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.

 

+

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...

Encouragement Series: Dream Smile Believe---Join our Year End Blog Hop and our Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday...Great Prizes to be Won!

Hi there, Crafty friends!  First of all,  A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and an advance BLESSED NEW YEAR to all.   It's time for our Annual Blog Hop at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) which will go on for two weeks.  Today's Scripture Word Art comes from Psalm 65:11 which says, "Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness." Download this free Scripture Word Art at WAW, use it for your projects (not mandatory) and don't forget to link  them to our Challenge.  Then follow the Blog hop order for a chance to win the awesome prizes our DT's are giving away in their post. You can find the complete details below. Some of our DT's featured our highlighted verse in their projects while some of us (including myself) decided to highlight a great sentiment from one of our sponsors, Stamp Simply, for my card sample below.

Like David who wrote Psalm 65, we are to acknowledge from whom our blessings flow.  James 1:17 clearly conveys to us, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Before Adam's Fall, we have nothing but blessings from God  and everything He created. God spoke and everything came to life,  There's something special with humanity for He formed us with His hands and breathe unto us His breath of life (Genesis 2:7).  We were made according to His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26).  No sin, death, sickness, diseases, pain and suffering.  But even after the first man failed that plunged us all into darkness and separation from God, God still clothed Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).  A sacrifice needed to be made in order to cover our nakedness/shame.  Even in our disobedience, God showed  great love to the mankind He created.  But in the fullness of time, God's ultimate and matchless sacrifice was given and revealed to this world when He allowed His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born in the flesh and placed upon Him the sins of the world.  That in His death, burial and resurrection, anyone who believed in Him would live free of the Sin that would have otherwise enslave and torment us for all eternity.  He knew before creation that this would happen and yet He chose to create and give us life so that when we come to Christ (Born-again, John 3:3), we would be reunited with Him forever.  If we believe in what Christ has done for us and our faith is solely focused on Him, God lives in us and we in Him. The inheritance of Christ is every believer's inheritance and we shall live forever in our Lord's presence. As John 3:16 tells us, “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life."

  

As we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus this season, let us be thankful and hopeful for the coming year. Our God is in control and there's nothing that happens that He didn't plan for.  Hang on to every promises He made in His Word knowing that our life and eternal well-being depends on it.  We have access to the presence of God at all times because of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is God with us and in us.  In the time of David, he used nature to describe God's abundant love and blessings to His people. A comment from My Life Application Bible says this about Psalm 65:6-13, "This harvest psalm glorifies God the Creator as reflected in the beauty of nature.  Nature helps us understand something of God's character.  The Jews believed that God's care of nature was a sign of His love and provision for them.  Nature shows God's generosity---giving us more than we need or deserve.  Understanding God's abundant generosity should make us grateful to God and generous to others." This is so true every time we take the time to look at nature, it always reveals the glory, greatness and love of God for mankind.  Yet we have so much more to be grateful to God for in this New Testament era.  For along with nature, we have the most personal revelation of God's fullness to mankind.  We see Him in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior who love us and gave His life for us.  All glory to His Name!

For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Uptown Girl Lucille Sends Her Love" that I watercolored using my Stabilo 68 markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square shape. The DP's are from Paper Studio, the flowers that I layered are from Prima and the brads are from Recollections.  I used Nestabilities for the Lacy Oval Frame.  I added some glitters from Stickles (Crystal) on the flowers as well as fancy and regular stitching all over this creation.  The beautiful sentiment is of course from Stamp Simply from the set called "Pretty Poppies." I really love the finished result.

 

 

 DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD

DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD LAYERS

 

DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD SIDE VIEW

 

DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD INSIDE

 

DREAM SMILE BELIEVE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

Okay everyone, here's the ORDER OF THE BLOG HOP:

 

Natalie Houston

Jo Ann Atterbury (this is ME)

Christine Miller

Ginny Maxam 

Gail Scott

Cynthia Olheiser

Esther Asbury

Karen Letchworth

Word Art Wednesday

Welcome to my Blog, your second stop in the WAW Blog Hop! We have many fabulous prizes from our generous sponsors, Stamp Simply and Tonic Studios.  

To be eligible to win the Stamp Simply prize ($25 GC) to their store, just enter your art in our WAW gallery as usual.  The winner of this prize will be selected by random draw from our entries.

To be eligible to win the prizes from Tonic Studios and other goodies, simply leave a comment on each Designer Team's blog to be eligible for their specific prizes.  When you completed the Blog Hop, leave a comment at Word Art Wednesday (your final stop on the Hop) saying that you've completed the Hop.

Here's my prize for the Blog Hop...Tonic Studios Stamp and Dies Set!

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

 

Digi Choosday---ATG 

Passion for Markers---Use Die-Cut and Markers

TTCRD---ATG

Tuesday Morning Sketches---ATG

A Place to Start---ATG/Happy Holidays

PIP---ATG

Dragonfly Dreams---Anything But Christmas

Lil Patch of Crafty---ATG

My Bestie Spanish Challenge---ATG

Stamping Sensations---Anything Stamped/Winter Wonderland

We Love Stamping---I Love People Themed Stamp.

Gem of a Craft---ATG

Allsorts---ATG/O Christmas Tree

Crafty Calendar---ATG

Taylormade---ATG/Christmas

Colour Crazy---ATG

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---ATG

A Perfect Time---ATG

Ally's Angels---ATG

Bastel-Traum---Glitters

Classic Design---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Craftyhazelnut's---ATG

Creatalicious---ATG/CAS Christmas Cards

Happy Little Stampers---ATG with Die

Happy Little Stamplers---Watercolor

LeAnns World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Inspired by a Song

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

QKR Stampede---ATG

Rabisco---ATG

Sweet Stampers---ATG

The Creative Crafters---ATG

Worldwide Open DT---ATG

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 each week.  Our wonderful sponsors this week are Stamp Simply ($25 GC) and Tonic Studios (prize packs) .  So, join our Blog Hop and show us your wonderful projects.  Enjoy the holidays with your family.  Always remember that God is in control and we can trust in His protection always. Our part is to pray without ceasing and act upon His Word.

 

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

 

Encouragement Series: Sunshine Elephant Card---There's Still Plenty of Time to Join our 613 Avenue Monthly Challenge...

Hello everyone...I'm here to feature my card for our 613 Avenue Create Anything Goes, November Challenge.  I took on the optional twist which is "Cute Critters" with this Safari card design.  It seems like I hardly use animals in my creation.  It's not intentional.  As a matter of fact, I have quite a collection of animal stamps and I really need to use them for future projects given some time. 

Anyway, I've been away from the Blogging world for several weeks now.  As always, I've been so busy and there's always a lot of things to do than what I have time for.  Some of you are aware that I also love to Crochet and I'm trying my hand on some Knitting as well.  So, there's always a lot of crafting to do when I'm not around here.  But of course, serving the Lord and having time for my family comes first.

Nowadays, there's so many things happening in the world that are truly alarming.  Where evil is obviously saturating the news and fear and chaos are promoted.  Evil things are right before our eyes and yet many seem to turn a blind eye while many others are even supporting and promoting them.  It behooves me why many no longer care nor appreciate the freedom and security of this country and have allowed the lawless and abusive people to rule over them who are clearly robbing the people of their protected rights, and empowering the lawless to kill, steal and destroy this country. To these people, nothing is sacred.  I remember what I read in the Bible back when I was still a new believer in Christ.  I couldn't fathom then what God was saying about "how people could call evil good and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20).  Because many that time still understands the clear line between the two with the exception of those who are literally crazy or deranged.  Yet from then and fast forward to this time,  God's Word is true.  Because many have rejected God, Who is the only source of true wisdom and understanding, they have literally lost their minds. Without Christ, every man's default setting is "God's enemy."  And people who are clinging on religion instead of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are not exempted from the deception of Satan. 2 Timothy 3:1-9 says, "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men."

Now more than ever, we have to trust God and refuse to be persuaded by the lies of the enemy.  Unlike the old days, we have advance technology now to affect millions (if not billions) of people.  Majority (if not all) of the big Social Media sites have aligned themselves with the demonic agenda of Satan and are pressing on us every minute of everyday.  God's Word is crucial  in this fight.  Every believer shouldn't slack in studying and sharing God's Word.  The Bible told us how Satan tried to entice Jesus (after He fasted forty days and forty nights) in the wilderness by twisting the Word of God to get Jesus to worship him.  But Jesus had the truth and power of God's Word to silence the enemy's attempt of deception.  Needless to say, we have to meditate on the Scriptures day and night to stand against the cloud of deception that is hovering over our country and the world today.  We have to fight with the full armor that God found in Ephesians 6:10-18.  Among these weapons is the  "Sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God.  It is not just a defensive weapon but more than anything, offensive!  Hebrews 4:12 tells us, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."  In conclusion, don't buy into everything you see and hear in the natural but inquire from the Word of God and test the spirit it carries so as to see clearly in this blinding world. For the battle is not just physical but also spiritual. 

For this Card, I used these cute elephant clear stamps and colored it using my ProMarker markers.  The base is a pre-cut A7 Kraft that comes with an envelope from Paper Studio.   The DP came from DCWV, the film strip die cut from Sizzix and the leaves punched with Fiskars.  I also layered some flowers from Prima and Recollections, some glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and the brad from Recollections.  The sentiments were from Stampendous and Printworks. Lastly, I stitched all over this card. 

 

SUNSHINE ELEPHANT CARD

 

 

 

SUNSHINE ELEPHANT CARD LAYERS

 

SUNSHINE ELEPHANT CARD INSIDE

 

SUNSHINE ELEPHANT CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

 2 Crafty Critter---ATG with Critter

A Bit More Time---ATG

A Perfect Time---ATG

Classic DT---ATG

Craft Dee BowZ---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Crafty Animals---ATG with Animals

Craftyhazelnut's---ATG with Patterned Paper

Createful Heart---ATG

LeAnns World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Fave Sketch

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

MIU---ATG/Make Own Background

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Not Just Cards---ATG

QKR Stampede---ATG

Scribbles Designs---Feature a Creature

Sognando---ATG and Fave Color (Green)

Crafting Challenge---Add a Sentiment

YSP---ATG

Lavinia---ATG (Rubber or Clear stamps only)

Pattie's Creations---ATG

This is it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge with optional theme, "Cute Critters."  If you want to be challenged more, take on our Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss it. Can't wait to see what you create.  Anyway, the works of the enemy is apparent in our day and time.  We are to study and arm ourselves with the Truth in order to discern the works of Satan and act with wisdom and power.

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

Encouragement Series: Stencil Fashion Card Set---Visit 613 Avenue Create and Join Our Anything Goes Monthly Challenge...

Hello everyone...I'm here to feature my card for our 613 Avenue Create Anything Goes, September Challenge.  I went on my own with Anything Goes while the other DT's  tackled the optional twist which is "Add a Charm."  I've had this fun stamps for a while but it's only now, I am able to use them. I love it!  I hope you join us and have some fun crafting and creating.

Each day we live is a blessing from the Lord.  I do feel like every second counts as the Word of God and His prophesies are unfolding before our very eyes.  Ungodliness  gives birth to lawlessness and lawlessness gives birth to anarchy and terrorism.  Jesus clearly tells us in John 10:9-10, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Those who remain outside of the Gate and refuse the safety of the Good Shepherd are exposed and are part of the world that is ruled by Satan. If you are not seeing that daily these days, then you might have been deceived---desensitized from seeing the truth.  When you no longer desire facts for complete understanding, instead rely on fake media's stories and narratives to shape your opinions and downgrade God's Word to your own interpretation just to satisfy your emotional and social prejudice, you have been corrupted!  

But there are those who entered the gate of salvation through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Though we may be living in this world, we are not of this world.  We are no longer under the command of the evil one and Jesus has given us authority and weapons of warfare in His Word to defeat the wiles and schemes of Satan.  A true disciple (beware of the fakes) of Jesus Christ does not prioritize their emotions and their own opinions over issues but seek the mind of God by obeying His Word. Following God is not easy and it comes with a hefty price, believe it or not.  At some point, have you honestly asked yourself  this critical question. "If my physical well-being is at stake, will I be willing to follow Christ unto death?"  Now, many would say "Yes" but just the Covid-19 pandemic alone along with draconian measures of local leaderships have already shown us what many so-called Christians would give up to preserve their existence.  I am not against common sense, hygiene and safety but I can't honestly tolerate fear.  How can I?  The Bible said, God numbered our days (Psalm 139:16).  He has determined our days (Job 14:5).  Our life is in His hands (Job 12:10).  He can lengthen our days (1 Kings 3:14).  He is our life and He blesses the faithful with many years (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). And if we perish, there's even greater PROMISES in store for the faithful.  These promises of God are eternal and should propel each and every believer to go and do the work He entrusted us without fear.  For if we truly believe God exist and He is in charge and in control of everything, we would face the giants of this life boldly because we know we are spiritually armed and charged by God to annihilate the works of the enemy to set the captives free.  Just like in the days of Noah, the door to the Ark (grace) will shut.  Just like in the days of Lot, God will execute His judgment to this fallen world. All of us who have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ and have received the promises of God when we entered the narrow gate of safety have so much work to do to share the Good News of salvation.  While there is time, lets do the work---Body of Christ!

For these Cards, I used images and sentiments from Dina Wakley from the sets "Fashion Forward" and "Handwritten Sentiments."  The size is A2 and the stencils came from Dylusions and Tim Holtz Collection.  Simply elegant.  

STENCIL FASHION CARD SET

STENCIL FASHION CARD SET WITH ENVELOPES

STENCIL FASHION CARD 1

STENCIL FASHION CARD 2

STENCIL FASHION CARD 3

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Catz---ATG/Add Gems and/or Glitter

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---ATG

As You Like It---Fave Stencil and Why? (I love the Tim Holtz because it's very versatile)

Aud Sentiments---ATG with Sentiment

Lavinia---ATG

Time Out---Be Adventurous

Crafty Creations---ATG

Creative Moments---ATG/Funny

Mod Squad---Step Up Your Stencil

Paper Funday---ATG/Autumn

Crafty Sentiments---ATG

Digi Choosday---ATG

Lemon Shortbread---ATG

TTCRD---ATG

Tuesday Throwdown---ATG

Artsystamper---ATG

Colouring in Scrapland---ATG/Home Decor

Crafting Happiness---ATG

Jan's Digi---ATG

PIP---ATG

Simon Says---Use Your Fave Stamp

A Bit More Time---ATG

A Perfect Time---ATG

Classic Design---ATG

Craft-Dee Bowz---ATG

Crafts Galore Encore---ATG

Daisy Chain---CAS

Love to Craft---ATG

Love to Scrap---ATG

QKR---ATG

Sognando---ATG

Crafting Challenge---ATG

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, take on the Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss it. Can't wait to see what you create. Remember to trust the Lord Jesus Christ always!

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

Encouragement Series: Take a Deep Breath Card---It's Our First Challenge of the Year at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello there, Crafty friends!  I would like to invite all of you to join our very first Challenge this year at 613 Avenue Create.  We had lots of wonderful entries last year and we're always grateful for participating and making our Challenge such a wonderful place to get some crafting inspiration.  Like our previous Challenges, you have a whole month to link your projects with us and meet some wonderful friends along the way.  It's always Anything Goes but if you're up for some challenge, take on our optional theme, "Use Watercolor."

The New Year started with some health challenges for me (which I talked about in my previous post). But like all the other years since I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I knew that I was never alone and that no matter what happens, I am assured of God's best interest for me.  It's not easy but a big part of our walk with God is choosing to believe (faith) in God's Word (His promises) even when your body and senses tell you otherwise.   Since our ONLY connection to God is FAITH (in what Christ accomplished at the Cross), it is imperative that we live each day relying upon God's Word and not the dictates  of our bodies.  Until the time we are given new bodies (not subject to time and space), we are fighting against the fleshly cravings/dictates of our present bodies that causes us to go against God's Word.  Galatians 5:17 says, "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."  Not only does our flesh enticed us to sin but it also discourages us from believing God's Word by convincing us to rely on how/what we feel.  I get it!  Physical and emotional pain are not easy to deal with.  Many times I called unto the Lord and asked Him to take away the pain for they were too hard to bear.  But it's also in these times that I'm reminded of what Jesus had to go through at the Cross to redeem mankind from our bondage to Sin and Death.  Everyone who places their trust in Jesus Christ and His finished work at the Cross will one day live in a place where there's no more pain and suffering.  Jesus endured all kinds of pain so that He can reconcile us back to Himself.  For in Him we shall experience love, joy and peace for all eternity.   In the midst of physical and emotional pain, I meditate on these things.  I take a deep breath, surrender and rest in the arms of Jesus Christ!  When we are tired and weary,  Jesus told us in Matthew 11:28-30,  “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 His Word, I find hope and peace that surpasses all understanding daily.  His Holy Spirit assures me of His presence and empowers me to hold on to His promises no matter what life may bring. I would like to share with you the promises of God to them whose faith rested in Jesus Christ.  We have an eternal dwelling place especially prepared for us.  Be encouraged!

"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life. And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come. Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)

For this Card, I used an image from Illustrated Faith that I watercolored using my Stabilo 68 markers.  The base is an A7, pre-cut card from Paper Studio.  The DP is from K and Company and Paper Studio, the washi tapes are from Recollections and the glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  And finally,  I stitched all over this card using my sewing machine.  Simply fabulous.  

 TAKE A DEEP BREATH CARD

 TAKE A DEEP BREATH CARD LAYERS

 TAKE A DEEP BREATH CARD INSIDE

TAKE A DEEP BREATH CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafting by Designs---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Christmas
A2Z---ATG
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Designer Paper
Creatalicious---ATG/Something New
Colour Create Show---ATG
Daisy Chain---Add some Sparkle
Digistamps4Joy---ATG
Happy Craft---ATG
LeAnn's World---ATG
Lost Coast---ATG (Images from Illustrated Faith Clear stamps)
Love to Craft---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Mix It Up---ATG
Morgan's Artworld---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Scribbles Designs---ATG (Anything Goes selected)
Sweet Stampers---ATG
World Wide Open DT---ATG


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 (Use Watercolor).  But there's really no reason for you to miss it. Can't wait to see what you create. The Lord is with you every step of the way so, be at peace that you have Someone you can trust and have your back always. 

Encouragement Series: One Cup at a Time Card---Join Us for our November Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, guys!  Time to highlight another inspirational card for our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  We have an optional theme of "Christmas and/or Winter" for this month.  But like always, you're free to be as creative or simple so there's no reason for you to miss our fun challenge.

I can't  believe we are almost at the end of this year.  But my fave part of being in this season is the cool temperature we have here in Texas.  After many months of just temperatures near and over hundred degrees, I am thanking God for the chill.  And I can't help but relate that to seasons we go through in our lives.  Sometimes too hot, sometimes too cold and at times, in between.  When there's no rain, we are out and about, doing a lot of things outdoors  on vacation.  We're on a past-faced mode just enjoying the no hassle, everything going well kind of days.  We are able to accomplish a lot of things and visit places we've never been.  But on rainy days, we tend to postpone things and stay home, trying to avoid the inconvenience and the hassles of driving in the rain, the puddles, the mud and also the strong winds.  We hide and slow down even more during the winter.  We are very picky where to go and only head out when necessary.  Where I live, temperatures can go from very hot to really cold in one day so, we have to have strong immune system in order to withstand the drastic changes in the environment.  Like what many of us do dealing with life in general.

But the good news is, God is present in all of our seasons! As we go through it physically and spiritually, He is always there to see us through.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 says, "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. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God."  When we truly acknowledge the hand of God in our daily circumstances and willingly put our trust in His divine wisdom and love for us, His creation, we have a safe place to go to no matter what circumstances we encounter in this life.  By having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3), I can handle everything life throws at me knowing He is with me/in me always.  Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  I consider this my life verse for it is in this Truth that I can go through each day with confidence. Whether it's summer or winter, hot or cold, dry  or wet and everything in between, He navigates His life in me and through me.  All I needed to do is to give Him the driver's seat and go along for the ride.  And because He has given me a blueprint of His plan, His Word (the Bible), I can understand the signs and takes note of His instructions while He empowers me with wisdom to lead myself and others to this special and wonderful place that He prepared for all who trusted in Him.  His Name be praised forever.

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions Stamps called "Latte Love" that I watercolored using Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from DCWV and Recollections, the layered flowers are from Prima with the center embellishment from Heidi Grace, the white nail head gems from Imaginisce and the glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  I also use Nestabilites die for the Scalloped circle.  Lastly, I stitched all over this project. 

ONE CUP AT A TIME CARD

 ONE CUP AT A TIME CARD SIDE VIEW

 ONE CUP AT A TIME CARD LAYERS

 ONE CUP AT A TIME CARD INSIDE

ONE CUP AT A TIME CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Art Impressions---Lots of Layers
Always Fun---Watercolors
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Path to Positivity---Anything Positive/Shades of Green
Scrapbook Stamp Society---ATG
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Dragonfly Dreams---ATG
Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
Penny Black---Make Someone Smile
Gem of a Challenge---ATG
All Sorts---Pretty Papers
Catch the Bug---ATG
Crafty Friends---2 or More Patterned Papers
Colour Crazy---Coloring
Crafty Catz---ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG
Jo's Scrap Shack---ATG
QKR---ATG
Quick Quotes---ATG


This is it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge with optional theme, "Christmas and/or Winter.  If you want to be challenged more, take on our Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss it. Can't wait to see what you create. The Cross of Christ is more than the just a story passed on from generation to generation.  It's a story of love, grace and hope that is good for today and all of eternity.