Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Challenge #207 - Anything Goes

Welcome, everyone!  We hope you're having a wonderful week, and we're SO glad you've stopped by to play along in our challenge.  We always look forward to seeing the art you will share, and we're SO grateful that you share it with us.  We hope you enjoy this week's post.  We wish you all the best of luck in the random draw for our AWESOME prizes at the end of the week.  Check out the give-away this week on Design Team Member, Charity Chamberlain's Blog.  Also, we need a Guest Designer for November (VERY soon).  If you're interested in being our November Guest Designer, please leave the letters GDT after your name on your entry (or you're welcome to leave a message).

Our word art/scripture for this week is John 15:5, and it's a well-known and loved verse.  Jesus spoke these precious words to His disciples; telling them several times to "remain in Him" or to "abide in Him".  But what does it mean to "abide in Him"?  It's more than simply saying you're a Christian.  When we are truly abiding in Christ, and we embrace Him and accept Him as our Lord and Savior; we prove to Him that we truly love Him, trust Him, and that we are willing to remain in Him faithfully during this life so that we can spend the rest of eternity with Him in Heaven.  When we do abide in Him, we will "bring forth much fruit", and it will be good fruit.  This is how we know for certain that someone is truly living the Christian life and not just saying they're a Christian.  The Bible says that we will know them by their fruit.  When we have obedient children, a happy marriage, a part in ministry, etc. (we bear good fruit), then people know that we are truly abiding in Christ.  Now, we're not saying that Christians won't have troubles in their lives.  We all have struggles.  But if there is absolutely no good fruit coming forth from your life, you need to re-examine your relationship with Christ and make some adjustments.  The verse tells us that apart from Him, we can do nothing.  This is when our branches dry up, and are unable to bear good fruit.  When you are truly abiding in Him, people should be able to "enjoy your fruit".  Meaning that you should be a blessing to others, having much to offer them; and your life should be in order and bearing obvious and evident good fruit, even if those around you aren't bringing forth good fruit.  Does that make sense?  Just think of it like this....fruit bearing involved becoming like Christ as the Spirit conforms us more to the image of Christ.  Fruit involved an internal heart transformation to be loving, joyful, at peace, self-controlled, and other manifestations of Christ.  Good fruit also involves external behavior and obedience, such as good works, service, or ministry in the name of Christ and accompanied by His grace and power.  It's important to give our lives a check now and then to really ask ourselves if we are bringing forth good fruit.  One thing is for certain.......we can't do it without Jesus Christ in 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 our guidelines.  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!
Here is this week's word art.  We hope
that it will be a blessing to you.

Here are this week's AMAZING sponsors:
One lucky person will win a brand new die-cut
which is a $16 Value.  It's adorable!
AND
Sweet-n-Sassy Stamps is our digital sponsor
this week, and one person will win a
$10 Gift Certificate for some sweet new
digital images from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

AND NOW.......Our VERY LUCKY winners:
The Flying Unicorn is such a WONDERFUL shop
and they carry all the big names in crafting.  You
are sure to find something WONDERFUL at the
Flying Unicorn.  Guess who has won a
$25 Gift Certificate to their awesome shop...
It's Lucky Entry #7 - Beth Fiscus
AND
Fred-She-Said was our SUPER FUN
digital sponsor last week.  The lucky person
who has won some sweet new images from
Entry #107 - Leslie Turner

May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!
Here's Some Inspiration to Get You Started

Our October Guest Designer, Tamara Dixon
Using a Sponsor Image from Sweet-N-Sassy
Called Feeling Fruity Set
Stop by Charity's Blog for her FUN
Blog-a-Versary Give-Away
Using a Sweet-N-Sassy Stamps Image
Called Sunshine and Flowers


15 comments:

Beebeebabs said...

Very nice work DT

Gail said...

Thank you for another challenge - Happy Dance to the winners - great devotional and wonderful scripture digital - thanks for providing it for us - have a blessed day!

Bunny said...

Thank you for the challenge. Very nice DT work.

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Ahhh dear sisters you've excellent work to encourage our hearts. Wonderful DT creations, love these of different colours on the print it too.
How I love this verse f this week.
The amazing blessing to me is that when I was praying yesterday for verse to close my post with the part "without me Ye can do nothing" came to my mind so I used part of John 15:5 the very beginning and end on my post ..

Then saw Natalie's post, as WAW wasn't up so went looking...
And there I saw the very same verse just hours part in different parts of the world .. but the same rich blessing from the one sweet LORD Whom we love ana serve.
Isn't that precious????
How precious is this living relationship with our Saviour and Friend.
Shaz in Oz,X

Lori m said...

I've been MIA for way to long trying to get back in sinc again. Love all the beautiful design projects here and beautiful DT member project, fantastic everyone.
Hugs, Lori m

Beth F. said...

YAY! I am so excited to have won the Flying Unicorn prize! Thank you very much. Have a wonderful day!

Migdalia said...

Thank you for hosting another wonderful challenge.
Beautiful DT creations.
Have a blessed day,
Migdalia
Crafting With Creative M

Leslie said...

I'm thrilled to see that my Happy Birthday card was a winner this week! Thank you so much! Congrats to the other winner!

suzARTe said...

Thanks so much for another great Anything goes challenge, I always enjoy playing along :)

suzARTe said...

Thanks so much for another great Anything goes challenge, I always enjoy playing along :)

Cynthia said...

Beautiful design team inspiration and wonderful scripture this week!

Unknown said...

All the DT Creations are just gorgeous!! I love the colors Karen used.. the different twines and the button.. the black doily, the inking! Just absolutely beautiful!! Thanks for another fun challenge!

- Susan
{Scrap A Thousand Words}
{Sentimental Susan}
{Open-Minded Crafting Fun Challenges}
{DT CALL -- Open Until Oct 31st}

Karen Petitt said...

Thank you for another fun challenge and for sharing your beautiful art with us Karen x

Diana Lynn Martin said...

Beautiful & uplifting DT creations! Thank you for another super fun & inspirational challenge! Happy Halloween to everybody!

Diana ♥
Leelee Card Designs

Marilyn Mathis said...

I appreciate your blog and the scriptures you provide for us each week. Your inspirational comments mean a lot to me. I enjoy seeing the cards posted every week as inspiration. Thank you for all you do.