Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Anything Goes #428-#429

RE:  LINKY  -  SO SORRY, friends!  I entered the wrong END date on our InLinkz Party, so I've added a second Linky Party, and you can enter there.  I will add both groups of entries together when using random.org to select the winner.  I promise you that everything will be just as fair (same procedure) as if this had never happened.  But it did happen, and I apologize to those of you who were unable to link up when you tried.  Special thanks to Gail Scott for helping me solve this little dilemma, as well as Kathy Asper and others inquiring.  I appreciate you all SO much.  We're back up and running.  PTL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome back, everyone!  We're so glad you're here to join us for another fun challenge.  There's something here for everyone, and we couldn't be happier to have you play along with us again.  We apologize for the late start (again) today.  Better late than never though, right?  I also want to apologize to those entering from Splitcoast Stampers.  For whatever reason, I have trouble signing in/visiting there.  I'm SO grateful for each and every person who enters our challenges, and I really do try to leave you some love.  I just wanted you to know why I haven't been by, and that it's only because I struggle with that particular website for some reason.  You are all appreciated more than I can ever express.  We have TWO lucky winners this time (thanks to Seth Apter), and another awesome prize up for grabs.  Let's get started right away with our FUN new challenge.

Our focus verse is Psalm 121:5 which says, "The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand".  As I've mentioned before, when we see LORD in all capital letters, it is referring to Yahweh God/Jehovah which is God in the Old Testament (OT) and Jesus Christ in the New Testament (NT).  We see Him referred to as LORD quite a bit throughout the OT; and keeping this in mind (who LORD is) will be helpful as you read and study God's Word.  This beautiful psalm reminds us that God is our keeper.  That means, once we've committed our life to Him, we are never alone again.  But, what does this word "keeper" mean when translated from the actual word from which it was given?  Let's look.  It comes from a Hebrew word (samar) meaning to guard or to put a hedge around something for protection.  But what I found really interesting about this word (keeper/samar) is that it is categorized as a verb.  As we know, a verb signifies action.  In English, a "keeper" would be a noun (a thing/person, such as a zoo keeper, etc.) so it's really interesting that this characteristic of God is a verb/an action.  That speaks to Who He is, doesn't it?  He (the LORD) is there to guard and protect us from all harm, and to place a "shade upon our right hand".  And that word "shade" can be literal or figurative.  At times, God will be the literal/physical shade we need from the sun/storm/harm, etc. and at other times, He will be the figurative shade we need from worries/enemies/trials, etc.  But one thing we learn for sure from this verse is that the LORD our God, Jesus Christ, is always there to shelter and protect us; and to provide us with the shade we need to face what's coming at us.  Praise God that we're not ever left in this world alone, without Him. Praise the LORD.

As always, you are welcome to save the scripture/word art to your computer, but you are never required to use it in order to play along in our challenges or to win.   We welcome you to 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 the 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!

Check out our AMAZING sponsor for this challenge:
Our good friends over at The Project Bin
are sponsoring this challenge.  The Project Bin
carries such cute stamp sets.  One lucky person
will win a $15 to spend on some FUN new
stamps from The Project Bin.  You can see
some samples below of cards using stamps
from The Project Bin.  See some card
samples below using The Project Bin stamps.

AND NOW.....TWO Lucky Winners:
Seth Apter Designs is an AWESOME Mixed Media
on-line store.  This FAB shop carries Stamp Sets,
Stencils, Unique Paints, and all sorts of cool
mixed media products.  I recently purchased
his Retiree Paint Set #5 and I LOVE it.  I've
been using it A LOT lately on my projects.
Seth Apter offered up TWO prizes for our
last challenge.  That means we have TWO
lucky winners who will each be receiving
a generous $25 Gift Certificate to his shop.
Seth's store is SUPER COOL.  Be sure to stop
by Seth Apter Designs and look around this
awesome mixed media on-line store.
Here are our TWO Lucky Winners:
Entry #167 - Billie
Entry #40 - Lois/Lil Artsy Woman


Our Top 3 Picks This Week:
Entry #237 - Deepti

Please email Karen if you'd like a
Top 3 Badge for your blog.  All winners
must also email Karen to claim prize
(per the Rules Page).  Thanks!

May God bless all our AWESOME sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!
AND NOW....Here's Some Inspiration to get you Started:
Here are a few cards made by the talented Design
Team Members at The Project Bin.  You can see
how they've utilized some of the stamp sets
available at The Project Bin.  FUN!

AND NOW.....A Card From Our Talented
February Guest Designer, Angie Cimbalo


AND....From Our Design Team Members:







Alternate View of JoAnn's Card







Inside View of Stephanie's Project:





You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

6 comments:

Gail said...

Happy dance to the winners! Thanks for another great inspiration by the DT - the challenge and the devotional - always an honor to join in--- have a fabulous day to everyone! Jesus is Lord! Blessing!

Billie A said...

Thank you for picking me as one of the winners. I appreciate it. Congratulation to the other winners.. Thank you design team for the inspiration. Hugs

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi there Karen, and DT ladies,
Thank you so very much for your faithfulness in running this challenge and sharing the word of God, and loving this fortnight’s challenge verse, how blessed we are in the Lord!! Psalm 121 is one of those psalms which is good to commit to memory. I’m grateful now I did a lot of it in my 20s and 30s.. still do now, but not as much as then.
Many thanks for the DT work too, truly worthy, and love the prizes on offer too very generous, thanks!
I’ve worked out BTW how to bypass commenting issue on iPad in case someone else has it, it’s mobile site that seems to have issue, not always but mostly if select desktop site, at bottom of post, it doesn’t happen, strange eh?!
Thanks for being a blessing, and may God bless you too.
Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 😊

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Maryann scrapbooking said...

Très belles inspirations de la DT
Merci pour ce nouveau challenge.
Bises.

MaryannG

Very beautiful DT inspirations
Thank you for this new challenge.
Hugs.

Deepti Aggarwal said...

Thank you so much for picking my card for top 3 category.. Congratulations to all the winners. Hugsxx Deepti

jordanbev5@yahoo.com said...

Beautiful inspiration ladies and can't wait to play along!