Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Challenge #128 - Anything Goes

Welcome back for another great challenge.  And thanks SO MUCH for your participation in last week's awesome challenge as well.  We are continually blessed by the art you share, and the sweet posts you make that mention our challenges.  We're growing, and continuing to see God bless our challenge blog and we thank each of you for being part of what God is doing here at Word Art Wednesday.

This week's scripture, 2 Corinthians, Chapter 1 and verse 5, was written by the Apostle Paul.  Just like each of us, Paul had sufferings in life.  Although we don't know exactly WHAT Paul's suffering was, we know that (simply because he was human) he had struggles.  In this passage, Paul likens his sufferings with the sufferings of Christ (as he has done in other passages found in the Book of 2 Corinthians).  Paul learned to use his sufferings to somehow encourage others.  This is a great lesson for us, as we are each able to do the very same thing.  We can't let life's struggles define or control us.  But rather, we can turn them around and use them as a tool to draw others (even ourselves) closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.  There are SO many wonderful blessings found in God's Word, and this is one example of using an otherwise negative situation to draw people to a closer walk with Jesus.  This is a beautiful example of allowing God's Word to completely guide and shape our lives.  We will ALWAYS be happier, more blessed people when we learn to turn all our negative experiences into situations that allow us to glorify His precious name, and draw us closer to Him.  We pray that God's Word will always be a blessing to you, and that as you seek it and learn it, He will show you new ways to implement your struggles and life lessons into practices that draw us ever closer to our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As always, you are welcome to save this week's 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 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 art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to 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 each week. 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 these guidelines.  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's beautiful scripture/word art file.
We hope that it will be a blessing to you!
Here are this week's AMAZING sponsors:
Mark's Finest Papers is offering one stamp set
to a lucky participant.  Check out ALL the
amazing stamps at Mark's Finest Papers.
AND
Eureka Stamps is offering one lucky winner
five (5) images of choice.  They have SO
many wonderfully sweet images.
Click here to shop Eureka Stamps.AND
Yours or Mine Paper Crafts is offering a
$10 Gift Certificate to their lovely shop
Click here to shop with Yours Mine Paper Crafts

And now...Our Lucky Winners:
The winner of their choice of any stamp
set from the LOVELY My Craft Spot
is Entry #63 - Tammy Hobbs
Click here to shop My Craft Spot
AND
The winner of the $10 Gift Certificate to
Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps is the very blessed
Entry #183 - Paula Jennings
Click here to shop at Sweet 'N Sassy

We are SO BLESSED!
We're grateful for each and every sponsor, and
we pray for God's blessings on their sweet shops!
Here's some inspiration from our Design Team
Linda Carson
Diane Noble
Outside/Front of Card
Inside of Card with Scripture/Word Art
Lori Ulrich
Carole Robb Bisson
Using Big Cats Stamp from Sponsor, MFP
Karen Letchworth
No Art This Week

16 comments:

Karen said...

What a beautiful and inspiring message. May God's strength continue to be perfected in our weakness and during our tribulations, which in turn can inspire those around us. The DT's work is beautiful and delightful as ever.. thank you for always inspiring on so many levels. :o)

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

Claire @FeelCreative said...

Some of these are just lovely. It's always good to take inspiration from the creativity of others. Keep up the good work. :)

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

May the joy of the Lord be with you and your families this Resurrection Sunday!

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

ah what a glorious verse.. when we think of all that the LORD suffered for us.. "tried in all points as we were, yet without sin".. and so much more...
.. at times we maybe" pressed down beyond measure" the apostle Paul said but in all this grace did much more abound and lift us up! out of our sin to salvation.. and may we daily live this truth in our hearts and lives..
Jesus who died for us,.. now by faith in Him, living in us, Shaz in Oz.x

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

I am better-thanks to Lord.
Great verse this week
and stunning presentation from all ladies
hugs and blessings Tamara

SarahGeorge said...

As always, BEAUTIFUL cards for inspiration :). Happy and blessed Easter to all DT members and Karen :)

peggy aplSEEDS said...

Indeed, whatever trials come, God can use them and make them triumphs, just like how after Good Friday, there is Easter Sunday. May you have a blessed Easter!

ike said...

Such wonderful DT creations. Thank you for this Challenge :-)

IKE x

Create With Joy said...

Happy Easter to all of you!
You are a bastion of inspiration and blessing to all who visit your blog!

Unknown said...

Congrats to the winners. Love all the amazing DT Creations!!! God Bless and Happy Easter. Thanks for another fun challenge!

- Susan
{Scrap A Thousand Words}
Open-Minded Crafting Fun Challenges

Unknown said...

So excited to be a winner here! And...as I was putting the badge on my blog I wanted to see the date I won...and it turned out to be on my birthday!!! What an awesome birthday present!

Bunny said...

Beautiful cards, y'all. Thank you for the challenge and message about Paul and Jesus. Happy Easter and praise the Lord we have Easter.

Diana Lynn Martin said...

Awesome DT projects! Thank you for another super fun & inspiring challenge! Happy Easter!

Diana ♥
Leelee Card Designs

Nana said...

Congrats Tammy and Paula. Love the creations by the very talented DT. Really enjoyed the inspirational scripture.

Have a creative day.
Hugs Nana
♥ My Crafting Channel ♥
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New Creations said...

Congrats to the winners! Thanks for the challenge. God Bless and Happy Easter!

D- said...

Wanted to stop in and wish you all a Happy Easter.
Thank you all for blessing my life with your sweet caring souls.
Crafty hugs,
D~
DesignsByDragonfly.blogspot