Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Challenge #172 - Anything Goes

Welcome back, crafters!  It's hard to believe that February is almost gone, isn't it?  The time is passing quickly, and we continue to be blessed by the wonderful cards and projects you share with us each week.  We consider you ALL winners, and we thank you for taking the time to play along.  We have another great challenge for you all this week, and we are SO grateful to have you join us.

This week's word art scripture is John 15:9 and these are the words of Jesus.  He says, "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you:  continue ye in my love".  This is a progressive type of love; and because of it, we are SO blessed and SO loved.  The love that God the Father has for His Son, Jesus Christ, is a love that we cannot comprehend in our simple human minds.  Yet, it is the type of love that Jesus has for us as His children.  Because God's love is SO incredibly deep and genuine, it gives us the opportunity to feel that love, and enjoy the comfort of knowing we have eternal life through His love for us.  God loved us enough to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for our sins.  Jesus, who is God, but was sent as the sacrifice; loves His children in the same way.  Now, Jesus asks each of us to love others in that same manner.  Unfortunately, we fail.  While we attempt to love others the way God loves us, we are unable to truly match it because of our sin.  This is why it's SO incredibly important for us to accept the gift of eternal life that God gave us when He came to earth in the form of human flesh (Jesus Christ) and died on the cross for our sins, making a way for our sinful souls to get to Heaven.  We have an obligation to do our very best to love others in the same way God loves us.  Only when we have surrendered our lives to Jesus can we begin to attempt loving others the way God loves us.  God wants us to enjoy the love of Christian brothers and sisters; but we MUST first confess our sins and get right with Him.  Then, and only then, can we truly experience not only the love God has for us; but also the brotherly love of other Christians.  Next time you see someone without that love, without that joy, just remember that they need Jesus.  It's an opportunity for us to share God's love, and an opportunity to help save a soul from an eternity in Hell.  Don't ever shy away from an opportunity to share the story of how God loved us enough to die for us, and how we can experience His love in its fullness by placing our faith and trust in Him.  This is how we show our love for Him, and for others.

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 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 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 scripture/word art file.
We hope it will be a blessing to you.

Here are this week's AMAZING sponsors:
Heart & Soul Rubber Stamps is offering
one lucky person either
2 Mounted or 4 Unmounted Stamps of Choice
from their AMAZING shop.
AND
Deedee's Digis is our Digital Sponsor
this week.  One lucky crafter will win
some of their SUPER sweet digis.
Several of our DT Members have used
Deedee's Digis on their projects.

AND NOW......Here are our lucky winners:
The Kraft Outlet is offering one lucky person
a $15 Gift Certificate to their AWSOME
store.  That lucky person is
Entry #196 - Debbie's Dash Of This & That
Enjoy shopping at the Kraft Outlet
AND
The lucky winner of our digital prize
offered by Moonlighting By Mary
is Lucky Entry #85 - Renate
Enjoy your prize from Moonlighting & Co.
AND
The winner of Karen's give-away for naming
a product from the Kraft Outlet is
the very lucky - Heather G
You have won some of the Kraft Outlet's
GORGEOUS Vintage Winter White Seam Binding

WINNERS:  Please email Karen THIS WEEK
to claim your prize!  Thanks.
May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!
Here's Some Inspiration to Get You Started
Our Fill-In Designer, Stephanie Castro
Using Deedee's Digi Image,
Using Deedee's Digis Image
Sadly, this is Diane's last week with us!
Using Sponsor image, Cup of Joy
Using Sponsor, Deedee's Digis
Image "All The World"
 

10 comments:

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Ah ladies wonderful DT work again... and love them all.. congratulations to the winners... and yes we are so very blessed to have the Love of the LORD manifest by His gracious gift of salvation. It is free for all who truly, simply like a child, believe in the LORD Jesus as their Saviour .. may we indeed continue walk day by day in that light,beautifully done verse, Karen.
Shaz in Oz.x

http://calligraphycards-shazinoz.blogspot.com.au/

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Blessed new week
Tamara ;)

StephC said...

Lovely cards, as always! Thank you for allowing me to join you for the month of February. :)

D- said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful artwork. Have a great week.
Crafty hugs,
Dawn
DesignsByDragonfly {blogspot}

Charity Morris-Chamberlain said...

Fantastic creations by everyone! So pretty! Wonderful word today as well! Such a powerful & beautiful verse!

Bunny said...

Beautiful DT work. Thank you for the challenge.

Wendy Swenne said...

Hi Ladies,

It's been a long time since I've commented on the blog. But you've been in my thoughts!!

My life has been settled down quite a bit now, so I finally have been scrapping again.

Hope you ladies are doing alright. And it's nice to see your weekly inspiration cards. I have been following you still on my Feedly.

God bless!

Wendy

Cynthia said...

Thanks for the fabulous DT inspiration!

Migdalia said...

Wonderful creations!
I truly enjoyed reading the wonderful scripture.
Have a wonderful day,
Migdalia
*Crafting With Creative M*

Diana Lynn Martin said...

Gorgeous DT creations this week, ladies! Thanks for another fun challenge & inspirational verse. Have a great week!

Diana ♥
Leelee Card Designs