Anything Goes - Weeks #473-#474

Welcome back to Word Art Wednesday as we begin another great year of challenges.  We have so many AWESOME sponsors lined up for you again this year, and we thank God (and these generous sponsors) for providing SO far and above and beyond what we could have ever imagined.  All the sponsors for 2021 are listed now on the right-hand sidebar.  How exciting!  You're definitely going to want to play along in every challenge this year, and we're always SO grateful when you do.  Let's get started with our first challenge of the year.

The scripture used for our word art is Psalm 34:4 which says, "I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears".  As with many verses in God's precious Word that give us comfort (like this one); it's not saying that we'll always have "smooth sailing" in life.  It does, however, promise us that's God is always going to comfort us.  In this case, it's telling us that the LORD will hear us and deliver us from all our fears WHEN WE SEEK HIM.  That doesn't mean that we can just claim to be His and then expect all His blessings and protections to suddenly pour out over us.  We need to SEEK Him.  The dictionary defines the word SEEK as 1. to attempt or desire to obtain or achieve something, 2. to ASK something from someone, 3. search for and find something/someone, and 4. to go to something/someone.  This is not simply a one-time action.  We each need to SEEK God daily and ASK Him to dwell within us, to help us live according to His Word, to bless and protect us, and even to "deliver us from all our fears".  He's there to help each of us cope with WHATEVER we're going through.  There is NOTHING that God cannot do.  But the key here is that we need to SEEK and to ASK Him for what we need.  In fact, He wants us to ask of Him.  I can't imagine facing one single day without the presence of the LORD in my life, can you?  Once you've known/experienced the peace, comfort, assurance and strength GOD provides on a daily basis, it's impossible to think of living without it.  He alone can comfort, guide and bless - for ETERNITY.  We are living in uncertain times for sure.  But when you know God; Jesus Christ (God in human flesh), you have ALL you will ever need.  It might sound clique but it's SO literally true.  By asking Jesus to save  your soul, enter your life and lead you, this gives you ALL you need for your journey here on earth (food, clothing, shelter, etc.) and, most importantly, it also gives you ALL you need after this life.  Each of us WILL spend an eternity (non-ending time) somewhere.  There are only two options....it's either in Heaven with Him - by accepting His gift of eternal life through His sacrifice on the cross; OR separated from God forever in a literal place called Hell - by rejecting Him we face a terrible fate.  The choice is up to each individual, and time is running out for each of us.  We must CHOOSE.  What a joy to know that you can place your eternal hope in Jesus Christ - the only one who can "deliver us from all our fears".  I've got enough to worry about.....like WHAT'S FOR DINNER, did I feed the dog, and will I have enough toilet paper.  PRAISE GOD that I (we) don't need to worry about fear, intimidation, or any of the threats of this twisted world.  The best thing we can do is to SEEK HIM and ASK HIM to meet ALL our needs.  He's right there.....waiting for you and He really wants to hear from us.  God can do ALL THINGS.....we need to SEEK and ASK.

As always, you are welcome to save the 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 AWESOME sponsor for this challenge:

The FUN and inspiring Taylored Expressions

is our sponsor for this challenge.  Hurray!

This AWESOME store is filled with the most

darling assortment of high-quality clear stamps,

steel dies, stencils, wool felt, and SO much more.

One lucky person will win a very generous

$30 Gift Certificate to spend at the lovely

Taylored Expressions Shop.  WOW!!

AND NOW......Our LUCKY WINNERS!!!!!

Stamp Simply Clear Stamps is an AWESOME

store.  They carry high-quality acrylic stamps,

steel dies, and SO much more.  One lucky

person has won their choice of either

TWO stamp sets, or ONE stamp set

and ONE die-cut.  What a generous and

AMAZING prize to win.   The lucky winner

of this AWESOME prize is

Lucky Entry #111 - Billie Anderson

AND

Each stop on our Blog Hop offered prizes from

Emma's Paperie.  Congrats to all the winners

of the prizes donated by Emma's Paperie.

From Karen C's Blog - Gail Scott

From Holly's Blog - Christine Miller

From JoAnn's Blog - Kathy Asper

From Ginny's Blog - Becca Sadler

From Natalie's Blog - Esther Asbury

From Stephanie's Blog - Elizabeth Hart

From Karen L's Blog - Denise Bryant

BONUS:  Some of our Design Team Members

had their own personal give-away as well.  So,

please check back on their blogs to see if you're

a winner there.  Thanks for hopping with us!

Our Top 3 Picks This Challenge:

Entry #172 - Lucy E. 

Entry #264 - Janis in ID

Entry #268 - Lil' Artsy Woman/Lois

Please email Karen if you'd like a

Top 3 or Winner's 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 we pray for their success.

AND NOW....Here's some inspiration to get you started:

Our January Guest Designer, Beverly Jordan

Natalie Houston

Using Taylored Expressions Products Including

Seasonal Sprigs Stamp Set and Stencil,

Blender Brushes, Premium Inks, and

a second card is posted on her blog.

Maxine Diffey

JoAnn Atterbury

Holly Lau

Ginny Maxam

Stephanie Wright

Karen Letchworth

Using Taylored Expressions Product

In My Heart Stamp Set (Retired)

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter