Kisses-Oh So Sweet Center Step Card---It's Anything Goes at 613 Avenue Create!...Join Us...

It's late Sunday here and had a wonderful day glorifying the Lord Jesus with fellow believers at the Church early today.   I always delight in hearing and seeing people worship the King of kings in different forms---through their lips, song, dance, prayer, kneeling, bowing down, laughter and even tears.  Being a part of the Worship Leading Ministry, I see people that have been touched by God's Word and the revelation of Who and What Jesus did for them, come to the altar and surrender their lives to the Lord.  And although I have been a Christian for more than 23 years, I still marvel at the works of the Lord in a human heart.  I rejoice with every person that comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Why wouldn't I?  The Bible declares in Luke 15:7, "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."  Simply put, as a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ, I am a citizen of God's kingdom (a lawful alien of the earth) and I delight to see people coming to the throne of the Only One, True King!  It's sad but many people come to the Church and thinks that by imitating what they see believers do, that would make them a Christian. But they need to know and understand the truth...That acceptance and surrender of one's life to the Lord is not a membership but a heart to heart relationship with the One and Only Savior of Man.  Jesus Christ!  He died on the Cross to redeem us from the horrible fate of those who wouldn't acknowledge His Lordship and salvation before physical death. The sinful nature which originated from Lucifer, inflicted every human being that lived on earth and brought us to rebel against God.  The very nature of the devil---the iniquity found in his heart which stems out of pride makes us believe that we can be our own gods, deciding on our future, saying declaring in our hearts, "God, I don't need you!" This sinful nature and all it's forms are the ones we are surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus Christ after God's Word is preached and we are convicted of the weight of our sin and pride.  That is why the "new birth" is necessary.  Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3, "Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born-again."  We literally have to die from our old nature (one we inherited from Adam) and take on the "new nature" which is only through Christ. When a man is born-again, His spirit man, which was darkened by the Fall of Man and dead in the sight of God, comes back to life and has now a brand new fellowship with the Father.  No amount of human effort in any shape or form makes this possible---it's only accessible through FAITH in the finished work of Jesus Christ.  So, every time I witness a person coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, I cry with gladness (together with the heavenly hosts) because I know how it feels to find comfort and peace after a long journey of emptiness and hopelessness, in the arms of my Savior.  And as I continue to discover the wonderful promises of His Word in my life and the depth of His love for me, I keep falling more and more (deeply) in love with Him.  Jesus is "my constant" in this life and beyond...

I want to share these Bible verses that tells us what being in Christ (Born-again experience) truly meant to those that accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior:

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." (1 Peter 1:23)

"If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him." (1 John 2:29)

"No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God." (1 John 3:9)

Anyway, I would love to share with you the inspiration card I made for our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  We are highlighting "Celebrations/Occasions" as an optional twist for the Challenge so, I created this Center Step Card featuring our newest sponsor, The Paper Shelter. I chose this very cute image called "Kisses" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir/Sharpie markers.  I used a white base card and the DP's are from Recollections, Me and My Big Ideas and Heidi Grace.  I computer generated the sentiment which I took from the book called, "Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Card (2nd Edition). The fence border punch an MS Punch,  the Lacey Circle is die-cut with Nestabilities and the flowers and hearts were cut-out from a couple of DP's.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  I really love it, so much so, that I would like to keep it for myself for display.  I think this card is great for Engagement, First Date or even Anniversary.  What do you think?

 KISSES-OH SO SWEET CENTER STEP CARD:

 KISSES-OH SO SWEET CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

 KISSES-OH SO SWEET CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

 KISSES-OH SO SWEET CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

KISSES-OH SO SWEET CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

Have an awesome week, everyone.  Please join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create for a wonderful Anything Goes Challenge.  Great prize to be won and you can link practically any creation if you don't want to follow the twist.  I can't wait to see what you come up with.  The next couple of days, I will get busy creating a card for my other wonderful group---Word Art Wednesday and so, watch out for another inspirational post this coming Wednesday.  There's someone who truly loves you, His Name is JESUS!

Blue Skies Ahead Scenic Encouragement Card...

It's the weekend and I hope you are having some fun.  I have a few things to do here and there and hope I can accomplish quite a bit today.  What should I say then?...With God, all things are possible.  I recently encountered many people that in order to justify their lives of sin (homosexuality, adulterers, fornicators, drunkards, lovers of themselves, haters of God, among others), they handpicked several verses in the Bible in an attempt to stop believers of Christ from sharing to them the Truth of the Gospel.  One common verse that they use is found in 1 John 4:8 which says, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."  Yes, God is love and His love is nothing like the kind of love we all know which is self-centered.  His is sacrificial, unselfish, patient and known to us as "Agape" love.  What they didn't quote is that as God is love, He is is also a "Just God." Colossians 3:25 states, "Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism."  These two qualities of God cannot be separated from each other.  You see, Genesis 2:17 told us how God warned Adam on what will happen if they eat the fruit of the forbidden tree---DEATH!  Genesis 3 gave us an account of Adam and Eve disobeying God and though their mortal bodies didn't die physically, their spiritual connection with God was what died that day.  Every man physically born carries that punishment and since no man is found without sin, God Himself had to wrap Himself in human flesh, be born of a virgin (meaning He didn't come from the contaminated seed of Adam) for the sole purpose of redeeming us from His own wrath.  Understand this, he pronounced judgment on disobedience before Adam sinned and to satisfy the punishment of His own judgement, He sent His Only Begotten Son (Jesus Christ) to free man from suffering the wrath of God which needed to be paid in full by a sinless Person.  So, whoever is using God's love as a way to condone  their selfish desires are in denial. God the Father showed us that every sin needed to be paid---He sent His Only Son as a sacrificial Lamb to die as payment for all the sin man committed unto God to bring us back to Him. His love and Just nature is inseparable. If we don't surrender our lives to our Only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we carry the weight of every sin we committed and people will be surprised to face not a God of love but a God who is a Judge in the day of reckoning.

Another of their favorite verse to quote is in John 8:7 which states, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." It is sad to see true believers of Christ back off from witnessing to unbelievers when they quote this verse.  Mainly because, as believers of Jesus Christ, none of us in our physical state is perfect.  We end up reflecting on our own lives and flashbacks of our past, struggles of the present and uncertainties of the future start to haunt us.  But you know what, if we ever think to ourselves that God declares us righteous in His sight because we are faithful in following His commandments and thought we are doing everything humanly possible  for His pleasure thus we should be in His favorites list---we seriously need to repent because we align ourselves with Pharisees and Sadducee and religions of the world that thinks they have to do something to merit God's favor.  We must take it to heart that God declared us righteous (meaning "right" before His sight) not because of anything we did, do or will do---not at all!  He declared us righteous based solely on what Jesus Christ did in the Cross in our behalf.  Our Father in Heaven looks at us and all He see is the blood of His Son that washed away all our sins.  That is why someone telling us that we cannot witness on the Truth of the Gospel because we are sinners are preying on believers that has not completely understood what the Lord has done for them.  This verse clarifies it all in Galatians 2:20, "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."  This simply means that the life is not anymore my own, Jesus Christ uses me as His messenger to speak forth of His sacrifice for man on the Cross so that everyone shall be saved.  On times, I fell into temptations, I come to the throne of God and repent of my sins because according to 1 John 1:9, He is Just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness and then I live my life without the guilt because I surrendered it all to Him. 

The third scripture they like to quote is in Mark 12:31 which says, "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."  Many people who tried to justify their sins wanted people to leave them alone as a proof of loving them.  That we must turn a blind eye as they go on with their lifestyle of sin.  Their argument is that it's what makes them happy.  Let me provide an illustration---If I have a friend who invited me to a cliff seeing that the water down below was clear and would be so much fun and pleasurable to jump over to feel such a rush and  take such a risk. Yet, without his knowledge, I knew that there's huge rocks underneath the waters and have seen people died from doing exactly the same thing. Would I allow this friend to just jump without a warning so, he could have the fun he thought he's gonna have?  A true friend that loves will do everything he/she can to save that person from impending danger.  When we stop telling people of what their lifestyle of sin and rebellion against God is going to do to them based on the Word of God, then we truly have stopped caring and loving.  As a believer of Jesus Christ, we may be hated, called out many names, persecuted but we know that at the time of judgment, people that came to know Christ because we stood our ground will be very grateful and those that didn't listen, will gnash their teeth and suffer eternally for the opportunity they wasted.  Every believer of Christ should meditate on this verse in Ephesians 6:11, "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

Anyway, I would like to share a Card I made for a friend who requested that I make a card for her co-worker who lost her husband recently.  It was easy to make just a typical sympathy card yet we both agreed that we should give a card of encouragement instead.  Though it is hard to lose a love one, we know that as we continue to trust the Lord, He will comfort us and see us through.  So, that's the inspiration behind this card.  I reverse stamped/heat embossed the car image from Recollections (it was facing left and I wanted it to go on the right) and I colored it with my Prismacolor markers.  I used a pre-made A7 Kraft base card and used all my DP scraps from DCWV.  I stamped several other images---sentiments from Printwork, swirl from Heidi Grace and the zigzag stitch border from TPC Studio.  I added some die-cuts (flower and sun with cloud) from Heidi Grace , a fence border using MS Punch, some dry embossing with Cuttlebug folder, gems from Imaginisce, glitters(Stickles-Diamond) and glossy accents for the car window.  My friend loved it and so as her co-worker.  Hope you enjoy it too!

 BLUE SKIES AHEAD SCENIC ENCOURAGEMENT CARD:

 BLUE SKIES AHEAD SCENIC ENCOURAGEMENT CARD LAYERS:

BLUE SKIES AHEAD SCENIC ENCOURAGEMENT CARD INSIDE:

BLUE SKIES AHEAD SCENIC ENCOURAGEMENT CARD WITH ENVELOPE:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Make it Monday---Anything Goes
Pause Dream Enjoy---Use Foam Tape
Sister Act---Anything Goes
Pin and Tack---Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs---Anything Goes/Summer Fun
Totally Papercrafts---Punches and Dies
A and T Challenge---Bling
Craft-Room---Use Your Scraps
Papertake Weekly---Anything Goes
TTCRD---Anything Goes
Creative Romance---Anything Goes
Bearly-Mine---Dies and/or Punches
Crafts and Me---Something Old (White Gems/MS Fence Border Punch)
Alota Rubber Stamps---Summer Feeling
Deep Ocean---For a Girl
Loves Rubberstamps---Anything Goes
Hobby House---Anything Goes
Rubber Buggy---Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments---Anything Goes with Sentiment
Creative Card Crew---Punches/Dies
Creative Moments---Lots of Layers
Delightful Challenges---Here Comes the Sun
HIMCR---Super Scraps Saturday
Crafty Blogger's Network---Bright and Breezy
Pink Elephant---Summertime


This is it for me today and I hope you found some inspiration/encouragement in this post.  Always keep in mind that our life here on earth is merely a blink to the life eternal which we are truly destined.  Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.  If you want to know Jesus, I can introduce you to Him.  he's the Only One who can free us from any bondage---nothing is impossible for Him.  Oh, He's truly awesome!

Scripture Series: Arrows in the Hand of a Mighty Man Card---Join Us for a Great Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

It's Wednesday once again and I know I should have posted this early but I was busy fulfilling my God-given responsibility to be a voice of God in my community through calling my local government to stop charter changes that are against the will of God...You see, I am not a politically-inclined person but I know that if I don't do anything, I am leaving mine and my family's future in an ungodly society.  Where in the scriptures did it say that believers are not supposed to lead the government?  We may not all be called to run for office but we are surely given the right to speak up and vote for people who aligns closely to the Biblical Truths of the Word of God.  The Bible very clearly says in Proverbs 29:2,  "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."  I am amazed why many believers cannot see the reason why faith and Godly activities are not allowed in schools and public places. Why the name of Jesus is continuously trampled upon (media, movies etc.) and used in vain. Why government is trying to eradicate everything that this country is founded for by challenging our Constitution (only Constitution that withstood hundreds of years) with Biblical foundations.  We have allowed ourselves to be placed in the corner and the sad part is that we actually accepted that condition.  While we are going about our own lives, we are being stripped off our God-given rights and heritage and are forced to shut up in the name of tolerance.  I've decided to take my role as "Salt and Light" of this world seriously and be an Ambassador of the Word of God wherever it takes me.  I will state the good  and will call it evil when it's against the Truth of the Word of God.  As a believer of Jesus Christ, there is no demilitarized zone (known as DMZ---meaning "neutral territory").  You are either for the One True God or His enemy.  We cannot be servant of two masters.  We cannot have faith and take no action.  The Bible says in James 2:17, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."  Others say, "I am praying for a righteous government," but come time for electing leaders, didn't even care to vote.  You see, the prophet Jonah was sent to Nineveh (despite his strong hesitation) for the purpose of fulfilling God's purpose for that place.  He was to give a warning that the city would be overthrown in judgment (same as what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah) if they don't repent from their ways  (Read the Book of Jonah for greater understanding).  This shows how God loves humanity that He gives us a chance to turn away from sin.  Yet it also shows us that He is a "Just God."  His love will not simply overlook all injustices, murder, unrighteousness, depravity (to name a few) without due punishment.  Unlike Sodom and Gomorrah, this city showed us that as we obey the word of God (as an ambassador of God's message or as a recipient of the message), God's mercy towards the inhabitants of this place was shown in response to the city's ruler and people's repentance.  So yes, if Jesus Christ lives in you and had been washed by the precious blood of the Lamb, we are to see ourselves as world changers and not observers.  My family and I are going to the City Council Chambers tonight to stand up for the Truth of the Gospel.  Whatever comes out of this, with or without the support of other believers, our Pastor with several others are going to be witnesses for the Lord.  I hope this post inspires you to take part in your own communities---to stand up for Biblical Truths no matter what.  I just want to share a few verses to ponder on:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  (Matthew 5:13-16)

"So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6)

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."  (Psalm 23:4)

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  (Joshua 24:15)

Now, onto the inspiration card I have for you for this week's Word Art Wednesday Challenge (WAW).  It features the free Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW Blog in Psalm 127:45a.  It talks about children as blessings.  Our little ones should be treasured and brought up under the guidance of God's Word.  We are to instill the "fear of God"  (respect and love for God) for them to stand a chance of being fruitful members of their families and community. I wonder why we stood by when God's teachings were eradicated from our schools and public places yet we expect a better community that has respect and values?  We are to start in our household and make sure that our children are not being corrupted by the world.  When they come home from school, we are to check with them what they learned and be able to detox them when ungodly teachings sips in through the light of God's word.  It is an investment  that us, parents, will reap in due time.   I used an image from one  of our sponsors this week, Mikcoffee, and colored this wonderful image called "Father and Daughter" with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base card is a Kraft cut in 5.5-inches square.  The DP's are from Recollections and K & Company.  I die-cut with my Nestabilites, added a film strip ribbon and brads from Tim Holtz and Glossy Accents for the image's glasses.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  I am happy with the way it turned out. Hope you like it too!

 ARROWS IN THE HAND OF MIGHTY MAN CARD:

  ARROWS IN THE HAND OF MIGHTY MAN CARD LAYERS:

  ARROWS IN THE HAND OF MIGHTY MAN CARD INSIDE:

ARROWS IN THE HAND OF MIGHTY MAN CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This is it for me today.  I ask for your prayers for our endeavors tonight.  Just want to encourage you to join us at WAW for this week's Challenge.  Our other sponsor is Jelly Park so, you have a couple of chances to win.  You can make a project out of our free Word Art but it's not a requirement.  All we ask is that you keep it family friendly, uplifting and inspirational---upto 5 projects with Anything Goes.  Have a blessed day and keep witnessing for the Lord Jesus!

Scripture Series: In the Fear of the Lord Card---Join us for an Uplifting/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Great Wednesday, everyone!  I'm back to showcase another inspirational card for our Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  This week had been extraordinarily busy for me that there were times I purposely had to pause and communicate with my Father.  In the busyness of life, it's easy to get lost and forget what and Who is most important.  I am thankful to the Lord that He is constant and unchanging.  That  His love for me is not based on any human effort--but solely relies on the finished work of Jesus Christ.  If it was not so, I would be wondering, on a daily basis, whether I would be worthy to be in His presence when the time comes.  You see, as a believer of Jesus Christ and having a personal relationship with Him, there was a time in my walk with Him, that I didn't fully understand the extent of His sacrifice for me.  When testing came and I fell short (believe me, there were lots of those times), I was beating myself up because I knew  I was not worthy of His presence.  Although I knew what God wanted me to do yet selfish desires arose within me and allowed them to take over at some point.  Yet, in the midst of that, God wrote His Word in my heart.  Step by step, He reminded me of His faithfulness and in the midst of my stubbornness, He showed me compassion.  For my rebellion, He showed me love and in the midst of my breaking His heart,  He forgave me.  He never showed me how upset or disappointed He was of me.  In my Spirit, He looked at me without any condemnation and I remember seeing His wonderful eyes staring back at me with absolute forgiveness and reminded me that Jesus already bore all my sins (past, present and future) .  I thought He'd already left me alone but He stood by me.  He knew all along that I would go back to Him (like the prodigal son) and He'd welcome me with open arms---and HE DID!  As I mature in the faith through studying God's Word, these passages gave a whole new meaning in my life:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 8:35-39)

^"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." (2 Corinthians 4:8-12)

That is why I love the Word Art/verse we are sharing with you today.  It's about "fearing the Lord."  To fear Him is to give Him utmost respect, honor and love.  I remember my childhood days and how much I wanted my Dad's love and his approval in my life that it saved me from doing a lot of crazy things.  I respected my Dad and I want to show my love by honoring him with my actions.  I knew that if I disobeyed, there's consequences for my actions and wouldn't like to grieve my Dad.  Likewise, with our Father in Heaven.  Those who fear Him will save themselves from destruction as He becomes our refuge.  Every Word that comes out of God's mouth is filled with blessings and it would be wise for us to obey.  To rebel would be to get off a safe refuge where the enemy can easily devour us.  The enemy will not show mercy...

So, here's the card I came up with for our Word Art.  I used a Sassy Cheryl image (retired) called "Topiary Birdhouse Trio" and colored it with ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  My base card is a white 5.5" square white CS and used blue, yellow-green and more white CS for matting and layering.  I didn't stitch on this card so, I chose to stamp a fancy border around the card (from Fiskars), added some Recollection flowers and die-cut some leaves using MS Punch.  I added glitters (Stickles-Diamond),  Liquid Pearls and Imaginisce gems for dimension.  The wonderful embroidery border is a MS Deep Edge Punch.  I hope you guys like it. 

 IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD CARD:

  IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD CARD LAYERS:

 IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD CARD INSIDE:

 

 IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Make it Monday---Anything Goes
Sister Act---Anything Goes
Path of Positivity---Uplifting Post/Project
My Heart Pieces---Be Sentimental
Challenges 4 Everybody---Anything Goes
Rubber Buggy---Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodle---Anything Goes
Fab 'n' Funky---For the Girls
Crazy Challenge---Use Sentiments
Pause Dream Enjoy---Use Foam Tape
Inspire Me Fridays---Anything Goes
Paper Makeup Stamps---Anything Goes
TTCRD---Anything Goes
Lacy Sunshine---Anything Goes
Joanna Sheen---Girls, Girls, Girls
Bearly-Mine---Color
Pile It On---Put a Bird on It
SweetPea Stampers---Birds of a Feather
Wags 'n Whiskers---Anything Goes
Frosted Designs---Punches
Crafting by Designs---Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenge---For the Girls
Simon Says Stamp---Anything Goes
Clear it Out---Critters and Earth Tones
Crafty Boots---Rainbows
Creative Inspirations Paint---Anything Goes
Dream Valley---Animals
Everybody Art---Sketch

Make sure to join us in the WAW Challenge this week for there are 12 prizes to be won from our wonderful sponsors.  Pink Persimmon Stamps is going to give away 5 wonderful clear stamp packages to one blessed winner (these are priced and gorgeous stamps) and 11 others will win chipboard letters from Scripture by Design.  You are welcome to use our Word Art in your project but not a requirement.  You can enter up to 5 projects as long as it has uplifting/inspirational and family friendly messages.  I am excited to see what you come up with.  Have a blessed day and remember that God loves you!

Birthday Tops the Charts Card---My Final GDT Card for The Outlawz Challenge!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!  Let us not forget the men and women who have courageously put their lives in harms way so we can live free in this country.  I pray for every perfect blessing from the Lord to shower our military personnel and their families all the days of their lives and that you all  may know the hope and peace that is found only in the knowledge of the One, True God! I also pray this prayer to every Missionary from here and around the world who are tirelessly fulfilling the great Commission and putting their lives in danger for the sake of reconciling people to God.  I pray for the power of God to be demonstrated in your lives, freedom for those who were being tortured in prison and the strength and power of God for the persecuted  Sadly, today, we are bombarded not just by those who wants to physically and economically harm us but those who attack the very Constitution that America was governed since it was adopted in 1787.  It was based on a Judeo-Christian principles that have Biblical foundations.  Many people don't know the value of freedom because they have never experienced living in a country whose rights were suppressed either by their forms of government, their religions or the belief system that prevailed in those countries.  We will not know the value of freedom till it is taken away from us and if you look at what is happening nowadays, we can see how we are being robbed of our Godly heritage daily.  Throughout my life, I have watched documentaries on rise and fall of nations and paired with the knowledge God has allowed me to possess through His Word, people are set to repeat history by simply not learning from the mistakes of the past.   The Bible talks about the oppression the Israelites faced under the hands of the Egyptians in the Book of Exodus.  He sent Moses to free His people from this bondage and slavery and through the process---God has shown  how He cared for His people.  Miracles upon miracles---Cloud by day, fire by night!  He has given them the Mosaic Law which reveals God's Holy Ways which we can never fulfill.  It was not given as a checklist for man which will gain him salvation---that would be impossible.  It was given for us to realize the depth from which we've fallen from the ways of God and to point us to a desperate need---A Savior!  Jesus Christ was the promised seed (her seed) in Genesis 3:15 which states, "And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."  Consider this, right after the Fall of Man, God has spoken of a coming Savior, one that will bruise the power of Satan and take back the God-given authority that he has stolen from Man.  The Bible and everything on it speaks of that Savior, a Messiah that would come to save His people and that anyone who confesses their faith in Him is part of His Body---the Church and is saved (Romans 10:9).  From Genesis to Revelation, there is only One Story---how Jesus Christ fulfilled the will of the Father and was faithful to the end.  He resurrected and took back what we've lost as He delegated to His Church the preaching of the Gospel (Good News) which consist of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This is the Source of every believer's power here on earth.  Because Jesus triumphed, He will be the One to judge the living and the dead at the coming of age.  What a blessing to be at the side of the Victor!  Though our situations look different as we see the rise of rebellion, lawlessness and depravity not just in this nation but all over the world.  Kids being brought up without the knowledge of and accountability to God, the slaughter of the unborn by the millions and hailing sexual depravity at the fore front while forcing everyone opposing to not discriminate but to tolerate.  This is what the world is battling with today and they may not involve physical weapons but the scripture told us in Ephesians 6:12-15, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."  I know it is hard to deal with those people that were being used by the enemy to bend the Truth of God to suit their fleshly desires but we are told to pray of them and extend compassion while standing up for the Truth of God---knowing that they are under the deception of the enemy, like we were, before we were freed by Jesus Christ through faith in Him.  Thus, we say, "we love the sinner but will always hate the sin."  I want to share this comforting Word of God for whatever struggles you may have at this time:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  (Galatians 6:9)

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (1 Timothy1:7)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

I hope we all took courage and understanding from those powerful scriptures.  So, here's my inspiration card for Memorial Day.  As GDT for The Outlawz Challenge this month, we were asked to make a Masculine Vintage Birthday card and here's what I came up with.  I am not into making vintage projects but I can say I tried my very best (with the Lord's help, of course) to aged this project to perfection.  I used a wonderful digi image called "Big Guy Grilling" from one of my fave artist---Mo Manning.  I tried to color it with Sepia combinations in mind thus a lot of brown shades using my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers with some paper-piecing of the shirt and applying Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Walnut Stain) to the edges of my DP's.  My base card is a Kraft 5.5-inch square, the 3 DP's were from DCWV, together with some gems from Imaginisce.  The wonderful sentiment is a freebie I got from Create with TLC.  It was so much fun making this and hope you enjoy it too. 

 BIRTHDAY TOPS THE CHARTS CARD:

 BIRTHDAY TOPS THE CHARTS CARD LAYERS:

 BIRTHDAY TOPS THE CHARTS CARD INSIDE:

BIRTHDAY TOPS THE CHARTS CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

Enjoy all the wonderful things you have planned today.  Don't forget to join us at The Outlawz Challenges .  You must be a registered member in order to post and comment but it's super easy to join and lots of prizes to be won.  Have a blessed day and let us continue to fight for what is right in God's Word. 

Faith: Believing God Said So Card---Join us for an Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello, everyone!  This post is a bit late due to my always busy Sundays.  Had a wonderful time praising and worshiping the King of kings in the midst of the congregation early this morning and it was an honor to usher the people to the throne of our Almighty God.  I've been a part of the Music Ministry in all the Churches God took me since I came to know Him many years ago.  You see, God has given us all talents and has wired us to be good at certain things in order to fulfill His purpose here on earth through us.  Unless we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, that purpose will remain foreign to us because only when we are connected to our power Source that we can unleash our full potential.  Before I came to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I thought I got my life going.  I've been singing all my life and was doing great in other forms of art like dancing and acting.  Back in my college years, I realized I could make singing as a career and I have gotten wonderful words, which I took as confirmation, from the many great talents I was surrounded with.  But I had to rethink my future the time I lost my voice due to the stressful hours of rehearsals I had to go through at one of our Singing competitions.  I was devastated that my dream would never come to pass.  I somehow resented God wondering how He could have given the talent and then took it back.  It was frustrating not being able to perform in the same level I was able to.  That, together with many other problems  life brought me at the exact time sure plummeted me to hopelessness.  THEN, CAME JESUS!  Growing up in one of the most influential religions in the world, I thought I knew Jesus!  I found out that I just knew His name but not truly knew Who He was in my life.  I began to read His Word----there was that hunger and thirst to discover that love, grace and compassion He alone can provide.  My life is a living testimony that He never failed.  I took what was left of my voice and offered it back to Him.  It is so wonderful to serve the Only One who is worthy of all my praise---the One who loved me so much that He had to give His life for my sake.  In times of trials and moments of stubbornness,  He remains constant, unchanging of His love for me.   He wraps me in His arms and tells me to calm down and lets me rest while He takes hold of the driver's seat.  And all I need to do is to allow Him---That simple trust is FAITH!  Many of us think we know everything and that we are capable enough to be in charge of our lives.  We want to rest in the evening knowing that we did everything we possibly can to live a successful life---rich in all the pleasures that go with it.  This mentality is nothing but rebellion to the Only One true God.  Come to think of it, we cannot even prevent death from coming.  We are helpless in natural calamities and not one of us can stop an earthquake from happening no matter how rich or powerful we are.  The scripture tells us that there is life after death and only the Bible has detailed what would become of those that didn't put their faith (trust) in Jesus Christ (had been Born-again of the Water (Word of God) and the Spirit (Holy Spirit)---Read John 3) and the legacy of those that have done so before our physical life is over.  I challenge you to seek the Scriptures and lay out all your questions to our Almighty God.  He has every questions answered. We are a heartbeat away from eternity and I ask that you don't take it lightly for it may be too late.  I would like to share to you these scriptures Jesus told us about the Rich man and Lazarus.  I hope this provides a glimpse of the reality of eternal life according to the Word of God and how we are a tripartite being possessing a spirit, soul and body:

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire. But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:19-31)

  

With all these verses, it is most important that we trust in what the Word of God says.  The Bible has 66 books that comprised both the Old and the New Testaments.  They were written by several authors with many years in between each book yet, it does not have any error.  Why so?  Because it didn't come from the mind of man but of God.  Men were used by God to write but the thoughts were from God Himself---the Holy Spirit.  I can identify with that because when I am sharing here in my Blog, I am amazed at some of the posts I share and I can tell you, it is not my thoughts but God's. I am simply a vessel for Him.  So, here's my inspiration card for you today for our Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  It's Anything Goes this week and our lovely sponsor is Meljen's Designs.  I chose the "A Girl and her Overalls" that I had for quite sometime (rubber stamp) and colored it with ProMaker/Prismacolor markers.  I laid every panel on a 5.5-inch square Kraft card base, the DP's are from Recollections and DCWV and the CS's are Kraft, Green, Blue, Pink and Yellow from my scraps.  I layered some Prima flowers, add buttons and glitters (Stickles-Diamond), ribbon and Liquid Pearls (White Opaque).   I stamped some swirls from Inkadinkado and the sentiment is from CDS Stamps which I recently purchased (Hurry, I think they still have a moving sale).  Hope you enjoy the pics.

FAITH: BELIEVING GOD SAID SO CARD:

FAITH: BELIEVING GOD SAID SO CARD LAYERS:

FAITH: BELIEVING GOD SAID SO CARD INSIDE:

FAITH: BELIEVING GOD SAID SO CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This is all for today and I am posting my next inspiration card for The Outlawz Challenges tomorrow.  Hope you have a good start of the week and know that the Lord has prepared for you a life of purpose as you surrender your life to Jesus Christ!  Hugs and blessings...

Scripture Series: But the Lord is Faithful Easel Card---Time for Another Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Great Wednesday to all you Crafters out there!  Sorry for my delay in posting this but just been hammered with loads of things to do the past few days that I felt I would be snoozing over my computer instead of completing a post.  But got a bit of rest now and ready to share God's Word.  My card today is a very special one because I used an image that I felt very strongly about.  Honestly, when I saw this image from Sassy Cheryl, I felt so emotional about it.  That is because I saw in the image something about myself and the love of God for me.  It's a picture of a little boy hugging a bear.  It should not be a big deal but if you noticed, the bear is falling apart, unwanted, all used up, tired and good for tossing away but the little boy picked it up and showed love and compassion for it.  He sees the potential over this unwanted bear and knew he can still bring out the best in it. So much so, the love of God for us...His grace, compassion and love drew Him to us who in return have rebelled against Him, did everything possible to betray Him and turned our backs against Him and in the process hurt ourselves---physically, emotionally and spiritually!  We were created in the image of likeness of our Father in Heaven.  Genesis 1:26 says, "Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."  Not only did He gave us a spirit but He made us rulers with authority to rule over His creation.  We are His precious creation and was only expecting love in return.  But history showed us failing in Genesis 3.  Sharing the desire to be God (which is the very heart and nature of the devil when he said in Isaiah 14:13-15, "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."), we became slaves to Satan and thus we are seeing the very evidence of his ruling on this earth which is bombarded with killing, stealing and destroying (John 10:10).  Romans 1:21 says, "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."  Sad to say but like the bear in my card, we were without hope, only good for tossing away...BUT GOD NEVER GAVE UP ON US!  He saw our potential, our future and refused to dwell in the past.  He's relentless, passionate and faithful.  He sent His One and Only Son---Jesus Christ---to suffer His own wrath (which clearly says that as God is love, He is also a JUST God that won't let sin  go unpunished) to ransom us from the hands of the devil.  He purchased us with His own blood---through Jesus death on the Cross so that he may condemn sin in the flesh.  He gave up His own life so that we may have ours back.  Don't you understand it?  He loves us more than His own life!  The Bible says in John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  I cried when I saw this cute digi image because I didn't see myself making the same choice as this boy.  When I purchase something, I want it to be in the most perfect condition, no tears nor spots.  I wouldn't want to pay for anything that needs some work unless I am desperately in need of it.  I realized the very God of heaven desperately needs me back in His arms that He is willing to give up His life for me.  He wants me for Himself---I, who have been disobedient, unfaithful, stubborn in many ways.  But that's who He is---HE LOVES!     I am good for tossing away but He sees me more precious than any jewels.  He saw my potential, not my present situation.  Tell me, how can I not love Him back?  Knowing Him and what He has done for me is the best thing that ever happened in my life and I am eternally grateful.  I want to share with you some verses to ponder on:

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."  (Isaiah 1:18)

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." (1 John 2:1)

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord," (Acts 3:19) 

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life In Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2)

So, here's my inspirational card for you today at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) and it features 2 Thessalonians 3:3 which I added some color using Paint Program.  You can download this scripture Word Art at the WAW Blog for free.  The Sassy Cheryl  image (already retired, I think!) is colored using my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  I used a Kraft 5.5" square base card.  The DP's are from Recollections and K & Company.  I used Nestabilities for my Hexagon die cut, some brown brads and a sanding dust cloth from Making Memories for that touch of fiber.  I stamped the "love border" from Fiskars and the inside sentiment is from Studio G.  Lastly, as always, I stitched all over this card.  Hope you are blessed with it as much as I am. 

 BUT THE LORD IS FAITHFUL EASEL CARD:

 BUT THE LORD IS FAITHFUL EASEL CARD SIDE VIEW:

 BUT THE LORD IS FAITHFUL EASEL CARD WHEN CLOSE:

 BUT THE LORD IS FAITHFUL EASEL CARD WITH MESSAGE SPACE:

BUT THE LORD IS FAITHFUL EASEL CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

I am so grateful to God for His help posting this.  He is my Source of inspiration in all my  projects and posting.  Without Him, I will not have anything worthy of sharing.  I hope you join us at WAW and link up to 5 inspirational , family friendly projects to our Challenge.  If you decide to make something out of the free Word art, we would like to see it but if you don't, it's not a requirement.  I am excited to see what you create this week. Lots of prizes to be won from our sponsor this week, V's Sweet Ideas.  Have a blessed day and meditate on the love of Jesus for you.  If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus and would like to know how, message me and I will be more than happy to introduce you to Him.  Hugs!