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

Challenge #119 - Anything Goes

It's time for another great new challenge, and we're so glad you are joining us this week. We were blown away by the amazing projects and cards shared in last week's challenge.  God is pouring out His blessings on us, and we praise Him for all He has done, and all He continues to do through this challenge blog.

For this week's word art, we look to Psalm 34:10 and we hear God telling us that even the king of the wild, the lion, will go hungry sometimes.  There are times when the lion, and all wild animals for that matter, will starve because of a lack of food.  And of course, there will be times when the lion and other animals have an abundance of food.  We are not like the animals.  God values us much differently (much more highly) because we are created in His image.  But this passage reminds us that when we are seeking God and walking with Him as we should, He will never allow us to lack or suffer hunger.  We've all gone through times of financial struggle, and we all know good Christians who have suffered (or are suffering) financially.  But God will not allow anyone in His care to starve.  We always have something to eat, somewhere to turn, and God always provides for us when we submit ourselves to Him.  Sometimes we ask God why we are struggling, or why He allows us to go through certain problems.  When we think clearly about this, we will realize that if we never went through difficult times, we wouldn't be nearly as close to God as we are.  We tend to pray more and draw closer to God when we need something.  It's sad, but true.  Does God need to cause you to suffer financially, physically, or otherwise in order to prove Himself in your life?  It's important that we realize how VERY blessed we are.  We need to praise Him in times of trouble, as well as in times of plenty.  It's important to remember that everything we have comes from Him and belongs to Him, and that it can be taken away just as quickly as it arrived.  We must live in a spirit of gratefulness, and continue to praise Him and thank Him for our blessings ALWAYS.  We must remember, however, that when the scripture tells us "we shall not want any good thing", this doesn't mean we get every frivolous thing we want.  The "good things" He gives us are the things that He knows are best for us.  That's what makes them "good"; as He is referring to the things He wants for us, and not the things our flesh desires.  What a blessing to know that God will always provide for us when we submit ourselves to Him.

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:

Jennifer Elliott of Shoppe 3130 has generously
offered a lovely variety of her luscious wool felt.
Her lovely shop also contains darling party supplies
and goodies of all sorts.  Click here - Shoppe 3130
or check out this link for FREE DOWNLOADS

AND

Beatriz Jennings of Iralamija Shop
has generously donated some of her
darling, and oh so sweet, digital files
for another lucky winner.
Click here to see her lovely goodies
Iralamija Shop on Etsy

AND NOW......
Here are last week's lucky winners!

The winner of a brand new stamp set of choice
from Heart & Soul Rubber Stamps
is Entry #10 - Joy!  Way to go, Joy!
AND

The lucky winner of three (3) digital images

of their choice from Robyn's Fetish

is lucky Entry #230 - Vinita

Enjoy this fabulous prize, Vinita!

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 vintage sewing machine image from
our sponsor, Iralamija Etsy Shop

Diane Noble

Lori Ulrich

Carole Robb-Bisson

Stephanie Wright

Laura Lunsford
No Art This Week

JoAnn Atterbury

Karen Letchworth
Using Wool Felt from our Sponsor
Jennifer Elliot of Shoppe 3130

Challenge #118 - Anything Goes

Welcome!  For those of you returning, THANK YOU for your support and participation in our challenges.  For those just finding us, WELCOME.  We are SO grateful for each of you, and we praise God for you and the art you share with us.  We have another great challenge for you this week, and we're always delighted to see our Word Art Wednesday family growing.   We really hope our challenges/posts will be a blessing to you all.

This week's word art is a beautiful scripture from Galatians 5:22-23, and is fairly familiar to most of us.  You will notice that the word "fruit" is singular.  All nine of the attributes named in this passage are produced by the Holy Spirit and His presence in our lives, but they are all in one like a bundle.  They are also qualities that depict Jesus Christ, so when we have these qualities in our lives, people should be able to see Christ in and through us.  Let's look at these nine qualities one by one.  Love - this is an unconditional love, and the kind of love that Christ has for us, which we should have for one another.  Joy - we all want joy in our lives, and this means having a happiness that the world cannot comprehend - even in times of trouble.  Peace - in Philippians 4:7, the Bible tells us that God will give us a "peace that passes understanding".  The world simply won't comprehend how we can have true peace in times of trouble, but this attribute is such a tremendous blessing in our lives.  Longsuffering - this means patience.  We each know someone who could use an extra dose of patience, right?  God is patient with us, so shouldn't we be patient with one another?  Gentleness - we all need to remember that we should "soften our edges" a bit.  Even in men, gentleness is an attribute that God has given us for a reason.  We want to be like Him after all.  Goodness - this is simply choosing to do what is right, and presenting ourselves in a right manner before others so that they see Jesus in us.  Faith - faith is believing in things we cannot see.  The world tells us to do quite the opposite, but we know our faith is the foundation of our beliefs.  We must have faith in order to maintain our relationship with Christ.  Meakness - this is having a calm and submissive spirit; not just in our marriage, but also in other relationships.  We don't want to be argumentative or abrasive in our relationships.  Temperance - this means self-control, and it pertains to every aspect of our lives - spiritual and physical.  If we don't have self-control, we aren't letting God control us, we're allowing the world to persuade us.  We've just BARELY touched on each of these attributes, but you get the general idea of what each one means.  But here's the interesting part....we each realize where we struggle (which attribute we're lacking in a bit), but when we've accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and He dwells within us, we already possess ALL these attributes.  They are already there, but we don't always tap into them or utilize them to their fullest.  We sometimes allow Satan to deceive us into thinking that we can't achieve one (or more) of these attributes, and we sell ourselves short of the joy God wants for us.  We already have the potential inside us to live perfectly through each of these qualities because we possess them because Christ lives in us.  If there is one (or more) of these qualities that you feel you're lacking, ask God to help you tap into what is already there and let God pour it out on you and cause you to live in true happiness.

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:

Heart & Soul Rubber Stamps is offering
one lucky winner either 2 mounted or
4 un-mounted stamp sets of their choice!
AND

The adorable Robyn's Fetish is offering

a second lucky winner three (3) of their

sweet images of winner's choice.

Some of our Design Team Members created

today's cards with Robyn's Fetish images.

AND NOW.......Our big winner!

Drumroll please............
The VERY lucky winner of a
$50 Gift Certificate to the
Scrappy Gourmet scrapbook store
is Entry #47 - Rebekka Reed
Congratulations, Rebekka!
Email me within one week to claim this.

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

Stephanie Wright
Using Sponsor Image, I Heart You
from Robyn's Fetish Which She Hand-Cut

Lori Ulrich
Using Sponsor, Robyn's Fetish
Darling Image, Crock Pot 'N Flowers

Diane Noble

Outside/Front of Card

Inside of Card With Scripture/Word Art

 Carole Robb Bisson
Isn't This Just GORGEOUS?

Laura Lunsford
You'll Notice Laura's "Grass Stained" Inking

 

and....Laura Lunsford Created a
Second Card Using Our Sponsor,
Robyn's Fetish Sweet Image, My Little Cook

JoAnn Atturbury
Using Sponsor Image by Robyn's Fetish
Crock Pot 'n Flowers Image

Karen Letchworth

Outside/Front of Card

Inside of Card With Word Art/Scripture