two roads diverged

New Discovery

In a Bible study it was interesting how a couple of us were hearing different words to study but they were bringing us to the same lesson and understanding…one of the wonderful parts of “iron sharpening iron” when you can have good discussion of God’s Word and it’s impact in our hearts and our lives.

Many say all roads lead to God – in some sense they are right. All will stand before God but yet the only way to the glorious presence of the Father is through the Son.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost – The Road Not Taken

lasting glory

The Light Shines

There is much more on glory that could be shared but I think I will end with this for now. God’s word is rich and full. Such an important reason to dig deeper and seek the Holy Spirits guidance.

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.  Revelation 21:22-27

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

I pray the Spirit of Truth will guide you each day, showing you the depths of His love. 

grace and glory

Reflection

Do you ever have certain verses come in your prayers and you don’t know where they are in the Bible? I frequently look them up to find context and help me remember the reference.

I felt the Lord saying, “No good thing will I withhold…”

It brought me to beautiful Psalm 84 and I was even more intrigued with the first part of the verse and how the word “glory” is used.

We don’t question the Lord giving grace to us, but glory? 

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 KJV
(ESV says favor and honor.)

Most often we are thinking of God’s glory or the eternal glory in heaven.

The Lord often tells me to go sit and listen. Yesterday He had me sit in the sun and as the intense brightness was on my face and closed eyes, He said, “The sun is a direct reflection of MY glory.” It made me think of Moses asking to see His glory and beaming so brightly the people couldn’t handle it so he covered his face.

We also are to be a reflection of His glory AND increasing in it!!!

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding (reflecting) the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

How have we been showing HIS glory in our lives lately?

I’m finding wonderful nuggets in here so will share on this more…

framed and named

Fill ‘er Up

Solo Flight

In the midst of other things in life, I finished these local scenes for an upcoming exhibit. Hope you like the sneak peek. Portraits are not my forte but I do love to capture people and movement. The local Splash Pad is filled with both on a warm summer day! It was a treasure to watch, snap some photos and imagine how I could bring different things to life.

So often painters are asked, “How long does it take you?”

I often say, “Until it’s finished.”

Just like God’s work in our lives, it really depends. Some journeys are smoother than others.

The more detailed boy – went quickly. I had several photos of the water spray and none include the little girl in that position. I pieced three photos which all had her profile. Her face and head shape seemed wrong with each paint edit. A few days later, the head movement idea came and though difficult to get a pink ear to show in blond hair – it worked.

I think they will bring some great smiles to those viewing our “Art Around Town” showing at Zeeland’s Second Reformed Church. A great gallery space our Zeeland Artists group is thrilled to work with on this plein air project.

I pray you find some extra joy and exploration in your week!

embracing unknowns

Untitled

This painting still brings me more questions than answers. I started it while in our worship service and then continued as normal while at home. It did not go in the direction I had planned.

It began with the dark underlay and I was layering lots of paint with the palette knife for texture and assuming the majority of the finished piece would actually be white tones with depths of red. At home as I continued the piece and the worship – I felt led to remove more and more paint. I was also taking many pictures along the way. It would have been good to write as I was experiencing this, but words were not there.

It was a very spiritual process as if it were a war in the heavenlies. This may seem like a dark painting in some ways but I was sensing the victory side for certain. My feelings were not ones of defeat, fear or worry but of conquering, overcoming and daring to engage.

Giving this a title is another question altogether!

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. ³ For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:1-5, 37-39

 

scripture inspiration

A recent “assignment” was creating something from scripture. I had done a previous piece from Psalm 23 and as I was reading with them, another section brought a different picture to me. It was definitely impacting to let the watercolors flow and create this more abstract piece.

Psalm 23:5
You anoint my head with oil…

Also making me think of this –

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133:1-3

seeing new

I have been doing some occasional work with a company and the view is amazing. Even when I’m seeing the approaching storms – its glorious because I know I’m well protected.

Do you know God’s protection?
Do you feel secure in His plans, His timing?
Are you confident of how He has designed you?

I can’t always answer yes to these but I have definitely learned that what we look at and think on is as important as what we say.

If we focus on what is not happening, what is a mess, what the neighbors say or do – we are not keeping our eyes where they need to be – on the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Even focusing on ourselves – is not focusing on Him.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:2-3 The Message

Maybe this week you’ll invite the Holy Spirit – the Counselor and Friend – to let you see new things as you read His word, enjoy His creation and listen to His voice in the wind…

 

wonder of words

Do you ever have stray words come to your mind? They don’t relate to anything in the moment but you know you must pay attention. They are like invitations to explore, to dream and imagine where they will lead.

How about EXPECTANCY?
Google definition:  the state of thinking or hoping that something, especially something pleasant, will happen or be the case.

Not in a normal days conversation but makes you think further than the moment. I will hold on to expectancy through the coming days. I think it will bring something pleasant.

You might want to ask for a word…

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
    or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
    And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
    gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind.
Isaiah 40:27-31 The Message

its spiritual

STOP one way

Some would say everything is spiritual.
Some would say spirituality is simple.
Others would say it’s complex.

The more I learn and the more the Holy Spirit reveals – the more I agree with all of these statements!

Lately my prayers include “renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10 KJV “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Maybe I’ll share another day on the pure heart part…

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village. Luke 9:54-56 NASB

Even those closest to Jesus, He still had to confront what spirit they were listening too.

I find it humorous that so many verses that come to my mind, I can’t find in my concordance because I remember the words from other versions and not the NIV I have studied for years. In Luke – the NIV does not even have this [parenthesis section.]

How did these other versions get implanted in my memory?
The Spirit – our Counselor – who guides us into all truth! John 16:13

With so many Bible versions, so many forms of spirituality; be sure to test and know the ONE Spirit of Truth.

May the Lord give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Eph 1:17

never the same

a different view

Each year I eagerly await the transformation of one tree in my yard. I never catch the colors the same, especially waiting for a sunny day to take photos. Last week the glorious reds were gaining on the greens, now an abundance of golden hues.

All of creation changes so differently. Plants, creatures, people and weather! Definitely something we can be grateful for and other times, steadiness would be good Lord!

I think that is why I find great comfort that God is never changing. The only thing that can always be sure for us. The Creator of all.

I beautiful day of sunshine and simplicity.
Magnifying the Great I AM!

A lyric from years ago comes to mind….
“Just one touch from The King – changes everything!”
Godfrey Birtill (I was used to Old Man Worship Band singing :D)