Challenge Weeks #238-#239 - Anything Goes

Welcome back, crafty friends!  We're SO happy to have you with us for another great challenge, and we have so many fun things for you all again this time.  First, we have one SUPER lucky winner, and we have TWO great sponsors.  One sponsor for this challenge is CropStop; and for those of you who aren't familiar with CropStop, you really need to check out this AWESOME STORE!  They carry pretty much everything you can imagine - all your favorite brands.  They also have a FUN CHALLENGE that runs monthly and is always Anything Goes.  You are all welcome to swing by and link up in that challenge as well for more chances of winning some of their amazing products.  And then....our digital sponsor is Imagine That, and you will love their sweet images.  It's just a great week to play along with us, and we're SO glad you are here for all the fun.

Our word art for this challenge is from the Gospel of John, chapter 14 and verse 27.  As Jesus prepared to depart, He left these words with His disciples.  "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled.  Neither let it be afraid."   It was customary in these times that when preparing to depart, people would say "Shalom, Shalom" which meant "peace, peace".  However, when Jesus Christ (God in human flesh) spoke these words of peace, He was referring to an actual possession He was leaving with them.  The peace He was offering them was a physical and lasting gift which was very different from what the world had (or has) to offer.  The peace God offers is the gift of Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit Comforter.  Even though He was preparing to leave the world with His physical (earthly) body, He was leaving them (and all of us) with a "peace that passes all understanding".....a comfort and a true and lasting peace.  The gift of peace He left with all of us is very different from the world's offerings of "peace".  By leaving us with this beautiful gift of peace/the presence of His Holy Spirit, the world was being offered a real and lasting peace that would leave no room for troubles or fears.  He knew that mankind (including His disciples) would face trials; but He also knew that the peace He left behind for us (the presence of God in the form of the Holy Spirit) was sufficient to allow for true and lasting peace in our lives.  He wants us to experience that peace, and He doesn't want our hearts to be troubled or overwhelmed.  When we face those difficult times during our journey here on earth, He wants us to lean on Him and allow His presence (through the Holy Spirit that abides in us) to be of complete comfort that will allow us to rest in Him.  Remember, we are never truly alone when we have Jesus Christ in our hearts.  What a blessing!  That's enough to chase away any fears or troubles.  NO other "religion" can offer this because ONLY GOD (the ONE true God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit Comforter) is able to offer this beautiful and lasting peace.   Know Jesus and Know Peace.  No Jesus, and NO Peace!

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 attempting 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 sponsors for this challenge:

CropStop is a SUPER FUN store that carries lots of

stamps, dies, inks, and SO much more.  One lucky

person will win a $10 Gift Certificate to

CropStop.  And don't forget to enter

the CropStop Challenge here.

AND

Imagine That is our digital sponsor

for this challenge.  Just wait until you

see the adorable images available at

Imagine That Digis.  One person will win

three images of their choice.

AND NOW......Our very 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.

Gues who has won a $25 Gift Certificate
from our friends at Simon Says Stamp

That lucky crafter is.....

Entry #215 - Bunny

And Our Top 3 Honors Go To:
Entry #35 - My Little Craft Things
Entry #267 - My Cubby Crafts
Entry #378 - Creative Em

Please email Karen 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 July Guest Designer, April Williams

JoAnn Atterbury

Natalie Houston

Lori Ulrich

Gail Scott

Using Sponsor Product from CropStop

Paprika Crochet Fancy Lace Trim

Misty Delgado

Stephanie Wright

Using Sponsor Products

You Are My World Image from Imagine That

and Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and Versamark Ink

both from our sponsor, CropStop

An InLinkz Link-up