Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Challenge #187 - Anything Goes/Family Friendly

Welcome back!  We're SO blessed to have you stop by each week to play along with us and share the wonderful words of Jesus Christ.  What a beautiful gift we have in the precious WORD OF GOD!  We were so grateful for all the kind and encouraging feedback you left regarding last week's post.  It's difficult to anticipate how these posts will be accepted; and I pray diligently that they will always be received in the manner in which they're intended; which is from a place of love and concern for lost souls, and growing/nurturing saved souls.  Thank you for your encouragement.  It means SO much.  Now, let's get started with this week's challenge.

Our scripture/word art for this week is Proverbs 20:7 which says "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."  Well, I guess the first question would be, "what is a JUST man"?  Well, it reaches back to Exodus 10:5-6 where God tells us that we are NOT to bow down to, or serve, any other god; and that those who do will be punished, and their children will be judged accordingly.  A just man is one who keeps God's commands, worships Jesus Christ (the ONE TRUE GOD) alone, and teaches his children to do the same.  There's been a lot of media coverage lately regarding the Duggar family from TLC's 19 Kids and Counting.  The world wants to rake this man (and his family) over the coals; and are accusing them of using Christianity to cover their iniquities. Nothing could be further from the truth.  As Christians, we understand (as the Duggars do) that ALL OF US ARE SINNERS, and that we are all going to make mistakes.  The whole difference is that as Christians, when we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just (there's that word again) to forgive us.  Being "just" means that we are guided by truth, reason and fairness.  I believe that Jim Bob Duggar IS a "just man".  I also believe that his son, Josh Duggar, is a "just man".  As I've said before, I know that I sure wouldn't want my sins posted in tabloids, and talked about on the news, etc. Yikes!  We are responsible for our actions, and there are consequences for our sins; but PRAISE GOD, we can be forgiven.  As we look forward to celebrating Father's Day, we need to give thanks for the men God has placed in our lives.  Even if you had a father who was "less than perfect", he is still the father God gave you.  Be grateful for this man, and remember that he is a sinner - in need of forgiveness, and in need of a Savior.  I'm far more worried about the men (people) out there whose sins are not necessarily known, but are left not being confessed and not being forgiven.  I urge you NOT to be quick to judge others.  Remember that all of us are sinful, and that the most important thing is that we come before God with a repentant heart, asking forgiveness, and seeking the salvation and eternal life that ONLY He can give.  This verse also tells us that a just man walketh in his integrity, and his children are blessed after him.  If we are honest, the proof of being "a just man" also shows in how our children live - especially when they are grown.  When I see wholesome, God-fearing, obedient children (and adult children) who are living a blessed and abundant life in Christ; it becomes obvious that you're doing something right.  Don't focus on the mistakes others make (or even ourselves for that matter), but focus on coming before God, confessing our sins, accepting Him as Lord and Savior, and sharing that with our children (and others) so that they can walk in their integrity as well.  The world will NEVER understand this, so don't expect them to.  God's Word tells us (in 1 Corinthians 2:14 and many other verses) that the ways of Christians (and God's Word in general) are "foolishness" to them.  Don't be too surprised when you hear that "foolishness" spewing out of their ignorant mouths (and, oh boy, has there ever been A LOT of foolishness spewing out of the worldly people's mouths about the Duggar situation).  We can only be responsible for ourselves, pray for the lost, and be quick to forgive.  The world won't understand when we, as Christians, are forgiving of sin because again, it's of God; and therefore is foolishness to them.  I encourage you to not worry about that; but to ALWAYS concern yourself ONLY with the things of God so that you will enjoy walking in integrity, and your children after 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 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 our guidelines.  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's scripture/word art file.
We hope it will be a blessing to you.

Here are this week's AWESOME sponsors:
My Scraps & More is offering one
very lucky person a $15 gift certificate
to their AWESOME store.  Click here to
browse and shop My Scraps & More.
AND
Our digital sponsor this week is the
SUPER FUN Bugaboo Stamps.  Check
out ALL the DARLING images
available now at Bugaboo Stamps.

AND NOW......Our Lucky Winners:
Crafty Individuals is a new sponsor for us.
Located in the UK, they carry ALL the big names in
crafting, and you're sure to find EVERYTHING
you could need.  The £15 gift certificate to
this fun store goes to
Lucky Entry #57 - Crafty Hazelnut (Hazel)
Thank you, Crafty Individuals.
AND
The Cutting Café is our AWESOME
Digital Sponsor this week.  Check out
all their super sweet and creative goodies!
Our prize from the Cutting Café
goes to Entry #43 - Tina H.

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

Using Sponsor/Bugaboo Stamps Image
Using Sponsor/Bugaboo Stamps Image


14 comments:

Hazel said...

What a lovely surprise to see that I won the £15 prize from Crafty Individuals (I love their stuff!). I've emailed Karen xx

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Amen to this week's scripture! Thanks for the beautiful inspirational DT members' cards. Blessings!

Gail said...

Congrats to the winners - thanks for the devotional and for the Design Team beautiful creations - also for the lovely challenge - have a blessed week everyone!

Migdalia said...

Congrats to both winners! Awesome sponsors! Wonderful DT projects!
Have a wonderful day,
Migdalia
Crafting With Creative M

Cynthia said...

Great scripture! Thanks for the fun challenge and fabulous DT inspiration.

Shelly Schmidt said...

Wonderful write up- Thanks for a great inspirational message!

CherylQuilts said...

What a great devotional for this week's Scripture verse, and thank you for speaking out in support of the Duggar family! Praise God!

CherylQuilts said...

What a great devotional for this week's Scripture verse, and thank you for speaking out in support of the Duggar family! Praise God!

DIANA L. said...

Some very beautiful DT examples thanks for the fun challenge.

Em Louise Fairley said...

Thanks for some amazing inspiration from the design team. Love the scripture too.

Hugs and blessings,
Em x

Beebeebabs said...

Very nice work DT

Karen said...

Huge congrats! Smiles.
And girls of the DT .. you have all created such wonderfully inspiring projects again.

Love, love, love visiting this wonderful blog.xx

Sabina said...

Nice work DT :)

Bunny said...

A great verse for the upcoming celebration of Father's Day. Our heavenly Father is loved by so many. Great DT work. Thank you for the challenge.