why hope if you have

I’m hearing the word HOPE a lot lately. From some it’s like a cross your fingers and just maybe if we have extreme luck something MIGHT just happen. Others are firm in their hope. Trusting in a level that is infectious.

The many variations of hope isn’t really the issue, but what is that hope focused on…

But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25

I really feel its time for our HOPE to GROW!
Time to really know that we are not cast offs but grafted in children of God.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Romans 8:18-21

I do love Romans 8. A few years ago a group gathered to study it further. We realized that in so many ways we were waiting for these things to be real when Jesus comes again or when our earthly life is done. But the creation is speaking loudly NOW that we as children of God really need to start living on earth as it is in heaven. We weren’t just saved for a blessed death. We were chosen to be disciples here and now.

In the coming weeks, take some time in Romans 8 and seek further what it means to live according to the Spirit – not the flesh.
Ask God what it means for your life that the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you? Romans 8:11

We have been living in only a fraction of our true identity in Christ. The time is coming when we are going to need to know what our relationship and identity is really about and use it in every moment.

I bless you with wisdom and understanding as you seek His ways and truth for your life. That You will see yourself with new eyes – the eyes of the Father reflecting to you just how much you are made in His image. And He says it is good! That isn’t something you have to hope for – its something you already have!

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 ….

Surroundings

The past few years have definitely changed my perspective. Full-time work as a buyer from international places is definitely different than being self-employed and serving international ministries. As I work from home again but for an employer, the dynamics of years ago are not quite there. I am still finding working at home a good shift during this season.

I’m actually finding many good things this year! Though distractions come in a variety of ways.

-Amazing youtube worship can fill the air since I don’t share the office with eight others.
-I can pray or sing and not bother co-workers but still be connected via messaging.
-Zoom calls and facetime – so you can see each other unmasked.
-News – I have the choice on what I want to hear. Some days a headline is enough.
-Cats become like glue when you are there daily. (I do miss escaping from cat hair.)
-Sweater or thermostat? A bit more control.
-FRESH AIR!! I love open windows!

It really is our choice for perspective, isn’t it?

Do I want my knowledge to be what darkness is covering the earth or how the light is showing in brighter ways?

Today, I definitely opt for LIGHT!

John 1:4-5 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

What surrounds us does not have to decide for us.
May you feel you have the choice today!

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.)

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!

 

 

you are treasured

Shoreline Treasures

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. ³ All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

I remember thinking I was so unworthy of God’s love, goodness or grace. Guilt and lies had hung a cord of shame around my neck that continued to chock off hope.

BUT THEN….

God loves to do MIGHTY things in our lives when we decide to surrender.

I’ve learned that I have to keep on surrendering! It’s like a great dam that has been built is being dismantled bit by bit and releasing treasures as the new water churns up those jewels that were buried further and further by my choices, life influences and the lies of the world.

Thank you Lord that everyone of us has reason to HOPE when we have You! That You truly never leave or forsake and always want to lavish Your love on us. Let us learn to surrender more AND receive the wonders that are uncovered from the depths!

dare to ask

Lines

Here’s a good question to ask God. “What’s on your heart Lord?”

My people are hurting…they need the love of the Father. The perfect love that takes away all fear, that empowers with wonder and overcomes all the odds. It’s a joyous part of the journey that overcomes all obstacles and tears down all boundaries. No walls can keep Me away when you say “Yes Papa”.

Call to me, I will answer! I am here, sense My presence. My heart is for you. It is filled with abundance, receive my child, receive my goodness. I withhold no good thing from those who ask. Ask and it will be given, ask, I am waiting and I am willing. Ask.

Are you asking?
Is it just a motion or are you expecting His answer?
Are you taking time to listen?

Ask Him to share a verse, a word, a picture, a song. Write it down and ask Him again to explain why He shared that. So many of our thoughts are God’s promptings. He knows us so intimately.

This LINK will share with you several verses on how long God really has known you!

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8

Seldom going to give us what we desire until we ASK.

Heavenly Father – thank you that You know us so well. You know just what we need, what we are facing with trails, relationships and questions. You know who we are going to encounter today. Over and over in Your word, you tell us that all we have to do is ask. It’s not about our works but about Your goodness. We ASK Lord to know Your heart better. We ASK Lord to have great wisdom and revelation in our knowledge of You. We ASK Lord that You would prepare us and those we need to share Your love with. We ASK for earthly relationships restored. We ASK for healing and wholeness for those sick and confused. We ASK for peace to surround our world. And we ASK to hear Your voice with a new clarity that increases each day. We give thanks Lord that Your sheep hear Your voice and another they will not follow! 

what other name

A song brought me to this passage. The NIV titled this section as “Imitating Christ’s Humility.”

 

Philippians 2
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!
⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

How are we doing as the Church – the Bride in this?
Are we seeking the benefit of the body?
Is unity of the Spirit a priority?
Does our normal mindset say – I need to be fed, taught, entertained, and encouraged? Or is it seeking what is best for others?

I know many places in my journey with Christ I have focused on what I want to get out of church, relationships, ministries or encounters. And I’ve also been one giving and serving where I am completely drained and discouraged. I don’t feel either of those are the right place.

How can we become more “like-minded” with Christ?
Not just like-minded with a denomination, church leadership or other people…but with Christ?

Thank you Lord that it’s not about us conforming to the ways of the world but to Your ways that are higher, Your ways that bring peace, Your ways that speak life to all. Your ways often seem too lofty to obtain but You desire us to be one in Spirit and in mind with You. Guide us with wisdom and understanding as we seek Your heart and Your ways. Guide us with words as we share with others the love and joy that are found only in Christ – our Redeemer. Open our hearts further to the fullness You desire us to know of You. 

heir to what

Royalty

What does it look like to be an heir? 

Our earthly definition is a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person’s death OR a person inheriting and continuing the legacy of a predecessor.

What you are heir to depends on who died.

Did you inherit debt, investments, pets, or homes? Maybe someone left you a car, painting, business or ministry.

Generally an heir receives things that were previously part of the deceased person’s life. Seems pretty basic, right?

Why do we as believers in Christ, His Word and His kingdom, feel “we have to die” before we receive our inheritance? 

Who are we inheriting from then?
How can we inherit from ourselves?

(Yes, I have these wonderful conversations with God. Thankfully He’s gracious in His sharing and continues to tell me to Ask, Seek, Knock.)

Reading, studying, meditating, and praying through God’s word isn’t just brownie points, its learning God’s ways and seeking to understand Him more.

The death of Jesus gave each and every believer an eternal inheritance. That clock starts when the moment we say YES to him. It doesn’t have to wait for our earthly death. Jesus already passed on the inheritance at the cross.

Take some time in these coming days to ask the Lord what your inheritance is through Jesus’ death. I don’t think we’ll all get the same answers.

It seems like a Trust Fund to me. The more we mature, the more He can trust us, the more we will see and experience. It’s not all released at once but it’s all saved up for later either.

Lord, thank you that You give good and perfect gifts to Your children. That you have not left any of us as orphans without hope but love to lavish on us. Help us to know and understand Your ways and seek Your goodness – on earth as it is in heaven. 

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 

The good Samaritan story – GO AND DO LIKEWISE. Luke 10

even in storms

Night time is not the right time to get great color photos of your art work but it will suffice to demonstrate today. This was a photo from a friend. I loved that it captured both storm and beauty and asked if I could study it. My study may seem a bit different but it’s to get paint out and capture some parts of the photo. Not exact. Not precise. More the feeling of that moment of study. This photo speaks richly. First seen on a higher resolution computer screen, it lacks a lot on my laptop but still inspires.

We often will look at something and have a quick thought, impression or understanding. It’s when we take some time to study the scene, person, situation or passage – when something more comes.

Relating to God’s word, I think of the mystery that requires revelation and why we are told to “meditate” on His word day and night. We have different perspectives during light or darkness.

Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Ephesians 4:26

Relationships should not be a holding tank for the storm. They should be a place of grace, forgiveness and hope.

We could concentrate on the storms or chose to look for the sun setting, seeking the rainbow, the  wonder, the possibility and promise.

A verse comes to mind…

He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Psalm 23:5

Thank you Lord that even when things seem the darkest, when the storm seems the roughest and everywhere we turn seems to be bleak, there is a table of Your goodness ready and waiting for us to discover. Thank you that through Christ we are more than conquerors! Let us share Your good news through this week with those we encounter so they too can see Your goodness in new light!