Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Challenge #151 - Anything Goes

Welcome back this week to our new challenge here at Word Art Wednesday!  We are so grateful that you're here with us today, and we hope that you will share ALL your creativity with us this week (up to 5 FIVE projects!!!).  We have two FABULOUS sponsors with us, and we're ready for a really great challenge.  We apologize to those of you who didn't "get any love" left on your blogs this past week.  Some of our Design Team Members have been experiencing a lot in their personal lives lately (we're only human).  We want you to know that despite our lack of commenting, we are VERY grateful to each of you for sharing your WONDERFUL art with us each week.  We hope to be back to ALL your lovely blogs in the coming week/weeks as we get back on track.  But nonetheless, we have a great challenge for you, so.....let the fun begin!

Hebrews 11:6 is a beautiful Bible verse.  It addresses the act of faith; one of the most difficult of all attributes to attain.  This verse tells us that "without faith, it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God (for salvation) Must believe that He is (the one true God), and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Jesus Christ)."   The key to understanding this verse is to acknowledging that to please God, one must believe not in simply "a god", but in the One true God; the Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, the risen Jesus Christ our eternal Savior. 

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 (dark images, etc.).  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 Flying Unicorn is a wonderful shop
FILLED with all your favorite brands
in crafting/scrapbooking.  One lucky person
will win a $25 Gift Certificate to
AND
Our Digital Sponsor this week is
the ADORABLE Bugaboo Stamps
One person will win THREE (3) images
of choice from Bugaboo Stamps.
Some of our DT Members have used their
lovely images on today's samples which
you can see below!
 
And now.....Here are our WINNERS!
The winner of our prize from Cheery Lynn Designs
receiving the sweet Fall Harvest 1 die-cut
 is Lucky Entry #36 - Pat
AND
The very lucky winner of our digital prize
from the lovely Deedee's Digis
is Entry #12 - Olga M.
 
 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 From Our Design Team
From Sponsor Bugaboo Stamps
 
 Using the Autumn Jar Image
From Our Sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps
Using the sweet Knobby Knee Girl With Bugs Image
from our adorable Sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps
Laura Lunsford
Using Image Hedgehog Flower
from Sponsor Bugaboo Stamps
Using Lil' Girl Sign It Image available 
 at Sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps
 
 
 

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Challenge #150 - Anything Goes

We warmly welcome you all back for another great challenge with us here at Word Art Wednesday.  I heard someone make a comment this week that "challenge blogs don't get excited by entries once they've reached 200 or more entries".  We want you to know that, without exception, we REALLY DO get excited about every single entry we receive.  So whether you're entry #1 or entry #201, we are SUPER grateful, and we appreciate every single project you choose to link up with us.  We get excited to have LOTS of entries, and we want you to know that we really look forward to seeing your creations.  The more you share, the more you increase your odds of winning, and happier we become.  We would love to see our numbers grow every week; so THANK YOU in advance for all the fabulous creations you share in our challenges.  God has really blessed you all with such amazing talent.
 
This week's scripture/word art file is Proverbs 4:23, and it reads "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life".  Broken down, it means that we need to guard our mind/our inner-being with great effort; to keep all our thoughts and actions "in check" because our heart controls the issues of life (the things that affect us on a daily basis) and our spiritual vitality.  The Bible has much to say about our hearts.  In 1 Samuel 16:7, we learn that the Lord isn't concerned with our outward appearance as the world is, but that "he looketh on the heart".  Hollywood would have us all concerned about our outward appearance, but what matters to the Lord is our heart and its sinful condition.  We are warned many times throughout God's Word to guard our heart.  We're told in 1 Kings 8:61 to let our hearts be perfect with the LORD our God, and many times we are encouraged to rejoice in our hearts.  In Psalm 22:26 we are even told that our heart shall live forever.  Proverbs 15:13 tells us that a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance (a happy face), and Ecclesiastes 8:5 tells us that a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.  We are even warned in Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is wicked and deceitful above all things.  There are just SO many verses warning us to guard our hearts with great care, so it's obviously not just of small or trivial concern to the Lord.  It's important enough for Him to mention it over and over again.  The best part is that, although difficult, God has given us the equipment and ability to truly guard our hearts with all diligence because He knows the many troubles we will encounter when we do not guard (protect) our hearts from evil, and He also knows the great joys we will experience when we submit our hearts to His teachings.  Take some time this week to pray that the Lord will guide your heart, and keep your heart in tune with His teachings.  You will NEVER regret protecting this precious part of our bodies He gave us to bring great joy to our lives.

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 (dark images, etc.).  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 lovely Cheery Lynn Designs is offering
one person this DARLING new die-cut from their
sweet shop - Fall Harvest 1.
Click here to browse and shop at
the lovely Cheery Lynn Designs.
AND
Our Digital Sponsor this week is the adorable
Deedee's Digis.  She is offering a second winner
three of her sweet image sets.  Click here to browse
and shop at the lovely Deedee's Digis.  Our
Design Team has showcased some of Deedee's
lovely images in their projects this week.

And Now.....Here are our LUCKY WINNERS:
The fabulous Crafty Ribbons is offering
one lucky winner a 10£ Gift Certificate
to their lovely ribbon shop, and the
winner is Entry #6 - Kym
AND
Freckled Fawn is offering a $15 Gift Certificate
to another lucky winner, and that lucky person
is Entry #141 - Robin C.
 
 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 From Our Design Team
Using Valentine Tweet Image from
Our Sweet Sponsor, Deedee's Digis
 Lori Ulrich
Using the Scarecrow Image from the
Hay Ride Set at Deedee's Digis
 
Using the Cow Are You Set
From Sponsor, Deedee's Digis
Laura Lunsford
Image from Sponsor, Deedee's Digis
 
Using Rose Regards Image
from Sponsor Deedee's Digis
Using Papers and Images found in the
 
 

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Challenge #149 - Anything Goes

It's time for another fantastic challenge here at Word Art Wednesday, and we're very blessed that you have stopped by to participate.  Each week, we are blown away by your lovely art and the beautiful blog posts you share with us.  Please know that we are grateful to have you play along with us, and that we are here to support you and encourage you as you create with the talents God has given to you.  And as always, we have some FABULOUS prizes available again this week.

Our word art for this week is Revelation 2:7, and it tells us "he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith..." and we have to ask ourselves how closely we are really listening, every minute of every day, to what God is telling us.  So many times, we wake up and start our day already knowing that we will do this and that, and already anticipating our daily routine and what it will contain.  But what if we woke up tomorrow, and rather than just falling into our normal routines, we asked God to really OPEN OUR EARS and truly  allow us to hear what He had for us that day; even if it meant redirecting our daily routines.  Perhaps God would have us to stop and help a stranger, pay for someone's coffee or lunch, or put another person's needs before our own.  When we refuse to honestly and openly listen to and obey what the Spirit is saying, we miss out on so many blessings.  God gave us ears so that we could hear ALL that He expects of us.  This verse also tells us that to those true Christians who overcome all adversity, He will give the sweetest food from the tree of life which is in midst of the paradise of God.  The midst of the paradise of God exists in Heaven, so this tells us that the very best of what God has for us is not on this earth; but rather, it's waiting for us in Heaven.  What if we were to live our lives with our ears  more inclined to what He is saying, and our hearts desiring and focused on what He has waiting for us in glory instead of worrying about "our daily routines"? We would certainly be happier people.  Let's not lose focus of what is truly important, and let's also keep our focus on what He really IS trying to tell us, and NOT on what we want to hear.  When we allow Him to speak through His Spirit to our hearts, He will pour out blessings on us that we can't even imagine.

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 (dark images, etc.).  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 fabulous Crafty Ribbons is offering
one lucky winner a 10£ Gift Certificate
to their lovely ribbon shop!
Click here to browse Crafty Ribbons.
AND
Freckled Fawn is offering a $15 Gift Certificate
to another lucky winner!
 
AND NOW......Here are our lucky winners:
The lovely Docerela Stamps is giving away
one stamp set of choice to....
Entry #156 - Connie Rucker
AND
The Cutting Cafe
The Cutting Café is giving away
three files of choice to the very lucky
Entry #114 - 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 From Our Design Team
 
 
 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Challenge #148 - Anything Goes!

Welcome to Word Art Wednesday - the best challenge blog ever!  OK, that wasn't very humble....LOL  But in all sincerity, we really do believe that we have an amazing thing here (to God's glory); and we really hope that our challenges, fellowship, devotionals, art and friendships are a blessing to you.  Each one of you has blessed us just by sharing your art with us, and we truly desire to be an encouragement to every person who stops by to play along.

We have some exciting news for you all.  It's a new month, and that means we have a new Guest Designer.  This month, it's the fabulous Penny O'Dell of Penny's Krafts, and we hope you will stop by to welcome her.  We also have a new full-time designer, and that's the very sweet and talented Heather Dennis.  Some of you may already know Heather, as she is the Owner and Designer of Fresh Brewed Designs.  We're so blessed to have Heather with us full-time.  Some of you may have entered Heather's Blog Candy give-away.  Here are the winners of her prizes:
Emily D. - You have won the grand prize (DVD of God's Not Dead)
Kathy R. - You have won an assortment of crafting goodies
So Emily and Kathy, please reach out to Heather to claim your prizes.  She is also trying to reach you.  Enjoy your prizes, and thanks for playing along and commenting.

Be sure to stop by the blogs of our amazing Design Team Members now and then.  You never know when there might be more blog candy or give-aways, and.....to be perfectly honest, they really appreciate your love and encouragement.

Here is this week's devotional.  It was written by DT Member, Diane Noble of Daydream Designs.  We hope that it will be a tremendous blessing to you.
Each of us needs a substantial foundation upon which to base our lives, to give us purpose and bring meaning to our existence.  I recently read an interesting story of an elderly twin who had been separated from her sibling at a young age.  She spent most of her adult life in pursuit of her sister.  It wasn't until the women were in their 80s that they were reunited.    Due to the circumstances of their separation, there wasn't a paper trail documenting their whereabouts.  Names had been changed, and geographically, there was no chance of one being in proximity to the other.  When interviewed, both described their passionate attempts to find the other; each had been driven with unrelenting determination to find her sister.  One stated that it became her purpose for living.  She sacrificed marriage and children to be free to pursue her "other half".  She described how empty her life had been because she had not been able to share it with her sister.  As it turned out, it was the other sibling's efforts that paid off.  She discovered the missing link that finally lead to her sister's identity and whereabouts.

As powerful as this story was to read, I found it sad that one of the women had been so driven to find her sister that she relinquished all other joys in her life.  She focused on what she didn't have.....the search itself was what gave her life purpose.  What a weak foundation!  There are countless stories of people who base their lives on emptiness; on that which doesn't satisfy, and doesn't bring meaning or purpose.

What a contrast to the believer's foundation.  When we base our lives on the truths of God's Word, on His precepts and His plans, our lives are rich in purpose and meaning.  Our foundation is rock solid and eternal.  God Himself is our foundation.  In an age where any "truth" but God's Truth is acceptable, where no "truth" is absolute, life has to be lived on a very slippery slope, on sinking sand.  God's Truth, the foundation of the believer' life, keeps us stable and focused on that which is certain and will last forever.  No earthly pursuit can make us whole; or can fill the empty voids in our hearts.  There was no indication in the story of the twins that either was a believer.  But I know that if they were not believers, their happy reunion still did not fill up all they desired in life.  Only Christ can make us complete and offer us a purpose for existence.  No greater purpose exists than to glorify the God of our salvation.  When that becomes our reason for living, God graces us with indescribable joy, and we immediately know we are whole and complete....forever!        - Diane Noble
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 (dark images, etc.).  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 OUTSTANDING sponsors:
The lovely Docerela Stamps is offering
a stamp set of choice from their fun
store to one lucky winner.  Click here
to shop Docerela Stamps.
AND
The Cutting Cafe
How fun!  The Cutting Café is
offering one lucky person their choice
of three (3) sets from their ADORABLE
shop.  Click here to browse and shop

AND NOW......Our LUCKY WINNERS!!!
Get ready to have a GREAT TIME
spending your $25 Gift Certificate to
The Flying Unicorn - you're in for a treat,
Entry #173 - Deepti
AND
The lucky winner of three (3) sets
of her choice to the lovely
Entry #183 - DeAnne 
 
 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 From Our Design Team
Using All About Girls Printable Stamp Set
From Sponsor, Cutting Cafe
 Front View of Card
Inside View With Scripture/Word Art
 Second Card Using the All About Girls Printable Stamp Set
 Clothing Accessories from Sponsor, The Cutting Café