Challenge #226-#227 - Anything Goes

Hi, everyone!  Welcome back for another great challenge.  We have a brand new Design Team Member, Gail Scott, and it would be great if you'd stop by to welcome her.  We also have a new Guest Designer for April, Jennifer Scull.  We hope that you will all be inspired by their projects.  We sure do enjoy seeing all of the fabulous cards and projects you all link up with us each month.  You're all SO incredibly talented.  One thing I need to mention is the issue of verification on your blogs.  Several of you have the security measure of selecting images (i.e. pick the images with trees, boats, etc.).  Please know that it's NOT just my Design Team that struggles with this.  It slows down commening, and in some cases even causes people to get frustrated and leave without commenting.  If you could turn off this extra step, it would really help us out a lot.  We really want to comment on your amazing projects.  This extra step often gets in the way of us leaving the encouragement you so deserve.  Thanks for looking into it, and please let us know if we can help in taking care of this simple step of turning off verification.

Our word art/scripture for this challenge is Philippians 1:9-10 which is another beautiful message from the Lord to bless and encourage us in our walk with Him.  What this verse is telling us is that, as Christians and followers of Jesus Christ; our chief desire should be to increase in our knowledge of Him.  By growing in our understanding of God and His holy and precious Word, it allows us to have true discernment (knowing right from wrong) in doctrines and beliefs that differ from the truths of the Bible.  This is paramount in witnessing to those who have grown up believing false doctrine.  Remember friends....there can only be ONE ABSOLUTE TRUTH.  We can't possibly all be correct and on different paths to Heaven.  There is only ONE WAY, which we know is through Jesus Christ alone.  But if we don't grow in knowledge and understanding, we can't possibly be properly equipped to address these important issues.  We also need to grow in charity.  While good works alone cannot save us, we are saved FOR good works, that we might glorify God with our actions and represent Him in a dark world.  Our ultimate goal is to bring glory to His name.  Only when we are educated in His Word and His ways can we possibly share our faith properly with others.  You don't want to go into a discussion with someone not knowing how to correctly and satisfactorily answer their questions.  This is yet another reason why it's so very important, once we are saved, to GROW in the knowledge of the Lord and His Word.  If you are saved and need help finding a good Bible-teaching church in your area, we would be more than happy to help you find one.  Fellowship is one wonderful aspect of finding a church.  But GROWING in the knowledge of His Word is the greatest blessing you could possibly receive on this earth.  It draws us so much closer to the Lord, Jesus Christ, and gives us a sweet fellowship with Him (as well as with our church freinds), and it prepares us for sharing our faith.  Hiding His Word in our hearts is also how we avoid sin in our own lives.  You will NEVER regret the time you spend growing in the Word of God.

As always, you are welcome to save the 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 all 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 as we share it. 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.  Please know that this doesn't mean we are judging anyone.  We're simply atempting to honor God and follow His rules.  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.

AND NOW.......Our AWESOME Sponsor for this challenge:

Heartfelt Creations is an AMAZING
store that carries the lovliest stamps
and die-cuts.  They have tutorials to
help you learn new techniques.  Be
sure to stop by and check out this
AWESOME store.  One lucky
person will win a $25 Gift Certificate
to Heartfelt Creations.
AND

My Artistic Adventures is our
digital sponsor for this challenge.
Be sure to stop by this sweet
Etsy shop to see all the lovely
collage sheets and images that
My Artistic Adventures has to offer.
One lucky winner will get to pick out
some sweet new digital images.

AND NOW.....Our LUCKY WINNER!

Simon Says Stamp is  your one-stop place for ALL
the latest and greatest scrapbook and card-making
supplies.  They have everything you could ever want,
and one lucky person has won a generous $25 Gift
Certificate to spend at this WONDERFUL store.
That lucky person is........
Entry #322 - Erica Thompson

AND, Our Top Three Honors Go To:
Entry #364 - Kava
Entry #194 - Vickie ODell
Entry #322 - Erica

Please email Karen or leave a comment
if you'd like a Top 3 Badge for your blog.

May God bless all our AWESOME sponsors.

We appreciate them all SO very much!

Here's Some Inspiration to Get You Started

Our April Guest Designer, Jennifer Scull

Fill-In Designer, Marsha Drain

Visit Marsha's Blog to see alternate

views of this awesome card/bookmark

JoAnn Atterbury

Lori Ulrich

Natalie Houston

Gail Scott

Stephanie Wright

Karen Letchworth

Using Floral Stamps and Die-Cut

from Sponsor, Heartfelt Creations

An InLinkz Link-up