first four words is "love."  John 3:16 says, "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."  God loves us all---whether we are kids, parents or both!  God's kind of love is sacrificial, never ever selfish!  If we love our children, we would teach and lead them to seek God and His perfect ways.  And if we truly love our parents, we would love and respect the authority that God bestowed upon them to guide and light our way.  One day, the kids will become parents and the same cycle continues till the Lord calls us all home to His eternity.
 
For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Uptown Girl Bailey Has a Baby" that I colored using my Prismacolor/Hobby Colour markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I rounded the sides using my Crop-a-dile.  The DP is from American Crafts and the die-cut from Spellbinders (Wreath Set).  I included some nail head gems from Imaginisce, glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and ran it through my sewing machine for some fancy stitching.  I'm very happy with the result.


 THY MOTHER SHALL BE GLAD CARD


 THY MOTHER SHALL BE GLAD CARD LAYERS


 THY MOTHER SHALL BE GLAD CARD INSIDE




This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Artsystamper---Mum
Coloring in Scrapland---ATG/Splashes
Crafting Happiness---ATG/Nature
Get Creative---Make it Sparkly
Jan's Digi---ATG
Pammie's---ATG
Use Your Stuff---Flower and/or Butterflies (I chose flowers)
Colour Crazy---ATG
Creative Fusion----ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG
Pattie's---ATG
Simply Create Too---Use Flowers
Gem of a Craft---ATG
Allsorts---ATG
Crafter's Castle---ATG
Crafty Friends---Flowers
Angie's---ATG
Lil' Patch---ATG
Stamping Sensations---Say it with Flowers
Corrosive---ATG
A Perfect Time---ATG
Classic Design---ATG
Craft-Dee-BowZ---ATG
Craft Galore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG/Sparkle
HLS---ATG with Dies
LeAnns---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Mix It Up---ATG/Masking
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Papercraft Business---ATG
YSP---ATG


I hope you'd take the time to join us at our WAW Challenge.  It's Anything Goes as long as it's family friendly with uplifting and inspirational messages, you can link up to 5 projects per week.  Our sponsor this challenge is Pink & Main giving away a $25 prize package from their shop.  I can't wait to see your projects  and leave you some encouragement on your Blogs.  Pray without ceasing and believe that God has a wonderful plan for our children!

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...

28 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous card Jo Ann - and yes, we need to be constantly praying for our children (and grandies) that they would hear and obey God. The hardest part is then to leave them in God's hands!
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  2. What a sweet mother's day creation. it takes Prayers and guidance for the parents and children alike. Thank you for sharing your heart warming creation with us at Jan's Digi Blog Challenge... HAPPY CRAFTING!
    Blessing,
    Jan
    (Owner & Illustrator of Jan's Digi Stamp Shop)

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  3. Really gorgeous! Love your color choice too :)
    Thanks a lot for joining us at Creatalicious! :)

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  4. A really super image and a super background, great colours and dies. Thank you for joining our 'Anything Goes' challenge at Allsorts.

    Kath x

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  5. Just perfect for the Challenge!
    Great project!
    Fabulous that you have shared this with us here at Colour Crazy.
    Good luck and we hope you will come back again! Jackie DT Member xxx

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  6. Jo Ann- What a lovely, timely card for Mother's Day! Love the verse/coloring/stitching. Thanks for entering JDS Blog May Challenge! Good luck and be safe.
    Hugs,
    Jan (owner/illustrator- Jan's Digi Stamp Shop)

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  7. So beautiful, thank you for joining us at Allsorts and at Crafty Friends, xxxx

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  8. Love your card. Very meaningful. Thanks for entering it at Artsystamper Digitals!
    ~Bev aka Artsystamper

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  9. Such a cool and beautifully designed project. Lovely work.
    Thank you for sharing with us over at Morgan's Artworld. We hope to see you again.
    ~ Annette DT

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  10. Love the bright zingy colours you used. Thanks for sharing with us at Allsorts challenge.
    Lynn x
    DT

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  11. What a wonderful creation! I love your coloring too. Thanks for joining us at Pattie’s Creations Design Challenge.
    Pattie
    Artist & Owner

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  12. How beautiful! Gorgeous happy colours and fabulous design! What a powerful verse too! Thanks for sharing this with us at Morgan's Artworld
    Linda

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  13. Hello... your card is lovely and it fits perfectly with the flowers challenge at Crafty Friends. Hope you will join again very soon.
    Diane Louise (Team Leader)

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  14. How fun! I just received this stamp! love your take on it. Thanks for playing along with Papercraft Business Challenges!
    Jill – Design Team member
    Visit my blog - Killeen House Studio

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  15. Lovely card. Thank you for play with us at Gem of a craft challenge, Good luck with your entry.

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  16. Nice card. I love the flower patterned paper on the background and the circle die cut is an awesome addition. Thanks for joining the challenge at the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog. Dorlene DT LTSCB

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  17. Beautiful card!

    We're so glad you could join us & we hope to see you again in the next Papercraft Business Challenge!.
    Anna – Design Team member at Papercraft Business
    Visit my blog - Crafty Anna Studio.
    You can also find me on Instagram - CraftyAnna Studio
    Thank you!

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  18. Beautiful card and sentiment. Thanks for joining us at Angie's Digital Stamps Anything Goes Challenge

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  19. I love your card Jo Ann, a beautiful design and a perfect sentiment. Thank you for joining our challenge at
    Let's Craft and Create this week and good luck.. Ursula Uphof DT

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  20. Back again to say thank you for entering your beautiful card into CHNC Patterned Paper Challenge this month.

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  21. HI Again, yes I love this card. Makes me think of my daughter who has three and one on the way...Thank-you for joining us at the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge.
    Bev aka ARTSYSTAMPER

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  22. Simply wonderful card, beautifully created and colored!!
    So glad you shared with us at Your Scrapbook Place for the challenge! Good Luck!
    ¸..• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))*((¸¸.•´ ..•´
    Hugs DT~Shell

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  23. Amazing card ! I love the orange, blue and green colors together and the background is beautiful. Just perfect! Thanks for joining our Challenge at Mix It Up Blog. Wish you good luck. Hugs, Veana R. DT

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  24. Beautiful card with such great coloring Jo Ann. Your words ae even more profound. My daughter and her family are nurturing a 12 yr. old foster child...talk about a challenger. Yet, they love the Lord and are firmly rooted in His Word, so they believe God will see them all through.
    Thanks for playing along with the Simply Create Too DT in our challenge no. 160, Use Flowers. Join us again.
    Erica (Simply Create Too DT Member)

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  25. Beautiful - love the colours you've used for this.

    Thanks for joining us at the Get Creative Challenge Blog.

    Helen x

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  26. Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing with us at Let’s Craft and Create Challenge, hope to see you again :)

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  27. Beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us at Not Just Cards Challenge this time and good luck :)

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  28. A lovely card!
    Thank you soo much for taking part in our "anything goes + optional add sparkle” challenge over at Creatalicious & good luck in the draw.
    Hope to see you again in our new challenge as well…

    Hugs,
    Melanie
    (DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)

    (DT Crafty Friends)

    (DT The Sketchy Challenges)

    (DT Simply Create Too)

    (DT Kreativtanten)



    PS: Sorry for the late comment, life had been very busy these past weeks…

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