Anything Goes - Weeks #356 - #357

Welcome back to Word Art Wednesday, everyone.  It's such a treat to have you here to join us for another fabulous challenge, and we appreciate your participation so much.  We have two FABULOUS sponsors for this challenge and some Guest Designers from these companies, as well as our own October Guest Designer.  If you happen to use product on any of your entries during this challenge that come from either of our sponsors, please leave a comment on this post to let me know.  In addition to our two fabulous prizes from our sponsors, I will pick one more winner from all those entries using sponsor product.  That lucky person will receive a special prize package from me....and I've got some really fabulous goodies to give away.   So, let's get started!

The scripture for this piece of word art is Galatians 6:2 which says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ".  What was the law of Christ?  Well, let's remember that God said...."a new commandment I give to you, that you LOVE one another".  Rather than try to explain this verse in some deep theological manner, I'd simply like to share something with you that I experienced earlier this month which (in my opinion) sort of sums up the meaning of this verse.  One of the greatest blessings we have in the Christian life is the sweet fellowship of other believers, and our ability to intercede for one another in prayer.  I had a really crummy week physically in early October.  That often tends to get us down in the dumps, right?  Well, such was the case with me.  My husband has been out of town and I've been going through a lot physically.  So, while I was lying on the couch feeling crummy; I got an email from my blog friend, Gail, sharing a prayer request with me.  A friend of hers was requesting prayers for her husband who was dying (and has now gone on to be with the Lord).  In addition, I got a separate text from another friend saying that her back went out on her, and that she was also in great pain.  Being in quite a bit of pain myself, I could have understandably ignored these messages until I was feeling better.  But like I said, there is such great joy in bearing one another's burdens. I immediately started praying for this woman's husband, and also for her to have the strength and comfort she needs to get through this.  Suddenly, I became so overwhelmed with a feeling of gratefulness knowing that MY husband was on his way home to me.  This poor woman doesn't have that same hope.  And as I began to pray for my friend suffering with back pain, I was able to stop focussing on my own health issues and just spend quality time talking with the Lord.  It's a wonderful distraction from our pain, our stress, burdens, worries, and problems when we place focus on the needs of others and make a conscious effort to count our blessings rather than think about our woes.  God is SO GOOD; and I know that He will always take care of me.  But it was such a blessing to be able to take my mind off my own troubles and pray for the needs of others.  In turn, I knew that my friends were also praying for me.  I really encourage you to "bear one another's burdens".   When we take the time to genuinely care about the needs of others and lift them up to the Lord in prayer, we honor God and we bless others (and ourselves) in the process.  Be that person who will truly "bear one another's burdens".  I guarantee you that you will find great joy in doing so.

As always, you are welcome to save the free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are never 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, for a total of ten (10) entries per two-week challenge. 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.

Check out our AWESOME sponsors for this challenge:

Our friends at Honey Bee Stamps are

graciously offering one VERY lucky

person a $25 Gift Certificate to their

ADORABLE shop filled with the

sweetest stamps, Honey Cuts (metal dies),

Embellishments, and SO much more.

Be sure to stop by Honey Bee Stamps

to look around.  And....some of their

talented DT Members have shared samples

with us today to showcase their lovely

products.  I do hope you'll stop by!

AND 

Our digital sponsor for this challenge is

the AMAZING Graciellie Design.  If you're

not familiar with this sweet shop, please stop

by their lovely Etsy Shop to look around.

The creative possibilities are endless with

these sweet images.  One lucky person

will win a $10 Gift Certificate to spend

on their choice of products from the lovely

Graciellie Design Digital Shop.

AND NOW......Two More Lucky Winners:

Our friends over at The Project Bin

offered one lucky participant a

$15 Gift Certificate so that they can

select their choice of stamps in this

sweet little shop.  Be sure to stop by

The Project Bin to look around! The

lucky winner of this fabulous prize is

Entry #158 - Kristina of Crafty Paws

AND

Our digital sponsor for the last challenge

was the ADORABLE and much-loved

Bugaboo Stamps.  One lucky person now

gets to select four (4) new images of

their choice from this sweet digi shop.

It's Entry #7 - Maria Nicotra of Tiny Works

And Our Top 3 Honors Go To:
Entry #136 - Karen's Craft Creations

Entry #154 - Karolina of Cards From Heaven
Entry #193 - Nicole of Stempelfrida

Please email Karen if you'd like a
Top 3 Badge for your blog.  All winners
must also email Karen per the Rules Page.

May God bless all our AWESOME sponsors.

We appreciate them all SO very much!

AND NOW.....Here's a bit of inspiration to get you started:

Carrie Bryant from Honey Bee Stamps using

Cosmos Stamp Set, Cosmos Honey Cut (die),

Bushel & A Peck Stamp Set and coordinating

Bushel & A Peck Honey Cuts (metal dies),

and the sweet Love Bug Sentiments Stamp Set

Carol Hintermeier from Honey Bee Stamps Using
Country Blooms Stamp Set, With Sympathy and
Honey Bee Sequin Mix

Galina Flippenko from Honey Bee Stamps Using

Thinking Of You Honey Cuts (dies) and

Cloud Borders Honey Cuts

Kaja Vezensek from Honey Bee Stamps Using

Hill Borders Honey Cuts, Foxy Sentiments Stamp Set,

Feelin' Foxy Stamp Set, Feelin' Foxy Honey Cuts (dies),

Warm Wishes Stamp Set and Warm Wishes Honey Cuts

Gracie Chavez from Graciellie Design

Using Stay Cozy and Coffee Lovers

Our October Guest Designer, Martha Lucia Gomez

And Our AMAZING Design Team Members:

Natalie Houston

Using a sweet Graciellie Design Stamp Set

called Stay Cozy - Isn't this adorable?

JoAnn Atterbury using the gorgeous Daffodil

from a Graciellie Design Stamp Set

called Simple Wisdom

Dottie Seubert

Maxine Diffey

Tamara Dixon

An InLinkz Link-up