lead by example

Lines – Encaustic on 6×6 panel (oil and hot wax)

Whether we want to admit it our not, we are all leading others. We are examples of something. It might peace, greed, joy or complaining.

Take some time to see those you are leading and what you are really sharing with them. This is a culture that is filled with extreme diversity in personalities, beliefs and leadership styles. It might also be a time to look at who you are following….

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17

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. 

listen to the rocks

As I’m painting rocks – His words are in my heart…
Lord, I praise you because we are fearfully and wonderfully made! You have created us in Your likeness and given us a heart that can love as you do! I thank You that there is nothing too hard for You and as we walk with You – nothing is too hard for us! Guide us in this week to walk with love and grace to all we encounter. Let our words be filled with encouragement and joy as we join the rocks in praising Your ways! 

They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.

Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:

Blessed is he who comes,
    the king in God’s name!
All’s well in heaven!
    Glory in the high places!

Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, get your disciples under control!”

But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”
Luke 19:35-40

goodness now

Blues

I admit to some envy for the Jewish ways of deeply knowing the Torah. I dig deep but there is so much more to discover! I think one of our biggest purposes in this life is getting to know the many facets of God through the Father, the Son and the Spirit. He desires that deep personal relationship with us. He desires to reveal mysteries to us. He desires for us to know the width, length, height and depth of His love. He desires to shepherd us and for us to know His voice. He desires to shelter us and encourage us.

We so often focus on what we can give to God or do for Him. We can even become prideful in our “doing” where we actually forget He is part in the relationship. It become us and our list of good deeds. The best relationship is mutual giving and receiving – and God is the Creator even of relationships!

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:13-14

Lord we thank you that there is always more You want to share with us. Thank you that You are not distant but so very intimate with our lives, knowing every hair on our head and every hope in our hearts. Guide us to know You even more as we seek You through Your word, Your presence and Your voice. 

 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100

spring will come

As the snow starts to blanket things again, I thought of my aunt’s painting. In her memory care home one of the activities has been painting. She’s been very proud of her creations and I am too! She even remembered that is was “the one her niece really liked” and wouldn’t let them take it. (They used another instead.)

I do wonder what might have been if she had tried some of this earlier in her life. She always leaned more toward TV watching than doing things with her hands, but she certainly is making up for lost time.

It is more beautiful to see the blossom of people than the signs of spring.

The snow drops my sister saw last week are now covered in white. Often as people begin to bloom, things come to cover up what has just started. It doesn’t mean it’s over and done, just a time to regroup, strengthen and come forth again. David’s life showed that in many seasons. He kept his focus on God and knew what God said, would surely come to be.

The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
    he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
    the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people he chose for his inheritance.
From heaven the Lord looks down
    and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches
    all who live on earth—
he who forms the hearts of all,
    who considers everything they do.
Psalm 33:10-15

sensing peace

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Are you like I was, thinking with God – all things would turn up roses?
He does say that with Him – all things are possible but there isn’t a promise of a rose garden. Much in our journey will make us more aware of thorns than the sweet scent of the rose.

Is your peace found in what you understand?
Is it found in what you can control?
Does it come from other people?

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is that man that takes refuge (trusts) in him. Psalm 34:8

If we know it all, understand it all, have it all figured out…
Why would we need God?
Why would we trust Him?
Why would we need peace?

This is speaking to me of our senses today – seeing, smelling, tasting, touching, hearing. We are often relying on our brains or knowledge more than our senses.

God created humans with amazing gifts. I challenge you to turn off technology and get in touch with those senses…listen to the songs of nature, open your eyes to the details of design, taste the freshness before you, feel the textures around you and explore the fragrances life.

As MLK Jr says – it’s not just about the destination – it’s about the journey. Unwrap the peace that longs to be experienced by you each day.

I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT

 

above the waves

on the easel

I heard someone over Christmas say, “Oops, I forgot, I’m not going to speak negative, that was negative.”

I think she is is her 80’s and still decided there was a change she felt would be worth it for her life! Keeping up with news, friends, and family – is not always encouraging. Many of the topics most will discuss are the negative ones. She had also commented about getting the paper again. I suggested if she wanted to stay positive – skip the newspaper! :0)

One thing is for sure – the good news of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven is definitely something to uplift us!!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:1-3, 10

The waves will come – it’s part of any great beach scene… but be sure to look up and see what God wants to show you for this coming year. I’ll be taking some time to paint, pray and ponder…

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Have a wonderful celebration of the NEW! Thank you for joining me on this journey. Praying God’s bountiful blessings to you and yours!

noel

Wishing you a Christmas filled with awe, wonder, hope, joy and peace. May this beautiful song and video fill you with even more love for this one called Jesus as you celebrate this Noel “birth of God”.  God’s blessings to you and yours.

The birth of a child who is also a King, Savior, Redeemer, Shepherd, Lamb, Healer, Light and more. 

no quitting

Sometime reading scriptures, it’s more self-condemnation than heavenly revelation.

You have not because you ask not. (James 4:2) Or maybe I did ask with wrong motives…search me God – You know my heart, see if there is any more ICK in it. (Psalm 139:23)

My prayers are not answered as “I assumed” so something must be wrong with me because nothing is wrong with God.

Have you ever felt any of those things? Or repeating your prayers gets old and it’s not working so you might as well stop and since there are no roses to smell, you might as well pick up a shovel and dig a hole…

It’s time to LOOK UP!!! 

In a severe drought…Elijah starts talking rain… es muy loco mi amigo. Yet he prays and prays and keeps looking for what he knows is coming. He keeps looking and trusting and praying. And KNOWING GOD’S CHARACTER and FAITHFULNESS, Elijah doesn’t give up.

You might say, “I’m not Elijah. Well God is still God and He does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

So keep yours eyes toward the heavens…He is still there and you really are seated with Christ in heavenly places. (Eph 2:6) Ask Him to show you things from His perspective. He knows what is coming across the horizon.

….I see a cloud, small as a man’s hand…its rising… (1 Kings 18:44)

a new thing

One of my friend’s favorite sayings is,
“God is doing a new thing!” 

After hearing this many times and knowing it was part of a verse, I looked it up and committed more if it to my memory bank.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

And then you start to notice same and very similar words are used in many more places. God has always been making something out of nothing, bringing life where there was death and flowing water even from rocks. Nothing is too hard for Him. He loves the impossible, the improbable and taking the foolish things to confound the wise. And many days – I’m confounded in ways that bring me even more AWE and WONDER at His great creativity!!

The Message version is fabulous here – verses 16-21
This is what God says,
    the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
    who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
    they lie down and then can’t get up;
    they’re snuffed out like so many candles:
“Forget about what’s happened;
    don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
    It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
    rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
    —the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
    rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
    the people I made especially for myself,
    a people custom-made to praise me.

I pray even this week, you will see God making a way where there seems no way and will recognize His hand at work in your life and relationships. He is so very generous and loves to give good gifts to His children!