Scripture Series: Encouragement Note Cards in a Box---Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge Starts Tomorrow at Word Art Wednesday!

A wonderful day, everyone!  A couple of weeks ago, we started another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). It ends later on today and it featured my project in this post that I wasn't able to publish on time due to my busy schedule.  But a brand new Challenge will begin tomorrow at Word Art Wednesday. Anyway, our (soon to be expiring) current Challenge features this Scripture Word Art that comes from Hebrews 10:23 which says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"

 

Before I started writing this post, I took the time to read the entire chapter (Hebrews 10) that included our highlighted verse in order to find context that would help me understand the depth of its meaning. I can tell you that going through life's crisis since last month is not a joke.  When negative situations/conditions  could paralyzed you with worry and depression, your spiritual foundation should be securely anchored on the finished work (death, burial and resurrection) of Jesus Christ at the Cross and His promises in His Word.  In those troubled and darkened times, God showed me that the only way out of  a miserable and worry driven existence is to totally trust in Him.  While we constantly engage in the battle over keeping our minds sane and our hearts hopeful towards the promises of God, we can get ourselves tired from this spiritual battle.  It is important that we rest in the arms of the Lord and find strength in His presence. We cast our cares unto Him (1 Peter 5:7), quiet the negativity and refocus our eyes to the One who truly love and care for us---our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  If He gave His life to free us from Sin and Death; withstand the cruelty of the Cross to bring me back to His presence forever; why should I fall for the lies of this world? Today, I have renewed appreciation  and deeper understanding of God's love for me.  An old worship song came to my mind that says, "And what can this world offer when all I desire is You (Jesus)!" I tell you guys, God wants an intimate relationship with us and is delighted to communicate with us always.  But even when He seemed silent, never doubt His presence!  He stands by His promises to His people.

Anyway, last night, I watched a YouTube VIDEO about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how the host was shocked at the response he got from ChatGPT (a famous AI site) when he asked for the AI to write a sermon on the role AI will play in the end times according to the Book of Revelation.  The answer might surprise you.  AI is definitely capable of profound evil although it acknowledges that with all it's power and capabilities, it cannot win against the sovereignty of God. I found myself saying Amen to that!  In spite of the grim reality that comes with its existence, I was never threatened by it.  Why?  Because I belong to God and I believe the Lord when He promised to remove us (Born-again, John 3:3) from this world (Rapture of the Church) before He pours out His wrath to the ungodly/mockers of Jesus Christ during the Tribulation Period.  I appreciate how the Lord reveals in His Word the fate of them that rebels against God to "hopefully" call the sinners of our time to repentance but it also serves as an encouragement to the believers to keep trusting God and share the Gospel of salvation to anyone who cares to listen while there's still time.  Humanity is obsessed in outdoing themselves in their quest for technology and greatness to the point of harming many and eventually themselves when their creation wreaks havoc in this world.  We cannot put our trust in the finite and selfish mind of man.   No matter what happens I can only place my trust in the One True God who is sovereign overall. Through the working of the Holy Spirit living inside of me, my faith will stand unwavering on the promises of God.  That is what brings me comfort, joy and peace in this crazy and dangerous place we're living in.

 

For this Card Set, I used images from Hampton Art/Tracey Hey Clear Stamps that I stamped over blended Distress Inks.  I fuzzy-cut the images and arranged them to compliment the sentiment stamps from Stamp Simply.  These sentiments/verses came from clear stamp sets called Farmhouse Scriptural Quotes, Words of Encouragement, Fear Not, Delightful Dahlias and Pretty Poppies.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 3 inches square cards.  I also made their envelopes using my We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board.  There's a total of a dozen cards here and two of each design.  I decided to make a box for them using heavy Designer Paper from DCWV embellished with layered flowers from Recollections with some glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  A lot of work came with this little box but surely enjoyed the process.

 

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ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE CARDS 

ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE CARDS COMPLETE SET

ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE CARDS WITH A BOX

ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE CARDS IN A BOX

 

 This Card Set is entered into the following Challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Ally's Angels---ATG

Ching-Chou Kuik---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Colorful Options---Peach

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Crafty Animals---ATG with Animal

Creatalicious---ATG

Critter Crazy---Featured Critter

Daisy Chain---No Design Paper

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Hip to be Square

Love to Scrap---ATG

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

My Bestie Spanish---ATG

Not 2 Shabby---June Mood Board

QKR Stampede---ATG

Four Seasons---ATG Summer

YSP---ATG

Make sure you join us tomorrow 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 each week.  Our Challenge winner will be awarded a wonderful prize from our awesome sponsor---Stamp Simply ($25 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, as believers of Jesus Christ, freed from the bondage of Sin through faith in Jesus, let us continue to share the gift of salvation to them who are lost while allowing God to sanctify us fully in the image and likeness of our Savior.

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

Scripture Series: All Things is at Hand Card---Join Us at Word Art Wednesday for Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge!

 Hi there, everyone!  A week ago, we started another Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) as we feature another great Scripture Word Art (free for you to download at the WAW site). It comes from 1 Peter 4:7 which says, "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

Nowadays, I can't help but think of the many end time prophecies revealed to us in the Bible.  More than ever before, I am seeing the horrific reality of the delusion and deception that have surely blinded many.  What used to puzzle me thirty years ago as new believer in Christ (Born-again, John 3:3) have now become our sad reality---people calling good as evil,  and evil as good.  The once plain and simple principles of truth and common sense have now been contaminated with lies using some measure of truth mixed with a huge dose of fear and human emotions to capture the hearts and minds of the gullible.  And they claim to be loud using every pillars of our society to deliver their toxic/perverted message.  I have to turn off the noise (mainstream and social media) to maintain peace, calm and sanity.

The NIV Bible translates our highlighted verse this way, "The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray."  We got to get rid of all of the clutter, things that entangle us---that which hinder us in focusing on what is important with regards to God's higher calling in our lives.  We have to take hold of our emotions to avoid hasty and ineffective decisions which could come back anytime to haunt us.  And do not allow worldly fear to dampen your faith and cause you to compromise your well being (body, soul and spirit).  God's Word is very clear in 2 Timothy 1:7 in the Amplified version, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].  Remembering that in Christ, we are never victims---we are victors!  And that in life or in death, we are established in Him.  That my friend is what true freedom is all about.  It is the same freedom that we can share with others when we continue to share the Gospel to the lost while there is time.  Let us cover each other in prayer with our Father's protection, strength and wisdom as we navigate this deceptive, darkened and dangerous world.  

Lastly, I would like to share what My Life Application Bible wrote regarding our highlighted verse which says, "Suffering helps us be like Christ, yet people will do anything to avoid pain.  Followers of Christ, however, should be willing and prepared to do God's will and to suffer for it if necessary.  We can overcome sin when we focus on Christ and what He wants us to do.  Pain and danger reveal our true values.  Anyone who suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering has made a clean break with sin. People whose lives change radically at conversion may experience contempt from his or her old friends.  They may be scorned not only because they refuse to participate in certain activities, but also because their priorities have changed and they are now heading in the opposite direction,  Their lives incriminate their friend's sinful activities.  Mature Christians should help new believers resist such pressures of opposition by helping them to be faithful to Christ, surrounding them as new friends, and encouraging them to develop new habits and activities that are not only enjoyable but positive for their spiritual growth.  The basis of salvation is our belief in Jesus (Acts 16:31), but the basis for judgment is how we lived.  All people will be judged: believers for the rewards they will receive; unbelievers for punishment.  Those who inflict persecution are marked for punishment when they stand before God.  All will give an account to God, so we must be ready.  This may give you a new perspective on your activities and actions today.  Are you prepared to explain them to God.  We should live expectantly because Christ is coming.  Getting ready to meet Christ involves continually growing in love for God and others.  It is important to pray regularly, and it is also important to reach out to needy people.  Your possessions, status, and power will mean nothing in God's kingdom, but you will spend eternity with other people. Invest your time and talents where they will make an eternal difference."

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning Stamps called "Lil Ballerina" that I colored using The Creative Expert and Prismacolor markers.  The base is a pre-cut A7 card and the DP's are also from the Paper Studio.  I layered flowers from Prima, add glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and placed a white brad from Paper Studio.  I incorporated a die-cut border using Momenta die template and added some leaves using an EK Success Leaf Punch.  Lastly, I adhered some white nail head gems from Imaginisce and ran some panels through my sewing machine for regular and fancy stitching.  I love it.

 

ALL THINGS IS AT HAND CARD 

ALL THINGS IS AT HAND CARD LAYERS

ALL THINGS IS AT HAND CARD INSIDE

ALL THINGS IS AT HAND CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

As You Like It---Fave Color and Why?  I love bright colors but if I will based it on which color I get 

                           complimented on, I have to say "blue" in any shade. I tend to include it more in my 

                           projects.

Aud Sentiments---ATG with Sentiment

Cards 4 Galz---Texture

MAWTT---Summer Fun/Colors

Time Out---Running Stitch Design

Crafty Creations---ATG

Crafty Gals Corner---Summer Fun

Creative Moments---ATG

Paper Shelter---ATG

Sisterhood of Crafters---ATG

Paper Funday---ATG/Cute Critters

Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Classic Designs---ATG

Crafts Galore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper

CCC Digi Creations---Use Flowers

DL Art---ATG

LeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Polka Dots/Stripes

Love to Craft---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG/Mixed Media

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Bestie International---ATG

My Bestie Spanish---ATG

Pearly Sparkles---ATG

Sognando---ATG

YSP---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 each week.  A wonderful prize awaits our winner from our lovely sponsor for this Challenge---Cas-ual Fridays Stamps (Stencil Package).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, be very vigilant, pray always and practice your God given rights.  As long as God is seated on the throne, we are never without hope.  We are part of His plan in this world.

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Scripture Series: Consider the Lilies Scripture Note Cards---Join our Ongoing Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday...

 Hi there, friends!  It's time for another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  This time, we are highlighting  a Scripture Word Art that comes from Psalm 147:3 which tells us, "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." You can download this for free at WAW site and you can see how the other DT's used it for their featured cards.  I chose to make a project that highlighted Stamp Simply who happens to be our sponsor for this Challenge.

In this earthly life, we will never run out of things that could break our hearts and wound us. We could be basking from joy and victory one day and suddenly, bad news come to ruin the next day.  Just when we thought we have everything mapped out and have learned to navigate life based on previous experiences, we come face to face with situations and trials that's beyond our control. Some may have been caused by others while some we've inflicted upon ourselves.  And there are those that come to test our faith like what happened to Job. Even people that have all the riches in the world can face trials that no amount of money can solve.  We  just think they are invincible because most of the trials we encounter in this world are pretty much tied up with finances.  But come to think of it, no matter how rich one is, he cannot stop death (physical) from knocking on his door.  Only the Creator of heaven and earth has the power and the authority over His creation---both seen and unseen.  He already predetermined our beginning to our ending. And none of us can buy a minute or a second more once He says it is time.  Yet a true believer of Christ (Born-again, John 3:3) has nothing to fear because God's Word tells us of a life that is beyond this earthly life. The true value of this temporary existence is in knowing our Savior Jesus Christ whose death, burial and resurrection  freed us from the ultimate penalty of Sin that we inherited from Adam from the time we were born in this world.  That ultimate penalty is "Eternal Death" for everyone who chooses to  reject Christ and His gift of salvation. Their eternal dwelling place is the "Lake of Fire (Hell)" with Satan and his minions.  But for us that fully surrendered our lives to our Savior, we become ambassadors of Jesus Christ in this world---His Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16), to proclaim the Gospel of Truth and declare His glory to this darkened world.  At the end of our journey, we will see and live in the presence of our Lord for all eternity in a place where all good things abide.

But while we're still in this world, God gave us the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort us in times of need.  Many of us suffer physically yet many other's are broken and wounded in their spirit but refuse to admit it or ask for help.  Let me tell you that God is still interested in healing anyone who is wounded and brokenhearted be it physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. He is still the Great Physician and anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus Christ will find comfort and healing and will never be turned away.   Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:28-30 saying, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  In conclusion, I would like to share this commentary from biblestudytools.com regarding our highlighted verse for it truly blessed me.  It says, "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. This the Holy Spirit mentions as a part of the glory of God, and a reason for our declaring his praise: the Lord is not only a Builder, but a Healer; he restores broken hearts as well as broken walls. The kings of the earth think to be great through their loftiness; but Jehovah becomes really so by his condescension. Behold, the Most High has to do with the sick and the sorry, with the wretched and the wounded! He walks the hospitals as the good Physician! His deep sympathy with mourners is a special mark of his goodness. Few will associate with the despondent, but Jehovah chooses their company, and abides with them till he has healed them by his comforts. He deigns to handle and heal broken hearts: he himself lays on the ointment of grace, and the soft bandages of love, and thus binds up the bleeding wounds of those convinced of sin. This is compassion like a God. Well may those praise him to whom he has acted o gracious a part. The Lord is always healing and binding: this is no new work to him, he has done it of old; and it is not a thing of the past of which he is now weary, for he is still healing and still binding, as the original hath it. Come, broken hearts, come to the Physician who never fails to heal: uncover your wounds to him who so tenderly binds them up!"

For this Card Set, I used a layering flower image from American Crafts using inks from  Stampabilities and Memento.  The wonderful Scripture sentiments are from Stamp Simply from two of their wonderful sets namely Farmhouse Scriptural Thoughts and Farmhouse Scriptural Quotes.  I bought a few stamp sets for layering but I've never really tried to make something out of them.  It's a bit of a challenge to line up the images but I love the result.   Like anything else, I know I will need to practice to get the hang of it. 

CONSIDER THE LILIES SCRIPTURE NOTE CARDS

 

CONSIDER THE LILIES SCRIPTURE NOTE CARDS SET 1

 

 

CONSIDER THE LILIES SCRIPTURE NOTE CARDS SET 2

This Project is entered in the following Challenges: 

Crafty Creations---ATG

Creative Moments---ATG

Double D---Colors of Summer

House that Stamps Built---ATG

Paper Shelter---ATG

Simon Says Stamp---ATG/Slimline

Paper Funday---ATG/Summer

Crafty Sentiments---ATG

Digi Choosday---ATG

Everybody-Art---Summer

Lemon Shortbread---ATG

TTCRD---ATG

Unicorn---Summer

Coloring in Scrapland---ATG/Blue/Stripes

Crafting Happiness---ATG

Get Creative---ATG/Show Water

Pammie's Inky Pinky---ATG

My Time to Craft---ATG

TayloredMadeCards4U---ATG/Holidays in July

Angie's Digital Stamps---ATG/Use a Flag

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG

Corrosive---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 submit up to 5 entries per week.  Our wonderful sponsor for this week Stamp Simply (Stamps and/or Dies). So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up and let the Word of God comfort you today.  

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

Card Set: Beauty in Everyday Note Cards---Join our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

 Hi there, everyone!  Back again for another Scripture Word Art for our bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW). My sample project below does not include our Word Art but you can check our WAW site to download it and see how it was used in the beautiful projects made by the other DT's.  As usual, you are invited to link with us your inspirational  (Anything Goes) cards/projects.  Our featured Word Art this Challenge comes from Psalm 33:18 which says, "Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy."

Last night, I watched a true to life movie regarding a couple who tried to save the life of over 300 Jews in Warsaw, Poland when their country was overtaken by Hitler and the Nazi Germans during World War 2.  I got so emotional trying to make sense of the evil that possessed an army of human beings to commit such a demonic endeavor---killing helpless human beings because they were Jews?  Very sad, but to this day, this threat is still very real not only to the Jews but for believers of Jesus Christ.  It's brutal, barbaric and demonic.  Though many non-Jews were against such injustice, only a few we're willing to put themselves in harm's way to save others.   When God made man, He created us in His image and likeness and gave us dominion over His other creation (Genesis 1:26-28).  He breathed  unto us the breath of life which made us alive (Genesis 2:7).  We were clothed in God's glory---holy, pure and without blemish like our Creator.  But all of that changed when we allowed ourselves to be tempted by the enemy.  Lucifer (in the form of snake) perverted and twisted God's Word in Genesis 2:17 and man started doubting God's Word and began to take on the mindset of Satan which is "to be like God" (Isaiah 14:13-14). From then on, all human beings became slaves to Satan and inherited Sin (Satan's nature) which brings Death (Spiritual, Physical and Eternal Deaths).

In spite of our hopeless situation, Psalm 19:1-4 tells us how God reveals Himself to us through His creation (Natural Revelation).  He has also given us "conscience" simply defined as inner feeling or voice acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior.  No matter what the world says, the absolute standard of right and wrong can only come from the Creator of all things which He revealed to us in His written Word. When we buy a new product in the market, we look for the manufacturer's manual in order to effectively operate the product to it's full capacity. All truth comes from God and His truth never changes no matter how man tries to change it.   Romans 2:12-17 says, "For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.  For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." My Life Application Bible explains, "If you traveled around the world, you would find evidence in every society and culture of God's moral law.  For example, all cultures prohibit murder, and yet in all societies the law has been broken.  We belong to a stubborn race.  We know what's right, but we insist on doing what's wrong. It is not enough to know what's right; we must also do it.  Admit to yourself and to God that you fit the human pattern and frequently fail to live up to your own standards (much more to God's standards).  That's the first step to forgiveness and healing."

For all of us who came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3) by placing our faith in His redemptive work at the Cross, we are not just seeing God through His creation but we now have a special revelation of who God truly is.  In Adam, our spiritual connection with God was severed but in Christ, it was reestablished.  Christ brought us back in  right standing with God (justification by faith) and are purifying us each day to become more like Jesus (sanctification by faith).  But those who have rejected the redemptive work of Jesus Christ have manifested their allegiance to Satan by killing, stealing and destruction (John 10:10).  These people didn't learn from the horrors of war and merciless killings committed by evil men that they deceptively follow the demonic promptings of the god of this world.  They do whichever is right in their own eyes and promote hatred, rebellion, ungodliness and immorality of all shapes and forms.  It's sad to see the collapse of common sense and their depraved mind are full of evil continually.  I truly pray for the fear of God to come upon these lost souls.  I believe that the Body of Christ is still in this world because God is still using us to share the hope of the Gospel to anyone who would listen.  These are perilous times but we are not to fear anything in this life.  Our hope comes from such a stable and unchangeable Source---God Almighty!  He's the Only One I fear (holy fear) and revere!   My Life Application Bible adds, "The plans of the Lord stand firm forever. "Are you frustrated by all the inconsistencies you see in others, or even in yourself. God is completely trustworthy---His intentions never change.  The Bible promises that good and perfect gifts come to us from the Creator who never changes (James 1:17).  When you wonder if there is anyone in whom you can trust, remember that God is completely consistent.  Let Him counsel you and trust in His plans for your life.  Horse refers to military strength.  Because God rules and overrules every nation, leaders  should never put their trust in  their physical power.  Military might is not the ground of our hope.  Our hope is in God and in His gracious offer to save us if we will trust in Him.  This is not an ironclad guarantee that all believers will be delivered from death and starvation.  Thousands of Christian saints have been beaten to death, whipped, fed to lions or executed (Romans 8:35-36, Hebrews 11:32-40).  God can (and often miraculously does) deliver His followers from pain and death, though sometimes, for purposes known only to Him, He chooses not to.  When faced with these harsh realities, we must focus on the wise judgments of God. In times of crisis, we can place our hope in God."

For this project, I used images from Stamp Simply Clear Stamps called "Seasonal Wreaths-Spring/Summer" that I colored using The Creative Expert markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 4 inches square.  I also used a sentiment from another Stamp Simply set called "Farmhouse All Occasion Greetings" for the sentiment in my handmade envelopes.   I love how it simple yet elegant. 

 

BEAUTY IN EVERYDAY NOTE CARDS

 

BEAUTY IN EVERYDAY NOTE CARD 1

 

BEAUTY IN EVERYDAY NOTE CARD 2

 

BEAUTY IN EVERYDAY NOTE CARD 3

 

 

BEAUTY IN EVERYDAY NOTE CARD 4

 

This Card Set is entered into the following Challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG

A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Crafts Galore---ATG

Createful Heart---ATG

Do-(A1)---Pastel Colours + Spring Flowers

Dream Factory---Broken Circle

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

Mix It Up---ATG with Layering

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Pearly Sparkles---CAS

QKR---ATG

Rabisco---ATG/Pink and Brown

Sweet Stampers---Lots of Layers

Crafting Challenge---Flowers and/or Butterflies

Creative Crafters---ATG

Worldwide Open DT---ATG

YSP---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 each week.  Our Challenge winner will be awarded a wonderful prize from our awesome sponsor---Stamp Simply Clear Stamps.  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up as we meditate on the promises of God today.  His Word drives away every fear!

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

Card Set Series: Thinking of You / Inspirational Cards in a Box---Join the Fun of our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hi fellas! I would like to share another project that I featured in our Anything Goes Challenge with an optional twist at 613 Avenue Create.  But before that, I would love to share God's wonderful work. Last week, though exhausted, I've been honored with many wonderful blessings as I went through several activities and experiences with friends at our Church. One of them was a Back to School dinner with long time (Bible class) friends last Thursday after many months of vacation.  It's always a pleasure to get the time to talk and remind ourselves of the blessings of knowing God's Word and how it changed our lives for good.  We shared praiseworthy stories, experiences and even struggles along the way.  The past few weeks had been tough for my family financially and though I believe God takes care of our needs (He always does),  I have to be extra cautious when spending.

It was the opening day of the Christian movie, "War Room"  last Friday and the tickets went on sale a couple of weeks before that. It would be great to watch it that day but I planned to wait till it goes to the discounted theaters in a couple of months.  I thought it would be awesome to watch the movie with the rest of our Church congregation that purchased tickets (about 200+ people confirmed) but first things first and my tight budget could not justify me spending $20 to go with my son (hubby would be at work).  But then, I was fine with it, so  I thought!  Until something happened and God intervened!   Here it is:  Then, one of my Bible class friends whom I had dinner with offered me 2 movie tickets (just before we were ready to leave the restaurant).  I found out that she would be unable to go as the friend she was going with needed to cancel.  She would want me to go with her but realizing that I had to bring my son with me and no way to purchase another ticket as it was sold out, she unselfishly gave me her tickets so that my son and I could watch.  What a blessing to have Godly friends, I tell you!  She knew nothing about my desire to see the movie and my budget constraints yet God used her to bless me and my boy with these prepaid tickets.  Now, tell me if God does not know my thoughts?  This may be a small thing to others but I took home something more from this experience than just the 2 movie tickets that was in my hands.  The Lord impressed upon my heart that He's got my back and that He knew what I was going through and He's perfectly in control!  AND THAT GAVE ME PEACE!

You see, I serve a God who created everything.  Although my physical eyes could not see Him but my spiritual eyes are aware of His presence.  Many people would dismiss their many blessings as coincidental/accidental and could not connect the pieces together.  God's Word declares in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."  Nothing happens to us that our heavenly Father is not aware of.  For those who trust in the Lord, "luck" does not exist.  Many would not believe that a Sovereign God would look down from the heavens and blessed the very least of men.  But if He cares for those who day after day rebels against Him, how much more would He let those who trust in His Name go without a blessing?  He is a merciful, faithful and loving God.   There are many things in our lives that we wondered How He could have allowed us to experience.  But we all know that without those trials and hardships, man would find no need to call or trust God.  We become too proud and we start to believe that we are all that and more.  That everything happens because of our own efforts.  Whether we like it or not, our struggles bring us closer to our loving Father.  It is when we know there's absolutely nothing  we can do that we begin to appreciate the blessings that comes our way.  That even through a simple free movie tickets, you can see the love and the power of God working.  Many would not quit looking at the heavens and wait for a huge miracle to happen but ignore the simplest things that God showers them daily.  I pray that we remain sensitive and always grateful;  a believer with child-like faith who simply rejoices in the simplest and humblest of gifts God is giving us.  Then and only then will we be ready to truly receive a gigantic blessing! I want to share with you the Psalm that King David shared about the faithfulness of God whom He served.  Every believer of Jesus Christ is a partaker of the many blessings that flows from God's throne and we are valuable in His sight more than you'll understand.  We must not let anything nor anyone convince us otherwise.

PSALM 103:

"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the Lord, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.  Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion."

For this Card, I used an image from one of our sponsors this week, Aurora Wings which is called "Girl with Poppies"  and colored them with my Bic/Sharpie markers.  The base is a white A2 card with envelopes and the top panel that was dry embossed using a Darice embossing folder (Tribal Chevron) that went through the Cuttlebug.  The card sentiments are from Stampabilitites and Studio 112 and the envelope sentiments is from Technique Tuesday.  The actual cards didn't take long to put together but coloring the images was a lot of work, I should say!  But it came out pretty good.

THINKING OF YOU / INSPIRATIONAL CARDS (1):

THINKING OF YOU / INSPIRATIONAL CARDS (2):

THINKING OF YOU / INSPIRATIONAL CARDS (3):

THINKING OF YOU / INSPIRATIONAL CARDS (ALL):

THINKING OF YOU / INSPIRATIONAL CARDS SET:

THINKING OF YOU / INSPIRATIONAL CARDS IN A BOX:

This Project is entered into the following Challenges:

ColourQ---Color Challenge
Creative Moments---ATG/Fancy Folds
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Simon Says Stamp---ATG
Kraftin' Kimmie---Fall
Retarte---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Tuesday Throwdown---Just Because
Creative Craft Cottage---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Crafting with Friends---ATG
Jo's Scrap Shack---ATG
Crafty Girls Creations---ATG 

There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge with an optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our lovely sponsor for this week---Aurora Wings.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week.  By the way, I strongly recommend that you watch "War Room."  It's one of the greatest movies of our time that will revolutionize our prayer life and would give us a sense of purpose and direction in defeating the enemy in our families, our neighborhood, our nation and the world.  I am grateful for the faithfulness of God, through Jesus Christ, in my life and I will not stop testifying of His goodness every opportunity I get.