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!

new things

New Song – oil and cold wax medium on 2x18x24 panel

I was repeatedly having the words NEW SONG coming in journals, sketches and stray paintings. I decided it was time to do something bigger with it and explore more what God had to say…

A dear friend would regularly say to many, “God is doing a new thing, do you not perceive it?”

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

God loves to create! He loves to change the things that look barren, desolate and empty. He loves to breath life to bones and yet we often keep Him in a box and say things are impossible. WHY?

If we were reading in His Word – we would see all through old and new, He was taking impossibilities and making something from them! He was using people that were not the norm to become a new norm. He took the simplicity of water and turned it into the most amazing wine. He died in a very unjust way to bring justice and freedom to all.

We have gotten so used to the world’s system instead of the heavenly promises. Did you know there ARE over 7,700 promises from God? And His words do not fall to the ground! Will you dare to believe these are for you and for today! His Word is eternal – it wasn’t just back then – it is for now!

9“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
¹² You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.” Isaiah 55:9-13

I pray that today you would find a promise of God’s that would speak richly to your spirit and reveal to you the wonders of His ways. That you would see with new eyes and begin singing your new song!

(Its also a good day to start a negativity fast. If negative thoughts or words start coming your way or out of your mouth, ask God to show you a word of truth or promise that will help you renew your mind! He wants to give us the best – not the worst. Will you receive it?)

seeing more

Have you ever heard Louie Giglio speak on the INDESCRIBABLE? Several years ago he spoke locally and it was very exhilarating to SEE through his descriptions of God’s creation. You might like to SEE in a refreshing way today! He has a longer message that might even touch your heart more.

Let us SEE with new eyes Lord. That each day, we will have further wisdom and revelation in our knowledge of You. That we will be further amazed at Your hand at work in every second of this world and our individual lives. Thank you Jesus for bringing us into this Kingdom on earth – as it is in heaven! 

processing

Some days just call for paint…
Starting somewhere – some known and unknown ideas – always more to come.

I am taking more photos documenting the ways my paintings evolve. I’m noticing I don’t always take the same approach and I frequently find His wisdom along the way.

We are always in process.
God knows where refining is needed.
Blending can bring out the best color.
Sometimes drying between layers gives the best effect.
Complete is an individuals viewpoint. 
Doing something you like brings peace.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 NIV

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 NLT

Thank you Jesus for the blessings of friendship, encouraging words, companionship and painting. Thank you for being always present and never lacking. Sharing Your imagination in and through us. Let us be fountains of grace and love through this week – for Your glory and Your story, because it’s not really about us!

 

kingdom quandry

Royalty

Jesus came saying the Kingdom is at hand. Matthew 4:17
The Kingdom belongs to the children. Matthew 19
Jesus says his Kingdom is not of this world. John 18:36
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

The Kingdom is within in you. Luke 17:21

It’s not only about Jesus our Savior – but the one who has brought the Kingdom to us.

Lord – reveal to our spirits what it truly means to know the Kingdom is within us. Let us see with Your eyes as we seek to know and understand Your abundant grace…

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

the whole earth

Where’s Your Focus?

Sometimes the Message version just speaks a little louder…

Psalm 24 MSG

 God claims Earth and everything in it,
    God claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
    laid it out on River girders.

Who can climb Mount God?
    Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
    only the pure-hearted;
Men who won’t cheat,
    women who won’t seduce.

God is at their side;
    with God’s help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
    to God-seekers, God-questers.

Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
    King-Glory is ready to enter.

Who is this King-Glory?
    God, armed
    and battle-ready.

Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
    King-Glory is ready to enter.

 Who is this King-Glory?
    God-of-the-Angel-Armies:
    he is King-Glory.

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. 

obstacles

This word brought more than I could “fathom”.

Do you feel earthly life should have no obstacles?
Can Christ followers expect an easier life? 
Are some obstacles acceptable?

As I study the Word, I see how my view of life on this earth has been in error. As I minister to and walk with hurting and stuck people, I recognize places I am still there too. I return to repent and seek His wisdom and revelation.

Thankfully He is generous through the Bible and sharing when we listen!

Yes, His Word does say we will do immeasurably more… Eph 3:20
But I also read those verses many glance past…

In this world you will have trouble… John 16:33
You are blessed when you are persecuted… Matthew 5:11
Count it all joy when you face trials… James 1:2

As we come into the Kingdom with our yes to Jesus, we are now not only of this world but also a threat.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16

God gives wisdom generously. His answers are the only ones that will bring the peace needed when the obstacles seem too large.  Ask – seek – knock…

 

depth of words

Often its just a word that comes for me to dig into. Today was “fathom” and I hope the verses will speak a rich story to your heart.

Fathom – an open arms measurement – usually to measure the depth of  water but also in depth of thought or embracing of something. 

I used to think that God was just too angry, too mysterious, too distant, too great, too big to be known or understood. And even more – who was I that He would care about me or my life. BUT GOD – rich in mercy and patient with our learning…shares so much through Jesus and the Holy Spirit to show us more of Himself.

I pray today you can open your arms, your heart and your mind to know His greatness and the depth of His unconditional love for you. He has created you in His image and calls you amazing!

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted. Job 5:9 & Job 9:10

Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? Job 11:7

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3

He has made everything beautiful in its time.
He has also set eternity in the human heart;
yet no one can fathom what God has done
from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,
or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Isaiah 40:13

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and
his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28

If I have the gift of prophecy and
can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2