Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Challenge #226-#227 - Anything Goes

Hi, everyone!  Welcome back for another great challenge.  We have a brand new Design Team Member, Gail Scott, and it would be great if you'd stop by to welcome her.  We also have a new Guest Designer for April, Jennifer Scull.  We hope that you will all be inspired by their projects.  We sure do enjoy seeing all of the fabulous cards and projects you all link up with us each month.  You're all SO incredibly talented.  One thing I need to mention is the issue of verification on your blogs.  Several of you have the security measure of selecting images (i.e. pick the images with trees, boats, etc.).  Please know that it's NOT just my Design Team that struggles with this.  It slows down commening, and in some cases even causes people to get frustrated and leave without commenting.  If you could turn off this extra step, it would really help us out a lot.  We really want to comment on your amazing projects.  This extra step often gets in the way of us leaving the encouragement you so deserve.  Thanks for looking into it, and please let us know if we can help in taking care of this simple step of turning off verification.

Our word art/scripture for this challenge is Philippians 1:9-10 which is another beautiful message from the Lord to bless and encourage us in our walk with Him.  What this verse is telling us is that, as Christians and followers of Jesus Christ; our chief desire should be to increase in our knowledge of Him.  By growing in our understanding of God and His holy and precious Word, it allows us to have true discernment (knowing right from wrong) in doctrines and beliefs that differ from the truths of the Bible.  This is paramount in witnessing to those who have grown up believing false doctrine.  Remember friends....there can only be ONE ABSOLUTE TRUTH.  We can't possibly all be correct and on different paths to Heaven.  There is only ONE WAY, which we know is through Jesus Christ alone.  But if we don't grow in knowledge and understanding, we can't possibly be properly equipped to address these important issues.  We also need to grow in charity.  While good works alone cannot save us, we are saved FOR good works, that we might glorify God with our actions and represent Him in a dark world.  Our ultimate goal is to bring glory to His name.  Only when we are educated in His Word and His ways can we possibly share our faith properly with others.  You don't want to go into a discussion with someone not knowing how to correctly and satisfactorily answer their questions.  This is yet another reason why it's so very important, once we are saved, to GROW in the knowledge of the Lord and His Word.  If you are saved and need help finding a good Bible-teaching church in your area, we would be more than happy to help you find one.  Fellowship is one wonderful aspect of finding a church.  But GROWING in the knowledge of His Word is the greatest blessing you could possibly receive on this earth.  It draws us so much closer to the Lord, Jesus Christ, and gives us a sweet fellowship with Him (as well as with our church freinds), and it prepares us for sharing our faith.  Hiding His Word in our hearts is also how we avoid sin in our own lives.  You will NEVER regret the time you spend growing in the Word of God.

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 atempting 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 Sponsor for this challenge:
Heartfelt Creations is an AMAZING
store that carries the lovliest stamps
and die-cuts.  They have tutorials to
help you learn new techniques.  Be
sure to stop by and check out this
AWESOME store.  One lucky
person will win a $25 Gift Certificate
to Heartfelt Creations.
AND
My Artistic Adventures is our
digital sponsor for this challenge.
Be sure to stop by this sweet
Etsy shop to see all the lovely
collage sheets and images that
My Artistic Adventures has to offer.
One lucky winner will get to pick out
some sweet new digital images.

AND NOW.....Our 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.
That lucky person is........
Entry #322 - Erica Thompson


AND, Our Top Three Honors Go To:
Entry #364 - Kava
Entry #194 - Vickie ODell
Entry #322 - Erica
Please email Karen or leave a comment
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

Visit Marsha's Blog to see alternate
views of this awesome card/bookmark
Using Floral Stamps and Die-Cut
from Sponsor, Heartfelt Creations



17 comments:

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Such a wonderful verse and what a great arrow of the Spirit of God in this prayer.. truly focuses on what is important..
Great work by the DT too and congrats to all the winners!
Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Shaz in Oz.x

{Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

Jennifer Scull said...

thank you so much for having me as a guest this month! congrats to Gail as a new designer! and so many beautiful projects by the team! :)

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing truth! May our Lord continue to use this challenge blog for His glory. Your faithfulness to share His word is very much appreciated.

Gail said...

Welcome Jennifer as Guest Designer! Happy Dance! Thanks Karen for having me on board - I am so excited to be part of this amazing Christian team! Happy Dance day! The devotionals are uplifting and help with the everyday Christian walk - Have a blessed week everyone!

Bunny said...

Beautiful DT work. Thank you for the challenge.

Congratulations to Gail for becoming a new DT member.

Congratulations also to Jennifer for becoming the guest designer.

Migdalia said...

Wonderful creations by the DT! Thanks for another fun challenge and the wonderful scripture.
Congrats to all winners!
Have a blessed day,
Migdalia
Crafting With Creative M

Jo Ann said...

Welcome to the WAW family, Gail! It always excites me to work with someone who loves the Lord and is dedicated to proclaim His Word through creativity. Thank you for the awesome comment you left on my Blog about my card too. I appreciate it a lot. I would also like to welcome Jennifer for joining us this month and see your wonderful projects! God bless you, both and know that your labor in the Lord is well worth it. Thank you to all our faithful participants and visitors for your encouragement and support as well! God bless, always!

JO ANN
http://jatterburycreations.blogspot.com

Granmargaret said...

Thank you for the challenge. Lovely work by the design team.

sarascloset said...

Welcome to Gail as the newest member of the Design Team and to Jennifer as Guest Designer! Huge congratulations to the winners--it is easy to see why these lovely creations were chosen! Looking forward to the challenge this time! Hugs!

sarascloset said...

PS BEAUTIFUL inspiration from the Design Team, and a huge thank you for your lovely and inspiring comments on my blog!

Лера Kava said...

thanks for the TOP!)))

Robyn Lynn said...

I love this blog...thank you so much for sharing God's word! Is there any way you could offer two versions of each weeks verse, such as NIV, ESV, or NASB? Thank you for all your hard work in making this blog possible!

Unknown said...

Congrats to all of the fabulous winners!! Love all the DT Creations too! Great scripture :) I love Natalie's with the vine of leaves.. the scripture on the side. It is simply beautiful!!! Absolutely love it!! Thanks for another fun challenge!

- Susan, {Scrap A Thousand Words}
{Sentimental Susan - Etsy}
{Sentimental Susan - Zibbet}
{Open-Minded Crafting Fun Challenges}

Janeen said...

the samples are all so beautiful. i especially like JoAnne A creation.

Grudniowe Handmade said...

Thank you so much for this place and wonderful inspiration :)
Blessings

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

May the Peace of the Lord be with all of you!

Beth F. said...

Welcome Gail! GREAT DT projects all around!