'full armor of God' contest now open!

[zfawnz]

well I suppose it is about time to buckle down and stop procrastinating on this contest. I suppose I have been putting it off because I was unsure if I was staying with CF since the changes and though I am still not definate I wish to at least fulfil my previously established responsibilities. having won the 'win your own contest' then I suppose it means I ouight to set up and complete the game now. just letting you all know why it is so late coming and where my head is at and that I still have a heavy heart regarding the current changes in CF but alas I am still here.

I have never put on a contest before and this one is no simple task so bear with me as I try to lay out the guidelines.

here were some of my thoughts about the contest that I would like to see:

a two part contest including not only the character but a brief paragraph/scinapsis of what the Amor of God represents to the contestant personally abnd what it means to wear the Full Armor of God in today's world. essay should not be longer than 500 words and should be submitted before (or at least written before) the character is put together. judging on the essay to be broken down based upon length of essay and content. with a total of 20 points awarded for the essay and 30 points for the character - totaling 50 points for judging. the point system is to establish better means of and fairness in guidelines for judging.


minimum 300 words to receive 2 points
300-350 words 4 points
350-400 words 6 points
400-450 words 8 points
450-525 words 10 points
525-550 words 8 points
550-575 words 6 points
575-600 words 4 points
600-625 words 2 points
more than 625 words 0 points.

content of the essay to be based on how well you describe what the scripture passage the FULL ARMOR OF GOD Ephesians 6:10-20 means TO YOU (5 points total) and in portraying it in TODAYS WORLD (5 points total)

now onto the character part. as I was first thinking of this contest under the older CF I expected to be able to use only one character, one of each of the armor items and three accessories. with this in mind, I am requesting that you limit your character to these items only (1 character, 1 of each armor item, not more than 3 accessories). the character will also be judged on how well the character matches with your essay portion of the contest, how well it comes together without looking like 'a clown' - this is intended to be a 'serious' or at the very least 'well put together' dress up contest.

1 point for wearing each of the items of armor:

belt of truth
breastplate of righteousness
footware of peace
shield of faith
helmet of salvation
the sword of the spirit

as well as you can earn 3 additional points for 3 accesory items (but no more than three)

and 1 point for the character itself (including body, hair, eyes, mouth, facial hair etc)

for a total of 10 points. Notice you recieve 1 point for wearing each of the above but can be docked one point for each item that you use in addition to the 1 of each armory tiem and for any additional accessories above 3)

there will be 10 points for how well the character matched your essay.

and finally 10 points on how 'well put together' your character looks.

and so some of the judging is concrete and other aspects of the judging will be subjective (based upon the judges opinion). this way I feel there will be a better and more accurate way to judge and rank the winners.

essays should be submitted first and are requested to be in by no later than Sunday June 15th (this is two weekends and one week to work on them). characters then can be submitted from Sunday June 15 til Sunday June 22. this will allow the judges a week to review and judge the essays before the characters are added to the contest. the character judging should not take as long and I would hope to have the completed results by June 25th (or before).

wether you use a background or not (or wether it is an 'old CF' background or a chibi life background is up to you though for reasons of perhaps having a group photo taken (if possible - anyone wanting to do this and able to please PM me) it would likely be best to not use a background. IF you use a background I think they can be removed for the group pic but will know more if someone can and will take the group picture for me.

Though I have learned to take snapshots I would rather have someone that is used to doing them for contests take them for me. again please PM me if you are willing to do so and I will edit/revise here to let people know who will be taking the shots.

I think I would like a total of 3 judges, myself and 2 more - if you would like to be a judge again please PM me - first to request a task will be selected and the next person will be asked to be a standin in the event something happens to or the first person becomes unavailable to fulfil thier task (wether it is screen shots or judging).

Grand Prize 5000 blessings plus one rep star
runner up 2500 blesings plus half a rep star

5 honorable mentions will receive 500 blessings a piece

everyone who participates will receive 100 blesings after submitting both the essay and the character or 50 for each if they only submit one or the other.

any questions please feel free to ask here and/or PM me.

again this is the first time I have put one of these on and so maybe I am a little more wordy and all with my guidelines but I feel it would make things less confusing by laying as much down in the opening of the contest as possible to alleviate questions.


Ephesians 6:10-20 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society



The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.



Due to the reduced amount of traffic and fewer members coming on regularly I will be extending this contest til the end of the month for both the essay portion and the character. please let me know when you have submitted the COMPLETED DRAFT of each. I realize that some of you like myself may post spontaneously and then come back to reread it later only to wish you can make an edit or two - this is allowed so long as you need to - which is why I need for you to let me know when you are certain you are done with revisions to your essays. once the confirmation is set that you are done in deed then I will move the essay to a thread with only the essays on it to make it easier to read/compare/judge the entries.

I realize that many members may also only be here on weekends or may not have daily access to a pc so this is another reason the extension has been added.

I am still looking for a confirmed 2 judges and anyone willing to create a group photo.

 

[ladyt28]

EXCELLENT!! I want to join and will be working on my essay. THANK YOU zfawnz!!!!

 

[Wormie]

I would like to enter - but only with my character, as I will not be near a computer much this next week, so will not have much time (if any) to write an essay I would wish to enter a contest. Is that OK by you? Otherwise, I'll just sit out and spectate this one.

 

[zfawnz]

I would like to enter - but only with my character, as I will not be near a computer much this next week, so will not have much time (if any) to write an essay I would wish to enter a contest. Is that OK by you? Otherwise, I'll just sit out and spectate this one.

feel free to enter your character and you can join the group picture if we have one and receive 50 blessings for participating but you likely wont have a fair chance at the grand prize or runner up. perhaps you can jot your thoughts down on paper and type them up next weekend? hope you consider still saying something about the scripture. 500 words is really not that long a passage to write - like one page. I wish you the best in whatever you want to do. good luck.

 

[HazelAngel]

I will do this comp too Zfawnz and hi Wormie

 

[pixies27]

ok sis no problem I will attempt to enter the contest but i may decide to be a judge

 

[kaykay537]

Ok, this is more complex and more work than I'm accustomed to with these! But let me give this a whirl......

What does Putting on the Full Armor of God mean today? This was the advice St. Paul gave in Ephesians to early Christians and later, of course, through this word to Christians of all times. The days were evil in which the early Christians lived, and they are evil now. Christians all through time have had their particular battles to face. In our day, I think many of the battles we face are through deceptive philosophies and ideas bombarding us which would suggest that Christianity/religion is no longer relevant to today. This is not totally new throughout the centuries, but I think this is one area which is particularly an evil which Christians currently face. St. Paul gives clear instruction that having done all else, we need to stand and to stand equipped in the full armor of God which he goes on to describe. There is much teaching out there about what the full Armor of God exactly represents, but the following are my beliefs, and I think there is certainly room for more interpretation than this. Some people advocate that we should actually go through this everyday and mentally dress ourselves. Others would suggest that it is more symbolic. However, it is viewed we would be wise to give heed to it.

Putting on the Full Armor of God in this time and always can represent the following~ The breastplate of righteousness we put on can represent the righteousness we have through our faith in the shed blood of Jesus. The belt of truth can represent knowing THE truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and also speaking and walking in truth. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God which should be nigh unto our mouths and hidden in our hearts. It was this weapon which Jesus employed against temptation in the wilderness. Our "gospel shoes" can be the readiness to speak of the gospel which gives us our hope. I am reminded of the scripture Isaiah 57:2 which states, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation..." KJV The helmet of salvation is a protection of our mind from the deceptive darts, trends and ideas of this world. Similarly, the shield of faith can represent the protection we have when we believe and activate trust and faith in our God. These are all tools which every Christian should employ to stand in this day when we are so bombarded by concepts and philosophies which are contrary to the Word of God. This is what I feel "putting on the Full Armor of God represents...this and probably MUCH more which we haven't even tapped. I have tied this in with my character who is dressed as the Bride of Christ. This is appropriate to the Full Armor of God because these are weapons we can employ to be that pure, spotless Bride of Christ which the Church aspires to be.

 

[kaykay537]

Ok, she is ready for screenshot. I didn't include any extra background items since that is what you preferred. Thanks.

 

[zfawnz]

ok KayKay got your screenshot

 

[ladyt28]

zfawnz, I want to enter this but I just can't seem to get it together for the essay. Yesterday I found out I have pneumonia so that may explain most of it! I just wanted to let you know I just might not be bale to pull this one off but I want to wish you luck and hope to see many good entries!

 

[kaykay537]

Oh, Ladyt28, so sorry to hear about the pneumonia. I'm praying for you right now!

zfawnz, I guess you can go ahead and move my essay to the essay thread. I think I've done about all the "correcting/adding/changing" I plan to do. Thanks.

 

[Julina]

i would like to enter but i am not ready yet

 

[zfawnz]

this all sounds good... ok KayKay thanks!! will start the essay thread when we get a few more essays to add to it....
lady T hope you feel better soon - no worries as I said I am postponing this til the end of the month to allow more time for others to enter
thanks for joining Juliana - just let me know when you are ready.

 

[mizangelwolf]

I want to join and will submit my sinopsis and character tomorrow June 15, thanks for the contest ZfawnZ, challenging

 

[Wormie]

I'm currently working on my essay, and I'll submit it to you as soon as it's complete.

My character is ready for a screen-shot.

 

[Wormie]

Wormie's Essay - Full Armour Of God
There is a reason why each particular piece of armour was chosen by Paul and given its particular use.

The helmet of salvation - The helmet protects your head, and thus, your brain. Within your mind is the knowledge that you are saved. The helmet of salvation is protection against the Enemy and his lies that can cause you to doubt Christ's victory over your sins, and God's grace to redeem you. The philosopher's crown represents the knowledge that I am saved by grace, which the Enemy cannot steal.

The breastplate of righteousness - The breastplate is protection for our flesh - our torso, ribs, lungs... our heart. It is not something we can have without God. Only God can impart His righteousness so that we can stand before Him with confidence. We are equipped by God to face the challenges of the Enemy and his army of darkness.

The footwear of readiness-to-share-the-gospel-of-peace - Footwear is shoes; they protect the feet. If you are going for a walk, you need footwear that have thick tread to grip to the road, so you don't slip and fall if the path gets difficult. And when you walk a Christian life, it will get difficult. Footwear that can help protect your feet on the journey are essential. And comfortable feet make you feel more at ease, thus - peaceful!

The belt of truth - The belt holds everything together. It holds your weapon against you, so you can reach it with ease. The belt of truth girds your waist so that your armour will not fall off. It frees you to fight with both hands - you don't have to hold anything on while you're in battle - not only inconvenient, but dangerous - the Enemy could penetrate your defences!

The shield of faith - Faith is your defence in this battle! In Paul's times, soldiers had a unique attachment to their shield. When they regrouped each night, before the soldier had a drop to drink, they would soak their leather covered shields in the water, so that the leather would be drenched. This would protect the soldier from flaming arrows launched by the enemy, because the water in the shield would extinguish the fiery arrows. And that's exactly what Paul refers to in verse 16. How do we "douse" our faith-shield today? Drink from the River of Life.

The sword of the spirit - This is our only weapon of attack. It is God's word - the Bible. The more we read and study God's word, the more we can understand it, and use it to defeat the Enemy. Jesus, when he was tempted in the desert, used scriptures to rebuke and defeat the Enemy. Hebrews 4:12 compare the Word of God to a double-edged sword, saying it is sharper, and able to penetrate deeper. It is clearly the best weapon in any arsenal.

 

[zfawnz]

hello all

since we only have 2 entries that I asee so far I am extending this one more week - as I will be out of town part of this week until next weekedn and since I have not as of yet received any interest in anyone assisting in judging. If we do not receive any further entries then I will just have to give the two of you a tie and grant you each with a full star and 5000 blessings each I suppose. I enjoyed each of your entries and have both screen shots if you want to change. thanks so much for your participation.

 

[zfawnz]

 

[Wormie]

hello all

since we only have 2 entries that I asee so far I am extending this one more week - as I will be out of town part of this week until next weekedn and since I have not as of yet received any interest in anyone assisting in judging. If we do not receive any further entries then I will just have to give the two of you a tie and grant you each with a full star and 5000 blessings each I suppose. I enjoyed each of your entries and have both screen shots if you want to change. thanks so much for your participation.

I have a link to the game in my sig... I just haven't been posting anywhere to be able to advertise it... hopefully more will sign up... even if it's just for one part of the game.

 

[zfawnz]

thank you both for participating please post a numbers thread for me to rep you each 20 times to receive a star. I am awarding you each the grand prize as it only seems fair and you each also receive the 100 participation blessings.


sorry all that did not have a chance to participate.

Game is NOW OVER