Challenge #122 - Anything Goes

When It Rains, It Pours: You Need an Umbrella!

Devotional by Diane Noble

On any given day, we might long for a few peaceful moments as our lives seem to get increasingly hectic.  No doubt you've had times described by the "when it rains, it pours" cliche'.  Too many deadlines to keep, too many activities to juggle, too many people demanding more of you, and suddenly you feel like you're in a debilitating deluge getting drenched.

Peace - we grab it where and when we can, we hold it over our heads to deflect the downpour for just a few moments - a 15 minute soak in the tub is a luxury, a quiet evening out with your husband is delightful but rare, an evening when you find you are alone in the house and you just sit to soak up the quiet.  Peace - we long for it because we spend our days hurrying and worrying, don't we?  There are so many things in our world to worry about.  What are your umbrellas?  What helps you stay dry during the storms of life?

I have to confess, one of my umbrellas is Pinterest.  Pinterest?!?! I told you I was confessing!  I spend nearly an hour on most days leisurely browsing pins as though I were strolling through the cool and quiet marble halls of an art gallery.  I pin nearly everything I see.  Pinning makes me happy.  Pinning makes me momentarily believe that I could recreate what I see, makes me dream of having the time and talent to pull off those perfect projects.  Pinterest is my get-away.  The problem is, I rarely make what I pin.  Perhaps I create a CASED card now and then.  But mostly, I just pin and dream.  All too soon, I'm grabbed from my reverie as the rains of reality start soaking through my umbrella and I have to make a dash back into life dodging puddles as I go.  Life gets muddy; and the peace doesn't last.

Any peace, any quiet refuge we find in this world won't last.  We can't expect it to.  The world isn't capable of giving us lasting peace.  No spa days, no shopping-just-for-me days, no pills, no get-aways, no counselor - they are all umbrellas that will tear under the weight of pelting torrents of real-life drama. The rain always comes again.  We need a peaceful shelter that will last.

That's why Jesus offers the teaching in our challenge verse, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  (John 14:27)  What an amazing promise!  The peace that Jesus offers to us can eliminate our troubled hearts.  Notice, He doesn't imply that His peace removes troubles from our lives.  Troubles will still rain down, no doubt.  But His peace will heal a troubled and fearful heart.  That is a shelter worth seeking.  As we come into deep relationship with the Savior, surrendering self and sin, we come under His shelter.  More than an umbrella, His peace is water-proof armor.  We can move through the storms of life and not get wet.  "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43:2)  Peace.  Walking through floods and not getting wet, marching through rivers and crossing on dry land, standing in fiery furnaces and not getting singed - that is the power of the peace of Christ.  The floods are there, and rivers rush by us, fires sweep through our lives.  Still, the peace of Christ sweeps through our hearts, fuels our faith, strengthens our resolve, and moves us forward.  Peace, not as the world gives, but His peace.  The only true peace.  Is His peace your peace?  If you trust Him, your troubled heart can know His power, His presence, and His amazing peace.

As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges.   We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to 5 projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to these guidelines (dark images).  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's beautiful scripture/word art files.

We hope that they will be a blessing to you!

Here are this week's PHENOMENAL sponsors:

The wonderful Freckled Fawn is offering
one lucky winner a $15 Gift Certificate
to their super fun store!
AND

One lucky person will win
a 10£ Gift Certificate to
Crafty Ribbons -This lovely store
is filled with luscious ribbons, laces and trims!

And now...here are this week's winners:

The winner of a $15 Gift Certificate
to the wonderful store Classy Cards 'N Such
is Entry #47 - Sara I.
AND

The winner of THREE SETS from
Daydream Designs is
Entry #108 - Ann Whitfield

May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!

Here's some inspiration from our Design Team
Our March Guest Designer, Sandra Carey

Diane Noble

Laura Lunsford

Using wrong scripture (Karen's fault) and

digi papers from Daydream Designs - Shine Like Stars

Lori Ulrich

Carole Robb Bisson

Stephanie Wright

Jo Ann Atterbury

Karen Letchworth

Challenge #121 - Anything Goes

Welcome back, friends of Word Art Wednesday!  Each and every week, we are so incredibly blessed by each of you and the beautiful art you share with us.  Please know that we appreciate you, the kind comments you leave for us, and the beautiful projects you create and share with us.  God continues to show his mighty hand of provision and blessing, and we thank you for being part of the journey.

This week's scripture is found in Micah 7:7 and tells us, quite simply, "Therefore I will look unto the Lord: I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."  I think we can ALL connect with this piece of scripture.  We're all aware of how God works, and it's pretty clear that when we completely FIX our eyes on God, and are willing to put the images of this world OUT of our minds, and quit trying to make things happen "our way", He is far more likely to hear our cries and bless our lives.  It takes so much faith to just keep looking at HIM, even when the circumstances of our lives are drawing our eyes away from Him; trying to get us to focus on life's struggles.  God wants us to TRUST HIM, and to keep our eyes on Him; despite ANY of life's distractions.  Sometimes He puts those stumbling blocks in the way just to make sure that we will keep our eyes where they belong, which is steadily fixed upon HIM ALONE.  We also hear the world telling us a million different things, but again, this is so that we will not waver.  Our eyes must be focused where they belong, which is on Him.  When we find ourselves wanting answers to our prayers RIGHT THIS SECOND, it's another reminder that we need to be patient and wait on Him.  We must never lose sight of the fact that His timing is PERFECT, and we need to completely trust that He has our futures under control.  We need to let go of our worries, increase our trust, and just know that HE IS GOD, and that waiting on Him in every area of our lives will bring us an amazing peace that passes understanding.  God hears our concerns even when we are unable to adequately express them.  What a beautiful truth from His precious Word.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE:  We had a recent situation with one of our sponsors where the emails being sent were somehow not being received by them.  For clarification, The Scrappy Gourmet DID take care of our winner, and we apologize for reporting that they had not.  It was a simple glitch where email communications did not go through.  We are incredibly grateful for all our generous sponsors, and we give God the praise for working things out for His glory.  Psalm 139:23 says "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  God knows our hearts, our mistakes, our shortcomings, and our true intentions.  We pray that this will be a valuable lesson for everyone.  Let's all remember Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges.   We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to 5 projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to these guidelines.  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's beautiful scripture/word art file.

We hope that it will be a blessing to you!

Here are this week's AMAZING sponsors:

The incredibly wonderful Classy Cards 'N Such is
offering a LUCKY winner a $15 Gift Certificate
to their DELIGHTFUL shop!  They carry stamps,
die-cuts, and everything you can dream of!
They also offer weekly challenges on their sweet blog.
Click here to shop Classy Cards 'N Such!
AND
Our very own Diane Noble of Daydream Designs
is offering another lucky winner their choice of
three SETS of their choosing.  How exciting!

TOP-NOTCH SHOP PRIZES THIS WEEK!
GOD IS SO GOOD and we pray that God will
bless each of these AWESOME stores!

And Now.....Here are Our Winners!

The lucky winner of the $15 Gift Certificate
from the AWESOME
Prairie Point Junction/Wool Felt Central
is Lucky Entry #100 - Giovana
 Enjoy shopping at Prairie Point Junction
AND

The lucky winner of three (3)
darling digital images from Digi Darla Designs 
is Entry #10 - Renate
Enjoy your sweet new Digi Darla's images

May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!

Here's some inspiration from our Design Team
Our February Guest Designer, Gail Scott

Using A Sponsor Image from Daydream Designs

Called Enjoying Nature With Tea

Diane Noble

Using Sponsor Image from Daydream Designs

Called My Heart Still Dances

Laura Lunsford

Lori Ulrich

Carole Robb Bisson

Stephanie Wright

Using Sponsor Image from Daydream Designs

Called Love Lifts Me

Jo Ann Atterbury

Karen Letchworth

Using Sponsor Image from Daydream Designs

Called Tea and Roses Color Set

AND Sponsor Product from Classy Cards 'N Such

Called Seam Binding in Eggshell White

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge #120 - Anything Goes

Each week here at Word Art Wednesday, we see the hand of God at work.  We firmly believe that God is at the center of our challenges, and our ultimate goal is to bring glory and honor to His name.  So, if there is ever a time that you are blessed by something you read here, or by a comment left, or by the art that is shared, we encourage you to PRAISE HIM for it.  It's really not about any of us - it's all about Jesus Christ, and we really do want to give HIM all the praise and all the glory for every good thing that happens as a result of our challenge blog.

OUR CONDOLENCES:  Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to Patsy Paterno, her sister, Peggy, their brother Robert, and their entire family.  Peggy and Patsy's dear Mother passed away recently.  While we know that their hearts are heavy, we praise God that they have the peace of knowing that their Mother is in Heaven with the Lord because she placed her faith in Him and asked Him to be her Lord and her Savior.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Patsy, Peggy, Robert, and your entire family.  May God comfort you all.  We praise God with you for the beautiful legacy your Mom leaves behind.  She was obviously a wonderful woman of God to have raised such amazing children who love the Lord and use their artistic talents to glorify Him at every opportunity.  We love you!

This week's scripture/word art file is Romans 14:19.  This passage of text is referring to scripture from Leviticus in the Old Testament, and has to do with restrictions under the old law in reference to certain foods that were not permitted.  The passage reminds us that our negative actions can directly affect less mature believers.  Even though these laws regarding food restrictions no longer apply, the meaning of the scripture is the same.  It rolls over and applies to all the choices we make, all our daily decisions, and each step of our daily walk as they affect us and those around us.  We need to always be an example to other believers - most especially the newer believers who look to us for strength, guidance, and an example of Christian living.  If we are always careful to follow after things in our lives that make for peace and peaceful living, and things that edify (or lift up and encourage) one another, then we will be a blessing to one another and will ultimately bring glory to God.  If you know your fellow believer struggles in a certain area, then encourage that person to pursue choices that would help build him or her up and steer them away from temptation.  We never want to be a hindrance to others, or lead them in the way of temptation and trouble.  But rather, we want always to do those things that would edify one another, and ultimately glorify our Father God in Heaven.  Never underestimate how your action affect those around you.  Ask God each day to help you be the example He wants you to be.

As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges.   We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to 5 projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to these guidelines.  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's beautiful scripture/word art file.

We hope that it will be a blessing to you!

Here are this week's AWESOME sponsors:

Prairie Point Junction/Wool Felt Central
is generously offering a $15
Gift Certificate to one lucky person.
Check out their gorgeous wool felt here
on their lovely website Prairie Point Junction
AND

Digi Darla Designs is offering a generous prize
of three (3) darling digital images
to a second lucky winner this week.
Check out their sweet shop here
at Digi Darla's and see ALL they offer!

AND NOW....Here are our winners!

This prize is SO HUGE that I've divided
it in order to bless two people.
The very lucky winners of a pile of
luscious wool felt from
Jennifer Elliott of Shoppe 3130
are Entry #128 - Sierra Winters
and Entry #198 - Cindy Womack

AND

The lucky winner of some sweet
digital loveliness from
Beatriz Jennings of Iralamija Shop
is Entry #95 - D/Designs by Dragonfly
Iralamija Shop on Etsy

May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!

Here's some inspiration from our Design Team
Our February Guest Designer, Gail Scott

Diane Noble

Laura Lunsford

Lori Ulrich

Carole Robb Bisson

Front of Card

Inside of Card Using Word Art

Stephanie Wright

Using Sponsor Image, Digi Darla's One Cup-a-Daisies

Jo Ann Atterbury

Karen Letchworth