Go

Deuteronomy 31: 8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Moses was old and needed to turn the leadership of Israel to Joshua, so he did. It must have been a difficult task for Moses to realize he would need to do this as he listened to God tell him what to do. He must have been disappointed too that he would not get to go to into the promised land with all the other Israelites. I would have been. Goodness gracious last year I didn't get to attend a workshop I wanted to go to and I was crushed. However, my week ended up being a good week to be at home because there were important things that came up needing attention and if I had been at the workshop I would have had to come home anyway... and I would have lost my workshop fees.

Some might say it was just coincidence that I ended up not going to the workshop, but I sincerely believe God was in control and worked it out for my best benefit. This happens to me a lot. Just like running late and hopping in the car only to find out that I had a flat tire, which keep me off the road and later I heard about a bad accident I might have been involved in had I been on that road. When something bad happens to me I always stop and remind myself that God is in control. He wants the best for me and he wants the best for you. I'm glad I don't have God's job. :)

Today I'll be showing pictures from my trip to Giverny, France, but I'll wait until sick little Carley wakes from her nap. Well, actually she is not so sick that she can't make a mess in the blue room. Maybe I can get a few pictures up before she wakes. :)

Confess

Philippians 2:5-11 (King James Version)

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I sometimes wish that there was a button to press that could instantly make me have the mindset of Christ and I would do no wrong. Thinking about this made me think of how as a painter I try to copy what I see before me. The trick to painting what you see correctly is simple observation. You make a mark on your canvas and then all other marks are put down in relationship to that first mark. If you first mark is wrong, then all others will be off and it will be harder for you to correct. Sometimes starting over is best and sometimes it helps to read the manual... how to paint 101.

As a Christian, I am thankful that God allows us to start over if we make a mistake. Sometimes our first marks are wrong and the canvas just needs to be cleaned so we can begin anew. In John 1:9 we read "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I'm really thankful we can be forgiven.

I'm thankful that God has given us the living example of Jesus Christ to copy. I'm thankful for the Bible, our instruction manual.

I'm thankful for a new life canvas today.

It's going to be a very thankful Thursday!


Ms. Beverly, Anna Claire and Carley Ann's teacher
We love you Ms. Beverly and are so very thankful for you.

Wholly Filled

Ephesians 3:14-21 KJV

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Don't you just love Paul. This guy is wholly filled so much so that you can almost see it dripping off of him. When he writes to the Ephesians in these verses he really gets wound up. It's almost like he's on a mission.....duh. :)

When I read Paul I am so encouraged. I've mentioned before that I enjoy reading the Bible in the King James version, but reading other versions certainly gives me help with understanding some passages or words that I might struggle with. This particular passage gives me no doubt as to what Paul's message to us is. He wants us to experience the same thing he has experienced and can't wait for us to understand.

Imagine what our day would be like if we woke each morning and became totally filled to the top with God anew. We would be like containers walking around with Him everywhere we went. Our walk would be different, our talk would be different, our thoughts would be different, our actions would be different and our emotions would be different.

My prayers for today is that we all might be wholly filled with God and enjoy His presence in our lives. I pray we might be well feeling His love and power in our lives and we might drip with His spirit everywhere our feet might take us today.
Amen.

Be well friends.

Mom Terri and Anna Claire who was not feeling so well

Wellness tip:
We make a choice everyday if we are going to be happy no matter what or if we are going to dwell in the misery that might be attacking us at the moment. Chose to be happy and watch those miserable enemies run away! You can laugh at them or you can let them defeat you. It's your choice. Every thought we have either builds us up or pulls us down. Dwell on the positive and you will be positive.

Chosen

John 15: 16 KJV
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

The last couple of days has found me hitting the warm salt water trying to get rid of this insane tickle I have in my throat. It's so annoying especially early in the mornings.

I wanted to show you one of my treasures today so it being another salt shaker is very appropriate. This pair belonged to my mother and she passed it on to me. Yes, you are right, it's tupperware from the Jetson era. :) I love them and use them everyday.

Today's word from God has special meaning to me as I think on what fruit He is talking about. We know that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. It makes good sense to me that God has chosen us to produce these fruits and by doing so others will see Him in us and want to follow Him as well. Others have said that the fruit He talks about is salvation, or bringing people to salvation, but I believe that salvation is God's job and we are just His instruments. Anyway, this verse gives all of us a lot to think about today and is a treasure too.

Comfort

John 10: 27 King James Version

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

It's Spring and the flowering quince is making the side yard sing. :)

Kindness

Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Yesterday it snowed and the girls got to catch a few snowflakes. I know you can't see them... but they did and were thrilled. :)

Praise

Psalms 86: 11-13

11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Beth Moore's Texas Sheet Cake

Grease a sheet cake pan.
Sift:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar

Bring to a boil:
2 sticks butter
1 cup water
4 tbsp. cocoa

Pour over dry mixture and mix in:
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Bake at 400 degrees, 20-25 minutes.

Icing
Heat:
1 stick butter
4 tbsp. cocoa
6 tbsp. milk

Add anywhere from 1/2 to 1 box of powdered sugar to acheive desired consistency (Beth prefers close to 1 box) and 1 cup pecans. Spread on cake while it's hot.

Seeing

1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Lake Blueridge in the North Georgia Mountains

August 2003, 18x24 Pastel

As a landscape painter, I've had the pleasure of going to places and painting what I see. It's amazing what you can see if you just stop long enough to really look. It takes stilling your spirit and getting into what I call 'the zone'.

We all get so busy doing things that we don't take time to stop and see what is actually before us. It's the same thing with our spiritual lives too. I think this is why revisiting passages we have read many times before always gives us something new to think on. By going back and taking a second look we find we missed something or something new is revealed.

Gifts

Matthew 6:1-4 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

How to Give
1 "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 So whenever you give to the poor, don't sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. I assure you: They've got their reward!

3 But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Many years ago during Christmas season I baked cookies to give as gifts to all my friends and relatives. I was careful to decorate them so special and they were works of art for sure. I wish I had taken pictures of them, but I didn't. Anyway, I decided that the people who pick up my trash would be the recipients of some of my art cookies, so I carefully packaged them and put them on the counter waiting for the morning to come so I could run out and put them where they could find them since the next day was trash day.

The next morning I walked to the trash bins and put my beautifully wrapped Christmas cookie sacks on a log that was close to the trash bins. I was sure there would be no mistaking that these packages marked with tags that said ‘THANK YOU, have a merry Christmas’ were gifts so I went back into the house and listened for the sound of the trash trucks so I could rush to the window and see them get their gifts. I waited and waited and as the day unfolded and the afternoon arrived, I realized the trash trucks were not coming.

Brent, my son, came by and when he noticed that I kept going to the kitchen and looking out the window, he was curious as to what was distracting me from paying attention to what he had come to talk with me about. When I told him he said, “Mom, don’t you know? The trash pick-up schedule has been changed for the holidays and there is no pick up today.”

Since I had given all the cookies away, he was glad there was no trash pick up. The cookies would be all his! We walked together to the trash bins and picked up the cookie sacks and quickly put them back down. The sacks were covered with ants. We both had a laugh and every year since then Brent always asks me if I’m going to bake cookies for the trash people. No one else understands why we laugh.

Today I am thankful for lessons learned. Ants like cookies. Ants work year round.

One Breath - One Step

Philippans 3:13-14

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I'm a wellness dropout. I know what I'm supposed to do, but I find it so easy to make the wrong food choices and easy to skip exercise or do the other things I know will make me stronger. I'm not sure why I don't have wellness discipline, but I don't at this time in my life. When I was younger I could just think about dropping five pounds and it would be done!

In the passage quoted from Philippians, Paul tells the faltering Philippian sisters and brothers that the future does not lie in embracing the past. Now I know that Paul wasn't speaking to my wellness, but his words certainly have wellness application for me. It doesn't matter what has happened in the past. I need to forget that and press on to reach my goals. Simple huh.

Each breath we take has a beginning and an end. Once the breath is gone we forget about it and take a new breath. Doing breathing exercises creates awareness of how the breath comes in and goes out, but still it's an automatic function. Breath can cease, however.

The thing for me to remember is that my entire life journey ultimately consists of the one breath and one step I am taking at this very moment. Until I go to heaven, there is always only one breath and one step of the moment, so I need only to concentrate on that one breath-one step and make the best choice I can.

Today I am praying that each breath and step I take will be good choices and that I will be able to forget the mistakes of the past and press on.

Hope your day is a good day. I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me today! Be well friends.

Wellness tip:

Sore Throat Tea
Mix together a clove bud, which is antiseptic and fights infection, with 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger (or 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger) and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon — the latter two because of their anti-inflammatory properties.

Infuse the tea in 2 cups boiling water, and for every cup, stir in 2 teaspoons soothing and sweet raw honey. Sip throughout the day until your throat settles down.

The Expert: Paul S. Anderson, ND From ABC Good Morning America

Perspective

Philippians 4:4-8

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Walkways or pathways are a recurring theme in many of my paintings. Many landscape artists play with this kind of composition because it's a good way to show perspective. In the art world, perspective is everything. This morning, thinking about perspective and pathways I'm thinking about beginnings, midpoints and ends and realizing that in life too, perspective is everything.

Today for my Tuesday Treasure I wanted to show you one of my earlier pastel paintings. The perspective is off. At the time I painted this I was concerned about my perspective, but still I made mistakes. Probably, even today, if I had the opportunity to go back to paint this scene again, I'd make mistakes. Life is like this too. We will always make mistakes. The thing is not to dwell on the mistakes so much we overlook the successful parts or the learning along the way... and of course keep our focus on the ultimate end.

My mind is rambling over so much this morning. It's a good thing that we have fellow Christians to inspire us to keep our Christian perspective correct. I love this song. I bet you do too.

'Trust and Obey'
(John H. Sammis & Daniel B. Towner)

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. Or we’ll walk by His side in the way. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey.

Spirit Seeds

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14







What does it mean to be led by the Holy Spirit to do this or that? I have to be honest and say that many times I think I’m being led by the Holy Spirit when, in fact, it’s really just me. I get myself in a mess and then I backtrack to see what or where I went wrong. I don’t think this is the way it’s supposed to happen. If I were truly led by the Holy Spirit, then I wouldn’t have to backtrack, would I?

God doesn’t drive or force us to do things. He leads us by nudging our hearts. I think of them like Spirit Seeds. After the nudging begins we have to be careful to listen for His direction. Even after we realize that God is asking us to do this or that and we follow His direction, we still have to be careful to keep SELF out of His plan. That’s hard to do. Self, or ego, is a powerful entity to overcome.

Sometimes I catch myself doing something so humanly stupid I have to laugh. Last week working at the food pantry I caught myself getting puffed up with righteousness. I asked if I could pray with a few folks that came and then was quite surprised that one man wanted to pray with me…or was it for me? I think … for me. I have so much to learn and understand. This man’s stomach was empty, not his soul. Not that there is anything wrong with feeding both… it’s just me being puffy that was wrong.

It’s a very good thing I have a Shepherd who has a strong rod and staff. I understand the shepherd and sheep part and am totally happy to be a sheep. The difference between a rod and a staff is for another days thinking.



Carley Ann and another steel magnolia in the making, Grace.

Truth

John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

These are powerful words and I know they have something deep to tell me. On the surface I understand how knowing the truth, or as some say,” get to the bottom of things", would get rid of doubt, fear, anxiety or other negative human conditions I often find myself experiencing. Knowing the truth about something helps me understand it's orgin. If I have all the facts I can make better decisions.

The problem is, I think I don't always want to face the truth because it is painful or too hard to deal with. Sometimes it shows me that I am at fault or that I need to change either my thinking or my way of doing something. I've been on the edge of this for quite sometime now dealing with health issues. Why is it that even though I know the truth I continue to reject it or not do the right thing? I think it's about surrender. If and when I am able to surrender to the truth I know, I will be free.

I know I'm looking at this verse in the intellectual or philosophical sense. I think I've often quoted this passage without really thinking about its context too. I bet the Jews listened and understood Jesus intellectually too, or maybe even politically. Again Jesus uses objects or ideas we CAN understand to help us understand deeper things.

Jesus is the Truth. Listening and following what He tells us does set us free. Free not from sin but free to choose the truth over sin. This verse gives us the plan of salvation in a nutshell. :) That's my thinking this morning. I know these words will be in my heart and mind today as I dig deeper.

Callaway Gardens April 2007

Hope your day is a good day friends.

Doodling

Callaway Gardens - March 2007

John 8:1-8

1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

When I woke this morning and brought my coffee into my sitting room, my Bible fell to this passage. Although I have read it many times and heard many speak on this passage one thing struck me this morning and that is the part where Jesus was making marks in the sand. I suppose it's because I too make marks when I'm thinking or listening, especially if I'm on the phone. The marks I make don't mean anything, they are just doodles. Those marks, however, do serve a purpose for me...otherwise I wouldn't do them. I think they are a means to create space between what is happening and what I might need to do next. Maybe doodling is just visual thinking.

While all the other folks were shouting and running around gathering up stones, Jesus was quiet, thinking first before He spoke or acted. Doodling probably allowed Him thinking and waiting time. I think this is a big lesson for me to learn. Sometimes I need to stop and think before I speak or act. I also think I need to learn that a quick answer to a problem is not always in my best interest. I'll remember this the next time I think I'm not getting an answer to a prayer in the time I think it should take. Maybe God is just listening and doodling giving me space and time to see myself and what I am asking or doing in the interim.



Yesterday afternoon I experienced what I think was another reaction to the medication I'm taking for a weird rash I have across my belly. Since I was dizzy and didn't feel well, I didn't keep the girls and I miss them this morning. I'm feeling better but not up to par or up to keeping up with two energetic girls. Perhaps today is a doodle day.

Maxine's Squash Casserole - A favorite of mine

2 lbs yellow crook neck squash, cooked and drained
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 carrots, coarsely grated
1 small jar pimento diced
1 medium onion chopped
1 package herb dressing mix
2 tablespoons butter

Mix all except dressing mix. Line casserole dish with half of the dry herb dressing mix. Add squash mixture and top with remaining herb dressing mix. Cook at 325 for 30 minutes or until top is light brown.

Again, this is not a low fat/low calorie recipe.