laughing at impossibilities

I won’t share photo progress. It is way too messy. Three weeks ago I pulled up the dark green indoor/outdoor carpet on the porch. It was here when I got the house in 1993 and was the only carpet in the house. The porch is definitely a favorite place for cats and me so the dreams of change started long ago. This seemed the year to tackle it.

About 4 years ago I pulled back a corner to see how easy it might be removed. Didn’t seem too hard. I started looking for flooring, reading about how to remove the carpet glue and didn’t realize there was linoleum gunk in there too. I just finished grinding down the last section to pretty clean cement! WOW – what a lightness to the space!

We all have some dreams. Whether it be with a house project, improving relationships, starting a garden, joining a ministry or even a new career. Sometimes NOW is not the time, but keep the dreams alive! Read, improve, learn. Put into action what you’re able to now and write, journal or draw what it WILL be like.

Dreams do come true but with a cost and daring to keep it alive!

“Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees,
And looks to God alone;
Laughs at impossibilities,
And cries it shall be done.”
Charles Wesley

We are ALL called to dream BIG dreams! With God – nothing is impossible.

enjoy the clouds

My painting “Through the Clouds” is with an online gallery and was being featured last week. I found a quote to go with the post that left me thinking further on clouds.

It is better to have your head in the clouds, and know where you are… than to breathe the clearer atmosphere below them, and think that you are in paradise.
Henry David Thoreau

Through the Clouds – encaustic oil and hot wax 12×12

What do you see through the clouds?

I felt so much more on clouds and not just with this painting. Clouds of covid, candidates, colors and cares. So much clouding our joy, our vision, our hope. Are we trusting only in what we see, what’s in the news, what our friends or family say? Are we focusing so much on the clouds, yet missing the purpose of them?

We MUST have clouds for rain, for covering from the intensity of the sun. Even the rainbow comes through the clouds.

Many verses on clouds came to mind too. Here are a few to think about.
Exodus 13:21 And the Lord went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel by day or night.

1 Corinthians 10:1 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea.

Genesis 9:13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (and how long does a covenant last? hmmmm)

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Hope and promise are not found only in sunshine but even in the clouds and most certainly in His Word.

Thank you Lord that Your words are anchors we can rely on when the storm tossed waters are beating at our door. Your covenant has not stopped even if we have been wandering or wondering. Help us to discover the blessings and the promises that are always there even when we can’t see clearly through the clouds. Open our eyes to see how you are parting the sea and guiding us day and night for safe passage through it all ….

restart

When you haven’t blogged in so long, where do you restart?

ANY where!

My journals are overloaded. My home has gotten more attention in 2020 than when I first purchased it and so many things collected and stored over the years have vacated the premises! I’m not done yet – weaving loom and kayak went this month and definitely more to go.

Restoring Waters – oil on canvas Psalm 23

It’s been quite a season of purging, pruning and preparing. I’m not sure which is harder.

As I went through multiple file cabinets, bookshelves and closets – memories were flooding. Some days were difficult. The house often seemed more of a mess as I was “cleaning” out. Doing my office work from home was helpful and gave more time to the tasks but some days it also made it harder not having much of an escape from the feelings that would flood.

Files, manuals, books and more were shredded and recycled while the weather was still in coolness. Years of ministry, history and dreams that seemed to have unnatural deaths were released. Walls, windows, ceilings, doors were painted as sunshine started to warm things this spring. I had one winter project of wallpaper and paint in the kitchen, I never expected to do so much more. Spring/Summer project was to paint the outside of my house. Windows were done last fall and some testing of new color on the aluminum siding of the garage. I felt comfortable to BEGIN on the house. With a few weeks of reduced hours and time saved from traveling to the office, I have most of the exterior painted. A dream for years that finally will come to be!

Yes – pandemic and distancing is impacting but it doesn’t have to stop us from life and accomplishing dreams. I am really feeling the NEW God has in store has a place to come to life! I’ve done my part for the new wine skin and He has definitely been doing His part in preparing me too!

Dare to dream again – so many of our limitations are in our own thoughts and the words we speak of limitations.

Dare to believe in His immeasurably more! All things are possible – will you believe?

crossing the line

The Disciple – oil/cwm 16×20

In the midst of a busy season also brings what will be my biggest exhibition so far. Others may not realize it, but it’s intimidating and exhilarating at the same time.

Usually at the gallery I have 8-15 paintings. This will be close to 25 and include writings. I was also asked to speak which doesn’t seem as threatening as showing these more personal creations.

As I was asking the Lord what I might need to share in writing, a very strong message came.

“We all have a chicken line to cross.”

I laughed! God definitely has a sense of humor! I thought of this painting right away. The GOLD is waiting if we dare to take a step!

Ask the Lord today what line you need to cross.
It might be to see yourself as one who is already equipped and prepared.
It might be to know that God really does have good plans for your life.
Maybe it’s something that seems difficult like a phone call to an organization or company.
I pray that the kingdom courage you already have will rise up to meet you as you dare to step forward!

It’s not always a matter of success or great revelations, but often a matter of obedience to go where you are sensing God needs you to be. Momentum only comes from allowing movement. He can’t move with us unless we’re stepping out!

Some of my chicken lines this year.
Becoming a chaplain and not knowing where He wants that used.
Stepping down from leading our gallery management team.
Reseeding my lawn and hoisting 40 lb bags of dirt.
(At my age – wood chips are easier.)

dream a little

Still In Process – Oil and cold wax medium
18x24x2 (that means it’s not finished)

I think I’m supposed to stay on this topic a bit and ask a few questions. Hopefully you will take some time to ponder. Most people understand the Bucket List idea and things they want to do before they leave this earth. Often those are things for personal gratification (not saying that’s bad – I have a spa day on my list!), but there’s also a lot of people young and older that are wondering….

What is my life purpose?
What will I do with kids grown?
How can I change my career?
Can I make a difference?

I strongly feel God designed each of us with great purpose. Things that would touch our hearts and also bless others. I’ve read many great books on the topic but here I’m sharing the dreaming with God process. God had me write and lead a couple classes on this years ago so it’s interesting He’s having me revisit it here.

At the beginning of my journey with Christ – I did not understand about hearing Gods voice. But now that I do, I definitely see things much differently. One of the very potent words He shared with me:

“Your heart has a passion that has been neglected.
Let it come again. Let it be breathed with life again.”

One of my passions while I was young was to create art. The responsible and better paying way of life was business college and doing accounting things. Later in life that led to a bachelors in business management and ministry leadership. Neither of those were in my young dreams but God brought NEW dreams to life along the way. REMEMBER: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE!

The dreams of art were buried in a deep closet. Forgotten in the logical fog of numbers and spreadsheets. UNTIL – I had finished college and missed taking classes. Several things led me to an art class. You might say and the rest is history but it was only the beginning!

Today I pray that you will take some time to dig in your closet for that passion that never had a chance before. That you would see what step you could take to let it be breathed back to life. That God would give you the courage and the opportunity to dust it off and try it on again. Pro sports might not be good at age 60 but I’m sure He can show you more! Have a beautiful day!

another viewpoint

Through the Fog, oil and cold wax on 12×12 panel SOLD

Do you ever get a glimpse of something and you’re not sure what it is?

Maybe my newer abstracts are that “something” to you. 🙂
It has been very interesting to hear what others are seeing. A friend was over and was at first turning her head sideways to look at a painting. I gave it to her and she began turning in different directions and sharing some new stories. It was beautiful the way it spoke to her. Reminding me of days as a child looking into the clouds with friends and waiting expectantly for new things to be revealed.

It’s often how it is in the spiritual world too. We can read a passage over and over and then sharing with another, they see something we did not. A reason I love having conversations about God’s Word.

In three different places, I am in the book of Ephesians. A devotional, recent church messages and a study group. It’s sharing even more life! We’ve been digging out the promises of God. Seeing how He views His creation and encourages His children. Recognizing God’s heart in the prayers that are still very alive.

I think that’s why I’m also enjoy the The Passion Translation and The Message as I study. It removes some of the lenses I have used and reveals hidden things before not seen.

The Passion Translation (TPT) Ephesians 4 – Our Divine Calling
As a prisoner of the Lord, I plead with you to walk holy, in a way that is suitable to your high rank, given to you in your divine calling. ² With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience. ³ Be faithful to guard the sweet harmony of the Holy Spirit among you in the bonds of peace, ⁴ being one body and one spirit, as you were all called into the same glorious hope of divine destiny.

⁵ For the Lord God is one, and so are we, for we share in one faith, one baptism, and one Father. ⁶ And He is the perfect Father who leads us all, works through us all, and lives in us all!

I pray this week you will take some time with a familiar passage and ask the Holy Spirit to share some new insight. Maybe discuss with another over coffee or tea.

Thank you Lord we are not left to our own devices, that you have richly blessed us and continue to guide us in all truth. Let us not get so focused on our own understanding that we neglect to seek and ask for Your wisdom.

childlike exploration

Back to the Beginning

As I created this piece I had started using more gold leaf and oil pastels. As I drew those crayon like circles around the three purple shapes it felt like I was being transported. Not to my childhood, but to a childlike place with the Lord. A place I could dare to test and try without criticism. A safe place that found His approval.

I scratched in the words, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Other words were written but are no longer seen. It seemed He was showing me the simplicity of the Father, Son and Spirit. How they are each distinct yet connected, intertwined, vibrating and still not fully definable.

One might just look at this and enjoy the colors, the movement, the simple lines of the circles but beneath is a bigger story yet to be discovered.

This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it – the Lord is his name:  ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’  Jeremiah 33:2-3

My creative process may have started with sharing the beauty of a landscape or capturing some realism of a photo, but it has expanded into exploring the unsearchable, seeing what’s possible and stretching beyond what seems reasonable.

I pray today that you will find a way to explore, see and stretch as God guides you. That you would embrace His picture of simplicity as a child and know His approval and grace! Blessings to you all.

denial to disciple

Several new paintings are waiting for final touches.  As this rooster sat on the wall staring at me, so many thoughts of Simon/Peter’s story came to mind. After finishing touches as I was doing more of the engraving, the words “chicken scratch” came very strong.

The original painting was a realistic rooster that never felt finished. I was going to totally cover it up then thought to leave some realism in with the abstract.

As I thought of Simon/Peter, the first engravings in one layer of paint were, “denial – one – two – three”.

Jesus wasn’t surprised by that denial. He even told Simon/Peter it would happen.

I looked up the name Simon – in Greek it means flat or snub nosed. I think we can say he “snubbed” Jesus and as said – before the rooster crowed.

I also found great hope in this painting and the Simon (Peter) story. You could say Simon didn’t know how the denial would turn out but Jesus told him quite clearly when he spoke the name he would be known by…

Matthew 16:15-19 NIV
¹⁵ …Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades  will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

There was a depth to their relationship. Jesus was calling out the GOLD in Simon – that he would be Cephas (Peter), the rock!

Denial was in his history. The chicken scratch of past – not the ROCK of his future!

Your life has a message from Jesus too! We need to be like Peter and willing to hear it from the Lord as He calls us to our future. The world needs what we are carrying! We were made for such a time as this!

I pray that this week, you will hear the call of God to be ALL that He created you to be. That you would have courage to step forward to ALL that He has in store for you! Thank you Jesus for this gift of life on earth – as it is in heaven!

 

 

ask.answers come

Spirit Dance

After I wrote on Jesus coming for His Bride, I listened to a message while I was doing some work. It was on Jesus and the Bride. My before bed reading talked further on Jesus and preparing His Bride. Prayer with a friend also ended up sharing again – the Bride of Christ!

The Lord knows the questions of our heart. He longs to give us answers even more than we want to know them. His heart is that we would have questions. His desire is for us to know Him more. Not just to know “about” Him but knowing the intimacy of His heart. Through this we will know ourselves even better. It’s not a knowing that comes from self-reflection of how bad we goofed but of who our Creator has designed and called us to be.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
Proverbs 25:2

Thank you Lord that You long to share the secrets and mysteries that surround us. Thank you that You graciously give and give and give. Let us learn to be the BEST RECEIVERS of Your wisdom and grace! 

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32

seems right

I woke to this verse several weeks ago.

There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 16:25 ESV

Am I heading in a wrong direction? Is this a warning to me? Is this to guide me in pray for someone else? I wasn’t sure so I continued to ask… As I wrote yesterday, this verse came again and reminds me also of Romans.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Sometimes when we are doing what seems right to us, it’s acceptable to the world and to what we know of God’s ways, yet the results can be detrimental.

Maybe its words spoken that hurt relationships.
(No, we can’t control when saying “Hello” will bring someone pain.)
Times we settle for easy fixes that cause even bigger problems.
(That would be me in some of my home repair projects.)

Jonah decided he was not going to do as God asked. Was his reaction fear? Plain ole disobedience? Or just a matter of being in control instead of surrendered to God? His choice didn’t go well and came with a great cost to others. Jonah didn’t die in that fish belly – but a part of him was certainly killed after that experience! God’s grace redirected him so his purpose was completed.

Why do I talk about the dreams God has for our lives so often? Because I know that is part of His message for me to share. He has uniquely designed each of us “in His image and likeness” and He really NEEDS us to walk in that.

It’s not just a matter of us needing God but even more is His need for us to be “fully” who He created us to be. The master blueprint before you were even born showed a God sized destiny – not just an earthly lifespan. Will you dare to dream big again?