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

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

at The Cutting Café!

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

Daydream Designs is....

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

Our September Guest Designer, Penny O'Dell

Heather Dennis

Lori Ulrich

Jo Ann Atterbury

Using All About Girls Printable Stamp Set

From Sponsor, Cutting Cafe

Laura Lunsford

Diane Noble 

Carole Robb Bisson

 Front View of Card

Inside View With Scripture/Word Art

Stephanie Wright

Karen Letchworth

 Second Card Using the All About Girls Printable Stamp Set

 Clothing Accessories from Sponsor, The Cutting Café

 

An InLinkz Link-up