Challege #167 - Anything Goes

Welcome back for another GREAT new Anything Goes challenge here at Word Art Wednesday.  Thanks so much for joining us this week.  We LOVE seeing all the beautiful creations you share with us each week, and we really hope you are all doing well; experiencing God's blessings, and enjoying your creative time.  We just LOVE that you play along with us and allow us to see your creative works.

In this week's scripture, 3 John 2, God tells us that He wants very much for all men to prosper, and to be in good health.  This letter was originally written by John to a dear friend in Christ named Gaius.  It is believed that perhaps Gaius had been ill, and that John was wishing him wellness in his health - the same way that he was prospering in his soul (spiritually).  Of course, our spiritual condition is first and foremost VERY important to God.  We need to be saved - that's just a given.  But beyond that, God wants us to prosper financially, and to be in good health as well.  This is why John sent Gaius good wishes for health and prosperity.  Many of our followers (friends of Word Art Wednesday) have shared with us that they're going through various medical issues.  Please know that when you share your burdens with us, we really do pray for you.  But what's even more important than that; is knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ TRULY CARES about your health and prosperity.  You are important to Him, and He desires for you to be well.  If you are going through a difficult time financially or medically (or both), please know that God cares about you.  It's not ever His desire for you to be ill or struggling.  We encourage you to cast your burdens on Him, for He cares about you! (1 Peter 5:7).  Please, dear Christian, DON'T get down-hearted.  God cares so much about you.  Even if you're going through something difficult, keep your faith strong.  NEVER stop praising Him.  Trust that He knows the outcome, and that He is in complete control of the journey.  Simply tell Him your worries, your needs, your cares, and God WILL take care of you.  Sometimes He tests us, and allows us to struggle so that we can show our faith.  Don't let it throw you!  Continue to trust, continue to praise Him, and never forget that (just like Gaius) God cares about YOU and wants for you to prosper and be in good health.  There is joy in the journey when we learn to trust Him in all things.  You're never in your situation alone.  What a wonderful promise.  God knows how the story ends.  Just trust Him and lean on Him for the strength you need when you are weak.  His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

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 altered or digital art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to five (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:

The AMAZING on-line store The Flying Unicorn
is offering one very lucky person a generous
$25 Gift Certificate to the store.  The Flying Unicorn
is filled with all the big-brand names of crafting
and scrapping supplies for all crafters.
Click here to browse and shop The Flying Unicorn

Fred-She-Said Digital Stamps is offering
one lucky winner a prize of three (3)
images of choice from their ADORABLE shop!
You will LOVE this prize.

AND NOW.......Here are our LUCKY WINNERS:

The lucky winner of this week's prize of a

$10 Gift Certificate to V's Sweet Ideas is
Lucky Entry #11 - Dottie S.
AND

This week's fabulously FUN digital sponsor is
Robyn's Fetish.  The lucky winner of our digital
prize from Robyn's Fetish is
Lucky Entry #53 - Renate

 WINNERS:  Please email Karen THIS WEEK

to claim your prize!  Thanks.

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

Here's Some Inspiration to Get You Started

Our January Guest Designer, Teresa Kline

Heather Dennis

Diane Noble

Laura Lunsford 

Stephanie Wright

Jo Ann Atterbury

Carole Robb Bisson

Karen Letchworth

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge #166 - Anything Goes

Welcome back to Word Art Wednesday.  We hope that you had a blessed week, and that you're all ready for another AWESOME challenge with some amazing sponsors and a very special devotional by our Design Team Member, Stephanie Wright.  Our goal is to provide a FUN place where you can share your art, and a place of fellowship and encouragement as we share bits of knowledge and discernment from the precious Word of God.  We hope this week's devotional will bless and challenge you.  We're SO glad you've stopped by to join us!

Our son, daughter and I are among the estimated 13% of adults in the US that suffer from migraines.  While the three of us have different triggers that don’t affect the other two, the one trigger we have in common is a sensitivity to light.  Flickering, flashing, extra bright or a poorly diffused direct light beam can cause almost instantaneous pain.  It’s such a consistent trigger that it’s not uncommon to hear one of our spouses say, “Look away, or you’ll get a headache."

I was reminded of this recently as I sat in a dim room waiting for my turn to see the doctor.  There was one light in the room, and the angle of its under-diffused beam was so direct I felt it right away.  As I lay there shielding my eyes, my mind began to think of how light is such a good thing, and yet it can cause such pain. Those who don’t suffer from migraines, or other health issues triggered by a light sensitivity, may not realize the effects of flashing lights, flickering fires, candles or computer screens; or why we look away when a child runs by with those cute light-up shoes that flash as they move.

As I continued to contemplate, I began thinking about Jesus’ command to us to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). The best lights have steady, constant beams.  They provide warmth; and because they make things easier to see, they provide security.  If we are to be a light for the Lord, our witness before others should be constant as well.  How much pain has been caused and how much damage has been done to the cause of Christ by Christians who live an on-again/off-again lifestyle? Such a Christian can not be trusted; nor do they inspire confidence that God’s way is the best way.  If we are going to say we are a Christian, we need to be a steady light so that we don’t hurt others by our inconsistency.

Ephesians 4:15 tells us that we are to “speak the truth in love.” When we see something in someone’s life that doesn’t line up with God’s Word, we need to remember to not be arrogant, brash, or "holier-than-thou".  Our words need to be diffused with love, or else we are going to cause unnecessary pain to others. Just as the under-diffused light in that waiting room at the doctor’s office made me want to avoid using that room in the future, so will speaking the truth without love cause others to avoid us.  It also may turn them off to anyone else who tries to share the truth of God’s Word.  No matter what the topic of conversation may be, speaking the truth with a filter of love will always help the conversation go better.

It takes a lot of work to be a consistent witness.  Why are we to go to all this effort?  Our focus verse this week answers this question for us.  Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  As with everything we do, we are to be a consistent steady light to the world so that we will bring glory to the Lord as they see our example.  Let’s do a self check-up and make sure that we are not causing pain to others by the way we live our lives so that we will bring glory, and not dishonor, to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

         - Stephanie Wright, DT Member

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 altered or digital art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to five (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:

V's Sweet Ideas is one of our favorite sponsors.
V's Sweet Shoppe offers all kinds of great embellishments,
sequins, trims, and several beautiful new stamp
sets.  One lucky person will win themselves a
$10 Gift Certificate for V's Sweet Ideas.
AND

This week's fabulously FUN digital sponsor is
Robyn's Fetish.  They carry a wide variety of
ADORABLE digital stamps for every occasion.
One person will win three (3) images of choice
to the lovely shop at Robyn's Fetish.
Click About Our Sponsors for more info!

AND NOW.....Here are this week's LUCKY WINNERS:

How exciting!

One of our brand new sponsors this year is the very

ADORABLE Newton's Nook Designs.  They carry

the sweetest high-quality stamp sets you can imagine.

The very lucky winner of the  generous

$15 Gift Certificate to Newton's Nook is

Entry #60 - Cherry's Jubilee

AND

Lilla Rose is another new sponsor this year.  They make
gorgeous hand-crafted hair jewelry for all hair
types.  The prize is being offered by Lizzie Williams,
an Independent Lilla Rose Consultant.
The lucky person who has won this lovely gift:

from Lilla Rose is the blessed
Entry #145 - Joanne of Creative Pursuits
AND

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is a LOVELY shop filled
with adorable stamps, digis and more.  The very
lucky winner of our AMAZING digital prize this
week is Entry #186 - Marsha D.

 WINNERS:  Please email Karen THIS WEEK

to claim your prize!  Thanks.

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

Here's Some Inspiration to Get You Started

Our January Guest Designer, Teresa Kline

Heather Dennis

Laura Lunsford

Stephanie Wright

Using Sponsor Image Lighthouse

from Robyn's Fetish

Jo Ann Atterbury

Carole Robb Bisson

Using Sponsor Image Bakendayz

from Robyn's Fetish

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge #165 - Anything Goes

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Here we are with our first challenge of 2015, and we have THREE really fun sponsors this week.  We also have a super sweet and talented Guest Designer with us for the month; Teresa Kline.  You will LOVE the sweet cards she will be sharing, and we really hope that you will stop by her blog, Paperie Blooms, to say hello and leave her some love and encouragement.  And be sure to check out all the awesome new sponsors we have with us this year.  They're listed on our side-bar with links to their sweet shops.

Let's take a look at this week's scripture/word art file from Psalm 143:8.  It says, "Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust:  cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee."  I often hear people say things like, "God just doesn't speak to me", or they'll say, "I just don't hear God telling me what I should do".  In such cases, my first question would be......when is the last time that you woke up in the morning, and before ANYTHING else, you asked God to show you His lovingkindness.  Or when is the last time you said to God, "let me know how I should live my life today", or even.... "Lord, I lift up my soul to you and I ask you to guide me in all my ways".  Most of the time, we don't hear from God because we don't seek Him.  When you wake up in the morning, the very first thing on your lips should be a cry out to God for the strength you need for that day.  Tell Him you love Him, and that you trust Him with ALL the details of your life.  Ask Him to lead you each day to do exactly what HE wants you to do, and ask Him to show you His will for your life.  There isn't going to be a neon sign flashing, or a note that falls down from Heaven in front of your face telling you what to do.  We each need to SEEK GOD every day.  We have to submit our souls to His will and His ways.  God can't speak to you if you aren't 1) Praying - talking to Him EVERY DAY and asking Him for the things you need.  It's not a one-way conversation.  He WILL speak to you, but you need to speak to Him every day as well.  And 2) Read His Word.  We don't always find time every single day to read our Bibles.  But let me say this.....ALL the answers you're looking for are right there in God's Word.  But you can't hear God speak to you if you never open His Word and read it.  Find a good devotional, and get deep into God's Word.  It's just FILLED with rich, wonderful, helpful advice about EVERY SINGLE SUBJECT in the world.  We can't expect to hear from God unless we're willing to talk to Him, and read the words He has left as a guide for our lives.  This week's verse is really helpful if we simply DO what it says.  What a blessing to know that all the answers are just waiting for us to inquire about them.

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 altered or digital art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to five (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:

How exciting!

One of our brand new sponsors this year is the very

ADORABLE Newton's Nook Designs.  They carry

the sweetest high-quality stamp sets you can imagine.

Stop by to browse and shop at Newton's Nook Designs

today.  One lucky person will win a generous

$15 Gift Certificate to Newton's Nook!

AND

Lilla Rose is a new sponsor this year.  They make
gorgeous hand-crafted hair jewelry for all hair
types.  The prize is being offered by Lizzie Williams,
an Independent Lilla Rose Consultant.
One lucky person will win this lovely gift:

from Lilla Rose.  You can view their entire line by
clicking on this link to their sweet shop.
AND

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is a LOVELY shop filled
with adorable stamps, digis and more.  One
lucky person will win a $10 voucher for digital
images.  What a fun prize!

AND NOW.....Here are this week's winners:

Pretty Little Studio is a DARLING little shop
filled with the sweetest flair, cut-outs,
vintage images and SO much more.
The lucky winner to the $20 Gift Certificate
to Pretty Little Studio is the VERY lucky
Entry #179 - Debbie
AND

Craft Classes Online is offering one
lucky person a seat in one of their many
on-line classes. The lucky winner of that prize
from Craft Classes Online is
Lucky Entry #107 - Marie

 WINNERS:  Please email Karen THIS WEEK

to claim your prize!  Thanks.

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

Here's Some Inspiration to Get You Started

Our January Guest Designer, Teresa Kline

Heather Dennis

Laura Lunsford

Lori Ulrich

Stephanie Wright

Jo Ann Atterbury 

Carole Robb Bisson

Karen Letchworth 

 

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up