Jack the Koi

The end of August and the sky is overcast with the promise of rain. The goldfish in the pond pretend they are koi as they splash their fins in and out of the cool morning waters. When we are children it’s fun to play dress up and prance around like the princesses that our mother’s tell us we are. It’s good to watch the fish playing and remember the play times when we are transported from the chores of everyday life into a fantasy world. What is it they say? All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Jack the Koi
En plein air 08-31-07
8x10 framed without mat
Soft Pastel on Canson
$100.00
Contact phyllisfranklin@hotmail for availability

Today I am thankful for my life and that each day I have the opportunity to work and play. Finding balance in life is a good thing. I'm thanking God too for the gift of His son Jesus Christ and His presence in my life.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Praise Time

We Have Come Into His House

Words and Music by Bruce Ballinger

We Have Come Into His House
And Gathered In His Name To Worship Him;
We Have Come Into His House
And Gathered In His Name To Worship Him;
We Have Come Into His House
And Gathered In His Name To Worship Christ The Lord;
Worship Him, Christ The Lord.

Let’s For-get About Ourselves
And Concentrate On Him, And Worship Him.
Let’s Forget About Ourselves
And Concentrate On Him, And Worship Him.
Let’s Forget About Ourselves
And Concentrate On Him, And Worship Christ The Lord.
Worship Him, Christ The Lord.

Rules

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the rules that we think we have to follow. There are rules that protect us and rules for organizations, government, and house rules that keep us organized and living well, and then there are spiritual or religious rules.

One thing I'm sure of, you can't feel good unless you follow the one rule that means everthing and that is to listen to what God tells you to do. It's impossible to follow all the rules that are made for us or that some require of us. Thank goodness that God doesn't define our righteousness by our works, but by our faith in Jesus. You see, He already knows that we would be conflicted and overwhelmed by all the rules that man makes. Today I'm keeping my ear and heart open to what God has to tell me. It's that still, quiet voice that brings me inner peace and I can be content to rest knowing God is in charge and I am listening to Him.

The sheep that are my own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Sharing today a painting of my cat Cocoapuff. She claims me as her guardian and I claim her as my guardian as well.



"The guardian sleeps"
16x20 soft pastel on sanded paper

Turning 60

Today is my birthday. I actually can't believe that I have lived 60 years! Saturday I painted with my pastels and finished the painting I'm showing today of two ducks. I'm calling the painting "Cool Waters" and it reminds me of Psalm 23. We all have studied David's prayer of guidance and protection and how the shepherds would lead their sheep to still waters to drink because rushing waters would frighten them and still waters would be calming offering a safe environment for them to drink. I think the waters would also be cool, refreshing, strenghtening and soothing and of course, life itself.



Psalm 23 (KJV)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Clutter

Sometimes I get over booked with doing things that just aren't necessary. Then I go the other route of not doing anything I should be doing. Life is funny that way. Just when you think you have everything figured out, life changes.

Today I'm asking God to help me organize my clutter and finish jobs that I've started and haven't completed.

Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish an completely finish His work.

You see, Jesus knew how to keep is focus. I pray today that I will also keep my focus and remember that all good and perfect gifts come from God.

Concern

Be more concerned with what God thinks about you than what people think about you appeared in one of my devotion books as an unnamed quote this morning. After thinking about this for a bit I began to sing this song in my heart.

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
Words and Music by Helen H. Lemmel
1922

O soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free.

Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His Glory and Grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion -
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His Glory and Grace.

His Word shall not fail you - He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell.

Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His Glory and Grace.

Waiting for God

I haven't been a huge fan of Paula Deen of the Lady and Son's restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, but last night she was on Larry King and I was delighted that she shared her prayers to God about her life and how He guided her. That immediately gave me total respect for her and the things that she has endured in her life. When I first learned about Paula I only knew that she owned and cooked in her own resturant, had two sons, and was divorced from what had been a bad marriage. I admit I was turned off by her over the top Southern manner which I didn't think was Southern at all, but rather something rather like a exergerated cartoon of what someone in another country might think was Southern. To me a Southern Lady is refine, intelligent, coy, dripping sweet, yet strong and completely in control of all stuations having been touched with passed-down education on manners from sly crafty Southern ladies who came before her. Paula Deen was non of this things, or so I thought, until last night. Thank you Paula for sharing your testimony. You have my complete respect and admiration.

Reading this morning in a book by Watchman Nee, I revisited the thought that God takes no pleasure in what we ourselves do, but He is delighted with our waiting on Him. Nee said that As God's child advances spirtually he discovers that the Lord's time is as important as the Lord's will. Those that are unable to submit themselves to God's time are unable to obey God's will. I totally agree and also totally realize that I have a problem waiting for God to work His plan. I want to see God work now and solve all problems.

My prayer for today is that I can keep a quiet spirit, continue to seek God's will in my life and quit trying to manage things for Him.